Ebury to publish Lisa Faulkner's motherhood memoir

Actor, presenter and cookery author Lisa Faulkner has written a memoir for Ebury about “finding family in unexpected places, and learning to embrace the unpredictable life” featuring her experiences of infertility, IVF and adoption.

Meant to Be: My Journey to Motherhood also features 12 recipes from the 2010 "Celebrity Masterchef" winner. It will be published on 27th June in hardback, with a £16.99 r.r.p.

Meant to Be is an “uplifting memoir of finding family in unexpected places, and learning to embrace the unpredictable life”.  Ebury commissioning editor Robyn Drury bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Carly Cook on behalf of Jonny McWilliams at Crown Talent and Media Group.

“When Lisa Faulkner learned that she wouldn’t have biological children, her plans and expectations for her life were derailed,” the synopsis reads. “But, in the months and years that followed, she discovered that there was more than one way to build a family – and that there is a lot of joy to be found in life’s unexpected detours. In a raw and inspiring story of one woman’s journey through motherhood, family life and self-discovery, Lisa explores the many forms that family can take, and discovers the power of embracing your Plan B. For anyone who has ever found themselves facing the unexpected in life – whether that’s grief, infertility, adoption or any other personal challenge – this is an honest and uplifting account of finding love in unexpected places, and building your life on your own terms.”

The book also includes recipes, quotes and “helpful tips” at the end of each chapter. "Each simple recipe reflects a special moment in the story such as the rice crispy chicken recipe Lisa’s mother made for when she was a child – one that Lisa would find herself cooking for her daughter many years later," Ebury said.

Meant to Be is Faulkner’s first narrative title. Her first book, Recipes from my Mother for my Daughter, was published in 2012 and was a Sunday Times bestseller, and she has subsequently written three other cookery books (all published by Simon & Schuster UK). 

“From the moment I met Lisa I was absolutely inspired by her vision for this book, the story of her journey to motherhood,” Drury said. “She’s such a warm, engaging writer, and Meant To Be is a wonderfully honest account of what happens in life when Plan A doesn’t quite work out as you expect. We’re so thrilled to be publishing her here at Ebury.”

Faulkner described it as “the book I wish had been around when I was desperately looking for ways to become a mother”.

She said: “My path to motherhood has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. I tried everything in the quest to get pregnant and become a mother, exhausting every avenue in the search of motherhood and ultimately deciding to adopt and my plan B became my Plan A. It can be a lonely and isolating time, and this is the book I wish had been around when I felt at my most desperate."

She added: "This is a book I hope will show people there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel, that there is no right or wrong way to becoming a mother, no perfect path to parenthood, we each find our own way and it is wonderful and challenging however it happens.”

Faulkner has appeared in series including "Spooks", "Holby City" and "EastEnders" and regularly cooks on shows like "This Morning" and "Saturday Kitchen" as well as presenting for Channel 4, The Food Network, Children’s BBC & Channel 5. She lives in North London with her partner - chef John Torode - and 12 year-old daughter Billie. She is an ambassador for family and adoption charities and organisations, and will be working with them to promote the book.