Elyce Arons Book Review
I rarely do a book review but sometimes one finds you at exactly the right moment. That’s how I felt reading Elyce Arons’ We Might Just Make It After All. Part memoir, part manifesto, and all heart, this New York Times Best Seller gave me something I didn’t know I was looking for—perspective, permission, and a spark of possibility.
For those who don’t know, Elyce Arons is one of the co-founders of Frances Valentine (the brand she launched with her late best friend, Kate Spade), and this book beautifully chronicles not just her journey through fashion and business, but also through friendship, grief, creativity, and reinvention.
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What Struck Me First
Arons writes with the candor of a friend over coffee—clear-eyed and vulnerable. She doesn’t sugarcoat her story. From the loss of Kate Spade to the daunting task of keeping their shared dream alive, Elyce brings us inside the often-overlooked emotional landscape of entrepreneurship. She reminds us that building something meaningful isn’t just about vision—it’s about persistence, people, and heartache.
A Story About More Than Fashion
You don’t have to be into fashion to love this book. Sure, there are details about launching a brand, the thrill of retail, and the complexities of legacy—but this is really a story about resilience. About what it takes to keep going when your map disappears. And how reinvention isn’t about becoming someone else—it’s about becoming more of who you already are.
There’s a chapter where she talks about relaunching Frances Valentine and wrestling with doubts about whether people would still care. That moment hit me hard. How often do we all ask ourselves that question in our own lives? “Is it too late? Is anyone even listening?” Arons doesn’t offer false comfort, but she does offer a path forward: Show up. Do the work. Stay true.
What I’ll Take With Me
Since finishing the book, I’ve thought a lot about legacy—not in a grand, statuesque way, but in the small, daily choices we make. The friendships we nurture. The courage it takes to pivot. The quiet decision to keep trying.
We Might Just Make It After All is more than a memoir—it’s a reminder that the middle of your story isn’t the end. That creativity doesn’t expire. And that grief and growth are often tangled together in the most unexpected, beautiful ways.
If you’re looking for a read that’s thoughtful, uplifting, and real, I can’t recommend this book enough. It left me feeling hopeful. And these days, that’s everything.
Limited Edition Book Bundle:
To mark the moment and celebrate We Might Just Make It After All, Frances Valentine has put together something special: the boxed bundle. Inside, you’ll find two signed copies of the memoir (one for yourself and one to gift your best friend PLUS the limited edition Butterscotch Basket, all wrapped in a keepsake box printed with Frances Valentine’s ‘pretty peonies’. Its a little celebration, wrapped in love. VERY LIMITED qualities are available for preorder! Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
I adore this darling handbag! The limited-edition Butterscotch Basket is the perfect companion for all of life’s sweet moments. Inspired by Elyce Arons’ new book and named after her first car (and the scene of many youthful adventures), this bag is a nostalgic nod to the beginning of it all. With gold detailing and a peony-print lining, this wicker wonder would be a wonderful addition to your summer wardrobe.
Code: MEG_FV15 saves 15% on this book and site-wide at Frances Valentine
Let me know if you’ve read this book or planning to and always, thanks for visiting my site.
