As a long-time book enthusiast with a special place in my heart for self-help books, Dear Dolly: On Love, Life, and Friendship had been sitting in my eBook library for quite some time before I finally decided to dive in. Having loved Natasha Lunn’s Conversations on Love, my all-time favorite, I was curious to see what Dolly Alderton had to offer in this collection. I’d previously read her other book, Everything I Know About Love, but for some reason, it didn’t quite resonate with me. However, Dear Dolly—I absolutely love this title—felt like a completely different experience, and I’m so glad I finally gave it the attention it deserves.

Dear Dolly is a brilliant compilation of Alderton’s advice column from the Sunday Times, where she responds to readers’ letters about love, life, and friendship. The book is divided into themed sections, covering everything from romantic relationships to family issues, career dilemmas, and the occasional existential crisis. What makes this book so special is Alderton’s ability to blend empathy, wisdom, and humor into each response. Her advice doesn’t feel preachy but rather comforting, as though you’re chatting with a good friend who really gets it.

What struck me most about Dear Dolly is how relatable it is. The letters come from people facing everyday challenges—breakups, family disputes, the confusion of modern dating—and Alderton’s responses are compassionate and practical. As someone who loves self-help books, I appreciated how grounded her advice felt. She doesn’t offer quick fixes or unrealistic promises but encourages readers to embrace the messiness of life, to face their feelings, and to trust their instincts.

Alderton’s handling of complex relationships is a highlight of this book. Her responses to questions about friendships, toxic dynamics, and unrequited love are honest and insightful. I particularly appreciated her perspective on how relationships evolve over time and the importance of setting boundaries. Unlike Everything I Know About Love, which didn’t quite resonate with me, I found Dear Dolly’s approach to relationships much more balanced and realistic.

One of the things I love about Dear Dolly is how it tackles self-worth and personal growth. Many letters touch on themes of self-esteem and identity, and Alderton’s advice is always rooted in self-compassion. Her encouragement to be kind to oneself and to take control of one’s narrative is something that felt incredibly uplifting to me. It reminded me of the kind of affirmations I’ve come to love in books like Conversations on Love.

The humor in Dear Dolly is another reason why I couldn’t put it down once I started. Even in her most serious advice, Alderton manages to find moments of lightness that make the book a joy to read. Whether she’s discussing dating apps, family drama, or the awkwardness of adult friendships, her sharp wit never fails to shine through. It’s the perfect balance of thoughtful advice and humor, and it kept me smiling throughout.

What really stood out to me, though, was the book’s message of shared humanity. Reading these letters and Alderton’s responses made me realize that no matter where we are in life or what we’re going through, we’re all dealing with similar fears, doubts, and hopes. That sense of connection is what makes Dear Dolly so powerful. It’s not just about advice; it’s about reminding us that we’re all in this together.

In summary, Dear Dolly: On Love, Life, and Friendship is a heartwarming, funny, and thoughtful read. As someone who treasures self-help books and loves to explore themes of love and relationships, this book felt like the perfect mix of practical wisdom and gentle encouragement. It’s an inspiring reminder that, no matter how difficult life can be, there’s always someone out there who understands—and sometimes, all we need is a little advice to keep going.