A Bigger Life

'A groundbreaking shift in how we talk about women, love and relationships’ – Marian Keyes

At 38, Louise O’Neill had the life she thought she wanted—until her long-term relationship ended, taking with it the home, future, and sense of certainty she’d built. Heartbroken but defiant, she made a radical decision: to say yes to everything, to take risks, and to reclaim her life—on her own terms.

What followed was a dating experiment that took her across Paris, London, New York, and beyond. Through the men she meets and the moments in between, Louise begins to challenge everything she’s been taught to settle for – in life, love, and in herself.

Part memoir, part manifesto, A Bigger Life is a candid, courageous exploration of modern womanhood, sexual freedom, and the myths we’re sold about what makes a life worthwhile. It’s about embracing uncertainty, finding joy after heartbreak, and creating space for the version of yourself that doesn’t play small.

Louise invites us to laugh, wince, and reflect as she asks the question at the heart of the book: What does it really mean to live a bigger life?

Reviews

'A groundbreaking shift in how we talk about women, love and relationships’ – Marian Keyes

'Beautifully written with generosity, candour, intelligence and wit. A Bigger Life reminds us all that hope exists, if we are brave enough to open our hearts to finding it' – Elizabeth Day

'Frank, fearless and unfailingly candid. As a dating memoir, it's both brutally honest and highly entertaining, but it's much more than that too: it's an exploration of female desire, a manifesto for female agency and a story about how sometimes losing a relationship can be the key to finding yourself' – Hannah Beckerman

About the author

Louise O’Neill is the bestselling and multi-award-winning author of Only Ever Yours, Asking For It, Almost Love, and Idol. Known for her sharp, fearless feminist writing, she has become one of the most important voices in contemporary Irish literature. Her work has been widely praised for its bold social commentary and emotional depth. A Bigger Life is her first full-length memoir.