She Wanted More

by Poorna Bell

AS SEEN ON FEARNE COTTON'S HAPPY PLACE PODCAST AND FEATURED IN SUNDAY TIMES STYLE AND GRAZIA

'Full of wisdom and vulnerability' CARIAD LLOYD
'An urgent, empowering read' FEARNE COTTON
'A guide for living according to our own desires and drives, rather than patriarchal dictates aimed at minimising us' SARI BOTTON

*The new book for women who want to live differently - featuring interviews with fascinating, inspirational women from all walks of life*

When Poorna Bell found herself at the height of grief in her mid-thirties, she spent each day just trying to survive. As her new self began to emerge back into the world, she realised she had spent a lifetime playing by the rules that had been set for women.

But who set these rules? And why? In her powerful, inspirational new book, Poorna Bell asks you to reimagine your future. To know that you can write your own story - to find the confidence to live exactly as you want to, and reclaim your joy. To discover that if you want more, you can get it.

Join Poorna as she paves the way for a new future, including interviews with Marian Keyes, Asma Khan, Hollie McNish, Mariella Frostrup, Heidi Clements, Luisa Dunn, Cindy Gallop, Seema Anand, Catherine Gray, Sam Baker, Jennifer Cox and more.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2026

About the author

I'm an award-winning journalist of 21 years, author and a digital editorial expert, having previously worked as UK Executive Editor and Global Lifestyle Head for HuffPost. I’ve also published three non-fiction books and my second novel is out in 2024.

I specialise in women’s issues, diversity, fitness, pro-ageing and mental health, and have freelanced for The Times, The i Paper, Grazia, The Guardian, Red magazine, and Stylist among others. I work across written features, video and podcasts.

I’m an experienced public speaker, from doing keynotes to moderating events for FTSE 100 companies, hosting and running seminars for corporations. I’m also accomplished in broadcast, having spoken on Channel 5, ITV, and BBC News, and am a regular fixture on BBC radio.

And, did I mention I’m a competitive powerlifter?

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a 49 year old single woman with no children, I jumped at the chance to read She Wanted More when it was offered to me by the publisher for review. Poorna states in the book that it is aimed at women in their 40s, 50s and 60s but I think women of all ages should read it as it is empowering, uplifting and full of stories from older women living many different lives.

There are chapters on marriage, divorce, singledom, parenting and living a life without children, so it covers all bases. I will always champion a book that includes the childfree, and also reminds society that not all women have made a choice about not having children. There are many, many reasons for this, including infertility and circumstance.

The book also covers aging and menopause - two things that society almost programmes us to believe we should be afraid of. As someone approaching 50, in recent years, I have become happier and more confident, and therefore aging has only been a positive for me. It also made me question the life I had been living and as a result I made drastic changes.

I highly recommend this fantastic book. Poorna writes with ease and she is never preachy, nor does she dictate what she thinks women should be doing. She simply presents to you different paths and choices available to us, and enlightens you to the fact that just because your life is different from someone else's, doesn't mean it's wrong - it's simply the right one for you!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Poorna Bell's writing a couple of years ago, but I became an instant convert when I read 'Stronger'. When I heard about this upcoming release I felt it was going to be a book that I would really get into, and I wasn't wrong.

There are so many issues that are covered in this book and they are dealt with in a sensitive way. Whilst my personal situation is different to hers in that I am a mother, that doesn't matter. This is one area that she covers sensitively. She looks out for women who haven't had children and those that have. In fact I feel that this is a book for women of many ages and stages. The section on mothers was really touching.

I have gained so much from this book so thank you Poorna for writing it.

[Lucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

She Wanted More is an empowering, inspiring, moving and thought-provoking book. It covers a range of topics, including the patriarchy and its influence, families, careers, culture, dating, relationships, and identity. It weaves in lived experiences, stats, references to books, music, and more.

Through her book, it’s evident how Poorna (the author) seeks to inspire women to reflect, create change in their lives, dream bigger, and ultimately want more out of life without feeling guilt.

Women are often taught from a young age to minimise our needs, be helpful/docile, or settle for less. As a woman with Nigerian heritage (who grew up in the UK), it was really interesting to read about her experiences being from a South East Asian background.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and would wholeheartedly recommend it. I’ve also read one of her previous books, This Is Fine, and I’d recommend that too.

With thanks to Bonnier Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Katy Wheatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poorna Bell engagingly takes us on a journey into women's lives in middle to late age with the purpose of offering more than the standard societal expectations of women. Her own story threads through the interviews and questions she posed to many women, some ordinary, some famous or celebrated and all questioning and rebelling against what was expected of them. From Poorna's own desire to become physically strong which led her to build a community in the world of weight lifting and wrestling to other women who have embraced the liberation that aging can offer this is a refreshing take on aging that I really enjoyed.

[Gem ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent nonfiction book that is a collection of anecdotes, stories and admissions from anonymous submissions to the author's survey for women over 25, as well as accounts from other authors & influencers and Poorna Bell's reflections on her own experiences.
I loved the broad and diverse range of responses and discussions and that a whole manner of topics from motherhood to menopause, sex and friendships were detailed. It is ultimately a celebration of womanhood and also a manifesto of what modern society needs to reflect about half of its population.

[Laura McCallion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
This book is simply brilliant, and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s incredibly inspiring and transformational, with stories and perspectives from women from all walks of life. I’m in my mid 30s and this book helped me to see how much I have to look forward to. Poorna’s reflections and insights are invaluable, and she encourages women to create change for themselves and dream bigger in their lives, especially in middle age and beyond.

[B Foster-Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I was lucky enough to be sent an early proof but it sat my on bedside table for ages as life got in the way. I just demolished it over halfterm and it’s given me my joy back. My belief that being midlife isn’t a death sentence, or in fact, anything other than a privilege and a joy. Poorna’s writing is both relatable and heartbreaking. Highly recommend!