Picking the subject-matter was easy, because middle-age was proving somewhat challenging to many people around me. I was watching friends’ break-up with long-term partners and seeing the impact on their families, fragmenting, re-blending, falling apart. Then there were aging parents, and illnesses that I’d heard about becoming a reality for loved ones. At times like that, you do face your own mortality.
But, as is my way, I found myself joking about it to friends, family, strangers in the street, basically anyone who would listen. It can be a tough time, but it can also be joyful too. Liberating, even. Not everyone sees it that way, so I knew this was what I had to write.
And I’m glad I did, because it’s been a great vehicle for humour. I mean, online dating at 50? Who wants to do that? Well, me, but only in the sense of subjecting my poor protagonist to the horror! It’s fun putting her outside of her comfort zone and seeing what happens. And she has surprised me, quite often!
The problems my lead character, Jaye Mackay, faces all revolve around the letter F, an issue which started in her teens. Now she has problems with her family (her main F) because her kids are fleeing the nest and her husband’s fathering his mistress’ baby. Yikes!
Luckily she has great friends, although her bestie, Didi, is hellbent on getting her dating again. New fellas? When she’s about to turn fifty? What a nightmare!
Add into that her finances, which are in a mess; her fitness, which is poor; and food, which is fast become her new love, although her expanding waistline is making her feel fat…
The joy about Jaye is that she might be fed up and frustrated, but she’s also very funny.
She handles everything with such humour and it doesn’t seem to matter what I throw at her, she rises to each challenge and is an utter joy to watch! I wish I was that resilient.
I’ve set the novel in the Scottish Highlands, as it makes for a stunning backdrop.
From Urquhart castle (left) overlooking Loch Ness, to the NC500 (photo below), and dolphin-watching from the shore at Chanonry point, Scotland really adds its own charm to the novel.
I’ve loved writing this, but one of my Goodreads reviews summed up my story brilliantly:
‘What makes the novel especially powerful is that beneath all the warmth and humour lies something much deeper. This is a story about a woman gradually rediscovering who she is after spending so much of her life defining herself through the people around her.’
I’m delighted, because that’s exactly what I was hoping to achieve. So many women give themselves to their families, and this story is about the transition from mum and wife, to something new, but what is it? That’s what I get to explore.
The blurb:
It's a hilarious comedy about friendship, family and fresh starts, which is set in the Scottish Highlands. It's an uplifting, fast-paced story that tackles the challenges of middle-age and it will have you laughing, crying, and wondering how many Fs rule your life too. So what's it about? Jaye never expected everything to fall apart when she turned fifty, but Fs are back in charge and ruining her life again.
Fitness… Her spare tyre’s self-inflating but she’s allergic to exercise, unless it’s wine bottle unscrewing where she’s fast becoming an Olympic athlete.
Frustration… Why has her soulmate of 30 years shacked-up with his young, blonde, skinny (except for his baby-bump) mistress?
Family… One child has flown, the other two are flapping their wings, and Jaye’s left hugging the half-empty biscuit tin and her precious stash of chocolate.
Friends… Bestie Didi is fun with a capital F, but she’s pushing Jaye into online dating, reinvention, and ridiculous risk taking.
As Jaye fights to hold everything together, she’s forced into deciding whether to return to her safe but imperfect life, or explore a new frightening (or is that exciting?) alternative.
This hilarious, sharply observed novel is perfect for fans of fans of Jill Mansell, Fiona Gibson and Milly Johnson.
Kindle version/ Kindle unlimited (free)
Paperback version and you can also buy from bookshops (ISBN 978-1919553108)
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ‘MY F IN LIFE’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A fantastic book. It’s a real page-turner and I read it very quickly. I warmed to the protagonist straight away. She is disarmingly funny and I had many laugh out loud moments.'
Liz Treacher, best-selling author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'As soon as I read the blurb for My F in Life by Jaye Troop, I knew I was in for a treat. What I wasn't expecting was just how completely I would be drawn into the story.'
Jas Pheonix, author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jaye experiences very difficult life events, encompassing her marriage, aging parents and a very complex work situation. It is empowering to watch her wade through the issues, while enjoying the super fast-paced ride. Five stars.
J.C. Paulson, best-selling author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'This was a truly great read. Jaye is wonderful even though she is blind to a few things. The writing style is unique and the story flows.'
Mary Schmidt, best-selling author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'This is such a great read. Being a fifty-something woman myself, I completely related to the F’s in Jaye’s life.'
Further reviews:
‘The story is engaging, relatable and full of lovely humour. It was a joy to read and I can’t wait to see what comes next!’
‘From the outset there are perceptive and wrenching observations… an immensely likable character… many women of her age will associate with her.’
‘Some of the best realistic dialogue I’ve ever read. More please!’
‘I so enjoyed reading this. It is hugely relatable and funny.’
‘Everyday problems are dealt with so humorously that you want to read on to find out what hilarious situations our heroine will find herself in next.’
‘I really enjoyed reading this, from the down-to-earth, loveable protagonist to her narcissistic husband, and the most fun-loving friend we should all have in our lives.’
‘I can’t wait for the next book!
