Shiny Happy Singles: Celebrating the Joy of Independent, Childfree Lives

by Lucy Meggeson

Bloomsbury presents Shiny Happy Celebrating the Joy of Independent, Childfree Lives, written and read by Lucy Meggeson

'Delightful, insightful and totally unapologetic' – Bella DePaulo, PhD, author of Single at Heart

‘Lucy gives modern single women the space to be heard’ – Jody Day, founder of Gateway Women

Being single and childfree is a choice, a joy and a life worth celebrating

Unmarried, childfree women are statistically the happiest demographic in society, so why is being single still treated as a consolation prize? With 45% of women predicted to be single by 2030, Lucy Meggeson believes it’s about time we level the playing field.

Through candid conversations and personal experience, Lucy dives into the ups and downs (mostly ups!) of being single and childfree. She explores living and travelling alone, nurturing your friendships, where sex fits in, and how to embrace your sense of freedom.

Part investigation, part celebration, Shiny Happy Singles inspires single women everywhere to thrive in a world that insists happiness only comes in pairs.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism

Audible Audio

Published June 19, 2025

Reviews

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My copy of this book was gifted by Bloomsbury ❤️

This book is a MUST read for any single women out there. I wish it had been around when I wasn’t in a relationship because it absolutely sums up the joy of being single and childfree. While I could heavily relate to the sections on not having children, I still found the rest of the book fascinating, even as someone currently in a relationship. It was so inspiring to hear the stories from single women all over the world and how taking time for themselves has changed their lives. I couldn’t recommend this book more if you’re currently navigating single life. There really is true joy to be had in this lifestyle and you all need to know about it!

[Kate Henderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoy Lucy Meggeson's podcast and I follow her on Instagram, so this book had been on my radar for a little while. I was really looking forward to it, but unfortunately was just left disappointed.
I tried the audiobook and the electronic copy - neither really did it for me.

Meggeson is such a funny podcaster, and I find myself agreeing with a lot of what she has to say on her socials and podcast - but this book just didn't feel like it came from her. Her strong voice didn't come through at all for me. I wanted more anecdotes from her, but instead the book includes information from other people (random) about their childfree lives.

Really didn't enjoy this! Lucy Meggeson - your voice and your story would have been enough for me...

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read the hardback version of this but it's not on GR yet so going with this edition.

As an avid fan of the podcast I had high expectations for this and I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a lot more of Lucy's voice coming through in this. Don't get me wrong I did like that presentation of so many different views and experiences but I would've like to have gotten more of Lucy as she is brilliant on her and many other podcasts. Her passion, enthusiasm, and just sheer joy about being single and childfree hasn't quite come through as it does when she speaks, which is a bit of a shame. Having said that I did like how this book was set out so you can either read it in full or dip in and out depending on your circumstance and what you want to learn, build, or develop. The stories gathered by Lucy across hundreds of interviews are fantastic and show that there are so many ways to become and be single and childfree/childless, and why the distinctions matter. No matter where you are on your journey or whether you identify as non-female this book will benefit you. And for those that aren't single and/or childf/l you still need to read this and you may well find some important lessons, not just in how you interact with those not coupled but also reflections on your own life, and maybe a few lessons on how to live a bit more freely.

[NoMo Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the mainstream narrative is to be believed, all little girls want to get married and have kids when they grow up. That may be true for some of them, but what happens to those who don’t (or perhaps just couldn't)? Imagine how much better it would be for women if society reshaped its narrative and stopped making us feel bad or weird for simply wanting or ending up with a different life - how refreshing would it be to accept that there are other ways for women to be happy?

Helping to do exactly this is Lucy Meggeson, the creator of the Thrive Solo network and podcast. Her new book sets out to dispel the myths and mistruths around solo women. Instead, Lucy presents a warm and embracing celebration of single women without children (both by chance and circumstance), in which she outlines the true benefits of living on your own terms.

Grouped into a series of themes, the book explores the positives associated with ideas such as freedom, solitude or independence, and outlines what home, careers, travel, sex or friendships might look like for unpartnered women. Additionally, the book is dotted with the wisdom, experiences and advice of not just Lucy herself, but various other single women who she has interviewed - creating a real sense of community within its pages.

[Mae of Scotland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) | Green Tree and Netgalley for giving me an eARC of Shiny Happy Singles.

We definitely need more books like this in the world . Guys need to read them too. Its OK for everyone to be single and happy without kids! I enjoyed the refreshing honesty, advice and poignant heartfelt messages in this book. Thank you for standing up for us.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

very entertaining and useful

This book is very entertaining and useful. It definitely has helped reframe ideas on my now single life, after 35 years of marriage. I think I can be shiny happy and single.

[Kushmir]

Some really interesting stuff in here.