Does Anyone Else Feel This Way?: Essays on Conquering the Quarter-Life Crisis

by Eli Rallo

From TikTok star and the author of I Didn’t Know I Needed This Eli Rallo, a reflection on the anxiety of transitioning into adulthood, navigating the quarter-life crisis, and realizing you’re actually not alone.

Does anyone else feel like they’re the only one having a quarter-life crisis? As a senior in college, Eli Rallo expected her post-grad years to be filled with certainty, that she would finally feel that she was the “adult” she had long dreamed she’d be, with a cool job, an amazing apartment, fabulous friends, and lots of fun and flirty date nights. Instead she was met with crippling social anxiety, no idea what direction her career was taking, an inability to stop comparing herself to her peers’ picture-perfect lives on social media, and a looming sense that she may never feel certain—about her dating life, friendships, career, or even herself.

With deep honesty, raw emotions, humor, and relatability, Eli analyzes life in your twenties with a candid and heartfelt approach, asking and answering questions

How do you manage losing a best friend? How do you know who you are or what you want to do with your life? How do you find time and space for all of your priorities? How do you navigate the choppy waters of the social media world, and not fall victim to the comparison game? What happens when the timeline you made for yourself as a child is long in your past? How do you know you’re making the right decisions? Even though early adulthood doesn’t look just like Sex and the City or Thirteen Going on Thirty the way Eli thought it would, with Does Anyone Else Feel This Way? Eli shows you that you’re not the only one who misses the days when they could swing by the dining hall or just wants to call their mom to make it all go away. With a look at her own misadventures and hard-won life lessons, Eli shares the journey she’s been on to find herself as an adult, and the twists and turns she’s taken while navigating her own quarter-life crisis.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Essays, Psychology, Memoir

Audible Audio

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Ginger Leftwich · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that Eli’s writing is beautiful and interesting. You can definitely tell that she has grown a lot as an author from her previous book, and I applaud her for that!

The way that she wrote memories and feelings and states of being as a mid/ twenties girl was relatable and satisfying, I identified with so many emotions she described and different experiences she wrote about.

This book sort of felt like a more wordy and less experience/ story telling version of “everything I know about love” by dolly alderton.

However, I have a few critiques of this book that made me deduct three stars.

1. All of this material could have been captured in a 3 page essay. I’m not really sure why this became a novel. Eli has a few anecdotes and philosophies she holds about growing older and adult experiences, and she makes these few things last for 230 pages. It just feels very monotonous and extra. It was definitely too long for the amount of content it contained.

2. There’s really no advice. I’m pretty sure this is marketed as an advice-ish book, but there is no advice to be given. There’s loose metaphorical phrases where she talks about why she didn’t choose a “boring desk job” but took the leap and got a creative job (content creator). There really is no advice, and if there were, she wouldn’t exactly be qualified to give it, as she is a mid twenties woman herself who hasn’t had to overcome any obstacles or hardships.

3. It reads pretty out of touch at times. There’s an entire chapter about how her friends and everyone think she is so brave because she chose to grind for a “creative job” and she didn’t settle for a “boring desk job” like them. She advises people who are interesting and passionate like her to not settle for something ordinary like working in insurance or whatever. To me this was kind of offensive, because of course all of us would love to work as influencers like her, but that’s not the reality for the vast majority of people who will read this book. All of the pseudo-advice she gave just came off in a bad way to me.

I appreciated the writing in this book, but didn’t find it helpful or very interesting beyond the first few pages. I think some people who really enjoy reading about the lives and stories of people who have lavish lives might enjoy this?

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Brittany Baker]

not going to rate this one as it’s personal essays documenting her life, but what I will say is that I’ve followed Eli on social media for years now and her voice is STRONG. reading this, you can almost hear her narrating in your head. for this reason, I think it would make an awesome audiobook but was a little disjointed and repetitive to read a physical copy.

also worth noting that I think I’m in a life stage just a little past the target audience of this book but i still found some nuggets of wisdom and relatability as i was reading. at times i found the essays a little too full of cliches and word salad, almost like she’s trying too hard to make a profound point, but i think young women will really identify and find something about themselves in her story as they read.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review! out 10/14/25.

[Courtney Shapiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Eli Rallo's first book so much, and I think I loved this one more. The questions she asked for each chapter were so relatable, and as someone unemployed currently, many of her experiences resonated with me. The writing sounded like Rallo was speaking to a friend, and her advice was tangible and realistic. I also enjoyed the mix of her own life experiences with notes of general wisdom. This book also gave me more insight into Rallo and her journey, which I liked. Overall, I felt like I read this at the perfect time. Thank you to William Morrow for providing me with an e-ARC to read and review!

[Olivia Allbritton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book as a long time follower of Eli on socials because I do think she has a unique and interesting voice. In many ways that distinct voice pays off in this book, yet I don’t think that was necessarily enough.
I enjoyed Eli’s conversational and fun writing style, and I think the subject of the book is important as an underrepresented market in the advice/essays/social exploration genres. As a mid-twenties woman myself, I took a lot from this. There were a lot of highlight-able phrases and moments it felt like she said exactly what I’ve been thinking and feeling;
however, the book felt overall pretty repetitive within and across chapters in a way that had me struggling to want to keep reading. The only other issue that knocked off some stars from my rating, is the matter of “advice”. Every time the writing branched from inspiration, commiseration, and anecdotes to try and give some helpful advice it fell flat and a little preachy coming from a peer with a pretty unattainable lifestyle.

Overall, I enjoyed this in a lot of ways, I would even recommend it to certain people, but there were some under edited bits and tonal quirks that kept me from fully investing in the book.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.*

[Abby Cozart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and this publishers for this ARC.

Eli and I are the same age, and I first knew of her through TikTok. At times, reading her thoughts felt like hearing my own. There isn’t enough discussion about how hard it is to be in your mid-twenties today, so her book offers value in that regard. That said, our lives are quite different, so her personal stories didn’t always resonate with me. Still, her reflections on friendship, womanhood, post-grad life, imposter syndrome, and nostalgia were relatable. I do think the book could’ve used more editing—some essays dragged or became repetitive.

[Caitlynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like a pep talk from an older sister. I read every bit in Eli’s voice. It is such a concise sliver of a mid-20s female brain and is extremely validating. Will think on this book, and carry it with me for a while.

[Aubree Chavez-Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hard to explain exactly why I enjoyed this book, but here’s me trying:

Rallo does such a phenomenal job explaining the feelings of being a twenty something year old woman. I never read the first book so I’m not sure how these personal anecdotes compare to IDKINT; but I really enjoyed seeing her just explain her feelings and thoughts through how they came to her. It was giving me similar vibes to Dolly Alterton’s “everything I know about love” where friendship is brought up over and over again.

Definitely am planning on reading more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

as someone who just turned 25 i needed this and it came at the perfect time. i adored eli’s first book and was so excited when she announced her next book.
this one was written so well and so gen z (in the best way possible) i could relate to almost every chapter is an actually concerning and scary way. the 20s are such an interesting decade and i feel like i took a lot from this and felt so seen

[Peyton McDonnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of her essays were really similar to things I’ve experienced so I liked this a lot.

[Maddy Poplin · Rating 4 out of 5]

perfectly relatable to a fellow 26 year old woman.. made me feel not so crazy!

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eli has a way of making women in their 20s feel seen. I always enjoy her Carrie Bradshaw-esque writing, and I would say I enjoyed this one more than her first book. The points she touches on are so important in showing people nearing their quarter life crisis they are understood. Loved this one.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC! I really liked the book cover and intentionally read it around my 29th birthday. I found the experiences shared to be relatable; however, I felt that many of the chapters were drawn out and became repetitive. If shortened, I believe I would enjoy this more as an audiobook. There were a few helpful takeaways that could be worth the read for someone feeling isolated while navigating their twenties.

[Adrienne Rodarte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this would be a really good book for someone, but that person is not me. Eli’s voice is clear and the way she tells stories is interesting, but I personally struggled to connect to every story or idea. I’m in my mid twenties, but rather than feeling like this was relatable, I was more off-put by the idea that my experiences of choosing a “safer” degree or working a stable desk job were seen as less than while she endeavors for her creative career goal. I can SEE the point she wants to make, but it feels like she misses it slightly, it’s miscommunication more than anything.

I’d love to see her move into fiction work in the future, and think that could be a good place for her to build her voice and expand on her storytelling capability.

Thank you to William Morrow Books for providing me an ARC copy to review!

[Christian Boyd Neumann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

First, I wanna say I see a lot of similarities between Eli and myself. We are both 26, have emetophobia, anxiety, & love to read.
I loved majority of this book - I will say there were a few essays where I did not relate at all, the main takeaway seemed repetitive, and out of touch. I like having a “boring, steady job”. I do not feel like I am missing out for not becoming an influencer or being a creative.
I enjoyed her essay about friendship and how much work it takes as well as continuing to live a new and cool life as you get older.
Some parts this book DRAGGED - like dragged but other parts flew. I think this book is very ideal for a 22-25 year old audience?? Or maybe I’m just in a diff stage of life and that is ok!!

Overall, if you come across this book I would give it a read! I hope you have more takeaways than I did!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Eli for this ARC copy!

Stay with me when I say this, but this book made me uncomfortable, the kind of uncomfortable that comes with getting older and bearing the weight of responsibility and keen awareness that comes with a developed frontal lobe. I'm 2 years older than Eli and the introduction chapter sent me back to a time when I truly struggled with where I was at in my life professionally and romantically. A couple of relatable tears were shed reading this book, and Eli truly makes you feel like you've known her your whole life when you read her books. I was able to relate more to DAEFTW than her earlier published book, and the opportunity to read it early came to be at a perfect time in my life. I absolutely DO feel this way, actually.

[Katie Messing · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book and was excited to see what Rallo had come up with since her debut. Reading her first book, I enjoyed parts of it and saw potential in her writing style. I admired her tenacity to go after her writing dreams, even if she didn’t have total buy-in for her credibility to give advice. Gotta start somewhere, right?

This book fell short of my expectations. The concept itself is great, very topical, and relevant to her current audiences. Unfortunately, the execution was a bit sloppy, unfocused, and repetitive. Rallo told personal stories to use as outside advice (true to her style), but in many of them, failed to make the advice concrete enough to make sense. It was very wishy-washy, ‘you need to be doing this, unless your life is different, then do your own thing’ kinda phrasing. Every chapter seemed to be this same structure without much difference in details. I felt the whole book could have been condensed into less than half the size and still would’ve had the same impact.

There were a few pieces of this book I enjoyed, and felt were relevant to my own “Quarter-Life Crisis” thinking. I could relate to her rambling and uncertainty and felt understood that I was not alone. But, I could have gotten most of that from just the title.

Rallo has a uniqueness to her writing style that makes me want to enjoy her work more than I do. I still see the potential I did after reading her debut, though I’m curious how many more books it may take to hone her style into something more concrete. I don’t see myself recommending her books to many people, but I may still pick up her future work to give it a try.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explores the complexities of modern womanhood, tackling topics such as dating, friendship, ambition, body image, heartbreak, and the ongoing pressure to have everything figured out in your twenties. The author reflects on the shock of graduating from college and realizing that the “adult life” she had envisioned—a dream apartment, a fulfilling career, and stable relationships—wasn't neatly waiting for her. Instead, she faced challenges like social anxiety, comparison, job uncertainty, and the uncomfortable reality that no one, regardless of their polished online presence, truly knows what they’re doing.

Through personal stories, heartfelt reflections, and her signature wit, Rallo creates a space where readers can breathe and say, “Yeah, me too.” This book serves as both a pep talk and a form of group therapy, offering a humorous yet poignant reminder that navigating life's challenges is an integral part of the journey. More than just a memoir, it’s a roadmap for surviving and finding humor in the quarter-life crisis. The questions the author poses about ambition, love, loss, and self-worth resonate universally with anyone facing the early stages of adulthood. She emphasizes that adulthood is a continuous work in progress, filled with detours, mistakes, and moments of self-discovery.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...

[Hailey Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love watching Eli grow as a writer and am so excited to see her channel that into fiction where I really think she will thrive! This book had many beautiful passages that showcase her talent, but I personally felt got a little repetitive which sometimes diluted the punchiness of the point.

Eli is the daughter of the Carrie Bradshaw era columnists and that shows when I think about this book in context of memoirs like “Everything I Know About Love” by Dolly Alderton, “I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself” by Glynnis MacNicol, and even the recent “We Might Just Make it After All” by Elyce Arons. DAEFTW is a living example of the revelations made in the former three, but told in real time in the age they’re reflecting back on which was a cool experience to read after these three books.

At 24, this book feels like a validation of the lessons I’ve been learning, but not necessarily anything revolutionary. I think I needed this book at 22 or even 23 when the floor still felt like lava as Eli describes 24 finally being able to withstand it.

[Alyssa M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a thought provoking book and I enjoyed learning more about Eli! She takes you through six years of her life through chapters that are divided by category, with multiple short stories in each of them.

At 24 years old, I’m glad I read this book because the advice and relatability was refreshing. I found myself writing down certain lines of the book that I want to remember. Eli did a great job describing her emotional experiences, realities of growing up, and the power of girlhood and friendship.

Since the stories weren’t always chronological in this format, it was confusing to keep track of which friend is which and when each event happened. It also made the book repetitive sometimes. However, I appreciate this format because it drives her point home that she is the same girl and all of the lessons she’s learned from 20-21-22-23-24-25, etc. all at once.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Meg]

Eli Rallo brilliantly captured the post-grad sensation of not knowing what the hell is going on. Touching on pivotal eras within her twenties, this book would have done me wonders when I was entering the real world for the first time. The title itself, Does Anyone Else Feel This Way?, is quite literally what I and many others ask ourselves daily. Whether you’re in your twenties or thirties, there is something in this book for you. Eli touches on the pressures of keeping up with friends and the high standards one sets as a woman. The pressures of social media nowadays, as well as uplifting topics like friendships, engagements, and finding your footing in life.
This collection of essays can be somewhat repetitive and non-relatable at times, but Eli’s writing and the book’s structure present a beautiful piece as a whole.
Thank you William Marrow Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Emily B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well I have to be an informed hater and read the book of the girl that speaks as The Authority and is plastered across all of my social suggested feeds. I will give it a bonus star like in Mario party 8 handicap settings for being much improved from her last book but it is still exhausting and repetitive and convoluted… maybe most self help / advice books are idk haven’t read any others im quite okay with being terrible. The writing is like when you give a Type A girl adderall on accident. I’m scared of anyone that’s thinking too much about other people’s engagement posts on Instagram to the point it becomes chapter in book but that’s cool she’s making a career off of that

[Amber Eusebio · Rating 4 out of 5]

actually read an arc before pub date (thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc). i have been following eli on social media for a while now and loved her first book. although i resonated a bit more with her debut, i still really enjoyed this one. eli’s writing is beautiful and deeply personal. i can’t wait to see her delve into fiction

[Haley Pettit Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Eli & knew I would love her new book💜🎂🍰 I think this book of hers in particular really hit home for me since I’m 25 and having that quarter life crisis feeling myself. I could relate to her a lot here. Also I’m not sure if it’s me being 20 weeks pregnant or what but I cried and cried sentimental and happy tears. Can’t wait for her next book!!

[Naomi Vieira · Rating 4 out of 5]

always impressed by eli’s ability to express feelings and scenarios that we all go through in such an articulate way. Her writing vastly improved between her first and second book, it’s much more mature and poetic. listening on audio felt like you were talking on the phone with your very well spoken bestie. feels like a little sister to “everything I know about love” by dolly alderton

[Lesley Corydon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an almost 60 year old I could relate to every essay/chapter. Very well written - Eli has grown as an author since her first book which I also rated 5 stars. Can’t wait to see her fiction book next year!

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

*well-written, easy to read
*very informative with realistic scenarios that many in their twenties experience
*belongs on the bookshelves of all college age adults
*highly recommend

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

[Jenn]

I'll be interested to give this a read. Whether your 25 or 46, I think we all have these feelings.

[lynzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

she loves the phrase "in tandem."

in all seriousness, i needed this. i felt so seen. i recommended this book to a friend before i even finished it.

[Anandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

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