A witty and touching tale about mismatched expectations and living life in the moment, from the bestselling author of The Tea Ladies of St Jude’s Hospital.
Husband and wife GPs Alan and Heather Winterbottom have worked side by side in their idyllic rural practice for over forty years but now they’ve decided to hang up their stethoscopes and retire. Joy! Celebration! Or not… 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 unforgettable experiences, pitfalls and temptations. But could what’s waiting for her back in Netherwood be Heather’s biggest adventure yet?
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Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Who hasn’t dreamt of a gap year, at any stage of their life? Heather Winterbottom and her husband Alan have worked side by side as GPs in their idyllic rural practice for over forty years. When the time comes to hang up their stethoscopes, the Winterbottoms discover they have very different visions of their retirement. Whilst Heather yearns to travel the world, Alan’s world revolves around growing his own vegetables in his backyard. The death of a close friend of Heather’s is the catalyst for her to realise that tomorrow is not promised to everyone and if Alan is not interested in travelling, she will take her “gap year” on her own. It’s interesting to see how the author weaves humor into the story while tackling the serious aspects of aging and retirement. It’s a reminder that life is an adventure and we should enjoy every moment whilst we still can. It is a well-rounded and heartwarming story that many readers can enjoy. Jenny, VIC, 5 Stars
A delightfully heart-warming read. Heather (Mrs Winterbottom) is a very relatable character, even though I am a long way off retirement myself. Her journey is peppered with sarcasm, humour, and a few twists and turns along the way. This is the first of Joanna Nell’s novels I have read, and it won’t be my last. Highly recommend. Chrissie, WA, 5 Stars
This is the first book I read written by Joanna Nell, but having read Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year I’ll be on the lookout for more of her books. Heather has been working as a GP alongside her husband Alan for over 40 years. It is time to retire, Heather is ready for an overseas adventure in the Greek islands, her husband just wants to stay a home and grow a vegetable garden. After her friend dies she comes to the realisation that if she does not go now and live her dream she may never get there. During a family lunch, Heather announces she’s taking a year off and having a GAP year in Greece. The descriptions of Greece are wonderful and made me feel like I was there. There are funny, sad and happy moments in the book. Debbie, VIC, 5 Stars
A light-hearted, amusing and easy-to-read book, where some of us new retirees can somewhat relate to what Heather is experiencing on her new journey in life. Her adventurous gap year from her husband Alan kept us intrigued about what she’ll do next! A thoroughly enjoyable depiction of what retirement could entail! Maria, NSW, 5 Stars
Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year was such a fun read. I loved seeing Mrs Winterbottom’s character evolve as she entered retirement and she embarked on a journey of self-discovery. It was like she was finding out who she was all over again. There were so many outrageously funny moments, especially when Mrs Winterbottom’s thoughts were said out loud. Her descriptions of her husband Alan’s antics were hilarious and I think readers who have been married a very long time would be able to relate. I loved seeing Heather go from being a no-nonsense boring doctor and wife, to suddenly becoming an adventurous go-getter and willing to try anything. The way her character evolved and just got funnier and funnier was so enjoyable to witness. I laughed out loud so many times at Heather’s wild adventures. The evolving relationship between Mrs Winterbottom and her daughters was also a nice surprise. It was refreshing to see how Alan changed over the course of the story too. A highly entertaining read. Karen, NSW, 5 Stars
It was a very easy book to read with many humorous parts. Joanna Nell has explored the problems encountered when retiring very well. Her characters are clearly defined and grow as the reader progresses through the book. Mrs Winterbottom’s travel destinations are described in detail so that the reader can visualise the stunning locations. I would highly recommend this book to your readers. Bev, SA, 5 Stars
Joanna Nell seamlessly delivers her trademark blend of warmth, humour and relatability in her newest release, Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year. Once again, the author offers us both wry observations and tender moments. The narrative delves into Dr. Heather Winterbottom’s post-retirement life. While her husband, Dr Alan Winterbottom settles into life at home, Heather yearns for an overseas adventure. Heather’s desire for personal growth is delivered in a heartfelt and humorous way. Be prepared to be taken on a journey of rediscovery with this dependable and beloved author. Kaneana, NSW, 5 Stars
What a brilliant idea, taking a gap year on your retirement. A time to reassess your life and plans for your new future, this is where Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year takes you. Joanna Nell’s poignant and humorous writing tells the story of Drs Alan and Heather Winterbottom’s recent retirement and the direction that both their lives will take them. After a lifetime of serving their rural community, their retirement seems to be pulling them in different directions. Alan is happy to potter around in his garden dreaming of being self-sufficient like ‘The Good Life’, while Heather dreams of exciting adventures abroad much like ‘Shirley Valentine’. Where will this lead them both? Guided by her late friend Esme, Heather ventures out alone to Cephalonia following Homer’s Odyssey trail in a journey of self-discovery. She jumps headlong into one hilarious adventure after another with the intoxicating Dennis along for the ride. Will Heather and Alan find their way to a happy retirement, or has retirement changed the course of their lives forever? Joanna Nell has created characters that are appealing and resonate with honesty and courage. Nell has again been insightful in portraying the challenges of facing becoming a senior. Rita, WA, 5 Stars
This is the first Joanna Nell book I’ve read and all I can say is – WOW! What an amazing ride that was. I’m so glad that I already have her other books on hand in my TBR pile. This book made me both laugh and cry. We follow Heather Winterbottom on a journey of discovery as she comes to terms with who she is after entering retirement. Her relationship with her husband and partner Alan, who retired at the same time, is not what she expected it to be. They don’t seem to have anything in common like they once did. Heather’s decision to take a gap year finds us embarking on a wonderful adventure to the Greek Islands, where Heather rediscovers who she is and what she wants from life. Maree, QLD, 5 Stars
Retirement is a major life change. For Heather, it was time to explore the world. Her husband Allan on the other hand, was settling in at home. If you loved Shirley Valentine, you will love Heather. With strength of spirit and determination, Heather goes it alone. She tells a very funny, sensual story as she sets out on her gap year. Dianne, WA, 5 Stars
A beautiful, touching novel about Heather and Alan and their second chance at love after retirement. Heather and Alan’s lives seem to be going in different directions when they both retire from practice as local GPs in their small town of Netherwood. Alan is dedicating himself to his new hobby of gardening while Heather is struggling to find a purpose. A trip to the Greek islands for Heather becomes a transformative and healing experience, showing her what really matters and giving her a chance to really connect with her loved ones. I loved the characters of Heather and her best friend Esme, both strong capable women over 60, and the perfect sense of rightness I felt at the end of the story. Everything worked out how I wanted it to and I was buoyed up with happiness and hope for all the character’s futures! Such a positive, life-affirming read, loved it!! Kristy, NSW, 5 Stars
I have read nearly all of Joanna’s books and I love her character-driven stories and the way she tackles issues for older people, in particular women. This novel tackles the adjustment people go through when retiring both on a personal level and the effect it can have on a relationship. Heather was such a relatable character. Whilst I’m not at retirement age, I felt a lot of similar things when I became a mother. I had such a big range of emotions whilst reading from sadness as she lost her sense of purpose and began to feel invisible to laughing out loud and cheering her in as she decides to go on a gap year and the hilarious predicaments she finds herself in. I loved all the literary references as she uses Homer’s Oddessy for inspiration for her trip to Greece, the delicious Greek food and cast of inspiring, hilarious and relatable side characters. I was happy with how it all came together in the end. I really enjoyed my time with Mrs Winterbottom and I can’t wait to see what Nell comes up with next. Kirsten, ACT, 5 Stars
Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year was a thoroughly enjoyable book to read. There were many laughs as well as some poignant and emotional moments. Heather was a relatable main character and it was great to follow along on the adventure as she took her so-called gap year. This is a book I highly recommend. Natalie, NSW, 5 Stars
I literally laughed out loud reading parts of this book and was able to resonate with Heather. I loved her determination to grab hold of her dream and make it a reality. To set out to find herself again and take her best friend along for the ride. True to life not all was plain sailing. A truly fun read! Many thanks to #BRPreview @betterreadingau for the opportunity to read and review this warm and engaging book. Tracey, VIC, 5 Stars
Engaging, entertaining, with a certain wisdom pertaining to retirement. I cackled in the beginning and understood the emotion through the book as someone who is retired. At times I was a little lost with the reference to the Odyssey by Homer but having visited Greece in the past I could relate to the beauty of the environment. As I have recently been to Kos and noticed the closeness of Turkey the refugee problem then became more real. The characters in the book were real to me and very relatable. I enjoyed reading this book. Tonie, NSW, 5 Stars
Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year is what I would call a fun book to read. I could really relate to married couple Heather and Alan Winterbottom both of whom were doctors for forty years before they decided it was time to retire. Like many couples, they had two adult daughters who had left home, and they looked forward to exploring their options and what they would do with their free time. In the busyness of life, they had disconnected from each other and forgotten how to consider each other. Alan was happy to stay at home and he found a new friend Kevin and together they became involved in some gardening projects. This left Heather feeling left out as she really wanted to travel and a friend at the local Nursing Home named Esme encouraged Heather to take off on a year’s adventures on her own with the first destination being Greece. This is definitely a book worth reading as are Joanna Nell’s previous books which relate to the adventures of older people. Katrina, QLD, 5 Stars
Being of a similar age group to Heather, I could easily relate to her troubles adjusting to retirement. Joanna Nell handles all these issues with humour, empathy and understanding. This is a thoroughly delightful book that has a hard look at issues around marriage, absentee parents, refugees and the meaning of life. Lyn, VIC, 5 Stars
Dr Heather Winterbottom and her doctor husband Alan have been running the Netherwood Medical Centre for 40 years. Before they took over the practice was managed by Alan’s father. They are parents to two daughters. Heather and Alan decide to retire and much to Heather’s disappointment Alan takes an interest in everything gardening, making seriously funny friendships along the way. On the other hand, Heather had high hopes of them both travelling. Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year by Joanna Nell is so funny, very cleverly written, and as I was reading I was chuckling away, it’s just so entertaining! Heather is a relatable character and is a celebration of the mature woman. We should all take a gap year! Gillian, QLD, 5 Stars
Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year is a book every couple should have on the shelf. After 40 years of marriage and work, Heather Winterbottom tells her husband Alan he can build his vege garden, she’s off to Greece to enjoy the islands, wine, etc. Each have ups and downs. Robert, QLD, 5 Stars
A very enjoyable book to read. Dr Alan and Dr Heather Winterbottom, a married couple, have retired from their medical practice. But is retirement all that they expect and are their expectations on the same page? No, Alan is more interested in staying home and has new hobbies and a new friend. Heather wants to go to Greece. Being retired myself with an older partner I found many parallels to our own lives in this book. Many laughs along the way reading what Heather portrays as the narrator of the story with her feelings and emotions and a little sadness as well. She goes to Greece and takes her friend Esme with her! Also interwoven into the story is how Heather and Alan met. I enjoyed the book as it related to all retirees, it was very funny but oh so true. I enjoyed the Greek History throughout the book. I would recommend this book to all over 40 and definitely retirees. Possibly more a ladies’ book but would do the male population good to read it as well. Elaine, NSW, 5 Stars
Once again Joanna has written an exciting book. I have never heard of a ‘Gap Year’ for retired people, but she has shown how lovely it would be to do this. Interesting to see how different retirement is to the main characters and how they thought of what they would do. I loved that Heather followed through with her wish. I also loved her different family members and their acceptance of her wish. The coming together of everyone was interesting and not how I thought they would. Again Joanna shows her skill in keeping you interested in all the characters and their lives. Thank you for another wonderful read. Jane, VIC, 5 Stars
Alan and Heather Winterbottom are a husband and wife team who have owned their own doctors country practice for over 40 years. Now it’s time for both of them to retire and enjoy their lives. But they both have different ideas of their adventures. Heather just wants to take off to Greece and spend a year frolicking around just relaxing. Alan has different ideas and just wants to be a home body and enjoy his garden. So Heather just decides one day that she’s going to take a year off her marriage and go to Greece. Little does she know where life is going to take her and what awaits back home. Such a enjoyable funny read. Brilliantly written. Noeleen, WA, 5 Stars
Like previous Joanna Nell novels, this is told with humour and empathy highlighting life in the ‘senior years’. Doctors Heather and Alan Winterbottom retire from their medical practice after 40 years. It becomes clear very quickly that they have vastly different ideas about how to spend their retirement. Heather dreams of travel, especially a Greek getaway and Alan finds a new passion in the garden and may be being led astray by a community garden member. After 40 years of planning holidays around the medical practice, now Heather wonders if they are doomed to plan trips around the rhubarb plantings. At a family lunch one day Heather announces she is taking a gap year – away from home, family, all that she knows. She leaves Alan to occupy himself in the vegetable garden. Nell’s novels always bring to light some thinking points – this time about retirement planning and relationships as we age and especially in retirement. There are other themes too: commitment, identity, refugees, sustainability… I would highly recommend this as a preretirement holiday read. KT, NSW, 4 Stars
Loved it, nice light read for the beach or a weekend away. The self-discovery in Greece is great. A bit of drama, relationships, personal discovery, it just has it all. Jen, NSW, 4 Stars
Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year is a delightful and heartwarming story about Heather and her journey into retirement with her husband Alan and how they tackle finding themselves again. It is a nice comfort read that I’m sure would be very relatable to people going through a similar stage of life as the main character, Heather. Erena, VIC, 4 Stars
This is a a quirky humorous and sometimes sad lovely story of a couple entering retirement and navigating all that that means. It is an easy read, it flows really well between the story of their beginnings and that of them now in retirement. An enjoyable good hearted read. Jo, VIC, 4 Stars
Heather and Alan, both doctors in a regional practice, are retiring. Their ideas about what to do are different – Heather wants to travel to Greece and Alan is happy to stay home and establish his garden. Heather reflects on her relationship with Alan and along the way, asserts herself and finally does what she’s always dreamt of. A pleasant, light-hearted read. Luciana, WA, 4 Stars
This book was a highly enjoyable read and quite humorous in parts, particularly with many laugh out loud moments, due to the situations and adventures that the main character had gotten herself into throughout. The main character Mrs Winterbottom (Heather) and her Husband Alan are both respected GPS in their local community, running a medical practice together. They have recently retired and Heather is feeling uncertain about the future and getting ‘old’. She wants to go on adventures she was unable to when younger, and all her husband wants to do is grow his vegetable garden. She believes they have grown apart with no common interests anymore, so she decides to go on a trip to Greece by herself to have some of these ‘adventures’ before it’s too late and she becomes to old. What ensues is a hilarious trip around Greece, with Heather on her journey of ‘self-discovery’. The story beautifully tackles issues of aging, uncertainty in relationships and negotiating that next chapter in life after retirement. Melissa, VIC, 4 Stars
Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year was a heartwarming and at times a funny story that I really related to, being the same vintage as Heather. The book explored the challenges of retirement after busy, fulfilling careers and the different expectations of men and women in a warm, charming and humorous way. It did make me wish I lived in the UK so I could easily pop over to Greece as the descriptions were wonderful. Janine, SA, 4 Stars
Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year was a very pleasant read. The story focuses on two doctors who are retiring from their practice and embarking on new adventures and hobbies, just not with each other!!! Heather Winterbottom is a woman who is easy to warm to and her garden-loving husband Alan will make you laugh with his own little foibles. The book takes you from rural England to the exotic shores of Greece, with a hint of Shirley Valentine thrown in. The supporting characters are interesting and blend in well with the story. I would certainly recommend this book. Kelly, VIC, 4 Stars
Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year by Joanna Nell is a charming story with a theme familiar with many in the older generation. Heather Winterbottom decides to embark on a solo adventure to Greece when she realises that her husband’s and her retirement plans are diametrically different. The characters are well drawn and the descriptions of place are evocative. The book is full of humour but also touches on themes such as ageism, the treatment of refugees, unresolved grief and relationships. Mrs Winterbottom is very easy to read and would be popular with women approaching and of retirement age. Janelle, NSW, 4 Stars
Another delightful read from Joanna Nell, exploring the implications created when retirement plans of a married couple aren’t in sync. The main protagonist Dr Winterbottom and her husband Dr Winterbottom retire on the same day. Heather is looking forward to holidaying in the Greek Islands whereas Alan is quite happy working in the garden to become self-sufficient with vegetables, fruit trees, grape vines and chickens he has loving name! So, Heather embarks on her gap year with lots of fun adventures and an unusual travelling companion. It’s a lovely written book, fabulous setting, witty, sad, touching and emotional. If you love Joanna Nell books you won’t be disappointed. I would quite happily have a gap year traversing the beautiful Greek islands! Ilona, VIC, 4 Stars
An entertaining and multi-layered read that will delight light and avid readers. Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year is about exactly what the title promises – a married woman taking a gap year. Heather and her husband have retired as their local villages GPs and are now faced with the reality of retirement. What Heather and her husband weren’t prepared for was their different interpretations of what the reality of retirement would present. Joanna Nell’s latest book is the first of hers I’ve read, and it won’t be the last. An inherently relatable novel for women of all ages it explores aging, sadness, belonging, disconnection, relationships, change and loss. Heather takes us on a journey – of self-exploration, growth and finally and unashamedly putting herself first. We go from the England countryside to Greece, with the idea of a ‘mature gap year’ a great way of exploring the next chapter, particularly when most people think retirement means cruising, gardening and becoming house bound. There is a lot readers can take from this novel – it is a pleasant read, but on a deeper level it explores Heather’s experiences that allow readers to reflect on their own lives (past, present and future). Kathleen, ACT, 4 Stars
This was an easy read that didn’t ask too much of me, although there were a couple of serious points to be aware of. (See content warnings below.) It will definitely resonate with those who have found themselves facing changed circumstances, especially where it means spending a lot more time with a partner, and losing the identity and independence of work. I really appreciated Heather’s loyalty to Alan, and the flashbacks that reminded her of why she loved him. Overall though, it slightly missed the mark for me, mainly due to my own personality! I sympathised with Alan, and felt he was adjusting to the realities of retirement better than she was. Plus, I’ve always wanted a proper vintage Landrover, so I was quite jealous when he got one! There was also a scene at the doctor’s surgery that included some unnecessary stereotypes regarding hairstyles and tattoos that I found offensive. But even so, I can see many people grabbing this as a nice light summer read and thoroughly enjoying it, especially if they’ve dreamed of escaping to Greece. CW: death, fertility issues, refugee maritime tragedies. Lisa, QLD, 3 Stars
Joanna Nell depicts our aging population so beautifully; their fears, desires and the need to still ‘have fun’. I have read all of her books now and was fortunate enough to be gifted a copy of Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year by Better Reading. Life after retirement isn’t panning out quite how Mrs. Winterbottom envisioned so she embarks on a year of self discovery; the Gap Year she missed out on in her youth. Encountering self doubt and temptations laced with feelings she thought were long defunct, Mrs. Winterbottom realises it’s never too late to go on an adventure. I would have liked to see this adventure begin earlier in the book as I felt the lead into her journey was a bit longer than necessary. However, overall it was a good read as I knew it would be. It just lacked something for me which I haven’t quite been able to put my finger on. It is perhaps a combination of things. One of them being that the dynamics of the characters and their interactions didn’t always work for me. Overall though, if you’ve read and enjoyed Joanna Nell before, you’ll enjoy Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year. Kim, ACT, 3 Stars
As I am a 69 year old recently retired woman, I identified closely with the main character in this book and the many emotions she was experiencing. I enjoyed reading this story but found it provided only a superficial treatment of the issues faced by couples who are both retiring from the paid workforce and trying to find their place in their ‘new world’. Despite this limitation the book was very readable and a great way to spend a few hours relaxing and being entertained. Jan, WA, 3 Stars
Took me a while to get engrossed in Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year, but I eventually actually found the story quite touching. Heather is finding retirement difficult, feeling she has missed out on her youth and is at a loss of what to do to keep busy. Alan on the other hand enthusiastically adopts gardening and conservation. The couple seem to be drifting apart after years of working alongside of each other. Heather shocks her family by taking off on a solo trip to Greece to recapture her youth… From there the story develops and leaves the reader smiling at the gentle humour. A sweet novel. Kathy, NSW, 3 Stars
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