Paper Doll

Notes from a Late Bloomer

By: Dylan Mulvaney

Narrated by: Dylan Mulvaney

"Dylan makes me laugh and makes me brave. I love Paper Doll, and I love this woman.”—Glennon Doyle, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Untamed

Actress and content creator Dylan Mulvaney’s honest account of her journey through girlhood

When Dylan Mulvaney came out as a woman online, she was a viral sensation almost overnight, emerging as a trailblazing voice on social media. Dylan’s personal coming-out story blossomed into a platform for advocacy and empowerment for trans people all over the world.

Through her “Days of Girlhood” series, she connected with followers by exploring what it means to be a girl, from experimenting with makeup to story times to spilling the tea about laser hair removal, while never shying away from discussing the transphobia she faced online. Nevertheless, she was determined to be a beacon of positivity.

But shortly after she celebrated day 365 of being a girl, it all came screeching to a halt when an innocuous post sparked a media firestorm and right-wing backlash she couldn’t have expected. Despite the vitriolic press and relentless paparazzi, Dylan was determined to remain loud and proud.

In Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer, Dylan pulls back the curtain of her “It Girl” lifestyle with a witty and intimate reflection of her life pre- and post-transition. She covers everything from her first big break in theater to the first time her dad recognized her as a girl to how she handled scandals, cancellations, and … tucking. It’s both laugh-out-loud funny and powerfully honest—and is a love letter to everyone who stands up for queer joy.

©2025 Dylan Mulvaney (P)2025 Recorded Books

LOVE Dylan’s story telling + authenticity; a great read

I really loved this book and especially enjoyed that Dylan read it herself, in all her mannerisms. The humor, the vulnerability, the story telling-
This was a fun, enjoyable, and educational read.
Highly recommend.

Great

Didn’t think I’d like it. It’s an interesting perspective into the life of the celebrity who caused an uproar over a generic beer brand

The gut-wrenching sincerity

I laughed alone all day at work. I stood completely still in a crowded mall with my hand to my chest like an affronted southern belle while I cried. I wanted to hug her tight so many times. The power of girlhood has rarely hit me harder. There is so much love and compassion and humor and joy and gratitude in her heart and it comes through so pure. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Everyone has something to learn here.

Learning Curve

Humor, infectious laughter, wit and acceptance. Thinking myself an ally, I didn't know much about the struggle to find where you fit into this puzzling life wasn't imbedded into the descriptors you chose to describe oneself.
Dylan and her audience are all still learning.

Love at first listen

I didn’t know who Dylan Mulvaney is until I came across her via Joe Locke and HRC. I’m not a social media person so I just purchased the audio book on a whim without looking her up on TikTok. Dylan is an incredibly brilliant storyteller. She has a comedic timing that’s effortless. I didn’t expect as a CIS woman to be able to relate to so many parts of her story, but I did. The mental health struggles she’s been through, the way she felt inside about being different, and the love she received from finally finding her people. I am so glad I got the audio book because the performance she gave audibly made me feel like I was chatting with my best friend. It gave even more life to the story. Super easy and entertaining-read in 1 session book. I will also be purchasing the physical book to add to my queer bookshelf.