Elissa Soave – författare

‘Funny, touching and wise, I loved it’ Kit de Waal, bestselling author of My Name Is LeonWendy is lonely but coping.All nineteen-year-old Wendy wants is to drive the 255 bus around Uddingston with her regulars on board, remember to buy milk when it runs out and just to be okay. After her mum died, there’s nobody to remind her to eat and what to do each day.And Wendy is ready to step out of her comfort zone.Each week she shows her social worker the progress she’s made, like the coasters she bought to spruce up the place, even if she forgets to make tea. And she even joins a writers’ group to share the stories she writes, like the one about a bullied boy who goes to Mars.But everything changes when Wendy meets Ginger.A teenager with flaming orange hair, Ginger’s so brave she’s wearing a coat that isn’t even waterproof. For the first time, Wendy has a real best friend. But as they begin the summer of their lives, Wendy wonders if things were simpler before. And that’s before she realizes just how much trouble Ginger is about to get them in… An unforgettable debut novel from the winner of the Primadonna Prize 2019 which will stay with you long after the last page. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Your favourite authors love Elissa Soave‘Vivid, funny, sad, thought-provoking, acutely observed and full of compassion’ Helen Sedgwick‘A debut novel to treasure, by turns funny, dark and heartbreaking and I didn’t want it to end!’ Louise Mumford‘A fascinating and poignant take on friendship and obsession’ Caron McKinlay‘Startling, sly and full of suspense. Not your ordinary coming of age novel’ Catherine Mayer‘Full of charm, insight and wit – with the power to break your heart’ C. E. Riley

‘Funny, touching and wise, I loved it’ Kit de Waal, bestselling author of My Name Is LeonWendy is lonely but coping.All nineteen-year-old Wendy wants is to drive the 255 bus around Uddingston with her regulars on board, remember to buy milk when it runs out and just to be okay. After her mum died, there’s nobody to remind her to eat and what to do each day.And Wendy is ready to step out of her comfort zone.Each week she shows her social worker the progress she’s made, like the coasters she bought to spruce up the place, even if she forgets to make tea. And she even joins a writers’ group to share the stories she writes, like the one about a bullied boy who goes to Mars.But everything changes when Wendy meets Ginger.A teenager with flaming orange hair, Ginger’s so brave she’s wearing a coat that isn’t even waterproof. For the first time, Wendy has a real best friend. But as they begin the summer of their lives, Wendy wonders if things were simpler before. And that’s before she realizes just how much trouble Ginger is about to get them in…An unforgettable debut novel from the winner of the Primadonna Prize 2019 which will stay with you long after the last page.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Your favourite authors love Elissa Soave‘Vivid, funny, sad, thought-provoking, acutely observed and full of compassion’ Helen Sedgwick‘A debut novel to treasure, by turns funny, dark and heartbreaking and I didn’t want it to end!’ Louise Mumford‘A fascinating and poignant take on friendship and obsession’ Caron McKinlay‘Startling, sly and full of suspense. Not your ordinary coming of age novel’ Catherine Mayer‘Full of charm, insight and wit – with the power to break your heart’ C. E. Riley

‘Funny, touching and wise, I loved it’ Kit de Waal, bestselling author of My Name Is LeonWendy is lonely, misunderstood but coping. After her mum died, all she wants is to drive the 255 bus around Uddingston with her regulars on board, remember to buy milk when it runs out and just to be okay.But with the encouragement of her social worker, Wendy is ready to step out of her comfort zone and meet new people. Although as her carefully planned routine begins to change, Wendy wonders if things were easier before she met new best friend, Ginger. Because Ginger is hiding something and it’s about to get them into a lot of trouble…––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Your favourite authors love Elissa Soave‘Vivid, funny, sad, thought-provoking, acutely observed and full of compassion’ Helen Sedgwick‘A debut novel to treasure, by turns funny, dark and heartbreaking and I didn’t want it to end!’ Louise Mumford‘A fascinating and poignant take on friendship and obsession’ Caron McKinlay‘Startling, sly and full of suspense. Not your ordinary coming of age novel’ Catherine Mayer‘Full of charm, insight and wit – with the power to break your heart’ C. E. Riley

‘Funny, touching and wise, I loved it’ Kit de Waal, bestselling author of My Name Is LeonWendy is lonely but coping.All nineteen-year-old Wendy wants is to drive the 255 bus around Uddingston with her regulars on board, remember to buy milk when it runs out and just to be okay. After her mum died, there’s nobody to remind her to eat and what to do each day.And Wendy is ready to step out of her comfort zone.Each week she shows her social worker the progress she’s made, like the coasters she bought to spruce up the place, even if she forgets to make tea. And she even joins a writers’ group to share the stories she writes, like the one about a bullied boy who goes to Mars.But everything changes when Wendy meets Ginger.A teenager with flaming orange hair, Ginger’s so brave she’s wearing a coat that isn’t even waterproof. For the first time, Wendy has a real best friend. But as they begin the summer of their lives, Wendy wonders if things were simpler before. And that’s before she realizes just how much trouble Ginger is about to get them in…An unforgettable debut novel from the winner of the Primadonna Prize 2019 which will stay with you long after the last page.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Your favourite authors love Elissa Soave‘Vivid, funny, sad, thought-provoking, acutely observed and full of compassion’ Helen Sedgwick‘A debut novel to treasure, by turns funny, dark and heartbreaking and I didn’t want it to end!’ Louise Mumford‘A fascinating and poignant take on friendship and obsession’ Caron McKinlay‘Startling, sly and full of suspense. Not your ordinary coming of age novel’ Catherine Mayer‘Full of charm, insight and wit – with the power to break your heart’ C. E. Riley

A sharp, empowering novel about a group of women who refuse to go quietly when society tells them they’re no longer valuable beyond the age of 40, from the author of Ginger and Me. 'A rebellious and uplifting tale of punkish, middle-aged, feminist defiance' Lucy Ribchester'A delicious tale of female rebellion and a glorious tribute to female friendship. Warm, funny, and uplifting' Caron McKinlay★★★Amy, Carole, Lenore and Susan have been best friends since school. Back then they couldn’t wait for the future, for the amazing lives they’d have.But things haven’t worked out how they expected. Now in their forties, they’re fed up with being taken for granted by their families, being passed over for promotions at work and being told that they’re past their best. And they’re not going to go quietly anymore.Fuelled by female rage and their charismatic leader Amy, the four embark on a campaign of graffiti in their hometown of Hamilton, scrawling feminist slogans on the walls of local buildings.But is Hamilton ready for the feminist revolution the Graffiti Girls have in store?★★★Praise for Graffiti Girls:'Graffiti Girls is a sharply observed and thought-provoking cri de coeur about everyday sexism. It is the uplifting story of a group of women re-setting their lives and re-discovering their purpose during mid-life crises extraordinaire – a tale told with passion and verve' Catherine Simpson, author of One Body'A fiery, funny and fierce feminist read that packs an emotional punch, Graffiti Girls explores big themes with empathy, insight and grace. I miss spending time with these characters' Emma Styles, author of No Country for Girls'Stingingly observed, expertly executed, Graffiti Girls is a laugh-out-loud, relatably painful, feminist rage-induced tour de force' Claire Wilson, author of Five by Five'Graffiti Girls drips with feminine rage, a story for any woman of a certain age who’s ever felt invisible' My Weekly, Books to Read in 2025‘A thought-provoking and very fun read’ Heat

A sharp, empowering novel about a group of women who refuse to go quietly when society tells them they’re no longer valuable beyond the age of 40, from the author of Ginger and Me.''A rebellious and uplifting tale of punkish, middle-aged, feminist defiance'' Lucy Ribchester''A delicious tale of female rebellion and a glorious tribute to female friendship. Warm, funny, and uplifting'' Caron McKinlay★★★Amy, Carole, Lenore and Susan have been best friends since school. Back then they couldn’t wait for the future, for the amazing lives they’d have.But things haven’t worked out how they expected. Now in their forties, they’re fed up with being taken for granted by their families, being passed over for promotions at work and being told that they’re past their best. And they’re not going to go quietly anymore.Fuelled by female rage and their charismatic leader Amy, the four embark on a campaign of graffiti in their hometown of Hamilton, scrawling feminist slogans on the walls of local buildings.But is Hamilton ready for the feminist revolution the Graffiti Girls have in store?★★★Praise for Graffiti Girls:''Graffiti Girls is a sharply observed and thought-provoking cri de coeur about everyday sexism. It is the uplifting story of a group of women re-setting their lives and re-discovering their purpose during mid-life crises extraordinaire – a tale told with passion and verve'' Catherine Simpson, author of One Body''A fiery, funny and fierce feminist read that packs an emotional punch, Graffiti Girls explores big themes with empathy, insight and grace. I miss spending time with these characters'' Emma Styles,author of No Country for Girls''Stingingly observed, expertly executed, Graffiti Girls is a laugh-out-loud, relatably painful, feminist rage-induced tour de force'' Claire Wilson, author of Five by Five''Graffiti Girls drips with feminine rage, a story for any woman of a certain age who’s ever felt invisible.'' My Weekly, Books to Read in 2025

A sharp, empowering novel about a group of women who refuse to go quietly when society tells them they’re no longer valuable beyond the age of 40, from the author of Ginger and Me. 'A rebellious and uplifting tale of punkish, middle-aged, feminist defiance' Lucy Ribchester'A delicious tale of female rebellion and a glorious tribute to female friendship. Warm, funny, and uplifting' Caron McKinlay★★★Amy, Carole, Lenore and Susan have been best friends since school. Back then they couldn’t wait for the future, for the amazing lives they’d have.But things haven’t worked out how they expected. Now in their forties, they’re fed up with being taken for granted by their families, being passed over for promotions at work and being told that they’re past their best. And they’re not going to go quietly anymore.Fuelled by female rage and their charismatic leader Amy, the four embark on a campaign of graffiti in their hometown of Hamilton, scrawling feminist slogans on the walls of local buildings.But is Hamilton ready for the feminist revolution the Graffiti Girls have in store?★★★Praise for Graffiti Girls:'Graffiti Girls is a sharply observed and thought-provoking cri de coeur about everyday sexism. It is the uplifting story of a group of women re-setting their lives and re-discovering their purpose during mid-life crises extraordinaire – a tale told with passion and verve' Catherine Simpson, author of One Body'A fiery, funny and fierce feminist read that packs an emotional punch, Graffiti Girls explores big themes with empathy, insight and grace. I miss spending time with these characters' Emma Styles, author of No Country for Girls'Stingingly observed, expertly executed, Graffiti Girls is a laugh-out-loud, relatably painful, feminist rage-induced tour de force' Claire Wilson, author of Five by Five'Graffiti Girls drips with feminine rage, a story for any woman of a certain age who’s ever felt invisible' My Weekly, Books to Read in 2025‘A thought-provoking and very fun read’ Heat

A sharp, empowering novel about a group of women who refuse to go quietly when society tells them they’re no longer valuable beyond the age of 40, from the author of Ginger and Me. 'A rebellious and uplifting tale of punkish, middle-aged, feminist defiance' Lucy Ribchester'A delicious tale of female rebellion and a glorious tribute to female friendship. Warm, funny, and uplifting' Caron McKinlay★★★Amy, Carole, Lenore and Susan have been best friends since school. Back then they couldn’t wait for the future, for the amazing lives they’d have.But things haven’t worked out how they expected. Now in their forties, they’re fed up with being taken for granted by their families, being passed over for promotions at work and being told that they’re past their best. And they’re not going to go quietly anymore.Fuelled by female rage and their charismatic leader Amy, the four embark on a campaign of graffiti in their hometown of Hamilton, scrawling feminist slogans on the walls of local buildings.But is Hamilton ready for the feminist revolution the Graffiti Girls have in store?★★★Praise for Graffiti Girls:'Graffiti Girls is a sharply observed and thought-provoking cri de coeur about everyday sexism. It is the uplifting story of a group of women re-setting their lives and re-discovering their purpose during mid-life crises extraordinaire – a tale told with passion and verve' Catherine Simpson, author of One Body'A fiery, funny and fierce feminist read that packs an emotional punch, Graffiti Girls explores big themes with empathy, insight and grace. I miss spending time with these characters' Emma Styles, author of No Country for Girls'Stingingly observed, expertly executed, Graffiti Girls is a laugh-out-loud, relatably painful, feminist rage-induced tour de force' Claire Wilson, author of Five by Five'Graffiti Girls drips with feminine rage, a story for any woman of a certain age who’s ever felt invisible' My Weekly, Books to Read in 2025‘A thought-provoking and very fun read’ Heat

'The perfect antidote to dark nights and our current news cycle' ScotsmanGermaine only accepted the job at the Kenmar allotments for a fresh start. Far from anyone who knows her history she can focus on work and tending to her own plot. Most of the other plot-holders keep to themselves and that suits her just fine.But when the local council announces plans to turn the allotments into luxury housing, Germaine finds herself leading a battle to save the place that has become a sanctuary for fractured souls.Amidst crumbling sheds and overgrown paths, the rag-tag band plan protests, forge alliances and uncover long-buried secrets. Soon they’ll learn that the allotments aren’t just plots of land but a place to belong. A love letter to community and the power of activism, from the author of Ginger and Me and Graffiti Girls. Praise for Common Ground‘A warm and tender portrait of a community coming together in crisis – and learning to fight back. Humanity glows from every page’ Karen Campbell‘Common Ground is a book like a warm hug. A comforting story of coming together, friendship and the strength of community. A book to reassure’ Catherine Simpson'Common Ground is shot through with seriousness, warmth & wit, and confirms that Elissa Soave is one of the surest and clearest voices in Scottish fiction.' Andrew Meehan'What a group of beautifully depicted, perfectly flawed and deeply engaging characters' Helen Paris'A heartwarming, empowering neighbourhood adventure about growing ourselves and one another, nurturing our public spaces and being so much stronger together than we can ever be apart. I loved spending time with these characters' Emma Styles

'The perfect antidote to dark nights and our current news cycle' ScotsmanGermaine only accepted the job at the Kenmar allotments for a fresh start. Far from anyone who knows her history she can focus on work and tending to her own plot. Most of the other plot-holders keep to themselves and that suits her just fine.But when the local council announces plans to turn the allotments into luxury housing, Germaine finds herself leading a battle to save the place that has become a sanctuary for fractured souls.Amidst crumbling sheds and overgrown paths, the rag-tag band plan protests, forge alliances and uncover long-buried secrets. Soon they ll learn that the allotments aren t just plots of land but a place to belong.A love letter to community and the power of activism, from the author of Ginger and Me and Graffiti Girls.Praise for Common Ground A warm and tender portrait of a community coming together in crisis and learning to fight back. Humanity glows from every page Karen Campbell Common Ground is a book like a warm hug. A comforting story of coming together, friendship and the strength of community. A book to reassure Catherine Simpson'Common Ground is shot through with seriousness, warmth & wit, and confirms that Elissa Soave is one of the surest and clearest voices in Scottish fiction.' Andrew Meehan'What a group of beautifully depicted, perfectly flawed and deeply engaging characters' Helen Paris'A heartwarming, empowering neighbourhood adventure about growing ourselves and one another, nurturing our public spaces and being so much stronger together than we can ever be apart. I loved spending time with these characters' Emma Styles

'The perfect antidote to dark nights and our current news cycle' ScotsmanGermaine only accepted the job at the Kenmar allotments for a fresh start. Far from anyone who knows her history she can focus on work and tending to her own plot. Most of the other plot-holders keep to themselves and that suits her just fine.But when the local council announces plans to turn the allotments into luxury housing, Germaine finds herself leading a battle to save the place that has become a sanctuary for fractured souls.Amidst crumbling sheds and overgrown paths, the rag-tag band plan protests, forge alliances and uncover long-buried secrets. Soon they’ll learn that the allotments aren’t just plots of land but a place to belong. A love letter to community and the power of activism, from the author of Ginger and Me and Graffiti Girls. * * *Praise for Common Ground‘A warm and tender portrait of a community coming together in crisis – and learning to fight back. Humanity glows from every page’ Karen Campbell‘Common Ground is a book like a warm hug. A comforting story of coming together, friendship and the strength of community. A book to reassure’ Catherine Simpson'Common Ground is shot through with seriousness, warmth & wit, and confirms that Elissa Soave is one of the surest and clearest voices in Scottish fiction.' Andrew Meehan'What a group of beautifully depicted, perfectly flawed and deeply engaging characters' Helen Paris'A heartwarming, empowering neighbourhood adventure about growing ourselves and one another, nurturing our public spaces and being so much stronger together than we can ever be apart. I loved spending time with these characters' Emma Styles