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

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2025

Reviews

[Orla]

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.

[Maddy Moore]

some great takes, some also very privileged takes (the stress of having two weddings lol)

[Verity Flynn-Williams]

first book of 2026 complete! this was so good & very important would urge lots of people to read!x

[Emily]

Very relatable & easy to read 💫

[Loren Ewan-Hines]

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]

Sorry Jamie, this was self helpish and I hate that

[Rich ✧ ✭ ✧]

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.

[Roy Ferguson]

A refreshingly honest account of the pressures of life on young male adults. I did not know anything about Jamie Laing but now know how he was brought into the limelight through the reality tv show, Made in Chelsea and has expanded his success through a series of podcasts and entrepreneurial ventures including through the launch of Candy Kittens, a brand of vegan friendly sweets. Jamie opens up completely on his life and his unrealistic expectation that he must always be on it, be the life and soul and never show weakness or vulnerability. Over time, he became wracked by anxiety and guilt to the point where at times it became debilitating. From the depths of despair, he has been on a journey back to normality and is now married, undertakes charity runs and is on the brink of fatherhood. Jamie’s approach in his A to Z starts with A is anxiety and this sets the tone for the rest of the book. His personal accounts of the issues he has faced and how eventually he has moved through and got on top of his challenges touches the nerves of the lives of so many young boys and men as they try to make there way in the digital social media world. The book is packed full of bite sized practical advice presented in an accessible way, which if taken on board will improve the lives of many in our new generation.

[Steve]

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.

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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.
.

[Beth]

Audiobook 🎧

I kept picking this up in the shops and putting it down because of it being hardback, so I thought I’d give it a go as an audiobook instead.

I love Jamie Laing, and I loved the premise of this book, however it fell flat in a few places for me. Huge respect to him for talking about his own experiences and problems, but some of it sounded so cliche.

I adored his chapters about Sophie and his son, they were so raw and heartwarming.

I did also notice a few mistakes with the audiobook - I few words repeated twice or the voice getting a lot louder now and then, but it didn’t ruin the experience.

[Brenda]

I really enjoyed this. I’ve known of Jamie since his Made in Chelsea days, but this book reveals a far more vulnerable side than the messy, funny persona he’s known for. The A–Z structure works well, and while some chapters lean into a self‑help style, others offer real depth and openness.

In a time when conversations around masculinity are being shaped by things like Louis Theroux’s Manosphere documentary, I’m genuinely glad Jamie wrote this. It’s clearly aimed more at people who share his gender and experiences, but as someone of the opposite gender, who deals with anxiety and depression, I found myself relating to many of the feelings he describes.

[Charlotte Anderson]

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!

[Katia Martinelli]

Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.
I casually bought this book (nothing is casual). I didn't know Jamie Laing but now I love him and I listen to his podcast Great Company.
So simple, down to earth explaining his emotions and what he's been through.
I think it's useful to teenagers but also to older people like me. I love that he lists Resource and Aid organizations at the end of the book for those seeking help.

[Emily Marsden]

Brilliant, insightful, vulnerable and raw book that I think everyone should read, especially men because it emphasises the importance of men also being vulnerable and emotional and that emotions and being emotional is a human thing, not a woman thing. I loved it and thought it was really helpful for anyone struggling with mental illness, a big thumbs up from me 🥹

[Amy Elizabeth]

Authentic, honest & enjoyable read and if your a fan of Jamie Laing I would recommend to read!
Love the style of the book how it works through A-Z each chapter. Jamie talks very openly about his struggles and offers some thoughtful advice on different subject matters in life.
I listened to this on audible and definitely enjoyed this more than if I was to read the book 4/5 ⭐️

[Nancy]

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]

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]

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

[Jane French]

It was readable and the book gave me an insight into Jamie Laings journey with anxiety and how he dealt with it. of course he had the money to deal with in a different way than normal working class people.

[Lulu Pettit]

The idea of this book was very sweet. It had a lot of lovely content. Personally I feel that the A-Z nature of this book made it repetitive and it was jumping around in time a lot. I think I would have preferred the book to be chronological order so it wasn’t so repetitive.

[Tabz]

I love that Jamie is advocating for men’s mental health and through writing this, openly leading the way for other men to discuss their own challenges through discussing his own, but the book felt overly simple and dare I say slightly obvious.

[Sophie Beuzeval]

I knew that as soon as I heard about Jamie Laing's book that I needed to read it, it is filled with literally a to z of things that don't get spoken about enough whether it is for a boy or a girl it is still very relatable book and I loved reading it.

[Chantelle]

Relatable ✨ almost every chapter had me in tears…

[Flo]

Sorry Jamie. Boring, obvious, poorly written.

[Rachel Richardson]

Loved this 😭

[Tom Holden]

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

[Katie Anderson]

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

[dannii Jarvis]

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]

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]

it was so good