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?

'Takes the reader on a wholesome and hilarious journey from the organic garden beds of Dorset to the sun-kissed islands of Greece. Heartwarming, tender and oh-so-funny, this is a story that will leave you smiling' ALI LOWE

'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' MEGAN ALBANY

'Warm, insightful and funny . . . celebrates, so well, the treasures that life's later stages can hold' DIANNE YARWOOD

'Engaging, funny and resoundingly human' Books+Publishing

Praise for Joanna Nell's bestselling novels including The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village:

'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