Hollywood star Naomi Watts' 'groundbreaking' book on menopause scooped by Happy Place Books

Hollywood star Naomi Watts’ "groundbreaking" book on menopause has been scooped by Happy Place Books, an imprint of Ebury.

Former deputy publisher Lizzy Gray – now publisher at Bluebird – acquired the UK and Commonwealth rights to Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause from Cait Hoyt at CAA in a global PRH deal alongside crown publisher Gillian Blake (US) and PRH ANZ publisher Alison Urquhart. Senior editor Anya Hayes will publish in hardback on 23rd January 2025.

The book follows Watts’ journey after she started going through the menopause at the age of 36. She had started experiencing symptoms she couldn’t explain – dry, itchy skin, raging hormones, night sweats – leaving her feeling isolated and afraid, before doctors explained what was going on.

The publisher added: "From that point on, Naomi decided that she wanted to take midlife transition and peri/menopause out of the shadows, and to start to open conversations to bring women’s experience to the  forefront. In this irreverent and ground-breaking book, the actress opens up about the challenges she faced on reaching early menopause, and provides a supportive, holistic guide based on the latest advice from hormone experts, doctors and nutritionists."

Watts said: “I want this book to read like you’re sitting down over coffee and having an intimate chat with your girlfriend. I hope it will be of help for anyone trying to get a hold on this phase of life and make it a time of liberation, rather than purely a time of trial. Menopause is a part of a woman’s midlife, but midlife is about far more than menopause.”