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When Lemons Give You Life
  • Published: 28 April 2026
  • ISBN: 9781761347702
  • Imprint: Penguin Random House Australia Audio
  • Format: Audio Download
  • Length: 12 hr 43 min
  • RRP: $36.99

When Lemons Give You Life

Formats & editions
Tr. Paperback
28 Apr 2026
EBook
28 Apr 2026
Audiobook
28 Apr 2026
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A heart-stirring novel about rediscovering joy when life has lost its flavour, from the author of the bestselling The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife (recently acquired by Netflix).

Redemption is a dish best served warm . . .

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.

Anna Johnston's second novel is an enchanting story that will appeal to fans of Richard Osman, Joanna Nell and Amanda Hampson.

‘Smart, authentic and full of heart.’ Graeme Simsion, author of the international bestseller The Rosie Project
'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, author of the international bestseller 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, international 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
'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
  • Published: 28 April 2026
  • ISBN: 9781761347702
  • Imprint: Penguin Random House Australia Audio
  • Format: Audio Download
  • Length: 12 hr 43 min
  • RRP: $36.99
Categories:

About the author

Anna Johnston

Anna Johnston is a former baby, aspiring octogenarian and emerging Australian author with a love for the heartfelt and hilarious. She grew up in country Victoria before moving to Melbourne where she lives joyously with her husband and daughters by the beach. Anna left an imminent career in medicine to follow her heart into her grandfather’s nursing home where she became the social support coordinator, taking great delight in shaking up the usual program. When injury left her unable to continue working in aged care, she began to write about it, channelling her love for older people onto the page. Anna has enjoyed a life-long passion for screenplay, theatre and creative ageing.
portrait photo of Anna Johnston

Also by Anna Johnston

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
See all

Praise for When Lemons Give You Life

Smart, authentic and full of heart.

Graeme Simsion, bestselling author of The Rosie Project

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, bestselling author of The Collected Regrets of Clover

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, bestselling author of Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books

A delicious treat of a novel, rich with the complex flavours of love, loss, familial relationships and redemption. I adored it.

Emma Grey, bestselling author of The Last Love Note

Written with empathy, insight and authenticity, When Lemons Give You Life is a delicious journey from regret to reconciliation. Griff Barlow’s recipe for redemption reads from a Michelin-starred playbook of family secrets, loss and grief, as a reminder that it’s never too late to make amends. 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, bestselling 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

An uplifting and big-hearted tale of family, forgiveness and the life-changing magic of a meal cooked with love. Brimming with wisdom and bright dashes of humour, this delightfully tender story made me laugh, cry and then laugh again.

Meg Donohue, bestselling author of The Memory Gardener
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