On the morning of her wedding Serena decides she can’t go through with it and jilts the man that everyone told her she was lucky to be with.

Leaving her home, job and former fiancé she moves to London and with the help of her friend Lola starts afresh.

The story focuses on Serena’s efforts to find a love that excites her and as a plus size woman, her insecurities as she ventures onto dating apps.

It’s a fun easy read, some great supporting characters and I loved the different reactions to Serena’s decision to leave Alistair at the altar and the author’s description of some very cringy dates.

Thanks to @netgalley and @harperCollins for my copy of the book

Review on my Instagram page LouiseReads_UK

Such a beautiful read, it was positive and uplifting.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

A really life-affirming, body positive read. Bethany Rutter is doing the Lord's work with her plus size protagonists, reminding us that - despite what it often feels the world cries out - we are worthy & deserving of romantic love. Serena's post-breakup navigating of the dating apps felt truly relatable, particularly her internal battle over who she feels she 'deserves' and who will like her. Also, and as corny as it may be to say, the friendships here - and the love shown between the women - they really are the greatest love story of them all.
The neat tying up of things at the end may have been a tad too convenient for me, but then I'm a jaded cynic trapped in the no-man's-land of modern dating,
All in all, the most relatable romcom you'll read this year.

This really was a lovely read! It follows the quest to find true love! Love the relationships and connections formed.

Welcome to your life begins with Serena leaving her boyfriend of 10 years at the alter and basically blowing up her life. She moves to London with an old friend and starts dating. She meets new friends and discovers a confidence in herself she was missing.
I liked this book for the most part. The tagline about 52 dates was pretty misleading and there were points where I found Serena a bit annoying but overall it was a cute romance/girl power book.

I finally finished reading "Welcome to My Life" by Bethany Rutter and I have to say, it was a real treat.

The story follows the main character on her quest for true love. But what I really loved about this book was how it showed that real love isn't just about superficial connections, but about finding someone who truly understands and accepts you for who you are.

Welcome to My Life is a delightful tale that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun and uplifting read. Thankyou NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I knew I’d enjoy the genre and was expecting a large part of the story line to be about rebuilding her life after the illfated wedding day- but actually for it to go to such depths about accepting and taking joy from her body and for giving herself permission to take up space in the world- well, it was great. Motivational, funny, thoughtful and a really enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this book, I liked the central meaning of the story. As a big girl myself, seeing a main character who has to learn to love herself and realise she's worthy really resonated with me. The characters were fun, and I loved that while there were romantic elements to the story, the true love story was that of friendship and loving yourself. Solid 3.5 stars.

I adored this from start to finish. Or does what it says on the tin and a little bit more. Would recommend

A fun romance that reads as expected (not that this is a bad thing).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

I actually really enjoyed, this book (not that I expected to not enjoy it). I loved Serena’s character and the journey to loving herself just the way she is she embarked on in this book, and the support system she had in Nicole and Lola. It was refreshing that the empowerment and reassurance she needed to get to the stage where she valued herself as the amazing person she was didn’t come from male validation but rather from the love and support from Nicole and Lola. This book shows us that to love ourselves is freeing, and empowering, and I would definitely recommend this book to friends.

I really enjoyed this, full of sharp humour and witty as you would expect from the author. The main characters are really relatable and the romance was nicely done, very believable. Would make a great beach read.

In "Welcome to My Life," Bethany Rutter takes readers on a heartwarming and humorous journey of self-discovery, love, and finding happiness in unexpected places. The story follows the protagonist, who decides to challenge herself to 52 weeks of dating in search of real love, after realizing that she wants more than just superficial relationships. What follows is a delightful tale of self-exploration and unexpected romance that will captivate readers from start to finish.

The novel starts with an unexpected twist as the protagonist, instead of being on a glamorous date, finds herself indulging in an ice cream sundae and a large glass of wine in a Harvester off the M25. This immediately sets the tone for the novel - lighthearted, relatable, and filled with moments that will make readers laugh and nod in agreement. Rutter's writing is witty and authentic, drawing readers into the protagonist's world and making them feel like they are right there with her on her dating journey.

As the protagonist goes on her 52 dates, Rutter introduces a diverse cast of characters who bring their own unique personalities and quirks to the story. From awkward blind dates to unexpected connections, each date is an adventure in itself, and readers will eagerly turn the pages to see what happens next. Along the way, the protagonist learns valuable lessons about herself, relationships, and what she truly wants in a partner.

One of the strengths of "Welcome to My Life" is Rutter's ability to portray complex and relatable emotions. The protagonist's struggles with self-doubt, fear of vulnerability, and the pressure to conform to societal expectations are depicted with sensitivity and authenticity. Readers will find themselves rooting for her as she navigates the ups and downs of dating, and will celebrate her moments of growth and self-acceptance.

Another highlight of the novel is the unexpected romance that blooms in the midst of the protagonist's dating challenge. Without giving away spoilers, the romance is a delightful surprise that adds an extra layer of depth to the story. Rutter portrays the relationship with tenderness and realism, capturing the joy and uncertainty of falling in love in a way that will resonate with readers.

In addition to the engaging plot and well-drawn characters, "Welcome to My Life" also touches on important themes such as self-love, body positivity, and the importance of being true to oneself. Rutter tackles these topics with nuance and sensitivity, weaving them seamlessly into the story without being preachy or heavy-handed. Readers will appreciate the positive messages and the representation of diverse experiences and identities in the novel.

Overall, "Welcome to My Life" is a charming and heartwarming story that will captivate readers with its relatable characters, witty writing, and themes of self-discovery and love. Rutter's engaging storytelling and authentic portrayal of human emotions make this novel a must-read for anyone who has ever navigated the complexities of dating and relationships. It's a story that will make readers laugh, cry, and ultimately leave them with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Highly recommended!

It's Serenas wedding day. The day she finally marries Alastair, with his beautiful green eyes, his security and stability, and a complete lack of that dating drama her friends always seem to talk about. She is so lucky to have him, at least that's what everyone tells her.

But instead of walking down the aisle, she's sitting alone in a Harvester with a large glass of wine and facing the reality she just jilted a man at the altar … kind of. After a decade together, she'd been told so many times how perfect they were together that she never stopped to figure out if it was enough for her.

She knows somewhere out there, something is waiting for her. A love story, an entire new life could be waiting and she's not going to keep waiting for it to find her. So after moving in with a friend, she sets herself a challenge - this year she's going to try new things, and go on a date every week. 52 weeks, 52 dates. 52 changes to figure out what she really wants from a partner, 52 chances at true love. What could possibly go wrong?

"I guess ... I'm just a little lost. I feel like I haven't really been in control of my life, like it was just happening and I was there but not really participating."

With that patented Bethany Rutter charm, this story is full of wit and sharp humour. A little steamy to get you hot under the collar, a little humour to make your cheeks ache and just enough sticky sweet romance that might make your teeth hurt.

With a cast of strong women who made me feel instant sisterhood - especially Serena. She was a real, beautiful woman with doubts, fears, mistakes but confidence and love. She's a stunning fat woman who doesn't let the size of her belly define her despite what the media-taught insecurities tell her.

It was far too easy to read this all it one sitting, I was in love with Serena and her mission from the start. A full of riotous journey of self-discovery and self-love with indulgent romance and lots of fun.

I mean, it's a Bethany Rutter novel, what did you expect?

I absolutely love books like this and I am beyond excited to read, review, and acquire this title. Will be sharing more thoughts and a full review in this book asap….unfortunately I’m down with an illness at the moment. I’m looking for great inspiring reads for myself and our readers especially bring at a huge turning point in my life at the moment and I just know this will be the perfect book! Can’t wait!

On the morning of her wedding day Serena runs away. Hiding in a cafe, eating icecream in her wedding dress, she  realises that, after 10 years, she no longer wants to be in a relationship with her childhood sweetheart, estate agent Alistair. He may be gorgeous, dependable and seemingly perfect, but it doesn't feel right. She can't imagine living in the 'burbs with him forever.

With the loss of friends and the confusion and wrath of family she doesnt know what to do. When an old uni friend Lola texts and offers her a room in her flat in London she jumps at the chance. Perhaps she could start afresh in London...

I really enjoyed this book. It is a refreshingly frank and the main characters are  really relatable. A fab light read.

This book is fabulous. It is fun and loud and glittery and sparkly and life affirming and just a joy.

‘Welcome to your life…’ sing Tears for Fears, as Serena sits in the back of a taxi and decides she’s not going to get married. On the way to her own wedding, no less. This little life-changing decision is how she finds herself starting a new chapter in London, with a new job, new friends, and the completely alien relationship status of ‘single’.

If you think all that sounds like the premise of a great rom-com, you’d be absolutely right; and, lucky for you, it’s the introduction of Bethany Rutter’s addictive, fast-paced debut adult novel, Welcome to Your Life. Told with humour and heart, it’s a must-read if you’re a fan of the genre, particularly if you like your heroines to be amazing plus-size ladies on a mission of self-love and self-acceptance.

Welcome to Your Life is brimming with realistic characters living the London life, making mistakes and learning from them at the same time. You’ll find no negative millennial connotations here, but what you will find is a book full of strong women, supportive friends, sweet romance, dating woes, and a joyous emphasis on body positivity.

You’ll love this book if you like your romantic comedies with a dash of steamy sexcapades and references to baguettes, not to mention an amusing insight into London’s modern dating world. Add it to your wish lists and get reading as soon as possible — you won’t want to miss this one!