What is the title of your latest release?
THE SECOND CHANCE BUS STOP
What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Edith is slowly losing her memory, but there is one person she needs her son Blade to find first. Searching for the one who got away, he finds himself in Sweden, sharing a campervan with Sophia, who might just be the one he can’t let get away. It’s a story of love in all its shapes and forms and of community and finding your people.
How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I’m Swedish and like being able to bring that part for me into my stories. Blade and Sophia end up on a road trip through Sweden, and I loved writing about all the beautiful summer spots - idyllic small towns, lakes and forests. It’s also set in London, a place I lived in for 12 years and that will always be home to me. The bus stop Edith spends so much time at is on the street I used to live by. And I took my baby son to story time at the library Edith researches her lost love in.
Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
I would absolutely love a big summer barbeque in Edith’s garden! There would be her, Blade, Sophia and all the other characters. I really enjoyed writing each and every one of them and I think getting them all together for an afternoon would be amazing.
What are three words that describe your protagonist?
I’ll go with Sophia here, she is a young Autistic woman, but so much more than her diagnosis. Caring, resilient and determined.
What’s something you learned while writing this book?
Edith, one of the main characters, has dementia and this is something I had to research in depth. I read a lot of memoirs wanting to understand the lived experience of people, especially women Edith’s age. I particularly enjoyed Wendy Mitchell’s memoirs and would recommend them to anyone wanting to learn more. Wendy is a fierce advocate and an inspiration.
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
Oh I’m awful! It’s a miracle my books get written and end up “ok”. I tend to go in with just a character’s voice in my head and an idea of the hook and plot. I write anything that comes to mind down until I get to about 30 thousand words (a complete first draft for me would be 80 thousand words). At that point I have a messy Word document with snippets of dialogue, description and short scenes. All out of order. Next, I spend a large chunk of time organizing it into order and then begin to fill it out. I tend to find I’ve subconsciously written all the major story beats. From there on I am slightly more intentional. To answer the question, I don’t edit as I go but if I have a day where I can’t seem to get into my writing I go and read back what I have and do some editing and filling out scenes.
What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
This has to be chocolate. Usually dark but I’d go for a milk chocolate if I’m feeling tired or stressed out. I’m a massive emotional eater.
Describe your writing space/office!
I moved from a house to an apartment last year and have had to compromise the space. My writing space now is a corner of our living area - a white Ikea desk in a corner next to the window. I have pictures of my book covers and some snaps of author friends on the wall above it. I do like to move around when I write though. The kitchen table and my bed are two favorite writing spots!
Who is an author you admire?
I have such admiration for all authors. It’s a hard, unstable career where it’s easy to fall into comparing yourself to others. An author I really admire is Camilla Lackberg, Swedish commercial crime writer who has bult an international career turning over millions. She is such a powerhouse. I also love Frederik Backman’s books, always bursting with insight and humanity.
Is there a book that changed your life?
I can’t name one particular book. Reading was my favorite pastime as a child and teenager, and I started with the classics such as The Secret Garden and “pony books” (I was very into horses!) and moved onto light crime and romance. I discovered Marian Keyes in my teens, and she probably ignited my love for commercial women’s fiction. Of course, my debut novel THE HAPPINESS BLUEPRINT, did change my life.
Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
This is my second novel with this publisher and my editor Meredith. When my agent Tanera emailed me to say an editor was interested in my debut novel and wanted to have a call, I could not believe it. It’s the most overwhelming feeling. The call went really well, and Meredith seemed like the perfect fit. That was the moment I knew I’d made it! The formal offer followed, and I couldn’t be happier that they also picked up my second novel and continue to want to work with me!
What’s your favorite genre to read?
I read anything apart from horror. Psychological thrillers, romance, book club fiction. I’m a real sucker for a unique voice and a quirky character. Think “Eleonor Oliphant is completely fine.”
What’s your favorite movie?
I don’t watch movies, or series. It’s something I gave up in 2021 when writing my debut novel alongside caring for a 1,5-year-old and two other kids. I just didn’t have enough time and something had to go. I’ve stuck to it, and only occasionally go to the cinema or watch a movie with my kids. I might catch up with the world soon but for now I read rather than watch.
What is your favorite season?
I’d have to say autumn, although I love a Swedish summer like the one in THE SECOND CHANCE BUS STOP!
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I don’t! I’m not big on gifts and celebrations. A dinner out with the people I love, perhaps. But a cake from my kids and a drawing is just as good.
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I’m currently reading an early draft of my friend Emily Howes’ second historical novel. It’s amazing. Her debut “The Painter’s daughters” published last year.
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I live in the south of France and am surrounded by amazing French and Italian cuisine so whenever I go out or travel, I try to find a good Asian or Fusion restaurant to switch things up.
What do you do when you have free time?
I don’t have a lot of free time, but I love running and strength training. If I have a rare kid free weekend I like to travel with my boyfriend.
What can readers expect from you next?
I’m currently in the early stages of a third novel that readers who enjoyed THE SECOND CHANCE BUS STOP will like too. Hopefully there will be more news on that soon!
A Novel
They say life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.
Edith has Alzheimer’s. The idea that she will someday forget her son, her life, even her self, plagues her constantly. So there is something important she must do before the disease robs her of her memories: she has to find Sven, the love of her life she was supposed to meet on a bus bench twenty-seven years ago and run off with, but he never showed.
Her son, Blade, is struggling to keep an eye on her. His mother’s full-time caregiver, he resents the fact, if he’s being honest, that he gave up his career and most of his life to look after her. But what wouldn’t he do for his mother? Track down her decades-old flame so that she has a chance to finally understand why he never showed all those years ago, before her mind fails her? Sure, he can do that.
Sophia is fiercely working to keep her business afloat. Her uncle left his flower shop to her and her brothers after he died, but she seems to be the only one interested in keeping it running. She needs to land a big enough client to show her family that not only is the business worth saving but she’s the one to do it. So when an opportunity comes along that takes her all over Sweden, she can’t say no.
While Edith is desperately trying to hold on to her memories, she discovers friendship with a young woman who sits with her daily at the bus stop. While Blade is out looking for Sven, he learns to embrace his relationship with his mother more fully. While Sophia is fighting to keep her dream alive, she comes to terms with the way her parents treated her as a child and the therapies that were forced upon her in response to her autism diagnosis. Life is happening all around them, and much like with life, there’s so much good to be found in these pages.
Romance | Action | Fiction Adventure [MIRA, On Sale: August 19, 2025, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780778387626 / eISBN: 9780369763426]
Ally Zetterberg is a British-Swedish writer. She spent ten years working internationally as a fashion model before turning to writing.
She writes feel-good commercial fiction. Often Sweden set. Usually with neurodivergent characters. Always warm and funny.
Being neurodivergent herself and the mother of a child with Type 1 Diabetes, she is passionate about creating relatable characters and representing those living with medical conditions in commercial fiction.
She speaks four languages and spends her days doing her best not to muddle them up.
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