Love Me!

One woman’s search for a different happy ever after

by Marianne Power

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Pub Date 22 Aug 2024 | Archive Date 15 Aug 2024

Pan Macmillan | Picador

Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult) | Self-Help

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Description

'Hopeful, funny, sexy - a book I'm going to be sharing with every woman I know' Daisy Buchanan

Can you be happy without a partnership at the centre of your life?

Society still sets the gold standard for successful living as a marriage and kids. As Marianne Power turns forty, she wonders why this is still so elusive for her and whether, in fact, this is what she even wants, or just what she feels like she should want. At first, she tries to lean into the alternatives – self-love, self-marriage, sisterhood – but is she avoiding confronting her fears about commitment, relationships and sex?

Determined to find out for sure, Marianne sets off on a journey to answer the question: can you have a life full of love without marriage and kids? From tantra to Skype sex, from polyamory to sologamy, Marianne’s quest takes her to some hilarious, scary and moving places – and she discovers that maybe, in these chaotic times, loving thy neighbour is more important than romantic ideals.

Honest, intimate and inspiring, Love Me! is about the freedom to envision the life you want, and finding the courage to choose it.

Advance Praise

'Whatever happened to Bridget Jones? In this post #MeToo update she conquers shame, becomes a tantric woman and gets good at sex. A gold-star beach read' MONIQUE ROFFEY, The Guardian

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781529057881
PRICE	£16.99 (GBP)
PAGES	368

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Additional Information

Average rating from 8 members

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Featured Reviews

Rebecca T, Reviewer

Excited to have received a digital ARC to the follow-up I’ve been waiting for to Marianne Power’s previous book Help Me!; It was worth the wait!

This one is an account of her exploration of love: romantic, platonic, sexual, familial and self. It’s funny, raw, and warmly engaging, and it made me hit the “highlight” button on my Kindle more often than I usually do so that I can revisit some of the bits that struck a chord with me whenever I need to. Loved it!

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Reviewer 1475885

I was excited to dive into Love Me! by Marianne Power, having very much enjoyed her previous book, Help Me!. I'm delighted to say that this latest offering did not disappoint in the slightest.

Marianne Power's writing style is truly a cut above many memoirs. Her ability to blend dry humour with poignant insights elevates the narrative, often leaving me laughing out loud at the end of a paragraph or deeply moved by an added layer of depth.

While Help Me! was an adventurous dive into the realm of general personal development, Love Me! shifts focus to Power's quest to better understand herself and her desires as a single woman in her 40s without children. This theme resonated with me deeply. As someone who similarly questions the traditional path of seeking a partner and having children, the author's experiences gave me solace as well as more insight into my own choices and experiences.

I very much enjoyed her descriptions of attending Tantra Workshops. It's something I'd never be brave enough to try myself, so reading about it was fascinating. However, what excited me even more was her account of treating herself to a night alone in a lovely hotel – that’s definitely something I could be inspired to do!

Unlike Help Me!, which followed a structured 'book a month' format, Love Me! weaves its insights more fluidly, yet it is peppered with references to numerous books about sex, love, and the single life. This not only enriched my reading experience but also expanded my wishlist of titles to explore next.

Ultimately, Love Me! is an absorbing read for anyone questioning the societal norms of marriage and children, just as the author does. It also serves as a fascinating exploration of identity for anyone grappling with these significant life questions. Marianne Power has crafted a memoir that is both entertaining and deeply reflective, ensuring its place as a must-read for anyone navigating the complexities of modern life.

Thank you to NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.