All the Cool Girls Get Fired: How to Let Go of Being Let Go and Come Back on Top

by Laura Brown, Kristina O'Neill

Turn losing your job into an epic comeback with this unfiltered, comprehensive GPS guide to rebuilding your career on your terms.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Business, Audiobook

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

Laura Brown is the founder of LB Media, and the chair of (RED)’s Creative Council. She sits on the boards of (RED), The Fashion Trust US, and me too. Movement, and Foot Soldiers Park, Selma. Previously, she was editor-in-chief ofInStyle, executive editor of Harper’s Bazaar, and senior editor at W. She earned her BA in arts and communication from Charles Sturt University in New South Wales, Australia. She lives in Manhattan with her husband.

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting fired felt like the end of the world. Enter All the Cool Girls Get Fired. The only problem? It wasn’t out yet and I was in the trenches, like, NOW. I reached out to the author and received not only some encouraging words, but an ARC of the book from Laura—right when I needed it most!

This book is part pep talk, part playbook, and equal parts validating/actionable. It proves a setback isn’t the end — it’s a setup for what comes next. If you’ve recently lost your job (or need a reminder that your worth isn’t tied to said job), run don’t walk when this hits shelves in October—this one belongs on your personal development TBR.

Note for my Canadian girlies: Some chapters are more applicable to the American system (since that’s where the authors are based) but still tangible enough to apply to us.

[Emily Nielsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as much practical and helpful advice as I was hoping and basically devolves into a lot of name dropping/stories from extremely famous and wealthy people. Don’t get me wrong, almost all the stories are interesting but don’t really help with the issue at hand. Like the Carol Burnet section is a fantastic story but it reads way more memoir/biography to me than something applicable to my getting laid off by a corporation lmao.

[Marcia reading past dark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever been fired? Maybe the language was more diplomatic: we’re downsizing, restructuring, going in a different direction, contract not renewed. They all mean “you’re fired.” Pack your bags. I’ve been there, and it feels like being kicked in the stomach by a mule, but that’s the initiation to entrance into the Cool Girls Gang. It hurts, and chocolate or booze seem like the cure right now, but first trying reading All the Cool Girls Get Fired, with enlightening stories of other great women who got sacked.

Authors Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill understand from experience, and their book is here to help every dismissed and grieving woman move from the shock and reboot a brand-new start. I have never laughed so hard about such a serious subject. With openness and humor, the writers present a game plan, with detailed strategies, that builds confidence and leads the way to recovery.

So, put down the candy bag or the liquor bottle, and order this book. Katie Couric, Oprah, Sallie Krawcheck all bounced back, so give it a try. If you happen to be one of the very fortunate who has never been sh*t-canned, remember the Boy Scout motto, “Be prepared,” and order your book, too.

GIVEAWAY on my IG page @readingpastdark.marcia

[Kathryn Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was EXACTLY what I needed after my lay off. The authors gave every step by step of what you should do when laid off, fired, or left your job with a touch of humor. They really take the shame away from the experience. They hit on legal, health, resumes, social media, working your network, and included real stories from inspiring women in all professions who were fired and shared what they learned from their experience. A great how-to pick yourself up and really focus on what YOU need to do thats best for you and know you are not alone and your life isn't over but beginning. Must read for all women, even if you haven't been let go or left your position, its still for you as it will get your mind thinking about your worth and what you want and deserve.

[Lindsay Schnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a godsend and I really wish I’d had it when I lost my job at 30. The advice is so good, so practical and all the revelations from successful women who went through this themselves (Oprah!) so reassuring. You don’t have to be fired to appreciate the wisdom in this book; every working woman should read it. Also, the last line is brilliant. Thank you to Gallery Books & NetGalley for the ARC!!

[CatReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura Brown is an Australian fashion journalist who was formerly the editor-in-chief of InStyle magazine; Kristina O'Neill is an American journalist who was formerly editor-in-chief of WSJ Magazine. Brown and O'Neill have been friends were decades and were both publicly let go from their aforementioned high profile positions in the last few years, prompting them to co-write this 2025 book, All the Cool Girls Get Fired.

This is an interesting approach to a career book. About one third of the book consists of practical advice for dealing with a firing/layoff/job loss, including adjusting budget-wise, negotiating expenses in the interim, filing for unemployment, deciding if legal counsel is needed, exploring health insurance coverage options, updating resumes, job searching, reskilling, side hustling, messaging this news to your network, etc. The other two thirds of the book consists of chapters written by many high profile women who describe a time in their career when they were fired or let go from a role, how they handled it, and what they learned in the process. Some of these anecdotes depicted fairly low-stakes, private firings, like Carol Burnett being fired from a low-paying usherette job at a movie theater in 1951 before she was famous, and, to a lesser extent, Lisa Kudrow being fired from the role of Roz in Frasier after filming the pilot episode before she got her big career breakthrough in Friends, while others were much more high profile, like Oprah Winfrey being fired from a news anchor role in Baltimore and Katie Couric being let go from her vaunted post-Today show solo anchor gig of the CBS evening news (an incident she writes more about in her memoir, Going There). While the vast majority of people aren't in these famous womens' situations, I think one valuable lesson to take from most of these stories is that pettiness and public shaming of one's former employer aren't very productive strategies for dealing with being fired/let go, and that it's usually worth it to take the high road, at least publicly, as you never know when your former colleagues/bosses may intersect with you again.

One distinction that's never discussed here is the difference between getting fired (where the implication is that one wasn't the right fit for the role or underperformed/badly performed) and getting let go (where the implication is that the fault isn't really on the individual, but rather circumstances outside of their control impacting the organization). With those definitions, most of the stories in this book (including those of the two authors) are about being let go vs. being fired.

Further reading: career transitions
The Beautiful No: And Other Tales of Trial, Transcendence, and Transformation by Sheri Salata
Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career by Kristi Coulter
Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes by William Bridges
The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels by Michael Watkins
Your Next Move by Michael Watkins

My statistics:
Book 4 for 2026
Book 2310 cumulatively

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone recently fired, I love the idea of this. However, it reads a bit like a manual, which makes me wonder WHEN you are supposed to read it. Just have it on your shelf for when the inevitable HR call comes, so you flip open the chapter about what to do the day it happens?

However, some sections were more big picture and encouraging to think differently and take a break. Much of this came through the profiles of famous women who landed on their feet, and then some (Oprah, Jamie Lee Curtis, Katie Couric…)

I appreciate this book, and the authors. But if you are recently fired, Never Search Alone is the best I’ve seen about how to tackle the next day, week, month, 6 months both tactically and philosophically.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were inspirational and the practical advice for benefits and networking were good, but I think it would have been a better resource if it didn't immediately go from being fired sucks to being fired was the best thing that happened to me. I wanted more of the messy in-between.

[Kelly Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I discovered this book a few months before it launched and was immediately excited to listen, especially as someone who has been let go, fired, canned, or as the authors put it, “left,” more than once.

This book feels like a permission slip. Permission to stop internalizing job loss as a personal failure and instead see it as a redirection that often leads to something better, deeper, and more aligned. One quote that really stayed with me comes from Oprah’s chapter:

“Open yourself to what comes from the rejection and momentary embarrassment of being let go, and the life adventures, the experiences, the encounters, the lessons just get sweeter.”

That sentiment perfectly captures the heart of this book.

I do wish I had known more about the authors while they were writing it, because I would have loved to submit my own experiences. Being let go can feel isolating in the moment, but hearing so many women share their stories at the end of the book was incredibly validating and inspiring. Those submissions alone make the audiobook worth it.

I was also bummed to realize after the fact that there was a book launch party at the Tory Burch store in Highland Park Village in Dallas. I shop there all the time and somehow completely missed it. That just added to the feeling that this book brushed up against my life in a lot of unexpected ways.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has been fired, laid off, or is actively thinking about leaving their job. And honestly, I would also recommend it to any woman who has not experienced that yet. You never know when it might happen, and there is real power in being mentally and emotionally prepared.

This audiobook is honest, comforting, and empowering in a way that feels grounded, not preachy. It made me feel seen, less alone, and more hopeful about what comes next.

[Jaclyn Gruenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

whether you’ve just been fired, think you will be soon, or are thinking of quitting - this book is for you. a mix of very practical info (how do i get health insurance now?) plus relatable stories and advice from famous and non-famous people alike, this book was really engaging but also legitimately helpful.
the only thing that sort of bothered me was when really famous successful/ wealthy people would talk about their layoff and i couldn’t help but think “ok but you don’t have to worry about money anyway…” but it was still fun to read.

[Lauren Santo Domingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book…sharp, funny, and painfully true in the best way.

Basically: she got fired, shes fine and she wrote a perfect book about it.

I laughed, winced, and texted quotes to friends who will absolutely recognize themselves in these pages.

[Marieme · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD! Wish I had this a year ago, but it confirmed I handled everything the right way :) A must read for every woman in corporate. Such hilarious and cool authors, and the interviews with Carol Burnett and Oprah were my favorites. Loved this!

[Maiju Talvisto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everybody should read this one 💎

[Ashley Davenport · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our company was recently acquired. Never being in this position before and not knowing the future of my job, I wanted to read this as a “hope for the best, prepare for the worst” book. A good book for anyone on their person’s development journey.

[Lena · Rating 3 out of 5]

as a girly in tech who has been fortunate enough to not experience layoffs yet, this book soothed a lot of my anxiety about the possibility of it 🧘‍♀️ we are so much more than our work!

[Steve Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have selected this book as Stevo's Business Book of the Week for the week of 10/12, as it stands heads above other recently published books on this topic.

[Isabel Pellegrino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good resource even if you haven’t been fired *yet*

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could not relate to this book. I probably had to high of expectations.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the Cool Girls Get Fired: How to Let Go of Being Let Go and Come Back on Top
by Laura Brown; Kristina O'Neill
Thank you to Gallery Books for my gifted book.

You know what no one tells you about getting fired? That it’s kind of a personality test. Do you spiral into an identity crisis? Do you rage-apply to jobs that sound like slow soul death? Do you crawl into bed with your laptop and pretend you’re “freelancing”? Hi, it’s me. I’ve done all of it. That’s why All the Cool Girls Get Fired by Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill hit me like a life raft with snacks.

This book is not some corporate Pollyanna nonsense written by a white-collar robot who’s never missed a paycheck. It’s raw, funny, practical, and just the right amount of sarcastic. These women have been fired. Like, capital-F Fired. They’ve ugly-cried in office bathrooms and rage-walked out of “reorg” meetings. And they’ve come back stronger. Which is exactly what they help you do, page by page.

It’s a little bit therapy, a little bit strategy, and a whole lot of “you’ve got this” without the eye roll. Brown and O’Neill don’t waste your time with vague advice. They lay it all out—from financial triage to dealing with that awful combo of shame + panic + rage, to rebuilding your network without sounding like you’re begging for scraps. One chapter literally starts with, “You’re not washed up, you’re just in the rinse cycle.” Tell me that doesn’t make you want to scream-laugh while updating your resume.

There is a lot of focus on the American system, so my Canadian sensibilities had to do a bit of translating. But the core ideas? Universal. Reinvention, resilience, boundaries, knowing your worth? Those don’t care about borders. And while yes, some of the celebrity examples feel a bit removed (I am, sadly, not Oprah), there’s a solid mix of real women navigating real transitions, and that made me feel less alone.

Final verdict? 4.5 stars, rounded down slightly because a few bits felt a touch too “Lean In 2.0” for me. But overall, if your career just exploded—or you think it might soon—grab this book and a snack. You’ll laugh, maybe cry, and absolutely walk away with a battle plan.

Quote I’ll be whispering to myself in the mirror until further notice:
“You didn’t fail. The job did.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (4.5/5)

#AllTheCoolGirlsGetFired #CareerReboot #FiredAndThriving #WomenWhoWork #ProfessionalComeback #NetGalleyReview #LauraBrown #KristinaONeill #CareerAdvice #JobLossRecovery #WorkingWomen #BookReview

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Cool Girls Get Fired: How to Let Go of Being Let Go and Come Back on Top is particularly timely at a point in history when so many people are being "let go" in both the private and public sectors. As a federal employee who has been tracking the latest government Reduction in Force (RIF) alerts, court activity, while also striving to deliver in their much-loved career, All the Cool Girls . . . is a great resource. My estimation is that a book such as this is super helpful when one has lost their employment but, far more helpful, is to read it as a strategy refresher when/if one even fears being reduced.

The book alternates chapters with sound advice delivered by authors Laura Brown and Kristina O'Neill on such topics as finances, when/whether to seek legal advice, health coverage and the dread COBRA, mental health, identity/brand, surviving the search and allowing oneself to take a break, with stories of getting fired (or even "firing oneself") from the likes of Mika Brazezinski, Domonique Browning, Tarana Burke, Carol Burnett, Lindsay Colas, Katie Couric, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sallie Krawcheck, Lisa Kudrow, Angela Missoni, Margherita Maccapani Missoni, Tracy Sherrod, and Oprah Winfrey. Each of the latter is broken down into what happened, what next, and what was learned. There's a lot of great advice here--probably the most important of which is something women need to hear: There is no shame. Own it, regroup, and move on. Lesson #2: you are not your job. (Okay, so that second one is going to take me a whole lot longer to master.)

Toward book's end, the authors share that they plan to create a "professional community for women who have either read this book, heard about it--or just gotten fired and have no idea who the hell we are" (p. 273). Let's hope this support network/community of practice takes off as it holds tremendous promise as a resilience incubator for a great many folks going through a very hard time at what we keep being reminded is an unprecedented moment in history. My best recommendation to prospective readers is to read this book, even if it serves as a refresher of things you already know, before it is needed.

Five stars for timeliness (knock wood that my team and I are not RIF'd), for making deadly serious topics such as COBRA (that insurance extender none of us can afford) a bit less daunting and, above all else, reminding readers that none of us is alone and we can pool our knowledge and networks to rebound with grace, humor, and success.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to the Cool Girls Club (Yes, Oprah’s Here Too) ✨💼💖

All the Cool Girls Get Fired is an absorbing, surprisingly comforting read — part memoir, part pep talk, part group therapy session with some of the most iconic women in American culture. While the authors share their own experiences, many of the most powerful and practical insights actually come from the guest contributors, a lineup so impressive it feels like a red-carpet roll call: Katie Couric, Mika Brzezinski, Jamie Lee Curtis, Carol Burnett, and even Oprah Winfrey. ⭐ Hearing their stories — honest, relatable, and surprisingly vulnerable — makes the whole subject feel far more universal than you might expect.

Their reflections are both inspiring and grounding, and several quotes really stood out:
• “Failure often teaches you more than success.” — Lindsay Collis
• “Sometimes we don’t have the guts to leave something that doesn’t belong to us anymore, but sometimes life does us a favor and takes it away.” — Angela Massoni
• “The setback is a setup.” — Oprah Winfrey
(Her reminder that what feels like a setback may actually be setting you up for something better is especially uplifting.) 🌈

Near the end, the authors offer a memorable takeaway:
Getting fired is kind of like a breakup. It absolutely sucks in the moment — but eventually, you won’t even remember their name. 💔➡️💪
It’s direct, but also oddly comforting.

A Small Caveat

The book seems to assume the reader has been fired very recently — as in, “still holding the cardboard box from your desk” recently. 📦 Much of the practical advice (don’t sign anything immediately, carefully review your severance, take a pause before reacting) is excellent, but realistically, job loss often lands with the force of a frying pan to the head. 🥴 The shock alone can make those first steps difficult to manage. A bit more guidance for readers who come to the book weeks or months after the initial news would have strengthened the message.

Final Thought

Even with that caveat, there’s something empowering about seeing how many accomplished, talented, and deeply admired women have experienced job loss — and not only survived it but thrived afterward. 🌟 The book ultimately reframes firing not as a mark of failure but as part of a much larger, often transformative journey. For anyone looking for reassurance, inspiration, or simply a reminder that setbacks can lead somewhere meaningful, this collection offers plenty of both. 💛📘✨

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title caught my eye. While I'm certainly not a "cool girl," I was intrigued by the title and thought it could be a good read. Unfortunately it does apply to me and so I was excited to see what tips and tricks the authors would share to help someone get back into the groove.

This is basically a manual for someone who has just been let go from work: whether it's because of budget, "restructuring," or a plain old firing. The steps you should take, how to assess your short and long-term financial situation, how to begin the job search again, etc. It was also useful for things like remembering to grieve (and that it is okay to grieve) as well as stories from women who experienced similar situations. It also includes the flip side of this: maybe you've been in the job too long and need to set a fire under yourself to get moving.

Overall this was okay. I guess I had been looking for something more about the retrospective rather than being more for "in the moment" when you've just been fired/let go/furloughed, etc. Someone who has just experienced this would probably find it helpful. What I also did not find helpful was the personal stories. I didn't really care about the experiences of the authors, thought there were way too many vignettes of famous women (let's be honest, while Jamie Lee Curtis would understandably be facing certain issues for her line of work in getting hired again, a lot people, both women AND men (or any gender!) don't have the advantages she has.

If you know someone who is going through this (federal workers, people dealing with the uncertain economy), this might be a really good gift for them. If they've never experienced something like this before this could be at least a very good starting place. If you're further away from having been separated from the job this may or may not be as relevant (heck, maybe you snagged a new job right after) or useful but if you'd like to see what are things that would be good to know for "next time" (eep) or for even guiding a family member/friend/etc. through their similar journey, this could also be a good pick up.

Borrowed from the library and that was definitely best for me. If this book had come out sooner I might have straight up bought a copy and might be best suited for someone who recently went through this or expects to experience it in the near future.

[Batya A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good one. It didn’t read like a stuffy self-help book but rather, relatable accounts of different women that have lost their jobs at one point or another in their careers, from fashion execs to media figures to corporate professionals; what the experience was like and how they navigated the setbacks. One lady literally saw the announcement of her firing on the news…damn!

All of their stories along with those of the two authors were then consolidated into what reads like part memoir, part pep-talk, part strategic playbook. There’s stuff in it that doesn’t really apply apples for apples in an African context but the overarching principles still make a lot of sense.

I liked the bits of humor in it too…it somehow made reading such a delicate topic less heavy. At the end as well, there’s submissions from various women and their stories are so inspiring. Truly life is dynamic.

Anyway, if you are or have ever been out of a job either due to being let go of or even your own personal choice, I think this is a good book to read (ideally, before you don’t have a job anymore 😅). And even if you are not in this position, it’s still a good book to read for every working woman - at worst, you never know who you can help with this information and understanding.

[Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where was this book when I was young and stupid and convinced that I’d never work again after getting fired from a miserable, dead-end job? The authors are boss bitches at the top of their games, career-wise, so I may not have been able to relate to their particular form of midlife angst after parting ways with a job that they had clawed their way to the top to reach. But I would definitely have benefited from the ample dose of self-empowering pep talks from various high-powered career women who have also been fired at some point in their careers (and yes, Oprah does make an appearance) and stress the importance of “owning” the fact you’ve been fired as opposed to hiding your head in shame or berating yourself for some imagined deficiency. It would have been much simpler, not to mention less mentally taxing, to have the confident words of women who have climbed the career ladder to its highest rungs, assure me that “Your career doesn’t define you,” or “A better job will come from this.” This book is highly recommended for anyone experiencing career dissatisfaction but feeling powerless to make a change.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great conversational book with real advice on staying sane after being let go from a job. I’ve been unemployed for almost two years now and wished this book was available near the time I was let go. ATCG still lifted my soul and was reaffirming as I had done a lot of the things suggested in the book but also a reminder to not feel shame, look at the situation as something that has happened and to move on from it mentally (and you need breaks to regroup from time to time through the process!)

The financial sections didn’t fully apply as a non-American, but still could be used as hints to check out what’s being offered in someone’s home country. I still read the healthcare chapter, and the parts about negotiating exit terms could apply to extended health benefits offered by Canadian employers (for example). I loath LinkedIn a little less after reading this book, and will update my decade old picture this week.

Especially for anyone who’s lost their job for the first time, I think this book would be an essential handbook to navigate through it all during an overwhelming time. And for everyone else, a good reminder what to do in an overwhelming time.

[Madison A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never hurts to be prepared 😂 I liked the concept of this book more than the reality of it. I love the idea of a “go-to” resource for women who find themselves in this position. But I was underwhelmed. I felt like this book better targeted women in their 40s and 50s who maybe have never set up a LinkedIn, etc. I also felt that the majority of examples they provided were for women who had been laid off // reduction in workforce. I would’ve loved more examples for those who had been fired due to performance issues, etc.

The celebrity chapters (ie Katie Couric, Oprah, Carol Burnett), while interesting, didn’t really feel relevant for us laymen. And many of these individuals who had been fired went on to start their own businesses and brands. While that’s great, it’s still not what the vast majority of people do when they get fired. Would’ve loved more insights into what to do for recommendations, etc - more practical advice.

[Leslee Hale · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the Cool Girls Get Fired was such an insightful and empowering read. This book serves as a refreshingly honest and practical guide for anyone navigating career transitions—whether you’ve been fired, laid off, or are simply reevaluating your professional path. Authors Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill share their own experiences, plus stories from other inspiring women, to show that losing your job isn’t failure—it’s an opportunity for reinvention. With humor, candor, and plenty of actionable advice, they cover everything from self-care and mindset shifts to networking and investing. Even if you haven’t been in this situation, I think it’s a valuable and motivating read. Plus, it’s quick and engaging from start to finish.

[Rachel Drucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of a silly book but I enjoyed listening to it anyway. The self-help tips felt largely useless (for me at least) but it was validating to hear about how many women feel ashamed about unexpectedly losing their jobs.

It was definitely geared towards corporate girlies, considering how many times they use the words "severance" and "equity." Anyway, I was mainly here for the stories of famous women who got fired early in their careers. I would still probably recommend it to someone who was laid off recently, if only for those stories... and the fact that they got Carol Burnett to share hers for this book.

[Rebekah Griffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good concept and intention- probably good advice and relatable if you were fired from an extremely high level position, have savings, tons of connections and are under 40.
Not relevant or helpful to other people who are 50 + currently being fired en masse from a broad spectrum of industries left looking for new jobs in a flooded and dead stop no hiring job market with no savings and all of your connections are guess what…also fired.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Getting fired sucks but sometimes you have to lose a job to find yourself. “

Some great tips and things to think about after being recently made redundant.

Downsides - is American based and I’m in Australia so there are a few chapters that aren’t really relevant and it was a little repetitive with multiple celebrities giving the same advise.