Description

Book Synopsis

From the Sunday Times bestselling author

'This refreshing, unusual book needs to exist. A culture shift which repositions a single person as someone who is relationship-free, complete, and not lacking is long overdue.' - The i

'Absolutely f*cking brilliant' - Florence Given

Having a secret single freak-out? Feeling the red, heart-shaped urgency intensify as the years roll on by? Oh hi! You're in the right place.

Over half of Brits aged 25-44 are now single. It's become the norm to remain solo until much later in life, given the average marriage ages of 35 (women) and 38 (men). Many of us are choosing never to marry at all.
But society, films, song lyrics and our parents are adamant that a happy ending has to be couple-shaped. That we're incomplete without an 'other half'*, like a bisected panto pony. Cue: single sorrow. Dating like it's a job. Spending half our lives waiting for somebody-we-fancy to text us back. Feeling haunted by the terms 'spinster' or 'confirmed bachelor.'

Catherine Gray took a whole year off dating to find single satisfaction. She lifted the lid on the reasons behind the global single revolution, explored the bizarre ways cultures single-shame, detached from 'all the good ones are gone!' panic and debunked the myth that married people are much happier.

Let's start the reverse brainwash, in order to locate - and luxuriate in - single happiness. Are you in?

*Spoiler: you're already whole

PRAISE FOR CATHERINE GRAY'S WRITING:

"Fascinating." - Bryony Gordon

"Not remotely preachy." - The Times

"Jaunty, shrewd and convincing." - The Telegraph

"Admirably honest, light, bubbly and remarkably rarely annoying." - The Guardian

"Truthful, modern and real." - Stylist

"Brave, witty and brilliantly written." - Marie Claire

"Haunting, admirable and enlightening." - The Pool


Trade Review

Absolutely f*cking brilliant.

-- Florence Given
This refreshing, unusual book needs to exist. A culture shift which repositions a single person as someone who is relationship-free, complete, and not lacking is long overdue. -- The i

The Unexpected Joy of Being Single

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    £9.49

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    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 16 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Catherine Gray

    5 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Unexpected Joy of Being Single by Catherine Gray

      Publisher: Octopus Publishing Group
      Publication Date: 27/12/2018
      ISBN13: 9781912023813, 978-1912023813
      ISBN10: 1912023814

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      From the Sunday Times bestselling author

      'This refreshing, unusual book needs to exist. A culture shift which repositions a single person as someone who is relationship-free, complete, and not lacking is long overdue.' - The i

      'Absolutely f*cking brilliant' - Florence Given

      Having a secret single freak-out? Feeling the red, heart-shaped urgency intensify as the years roll on by? Oh hi! You're in the right place.

      Over half of Brits aged 25-44 are now single. It's become the norm to remain solo until much later in life, given the average marriage ages of 35 (women) and 38 (men). Many of us are choosing never to marry at all.
      But society, films, song lyrics and our parents are adamant that a happy ending has to be couple-shaped. That we're incomplete without an 'other half'*, like a bisected panto pony. Cue: single sorrow. Dating like it's a job. Spending half our lives waiting for somebody-we-fancy to text us back. Feeling haunted by the terms 'spinster' or 'confirmed bachelor.'

      Catherine Gray took a whole year off dating to find single satisfaction. She lifted the lid on the reasons behind the global single revolution, explored the bizarre ways cultures single-shame, detached from 'all the good ones are gone!' panic and debunked the myth that married people are much happier.

      Let's start the reverse brainwash, in order to locate - and luxuriate in - single happiness. Are you in?

      *Spoiler: you're already whole

      PRAISE FOR CATHERINE GRAY'S WRITING:

      "Fascinating." - Bryony Gordon

      "Not remotely preachy." - The Times

      "Jaunty, shrewd and convincing." - The Telegraph

      "Admirably honest, light, bubbly and remarkably rarely annoying." - The Guardian

      "Truthful, modern and real." - Stylist

      "Brave, witty and brilliantly written." - Marie Claire

      "Haunting, admirable and enlightening." - The Pool


      Trade Review

      Absolutely f*cking brilliant.

      -- Florence Given
      This refreshing, unusual book needs to exist. A culture shift which repositions a single person as someone who is relationship-free, complete, and not lacking is long overdue. -- The i

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