The Life I Didn’t Plan: The new laugh-out-loud and unputdownable book club book about second chances that you won’t want to miss! Perfect for fans of Amanda Prowse and Holly Bourne

by Charlotte Butterfield

What you want isn't always what you need…In 2006, Beth didn't expect to get pregnant at seventeen.

Nor did she think she'd lose the name and address of the father of her child. Swept up in romance on her French exchange, all she remembers is that his hair smelt like mangoes.

Now, in 2026, at her school reunion, she opens the time capsule she wrote to herself at that time. A letter that alters everything Beth thought she knew about her past, and provides an all important clue for finding the father of her 19-year-old daughter, Maisie.

Hit hard by the difference between the life she hoped for and the one she’s living, Beth is faced with a chase the adventures she once dreamed of, or embrace the new opportunities life presents?

AUTHORS LOVE CHARLOTTE BUTTERFIELD!

'The novel we've all been waiting for. Brimming with hilariously recognisable family dynamics, and characters you'll fall in love with… smart, fresh and funny – a brilliant read.' HOLLY MILLER

'You know it's good when you are snorting with laughter one minute and ugly crying the next!' AMANDA PROWSE

‘Funny, warm, poignant – totally brilliant… Another triumph.’ BECKY HUNTER

'Charlotte Butterfield is a Queen of Contemporary Women's Fiction… An absolute must read.’ JENNY BAYLISS

'Funny, heartwarming and oh-so-relatable… a fabulously comforting and uplifting read!' FIONA LUCAS

READERS LOVE CHARLOTTE BUTTERFIELD!

'You know that rare kind of book that makes you laugh out loud, swoon uncontrollably, and maybe rethink all your life choices because you’re that invested? Yeah, this is that book.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'I LOVED this! I was in a reading slump for a while and this has 100% pulled me out of it. I couldn’t put it down! I read it in one day.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'From start to finish, this novel does not lose momentum and I could not put it down. The characters are so well rounded and relatable and the plot is funny and realistic.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'I devoured this in a day! A perfect light and funny read.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 18, 2026

Reviews

[Olivia Mosco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe i loved this book this much. Maybe it was just what I needed? I lovedddd the end of life/hospice inclusions because im super passionate about that. So many good quotes and reflections on how life doesnt always go according to plan. But sometimes its meant to be that way. Ugh i may need to read more from this author!!!

[Karen Axnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel delivers far more than the book synopsis indicates. Yes, the protagonist does get to explore the differences between teenage dreams for the future and the reality of life as a mature adult. However, that theme is like the lyrics without the melody that brings a song to life. Her work as an end-of-life caregiver and the impact she has on friends, family and clients is more profound and, for me, far more interesting.

Fostering doubts about the wisdom of meeting former classmates, Beth attends her 20-year school reunion and is presented with a “Letter to My Future Self written by her at age 17. The stark contrast between what the letter writer envisioned and how her life has unfolded serves as a catalyst to move out of her comfort zone and explore new possibilities. These include travel, investigating a possible career change, a budding romance, and tracking down the father of her child.

It was easy to relate with Beth as she faces her future now that her daughter has left home for college. I admired her courage and resilience in the face of her insecurities. While parts of the storyline stretched the limits of plausibility, I still found it enjoyable and satisfying. The humor shines through in just the right places, especially in the interactions with Jack, son of a former client, as their attraction turns into romance.

The author sums up the underlying message toward the end of the book, by noting that the future we think we want doesn’t compare with the beauty of the one we are living. She further notes that joy is found in the present…in quiet moments when we stop pursuing the “shoulds” and listen within to what is truly important.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I have read three of her books I think and I've enjoyed them all. She writes books that, at first glance might not feel relatable, but then you get to know the characters and you realise that the story could be your own.

It's a book with a powerful message behind it, but it's also fun and enjoyable to read.

I mean, it's advertised as a "laugh out loud" story. But I can't say I found it funny at all. That's not a negative on the book, and if it hadn't have said it, I wouldn't have mentioned it, because it's not something I thought the book needed.

It did take a while to get going. The opening half wasn't bad, but it was a bit too genteel with not much happening. Which I generally don't mind. But it started with this strong look at your past and realising you haven't achieved what you wanted to, but then it continues in that vein for a while, a lot of thinking and talking and very little doing. So I'd have liked it to have picked up a bit earlier.

I like this idea of what you should have achieved by a certain age. When I was a kid, my life plan was: graduate at 21, get my dream job, buy a house at 24, marry at 26, kids by 30. Instead, I am 32, still living with my mum, chronically ill, and unemployed. So life doesn't always turn out the way you think it'll be. But that doesn't have to be a bad thing. It's about finding the positives from your dream life in your real life.

I enjoy it, I did, don't get me wrong. It was fun, exciting, hopeful, and everything I wanted. But it didn't grab me. So, when I was reading it, I was enjoying it. But when I put it down, I didn't find myself thinking about it or rushing to get back to it. But I can't give you a reason why that is. Everything about it - setting, plot, characters, message - I enjoyed, but there was just this excitement level, this spark that was missing.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and ended up reading it in just a couple of sittings, it completely pulled me in from the start.

The characters felt incredibly real and relatable, the kind of people you genuinely want to cheer on and see succeed. There were so many moments of humour that I could relate to, I actually found myself laughing out loud, only for the next chapter to completely shift my emotions and leave me feeling moved and, at times, quite saddened. That balance between lightness and emotional depth was done beautifully.

The mother-daughter relationship was a real standout for me. It was portrayed with warmth, honesty, and depth, and the theme of parental sacrifice was woven throughout in such a natural and realistic way. Beth’s early pregnancy and the choices she made were handled with honesty and sensitivity, making her story feel authentic and genuinely welcoming to read.

I also loved Beth’s journey of self-discovery. At the beginning, she thinks she knows what she wants, although really, only in the way a 17-year-old can. As the story unfolds, she begins to realise that what she thought she wanted isn’t actually what will make her happy. Watching her rediscover her identity, let go of missed opportunities, and rethink her path was both refreshing and inspiring.

One of the most powerful elements of the story was its reflection on life and loss. The exploration of grief was handled so tastefully, reminding us just how fragile and fleeting life can be. It’s a story that quietly encourages you to take chances, to live fully, and not to leave things unsaid or undone.

At its heart, this book is a gentle but powerful reminder to live life on your own terms, to follow what truly makes you happy, rather than what’s expected of you, and to find contentment in the life you have.

A heartfelt, funny, and thought provoking read that I’d absolutely recommend.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when the life you planned has never even got started?

I've read two previous novels by Charlotte Butterfield - The Second Chance and The Sister Switch - and really enjoyed them both. So I was excited to read The Life I Didn't Plan.

Pregnant at seventeen (following a brief romance on a school trip to France), and a mother at eighteen, Beth has spent her life looking after others - daughter Maisie, and the terminally ill patients she cares for as a palliative carer. What Beth hasn't managed quite so well is forging any kind of life of her own. Forced to leave school due to her pregnancy, the career as a midwife that she dreamt of never got off the ground, and her love life has been a non-starter.

Now, with Maisie away at university, life is about to develop in unexpected ways. A New Year's Eve callout to a dying elderly man takes an extraordinary turn. And it looks like it's time to finally track down Maisie's father, the boy who never answered Beth's letters...

Sometimes the future we plan isn't nearly as beautiful as the one we never saw coming.

A great read with a really engaging main character who it was easy to warm to. Recommended!

[Alison T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beth is an amazing student with big plans for college and beyond. But she unexpectedly gets pregnant at seventeen with her daughter, Maisie, and her life plans change. Her story unfolds in The Life I Didn’t Plan by Charlotte Butterfield.

This book is charming, with characters who are lovely, quirky, and multifaceted. Without giving anything away, there are times within this story where you will think back to your younger self and wonder “what if…” At other times, you might think about what you wish for your older self. All these thoughts will come as Butterfield tells Beth’s and Maisie’s stories with love and humor.

In the end, Beth holds tight to the family she has and the new friends and family she finds, along with the things she learns about herself at the young age of thirty-seven.

Quite an enjoyable read!

Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely title from this author.

I love how the characters are developed throughout this book, they are so wholesome, real and lovely.
Beth’s character really was a favourite. She just seemed so down to earth and will resonate with so many people.

All the characters grow throughout their own personal journeys and Beth’s accounts of her job really are an eye opener.

Beth’s relationship with her daughter is another lovely part to this book, of course they have their ups and downs but I think the dynamic between them was so well written.

So all in all a lovely heartfelt tale, of love, relationships, life choices and the ability to move on, whatever hand you are dealt. A reminder that people’s hopes and dreams can change, something we thought we wanted, may not actually hold the appeal we thought it would.

This one will have you laughing (with some great banter between the characters), crying but overall feeling the love between everyone.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK | Avon for allowing me to read an ARC of The Life I Didn’t Plan by Charlotte Butterfield in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book!

Beth was such a wonderful character, and I really admired her compassion and dedication as an end-of-life caregiver. It added so much depth to her story and made her incredibly easy to root for.

This was such a witty, heartfelt, and genuinely funny read. I laughed, smiled, and got a little emotional along the way. I also loved the message about not getting too caught up in the life you thought you'd have and instead appreciating the life you do have.

The relationships were another highlight for me. Whether it was family, friendship, or romance, every connection felt real and meaningful.

Warm, uplifting, funny, and full of heart—this was such an enjoyable read, and I finished it with a big smile on my face!

[Jen Grá · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you want to read slightly melodramatic books with lots of miscommunication and overinflated grand gestures. Then, sometimes books like "The Life I Didn't Plan" represent the complete antithesis and are just as well received for it.
Beth is 37, a hospice nurse and mother to a 19year old daughter. The 20 year anniversary of the school that kicked her out when they discovered she was pregnant looms and with it, Beth's need to question the dreams of her younger self.
This is a lovely book. The writing is self-aware enough to swerve away from saccharine and there is something reassuring about characters who don't ignite their whole lives over one misunderstanding. I was genuinely touched by the ending and thankful for a TBR that can do it all and allow for extremes.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Haile · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Life I Didn’t Plan was an unexpected joy of a novel! It’s about the expectations we have for our lives and how those expectations can turn into a perception of disappointment when things don’t go the way we imagined. The story really leans into examining what truly makes us happy, and how actually seeing what’s right in front of us—rather than obsessing over what “should have been”—can be enough, and even better, leading to a path to happiness in the here and now. It was witty, laugh‑out‑loud funny, and genuinely heartwarming, and I just loved the characters so much. It has found family, a little closed-door romance, and self discovery. Chef’s kiss!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When your 19 year old daughter goes to university, empty nest hits hard. Always having been just the two of them. Unexpectedly pregnant after a school exchange prior to her a levels. Life choices had drastically changed, the university place withdrawn, school refusing to let the a level sat.
Working as a palliative nurse, helping families at the end of life care of their precious relatives. Working the night shift.
School reunion with letters to their 40 year old selves, nemesis and chaos.
Fun, friendship, laughter and love. A book that will make you smile and appreciate those you love. Enjoy I did

[Emily West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know what it is about this book, but it just worked. It’s a gentle book full of humour that is beautifully written. It follows the lives of real people without any additional drama that would make it feel unrealistic. The characters are really well written and you feel like you’ve known them for ages. I thoroughly enjoyed this.