‘Heartwarming and full of loveliness. A great read’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I loved it!… One to tug at the heart strings, could not put it down. Wonderful’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Delightful! Absolutely delightful!… A story about friendship, family, new beginnings, and love, this book left me with such a warm, fuzzy feeling, and was a joy to read’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Three unlikely friends. One chance to save the community. It might just be the perfect blend….
The Marjorie Marshall Memorial Cafeteria is at the heart of St Jude’s Hospital. Staffed by successive generations of dedicated volunteers, for over fifty years the beloved cafeteria has been serving up a kind word and sympathetic ear along with tea and scones.
Hilary, the stalwart Manageress, has worked her way up through the ranks; Joy, the latest recruit, is driving Hilary mad by arriving late every day; and seventeen-year-old Chloe, the daughter of two successful surgeons, is volunteering in the holidays and bemused by the older women.
But when they discover the cafeteria is under threat of closure, the unlikely trio must put aside their differences. As they realise the secrets and sorrows they have in common, the women grow closer – but can they bring the community together and save the day?
Full of wisdom and warmth, this is a gorgeously poignant, hilarious story about unlikely friendships, growing old disgracefully, and coming together to save the things we love. Fans of Judy Leigh, Jill Mansell and Sally Page will be hooked from the very first page.
Readers love The Tea Ladies of St Jude’s Hospital:
‘Heartwarming, witty, touching and just all-round lovely to read, I thoroughly recommend this, and all other Joanna Nell books for anyone who loves a cosy, people-centred story about strength, hope, and found family‘ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A mix of quirky characters volunteer at the old cafeteria at St Jude’s Hospital… Great characters, nice depth, and some great twists and turns, leaves you full and satisfied at the end. I just want one of Joy’s scones to make it complete!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Uplifting book full of heart… An easy and fabulous read and one I got through in no time, how I loved them all and enjoyed their adventure immensely’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This was a lovely heart-warming story. At times really funny but with moments that have you reaching for the tissues this was a lovely cosy read’ 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, author of The Lido
‘Poignant and warm-hearted . . . a tonic for our times’ Holly Miller, author of The Sight of You
‘A warm and touching story with a cast of characters who became my friends’ Katie Marsh, author of How Not to Murder Your Ex
‘A funny and poignant exploration of growing old disgracefully’ Culturefly
‘I loved it!… One to tug at the heart strings, could not put it down. Wonderful’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Delightful! Absolutely delightful!… A story about friendship, family, new beginnings, and love, this book left me with such a warm, fuzzy feeling, and was a joy to read’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Three unlikely friends. One chance to save the community. It might just be the perfect blend….
The Marjorie Marshall Memorial Cafeteria is at the heart of St Jude’s Hospital. Staffed by successive generations of dedicated volunteers, for over fifty years the beloved cafeteria has been serving up a kind word and sympathetic ear along with tea and scones.
Hilary, the stalwart Manageress, has worked her way up through the ranks; Joy, the latest recruit, is driving Hilary mad by arriving late every day; and seventeen-year-old Chloe, the daughter of two successful surgeons, is volunteering in the holidays and bemused by the older women.
But when they discover the cafeteria is under threat of closure, the unlikely trio must put aside their differences. As they realise the secrets and sorrows they have in common, the women grow closer – but can they bring the community together and save the day?
Full of wisdom and warmth, this is a gorgeously poignant, hilarious story about unlikely friendships, growing old disgracefully, and coming together to save the things we love. Fans of Judy Leigh, Jill Mansell and Sally Page will be hooked from the very first page.
Readers love The Tea Ladies of St Jude’s Hospital:
‘Heartwarming, witty, touching and just all-round lovely to read, I thoroughly recommend this, and all other Joanna Nell books for anyone who loves a cosy, people-centred story about strength, hope, and found family‘ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A mix of quirky characters volunteer at the old cafeteria at St Jude’s Hospital… Great characters, nice depth, and some great twists and turns, leaves you full and satisfied at the end. I just want one of Joy’s scones to make it complete!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Uplifting book full of heart… An easy and fabulous read and one I got through in no time, how I loved them all and enjoyed their adventure immensely’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This was a lovely heart-warming story. At times really funny but with moments that have you reaching for the tissues this was a lovely cosy read’ 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, author of The Lido
‘Poignant and warm-hearted . . . a tonic for our times’ Holly Miller, author of The Sight of You
‘A warm and touching story with a cast of characters who became my friends’ Katie Marsh, author of How Not to Murder Your Ex
‘A funny and poignant exploration of growing old disgracefully’ Culturefly
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Reviews
PRAISE FOR JOANNA NELL
Hugely entertaining . . . funny and heart-warming
A gentle, warm-hearted book that had me rooting for all the characters and laughing out loud at points. A book that shows it is never too late to learn how to live, to make new friends and to fall in love.
A warm and touching story with a cast of characters who became my friends - I loved The Single Ladies of the Jacaranda Retirement Village with all its wit, wisdom and spirit
The perfect blend of funny and moving; Peggy Smart had me laughing and crying in this ultimately uplifting story
A funny and poignant exploration of growing old disgracefully and enjoying your twilight years.
I adored this funny yet moving story about home, friendship, and what it means to live. Poignant and warm-hearted, it's a tonic for our times. I was truly sad to say goodbye to these spirited and endearing characters.
PRAISE FOR THE GREAT ESCAPE FROM WOODLANDS NURSING HOME
Tender and funny
Engaging, funny and resoundingly human.
Witty, warm . . . A wonderful read about growing older, and grabbing hold of life.
Celebrates so well, the treasures that life's later stages can hold.
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.
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.