Title: Millennial Love

Author: Olivia Petter

Genre: Nonfiction

Publisher: 4th Estate

Publication Date: 8th July 2021

Rating: 5/5

Cover:

Summary:

In Millennial Love journalist Olivia Petter explores the questions, quirks and anxieties that consume the contemporary dating landscape.

Olivia scrutinises the myths surrounding modern romance and asks why, despite having endless technology designed to aid communication, it’s harder to meet someone now than ever before.

The book is based on the Independent’s chart-topping podcast of the same name and expands on some of the issues discussed on the show, including why contraception is a feminist issue, how dating apps have altered our understanding of attraction, and how ‘Love Island’ became the unlikely lens through which the consequences of so many of these things were exposed.

Other topics covered include read receipt anxiety, why we need to rethink our relationship with porn, and the significance of ‘sliding into someone’s DMs’.

By combining memoir with social commentary and insights from former podcast guests, including Munroe Bergdorf, Elizabeth Day and Lisa Taddeo, Millennial Love is an essential handbook on what it means to love today.

Review:

I hadn’t listened to the Millennial Love podcast before reading this book but it’s certainly going to be one of my regular listens now. Millennial Love is based on Olivia Petter’s podcast of the same name and covers a huge range of issues surrounding modern dating and relationships.

I really loved this book. It helps that, being 29, I am a millennial but honestly I think all ages will find something valuable in Millennial Love. I found something to relate to in every single chapter. The topics are wide ranging but all connected to what it feels like to try and date or be in a relationship when faced with a myriad of modern technological advances which makes things both more simple on the face of it and yet somehow more complicated at the same time. Petter writes in an intelligent and informative way and never condescends to her readers at all. She covers serious and light subjects with wit and sensitivity. There were so many times reading Millennial Love that I felt relief and a sense of vindication that I wasn’t the only one filled with confusion and anxiety about the absurdities and difficulties of modern dating. Full of sharp insight, candid honesty and humour – Millenial Love is an absolute must read of 2021.

I kindly received a proof copy of the book from the publisher. My review is entirely my own honest opinion.