In this video, I’m reviewing Bimbo by Ashley James — a book I’ve been waiting to read for a very, very long time — and I’m telling you exactly what I learned, how you can apply it, and whether I think Ashley truly hit the mark. I go through the book’s structure (childhood, maidenhood, womanhood, singlehood, and motherhood) and I also give a clear trigger warning because the book discusses abuse and sexual assault. And yes, I take my reviews very seriously, so I’m not just summarising — I’m pulling out the parts that actually change how you see the world. A big theme I discuss is how early gendered messaging starts: the “princess” narrative, pink vs blue, and how we police children’s interests in ways that follow them into adulthood. I share my own experiences growing up as the only girl with brothers in an African setting — wanting planes instead of dolls, climbing trees, playing football — and how I’m grateful my parents didn’t box me in. I also talk about the “bossy” label and how assertive girls get toned down while boys get praised as future CEOs, plus the chapter on fitting in and why shrinking yourself to belong will always cost you. I also get into the heavy but necessary conversations: rape culture and the insane way society questions women’s behaviour instead of men’s actions, body image and how we equate thinness with goodness, and singlehood — including the freedom single women have, and the constant pressure (especially as you get older) to marry and have children. This is one of those books that makes you notice things you can’t unsee.