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'Sincere, heartfelt and laugh-out-loud...genuinely delightful...'
- The Australian
'Warm, life-affirming and endearing...'
- Better Reading
Books...
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Australia / New Zealand
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUSTRALIA
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
“Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I promise I’ll take excellent care of it.”
Frederick Fife was born with an extra helping of kindness in his heart. If he borrowed your car, he’d return it washed with a full tank of gas. The problem is, at age eighty-two, there’s nobody left in Fred’s life to borrow from, and he's broke and on the brink of eviction. But Fred’s luck changes when he's mistaken for Bernard Greer, a missing resident at the local nursing home, and takes his place. Now Fred has warm meals in his belly and a roof over his head – as long as his look-alike Bernard never turns up.
Denise Simms is stuck breathing the same disappointing air again and again. A middle-aged mum and caregiver at Bernard's facility, her crumbling marriage and daughter's health concerns are suffocating her joy for life. Wounded by her two-faced husband, she vows never to let a man deceive her again.
As Fred walks in Bernard’s shoes, he leaves a trail of kindness behind him, fueling Denise's suspicions about his true identity. When unexpected truths are revealed, Fred and Denise rediscover their sense of purpose and learn how to return a broken life to mint condition.
Bittersweet and remarkably perceptive, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a hilarious, feel-good, clever novel about grief, forgiveness, redemption, and finding family.
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Coming Soon...
Coming August 4 2026
USA / Canada
HARPER COLLINS US
Coming April 28 2026
Australia / New Zealand
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUSTRALIA
When Lemons Give You Life
Retired Michelin-star chef Griff Barlow has lost his appetite. He’s done with grief, guilt and the beige slop they dare call food at Sunny Glen Aged Care Facility, where he now resides.
Life’s given him all the lemons he can handle – so he breaks into the nursing home kitchen to bake himself one last tart. It’s supposed to be his final meal but the act of cooking stirs a dormant joy. Soon, he’s regularly sneaking in after dark, serving up flavour and comfort to fellow residents. Yet behind the apron is a lie so big it could destroy the one thing he has left to protect…
Meanwhile, Griff’s younger sister Lisa is navigating a new ADHD diagnosis and the spark of an unexpected romance. Despite their fractured sibling relationship, she dutifully visits Griff, though she knows hope of a reconciliation is gone, buried in the silence between them.
But the truth has a way of boiling over – and when secrets, soufflés, and second chances collide, they may discover a recipe for forgiveness.
A sharply funny, heart-stirring novel about food, family, and how far we’d go for those we love.
‘Smart, authentic and full of heart.’
– Graeme Simsion, internationally bestselling author of The Rosie Project
'For the burnt-out and world-weary, Anna Johnston’s novels offer essential therapy – wickedly funny stories about flawed heroes with the power to restore our faith in each other.'
– Kirsten Miller, author of Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books
'Anna Johnston imbues her characters with a warmth, tenderness and singularity that makes them irresistible.
A charming tale of redemption, complex sibling bonds and the joy of a meal cooked with love, this book will leave your heart full and your tastebuds ignited.'
– Mikki Brammer, internationally bestselling author of The Collected Regrets of Clover
'A delicious treat of a novel, rich with the complex flavours of love, loss, familial relationships and redemption. I adored it.'
– Emma Grey, internationally bestselling author of Pictures of You
'Written with empathy, insight and authenticity, When Lemons Give You Life is a delicious journey from regret to reconciliation. Heartfelt, funny and uplifting.'
– Julietta Henderson, bestselling author of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman
'An absolute chef's kiss of a novel, prepared with heart and humour, guaranteed to please your palate.'
– Troy Hunter, author of Gus and the Missing Boy
‘A gorgeous, moving, life-affirming tale of second chances, redemption and the power of love in its many forms. I absolutely adored it. It's like the sun breaking through the clouds!’
– Matt Cain, author of The Secret Life of Albert Entwhistle
'What a glorious story it is – I absolutely loved it! Anna has created a wonderfully diverse cast of funny, flawed, and completely relatable characters. It was an absolute joy to follow Fred on his poignant, hilarious and at times precarious journey.'
Ruth Hogan
AUTHOR OF
THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS
Praise & Reviews for Frederick Fife
'A funny, heartfelt story about found family and seeing the silver lining in life. Fans of A Man Called Ove and Remarkably Bright Creatures will especially enjoy this new novel.'
Library Journal
'Johnston crafts a poignant tale of second chances and the lies we tell…. This touching narrative explores themes of community, family, and the redemptive power of new beginnings, illustrating the impact of past choices and the potential for personal transformation.'
Booklist
STARRED REVIEW
About Anna
