What do you think?
Rate this book
No More Mediocre: A Call to Reimagine Our Relationships and Demand More
Not yet published
Expected 6 Jan 26From licensed educator and TikTok phenom Laura Danger, an insightful and practical guide that will teach you how to recognize unproductive dynamics at home, transform your relationships, find your community—and break free from a life of mediocrity.
Ever had the feeling your spouse is totally capable of doing that simple household task? Ever felt so burned out you want to hide in the bathroom while your home devolves into chaos?
All of us are running a race against a culture telling us we need to be more, to hustle more, and that we should be doing it all ourselves. It’s a cycle that needs to be broken, and in this book, Danger, an experienced educator, facilitator, and domestic equity advocate, sets out on a path of unpacking the inequity and rage in the erasure of domestic labor and care to guide readers toward a healthier and more balanced life.
Organized into seven chapters covering topics like harmful stereotypes and communication models, as well as the nag paradox and weaponized incompetence, No More Mediocre asks why we make light of deeply problematic dynamics and who wins when we buy into them? Drawing from case studies, including nontraditional, intentionally developed family structures, and her own experience with mental illness and the demands of work and family life, Danger provides communication models and actionable steps you can take to restructure your household and thrive at home and with partners in a chaotic world.
A battle cry for better, Laura Danger shows that there are countless practical ways to maintain bonds, beat back against the status quo, and to meet our own and one another’s needs, because we all deserve more than mediocre.
Ever had the feeling your spouse is totally capable of doing that simple household task? Ever felt so burned out you want to hide in the bathroom while your home devolves into chaos?
All of us are running a race against a culture telling us we need to be more, to hustle more, and that we should be doing it all ourselves. It’s a cycle that needs to be broken, and in this book, Danger, an experienced educator, facilitator, and domestic equity advocate, sets out on a path of unpacking the inequity and rage in the erasure of domestic labor and care to guide readers toward a healthier and more balanced life.
Organized into seven chapters covering topics like harmful stereotypes and communication models, as well as the nag paradox and weaponized incompetence, No More Mediocre asks why we make light of deeply problematic dynamics and who wins when we buy into them? Drawing from case studies, including nontraditional, intentionally developed family structures, and her own experience with mental illness and the demands of work and family life, Danger provides communication models and actionable steps you can take to restructure your household and thrive at home and with partners in a chaotic world.
A battle cry for better, Laura Danger shows that there are countless practical ways to maintain bonds, beat back against the status quo, and to meet our own and one another’s needs, because we all deserve more than mediocre.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 6, 2026
5099 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 4, 2025
Book Review: No More Mediocre: A Call to Reimagine Our Relationships and Demand More by Laura Danger
Rating: 4.5/5
Reactions & Emotional Impact
Laura Danger’s No More Mediocre is a fiery, compassionate manifesto that resonated deeply with my own frustrations about invisible labor and societal expectations. Danger’s blend of personal anecdotes, case studies, and razor-sharp analysis made me oscillate between nodding in agreement and gasping at revelations about systemic inequities. Her writing is both validating and galvanizing—I finished the book feeling equal parts seen and empowered to demand better in my own relationships.
Strengths
-Actionable & Insightful: Danger doesn’t just diagnose problems; she offers tangible solutions. Her communication models (e.g., tackling the nag paradox) are revolutionary in their simplicity and effectiveness.
-Intersectional Lens: The inclusion of nontraditional family structures and mental health perspectives ensures the book speaks to diverse lived experiences.
-Tone & Accessibility: Danger’s background as an educator shines—her prose is engaging, jargon-free, and punctuated with wit, making complex ideas digestible.
Constructive Criticism
-Depth on Systemic Change: While the book excels at household-level solutions, I craved more exploration of how to combat these issues at a cultural or policy level.
-Repetition in Case Studies: A few anecdotes felt overly familiar, diluting their impact. Tightening these sections could heighten momentum.
-Visual Aids: Charts or infographics summarizing key models (e.g., equitable task distribution) would enhance retention.
Final Thoughts
This book is a lifeline for anyone drowning in the myth of “having it all.” Danger’s call to “break free from mediocrity” isn’t just aspirational—it’s a roadmap. Minor structural quibbles aside, her message is urgent, her tools transformative.
Gratitude:
Thank you to Penguin Random House and Edelweiss for the gifted copy—this book is a catalyst for change, and I’m grateful to have engaged with it.
Why 4.5?
Docked slightly for wanting more macro-level analysis, but No More Mediocre is a near-perfect blend of heart, humor, and hard truths. A must-read for modern relationships.
Rating: 4.5/5
Reactions & Emotional Impact
Laura Danger’s No More Mediocre is a fiery, compassionate manifesto that resonated deeply with my own frustrations about invisible labor and societal expectations. Danger’s blend of personal anecdotes, case studies, and razor-sharp analysis made me oscillate between nodding in agreement and gasping at revelations about systemic inequities. Her writing is both validating and galvanizing—I finished the book feeling equal parts seen and empowered to demand better in my own relationships.
Strengths
-Actionable & Insightful: Danger doesn’t just diagnose problems; she offers tangible solutions. Her communication models (e.g., tackling the nag paradox) are revolutionary in their simplicity and effectiveness.
-Intersectional Lens: The inclusion of nontraditional family structures and mental health perspectives ensures the book speaks to diverse lived experiences.
-Tone & Accessibility: Danger’s background as an educator shines—her prose is engaging, jargon-free, and punctuated with wit, making complex ideas digestible.
Constructive Criticism
-Depth on Systemic Change: While the book excels at household-level solutions, I craved more exploration of how to combat these issues at a cultural or policy level.
-Repetition in Case Studies: A few anecdotes felt overly familiar, diluting their impact. Tightening these sections could heighten momentum.
-Visual Aids: Charts or infographics summarizing key models (e.g., equitable task distribution) would enhance retention.
Final Thoughts
This book is a lifeline for anyone drowning in the myth of “having it all.” Danger’s call to “break free from mediocrity” isn’t just aspirational—it’s a roadmap. Minor structural quibbles aside, her message is urgent, her tools transformative.
Gratitude:
Thank you to Penguin Random House and Edelweiss for the gifted copy—this book is a catalyst for change, and I’m grateful to have engaged with it.
Why 4.5?
Docked slightly for wanting more macro-level analysis, but No More Mediocre is a near-perfect blend of heart, humor, and hard truths. A must-read for modern relationships.
August 8, 2025
Laura Danger’s No More Mediocre is a fascinating, validating look at how women have historically been treated in relationships and how those same imbalances persist today. The blend of history, cultural analysis, and personal storytelling is powerful—it gives language to experiences so many of us have lived but struggled to name. It brings the hidden weight out in the open.
That said, I found parts of it difficult to relate to because of how unusually cooperative her husband was once she began setting boundaries. His quick “Okay, cool” willingness to change made her “problem” feel almost theoretical compared to the crushing reality of living with a partner who resists, deflects, or refuses to step up—a reality many women, myself included, know all too well. In that sense, the book’s example felt unrealistic, and it sometimes softened the weight of what this imbalance truly costs women. Most women in this situation are met with so much more resistance and abuse.
Still, there’s real value here. The framework she offers for spotting inequities, asserting boundaries, and demanding better is empowering, even if applying it in real life takes more persistence, conflict, and support than the book’s personal story suggests. If you can read it with that distinction in mind, it’s a worthwhile starting point for anyone ready to stop settling for less than an equal partnership.
That said, I found parts of it difficult to relate to because of how unusually cooperative her husband was once she began setting boundaries. His quick “Okay, cool” willingness to change made her “problem” feel almost theoretical compared to the crushing reality of living with a partner who resists, deflects, or refuses to step up—a reality many women, myself included, know all too well. In that sense, the book’s example felt unrealistic, and it sometimes softened the weight of what this imbalance truly costs women. Most women in this situation are met with so much more resistance and abuse.
Still, there’s real value here. The framework she offers for spotting inequities, asserting boundaries, and demanding better is empowering, even if applying it in real life takes more persistence, conflict, and support than the book’s personal story suggests. If you can read it with that distinction in mind, it’s a worthwhile starting point for anyone ready to stop settling for less than an equal partnership.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2025
This is an extraordinary book that should be on a shelf in every single household. No matter what configuration your relationship takes, it is likely informed by structures of oppression that have been ingrained and indoctrinated throughout generations. Laura's advice is straightforward, thoughtful, analytical, and fresh. So much of what she provides is directly usable; she's imaginative about ways to make relationships work in more equitable ways, and in understanding how important it is for all people to experience mutualistic relationships. I have ordered copies for everyone in my life, and I love it so much. Full of great research, stories, and examples, this is a must-read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
No More Mediocre is a pretty typical self-help read, following Laura Danger through a transformative season where she “woke up,” recognized the imbalance in her household labor, & finally applied real pressure to get her husband to step up. Sis definitely talks the talk—she’s clear, confident, & relatable in the way she walks readers through reclaiming their time and setting expectations at home.
The book offers a handful of quick, practical tips that can help you start conversations & get clearer about your needs. However, it stops short in a crucial area: not everyone can make their partner or family members show up. Danger doesn’t meaningfully address what to do when someone simply refuses to support you or refuses to share the load, which leaves a pretty big gap for readers in harder or less cooperative situations.
One thing the book does well—though a bit lightly—is naming how race, gender, and social dynamics influence domestic imbalance. She doesn’t go deep, but she acknowledges that these forces shape the “grand scheme” in real ways. & to her credit, she consistently emphasizes that each household has to craft its own system. No expert, no book—not even hers—can dictate what will work for you & your support network.
Overall, No More Mediocre is motivating & validating, but it doesn’t fully grapple with the realities many readers face when change isn’t just a conversation away. A solid read, but with missed opportunities.
*I received an advance review copy for free & am leaving this review voluntarily.*
#ThankGodForARCs
The book offers a handful of quick, practical tips that can help you start conversations & get clearer about your needs. However, it stops short in a crucial area: not everyone can make their partner or family members show up. Danger doesn’t meaningfully address what to do when someone simply refuses to support you or refuses to share the load, which leaves a pretty big gap for readers in harder or less cooperative situations.
One thing the book does well—though a bit lightly—is naming how race, gender, and social dynamics influence domestic imbalance. She doesn’t go deep, but she acknowledges that these forces shape the “grand scheme” in real ways. & to her credit, she consistently emphasizes that each household has to craft its own system. No expert, no book—not even hers—can dictate what will work for you & your support network.
Overall, No More Mediocre is motivating & validating, but it doesn’t fully grapple with the realities many readers face when change isn’t just a conversation away. A solid read, but with missed opportunities.
*I received an advance review copy for free & am leaving this review voluntarily.*
#ThankGodForARCs
Read
August 18, 2025I have mixed thoughts about this book. On the positive side, I found the book mildly interesting and saw some useful takeaways. I also liked the reference and notes sections in the back of the book.
Constructive criticisms include making more direct connections between material used from other sources and the author's opinions. Citations would have helped in that respect. The author appears to be very angry and frustrated. This is understandable, since there are many injustices in society. Eliminating some coarse language would also help make the author appear more scholarly (if she so desired) and summaries would be a most welcome addition, especially for people with time constraints.
I am grateful that I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Peace be with you.
Constructive criticisms include making more direct connections between material used from other sources and the author's opinions. Citations would have helped in that respect. The author appears to be very angry and frustrated. This is understandable, since there are many injustices in society. Eliminating some coarse language would also help make the author appear more scholarly (if she so desired) and summaries would be a most welcome addition, especially for people with time constraints.
I am grateful that I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Peace be with you.
August 3, 2025
Everyone should read this book! It provides so many perspectives and answers to questions that you never thought you had. For some reason my friends have decided that Im super good at giving advice and the examples and writing from this book helped me advise them in more ways then one. Read this book for insights in not only relationships but also to self reflections and your relationships with yourself.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews