JAFA: Just Another Friendly Australian

by Francesca Spencer

Crikey mate! It’s 1983. Wham! are top of the charts. Two besties are on their Big O.E. in London.

Then one of them meets a bloke and things turn to shit.

Jafa, Jennie Agatha Frances Arthur, is a bit pissed off, to say the least. She can’t understand it. It’s not like he, the bloke – Nigel - is George Michael, or anything. Not even close.

Jennie and Evie had planned this trip of a lifetime since the school production of Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat, for heaven’s sake. And now Evie tells her she’s not going because – wait for it – she wants to spend Christmas with the future in-laws.

It’s a bit rich, forcryingoutloud.

But what does Jennie do? Go to see the pyramids anyway, without Evie? What the hell. Absolutely. Yes.

Does Jennie forgive Evie? Perhaps.

Is there a raucous, out-of-control, backpacking travel adventure, brushes with the criminal underworld, sex, drugs and a massive vodka watermelon party? Well...

Join Jafa as she blunders through a from one dodgy decision to another – surviving a two-week holiday that turns into an eight-month, down the rabbit hole, flying by the seat of her pants, odyssey of self-discovery.

JAFA is like Trainspotting with an Aussie accent; Bridget Jones’s Diary but with more sex, drugs and exotic locations; Four Weddings and a Funeral but with criminal activity and an eighties soundtrack; Eat Pray Love, but with extra cheese and spicy sauce; Alice in Wonderland, but… you’ll understand when you read it.

Does Jennie make it back in time to wear the peach taffeta bridesmaid dress?

Find out.

Hop on board JAFA’s party bus. It’s a trip. Woop! Woop!

Unknown Binding

About the author

Read 'Mr Off-Limits Grump' for free. Just click on www.francescaspencerauthor.com

A bit about me...
My stories are loaded with funny stuff, coincidence, drama and love.

I pull out all the action and comedy, which is usually tragic and accident laden - add some romance if it's romcom - and package it up in a satisfying narrative tied up with a big pink shiny satin bow.

Tadaah! Here you go. Enjoy.

I'm a compulsive traveller. In fact, it's almost an addiction. I have to move around. To fund this expensive hobby, I've worked as an international primary school teacher in a number of countries, for a number of years, which has supplied its own rewards and serviced a mountain of writing material.

When I'm not teaching or having marvellous adventures, I'm visiting friends and family and writing books.

Award Winners
'Stuck With My Christmas Crush' Gold medal - Global Book Awards 2024 (Christmas category)

'Mr Billionaire Boss Grump' 2nd Place - Incipere Awards 2025 (Clean Romance)

Reviews

[Marcia Vida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfying, brilliant, thrilling and funny. This book made me reflect on the change of friends and accomplishments of future plans at any cost, even alone. I liked Jennie and her obsession with George Michael, very funny! So, it's a wonderful reading with a lot of fun adventures! Thanks to the author and Voracious Readers.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

scary.

I found myself too often terrified by her antics. I am never letting my kids out of my sight ever again.

[Rhonda]

Soft DNF - couldn’t get into it, not sure if it was the vapidness of the characters or the “squirrel” mentality of the writing.