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The Lonely Fajita
9 hours, 13 minutes
If you liked The Flatshare, you will love this audiobook....
It’s Elissa’s birthday and she’s accidentally booked a cervical smear instead of a celebration...great. The icing on the cake? Her boyfriend is kicking her out of their houseshare. So when she’s offered the chance to live with a pensioner rent-free, Elissa knows she needs to impress Annie, who turned down the last 22 applicants. Somehow, even after Elissa goes on about ‘definitely not being an axe-murderer’, Annie chooses her. And just like Elissa, prickly, sweary, big-hearted Annie could use a friend.
Elissa may have nowhere else to go, but is she just where she needs to be?
An audiobook you’ll want to share with all your friends. The perfect uplifting listen for fans of Marian Keyes and Beth O’Leary.
If you liked The Flatshare, you will love this audiobook....
It’s Elissa’s birthday and she’s accidentally booked a cervical smear instead of a celebration...great. The icing on the cake? Her boyfriend is kicking her out of their houseshare. So when she’s offered the chance to live with a pensioner rent-free, Elissa knows she needs to impress Annie, who turned down the last 22 applicants. Somehow, even after Elissa goes on about ‘definitely not being an axe-murderer’, Annie chooses her. And just like Elissa, prickly, sweary, big-hearted Annie could use a friend.
Elissa may have nowhere else to go, but is she just where she needs to be?
An audiobook you’ll want to share with all your friends. The perfect uplifting listen for fans of Marian Keyes and Beth O’Leary.
Audiobook
Published August 13, 2020
46 people are currently reading
1125 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Mann
4 books57 followersAbigail is a comedy writer living in London and surviving on a diet of three-shot coffee, bourbons, and vegetarian sausage rolls. She was born and brought up in Norfolk, which she says is to blame for the sardonic humour that runs through her novels. Abigail was the runner up in 2019's Comedy Women in Print award for THE LONELY FAJITA: her first novel.
Abigail takes inspiration from unconventional cross-sections of modern society and the impact this has on identity and the relationships we create. She wrote her first novel after teaching literature for a number of years and whilst working in the fast-paced co-working spaces of East London.
You can find out lots more about her on Instagram (@abigailemann) and on her website (www.abigailemann.com)
Abigail takes inspiration from unconventional cross-sections of modern society and the impact this has on identity and the relationships we create. She wrote her first novel after teaching literature for a number of years and whilst working in the fast-paced co-working spaces of East London.
You can find out lots more about her on Instagram (@abigailemann) and on her website (www.abigailemann.com)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
January 23, 2020
It's good. I promise. The author told me so.
May 13, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Elissa works for a new London start-up company that is making a dating app, though the pay is rubbish. She spends more time watching videos than actually working. She lives or should I say lived with her boyfriend Tom, rent-free, in a house share. That was until Tom came back from a stag do in Vegas and declared he was moving to Asia and that Elissa wasn’t part of his long-term plans.
Desperate for somewhere to live, as she can’t afford the rent on the house share, she stumbles across an agency leaflet about older people looking for a live-in companion to keep them company and help them around the house all for freeboard.
With no other options, Elissa joins the agency and is matched up with feisty Annie, in her 80s, who the company has struggled to get a companion for due to her outgoing and no holds barred attitude and pickiness.
Elissa might have thought that she had no option to become a live-in companion but it may just be the making of her and friendship do comes in all shapes and sizes.
The Lonely Fajita is a humorous look at life through the eyes of Elissa. She may have a job she doesn’t particularly like, working for a man that doesn’t seem to understand equal rights or how not to be condescending or judgemental but she does have a few fun friends there. She may also have been dating a man that didn’t seem to be into the relationship as much as she was, but with no-one else and no-where else to go she stayed until she had to leave.
Elissa comes across as someone who wants the easy path in life, not challenging people or situations she believes are wrong and putting up with others bad behaviour instead of standing up for herself. Annie is the complete opposite. She has no trouble telling others exactly what she thinks of them and won’t do anything she doesn’t want to do. She is well-educated and won’t be made a fool of.
The two characters work well together and between them, they keep the book full of moments to make you laugh or cause you to smile. There are plenty of secondary characters too who provide some funny moments or make you want to reach into the book and give them a shake – Craig!!
The first 30% of the book felt much slower than the next 70%, this was mainly down to getting to know Elissa and chapters understanding her life, living situation, job, and friends. Once she moves in with Annie the pace picks up and so does the fun.
It was a joy to read, relatable, and is certainly a book I will remember. Elissa is just your average woman trying to find her path in life, just like so many.
Elissa works for a new London start-up company that is making a dating app, though the pay is rubbish. She spends more time watching videos than actually working. She lives or should I say lived with her boyfriend Tom, rent-free, in a house share. That was until Tom came back from a stag do in Vegas and declared he was moving to Asia and that Elissa wasn’t part of his long-term plans.
Desperate for somewhere to live, as she can’t afford the rent on the house share, she stumbles across an agency leaflet about older people looking for a live-in companion to keep them company and help them around the house all for freeboard.
With no other options, Elissa joins the agency and is matched up with feisty Annie, in her 80s, who the company has struggled to get a companion for due to her outgoing and no holds barred attitude and pickiness.
Elissa might have thought that she had no option to become a live-in companion but it may just be the making of her and friendship do comes in all shapes and sizes.
The Lonely Fajita is a humorous look at life through the eyes of Elissa. She may have a job she doesn’t particularly like, working for a man that doesn’t seem to understand equal rights or how not to be condescending or judgemental but she does have a few fun friends there. She may also have been dating a man that didn’t seem to be into the relationship as much as she was, but with no-one else and no-where else to go she stayed until she had to leave.
Elissa comes across as someone who wants the easy path in life, not challenging people or situations she believes are wrong and putting up with others bad behaviour instead of standing up for herself. Annie is the complete opposite. She has no trouble telling others exactly what she thinks of them and won’t do anything she doesn’t want to do. She is well-educated and won’t be made a fool of.
The two characters work well together and between them, they keep the book full of moments to make you laugh or cause you to smile. There are plenty of secondary characters too who provide some funny moments or make you want to reach into the book and give them a shake – Craig!!
The first 30% of the book felt much slower than the next 70%, this was mainly down to getting to know Elissa and chapters understanding her life, living situation, job, and friends. Once she moves in with Annie the pace picks up and so does the fun.
It was a joy to read, relatable, and is certainly a book I will remember. Elissa is just your average woman trying to find her path in life, just like so many.
February 8, 2021
This was such a fun read! Just what I was looking for.
"There’s nothing sadder than constructing a fajita on your own.”
Elissa thinks she can’t do anything right; she doesn’t have a decent wage, because she’s been working as an intern at a matching app company, therefore, she can’t afford paying the rent at her boyfriend’s place, not even buy some “real” food. At work, things aren’t going well at all. Let’s say the environment isn’t the most appropriate. Her boss is a real pain in the arse, some of her workmates only say and do things to please their boss, and her current situation as an intern doesn’t seem to change at all.
Moreover, her boyfriend isn’t exactly the “boyfriend of the year”. He isn’t supportive nor quite communicative. So when they are asked -by the landlord’s daughter and roommate- to look for another place to live in, he doesn’t even bother to talk about it, and just carry on with his planned trip to Las Vegas to spend the weekend with his friends.
Suddenly, Elissa thinks she’s found the solution: ElderCare, a charity who looks for people to live with elder people as their companions. So Elissa soon meets Annie, and start living with her and finding a real home again. No more ramen or tortellini for two (one portion for supper and the other for next day’s lunch). Annie is quite a character! And they couldn’t have met in a better time.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2020
THE LONELY FAJITA was just the real world (pre-pandemic) lighter read that I was seeking and it had a narrative banter-style that I really appreciated. Elissa, the protagonist was a bit of a disaster, navigating life without a real rudder and struggling to find her way.
It took things in her life going south to give Elissa the kick she needed to take her life by the scruff of it’s neck and make things happen. However, Elissa’s idea of taking control, was not mine. The best thing to come out of this storyline was the Elder Care element and I loved Annie; especially Elissa and Annie together. They were gold on the page.
This was a gentle, meandering story with many funny moments and great dialogue. However, whilst Elissa was amusing and likeable, I didn’t fully connect with her as a character. I wanted to get deeper into her psyche, I wanted to know why she was so inactive and lacking in confidence but I came away not knowing this, just thinking she was nice but superficial.
THE LONELY FAJITA is perfect for a light afternoon or weekend read and I’m sure many will laugh at moments in this book, just like I did.
Thank you to One More Chapter for the early review copy.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities Blog.
It took things in her life going south to give Elissa the kick she needed to take her life by the scruff of it’s neck and make things happen. However, Elissa’s idea of taking control, was not mine. The best thing to come out of this storyline was the Elder Care element and I loved Annie; especially Elissa and Annie together. They were gold on the page.
This was a gentle, meandering story with many funny moments and great dialogue. However, whilst Elissa was amusing and likeable, I didn’t fully connect with her as a character. I wanted to get deeper into her psyche, I wanted to know why she was so inactive and lacking in confidence but I came away not knowing this, just thinking she was nice but superficial.
THE LONELY FAJITA is perfect for a light afternoon or weekend read and I’m sure many will laugh at moments in this book, just like I did.
Thank you to One More Chapter for the early review copy.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities Blog.
March 15, 2021
This book was quite literally laugh out loud levels of funny. Imagine a modern day Bridget Jones style character who ends up living with a pensioner after suddenly becoming single. Ensue chaos and hilarious anecdotes throughout.
It’s funny, heartfelt and everything felt normal and believable. Which made me love it all the more. As someone who is SO PICKY with contemporaries like these, THIS IS A GREAT ONE THAT NEEDS MORE ATTENTION.
The characters are fleshed out and again BELIEVABLE. You love the goodies and your skin crawls at the baddies. Just a good time all round.
It’s funny, heartfelt and everything felt normal and believable. Which made me love it all the more. As someone who is SO PICKY with contemporaries like these, THIS IS A GREAT ONE THAT NEEDS MORE ATTENTION.
The characters are fleshed out and again BELIEVABLE. You love the goodies and your skin crawls at the baddies. Just a good time all round.
May 15, 2020
Living in a modern Whirl!
This was a really enjoyable read. Elissa, who just can't seem to get her life together, has a non wage earning internship as an App blogger /media start up worker for a somewhat dodgy Internet dating type organization called Lovr.
Financially she lives on the edge. Her boyfriend/partner is a jerk who obviously has lost interest but Elissa doesn't clue into that until he leaves her high and dry. Mind you, sharing his bedroom in a shared household does cut costs.
This is when Elissa meets eighty-three year old Annie. Forced to look for other living arrangements Elissa embarks on a wholly different life style and 'surprise, surprise' she begins to find herself.
On the work front Elissa is treated badly (talk about continually going around the mountain!) Just another instance where she seems to allow herself to be taken advantage of.
When Elissa decides to step up things become way more interesting!
Her work cohorts are a disconnected group, the atmosphere and design of the work place is very rah rah--living in a glass house à la Silicon Valley type arrangement, with some rather awkward/funny moment. Her boss is somewhat on par with her boyfriend and not only dreadfully sexist, but completely narcissistic. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him! On the other hand Elissa's gay female workplace friend Suki is a scream!
I loved this cross generational story where the disparate age groups find they have something to offer each other, and our heroine comes into her own--with a little help from her old and new friends. The story invoked much chuckles and laughter in amongst the frenetic pace.
A HarperCollins UK ARC via NetGalley
This was a really enjoyable read. Elissa, who just can't seem to get her life together, has a non wage earning internship as an App blogger /media start up worker for a somewhat dodgy Internet dating type organization called Lovr.
Financially she lives on the edge. Her boyfriend/partner is a jerk who obviously has lost interest but Elissa doesn't clue into that until he leaves her high and dry. Mind you, sharing his bedroom in a shared household does cut costs.
This is when Elissa meets eighty-three year old Annie. Forced to look for other living arrangements Elissa embarks on a wholly different life style and 'surprise, surprise' she begins to find herself.
On the work front Elissa is treated badly (talk about continually going around the mountain!) Just another instance where she seems to allow herself to be taken advantage of.
When Elissa decides to step up things become way more interesting!
Her work cohorts are a disconnected group, the atmosphere and design of the work place is very rah rah--living in a glass house à la Silicon Valley type arrangement, with some rather awkward/funny moment. Her boss is somewhat on par with her boyfriend and not only dreadfully sexist, but completely narcissistic. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him! On the other hand Elissa's gay female workplace friend Suki is a scream!
I loved this cross generational story where the disparate age groups find they have something to offer each other, and our heroine comes into her own--with a little help from her old and new friends. The story invoked much chuckles and laughter in amongst the frenetic pace.
A HarperCollins UK ARC via NetGalley
February 7, 2020
This book was a delight. Funny AND it gave me the warm fuzzies
April 29, 2020
2.5 stars
The Lonely Fajita is about Elissa, a 26 year old living in London and interning as a social media officer at a new dating app business. The story takes us through many problems that Elissa has to overcome including the break up of her relationship, her not good work life and lack of money. Because she cannot afford rent, Elissa moves in with Annie, an elderly woman that she looks after in return for free housing.
I was really excited about this book but sadly for me it really did not hit the mark.
Firstly Elissa as a character I found quite problematic. She seemed to just accept some really awful situations and people and not fight for what she believed in. Her boyfriend was awful and an absolute time waster yet she stays with him until he disappears to thenother side of the world. It was a really odd scenario. Her work place was horrific, she was paid basically nothing and yet was expected to do as much as a normal job. Her boss was a chauvinistic pig which I understand was the idea but I found the whole idea to be really outdated. No one would get away with what he did and said nowadays. I felt Elissa was quite naive for her age and just wanted to give her a shake. I sadly didn't feel a connection with her which I need to enjoy a book.
The shining light in this book was Annie, the older lady that Elissa moves in with. She was feisty and no nonsense and an absolute breath of fresh air.
The general storyline felt confused and cluttered with too much but nothing that really made me excited or hooked. It was also pretty slow paced. I found the ending to be rather silly and ridiculous as well.
There is so many amazing contemporary books out at the moment that sadly I would not recommend this.
I was gifted this ebook from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Lonely Fajita is about Elissa, a 26 year old living in London and interning as a social media officer at a new dating app business. The story takes us through many problems that Elissa has to overcome including the break up of her relationship, her not good work life and lack of money. Because she cannot afford rent, Elissa moves in with Annie, an elderly woman that she looks after in return for free housing.
I was really excited about this book but sadly for me it really did not hit the mark.
Firstly Elissa as a character I found quite problematic. She seemed to just accept some really awful situations and people and not fight for what she believed in. Her boyfriend was awful and an absolute time waster yet she stays with him until he disappears to thenother side of the world. It was a really odd scenario. Her work place was horrific, she was paid basically nothing and yet was expected to do as much as a normal job. Her boss was a chauvinistic pig which I understand was the idea but I found the whole idea to be really outdated. No one would get away with what he did and said nowadays. I felt Elissa was quite naive for her age and just wanted to give her a shake. I sadly didn't feel a connection with her which I need to enjoy a book.
The shining light in this book was Annie, the older lady that Elissa moves in with. She was feisty and no nonsense and an absolute breath of fresh air.
The general storyline felt confused and cluttered with too much but nothing that really made me excited or hooked. It was also pretty slow paced. I found the ending to be rather silly and ridiculous as well.
There is so many amazing contemporary books out at the moment that sadly I would not recommend this.
I was gifted this ebook from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2020
I flew through this book in about 5 hours. I loved it and I loved the whole idea of the book, as well as the characters and plot.
I thought that Elissa was a really relatable character and I liked that she was written realistically. I loved her friends and their friendship.
I loved that the storyline wasn’t cliched. Elissa didn’t make annoying or stupid decisions that make you want to shake a character. She’s likeable and really enjoyable to read.
As for secondary characters, Annie, Maggie and Suki were great to read and all had different personalities that added to the story.
This is a quick, easy and enjoyable read that put a smile on my face! I’d recommend to anyone who enjoyed contemporary fiction written by the likes of Ali Pantony, Lindsey Kelk & Beth O’Leary 😊
I thought that Elissa was a really relatable character and I liked that she was written realistically. I loved her friends and their friendship.
I loved that the storyline wasn’t cliched. Elissa didn’t make annoying or stupid decisions that make you want to shake a character. She’s likeable and really enjoyable to read.
As for secondary characters, Annie, Maggie and Suki were great to read and all had different personalities that added to the story.
This is a quick, easy and enjoyable read that put a smile on my face! I’d recommend to anyone who enjoyed contemporary fiction written by the likes of Ali Pantony, Lindsey Kelk & Beth O’Leary 😊
January 9, 2021
3.5 Stars
I received this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Elissa is in a bit of a mess. She's an unpaid social media manager for a dating app that swiftly seems to be going down the drain, her boyfriend wants to travel the world - and not with her - and she can't afford the rent on her measly apartment share. Eldercare ends up to the rescue with Elissa moving in with Annie rent-free, and sharing her youth and companionship to the older home owner. But Annie might have more to teach Elissa than she first realises.
This was just fun and definitely made me snort with laughter at a lot of points during the story. There's no other words to describe Elissa other than a hot mess, and there was times I was surprised she had clean laundry yet alone affording a cheese sandwich in the corner shop for lunch. As someone who works in social media and a tech company, I enjoyed the office vibes and Elissa's experience in a start-up company.
I also think anyone who has ever had to deal with the adulting that is figuring out how to pay rent, food, commute let alone afford a social life all on a cheap salary will find this book relatable. This book touches on the unattainable rafters that is affordable living in London for millennials, as well as the not so obvious issue of loneliness amongst the young and the old - despite a world that's now built to be forever connected.
I love the scheme of people struggling with rent moving in with older people who need a bit of companionship and a link to the modern world, and I know it exists in various forms in the real world. I will say this book made me ache for my gran who I haven't seen enough because of the pandemic.
Annie was a great character, and her dynamic with Elissa was lovely. There were some storylines that were briefer than I would have liked - I would have liked to have dug deeper into Annie's background, and her issues with her husband and son, and her romance with H. I also would have loved more time to get to know the other neighbours in Evergreen, as we only really see them at the end. If Elissa had moved in with Annie at the beginning of the book, more so than in the middle, I think it would have given a lot more time to expand on some areas of the novel that felt too brief for me.
This book was fun and a quick read and gave me a laugh, which was exactly what I needed!
I received this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Elissa is in a bit of a mess. She's an unpaid social media manager for a dating app that swiftly seems to be going down the drain, her boyfriend wants to travel the world - and not with her - and she can't afford the rent on her measly apartment share. Eldercare ends up to the rescue with Elissa moving in with Annie rent-free, and sharing her youth and companionship to the older home owner. But Annie might have more to teach Elissa than she first realises.
This was just fun and definitely made me snort with laughter at a lot of points during the story. There's no other words to describe Elissa other than a hot mess, and there was times I was surprised she had clean laundry yet alone affording a cheese sandwich in the corner shop for lunch. As someone who works in social media and a tech company, I enjoyed the office vibes and Elissa's experience in a start-up company.
I also think anyone who has ever had to deal with the adulting that is figuring out how to pay rent, food, commute let alone afford a social life all on a cheap salary will find this book relatable. This book touches on the unattainable rafters that is affordable living in London for millennials, as well as the not so obvious issue of loneliness amongst the young and the old - despite a world that's now built to be forever connected.
I love the scheme of people struggling with rent moving in with older people who need a bit of companionship and a link to the modern world, and I know it exists in various forms in the real world. I will say this book made me ache for my gran who I haven't seen enough because of the pandemic.
Annie was a great character, and her dynamic with Elissa was lovely. There were some storylines that were briefer than I would have liked - I would have liked to have dug deeper into Annie's background, and her issues with her husband and son, and her romance with H. I also would have loved more time to get to know the other neighbours in Evergreen, as we only really see them at the end. If Elissa had moved in with Annie at the beginning of the book, more so than in the middle, I think it would have given a lot more time to expand on some areas of the novel that felt too brief for me.
This book was fun and a quick read and gave me a laugh, which was exactly what I needed!
May 14, 2020
A beautiful story about the journey of life and finding our place in it!
Elissa is coming off one of the worst times of her life when a strange opportunity presents itself! Unsure at first she decides to go for it and in the process discovers how strong, smart and beautiful she truly is! Of course she has some help from amazing friends like Suki and Annie! I love that this is a story about the relationship we have with ourselves and those around us! Elissa could’ve just thrown the towel in and given up but she kept going and kept finding ways to land on her two feet! She started taking Chances and learned just how beautiful life truly is!
Elissa is coming off one of the worst times of her life when a strange opportunity presents itself! Unsure at first she decides to go for it and in the process discovers how strong, smart and beautiful she truly is! Of course she has some help from amazing friends like Suki and Annie! I love that this is a story about the relationship we have with ourselves and those around us! Elissa could’ve just thrown the towel in and given up but she kept going and kept finding ways to land on her two feet! She started taking Chances and learned just how beautiful life truly is!
February 29, 2020
Funny and sweet. It’s a warm hug of a book!
May 13, 2020
This book came at just the right time, I was starting to feel a little down and wanted to read something light. Along came Elissa and Annie!
There was just something so welcoming and real about Elissa that I think everyone could see a bit of themselves in her. Booking a smear test on your birthday, a boyfriend who seems less than interested, a job you put your heart and soul in but receive nothing in return.
Annie was just brilliant too, with her quick wit and friendly nature. I just wanted to curl up in the corner of her kitchen whilst she and Elissa chatted.
The pace was great, the characters had depth, we're loveable and had a realness to them, and I want to embed myself in their lives and hear more about them and their unconventional living arrangements.
I was smiling from beginning to end.
If you're looking for something fun, light-hearted and contemporary, I fully recommend The Lonely Fajita.
There was just something so welcoming and real about Elissa that I think everyone could see a bit of themselves in her. Booking a smear test on your birthday, a boyfriend who seems less than interested, a job you put your heart and soul in but receive nothing in return.
Annie was just brilliant too, with her quick wit and friendly nature. I just wanted to curl up in the corner of her kitchen whilst she and Elissa chatted.
The pace was great, the characters had depth, we're loveable and had a realness to them, and I want to embed myself in their lives and hear more about them and their unconventional living arrangements.
I was smiling from beginning to end.
If you're looking for something fun, light-hearted and contemporary, I fully recommend The Lonely Fajita.
July 11, 2020
Good for a first novel and I would read this author again. Some descriptions were brilliantly accurate but I think a younger audience would be better suited than myself.
March 14, 2020
Belly laughs abound! Or so I expected from the hype….and in the beginning it truly was profoundly funny but by the end the humour had definitely petered out for me. Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed this novel but I just didn’t find it hilarious.
I felt real affection for elderly widow Annie….but Elissa was difficult to relate to. I mean, What is she like? Working for expenses only, in a shite relationship with someone who couldn’t give her the time of day, flapping around, getting drunk – no self respect, no confidence, no sass. I often felt myself cringing when I know the author meant me to be laughing. She made some questionable choices and her whole journey toward self-discovery was a bit lacklustre.
Annie on the other hand …what a gorgeous old soul! I’d happily be her live-in companion. She was a delight! And the whole reason I ramped this book up to 4 stars from 3.
If you’re looking for a light and super quick read and don’t have too many expectations, this book might be for you. It’s entertaining enough without requiring too much thought or feeling…and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
With thanks to the publisher for this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more bookish reviews and other bookish stuff visit my blog https://bookish-me.com/
I felt real affection for elderly widow Annie….but Elissa was difficult to relate to. I mean, What is she like? Working for expenses only, in a shite relationship with someone who couldn’t give her the time of day, flapping around, getting drunk – no self respect, no confidence, no sass. I often felt myself cringing when I know the author meant me to be laughing. She made some questionable choices and her whole journey toward self-discovery was a bit lacklustre.
Annie on the other hand …what a gorgeous old soul! I’d happily be her live-in companion. She was a delight! And the whole reason I ramped this book up to 4 stars from 3.
If you’re looking for a light and super quick read and don’t have too many expectations, this book might be for you. It’s entertaining enough without requiring too much thought or feeling…and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
With thanks to the publisher for this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more bookish reviews and other bookish stuff visit my blog https://bookish-me.com/
June 6, 2020
Quick, charming & feel-good. Well done Madame Mann!
August 6, 2021
Just to be nice and transparent, Abi is a good friend of mine. That being said I really enjoyed this tale of love, loss and reconciliation. Since having a baby I'm finding I only really have the head space to enjoy light, heartwarming stories and The Lonely Fajita is just that.
Abi is a fantastic writer. I felt she captured millennial London perfectly, whilst not alienating slightly (I'm just SLIGHTLY older folks!) readers. She's also incredibly witty and I loved her main character of Elissa. She was perfectly flawed, yet caring, car crash, yet driven. She felt very real. I'd love to read a book from Annie's POV, and also - live with her.
This is a lovely cross-generation story, which I'd happily have read 100 more pages of and I can highly recommend.
Abi is a fantastic writer. I felt she captured millennial London perfectly, whilst not alienating slightly (I'm just SLIGHTLY older folks!) readers. She's also incredibly witty and I loved her main character of Elissa. She was perfectly flawed, yet caring, car crash, yet driven. She felt very real. I'd love to read a book from Annie's POV, and also - live with her.
This is a lovely cross-generation story, which I'd happily have read 100 more pages of and I can highly recommend.
March 22, 2020
I received an early copy of The Lonely Fajita a few days ago and haven't put it down since. This funny, sweet story of two different generations helping one another find their confidence again was the perfect antidote to what's going on in the world at the moment. My spirits have been lifted!
April 7, 2020
Received from Netgalley in return for an honest review..
I knew I was going to love this story from the very first page. Really funny from start to finish. Cannot recommend high enough. A must read!
I knew I was going to love this story from the very first page. Really funny from start to finish. Cannot recommend high enough. A must read!
April 25, 2020
Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for allowing me to read the eARC of this book.
I requested this book based purely on the title because it sounded absolutely hilarious and I hoped the book would be too, and it was at times, but most of the time it was missing something.
There is a real pacing issue with this story which isn't helped by the fact that there are so many different plot threads crammed into one relatively short book. It becomes hard to know what is important and what we should focus on because there are so many different threads to keep track of. I really like the concept of this book but it just didn't execute it that well I don't think. I never felt particularly invested in any of the plots because we never got to spend that much time on each thread. Like the relationship between Annie and Elissa; I never felt there was much heart to it because we never really get to see it, instead we're just told about things they've done together and their relationship but it means I wasn't invested in it. We never get to sink into these characters and learn more about who they are and their motivations and so everything feels a bit surface level.
I did really like the concept and I really wanted to love it; for the first 30% or so I was really enjoying it but the book just never quite got going in the way I hoped. None of the plots really felt solved by the end and you're sort of left in limbo a little bit...
It's a light-hearted read and there is nothing awful about it, I just wanted a little more.
Published on 14th May 2020 so go check it out for yourself!
I requested this book based purely on the title because it sounded absolutely hilarious and I hoped the book would be too, and it was at times, but most of the time it was missing something.
There is a real pacing issue with this story which isn't helped by the fact that there are so many different plot threads crammed into one relatively short book. It becomes hard to know what is important and what we should focus on because there are so many different threads to keep track of. I really like the concept of this book but it just didn't execute it that well I don't think. I never felt particularly invested in any of the plots because we never got to spend that much time on each thread. Like the relationship between Annie and Elissa; I never felt there was much heart to it because we never really get to see it, instead we're just told about things they've done together and their relationship but it means I wasn't invested in it. We never get to sink into these characters and learn more about who they are and their motivations and so everything feels a bit surface level.
I did really like the concept and I really wanted to love it; for the first 30% or so I was really enjoying it but the book just never quite got going in the way I hoped. None of the plots really felt solved by the end and you're sort of left in limbo a little bit...
It's a light-hearted read and there is nothing awful about it, I just wanted a little more.
Published on 14th May 2020 so go check it out for yourself!
March 29, 2020
*this ARC was provided for an honest review- Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley*
The Lonely Fajita is about Elissa, 26 year old living in London, interning at an App Development company who created a dating app called Lovr- which isn’t doing too well. Elissa can’t afford her rent and is on the brink of homelessness. But then she finds an advert for a living with the elderly scheme.
This is a lighthearted story that was easy, effortless read. My favourite part of this book was the elderly lady Annie, who reminded me of my nanny. She was interesting and I liked that she did engineering (as I may go into that field) However, in comparison I didn’t like the main character and she had little development. And seeing that many people found this book amusing I was looking forward to having a giggle, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. Also, i really did not get on with the slow pacing as it took away from the easy enjoyment of reading it.
Would I recommend?
If you are trying to get into reading, the contemporary genre or looking for a beach read ,then yes. Because, this book is an easy lighthearted read. But, if you read contemporary often then i would give it a miss.
The Lonely Fajita is about Elissa, 26 year old living in London, interning at an App Development company who created a dating app called Lovr- which isn’t doing too well. Elissa can’t afford her rent and is on the brink of homelessness. But then she finds an advert for a living with the elderly scheme.
This is a lighthearted story that was easy, effortless read. My favourite part of this book was the elderly lady Annie, who reminded me of my nanny. She was interesting and I liked that she did engineering (as I may go into that field) However, in comparison I didn’t like the main character and she had little development. And seeing that many people found this book amusing I was looking forward to having a giggle, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. Also, i really did not get on with the slow pacing as it took away from the easy enjoyment of reading it.
Would I recommend?
If you are trying to get into reading, the contemporary genre or looking for a beach read ,then yes. Because, this book is an easy lighthearted read. But, if you read contemporary often then i would give it a miss.
March 23, 2020
This book is the feel - good book of the year.
Ellissa finds herself all of a sudden without a boyfriend, without a home and as an intern, pretty much without money. Completely by chance, she finds a flyer asking for live in companions for the elderly. Ellissa is matched with Annie, a typically stubborn, independent northern woman living in a retirement village in London.
There were times where I would find myself feeling so embarrassed for the pickles that Ellissa found herself in, that I thought I would't be able to continue reading . . . but I really loved her and Annie that I just couldn't stay away.
A book that is full of women who are lifting each other up and being each others biggest cheerleaders, there is nothing not to love in this uplifting book.
Ellissa finds herself all of a sudden without a boyfriend, without a home and as an intern, pretty much without money. Completely by chance, she finds a flyer asking for live in companions for the elderly. Ellissa is matched with Annie, a typically stubborn, independent northern woman living in a retirement village in London.
There were times where I would find myself feeling so embarrassed for the pickles that Ellissa found herself in, that I thought I would't be able to continue reading . . . but I really loved her and Annie that I just couldn't stay away.
A book that is full of women who are lifting each other up and being each others biggest cheerleaders, there is nothing not to love in this uplifting book.
September 13, 2020
Perfectly reasonable book. Enjoyed the cross generation engagement.
September 10, 2023
The blurb was very misleading. Only after 120 pages does our MC meet the elderly lady she's meant to move in with. That's a THIRD of the book. The first 120 pages are just a very unlikely list of things wrong in Elissa's disastrous life. Annie doesn't swear (no idea why the back cover blurb says so) and she also doesn't change Elissa's life. Misleading.
December 9, 2020
This was such a perfectly light and fluffy book!
Elissa, our main character, has to deal with an unethusiastic boyfriend who couldn't be bothered to give her anything on her birthday besides a store bought greeting card, a borderline psychotic boss at her job, and also sudden homelessness and redundancy risks.
I loved the main character, Elissa, a twenty-something awkward, socially inept adult who's working as an intern in a social media marketing based start-up. Elissa is a really relatable character, and I felt I was reading a book about me at many points, like how she feels her appendix is about to burst the one time she decides to run in her life!
I also loved all the side characters, like her fierce friend Suki, her seemingly timid but extremely knowledgeable friend Maggie, but above all I loved Elissa's relationship with Annie, who's an 84 year old woman living in a Downtown Abbey-esque locality called Evergreen Village in East London. I wouldn't mind living with Annie if I could!
If you're looking for something fun, light-hearted and contemporary, I fully recommend The Lonely Fajita! 💟
Elissa, our main character, has to deal with an unethusiastic boyfriend who couldn't be bothered to give her anything on her birthday besides a store bought greeting card, a borderline psychotic boss at her job, and also sudden homelessness and redundancy risks.
I loved the main character, Elissa, a twenty-something awkward, socially inept adult who's working as an intern in a social media marketing based start-up. Elissa is a really relatable character, and I felt I was reading a book about me at many points, like how she feels her appendix is about to burst the one time she decides to run in her life!
I also loved all the side characters, like her fierce friend Suki, her seemingly timid but extremely knowledgeable friend Maggie, but above all I loved Elissa's relationship with Annie, who's an 84 year old woman living in a Downtown Abbey-esque locality called Evergreen Village in East London. I wouldn't mind living with Annie if I could!
If you're looking for something fun, light-hearted and contemporary, I fully recommend The Lonely Fajita! 💟
May 14, 2020
What a delightful read! An unexpected story with heart, hope, and humour. I would love to have an ElderCare Companion like Annie.
Great quick and sweet read. I highly recommend it. The subtitle “suddenly single...and not quite ready to mingle” definitely does not do this story any justice. It is so much more than a typical love story. It shows us how Elissa learns to love herself, life, and everything around her.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
Great quick and sweet read. I highly recommend it. The subtitle “suddenly single...and not quite ready to mingle” definitely does not do this story any justice. It is so much more than a typical love story. It shows us how Elissa learns to love herself, life, and everything around her.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
July 18, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley, One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK, and Abigail Mann for a gifted advanced e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book! I did not know anything about it, but kept seeing it all over Bookstagram so I had to try it! I AM SO GLAD I DID!!! There is nothing I love more than a British finding your way in an unconventional manner type of story!
Elissa finds herself alone in her birthday and has recently been told she has to find a new place to live, which is just great when her “job” doesn’t pay - it covers minor expenses only. During her search for a new place, she finds an ad for a live-in home care program. Not only is Elissa moving in with a senior, but her relationship is over, she has pressure to come up with a great project idea for work, and she is feeling lost.
I love Elissa. She is my favourite kind of character: doesn’t always see changes that are happening around them, all areas of life are a challenge, and tend toward the dramatic. I do feel bad for her and all she goes through, and I found her trials and tribulations to be believable and not over the top. I also love the senior that Elissa lives with (I will keep this spoiler free.)
The writing was great and I felt the story really flowed quite well. I could hush and hush (but have a hard time keeping it spoiler free), so READ THIS BOOK!!!!
I absolutely loved this book! I did not know anything about it, but kept seeing it all over Bookstagram so I had to try it! I AM SO GLAD I DID!!! There is nothing I love more than a British finding your way in an unconventional manner type of story!
Elissa finds herself alone in her birthday and has recently been told she has to find a new place to live, which is just great when her “job” doesn’t pay - it covers minor expenses only. During her search for a new place, she finds an ad for a live-in home care program. Not only is Elissa moving in with a senior, but her relationship is over, she has pressure to come up with a great project idea for work, and she is feeling lost.
I love Elissa. She is my favourite kind of character: doesn’t always see changes that are happening around them, all areas of life are a challenge, and tend toward the dramatic. I do feel bad for her and all she goes through, and I found her trials and tribulations to be believable and not over the top. I also love the senior that Elissa lives with (I will keep this spoiler free.)
The writing was great and I felt the story really flowed quite well. I could hush and hush (but have a hard time keeping it spoiler free), so READ THIS BOOK!!!!
April 21, 2020
E-arc from Netgalley, I really enjoyed it even though it’s a bit of a stretch from what I usually read. The inter-generational friendship was adorable, and I could relate to a lot of the story, though it was very British.
March 14, 2020
This ARC has been generously provided in exchange for an honest review. Thanks HarperCollins UK & NetGalley!
The Lonely Fajita is a modern story of Elissa Evans, a 26-year-old social media manager on the edge of homelessness who suddenly finds herself single and moving in with an elderly person Evergeen Village, London. This effortless and amusing story was really easy to read. I finished it in 24 hours!
The first thing I noticed is that I didn’t love the protagonist, Elissa. I actually liked her friends more than I liked her. There were a lot of moments where I wanted to grab this character by the shoulders and shake her into reality. And there were countless times where I just wondered what on earth she was thinking, some of the selfish and thoughtless choices she made frustrated me. Generally, she really struggled to get it together, even staying in a job with a psycho boss and an unfair wage. She settled for a lot of things that she definitely didn’t deserve.
I also didn’t like a lot of the secondary characters, such as Elissa’s flatmates or the other residents at Everygreen Village. However, I think the author’s intention was for the reader to despise Craig, and that was perfectly achieved.
My favourite character was Annie, the elderly lady who takes a liking to Elissa and allows her into her home. Annie is a Yorkshire lass (like myself), and a very smart, self-aware, and layered character. She has her flaws, but was a bright and notable part of the story. I loved her backstory, her authentic personality and of course, her Yorkshire accent.
My biggest issue with The Lonely Fajita was the pacing. It was just so slow! While it was humorous, and entertaining in some parts, I felt a lot like I was reading large chunks of text without actually getting anywhere. The temptation to skim through grew stronger and harder to resist as Elissa’s life continued to sit in the same place. I was looking forward to seeing some real growth in Elissa’s character, I wanted her to develop a love for herself, her career and her life. I was waiting for the lightbulb moment full of inspiration and excitement that usually comes with contemporary books focused on 20-somethings. Unfortunately, I found her story anticlimactic.
The book has been described as a feel-good romantic comedy. And while there are comedic, feel-good moments, there’s next to no romance in the book. The hopeless romantic in me wasn’t excited by any dreamy prospects in the story. It’s certainly a fun book, and the author has a skill for well-timed, relatable comedy. It doesn’t feel loaded down with jokes, or like the author is trying too hard.
While The Lonely Fajita struggled to evoke any emotion or memorable moments for me, it did make me laugh and was definitely a light and easy read, perfect for fans of contemporary fiction.
For more book reviews and blog posts, check out https://chaptersofmay.com or follow along at instagram.com/chaptersofmay
The Lonely Fajita is a modern story of Elissa Evans, a 26-year-old social media manager on the edge of homelessness who suddenly finds herself single and moving in with an elderly person Evergeen Village, London. This effortless and amusing story was really easy to read. I finished it in 24 hours!
The first thing I noticed is that I didn’t love the protagonist, Elissa. I actually liked her friends more than I liked her. There were a lot of moments where I wanted to grab this character by the shoulders and shake her into reality. And there were countless times where I just wondered what on earth she was thinking, some of the selfish and thoughtless choices she made frustrated me. Generally, she really struggled to get it together, even staying in a job with a psycho boss and an unfair wage. She settled for a lot of things that she definitely didn’t deserve.
I also didn’t like a lot of the secondary characters, such as Elissa’s flatmates or the other residents at Everygreen Village. However, I think the author’s intention was for the reader to despise Craig, and that was perfectly achieved.
My favourite character was Annie, the elderly lady who takes a liking to Elissa and allows her into her home. Annie is a Yorkshire lass (like myself), and a very smart, self-aware, and layered character. She has her flaws, but was a bright and notable part of the story. I loved her backstory, her authentic personality and of course, her Yorkshire accent.
My biggest issue with The Lonely Fajita was the pacing. It was just so slow! While it was humorous, and entertaining in some parts, I felt a lot like I was reading large chunks of text without actually getting anywhere. The temptation to skim through grew stronger and harder to resist as Elissa’s life continued to sit in the same place. I was looking forward to seeing some real growth in Elissa’s character, I wanted her to develop a love for herself, her career and her life. I was waiting for the lightbulb moment full of inspiration and excitement that usually comes with contemporary books focused on 20-somethings. Unfortunately, I found her story anticlimactic.
The book has been described as a feel-good romantic comedy. And while there are comedic, feel-good moments, there’s next to no romance in the book. The hopeless romantic in me wasn’t excited by any dreamy prospects in the story. It’s certainly a fun book, and the author has a skill for well-timed, relatable comedy. It doesn’t feel loaded down with jokes, or like the author is trying too hard.
While The Lonely Fajita struggled to evoke any emotion or memorable moments for me, it did make me laugh and was definitely a light and easy read, perfect for fans of contemporary fiction.
For more book reviews and blog posts, check out https://chaptersofmay.com or follow along at instagram.com/chaptersofmay
April 6, 2020
"There’s nothing sadder than constructing a fajita on your own.”
I can't think of a statement that feels more true than that. Nobody wants to be a lonely fajita, but we should all read The Lonely Fajita. Ok, I'll stop saying fajita now (you should know I'm the asshole that purposely pronounces it FAH-JAI-TA!).
The fajita in question (last time, I sort-of promise) is Elissa. She's stuck in a dead-end internship, lives in a flat with 4 other people who can't get over a stolen tea bag or two, and to top it off, her boyfriend has decided to take an adult gap year and leaves her in the dust. And he was the one paying for the flat...
On the eve of her homelessness, she sees an ad to become a live-in companion in an elderly community. Not ideal, but it's a free place to live. And she's always loved spending time with her Nanny.
Enter her new companion, Annie. She's rejected 23 previous companions, but for some reason, she gives Elissa a chance. Together these two disparate characters find their common ground and also find themselves along the way.
This book is reminiscent of Queenie or Evvie Drake Starts Over. Elissa is at rock bottom, but along the way, she sort of accidentally finds her way back up. The humor woven through the story was delightful - whether through Elissa's self-deprecating jokes or the bonkers situations she often found herself in - it shined on every page. I'm usually bummed when romance isn't the main focus or at least a strong throughline in a story, but Elissa and all the lively secondary characters made the lack of romance a refreshing change.
Do yourself a favor during the horrible-ness that is social distancing and read The Lonely Fajita. Then call your friends on video chat and construct those fajitas together!
I can't think of a statement that feels more true than that. Nobody wants to be a lonely fajita, but we should all read The Lonely Fajita. Ok, I'll stop saying fajita now (you should know I'm the asshole that purposely pronounces it FAH-JAI-TA!).
The fajita in question (last time, I sort-of promise) is Elissa. She's stuck in a dead-end internship, lives in a flat with 4 other people who can't get over a stolen tea bag or two, and to top it off, her boyfriend has decided to take an adult gap year and leaves her in the dust. And he was the one paying for the flat...
On the eve of her homelessness, she sees an ad to become a live-in companion in an elderly community. Not ideal, but it's a free place to live. And she's always loved spending time with her Nanny.
Enter her new companion, Annie. She's rejected 23 previous companions, but for some reason, she gives Elissa a chance. Together these two disparate characters find their common ground and also find themselves along the way.
This book is reminiscent of Queenie or Evvie Drake Starts Over. Elissa is at rock bottom, but along the way, she sort of accidentally finds her way back up. The humor woven through the story was delightful - whether through Elissa's self-deprecating jokes or the bonkers situations she often found herself in - it shined on every page. I'm usually bummed when romance isn't the main focus or at least a strong throughline in a story, but Elissa and all the lively secondary characters made the lack of romance a refreshing change.
Do yourself a favor during the horrible-ness that is social distancing and read The Lonely Fajita. Then call your friends on video chat and construct those fajitas together!
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