Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy: Is It Well-Written?

We are officially relevant.

In this episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla and Rachel dive into Jeanette McCurdy’s debut novel Half His Age, the much-anticipated follow-up to her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died. We unpack the controversial age-gap dynamic, the power shifts between predator and prey, and how McCurdy flips the traditional narrative by centering the teenage girl’s desire.

Is the novel really about the relationship — or is it about worth, longing, addiction, and the hunger to be seen?

We discuss:

• How McCurdy’s memoir informs (or doesn’t inform) the fiction
• The moral tension of writing and consuming uncomfortable stories
• The brilliance of voice in Waldo, Mr. Corgi, and Waldo’s mother
• A perfect “Save the Cat” theme-stated moment
• Whether the audiobook narration enhances or distracts
• And yes… the scene everyone will be talking about

Plus, we rate it (7 vs. 9 👀), debate craft choices, and ask: how fearless do you have to be to write like this?

Next up: Storytime with Chris Ritchie and a voice-switching writing challenge.

If you’ve read Half His Age, we want to hear your thoughts.

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