‘Laugh-out-loud funny but also thought-provoking, heart-warming and uplifting’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wonderfully witty and wise, funny and poignant… Made me want a gap year too!’ Fiona Gibson
It’s never too late for the adventure of a lifetime . . .
Heather Winterbottom has worked side by side with her husband as GPs in their idyllic rural practice for over forty years. But as the time comes to hang up their stethoscopes, the Winterbottoms discover that they have rather different visions of retirement . . .
Heather dreams of exploring the Greek Islands, of escaping the shackles of her routine life and embracing an exciting new adventure. Alan dreams of growing his own vegetables.
When things come to a head at a family lunch, Heather announces that she has decided to take a year off. From her old life, from her marriage – from Alan.
Alone in beautiful Greece, Heather embarks on her very own odyssey – complete with peak experiences, pitfalls and temptations. But what if coming home is the biggest adventure yet?
Full of wisdom and warmth, this is a gorgeously poignant, hilarious story about how it is never too late to forge a new path. Fans of Judy Leigh, Jill Mansell and Sally Page will be hooked from the very first page.
Readers love Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year:
‘Moving and heartwarming, funny at times and moving at other times. Lessons learned, friendships forged and a happy ever after. I loved the ending‘ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I love the characters and the story gives you the warm fuzzies. You will laugh and be entertained… If you are not smiling by the end of this one you need to read it again!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Full of vivid descriptions of Greece, the beautiful islands and swimming in the sea, food, wine… I haven’t laughed so much in ages and five stars from me’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Praise for Joanna Nell:
‘Hugely entertaining . . . funny and heart-warming’ Woman & Home
‘Warm-hearted book that had me rooting for all the characters and laughing out loud’ Libby Page
‘Poignant and warm-hearted . . . a tonic for our times’ Holly Miller
‘A warm and touching story with a cast of characters who became my friends’ Katie Marsh
‘Wonderfully witty and wise, funny and poignant… Made me want a gap year too!’ Fiona Gibson
It’s never too late for the adventure of a lifetime . . .
Heather Winterbottom has worked side by side with her husband as GPs in their idyllic rural practice for over forty years. But as the time comes to hang up their stethoscopes, the Winterbottoms discover that they have rather different visions of retirement . . .
Heather dreams of exploring the Greek Islands, of escaping the shackles of her routine life and embracing an exciting new adventure. Alan dreams of growing his own vegetables.
When things come to a head at a family lunch, Heather announces that she has decided to take a year off. From her old life, from her marriage – from Alan.
Alone in beautiful Greece, Heather embarks on her very own odyssey – complete with peak experiences, pitfalls and temptations. But what if coming home is the biggest adventure yet?
Full of wisdom and warmth, this is a gorgeously poignant, hilarious story about how it is never too late to forge a new path. Fans of Judy Leigh, Jill Mansell and Sally Page will be hooked from the very first page.
Readers love Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year:
‘Moving and heartwarming, funny at times and moving at other times. Lessons learned, friendships forged and a happy ever after. I loved the ending‘ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I love the characters and the story gives you the warm fuzzies. You will laugh and be entertained… If you are not smiling by the end of this one you need to read it again!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Full of vivid descriptions of Greece, the beautiful islands and swimming in the sea, food, wine… I haven’t laughed so much in ages and five stars from me’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Praise for Joanna Nell:
‘Hugely entertaining . . . funny and heart-warming’ Woman & Home
‘Warm-hearted book that had me rooting for all the characters and laughing out loud’ Libby Page
‘Poignant and warm-hearted . . . a tonic for our times’ Holly Miller
‘A warm and touching story with a cast of characters who became my friends’ Katie Marsh
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Reviews
Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year was my first Joanna Nell novel and it was a treat. The writing is warm, insightful and funny - there were several laugh-out-loud moments for me - and the story celebrates, so well, the treasures that life's later stages can hold
PRAISE FOR MRS WINTERBOTTOM TAKES A GAP YEAR
Engaging, funny and resoundingly human.
Witty, warm . . . A wonderful read about growing older, and grabbing hold of life.
Heart-warming, tender and oh-so-funny, this is a story that will leave you smiling.
Joanna Nell has done it again! You will fall in love with Mrs Winterbottom. This book is a charming, funny and wise exploration of the pleasures and perils of retirement. It's a meditation on the meaning of love, and the ebbs and flows of relationships. If you want a laugh-out-loud holiday read that will make your heart swell, this is the book for you.
This heart-warming story about growing old gracefully - and disgracefully . . . is a funny, witty and thoroughly enjoyable read for all ages.
I loved taking a gap week from my life with Mrs Winterbottom. Nell's writing is, as always, delightfully funny and as heart-warming as a cup of tea.
PRAISE FOR JOANNA NELL
I haven't been this entranced by a character since Eleanor (Oliphant, of course). This book is a joy - it's a celebration of age instead of an apology for it, and a reminder that life is always an adventure if you let it be. I loved this uniquely endearing book.
An uplifting story, full of essential human truths.
Whip-smart dialogue, humour and sarcasm . . . extremely well written and highly addictive.
Funny, insightful and deliciously refreshing - the most heart-warming book we've read in a long time.
Joanna is an accomplished writer . . . an astute observer of the human condition.
Lively and whimsical . . . with some serious points to make about ageing, love, community and friendship.
A funny, witty and thoroughly enjoyable read for all ages.
One of the funniest and most moving books this year.
A powerful work wrapped in a gentle cover of affection and fun . . . This is a wise, kind and insightful writer.
Sharp dialogue, wit and heart-warming emotion make The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home the perfect weekend read.
This novel is a delight . . . it's honest, hopeful, sad and hilarious.
Takes readers on a sweet journey. A warm-hearted read from Nell, who tells engaging stories with older protagonists.
In creating senior-driven stories free of stereotype and suffused with charm, she has captured the wit, experience, smarts, attitude, sorrow and mischief of an age group that is all too often invisible.
Laugh-out-loud funny, nicely plotted and executed with absolutely delightful moments.
Beautifully written, with a lot of humour and some real laugh out loud moments, The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker is utterly delightful. Highly recommended.
A touching story about the power of memory.
The Tea Ladies is a delight. Warm characters and observations and great pace.