This is a novel that is perfect for all us middle aged menopausal women who will be able to identify with Viv’s character. We all get caught up in the daily humdrum of life, work, childcare, marriage and it’s so easy to lose sight of who we really are. When Viv discovers her husband is having an affair could this be her awakening she needs to kick start her life back into action? Or for the sake of her young daughter Izzy will she be able to forgive and forget in order to save her marriage? Like many women Viv’s age, she feels invisible, under appreciated in a job that whilst she’s good at was only ever meant to be a stop gap. Of course she’s organised, multi tasks and gives one hundred percent in her role as PA but her passion and skills lie in backstage theatre production, a career given up to parent her second child. Sound familiar?
What I like about this novel is it’s relatability to real life with a main character that is instantly recognisable and could either be ourselves or one of our friends. This is a novel about self discovery and second chances, proving that good things can happen despite the catalyst for change being unexpected and unwanted and in this case a huge blow to Viv’s self esteem. I admired Viv for her grin and bear it attitude to her husband’s infidelity, showing strength of spirit and with the help of friends like the glamorous Penny life doesn’t totally fall apart. Izzy is a delightful lovely character and I did find the scenes with the next door neighbours son Ludo funny. Naturally there is a sense of predictability about the storyline with the realisation that Viv has many qualities to equip her to deal with this major life changing event , especially when spear heading a project that reignites her passion for life. Recognising her self worth, her value to others and that somehow these menopausal years doesn’t mean she’s necessarily relegated to the back benches will resonate with many but also gives us the opportunity to laugh at ourselves along with Viv and her friends. This lighthearted novel couldn’t be without some love interest too and peppered with humour throughout, this is an entertaining, easy read that satisfies a need for a happy ending whilst sending a message to us menopausal women that we are most definitely not alone!! There are laugh out loud moments but my only criticism is that it’s a novel that doesn’t really stand out for me amongst the many others in this genre which is the only reason I’m reviewing as a four star read.
‘When life gives you Lemons’ is an great read to relax with for a few hours and forget about the insomnia and the hot flushes and that ever growing mountain of ironing in the corner!!
My thanks to Avon the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Fiona Gibson novel and I found it engaging, poignant, at times funny, at others a bit sad, and on the rare occasion even frustrating. All in all, this means, I enjoyed myself.

We meet Viv, a middle-aged mother, wife, and coworker. She finds herself in a bit of a rut career-wise, but thank goodness, she has everything in place with her little family. Or so she thinks .... until she catches her husband (clearly going through a mid-life crisis, not unlike hers) cheating with a colleague. Viv is now faced with having to re-evaluate everything. She does so with a level of scrutiny and honesty that is commendable. I am neither middle-aged nor a mother but I found myself living Viv's life along with her, thinking through the same dilemmas she did, laughing when she was, and getting sad in parallel to her tears. Fiona Gibson brings to life a set of characters that seem kind of out there and relatable at the same time making for a very entertaining read. Viv's journey itself felt very real; nothing was exaggerated for the sake of fiction and some of her decisions made no sense - just like in real life. She receives advice from friends, which she takes or ignores. She misinterprets situations and acts accordingly. Sh falls and picks herself back up. She trusts someone will catch her; eventually. She takes a good look at herself and how she contributed to the situation. She grows. And to top this off, so do the side characters. They are equally complex even though we don't get to know that much about them.

Gibson found a wonderful balance between the comedic, the witty, and the laugh-out-loud and the serious, the profound, and the need-for-change. Yes, this is chick-lit; but who says that can't be lifer-altering or influential? When Life Gives you Lemons ranges from fluff read to demanding your thoughts and attentions. I, for one, relished that and I will keep Gibson in mind for the future when I am looking for just that kind of mix.

What happens when all those annoying moments and tics you first adored and then endured and finally snapped about becomes someone else’s journey. Andy and Viv have finally settled down to a life if not iddlyic is at least predictable,until it isn’t.Andy leaves for a fellow doctor on staff and Viv must navigate an all too common path, separation. As struggles go hers has a set of characters unique and humorous. A boss who doesn’t appreciate her value,a friend who supports and encourages her strength and a husband who finds the grass not as green as he let himself believe. As Viv realizes this moment in life ,complete with hormonal changes, is just another step in who she always was, a whole woman and a gifted human. Happy reading

The main character in this book is Viv, she has a demanding boss, a seven year old daughter and an unsympathetic husband. She is trying to juggle her commitments, and also the menopause. She finds it hard to say no, but when she is described as 'never makes a fuss' she decides that actually she does want to make a fuss, and the menopause is not going to be the only 'change' in her life.
I have read a couple of books by Fiona Gibson before, and I was pleased to receive an early preview copy of this book from Netgalley and the Publisher in return for an honest review.
Many Mothers will be able to relate to Viv and her struggles to balance work and home. I cringed when she kept saying yes to things that she really did not want to do. It is very familiar and relatable. I enjoyed reading about Viv's accomplishments as she began to say no. It was uplifting to see her making changes to please herself.
There were many amusing moments in this book, it is a lovely easygoing lighthearted read.

When life gives you lemons is the ultimate feel good book.
Viv is approaching that certain time of life. Expecting support from her doctor husband, she discovers he’s not the most sympathetic. In fact he’s got another woman..
Left single with a young daughter in tow and a grown up son. Viv learns to live again.
An easy read with some fantastic one liners.

Thank you netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I unfortunately did not end up finishing this book, as it was such a slow read.

It’s not that I hated, I just feel I am not at the right age to fully enjoy it. Though some of it was relatable.

Viv is a middle aged mother of two, Spencer and Izzy. Her husband Andy isn’t very sympathetic of her menopausal symptoms. He complains that waking up next to her is like ‘waking up in a swamp’. Andy is a Doctor so she feels he should be much more helpful when she likens herself to feeling like a reptile he corrects her in his usual manner and tells her she is more amphibious! Follow the trials and tribulations of Viv and Andy as she navigates this new phase in her life. I loved this book and there were so very good laugh out loud moments.

Give more stories like this one! I loved it and I read it as fast as could.
Great characters, great plot and an author who is a talented storyteller.
It was an engrossing and entertaining read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I was able to read this book when I went on vacation.
Enjoying this charming, funny, and sweet read by the pool was perfect for my vacation.
I have read books by this author and she def didnt disappoint in this novel.


I was given this book from netgalley and publisher for my honest opinion.

I have read Fiona Gibson before and enjoyed - this one did not disappoint. Fun, warm and very easy to read with likeable characters - perfect beach book - thank you!

I enjoyed this title by Fiona Gibson. I'd not previously read any of her books, but looking at her back catalogue, I see there is a theme running through her books. Middle-aged woman at a turning point in their life.

The heroine, Viv, is a likeable enough character. She's down to earth, in a job she didn't expect to last as long as it did, two children (one having surprised her late in life) so she's up against it, especially since we know her husband does the dirty on her.

I thought Viv's character was well written but I almost got bored when nothing really remarkable about her and the plot surrounding her happened towards the beginning of the book. I think what made me carry on was Gibson's storytelling. She made ordinary people, just getting on with their lives, somehow interesting. I can see the appeal, especially to fans of Gibson. Personally, I don't mind a heroine with a flaw or two, or three.

On the whole, an easy book to lose yourself in, with a satisfying ending. If you read the blurb, you will be getting what it says on the can and nothing more, but Gibson handles the story with a sweetness and sensitivity that did actually have me turning the pages to see if I was going to be right about the ending. I was, and happily so. What's not to love about a HEA?

This book is full of emotions, some good, some bad but it is very enjoyable. It was surprising as I didn't think this novel would pan out the way it did but I am so pleased that I read it. The characters come from different age groups but they all gel together and support each other. I will give this 4 stars as it took a few pages to get into , other than that I will recommend you read this.

When Life Gives You Lemons is the new novel from Fiona Gibson. This book is set in Glasgow and focuses on Viv. She’s a PA to a demanding boos, mother to seven year old Izzy and wife to Andy. After discovering her husband is having an affair she suddenly finds herself single. Rather than retreating into herself, she does the exact opposite.

Well written, t’s the usual mix of real life with some humour thrown in. I would rate this book 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and the author for the chance to review.

A really enjoyable read about a woman who, in the midst of crappy circumstances, remembers who she is.

With gentle humour and honesty the novel tells the story of Viv who finds her life suddenly changing.

I enjoyed the book although it felt like it took quite a while for anything to really happen. That said the story very much about the journey, not so much the destination!

I’ve read and enjoyed all Fiona Gibson’s books, and this one was a hit as well.

Viv is married to Andy and has two children with quite a gap between them. She’s also menopausal and trying to keep juggling all the balls. Then Andy decides he’s having a mid-life crisis by taking up with another woman. Viv is strong and she has some strong friends supporting her, and one of them – Penny – has a rather nice son called Nick…!

I really liked Viv and I wanted everything to work out well for her, she didn’t deserve to have a wayward husband.

A great book that I didn’t want to put down, absolutely loved it! Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

This is the first book I have read by this author. I really enjoyed her down to earth writing style. The daily issues faced by Viv were so true to life and both funny and sad in parts. I enjoyed the story and although it was not fast moving it held my interest throughout and I did enjoy the ending.

Thank you for allowing me to read a preview copy. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author to read.

For the most part, I enjoyed Fiona Gibson's writing style in When Life Gives You Lemons, but I found that this story just wasn't for me. Based on the book's description, I didn't realize that Viv, the main character and narrator, was in her 50s and menopausal. I'm glad that authors are writing about women of this age - representation matters after all! - but I'm a bit too young for the story to properly resonate with me. I'm not the target audience, and that's okay! I'm still happy that readers who can relate to this type of heroine will have the chance to read this one!

Viv is suddenly faced with being a single mom of her seven-year-old when her cheating husband leaves her for his fellow doctor/mistress. Stuck in a going-nowhere job that makes “food pellets” and impending menopause hot flashes, Viv begins to regain confidence with the help of her good friends and an opportunity to share her friend Penny’s nostalgic fashion line in hopes to revive the line and the local museum’s relevancy.

This book is not another mid-life, woman who has been jilted story that I was expecting it to be. The story of Viv’s second chance at a new life played by her rules and not by a picky husband is a charming read and a great example of female empowerment wrapped up into lemony goodness.

I just love Fiona Gibson's books. I couldn't wait to start this one and I certainly enjoyed it. Funny, well written and lot of woman can identify with the main character. I definitely recommend it.

Really enjoyed this book thank you. Vibrant, believable, characters and an absorbing plot. I will ensure I look out for this author in the future!