Author: Joanna Nell
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Genre: Modern & Contemporary Fiction, General Fiction, Fiction
Year of Release: 2021
Release Date: 29th September 2021
Rating 
Synopsis
The Marjorie Marshall Memorial Cafeteria has been serving refreshments and raising money at the hospital for over fifty years, long after anybody can remember who Marjorie Marshall was. Staffed by successive generations of dedicated volunteers, the beloved cafeteria is known as much for offering a kind word and sympathetic ear (and often unsolicited life advice) as for its tea and buns.
Stalwart Hilary has worked her way up through the ranks to Manageress; Joy has been late every day since she started as the cafeteria’s newest recruit. She doesn’t take her role as ‘the intern’ quite as seriously as Hilary would like but there’s no doubt, she brings a welcome pop of personality. Seventeen-year-old Chloe, the daughter of two successful surgeons, is volunteering during the school holidays because her mother thinks it will look good on her CV.
Chloe is at first bewildered by the two older women but soon realises they have a lot in common, not least that each bears a secret pain. When they discover the cafeteria is under threat of closure, this unlikely trio must band together to save it.
Review
Inside Saint Jude’s Hospital, Marjorie Marshall Memorial Cafeteria has been helping patients and staff by providing a quiet space to sit and wait for news or a loved one, with a hot cup of tea or coffee for over 50 years.
The volunteers have made efforts to fundraise for different projects throughout the hospital, also eager to offer a kind word and sympathetic ear if needed. The cafeteria manager is 76-year-old Hillary Halliday has been manning the shop for many years working her way up the ladder and she has no intention in hanging up her apron anytime soon.
Cafeteria newcomer Joy Grainger 74 is rarely on time in Hillary’s eyes, nor does she take her role seriously but for what she lacks in time management skills she makes up for in a bubbly personality and outlandish outfits.
Chloe Foster- Pearson a 17-year-old school student currently on holiday finds herself volunteering at Saint Jude’s because her parents believe it will stand out on her CV, who is Chloe to argue with her successful parents; who both happen to be surgeons?
Upon arrival to the cafeteria, Chloe is puzzled by the two older women and wonders if she’ll be able to survive under Hillary’s tight rein. Chloe soon realises they all have plenty in common, each one of them carries with them pain they would all rather stay hidden.
Saint Jude’s Hospital is undergoing a major upgrade and when the Marjorie Marshall Memorial Cafeteria finds itself in the firring line the trio wonder will they be able to save it? Or will it end up like that of its namesake; a name people remember but no-one knows why?
Having been a fan of the Author’s first novel The Single Ladies Jacaranda Retirement Village, I had high hopes for this offering too, Octogenarians have always been a group I enjoy reading about.
Author Joanna nell has once again managed to create a group of characters this reader grew to love and care about, I found the struggles they each face both relatable and moving, one of the elements that makes a book memorable for this reviewer is that I was able to enjoy each character in equal measure.
Darker themes such as loneliness, poverty, denial and grief are bought up with sensitivity, the story also has moments of humour throughout.
Descriptive writing allows for The Saint Jude’s Hospital to become clear in my mind, once again Nell has put a spotlight on the older generation. It’s clear the Author has a real passion for this age group and it rubs off in the pages, I can only hope I’m as cool as Joy when I’m her age.
‘So, we battle on?’
‘Ladies, we fight to the death!’
‘I’ll put the kettle on,’ said Joy.
-The Tea Ladies of Saint Jude’s Hospital Joanna Nell
I must admit I was perhaps hoping for an epilogue to keep the story going a little longer but maybe the ending chapters are a lot like life, you don’t always get all the answers when you expect them.
I highly recommend this book and Author to mature audiences if you’re looking for a book filled with heart and sparks joy then look no further.
With continued thanks to Hachette Australia for sending a copy to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.