A Bigger Life: A deliciously honest memoir about dating, desire and the radical act of wanting more: new for 2026!

by Louise O'Neill

A deliciously honest memoir about dating, desire and the radical act of wanting more.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 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 What does it really mean to live a bigger life?

Genres: Nonfiction

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 24, 2026

About the author

Louise O' Neill is from Clonakilty, in west Cork. After graduating with a BA in English Studies at Trinity College Dublin, she went on to complete a post-grad in Fashion Buying at DIT. Having spent a year in New York working for Kate Lanphear, the senior Style Director of ELLE magazine, she returned home to Ireland to write her first novel.
She went from hanging out on set with A-list celebrities to spending most of her days in pyjamas while she writes, and has never been happier.

Reviews

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

she’s just consistently the best, so vulnerable and funny and had so much to say about dating and romance and sex and recovery and being a woman

[Sinead K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars, a very high rating for me, I am a hard task master! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and reading Louise O'Neills honest and no holds barred story of her dating life.

Amongst her stories is the story of every womans or mans heart, how fragile love is, how hurt we can get, how we must continue on and strive to find that perfect love, that gentle love that can nourish our souls. This book is about finding yourself, finding who you truly are and what you truly want out of life, for life is short and is over in the blink of an eye.

This book is full of encouragement to live life your way, your happy way, be yourself, surround yourself with love and support from family and friends. If you are lucky enough to find your fairytale and "the one" grab onto it, hold onto it for as Louise would say, you have found something special.

I never like to spoil the book for others, my advice, read it! Make your own mind up about it. One thing for sure it's gonna be a big seller!

[Eibhlín · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still processing this, but I know A Bigger Life will be one of my top reads - not just this year, but for years to come. Intuitively, I know I’ll be dipping into it regularly. I found myself annotating, underlining, and folding pages to return to. There was just so much reflection, advice, and wisdom to be found within.

Deeply personal and honest, Louise O’Neill sparks hope in her first memoir. Hope for recovery, for growth, for love, and for a bigger life.

[Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I thought this book was entertaining, funny, at times touching, and vulnerable. For most of it, I was nodding along and smiling at how true some of her observations are. However, I found the ending disappointing.

[Tilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

at no point did i want to put this book down. just fantastic.

[Katerina🤍 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really strong middle, I was hooked and enthralled. Though, the book needed a lot of editing down, the beginning and end to match the pace and excitement of the middle.

(I may not have rated this book 5 stars, but the author gets 10! What a diamond she was, so glad I got to meet a woman like her.)