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When Lemons Give You Life
From the author of the beloved feel-good debut The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife comes another humorous, heart-stirring novel about family, second chances, and the lengths we go for those we love, following a woman fighting to hold onto life and her older brother who's rediscovering reasons to embrace it.
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.
Six decades of life have 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 flavor and comfort to fellow residents, who, in turn, begin to come alive with each bite of Griff's delicious concoctions. Yet behind the apron is a lie so big it could destroy the one thing Griff has left to protect.
Lisa, the only family and visitor Griff has, is clueless to what's happening behind the closed kitchen doors. Their sibling relationship fractured long ago, plus she has her own navigating an ADHD diagnosis in middle age, the spark of a new romance, and unexpected news that might change life as she knows it. Any hope of reconciliation between the two is long gone, buried in the silence between them.
But the truth has a way of boiling over, and when secrets, soufflés, and second chances collide, Griff and Lisa may discover a recipe for forgiveness.
Heartfelt and inspiring, When Lemons Give You Life is an uplifting, feel-good novel about love, forgiveness, redemption, and the joy of rediscovering what truly matters in 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.
Six decades of life have 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 flavor and comfort to fellow residents, who, in turn, begin to come alive with each bite of Griff's delicious concoctions. Yet behind the apron is a lie so big it could destroy the one thing Griff has left to protect.
Lisa, the only family and visitor Griff has, is clueless to what's happening behind the closed kitchen doors. Their sibling relationship fractured long ago, plus she has her own navigating an ADHD diagnosis in middle age, the spark of a new romance, and unexpected news that might change life as she knows it. Any hope of reconciliation between the two is long gone, buried in the silence between them.
But the truth has a way of boiling over, and when secrets, soufflés, and second chances collide, Griff and Lisa may discover a recipe for forgiveness.
Heartfelt and inspiring, When Lemons Give You Life is an uplifting, feel-good novel about love, forgiveness, redemption, and the joy of rediscovering what truly matters in life.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2026
About the author
Anna Johnston
2 books1,204 followersAnna 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 lifelong passion for theatre, screenplay, travel, and creative ageing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 782 reviews
June 13, 2026
When Lemons Give You Life is Anna Johnstown’s sophomore effort. I was a huge fan of The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife. But this book missed the mark for me. It had all the heartwarming emotions, and made some important points, but the plot failed on multiple levels.
Griff Barlow was a famous chef until a calamity caused him to fake having dementia and move into a nursing home. Contemplating suicide, he sneaks into the kitchen to make one last lemon tart. And from there, he finds a way to start serving the residents good food. Anyone with a loved one in care knows that the food tends to be awful. Griff had a spot on belief about everyone being worthy of decent food.
Unlike many dementia patients, he hasn't been abandoned; his half sister, Lisa, still regularly visits him. They had fallen out over the years and now his supposed dementia means they can’t reconcile.
While I loved the premise, the plot itself had several big holes which required major suspensions of belief. Not just at the end, when it’s often a given. But throughout the book. Flip side, some of the supposed twists were way too obvious.
The book deals with sacrifice, especially from caregiving, self worth, fear and ageism. It has some important points about trying to make decisions thinking someone else can’t handle the situation. It’s definitely heartwarming, if a little too saccharine, but I couldn’t get over how unrealistic the storyline was.
Make sure to read the Author’s Note. It proves this book was written from a place of love and frustration. Johnston uses many aspects of her own life as things to highlight in the story.
My thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for an advance copy of this book.
Griff Barlow was a famous chef until a calamity caused him to fake having dementia and move into a nursing home. Contemplating suicide, he sneaks into the kitchen to make one last lemon tart. And from there, he finds a way to start serving the residents good food. Anyone with a loved one in care knows that the food tends to be awful. Griff had a spot on belief about everyone being worthy of decent food.
Unlike many dementia patients, he hasn't been abandoned; his half sister, Lisa, still regularly visits him. They had fallen out over the years and now his supposed dementia means they can’t reconcile.
While I loved the premise, the plot itself had several big holes which required major suspensions of belief. Not just at the end, when it’s often a given. But throughout the book. Flip side, some of the supposed twists were way too obvious.
The book deals with sacrifice, especially from caregiving, self worth, fear and ageism. It has some important points about trying to make decisions thinking someone else can’t handle the situation. It’s definitely heartwarming, if a little too saccharine, but I couldn’t get over how unrealistic the storyline was.
Make sure to read the Author’s Note. It proves this book was written from a place of love and frustration. Johnston uses many aspects of her own life as things to highlight in the story.
My thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for an advance copy of this book.
May 18, 2026
Life-affirming. Beautiful. Heartfelt.
I adored these realistically flawed characters, the variety of character and diagnostic representations, the setting, and the entire storyline. This was a gentle and enjoyable read, which will stay with me for a long time.
There were many possibly challenging topics covered in this story, which I felt were handled with consideration and nuance, and added to the overall storyline.
I loved Johnston’s debut novel, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, and have loved this story too. These are both beautiful stories and I am very excited to read whatever comes next from Australian author Anna Johnston.
I adored these realistically flawed characters, the variety of character and diagnostic representations, the setting, and the entire storyline. This was a gentle and enjoyable read, which will stay with me for a long time.
There were many possibly challenging topics covered in this story, which I felt were handled with consideration and nuance, and added to the overall storyline.
I loved Johnston’s debut novel, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, and have loved this story too. These are both beautiful stories and I am very excited to read whatever comes next from Australian author Anna Johnston.
August 3, 2026
On the tail of this author's very successful debut novel The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, which I adored (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), comes another novel about second chances, an elder care facility, and end of life issues.
Living in a senior nursing home and grieving over the loss of his husband, 68-year-old Griff contemplates and journals possibilities for his own demise. He also reflects back on his life; his parents, his abusive stepfather, his career as a Michelin star chef, his relationship with his sister, and the love of his life.
Griff is determined to exit his life on his own terms, but there is always something that gets in the way. He reconnects with his love of cooking, begins to make new friends, and suddenly feels useful again. Will he be able to repair the fractured relationship with his sister too before it is too late?
This is a story about the dangers of keeping secrets and how miscommunication can lead to the detriment and separation of close family relationships. While I found the Frederick Fife book to have the perfect amount of humor in the story, I felt that this one was more sad than anything else.
I don't think that this one will stick with me the way that Frederick Fife has, but I still enjoyed it.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow publishers for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
TW: Spousal and child abuse, Alzheimer's, dementia, grief, depression, suicidal thoughts, death and dying.
Living in a senior nursing home and grieving over the loss of his husband, 68-year-old Griff contemplates and journals possibilities for his own demise. He also reflects back on his life; his parents, his abusive stepfather, his career as a Michelin star chef, his relationship with his sister, and the love of his life.
Griff is determined to exit his life on his own terms, but there is always something that gets in the way. He reconnects with his love of cooking, begins to make new friends, and suddenly feels useful again. Will he be able to repair the fractured relationship with his sister too before it is too late?
This is a story about the dangers of keeping secrets and how miscommunication can lead to the detriment and separation of close family relationships. While I found the Frederick Fife book to have the perfect amount of humor in the story, I felt that this one was more sad than anything else.
I don't think that this one will stick with me the way that Frederick Fife has, but I still enjoyed it.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow publishers for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
TW: Spousal and child abuse, Alzheimer's, dementia, grief, depression, suicidal thoughts, death and dying.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*** 4/4/26 *** Just finished Anna Johnston's sophomore book after reading her debut last year, and (TL/DR) unfortunately did not enjoy this storyline or characters anywhere near as much in this soon to be released novel.
I think it is important that contemporary fiction incorporates the ever-evolving landscape of humanity - representing different issues and modern dilemmas that people face, and also diverse experiences and cultures in the world. This novel certainly does that, exploring adult diagnosis of ADHD, early onset Alzheimer's, gay marriage, women finding love at an older age, domestic violence, dysfunctional families and well-kept secrets/lies within them, as well as another life-threatening illness, not to mention poorly run nursing homes/memory care facilities. Also great food and making/serving it! Yes, good representation of many modern issues, but ...... THAT IS A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER IN ONE BOOK!
The majority of these topics are difficult, bordering on painful, to read about, or imagine in your own life, and served to make this book a challenge for people like me who are firmly in the 'middle-aged' or older camp. In contrast, Johnston's last book was much more optimistic, even though it also dealt with seniors and senior living facilities.
As the first 50% of the book served to set up all of these storylines, I felt I was being hit over the head with a checklist of issues, just knowing that they had to resolve in some way, as that is the spirit of this author. I was particularly frustrated with the storyline in which Griff does not share the decades-old secrets from Lisa's youth to "honor" their mother's promise to do so. It really made no sense to me at all that he would keep that inappropriate promise to Lisa as adults. I also found the rapidity and depth of Lisa's romance to be a little 'white knight' to me, and not super believable. But maybe I am not romantic enough lol.
While there was a heartfelt ending to this book (last 10%), I'm so sorry to say that the journey (and the mini-dive into 'cheffy' fancy food) was probably not worth it to me. My MIL passed from Alzheimer's, and and that topic (aside from others mentioned above) is so sensitive to so many, particularly when partnered with a storyline of a cruel administrator of the nursing home, that I really had to push myself to finish the book per my NetGalley obligation (thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel - these thoughts are entirely my own). 1.5 stars.
*** 3/30/26 *** Just approved for this NetGalley ARC (pub date: Aug 4, 2026), and am nearly 10% in. I read Anna Johnston's prior book, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife (review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), and see that both books are anchored in senior homes, deal with aging, and are based in Australia, which means there are some words that even my Kindle dictionary cannot interpret properly lol. This book introduces great food and ADHD, as well as budding romance, all of which are pretty relatable topics to most people, so we'll see where it goes and report back soon.
I think it is important that contemporary fiction incorporates the ever-evolving landscape of humanity - representing different issues and modern dilemmas that people face, and also diverse experiences and cultures in the world. This novel certainly does that, exploring adult diagnosis of ADHD, early onset Alzheimer's, gay marriage, women finding love at an older age, domestic violence, dysfunctional families and well-kept secrets/lies within them, as well as another life-threatening illness, not to mention poorly run nursing homes/memory care facilities. Also great food and making/serving it! Yes, good representation of many modern issues, but ...... THAT IS A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER IN ONE BOOK!
The majority of these topics are difficult, bordering on painful, to read about, or imagine in your own life, and served to make this book a challenge for people like me who are firmly in the 'middle-aged' or older camp. In contrast, Johnston's last book was much more optimistic, even though it also dealt with seniors and senior living facilities.
As the first 50% of the book served to set up all of these storylines, I felt I was being hit over the head with a checklist of issues, just knowing that they had to resolve in some way, as that is the spirit of this author. I was particularly frustrated with the storyline in which Griff does not share the decades-old secrets from Lisa's youth to "honor" their mother's promise to do so. It really made no sense to me at all that he would keep that inappropriate promise to Lisa as adults. I also found the rapidity and depth of Lisa's romance to be a little 'white knight' to me, and not super believable. But maybe I am not romantic enough lol.
While there was a heartfelt ending to this book (last 10%), I'm so sorry to say that the journey (and the mini-dive into 'cheffy' fancy food) was probably not worth it to me. My MIL passed from Alzheimer's, and and that topic (aside from others mentioned above) is so sensitive to so many, particularly when partnered with a storyline of a cruel administrator of the nursing home, that I really had to push myself to finish the book per my NetGalley obligation (thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel - these thoughts are entirely my own). 1.5 stars.
*** 3/30/26 *** Just approved for this NetGalley ARC (pub date: Aug 4, 2026), and am nearly 10% in. I read Anna Johnston's prior book, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife (review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), and see that both books are anchored in senior homes, deal with aging, and are based in Australia, which means there are some words that even my Kindle dictionary cannot interpret properly lol. This book introduces great food and ADHD, as well as budding romance, all of which are pretty relatable topics to most people, so we'll see where it goes and report back soon.
September 16, 2026
(4.75 stars)
Thank you so much to William Morrow Books for the chance to read a review copy of When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston. I finished this a few days ago and I’m still thinking about the book and its characters. That’s a mark of an excellent book.
This is an emotional story focused on issues surrounding older adults, particularly those in the LGBTQ community. It also sheds light on late diagnosis of ADHD, especially in women. There’s also a lovely emphasis on the magic of food and how foods can evoke particular memories and feelings. These are universal situations, but in this case, the story takes place in Australia.
Griff is a retired Michelin-star chef, married to Beau, a math teacher. He is estranged from his half-sister Lisa, because of their childhoods. Griff is quite a bit older than Lisa and he experienced her father/his stepfather very differently than she did. This is the part of the book, in Griff’s flashbacks, where we understand that he and his/Lisa’s mother was subjected to frequent domestic violence, while Lisa was spared somehow (partly due to Griff’s efforts to shield her).
When Beau is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s/dementia, Griff tries his best to keep him at home, but at some point, he realizes he just couldn’t do it anymore. The story shines a light on how difficult it is to watch someone you love simply disappear. Unfortunately, I have experienced this and reading the book was hard in places for me. The author highlights how hard it is, when a couple cannot stay together, due to a diagnosis like this for one of them. It is particularly hard if you’re a same-sex couple, to find a nursing home/care home where you would feel comfortable. Griff’s solution was unusual, to say the least, and created its own set of complications.
I don’t want to give away the whole book, but along with the hard parts, there are some very funny scenes, and the food descriptions will make you hungry, for sure!
I loved it and used up a fair number of tissues while I read it, so be forewarned if you’re someone like me who cries at books.
Thank you so much to William Morrow Books for the chance to read a review copy of When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston. I finished this a few days ago and I’m still thinking about the book and its characters. That’s a mark of an excellent book.
This is an emotional story focused on issues surrounding older adults, particularly those in the LGBTQ community. It also sheds light on late diagnosis of ADHD, especially in women. There’s also a lovely emphasis on the magic of food and how foods can evoke particular memories and feelings. These are universal situations, but in this case, the story takes place in Australia.
Griff is a retired Michelin-star chef, married to Beau, a math teacher. He is estranged from his half-sister Lisa, because of their childhoods. Griff is quite a bit older than Lisa and he experienced her father/his stepfather very differently than she did. This is the part of the book, in Griff’s flashbacks, where we understand that he and his/Lisa’s mother was subjected to frequent domestic violence, while Lisa was spared somehow (partly due to Griff’s efforts to shield her).
When Beau is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s/dementia, Griff tries his best to keep him at home, but at some point, he realizes he just couldn’t do it anymore. The story shines a light on how difficult it is to watch someone you love simply disappear. Unfortunately, I have experienced this and reading the book was hard in places for me. The author highlights how hard it is, when a couple cannot stay together, due to a diagnosis like this for one of them. It is particularly hard if you’re a same-sex couple, to find a nursing home/care home where you would feel comfortable. Griff’s solution was unusual, to say the least, and created its own set of complications.
I don’t want to give away the whole book, but along with the hard parts, there are some very funny scenes, and the food descriptions will make you hungry, for sure!
I loved it and used up a fair number of tissues while I read it, so be forewarned if you’re someone like me who cries at books.
September 2, 2026
3.5 stars, rounding down.
This was a good book, but I made the mistake of listening to it right after Anna Johnston's debut, "The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" (which was an absolute 5+ star read for me). I really should have spaced them out. Johnston's writing is fantastic—emotional, funny, and full of so much heart and soul.
Both books are set in Australian nursing homes, with lonely but heartwarming MMC. Unfortunately, this one just didn't have that same feel-good warmth as Frederick. It features a few pretty unlikable characters—especially the half-sister, Lisa—who I found whiney and relentless. The ending was a winner and worthwhile! Also the food descriptions (especially on audio!)
😠Griff Barlow, a classic cynical, grieving, and grumpy protagonist who has shut himself off from the world.
🍋Heavy emphasis on cooking as a love language and a tool for redemption. A retired chef secretly cooks delicious meals to breathe life and joy back into a community.
🤫Griff uses the pretense of an illness to hide out in the facility and keep a massive secret.
💞 The dual perspective of the book tracks the fractured relationship between Griff and Lisa, exploring how long-buried family secrets boil over into a search for forgiveness.
Overall, I ended up just liking this instead of loving it. Still a worthwhile read, it just suffered from being read right after a masterpiece!
⚠️Note a few triggers: Domestic abuse, death (off page), medical diagnoses: Alzheimer's dementia, Polycystic kidney disease.
🙂LGBTQ and ADHD representation.
This was a good book, but I made the mistake of listening to it right after Anna Johnston's debut, "The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" (which was an absolute 5+ star read for me). I really should have spaced them out. Johnston's writing is fantastic—emotional, funny, and full of so much heart and soul.
Both books are set in Australian nursing homes, with lonely but heartwarming MMC. Unfortunately, this one just didn't have that same feel-good warmth as Frederick. It features a few pretty unlikable characters—especially the half-sister, Lisa—who I found whiney and relentless. The ending was a winner and worthwhile! Also the food descriptions (especially on audio!)
😠Griff Barlow, a classic cynical, grieving, and grumpy protagonist who has shut himself off from the world.
🍋Heavy emphasis on cooking as a love language and a tool for redemption. A retired chef secretly cooks delicious meals to breathe life and joy back into a community.
🤫Griff uses the pretense of an illness to hide out in the facility and keep a massive secret.
💞 The dual perspective of the book tracks the fractured relationship between Griff and Lisa, exploring how long-buried family secrets boil over into a search for forgiveness.
Overall, I ended up just liking this instead of loving it. Still a worthwhile read, it just suffered from being read right after a masterpiece!
⚠️Note a few triggers: Domestic abuse, death (off page), medical diagnoses: Alzheimer's dementia, Polycystic kidney disease.
🙂LGBTQ and ADHD representation.
August 3, 2026
A beautiful heartbreaking story of the love between two older gay men torn apart by early onset Alzheimer’s. Griff and Beau were soulmates and it killed Griff to have to watch his husband slowly fade away. Griff and his younger sister Lisa have a strained relationship that they struggle to mend throughout the novel too.
This book has two great love stories at its core and lots of messy family dynamics. There was also excellent disability rep (Lisa has ADHD and there’s a chance she has PKD - polycystic kidney disease like her mother and could need a transplant).
Good on audio and perfect for fans of books like The notebook and Spectacular things by Beck Dorey-Stein. Many thanks to NetGallley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This will be a favourite of mine for 2026!!
⚠️CW: domestic abuse, depression, ADHD, PKD, Alzheimer’s
This book has two great love stories at its core and lots of messy family dynamics. There was also excellent disability rep (Lisa has ADHD and there’s a chance she has PKD - polycystic kidney disease like her mother and could need a transplant).
Good on audio and perfect for fans of books like The notebook and Spectacular things by Beck Dorey-Stein. Many thanks to NetGallley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This will be a favourite of mine for 2026!!
⚠️CW: domestic abuse, depression, ADHD, PKD, Alzheimer’s
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2026
Don’t be put off by the silly rom-com sounding title and shallow beach read vibes cover — this book is beautiful and profound. I laughed at, rooted for and ached with the relatably flawed but deeply good characters, enjoyed the plot twists which were delightfully silly at times and tear-jerking at others. It’s about family and love and acceptance and dementia and aging and protecting people and honesty and abuse and neurodiversity and mentorship and believing in people and forgiving yourself. Highly recommend!
August 21, 2026
When Lemons Give You Life is the second novel by Australian author, Anna Johnston. The Audio version is narrated by Socratis Otto and Ainslie McGlynn. Why would a chef with a three-hatted restaurant be living in an aged care facility pretending to have dementia? On the last day of 2024, sixty-four-year-old widower and Michelin-starred chef, Griffith Barlow has been a resident of Sunny Glen ACF for nine months and is about to take his own life.
Despite their being estranged for two decades, his younger half-sister, Lisa visits regularly, knowing all the while that it’s too late for apologies or explanations: Griff no longer talks. She chatters away, plays her ukelele (badly) and brings him home-baked Anzac biscuits, in between her days as a dog groomer. She’s unaware Griff would rather she stayed away, removing the reminder of his guilt, of the secrets he’s kept.
Before he ends it, he writes a letter to his recently-departed beloved, and is reminded of a treat they used to enjoy: lemon tart. Surely a condemned man deserves one last wish? Late at night he sneaks into the deserted kitchen and bakes a perfect lemon tart. He’s discovered by another dementia resident, doing the thing he has always loved, ends up helping another bake for a special celebration, then is somehow mistaken for the new weekend chef.
While Griff is putting off his suicide, covertly improving the weekend diet of the residents, and changing the attitude of his kitchen assistants, Lisa is learning to deal with the recent ADHD diagnosis that explains so much, falling in love with a lanky music therapist, and discovering an inheritance she could do without.
Johnston’s second novel has several things in common with her first: the nursing home setting (although this one is pitifully short-staffed and negligent); a resident accidentally impersonating someone else; and the protagonist believing they need to die to benefit a loved one.
While the plot is very different, she again highlights the invisibility that a dementia label confers: Griff’s insistence on quality challenges the attitude that these patients matter less, and the assumption that they lose the ability to differentiate between foods.
Also explored: organ donation; domestic violence; the dilemma of those too young to join their demented partner in a care facility, thus depriving the prospective resident of their best calming influence just when they need it most; and the dearth of facilities practicing inclusivity.
There’s plenty of humour, some of it quite dark, but there are also moments that will bring out the tissues. Johnston’s characters have depth and appeal, and she gives them wise words and insightful observations: when Lisa tells her new man “’I’m petrified to know the truth’, he tells her ‘The truth exists whether you know it or not.’”
The only thing that could improve Anna Johnston’s wonderful second novel would be recipes for the mouth-watering dishes and treats that play such an integral part in the story. Thought-provoking and incredibly moving.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia.
Despite their being estranged for two decades, his younger half-sister, Lisa visits regularly, knowing all the while that it’s too late for apologies or explanations: Griff no longer talks. She chatters away, plays her ukelele (badly) and brings him home-baked Anzac biscuits, in between her days as a dog groomer. She’s unaware Griff would rather she stayed away, removing the reminder of his guilt, of the secrets he’s kept.
Before he ends it, he writes a letter to his recently-departed beloved, and is reminded of a treat they used to enjoy: lemon tart. Surely a condemned man deserves one last wish? Late at night he sneaks into the deserted kitchen and bakes a perfect lemon tart. He’s discovered by another dementia resident, doing the thing he has always loved, ends up helping another bake for a special celebration, then is somehow mistaken for the new weekend chef.
While Griff is putting off his suicide, covertly improving the weekend diet of the residents, and changing the attitude of his kitchen assistants, Lisa is learning to deal with the recent ADHD diagnosis that explains so much, falling in love with a lanky music therapist, and discovering an inheritance she could do without.
Johnston’s second novel has several things in common with her first: the nursing home setting (although this one is pitifully short-staffed and negligent); a resident accidentally impersonating someone else; and the protagonist believing they need to die to benefit a loved one.
While the plot is very different, she again highlights the invisibility that a dementia label confers: Griff’s insistence on quality challenges the attitude that these patients matter less, and the assumption that they lose the ability to differentiate between foods.
Also explored: organ donation; domestic violence; the dilemma of those too young to join their demented partner in a care facility, thus depriving the prospective resident of their best calming influence just when they need it most; and the dearth of facilities practicing inclusivity.
There’s plenty of humour, some of it quite dark, but there are also moments that will bring out the tissues. Johnston’s characters have depth and appeal, and she gives them wise words and insightful observations: when Lisa tells her new man “’I’m petrified to know the truth’, he tells her ‘The truth exists whether you know it or not.’”
The only thing that could improve Anna Johnston’s wonderful second novel would be recipes for the mouth-watering dishes and treats that play such an integral part in the story. Thought-provoking and incredibly moving.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia.
August 5, 2026
I absolutely loved The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, so I was excited to read Anna Johnston’s new novel. It has a very similar feel—set in Melbourne, Australia, with senior characters, plenty of heart, and a redemptive, feel-good story, though this one gets into some heavier themes.
Griff is a grumpy, award-winning chef secretly faking dementia while living in a nursing facility. He is grieving the loss of his husband, Beau, and he’s ready to end his life and secretly begins hoarding his daily pills. But every time he’s prepared to follow through, life has other plans. Unexpected interruptions, unlikely friendships, and the everyday chaos of the nursing home keep pulling him back, often in ways that are touching, frustrating, and occasionally funny.
Griff reflects on his past, as we learn of his difficult childhood with a volatile stepfather and his younger half-sister, Lisa, giving us a glimpse into the experiences that made him who he is. He also reflects on other chapters of his life, from becoming a celebrated chef to meeting the great love of his life. I like to see LGBTQ representation of the mature population done well, and it’s not stereotypical. Lisa is dealing with her fair share of troubles, and living with ADHD in your middle years is relatable to me.
The mystery of why Griff is pretending to have dementia kept me curious, even though the book hints at the reason fairly early on before eventually revealing the full story. I also enjoyed the scenes of Griff secretly sneaking into the kitchen to cook and bake—I kept wondering how he was managing to maintain the deception. Like Frederick Fife, Griff forms an unexpected bond with another elderly resident, and I couldn’t help but notice the parallels between the two books.
This is a story about fractured families, forgiveness, second chances, and rediscovering the joy in life. The characters are warm and memorable, with a few humorous mishaps balancing the more emotional moments. I also like how the author has a knack for bringing people together in ways that are profound. I worried it might become overly sentimental, and it does have a cozy sweetness, but it never felt too saccharine to me. It was an enjoyable, heartfelt read that reminded me why I loved The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife so much.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this advance copy for review.
Griff is a grumpy, award-winning chef secretly faking dementia while living in a nursing facility. He is grieving the loss of his husband, Beau, and he’s ready to end his life and secretly begins hoarding his daily pills. But every time he’s prepared to follow through, life has other plans. Unexpected interruptions, unlikely friendships, and the everyday chaos of the nursing home keep pulling him back, often in ways that are touching, frustrating, and occasionally funny.
Griff reflects on his past, as we learn of his difficult childhood with a volatile stepfather and his younger half-sister, Lisa, giving us a glimpse into the experiences that made him who he is. He also reflects on other chapters of his life, from becoming a celebrated chef to meeting the great love of his life. I like to see LGBTQ representation of the mature population done well, and it’s not stereotypical. Lisa is dealing with her fair share of troubles, and living with ADHD in your middle years is relatable to me.
The mystery of why Griff is pretending to have dementia kept me curious, even though the book hints at the reason fairly early on before eventually revealing the full story. I also enjoyed the scenes of Griff secretly sneaking into the kitchen to cook and bake—I kept wondering how he was managing to maintain the deception. Like Frederick Fife, Griff forms an unexpected bond with another elderly resident, and I couldn’t help but notice the parallels between the two books.
This is a story about fractured families, forgiveness, second chances, and rediscovering the joy in life. The characters are warm and memorable, with a few humorous mishaps balancing the more emotional moments. I also like how the author has a knack for bringing people together in ways that are profound. I worried it might become overly sentimental, and it does have a cozy sweetness, but it never felt too saccharine to me. It was an enjoyable, heartfelt read that reminded me why I loved The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife so much.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this advance copy for review.
August 4, 2026
Title: When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston
Rating: 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: eARC
Pub date: August 4, 2026 Out today!
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is one of my favorite books, so I had high hopes for this story, and it did not disappoint! It is witty, charming, and downright hilarious at times, but it also carries some heaviness and an important message about elderly care.
Griff, is a retired Michelin-star chef, who is faking dementia in his aged-care facility. He sneaks to the kitchen late one night to make himself one last meal. However, he finds a spark of joy in cooking again and begins cooking meals secretly for the residents in the care facility.
Lisa is Griff’s sister. She is a woman in her 40s, with ADHD. She visits Griff in the care facility, even though the two have always had a strained relationship, and she navigating problems of her own.
This story is told in dual timelines with flashbacks to the past that explain why Griff is the way he is and why his relationship with his sister is so complicated.
The story explores themes of grief, forgiveness, second chances, friendship, redemption, coping with loss, finding joy in unexpected places, and using food as a central element for connection and healing.
This story also shines a light on early-onset Alzheimer’s and serves as an important reminder to treat all people with dignity, regardless of what they do or do not seem to understand.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Williams Morrow for the advance copy of this ebook. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: eARC
Pub date: August 4, 2026 Out today!
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is one of my favorite books, so I had high hopes for this story, and it did not disappoint! It is witty, charming, and downright hilarious at times, but it also carries some heaviness and an important message about elderly care.
Griff, is a retired Michelin-star chef, who is faking dementia in his aged-care facility. He sneaks to the kitchen late one night to make himself one last meal. However, he finds a spark of joy in cooking again and begins cooking meals secretly for the residents in the care facility.
Lisa is Griff’s sister. She is a woman in her 40s, with ADHD. She visits Griff in the care facility, even though the two have always had a strained relationship, and she navigating problems of her own.
This story is told in dual timelines with flashbacks to the past that explain why Griff is the way he is and why his relationship with his sister is so complicated.
The story explores themes of grief, forgiveness, second chances, friendship, redemption, coping with loss, finding joy in unexpected places, and using food as a central element for connection and healing.
This story also shines a light on early-onset Alzheimer’s and serves as an important reminder to treat all people with dignity, regardless of what they do or do not seem to understand.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Williams Morrow for the advance copy of this ebook. All opinions are my own.
April 17, 2026
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
Another beautiful story by talented author Anna Johnston. When Lemons Give You Life is a story about a broken man, grief, aged care, medical themes, food, redemption and guilt. It’s delightful and at the same time sad.
Griff Barlow is a retired Michelin-star chef who is sixty two, faking an illness and living at Sunny Glen Aged Care Facility where the food served there is rubbish and life is mundane. Life has been tough for Griff and he’s feeling lost and about to bake his last lemon tart ever but then he has an awakening and finds himself on a mission, sneaking into the nursing home kitchen to make the most delicious meals for his fellow residents. I loved how cooking good food brought him back to ‘life’.
Griff’s estranged sister Lisa regularly visits Griff, their relationship is fractured and there are never worlds spoken to her by Griff. Lisa is an interesting and likeable character, she’s a dog groomer and has just been diagnosed with ADHD.
Griff is a man hiding many secrets and one that would destroy his reputation. I loved the food elements in the book and how it played a huge part in the story.
A delightful tale of complicated relationships, flawed characters, second chances and coming clean. The author highlights some of the things that I hope can be changed in the industry for the future to make life better for the elderly. This title would make a great book club read with characters that come to life on the pages.
Publication Date 28 April 2026
Publisher Imprint Penguin
Thank you so much to the wonderful team at Penguin Books Australia and Anna Johnston for the gorgeous promo box and book.
Another beautiful story by talented author Anna Johnston. When Lemons Give You Life is a story about a broken man, grief, aged care, medical themes, food, redemption and guilt. It’s delightful and at the same time sad.
Griff Barlow is a retired Michelin-star chef who is sixty two, faking an illness and living at Sunny Glen Aged Care Facility where the food served there is rubbish and life is mundane. Life has been tough for Griff and he’s feeling lost and about to bake his last lemon tart ever but then he has an awakening and finds himself on a mission, sneaking into the nursing home kitchen to make the most delicious meals for his fellow residents. I loved how cooking good food brought him back to ‘life’.
Griff’s estranged sister Lisa regularly visits Griff, their relationship is fractured and there are never worlds spoken to her by Griff. Lisa is an interesting and likeable character, she’s a dog groomer and has just been diagnosed with ADHD.
Griff is a man hiding many secrets and one that would destroy his reputation. I loved the food elements in the book and how it played a huge part in the story.
A delightful tale of complicated relationships, flawed characters, second chances and coming clean. The author highlights some of the things that I hope can be changed in the industry for the future to make life better for the elderly. This title would make a great book club read with characters that come to life on the pages.
Publication Date 28 April 2026
Publisher Imprint Penguin
Thank you so much to the wonderful team at Penguin Books Australia and Anna Johnston for the gorgeous promo box and book.
August 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
3.5 stars
When I saw Anna Johnston had written a new book, I immediately knew I'd want to read it. The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife was one of my favorite books from 2025, so I was very excited for another story with a nursing home setting and an older main character.
Griff Barlow, a grumpy, retired Michelin-star chef, is newly diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's and is now living in the Sunny Glen Aged Care Facility. Only, he has a secret: he's faking his dementia. Meanwhile, his estranged younger half-sister, Lisa, is fighting her own battles, while also trying to make time to visit and care for Griff.
Finding himself stuck in the negligent nursing home with inattentive caregivers and sloppy beige food, Griff decides life is no longer worth living. As he contemplates ending his own life, he makes the decision to bake one last lemon tart. What he doesn't anticipate is that his sneaking into the Sunny Glen kitchen will re-spark a love of cooking he never imagined he'd get back.
First, I want to share the many things I loved about this book. I find that I really connect with Anna Johnston's writing. She doesn't skirt around difficult topics, but she also has a gift for adding humor in her stories when you least expect it. When Lemons Give You Life is heartfelt, warm, and will cause you to feel a whole range of emotions. It will also make you hungry! All of the descriptions of buttery desserts and mouth-watering meals almost made me want to put the book down and head to the kitchen to bake a lemon tart.
However, it is worth noting, especially for my Christian readers, that the main character, Griff, is a gay man who has recently lost his male partner. As a Christian myself, I cannot affirm or approve of same-sex relationships, and yet, I know and care deeply for several people who would identify as LGBTQ+ and have a great deal of empathy for them. All people are made in the image of God and are deserving of kindness, dignity, and respect. This can be a tricky balance to hold.
That being said, there are many flashbacks in this story of Griff's relationship with his partner, Beau, and for many people (myself included), this isn't content they prefer to consume. Of note, there is also mention of Griff's physically and emotionally abusive step-father who treated him extremely unkindly because of his sexuality. This was hard to read and made me feel very sad for those who struggle with same-sex attraction and have experienced something similar.
To be honest, I think this would have been a 5-star read for me had it not been for the reasons mentioned above. Johnston writes with so much heart and creates lovable characters. I loved Griff, Lisa, and Frank. In fact, my favorite part of the entire novel was the character development in Griff, described lovingly as a "pineapple:" prickly on the outside, but sweet on the inside. I think to the right person, this will be a memorable, heart-warming read. For my Christian readers, I'd encourage discernment before picking it up.
Content Considerations:
-Occasional strong language; mild language throughout
-Kisses only; intimacy implied
-Same-sex relationship central to the plot
-Attempted suicide/suicidal ideation described
-Descriptions of Alzheimer's disease, along with other medical conditions and procedures
-Physical and emotional abuse (not graphic)
3.5 stars
When I saw Anna Johnston had written a new book, I immediately knew I'd want to read it. The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife was one of my favorite books from 2025, so I was very excited for another story with a nursing home setting and an older main character.
Griff Barlow, a grumpy, retired Michelin-star chef, is newly diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's and is now living in the Sunny Glen Aged Care Facility. Only, he has a secret: he's faking his dementia. Meanwhile, his estranged younger half-sister, Lisa, is fighting her own battles, while also trying to make time to visit and care for Griff.
Finding himself stuck in the negligent nursing home with inattentive caregivers and sloppy beige food, Griff decides life is no longer worth living. As he contemplates ending his own life, he makes the decision to bake one last lemon tart. What he doesn't anticipate is that his sneaking into the Sunny Glen kitchen will re-spark a love of cooking he never imagined he'd get back.
First, I want to share the many things I loved about this book. I find that I really connect with Anna Johnston's writing. She doesn't skirt around difficult topics, but she also has a gift for adding humor in her stories when you least expect it. When Lemons Give You Life is heartfelt, warm, and will cause you to feel a whole range of emotions. It will also make you hungry! All of the descriptions of buttery desserts and mouth-watering meals almost made me want to put the book down and head to the kitchen to bake a lemon tart.
However, it is worth noting, especially for my Christian readers, that the main character, Griff, is a gay man who has recently lost his male partner. As a Christian myself, I cannot affirm or approve of same-sex relationships, and yet, I know and care deeply for several people who would identify as LGBTQ+ and have a great deal of empathy for them. All people are made in the image of God and are deserving of kindness, dignity, and respect. This can be a tricky balance to hold.
That being said, there are many flashbacks in this story of Griff's relationship with his partner, Beau, and for many people (myself included), this isn't content they prefer to consume. Of note, there is also mention of Griff's physically and emotionally abusive step-father who treated him extremely unkindly because of his sexuality. This was hard to read and made me feel very sad for those who struggle with same-sex attraction and have experienced something similar.
To be honest, I think this would have been a 5-star read for me had it not been for the reasons mentioned above. Johnston writes with so much heart and creates lovable characters. I loved Griff, Lisa, and Frank. In fact, my favorite part of the entire novel was the character development in Griff, described lovingly as a "pineapple:" prickly on the outside, but sweet on the inside. I think to the right person, this will be a memorable, heart-warming read. For my Christian readers, I'd encourage discernment before picking it up.
Content Considerations:
-Occasional strong language; mild language throughout
-Kisses only; intimacy implied
-Same-sex relationship central to the plot
-Attempted suicide/suicidal ideation described
-Descriptions of Alzheimer's disease, along with other medical conditions and procedures
-Physical and emotional abuse (not graphic)
July 26, 2026
Once a Michelin-star chef of his own restaurant, Griff now resides at the Sunny Glen Aged Care Facility. Stuck within his grief, he plots to break into the kitchen one night to cook himself a last meal... but ends up reigniting a passion that's long been dormant. His sister, Lisa, is navigating a midlife ADHD diagnosis as well as the potential for love. Though their relationship is fractured, she still maintains regular visits to the facility.
The narrative alternates between Griff and Lisa's POVs as well as providing flashbacks from over the years through both their eyes. It's an interesting approach and structured well to showcase how two people can live the same moments but remember them differently.
Much like in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘍𝘪𝘧𝘦, there is a lot of commentary to be had on assisted living, but that's all the more info I'll divulge here.
Here's what I'll leave you with: Anna Johnston has penned yet another poignant story that's equal parts heartwarming and heartrending. Her prose is stunning, her characters genuine, and her plot as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
✨ Thank you William Morrow for my gifted copy (and what a gift it was!)
[𝘗𝘶𝘣 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦: 8•4•2026]
The narrative alternates between Griff and Lisa's POVs as well as providing flashbacks from over the years through both their eyes. It's an interesting approach and structured well to showcase how two people can live the same moments but remember them differently.
Much like in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘍𝘪𝘧𝘦, there is a lot of commentary to be had on assisted living, but that's all the more info I'll divulge here.
Here's what I'll leave you with: Anna Johnston has penned yet another poignant story that's equal parts heartwarming and heartrending. Her prose is stunning, her characters genuine, and her plot as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
✨ Thank you William Morrow for my gifted copy (and what a gift it was!)
[𝘗𝘶𝘣 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦: 8•4•2026]
July 22, 2026
When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston is a story of love, grief, and forgiveness. It features Griff, a grieving former Michelin Star chef living in a nursing home after a fake dementia diagnosis. His only visitor is his estranged sister, Lisa, who is reeling from a recent adult ADHD diagnosis. The story is told from both of their points of view, and with flashbacks, which slowly reveal what caused the rift between them from their unique perspectives. The flashbacks are full of trauma as well as sweet glimpses into Griff’s love story with his husband. There are over the top antics in the present timeline that serve as comic relief.
I had (potentially unfairly) high expectations for this novel after loving The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife. And I found a lot to enjoy in this novel. There were poignant scenes that tugged at my heart. And laugh out loud moments that were silly and fun. Beau, Scotty, and Gladys were particular highlights of the story for me. But the story if full of lies and miscommunication that repeatedly pulled me out of the story and kept me from feeling a genuine connection to the characters. I thought the story started out strong but lost its way a bit in the middle, and the ending wrapped everything up a bit too quickly for me. But it’s well written, full of important commentary on treating the elderly with dignity, dementia, childhood trauma, grief, LGBTQIA+ rights, and late-diagnosed ADHD, and is well worth reading 3.5/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I had (potentially unfairly) high expectations for this novel after loving The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife. And I found a lot to enjoy in this novel. There were poignant scenes that tugged at my heart. And laugh out loud moments that were silly and fun. Beau, Scotty, and Gladys were particular highlights of the story for me. But the story if full of lies and miscommunication that repeatedly pulled me out of the story and kept me from feeling a genuine connection to the characters. I thought the story started out strong but lost its way a bit in the middle, and the ending wrapped everything up a bit too quickly for me. But it’s well written, full of important commentary on treating the elderly with dignity, dementia, childhood trauma, grief, LGBTQIA+ rights, and late-diagnosed ADHD, and is well worth reading 3.5/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 20, 2026
When Lemons Give You Life is a great exploration into the importance of not keeping secrets. It's a thoughtful novel on the topic of Alzheimer's, which the author explores with great care.
July 1, 2026
This is Anna Johnston’s sophomore novel and I wasn’t sure she could live up to her debut, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife…well shame on me. She knocked it out of the park!! 5 big hearted stars for me. My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an early ARC of this gem.
This novel is once again set in an assisted living facility. It should be noted that there are some difficult and potentially triggering topics which include domestic abuse, Alzheimer’s, same-sex marriages, and suicidal ideation.
“Lemons” centers on Griff Barlow and his half sister Lisa. Their relationship is complicated, strained and fraught with misunderstandings. Chapters are told from each characters POV and span the course of close to 50 years. The novel starts in present day and then alternates to chapters which flash back to reveal each character’s history and how their relationship deteriorated.
There are secrets that are kept and decisions made that create ripples and conflict throughout both of their lives. I loved how tender and multi layered this novel was. It had me in tears at the end.
The format was a bit difficult at first to get used to and follow. Also there is a lot of groundwork being laid to unravel the story. Please be patient with this novel and I promise that the second half truly delivers.
This focus on food and the link to memories was a unique one. There are some great messages in this book and I believe it would make an excellent book club selection. Adult ADHD, treatment of the elderly, risk of secrecy and the power of forgiveness/acceptance would make for wonderful discussion topics.
This novel is once again set in an assisted living facility. It should be noted that there are some difficult and potentially triggering topics which include domestic abuse, Alzheimer’s, same-sex marriages, and suicidal ideation.
“Lemons” centers on Griff Barlow and his half sister Lisa. Their relationship is complicated, strained and fraught with misunderstandings. Chapters are told from each characters POV and span the course of close to 50 years. The novel starts in present day and then alternates to chapters which flash back to reveal each character’s history and how their relationship deteriorated.
There are secrets that are kept and decisions made that create ripples and conflict throughout both of their lives. I loved how tender and multi layered this novel was. It had me in tears at the end.
The format was a bit difficult at first to get used to and follow. Also there is a lot of groundwork being laid to unravel the story. Please be patient with this novel and I promise that the second half truly delivers.
This focus on food and the link to memories was a unique one. There are some great messages in this book and I believe it would make an excellent book club selection. Adult ADHD, treatment of the elderly, risk of secrecy and the power of forgiveness/acceptance would make for wonderful discussion topics.
August 4, 2026
Quote from the Author>>>>"This novel is about rediscovering joy when life has lost its flavour-about kindness, connection, and the courage to start again."
I can't argue with that description or do any better describing it myself.
I found this book to be:
Humerous
Sad
Silly
Life-sucking (for the characters)
An eye-opener
Hopeful
Filled with lies and tragedy, but eventually finding the truth, redemption and happiness.
This book would make an excellent book club read and also an awesome movie.
*Arc was supplied by the publisher William Morrow, the author, and NerGalley.
I can't argue with that description or do any better describing it myself.
I found this book to be:
Humerous
Sad
Silly
Life-sucking (for the characters)
An eye-opener
Hopeful
Filled with lies and tragedy, but eventually finding the truth, redemption and happiness.
This book would make an excellent book club read and also an awesome movie.
*Arc was supplied by the publisher William Morrow, the author, and NerGalley.
July 15, 2026
What an absolute beauty of a book. From the first pages, I was absolutely enthralled with the intertwined storylines of Griff, Beau and Lisa. This is an impeccable love story, and highlights the complicated choices people make when they are faced with impossible conditions. Please note that the following representations are included in this book: LGBTQIA+, neurodivergence, dementia, loss of a loved one. If you enjoyed Frederick Fife, I have no doubt that these Lemons will give you Life. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my gifted ARC.
May 13, 2026
A bit “Man called Ove” like - poor Griff is misunderstood and it’s a wonderful funny and uplifting story about how he finds a sense of purpose again.
August 13, 2026
2.5 ⭐️ (Spoilers ahead)
Things I liked:
- Grumpy older gay main character, always happy to see representation - and some of his snarky comments were genuinely funny
- Late-diagnosed female main character with ADHD - again, love some varied mental health representation
- I like that the author isn’t afraid to give her main characters flaws and have them make mistakes (even though some of the ‘mistakes’ are pretty unforgivable…)
- The exploration of grief and losing someone you love to dementia - I thought this was the most touching part of the book. You could tell how much Griff and Beau loved one another
- The mentions of the difficulties that everyone faces at understaffed, underfunded nursing facilities. I really liked the author’s note where she spoke more about this
- The message about food and how it’s another sense/language that speaks to all of us, regardless of age and mental faculties. Loved the commentary on how everybody is worthy of good food
- Fast, easy read, some funny lines
Things I did not like:
- The main characters are in their 50s and 60s, but some of the slang used was SUPER millennial and took me out of it
- The Lisa and Frank romance was as so insta-love and not developed in a satisfying way. I’m sorry but I didn’t care for Frank as his character/development felt like an afterthought, like they needed to make him have some sort of “damage” so he could relate to Lisa. There was a scene where he was saying how women didn’t date him because he was too tall and I actually started laughing. Because women famously don’t like tall musicians 😂 like come on, either give him some decent backstory or don’t bother at all if this is the throwaway stuff we’re getting
- The story tried to tackle a lot of serious topics (abuse, neglect, mental health, etc) - admirable, but I think it would have benefited from tackling fewer topics more thoroughly
- The plot relied on too many conveniences to work, to the point where it felt too nonsensical and like I had to suspend my disbelief a little too often
- Lisa s exually assaults Beau at his engagement party and it’s never really addressed? They kind of just move on from it?? All we get is some off screen apology and “their friendship was never really the same but they still hung out, Beau is just such a forgiving guy.” This made me so mad
- The climax had potential but feels like it got resolved so quickly. Like these people need time and therapy to deal with all their resentments and trauma, you’re telling me a single conversation happened and suddenly they’re OK and a happy family?
I liked some of the themes and concepts, but I think the way that these concepts were delivered was too convenient/cheesy for me.
Things I liked:
- Grumpy older gay main character, always happy to see representation - and some of his snarky comments were genuinely funny
- Late-diagnosed female main character with ADHD - again, love some varied mental health representation
- I like that the author isn’t afraid to give her main characters flaws and have them make mistakes (even though some of the ‘mistakes’ are pretty unforgivable…)
- The exploration of grief and losing someone you love to dementia - I thought this was the most touching part of the book. You could tell how much Griff and Beau loved one another
- The mentions of the difficulties that everyone faces at understaffed, underfunded nursing facilities. I really liked the author’s note where she spoke more about this
- The message about food and how it’s another sense/language that speaks to all of us, regardless of age and mental faculties. Loved the commentary on how everybody is worthy of good food
- Fast, easy read, some funny lines
Things I did not like:
- The main characters are in their 50s and 60s, but some of the slang used was SUPER millennial and took me out of it
- The Lisa and Frank romance was as so insta-love and not developed in a satisfying way. I’m sorry but I didn’t care for Frank as his character/development felt like an afterthought, like they needed to make him have some sort of “damage” so he could relate to Lisa. There was a scene where he was saying how women didn’t date him because he was too tall and I actually started laughing. Because women famously don’t like tall musicians 😂 like come on, either give him some decent backstory or don’t bother at all if this is the throwaway stuff we’re getting
- The story tried to tackle a lot of serious topics (abuse, neglect, mental health, etc) - admirable, but I think it would have benefited from tackling fewer topics more thoroughly
- The plot relied on too many conveniences to work, to the point where it felt too nonsensical and like I had to suspend my disbelief a little too often
- Lisa s exually assaults Beau at his engagement party and it’s never really addressed? They kind of just move on from it?? All we get is some off screen apology and “their friendship was never really the same but they still hung out, Beau is just such a forgiving guy.” This made me so mad
- The climax had potential but feels like it got resolved so quickly. Like these people need time and therapy to deal with all their resentments and trauma, you’re telling me a single conversation happened and suddenly they’re OK and a happy family?
I liked some of the themes and concepts, but I think the way that these concepts were delivered was too convenient/cheesy for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2026
Such an unexpected hit for me, I loved so much about it, and it made me tear up many, many times. There are so many emotions layered into this story, it is simply impossible not to feel all of them along with these characters. It's tender and heartfelt, there is so much love, you can feel it. There are some parts that are a little unbelievable, but I don't mind it all that much in the grand scheme of things. The narration made this even more enjoyable and so easy to get through, so I would absolutely recommend that.
Biggest thanks to Libro.fm & William Morrow for the ALC; all opinions are my own.
Biggest thanks to Libro.fm & William Morrow for the ALC; all opinions are my own.
August 24, 2026
5 awesome stars. This author does not disappoint. Looking forward to her next book hope it’s soon
August 4, 2026
Did you wake up today and feel the urge to read a life affirming book that will leave you in puddles? If so, do I have the book for you!
When Lemons Give You Life is beautiful. It’s about the parts of ourselves we give up and sacrifice for the people we love and what happens to everyone else who gets hurt or pushed aside in the wreckage.
Griff’s heart is without a doubt always in the right place. So many of his choices are driven by his fierce loyalty and love for his ill partner, even when those choices come at an enormous cost. His pain was visceral. I wanted to take his broken heart and help him glue the pieces back together.
The family dynamics were incredibly well done, especially the relationship between Griff and his sister, Lisa. Their upbringing and complicated relationships with their parents shaped the direction of both of their lives in different ways. This book does such a great job showing how much families can give us and how much they can take from us at the same time. It also shows how easily secrets, even ones kept with the best intentions, can fracture relationships over time.
I loved watching Griff find himself again through cooking. What starts with him sneaking into the nursing home kitchen becomes a way for him to bring joy and comfort to the people around him, while slowly rediscovering some of his own. The smallest acts of kindness had ripple effects, not just for the residents but for the people who loved them.
There is so much packed into this story: grief, guilt, aging, forgiveness, family, love and finding purpose when you think that part of your life is behind you. I cried. A lot. I finished it feeling incredibly grateful for the people I love and the life I get to live.
When Lemons Give You Life is beautiful. It’s about the parts of ourselves we give up and sacrifice for the people we love and what happens to everyone else who gets hurt or pushed aside in the wreckage.
Griff’s heart is without a doubt always in the right place. So many of his choices are driven by his fierce loyalty and love for his ill partner, even when those choices come at an enormous cost. His pain was visceral. I wanted to take his broken heart and help him glue the pieces back together.
The family dynamics were incredibly well done, especially the relationship between Griff and his sister, Lisa. Their upbringing and complicated relationships with their parents shaped the direction of both of their lives in different ways. This book does such a great job showing how much families can give us and how much they can take from us at the same time. It also shows how easily secrets, even ones kept with the best intentions, can fracture relationships over time.
I loved watching Griff find himself again through cooking. What starts with him sneaking into the nursing home kitchen becomes a way for him to bring joy and comfort to the people around him, while slowly rediscovering some of his own. The smallest acts of kindness had ripple effects, not just for the residents but for the people who loved them.
There is so much packed into this story: grief, guilt, aging, forgiveness, family, love and finding purpose when you think that part of your life is behind you. I cried. A lot. I finished it feeling incredibly grateful for the people I love and the life I get to live.
August 13, 2026
I'm always sensitive about stories with and about old people, even more when the old people are queer, and worse when they're experiencing grief so this was quite literally a nuke against my sanity. Oh god this was so heart-wrenchingly beautiful, and sprinkled with comedic moments in between. I actually cried reading this and that's so rare for me!
Thank you William Morrow for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you William Morrow for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
April 3, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.
I finished this and just sat there for a while. Proper tears. The kind that catch you off guard because the book isn’t trying to manipulate you, it’s just… honest.
This story follows Griff, a former chef in his 60s living in aged care and secretly still cooking, and his half-sister Lisa, who’s navigating a late ADHD diagnosis. It sounds like a lot, and it is, but it never feels overcrowded. It feels like real life. Messy, layered, and full of things happening all at once.
Told across their two perspectives, past and present, you slowly piece together their history and the weight they both carry. There’s grief here. A lot of it. But also love in all its complicated forms. The kind that doesn’t always look soft or easy.
Griff and Beau’s relationship really stayed with me. There’s something so tender about seeing an older same-sex couple written with this much care, especially within the aged care setting. It never feels like a “statement”, it just feels real and deeply lived-in.
Lisa was a standout for me too. An unmarried woman without children, but that’s not her story. Her story is her mind, her chaos, her inner life. The ADHD representation felt genuine, especially that sense of your own brain working against you while also being the place you retreat to.
There’s also this thread of caregiving running through everything. The quiet burden of it. The guilt, the love, the obligation. It hits.
And the food… I loved that part. It’s not just there for colour. It’s memory, control, comfort. It’s how Griff holds onto himself.
The last third of this book absolutely got me. I was crying through most of it, but still couldn’t stop reading. It’s heavy, yes, but then Johnston gives you these small, warm moments that almost steady you again.
The characters are flawed in a way that feels familiar. Sometimes frustrating, sometimes incredibly tender. You recognise bits of people you know. Bits of yourself.
This isn’t a light read. It’s one that sits with grief and doesn’t rush you through it. But there’s warmth threaded through the whole thing, enough to keep you there.
And honestly, when a book can make you feel this much and still leave you with a bit of softness at the end… that’s something special.
I finished this and just sat there for a while. Proper tears. The kind that catch you off guard because the book isn’t trying to manipulate you, it’s just… honest.
This story follows Griff, a former chef in his 60s living in aged care and secretly still cooking, and his half-sister Lisa, who’s navigating a late ADHD diagnosis. It sounds like a lot, and it is, but it never feels overcrowded. It feels like real life. Messy, layered, and full of things happening all at once.
Told across their two perspectives, past and present, you slowly piece together their history and the weight they both carry. There’s grief here. A lot of it. But also love in all its complicated forms. The kind that doesn’t always look soft or easy.
Griff and Beau’s relationship really stayed with me. There’s something so tender about seeing an older same-sex couple written with this much care, especially within the aged care setting. It never feels like a “statement”, it just feels real and deeply lived-in.
Lisa was a standout for me too. An unmarried woman without children, but that’s not her story. Her story is her mind, her chaos, her inner life. The ADHD representation felt genuine, especially that sense of your own brain working against you while also being the place you retreat to.
There’s also this thread of caregiving running through everything. The quiet burden of it. The guilt, the love, the obligation. It hits.
And the food… I loved that part. It’s not just there for colour. It’s memory, control, comfort. It’s how Griff holds onto himself.
The last third of this book absolutely got me. I was crying through most of it, but still couldn’t stop reading. It’s heavy, yes, but then Johnston gives you these small, warm moments that almost steady you again.
The characters are flawed in a way that feels familiar. Sometimes frustrating, sometimes incredibly tender. You recognise bits of people you know. Bits of yourself.
This isn’t a light read. It’s one that sits with grief and doesn’t rush you through it. But there’s warmth threaded through the whole thing, enough to keep you there.
And honestly, when a book can make you feel this much and still leave you with a bit of softness at the end… that’s something special.
August 8, 2026
“When Lemons Give You Life” is Anna Johnston’s sophomore novel after penning the delightful “The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife”. Back again is a compelling, humorous, and heartwarming tale of an old curmudgeon, Griff, a former Chef with a Michelin star, who has a calamity so bad that he has retreated to a senior care facility. The staff believes he has dementia; he, however, has, as he puts it, “all his marbles.”
Also recently widowed, Griff is basically alone and has a fractured (and now silent) relationship with his younger half sister Lisa, the only one who visits, and who is dealing with a late discovery that she has ADHD.
Griff is keeping a “Death Menu,” a list of various ways to die (#35: “eat a urinal cake”), which might seem harmless if he wasn’t hiding enough sleeping pills to overdose at the “right” time. And just as he thinks he’s nearing that decision, he rebels about the fact that his “Sunny Glen Aged Care Facility is the place where people and their tastebuds go to die”. Griff decides to sneak into the kitchen to secretly make a decent “final meal,” a lemon tart. What happens is that he awakens his love of cooking and maybe has a reason to live. But, “oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive” — how can he suddenly be cured of advanced Alzheimer’s?
As in “Frederick,” the dialogue (inner and otherwise) is extremely entertaining, but this is a much serious book that includes grief, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence and other painful points as we learn the story of younger Griff. There is so much sadness and miscommunication that parts of the story seem frustrating. Johnston definitely has a knack for describing sunset years, but I wished this had been less intense. I hope the author finds a new tale to highlight her clever dialogue between characters in the future. 4 stars.
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Allison, Lisa, and Brent all have green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Fondant flowers are always in season.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
Also recently widowed, Griff is basically alone and has a fractured (and now silent) relationship with his younger half sister Lisa, the only one who visits, and who is dealing with a late discovery that she has ADHD.
Griff is keeping a “Death Menu,” a list of various ways to die (#35: “eat a urinal cake”), which might seem harmless if he wasn’t hiding enough sleeping pills to overdose at the “right” time. And just as he thinks he’s nearing that decision, he rebels about the fact that his “Sunny Glen Aged Care Facility is the place where people and their tastebuds go to die”. Griff decides to sneak into the kitchen to secretly make a decent “final meal,” a lemon tart. What happens is that he awakens his love of cooking and maybe has a reason to live. But, “oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive” — how can he suddenly be cured of advanced Alzheimer’s?
As in “Frederick,” the dialogue (inner and otherwise) is extremely entertaining, but this is a much serious book that includes grief, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence and other painful points as we learn the story of younger Griff. There is so much sadness and miscommunication that parts of the story seem frustrating. Johnston definitely has a knack for describing sunset years, but I wished this had been less intense. I hope the author finds a new tale to highlight her clever dialogue between characters in the future. 4 stars.
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Allison, Lisa, and Brent all have green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Fondant flowers are always in season.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
August 21, 2026
When Lemons Give You Life is the second novel by Australian author, Anna Johnston. The Audio version is narrated by Socratis Otto and Ainslie McGlynn. Why would a chef with a three-hatted restaurant be living in an aged care facility pretending to have dementia? On the last day of 2024, sixty-four-year-old widower and Michelin-starred chef, Griffith Barlow has been a resident of Sunny Glen ACF for nine months and is about to take his own life.
Despite their being estranged for two decades, his younger half-sister, Lisa visits regularly, knowing all the while that it’s too late for apologies or explanations: Griff no longer talks. She chatters away, plays her ukelele (badly) and brings him home-baked Anzac biscuits, in between her days as a dog groomer. She’s unaware Griff would rather she stayed away, removing the reminder of his guilt, of the secrets he’s kept.
Before he ends it, he writes a letter to his recently-departed beloved, and is reminded of a treat they used to enjoy: lemon tart. Surely a condemned man deserves one last wish? Late at night he sneaks into the deserted kitchen and bakes a perfect lemon tart. He’s discovered by another dementia resident, doing the thing he has always loved, ends up helping another bake for a special celebration, then is somehow mistaken for the new weekend chef.
While Griff is putting off his suicide, covertly improving the weekend diet of the residents, and changing the attitude of his kitchen assistants, Lisa is learning to deal with the recent ADHD diagnosis that explains so much, falling in love with a lanky music therapist, and discovering an inheritance she could do without.
Johnston’s second novel has several things in common with her first: the nursing home setting (although this one is pitifully short-staffed and negligent); a resident accidentally impersonating someone else; and the protagonist believing they need to die to benefit a loved one.
While the plot is very different, she again highlights the invisibility that a dementia label confers: Griff’s insistence on quality challenges the attitude that these patients matter less, and the assumption that they lose the ability to differentiate between foods.
Also explored: organ donation; domestic violence; the dilemma of those too young to join their demented partner in a care facility, thus depriving the prospective resident of their best calming influence just when they need it most; and the dearth of facilities practicing inclusivity.
There’s plenty of humour, some of it quite dark, but there are also moments that will bring out the tissues. Johnston’s characters have depth and appeal, and she gives them wise words and insightful observations: when Lisa tells her new man “’I’m petrified to know the truth’, he tells her ‘The truth exists whether you know it or not.’”
The only thing that could improve Anna Johnston’s wonderful second novel would be recipes for the mouth-watering dishes and treats that play such an integral part in the story. Thought-provoking and incredibly moving.
Despite their being estranged for two decades, his younger half-sister, Lisa visits regularly, knowing all the while that it’s too late for apologies or explanations: Griff no longer talks. She chatters away, plays her ukelele (badly) and brings him home-baked Anzac biscuits, in between her days as a dog groomer. She’s unaware Griff would rather she stayed away, removing the reminder of his guilt, of the secrets he’s kept.
Before he ends it, he writes a letter to his recently-departed beloved, and is reminded of a treat they used to enjoy: lemon tart. Surely a condemned man deserves one last wish? Late at night he sneaks into the deserted kitchen and bakes a perfect lemon tart. He’s discovered by another dementia resident, doing the thing he has always loved, ends up helping another bake for a special celebration, then is somehow mistaken for the new weekend chef.
While Griff is putting off his suicide, covertly improving the weekend diet of the residents, and changing the attitude of his kitchen assistants, Lisa is learning to deal with the recent ADHD diagnosis that explains so much, falling in love with a lanky music therapist, and discovering an inheritance she could do without.
Johnston’s second novel has several things in common with her first: the nursing home setting (although this one is pitifully short-staffed and negligent); a resident accidentally impersonating someone else; and the protagonist believing they need to die to benefit a loved one.
While the plot is very different, she again highlights the invisibility that a dementia label confers: Griff’s insistence on quality challenges the attitude that these patients matter less, and the assumption that they lose the ability to differentiate between foods.
Also explored: organ donation; domestic violence; the dilemma of those too young to join their demented partner in a care facility, thus depriving the prospective resident of their best calming influence just when they need it most; and the dearth of facilities practicing inclusivity.
There’s plenty of humour, some of it quite dark, but there are also moments that will bring out the tissues. Johnston’s characters have depth and appeal, and she gives them wise words and insightful observations: when Lisa tells her new man “’I’m petrified to know the truth’, he tells her ‘The truth exists whether you know it or not.’”
The only thing that could improve Anna Johnston’s wonderful second novel would be recipes for the mouth-watering dishes and treats that play such an integral part in the story. Thought-provoking and incredibly moving.
August 19, 2026
3.5 rounding up. Another novel concept involving a retirement home and elder care from this author. While it was interesting, it sometimes felt relentlessly sad. I had been hoping for more of the cooking joy but we were so mired in the illness and grief and abuse of the past and present, it was impossible to enjoy any silver lining. 80% of this book is sadness and trauma and 20% is lemon tarts and joy.
Griff, a retired chef, has lied his way into a dementia diagnosis and lives in a nursing home while pushing everyone away, including his half sister, Lisa. He’s ready to leave this world but he wants to eat a lemon tart one last time so he sneaks into the nursing home kitchen and bakes one last tart but it awakens something in him and his fellow nursing home residents to eat wonderful food again. He realizes maybe there is life worth living if only he can face his past and the secrets it holds
There are two POVs, Griff and Lisa, and both are difficult in their own ways. Griff deals with childhood abuse, gay bashing, having to become an adult early, the loss of his husband to Alzheimer’s and more. Lisa deals with PKD diagnosis, ADHD diagnosis, loss of her mother and friend and more. This is a heavy book. I feel like the cover and blurb make it seem much lighter than what it is. It covers so many important topics and makes you reflect on your own behavior but it doesn’t make it an easy read
Griff, a retired chef, has lied his way into a dementia diagnosis and lives in a nursing home while pushing everyone away, including his half sister, Lisa. He’s ready to leave this world but he wants to eat a lemon tart one last time so he sneaks into the nursing home kitchen and bakes one last tart but it awakens something in him and his fellow nursing home residents to eat wonderful food again. He realizes maybe there is life worth living if only he can face his past and the secrets it holds
There are two POVs, Griff and Lisa, and both are difficult in their own ways. Griff deals with childhood abuse, gay bashing, having to become an adult early, the loss of his husband to Alzheimer’s and more. Lisa deals with PKD diagnosis, ADHD diagnosis, loss of her mother and friend and more. This is a heavy book. I feel like the cover and blurb make it seem much lighter than what it is. It covers so many important topics and makes you reflect on your own behavior but it doesn’t make it an easy read
August 22, 2026
When Lemons Give You Life by Ana Johnston, all of Sydney was sad to hear that Griff a Michelin star chef has Alzheimer’s and was now living in an elder care facility. despite he and his sister‘s problematic relationship she still comes to see him every day after all his partner was cruly taken by cancer years before. would no one knows is Griff isn’t as sick as those around him believe he is a man with a plan and that plan is to say goodbye on his own terms but before he does that he wants to make one more lemon tart as a protest against the awful food they feed him at the home. The problem comes in when after the lemon tart is done a resident mistakes Griff for his mom and begs for some lemon tart and Griff cannot say no. This one late night trip to the kitchen evolves into Griff standing in for the new chef at the home and despite he’s already made one attempt at leaving this mortal coil the longer he stays the more he wants to. as far as his relationship with his sister in the beginning they couldn’t have been further apart both grieving for the other and wanting to apologize but because Lisa thought he was in the struggles of Alzheimer’s and he thought she would never forgive him it’s going to take a miracle to bring these two siblings together. I just want to say I love the first book by this author but this one was so heartfelt the first one was too but this one was so good I loved it there’s actual laugh out loud moments throughout the book and I loved his sister Lisa she was such a great character and could probably carry her own book by herself. if you’re looking for a funny book that also may make you cry then you definitely should read this book especially if you love baking I love that Griff was a lot more tender than he first appeared and would do things not for the applause but because it was the right thing to do I just love this book so much I absolutely recommend it it is definitely going to be a pick me up although it may bring you down first lol! #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
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