The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital

The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital - Joanna Nell

Description

Three 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...

Review

I just loved it.

When you just want to read a heartwarming story, no complicated plot, just immerse yourself in another world - then this is the book to read.

I really related to so much in this book, despite it being set in Australia (which I forgot about until half way through) so many things resonated with me. The volunteer hospital experience is one I am familiar with and the author got it spot on, including the career volunteers!

We meet Hilary, Joy and Chloe as they are all volunteers for different reasons at the hospital cafe. They all have a different backstory and the relating of these made me care about them all so much more. Each character is so well defined and the differing ages really made this so realistic too. I also applaud the author for making the older women social media savvy too.

Everything is beginning to settle down for Hilary with her new staff when the cafe comes under threat from closure. This is when the three ladies really begin to rally together and form a team to fight everyone that's against them, despite efforts from others to undermine that.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

Comments

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