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Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year

On sale

2nd November 2023

Price: £24.99

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Selected: Audiobook Downloadable / ISBN-13: 9781399705981

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A witty and touching tale about mismatched expectations and living life in the moment, from the author of cherished ebook bestseller, The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village

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?

***
Praise for Joanna Nell’s uplifting and heartwarming novels:

‘Takes readers on a sweet journey
. A warm-hearted read from Nell, who tells engaging stories with older protagonists’ The Australian

‘Tender and funny’ Woman’s Weekly

‘Whip-smart dialogue, humour and sarcasm . . . highly addictive’ Sun Herald

The Tea Ladies is a delight. Warm characters and observations and great pace’ AMANDA HAMPSON

‘Another funny, warm-hearted read Herald Sun

Lively and whimsicalSydney Morning Herald

(P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Reviews

Dianne Yarwood
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
Books + Publishing
Engaging, funny and resoundingly human.
The Australian
Witty, warm . . . A wonderful read about growing older, and grabbing hold of life.
Ali Lowe
Heart-warming, tender and oh-so-funny, this is a story that will leave you smiling.
Tracey Spicer AM
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.
Daily Telegraph
This heart-warming story about growing old gracefully - and disgracefully . . . is a funny, witty and thoroughly enjoyable read for all ages.
Megan Albany
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
Kelly Rimmer (Single Ladies)
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.
Tracey Spicer OAM (Single Ladies)
An uplifting story, full of essential human truths.
Sun Herald (The Last Voyage)
Whip-smart dialogue, humour and sarcasm . . . extremely well written and highly addictive.
Women’s Weekly (Single Ladies)
Funny, insightful and deliciously refreshing - the most heart-warming book we've read in a long time.
Living Arts Canberra
Joanna is an accomplished writer . . . an astute observer of the human condition.
The Sydney Morning Herald (Single Ladies)
Lively and whimsical . . . with some serious points to make about ageing, love, community and friendship.
The Daily Telegraph (Single Ladies)
A funny, witty and thoroughly enjoyable read for all ages.
Indira Naidoo, ABC Radio Nightlife
One of the funniest and most moving books this year.
Living Arts Canberra
A powerful work wrapped in a gentle cover of affection and fun . . . This is a wise, kind and insightful writer.
Better Reading
Sharp dialogue, wit and heart-warming emotion make The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home the perfect weekend read.
Napier Courier (NZ)
This novel is a delight . . . it's honest, hopeful, sad and hilarious.
The Australian
Takes readers on a sweet journey. A warm-hearted read from Nell, who tells engaging stories with older protagonists.
Better Homes & Gardens
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.
NZ Herald (The Great Escape)
Laugh-out-loud funny, nicely plotted and executed with absolutely delightful moments.
Better Reading
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.
Australian Women’s Weekly (The Last Voyage)
A touching story about the power of memory.
Amanda Hampson
The Tea Ladies is a delight. Warm characters and observations and great pace.