Boys Don’t Cry: The A-Z of everything we need to talk about

by Jamie Laing

'Powerful and timeless, this is a book for everyone that will kick-start honest conversations and help create real change' – Fearne Cotton

'This book reminds us that being vulnerable is the very gateway to deeper friendships and richer forms of flourishing. A very necessary, highly readable and relatable voice to help us to discover more liberated and creative ways of living' – Alain de Botton

When it comes to being a man, I think I'm still trying to work out how to be one I'm proud of, rather than the one society expects me to be.

Jamie Laing is still figuring it all out. And now that he's going to be a dad, he wants the tools to help his child through life so that they grow into a happy, thoughtful and kind person.

This is the handbook Jamie has put together for that purpose, with an easter egg to his unborn child found at the very end. In a world struggling to find genuine connection, Jamie wants to share his experiences of life, relationships and maturing. He takes us through his personal A-Z of growing up in today's society – from overcoming anxiety, checking in with your mates and working out what makes you happy, to embracing our failures, trying therapy and understand what it means to be a loving and present partner.

Above all, Jamie shows us that vulnerability is cool. And that boys do cry – after all, he's done plenty of that this year.

With contributions from his wife Sophie Habboo, this book will help men and women, boys and girls have the conversation of all how to be happy in today's world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Mental Health

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2025

Reviews

[Orla · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a few strong chapters - particularly those on anxiety, therapy, and anything involving Sophie. While parts of the book felt a bit cringe and often stated the obvious, I recognise that many men may be at an earlier stage in terms of emotional maturity and vulnerability. Jamie also comes across as a man in his thirties who has caused a fair amount of harm along the way, only reaching this level of self-awareness after extensive therapy and with the help of some great emotionally attuned women in his life (Sophie, his mother, his friend Georgie) - an opportunity that is, in itself, a form of privilege. From that perspective, I think it’s valuable that this book exists. Whether its intended audience will actually pick it up is another question.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very relatable & easy to read 💫

[Loren Ewan-Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really easy and enjoyable read. Such a relatable book. After really enjoying his podcasts I couldn't not give this a read and I'm so glad I did! Really recommend this book

[Rebecca Ritchie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry Jamie, this was self helpish and I hate that

[Rich ✧ ✭ ✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t personally followed Jamie’s career, so I hope readers in a similar position will take encouragement from this review. This isn’t a book that requires familiarity with Jamie; it’s a thoughtful and powerful discussion of mental health and the important conversations that men (and women) need to have.

This book covers sensitive and important subjects and could prove so worthy to someone in need or someone struggling.

From topics like from overcoming anxiety, checking in with your friends (proper check-in’s - not casual flippant texts), embracing our failures, trying therapy, telling people how you feel, and understand what it means to be a loving and present partner. Anxiety, insecurity, loneliness, online toxicity, weight, vulnerability - it’s all here.

Jamie does talk about his own experiences to allow some relatability which I found really interesting. In my opinion, this isn’t someone stamping their name on a book just to make a quick buck. In speaking about experience to a reader, it can give them hope and could also be that relatability which someone needs to make a change.

Having had my own periods of depression, anxiety, loneliness and failure, I found the accuracy in things he talked about encouraging, and hopeful that this could serve as a stepping stone for others to make changes in their life. So many of his words struck a chord with me.

I’ll certainly be recommending this to friends. I also highly recommend the audio version which the majority of this for.

Well done Jamie. High praise from me for such a positive and book full of wisdom.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bottom line. If you're wondering about your mental health, and particularly if you're male, and haven't read anything about it you could gain a lot from this. If you already read self help books recommend it to someone who needs it as a gentle introduction.

----

A great introduction for people who are looking for an entry point to learning more about their mental health and wellbeing. Particularly men. I'm not a Made in Chelsea fan (More accurately I kind of despise it in fact for reasons Jamie discovers himself in the book which on what is his journey of self discovery)

If you've already read books about these topics though it can feel a bit superficial and that's not necessarily a bad thing here. I feel this book fills a neat gap between the more academic books that delve into the science and stories from history which is most self help books.

The chapters on Anxiety, Honesty and Loneliness stuck with me but I've gained a lot of the insight from reading other books that go more in depth so their impact was reduced but the messages are important nonetheless.
.

[Charlotte Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book by Jamie! It’s very honest and relatable. He goes over many hard hitting mental health topics that he’s been through himself. I love his content as his podcast Nearly Parents has my cry laughing most days, but he has this other side to him where he strives to show vulnerability and he has honest conversations with his guests on his Great Company podcast. He puts on this funny persona but deep down he has issues he is dealing with too and this was a very brave open account of what he’s been through and how he feels!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody adore Jamie Laing!! Read in one sitting. Such a great book with wise and important advice. Parts that brought tears to my eyes and also parts that made me laugh out loud. Would recommend this to anyone :)

[Paige Furnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatable, well written and beautifully narrated by Jamie himself! I opted for the audiobook version as I always enjoyed a JL podcast. Great book, I think everyone should take the time to read. I specifically like how each chapter is alphabetised.

[Emma Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book as i love candy kittens but didn’t know much about Jamie Laing. I didn’t realise he was on made in chelsea tbh.

Loved loved loved this book!! very funny but also moving at times. would really recommend, especially to some first time dads/parents who are a bit anxious

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatable ✨ almost every chapter had me in tears…

[Flo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry Jamie. Boring, obvious, poorly written.

[Rachel Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this 😭

[Tom Holden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice themes but pretty self-indulgant really rather than any significant outward strategies or new concepts. Good to be out there

[Katie Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Z…The last chapter is for our baby” 🥹🥹🥹

[dannii Jarvis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Jamie and his podcasts but the book didn’t add much to what we don’t already know about him

[Emma Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

an easy, enjoyable read, but if you listen to his podcast, or any podcast hes been a guest on, youll already know everything that's in it.

[Sarah Stancer · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was so good

[Becky Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened as an audiobook. Started really strong, the message was great and Jamie super sincere - but there wasn’t enough to say for a whole book so it got samey quite quickly.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good listen for anyone especially guys, l liked the way he breaks it down in to a-z and and it all felt very honest.