Who Is She?: A Late Bloomer's Survival Guide

by Allora Dannon

“Hi, I’m Allora. I’m 32, and I’ve never been kissed, never been asked out, and never been on a date.”

That’s how Allora Dannon opened a series of videos that changed her life. For years, Allora carried this truth as her deepest, most shameful secret. As friends and younger siblings coupled up, she felt more and more left behind. How had she, a self-proclaimed late bloomer, missed this crucial life lesson?

What made her so unlovable?

Tired of waiting for romance to magically appear, Allora took a leap of faith, broadcasting her confession to a then non-existent audience on TikTok. That daring act of accountability and a mission to shed shame went viral, propelled her story across the world and onto The Drew Barrymore Show, introduced her to her first boyfriend, and transformed her into a loud advocate for ditching late bloomer stigmas.

Who Is She? A Late Bloomer's Survival Guide is Allora's vulnerable and intimate exploration of shattering comfort zones and embracing poignant first experiences. More than a love story, it's a guide to letting go of fear, curbing insecurities, and, most importantly, discovering how to “complete” yourself at any age.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2025

About the author

Hi! I'm Allora: writer, reader, nerd, lover of all-things-dragons. ​

I grew up on a horse farm as the oldest of ten homeschooled kids. You best believe that experience is one I treasure, and it has provided as endless inspiration for most of what I have written since.

I live in Western New York: marketing by day and writing by night. I love Elvis, gardening, chickens, sunshine, beekeeping, superheroes, ANYTHING involving dragons, snuggles from my mini-direwolf, Digory, traveling, hiking, and reading all the fantasy I can get my hands on.

My mother raised me on "The Classics," but she named me after the princess in an 80s fantasy movie (Willow---my name is 'Allora Dannon'), so is it any surprise that I can't get my head out of the clouds?

I'm also an out and proud romantic "late bloomer." In January of 2023, I started documenting my adventures with dating on TikTok and---110K+ followers and over 58 million views later---it has been a wild ride!

I have my MA in Creative Writing have previously published short fiction, and my first memoir, Who is She? A Late Bloomer's Survival Guide, is out on October 7th, 2025.

Next Project: I'm currently working on my first novel: Sisters, Salt, and Dragons (a Jurassic Park + How to Train Your Dragon adventure story for adult women).

Reviews

[Shale · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9 stars - I liked this book but I sobbed my way through the first half because it was very intense at how relatable this got. And unearthed a few personal experiences that I thought I had dealt with in the past . 2nd half was a better read but less relatable?

This is more of Alloras memoir rather than a full survival guide for late bloomer. Should it have been marketed differently? Yes. Should it have been marketed more as a memoir, autobiography rather than self- help? Yes.

Caveat is that there ARE chapters dedicated to helping late bloomers. There are a couple worksheets & listed advice that is prevalent in self-help books. However, most of the chapters are of the author reflecting on her own life. I feel privy to reading her journal, half curious half baffled by second hand embarrassment.


While I am a fan of the author and do follow her on SM, this book is trying to be two different things at the same time and not succeeding at either.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this book and the other reviews that say it is more of a memoir than a self-help book are accurate. I don't know what it was hoping for, but it wasn't this book. There are things in her story that I can relate to, but much I cannot. I feel like I missed out on learning about dating when it was age appropriate and now that I am almost 40, if I do date someone they will expect me to know what I am doing, what I want, what I need out of a romantic relationship. But I don't. I think I know what I want, but what if after experiencing it for the first time I change my mind? Having the author find a man willing to be patient with her lack of experience on her first date is SO LUCKY. I have had so many mediocre first dates that didn't lead anywhere. No sparks, no thrill, no desire to see these men ever again.

I've been on a bunch of lackluster dates as an adult and boys/men have shown interest in my body since I was 10 or 11 years old. I was never invisible, but wished I was and tried to be to avoid sexual harassment. I don't have any experience with a romantic relationship so I thought I was a late bloomer. I guess not?

I find this book depressing. I was hopeful even though the author's reasons for lacking a relationship were different, because she had much less experience than I have so far. But then she immediately outpaced my experience and kept going!! The author started dating on the apps and after two weeks is having back and forth conversation that gets her a date in four weeks of being on the apps!? (I started dating online when they were .coms!!) Then her first date goes SO well, she met a gentleman who was as in to her as she was in to him. Then date two they make it exclusive?? They dated for a whole year before breaking up, meeting family and friends and all that jazz.

I have seen some of the author's Instagram content and it is very post-purity-culture-positive so I was hopeful for her book. That Christian shame about sex before marriage and anything sexual at all is pervasive, but she seemed to overcome it and post stuff online openly so I was expecting advice on that topic, but didn't get any from this book.

The breakup seems on point. It seems like they rushed into a relationship and held on because it was a first? Would she have fallen so head over heels if she had had teen romance experience? Is it more acceptable to have such a reaction as a teen when your brain isn't fully developed and emotions are allowed to run high because you're still a child? Her boyfriend not understanding why she was so upset is upsetting in and of itself. This was her first date, first relationship, first sexual experience, first breakup, first everything. He'd experienced it all before and couldn't fathon her pain?? I don't want that experience for myself. I'm afraid the first man to show mutual interest will ruin me also. It will be a learning experience, but there seems to be more pressure for perfection when you are learning as an adult.

[Arielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a late bloomer that reads like part romance, part coming-of-age story (just a little later), and is also a tale of self-discovery.

Allora is the adorable and vulnerable heroine of this story, and we are rooting for her—not just to find true love, but to find her own way, to chase her dreams, and live life on her terms, whether single or with a partner who can match her joyful energy.

It’s a personal memoir, yes, but much of it reads like fiction as Allora invites us to experience the ups and downs of first loves and the loss of that love. She pulls us into the depths with her and back out into the sunshine. This book is not just for late bloomers. It’s for anyone who has been heartbroken, anyone who has tried and failed at anything and been terrified of starting again. It’s for those on their own journeys of finding themselves and what they want their lives to look like, and pursuing that without apology.

This book is beautifully written with phrases that say things like, “the sky was a bruised sort of pink,” and is imbued with a raw, honest vulnerability that has become more and more scarce in our world.

This book encourages us to cease our capitulation to societal, peer, and parental expectations and forge our own paths forward in this life. A beautiful message I’m taking to heart.

If this book had a soundtrack, there’d be some Louis Armstrong, Julie Andrews singing, “I have confidence!” from The Sound of Music at the very top of her lungs on repeat, and a whole lot of Elvis.
I adored it.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was phenomenal. I have never experienced a book hangover from a memoir before, but WOW, this one really put me through the ringer.

Allora is an incredible storyteller. I knew this from years of following her on TikTok, finding myself glued to my phone as I listened to her multi-part stories about her life and relationship journey. I should not be one bit surprised that this book captivated me the way that it did, but here I am, in awe of her nonetheless.

The way I FELT every emotion Allora did as she recapped the story of her relationship 'firsts' - first date, first kiss, first love, first heartbreak - I felt as if I was on the emotional rollercoaster right with her. There's this vulnerability, this honesty, to the way she tells stories that is actually breathtaking at times. I could not put this book down.

Allora, I am rooting for you always. Please write more things.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting - even though I'm not a "late bloomer". The style is like talking to a very good friend about all things relationships; it draws you in, and you can't help but relate to her life story. Allora is raw and open in inspiring ways. Peppered through the book are ideas, questions, and "worksheets" to help anyone work through the struggles and joys of relationships - with others and with one's self. Interwoven through her memoir is a push for you - the reader - to take the risks you have been wanting to take your whole life. Throughout the book, I smiled, laughed, even shed a few tears, especially reflecting on my own first love and heartbreak. You don't have to be a late bloomer to like this book - it's a bit saucy, a bit silly, a bit sad, and ALL honest, open, and truthful in a way that is refreshing and unlike any other relationship book I've read.

[Paige Leone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, precious Allora. I fell in love with her “hey, it’s your girl Allora” Tiktoks and storytelling but now I realize there was so much happening behind the scenes! We were obviously all rooting for her and GC but now I understand that they definitely were not right for each other. You definitely shouldn’t be fighting that much the first year and nobody wins when you just keep hurting one another. It seems as though she learned a lot even though it was heartbreaking to read. Also, Allora, if you’re reading this, congratulations! I couldn’t wait to read your book and it was worth the wait! Congrats also to you and Bear! You’ve come full circle and even though I don’t know you I’m proud of your growth! You go, girl!

[Elianna McHenry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew Allora was an amazing storyteller before reading this book. I also knew I wouldn't relay to it at all having married my high school sweetheart. I read it out of support for her and was happy to be able to hear about her experiences. I was disappointed in some missing words and other small things in the ebook version that broke the illusion of immersion. I'm proud of Allora for sharing her experiences and look forward to more from her in the future!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly relatable for me as a fellow late bloomer who also didn’t have her first kiss until 32. I admire Allora’s courage in speaking her truth and telling her story. It’s a very real portrait of both navigating being a late bloomer and also just navigating modern dating and relationships. There is some great advice that I wish I’d had when I’d ventured into dating a few years back!

[Erica Vanstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the fact that she's at least a decade younger than me, Allora Dannon gives the kind of big sister advice I always wish I had! This book is personal, yet generous in offering strategies for approaching the dating world. I'm a follower on TikTok, but a fan for life!

[Janelle Zimmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating, shameless, and poignant, this is a memoir of a woman who started dating at age 32, and decided to document the journey for other late bloomers to learn from and be inspired. Nominally Christian, but embraces sex before marriage.

[Sarah Molitor · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’m not usually a non-fiction person, but i really enjoyed this book! i thought it was helpful and inspiring and interesting all at the same time. i selfishly wanted to hear more about the Bear at the end, so i hope there’s more to come!

[DeTyJe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply honest, vulnerable and earnest. Dannon’s writing is rife with bright optimism but also the vulnerability and fright that dating comes with. The reader sits in the passenger seat sharing in all her emotions as we experience her foray into dating and relationships.

[Sarah Oguntomilade · Rating 5 out of 5]

so sweet, so tender

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where was this for younger me? Such an honest and amazing book. This story is like finding your older sister's diary and realizing you're not as alone as you thought you were.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m very impressed with people who can be so open about themselves, good bad and everything in between, knowing some may not understand or judge and being okay with that.

This was like reading a well crafted diary. I loved the insight while also being entertaining enough to feel like I’m hearing some really good tea.

I want to be in a book club with Allora, one in which we spend 20% of the time talking about the book we read, and the other 80% discussing the current happenings in our lives.

[Kyle Blum · Rating 5 out of 5]

While my own story is not quite the same as Allora’s, I found so much relatability and saw myself in her writing more than I ever have before. Honestly, I had a hard time putting the book down and didn’t want it to end. Seeing her story makes me feel less alone in a world of dating that feels like it wasn’t made for me. Highly recommended!