Heather Winterbottom and her husband are newly retired GPs but they both have different ideas on how to spend there retirement. When it comes to a head Heather packs up and leaves. A uproariously story about the journey through life and a thought provoking read. What would you like to do when you retire?

Mrs Winterbottom Takes A Gap Year by Aussie author Joanna Nell was such an entertaining read I didn’t want to put it down. Alan and Heather Winterbottom are a couple whom I took an instant shine to and at different points they had me laughing out loud.

They had been colleagues longer than they’d been a married couple, but what if when they retired from work their relationship only worked as Dr and Dr, and not as Mr and Mrs. I have enjoyed many books by this author including this one. I love the way she writes about older characters in her books.

This book touches on an important topic of retirement and how when the time comes many people are not prepared for how it will change their lives especially if they are a married couple. We all look forward to retirement, but it’s a big lifestyle change from going to work every day and we all want to do different things as Mr and Mrs Winterbottom soon discovered. Loved everything about this book from the characters, the storyline and the cover. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.

A beautifully charming and witty story of Heather who at retirement wants to not let life pass her by anymore and with her husband having other ideas of what their retirement looks like, with different expectations, Heather decides to pack her bags and embarks on a gap year, something she never did in her early life and in doing so discovered more than she had imagined and found a pretty happy ending.

I really loved the Shirley Valentine references, even though I was quite young when the movie came out I loved the premise even back then (more so now I’m in my mid forties 🤭) and have often watched it again over the years.

Joanna Nell’s writing is wonderfully captivating, and without realising it I had lost several hours of my day whenever I picked this one up to read, hours I was happy to have lost as I couldn’t have enjoyed myself more.

This was one of my anticipated reads for 2023 and I couldn’t have loved it more.

When husband and wife GPs decide to retire at the same time, they both struggle with the massive adjustment to their lives. Whilst Alan is content to discover sustainable living and try his hand at a veggie garden, Heather is frustrated and wants more. After the death of her friend, she is tired of living with regret and decides to travel to Greece. There she discovers the more reckless side of herself and questions the future of her marriage. Will Alan leave the garden alone long enough to come and spend time with her in Greece or will the handsome naval commander win her heart? A great read

Alan and Heather Winterbottom have now retired from being General Practitioners (GP), they have worked hard every single day at their medical practice in Netherwood but after 40 years they have decided to enjoy the world of retirement. This should be a joyful time for them both but both Alan and Heather have different ideas of what they want to do in retirement. Alan wants to create a garden at home and Heather wants to travel to Greece. Heather gets sick of waiting and decides to take a year off, from her life, her marriage but what will she come back to?

I loved this book especially the character Heather. She taught us that it doesn’t matter how old you are for a brand new adventure. I enjoyed the chapters that transported us back to 1983 and reading the backstory of how Heather met Alan and how she came about working at the practice in Netherwood. Joanna Nell will continue to be an auto-read author for me and I am looking forward to what she writes next.

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Australia for a gifted copy of this e-book for my honest book review.

This is the first book I have ready by Joanna Nell and wasn't disappointed.

The novel centres around Heather Winterbottom as she attempts to adjust to retirement. She struggles to be excited for her husband's new found hobby of gardening.
The restlessness takes Heather on a solo holiday to Greek where she seems Dennis who challenges her and pushes her out of her comfort zone. He makes her question and discover who and what she is and wants from life.

The reader is taken on a journey through ancient Greek mythology places and stories. These passages are writtin so beautifully that I could picture myself here.

The story was well written, with humour amongst the bigger themes and I would highly recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Australia for the preview copy in exchange for an honest review.

Joanna Nell is one of my “read anything she writes” authors - yes, probably even her shopping list! So when I saw her new release, Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year, I had to have it.

Husband and wife GPs Alan and Heather Winterbottom have worked side by side in their medical practice for over forty years. They have now they retired, and Heather realises quickly that their ideas of how to spend retirement are very different. Heather has long dreamt of exploring the Greek islands and assumed history loving Alan would love it too. However Alan dreams of stopping in one spot, relaxing in the garden by growing his own vegetables and becoming self sufficient, assuming Heather would be helping him. As the reality of losing her dream starts to set in a friend, 90-year-old Esme, suggests that Heather go anyway - by herself. Heather is reluctant but when Esme suddenly dies, Heather decides to follow her dream, leave Alan in his garden, and take a ‘gap’ year before settling into retirement. She doesn’t travel alone though, Esme comes as well, in her own little urn.

And are the Greek islands everything Heather imagined and hoped for? What follows is a voyage of rediscovery, reflection, temptation and amazing Greek food. She does find her dream retirement there, just not exactly what she thought it would be, but something better.

Having recently retired, I totally related to the adjustments of spending 24/7 with the love of my life instead of waving goodbye to him for the seven hours where I was an independent competent member of the commercial world. No matter how much you love each other, adjustments and compromise have to happen. The trick is to try and follow both dreams, as well as shared dreams, not always easy but amicable compromises are easily reached - especially when chocolate biscuits are involved in the decision making process.

Joanna Nell is a GP in Sydney who specialises in women’s and geriatric care. So she knows her stuff. Her characters are always believable and her storyline’s are always relatable

Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year is moving and heartwarming, funny at times and moving at other times. Lessons learned, friendships forged and a happy ever after. I loved the ending, finding it very fitting.

Another very entertaining book by Joanna Nell about people aging ungracefully.

Alan and Heather Winterbottom are both doctors and they have decided it is time to sell their medical practice and retire. It seems neither of them is really sure if this is what they really want to do, or what they are going to do next. It rather seems that they should have discussed the latter a little more before actually committing themselves, but it is too late now.

Things do not go well when Alan wants to settle down at home and plant vegetables, while Heather wishes to have some fun on an overseas trip. Events combine to cause her to take matters in her own hands and just go, leaving husband, family and dog to their own devices for a year. Things are not looking good for Alan when Heather finds she misses the dog more than him!

This is a fun book with many humorous passages and a few sad ones too. It was good to see Heather taking charge of her life, and at times it was open to guesswork how the story would end - and who with. Light, entertaining and mostly set in Greece, it would make an ideal beach read.

Mrs Winterbottom Takes A Gap Year is beyond delightful. The depiction of small village life is so spot on, I was constantly chuckling. I loved following Heather as she embarked on her journey to see if she would end up back home when the time came.
A truly lovely read that made my heart happy.

‘What had happened to Heather Wilson, that young woman who’d been so full of dreams and plans? Heather wondered if she’d even recognise her if she passed her in the street … it was time to find another way to define herself, to find out who else she could be.’

Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year is the fifth novel by best-selling Australian author, Joanna Nell. Having read all Joanna’s novels, I continue to be impressed and grateful for the light she shines on this age bracket. She achieves a wonderful balance between whimsical and poignant as I turn each page, savouring every word of wisdom and humour all rolled poetically into one.

‘For the next twelve months she was going to put herself first. If that made her selfish, then so be it. She’d waited long enough.’

When Heather and her husband Alan - who have been married for over forty years - both retire from their local medical practice, they discover their dreams of retirement are very different. Alan is happy pottering in his garden, however, Heather dreams of so much more. This only scratches the surface of the many issues placed under the spotlight in this book - everything from the evolution of a long term marriage, to what entering the latter stages of life look like, family dramas, life adventures and how to build a meaningful life post retirement.

‘They’d become co-administrators of their marriage rather than enthusiastic participants; housemates who shared the same bed.’

This is a great story with shades of Shirley Valentine and full of Joanna’s usual heart and humour. It’s a tale of relationships - family and friends - learning to make the most of one’s life and staying true when listening to your heart. Have courage and make the most of these few precious years we have on this earth. I must also note Joanna’s nod to Homer’s, Odyssey - wonderful.

‘Part of her wanted to believe the epic poet was a woman, that women could have their own odysseys, and that however long the journey, however many adventures they had on the way, they would always find their way home.’

Once more I applaud Joanna for the spotlight she continues to shine on this age group. If you have not ever read one of Joanna’s books I encourage you to do so - the knowledge and expert understanding she brings keeps the stories surrounding this age bracket relevant and purposeful. Growing old may be a harsh reality, but it does not have to be at the expense of purposeful living.

‘What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’










This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Okay. I must confess I am a huge fan of Joanna Nell and her books. And this is no exception. It is funny, it is living life in the moment and it will take you on a journey which I think you will enjoy.

I love the characters and the story gives you the warm fuzzies. You will laugh and be entertained as Heather Winterbottom, leaves her life behind to embark on a new and exciting journey of life and unexpected events. If you are not smiling by the end of this one you need to read it again!

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Rating: 4/5

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.
Thank you to NetGallery for the opportunity to review this book.

Alan and Heather Winterbottom are both GP’s and they have worked hard in their rural medical practice in East Dorset and after forty years it’s time to take down their shingles and retire. The couple have two adult daughters, a lovely home and a pet dog Stan.

While Heather dreams of finally been able to take an extended holiday, explore the Greek Islands, and break free from the restraints of everyday life and travel the world. Alan has different ideas, he decides to join an Organic Gardening Club, installs a greenhouse, he plans to grow his own vegetables, reduce his carbon footprint and Heather finds it all rather boring. The Winterbottom’s looked forward to retiring, they underestimated how big a change it would be and it’s a major life event.

Heather is at a cross roads and at a family lunch, Heather announces she’s decided to take a gap year, escape her life and marriage, travel to Greece and read The Odyssey. Her family are shocked, why a sixty six year old woman want to go on a holiday on her own, is it even safe and is she having some sort of late midlife crisis?

Heather arrives in Cephalonia, she books three days of activities, what happens to her is hilarious, Heather decides she wants to discover the real Greece and at a much slower pace. Heather meets Dennis, he owns his own boat and offers to show her places not in the travel brochures. Heather makes it clear she’s married, not interested in a holiday fling, but Greek men have a certain charisma about them and will she give in to temptation?

I received a digital copy of Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year by Joanna Nell from NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand in exchange for an honest review. Ms. Nell's latest thought provoking novel is an in-depth and at times a humorous tale about a woman suddenly waking up, looking in the mirror and feeling like her use by date has running out and she has no time to waste.

Full of vivid descriptions of Greece, the beautiful islands and swimming in the sea, food, wine, the relaxed lifestyle and historical places. A narrative about Heather fulfilling a promise she made to a her dear friend Esme, finding herself along the way, maybe Heather doesn’t appreciate what she has and she's too critical of Alan. Ms. Nell has a way with words, I haven't laughed so much in ages and five stars from me.

Mrs Winterbottom Takes A Gap Year is the fifth novel by best-selling Australian author, Joanna Nell. After forty years working together in the same East Dorset medical practice, GPs Heather and Alan Winterbottom could, on retirement, be reasonably expected to be in synch with one another. Heather is therefore disconcerted to learn that what she was most looking forward to, travel abroad, occupies a much lower line on Alan’s to-do list.

Establishing a vegetable garden with the intention of self-sufficiency is what takes priority for Alan over something as frivolous as a trip to Greece. Feeling invisible, Heather watches with mounting dismay as Alan erects a greenhouse, builds garden beds, obtains tenants for his henhouse, exchanges their modern cars for a (virtually vintage) Land Rover, and throws himself wholeheartedly into the local organic gardening group. “She had an inkling now of how it felt to lose a loved one to a cult.”

Finding it difficult to muster any enthusiasm for carrots and compost, Heather realises “They were so far from being on the same page, she doubted they were even reading from the same book.” Retirement has proven to be an anticlimax and “Heather felt as if she had lost her multi-tasking superpower on the day she left work.” She finds herself opting for a radical haircut, and makes a few other uncharacteristic choices.

The death of her elderly friend and former patient, Esme, whose latest read had initiated Heather’s fascination with Greece, is the impetus for a declaration that has her family sharing concerned murmurs: Heather is going to take a gap year, in the Greek isles. She takes along Esme’s well-read copy of Homer, and Esme herself, trusting she will find the right place to scatter her ashes.

Once on the island of Cephalonia, her intention is to immerse herself in Greek culture, to travel to the home of Odysseus, but in her first few days she has some hair-raising experiences which, somewhat surprisingly, don’t really phase Gap Year Heather quite like they might have worried Doctor Heather: it will be just another amusing story to tell.

When she meets a Greek gentleman who lives on his yacht, a handsome, educated, charming and attentive man who finds her, a woman in her mid-sixties, attractive, she admits to herself that she is tempted. The connection she feels to this man, though, does have her considering just what it is she has with Alan: what they each now want seems to be so different, “promising to love someone forever - was that realistic?” But even Gap Year Heather will draw the line at infidelity, won’t she?

She is loving the weather, the food, the scenery and the people and, yes, she misses her daughters and Alan although “A tiny piece of her wondered if she missed her dog more than her husband.” Obstinacy at the thought of cutting her trip short (she didn’t want to reach ninety with a bucket list of broken dreams) battles with a desire to compromise.

Nell gives her cast of appealing characters wise words and insightful observations, but there’s also plenty of humour in what they say and do: Heather’s asides to Esme’s ashes are entertaining as are some mistranslations. For anyone married to a car or motorcycle enthusiast, the “best trousers” scene will definitely resonate.

Her exploration of life after retirement will strike a chord with many of a certain vintage, but Nell also touches on topical themes: relevance as we age; sustainability; and refugees; ensuring a much wider appeal. Nell’s latest offering is laugh-out-loud funny but also thought-provoking, heart-warming and uplifting. Joanna Nell has yet to disappoint.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Hachette Australia.