Joanna Nell – författare

A delightfully heartwarming story of four or more funerals and at least one wedding, from the bestselling author of Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year'There are a lot of lonely people in the world, Martin. Especially when you get to our age. This is the one place you can come where nobody judges. Besides, you don't need to have known somebody personally to celebrate their life.'Retired academic Martin Pottinger's romantic aspirations for the delectable head of his former university's archaeology department, Professor Mary Blake, seem about to be realised. If only he could devise a plan to manage the demands of his eccentric elderly mother, Edwina.Recently bereaved Grace Cavendish spends her days helping out at All Souls Church, making it her mission to drown out the Reverend Rod's tone-deaf hymn-singing and give each funeral recipient a hearty send-off. Yet the peace she craves remains elusive despite the comforts offered by psychic medium Rhondda and her eight-year-old son, Hudson.When Martin and Grace meet and bond at an All Souls service, they unwittingly set off a chain of events with far-reaching consequences. They become funeral crashers. But who could have predicted that crashing funerals might have such life-changing and life-affirming outcomes?'A warm, witty and uplifting tale of love in later life . . . I giggled, I was moved, and I now want to join Martin and Grace's choir. This is a story about life in all its mess and glory' CASSIE HAMER'Delightful and wise, heartfelt, heartbreaking and hilarious . . . a superb reminder that it is never too late in life to rediscover love, joy, redemption and friendship' SARAH CLUTTON'The perfect summer read' WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN'Gentle wisdom and light comedy pervade The Funeral Crashers . . . a kind-hearted, life-affirming read' THE AGEPraise for the beloved novels of Joanna Nell including The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village:'Takes readers on a sweet journey' AUSTRALIAN'Tender and funny' WOMAN'S WEEKLY'Her best yet . . . a wonderful read about growing older and grabbing hold of life' WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN'A delight. Warm characters and observations and great pace' AMANDA HAMPSON'This heartwarming story about growing old gracefully - and disgracefully . . . is a funny, witty and thoroughly enjoyable read for all ages' DAILY TELEGRAPH

'The perfect summer read' WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN'A kind-hearted, life-affirming read' THE AGERetired academic Martin Pottinger's hopes for romance with the attractive head of his former university's archaeology department seem about to be realised. If only sharing a house with his eccentric elderly mother and her cat wasn't cramping his style.Recently bereaved Grace Cavendish spends her days helping out at All Souls Church, making it her mission to drown out the Reverend Rod's tone-deaf hymn-singing. Yet the peace she craves remains elusive.When Martin and Grace meet at a service, they unwittingly set off a chain of events with far-reaching consequences. They become funeral crashers. But who could have predicted that crashing funerals might have such life-changing outcomes?'I giggled, I was moved, and I now want to join Martin and Grace's choir. This is a story about life in all its mess and glory' CASSIE HAMER'Delightful and wise, heartfelt, heartbreaking and hilarious . . . A superb reminder that it is never too late in life to rediscover love, joy, redemption and friendship' SARAH CLUTTON

The heartwarming and hilarious new novel by the author of cherished bestsellers The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village and The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home

The heartwarming and hilarious new novel from the bestselling author of THE SINGLE LADIES OF JACARANDA RETIREMENT VILLAGEThree unlikely friends. A lot of scones. One chance to save the community... The Marjorie Marshall Memorial Cafeteria is the heart of St Jude's Hospital. For over fifty years the beloved Cafeteria has been serving refreshments and raising money, staffed by successive generations of dedicated volunteers who serve up a kind word and sympathetic ear along with tea and scones. This summer, the St Jude's Tea Ladies include Hilary, the stalwart Manageress who has worked her way up through the ranks; Jo, the latest recruit, who drives Hilary mad by arriving late every day; and seventeen-year-old Chloe, the daughter of two successful surgeons, who is volunteering during the holidays. But when they discover the cafeteria is under threat of closure, the unlikely trio must put aside their differences. As they 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, The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital is a gorgeously poignant, hilarious story about unlikely friendships, growing old disgracefully, and coming together to save the things we love...***Praise for Joanna Nell: 'Hugely entertaining . . . funny and heart-warming' - Woman & Home'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.' - Libby Page, author of The Lido'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' - Katie Marsh, author of The Rest of Me

The heartwarming and hilarious new novel from the bestselling author of THE SINGLE LADIES OF JACARANDA RETIREMENT VILLAGEThree 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, The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital is a gorgeously poignant, hilarious story about unlikely friendships, growing old disgracefully, and coming together to save the things we love...***Readers love The Tea Ladies...'A delightful blend of emotion with wit and humour''Laugh-out-loud funny from the start''A cosy, happy, joyful book''This novel has the feel-good factor that's left me with a warm glow''An inspired read by the fabulous Joanna Nell - one to tug at the heart strings. Could not put it down''A complete joy'***Praise for Joanna Nell:'Hugely entertaining . . . funny and heart-warming' - Woman & Home'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.' - Libby Page, author of The Lido'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' - Katie Marsh, author of The Rest of Me

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? ***Readers love MRS WINTERBOTTOM TAKES A GAP YEAR!'Moving and laugh-out-loud funny' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'A wonderful read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'Gently humorous and heart-warming' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'A lovely coming-of-age (retirement) novel' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'Thought-provoking, heart-warming and uplifting' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review***More praise for Joanna Nell:'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 whimsical' Sydney Morning Herald

'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 GibsonIt'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

A moving, funny, heartwarming tale of love and friendship, for anyone who loved The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Keeper of Lost Things and Three Things about Elsie.It's never too late to grow old disgracefully...The life of 79-year-old pensioner Peggy Smart is as beige as the décor in her retirement village. Her week revolves around aqua aerobics and appointments with her doctor. The highlight of Peggy's day is watching her neighbour Brian head out for his morning swim. Peggy dreams of inviting the handsome widower - treasurer of the Residents' Committee and one of the few eligible men in the village - to an intimate dinner. But why would an educated man like Brian, a chartered accountant no less, look twice at Peggy? As a woman of a certain age, she fears she has become invisible, even to men in their eighties.But a chance encounter with an old school friend she hasn't seen in five decades - the glamorous fashionista Angie Valentine - sets Peggy on an unexpected journey of self-discovery. Can she channel her 'inner Helen Mirren' and find love and friendship in her twilight years?

A poignant ode to love and the memories that make a well-lived life, from the author of THE SINGLE LADIES OF JACARANDA RETIREMENT VILLAGE As the wife of retired ship's doctor Dr Henry Parker, Evelyn is living out her twilight years aboard the Golden Sunset. Every night she dresses for dinner - gown, tiara, runners - and regales her fellow passengers with stories of a glamorous life travelling the world in luxury, as well as showing off her superior knowledge of everything from ships' customs to biographical details of her heroine, Florence Nightingale. The crew treat her with deference. And forbearance.But when Henry goes missing, Evelyn sets off to search every part of the grand ocean liner to find him, casino, nightclub and off-limits areas included.Misadventures are had, new friends are made, scandalous behaviour noted - all news to Evelyn. If only she could remember the events of the night before as clearly as she can recall the first time she met Henry on a passage from England to Australia in 1953 and fell in love, abandoning her dreams to become a midwife to be a wife instead - and the long-ago painful events that left Evelyn all at sea.Why is it so hard to forget some things and so hard to remember others? And where is Henry? Praise for THE SINGLE LADIES OF JACARANDA RETIREMENT VILLAGE:'Hugely entertaining . . . funny and heart-warming' - Woman & Home'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' - Libby Page, author of The Lido'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' - Katie Marsh, author of The Rest of Me'The perfect blend of funny and moving; Peggy Smart had me laughing and crying in this ultimately uplifting story' - Natasha Lester, author of The Paris Seamstress'Funny, insightful and deliciously refreshing, it's the most heartwarming book we've read in a long time' - Woman's Weekly

A poignant ode to love and the memories that make a well-lived life, from the author of THE SINGLE LADIES OF JACARANDA RETIREMENT VILLAGE As the wife of retired ship's doctor Dr Henry Parker, Evelyn is living out her twilight years aboard the Golden Sunset. Every night she dresses for dinner - gown, tiara, runners - and regales her fellow passengers with stories of a glamorous life travelling the world in luxury. The crew treat her with deference. And forbearance.But when Henry goes missing, Evelyn sets off to search every part of the grand ocean liner to find him - casino, nightclub and off-limits areas included.The misadventures, scandalous behavior and new friends that make up her search are all news to Evelyn, though. If only she could remember recent events as clearly as she can recall the first time she met Henry on a passage from England to Australia in 1953 and fell in love . . .Why is it so hard to forget some things and so hard to remember others? And where is Henry? Praise for The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village'A gentle, warm-hearted book that had me rooting for all the characters and laughing out loud' - Libby Page, author of The Lido'Funny, insightful and deliciously refreshing . . . the most heartwarming book we've read in a long time' - Woman's Weekly'The perfect blend of funny and moving' - Natasha Lester, author of The Paris Seamstress

'Poignant and warm-hearted . . . a tonic for our times.' - Holly Miller, author of The Sight of YouAt nearly ninety, retired nature writer Hattie Bloom prefers the company of birds to people, but when a fall lands her in a nursing home she struggles to cope with the loss of independence and privacy. From the confines of her 'room with a view' - of the car park! - she dreams of escape.Fellow 'inmate', the gregarious, would-be comedian Walter Clements also plans on returning home as soon as he is fit and able to take charge of his mobility scooter.When Hattie and Walter officially meet at The Night Owls, a clandestine club run by Sister Bronwyn and her dog, Queenie, they seem at odds. But when Sister Bronwyn is dismissed over her unconventional approach to aged care, they must join forces - and very slowly, an unlikely, unexpected friendship begins to grow.Full of wisdom and warmth, The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home is a gorgeously poignant, hilarious story showing that it is never too late to laugh - or to love.Praise for Joanna Nell:'Hugely entertaining . . . funny and heart-warming' Woman & Home'A gentle, warm-hearted book that had me rooting for all the characters and laughing out loud at points' LIBBY PAGE, author of The Lido'A warm and touching story with a cast of characters who became my friends' - Katie Marsh, author of THE REST OF ME'The perfect blend of funny and moving' - Natasha Lester, author of THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS'A funny and poignant exploration of growing old disgracefully and enjoying your twilight years' - Culturefly

«Ein charmantes, warmherziges Buch, bei dem ich mit allen Charakteren mitgefiebert habe und stellenweise laut lachen musste.» Libby Page---Peggys Alltag ist so langweilig und beige wie die Klamotten in ihrem Schrank: Scrabble, Wassergymnastik, Arztbesuche. Auch die Enkel könnten häufiger vorbeikommen. Aber dass das Leben mit 79 noch bunt sein kann, das beweist eine alte Freundin. Als Angie neu in das Seniorendorf einzieht, mischt sie die Rentnergemeinschaft ordentlich auf. Auch Peggy erwacht aus ihrer Lethargie. Denn die früheren Freundinnen sind immer schon Rivalinnen gewesen. Und so dauert es nicht lange, bis beide für den charmanten Nachbarn Brian schwärmen ...