Cover Image: The Man I Met on Holiday

The Man I Met on Holiday

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Member Reviews

I have never read anything by this author. But this one didn’t disappoint. The cover is so bright and made me want to read it.
I was hooked on chapter one. It was such a cute and sweet story. I enjoyed reading about an older character who is starting over in life and falling in love.

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A lovely book, easy to read and a sweet story. I always enjoy Fiona's books so this one was a pleasure to read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

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Starting over later in life is something that can seem difficult or even impossible, but when Lauren and James fall in love on holiday everything seems possible until they return back to “real life”. Living two separate lives in two separate locations is hard enough but life and family get in the way. Lauren and James each have a child and an ex-spouse that contribute to some trouble maintaining their relationship. Will James end up being the one or just “The Man I Met on Holiday”.

A heartwarming story of redefining oneself and coming together as one even when there are many people involved. This book truly surprised me. I picked it up imagining a story about a holiday fling but instead found a book focused on how to maintain the love even after returning to your real and separate lives. A multigenerational Story that flows so easily as one.


I received this work as an advanced review copy and offer my honest opinion voluntarily.

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Another good read
Perfect book to curl up with and to get lost in
Will have you hooked from the first page
Thanks NetGalley

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Another brilliant book from this author. I always know I will love her books and this one was no different. I enjoy reading books with older characters and older children instead of younger twenty somethings, I feel I can relate more and find the characters really engaging. Lovely setting too.

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A great easy humorous read with relatable characters. Single mum Lauren and her son Charlie, meet single dad James , and his daughter Esther, in sunny Corsica. This was their story . The story continued back in the Uk
An interesting holiday read but the ending seemed a bit rushed .
Thanks to Netgalley, and Avon Books for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

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3.5 Stars

The Man I Met on Holiday by Fiona Gibson is a beach read that many of the author's fans will enjoy. This novel starts off with a fun and engaging romance that will draw you right in. The characters are relatable and enjoyable, which is classic Fiona Gibson. The plot moves slowly in the middle of the story, but does start to pick up again towards the end. Not my favourite Gibson novel, but if you have enjoyed her other works this is one to try.

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I adore Fiona’s books and this was no different, loved every minute of it and don’t want it to end, my favourite is still The fish finger years but I loved this too!

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This is a great summer read. I really enjoyed the holiday romance as well as the chance to follow the characters from holiday to home to see if the relationship continues and how they carry on in their everyday lives especially considering family dynamics. It has humour, holiday, romance, families, relationships and more - a great summer fiction book!

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In Corsica, Lauren, a woman enjoying her vacation with her teenage son, crosses paths with James, a divorced veterinarian from London. They quickly develop a strong bond and rediscover the true meaning of love. Their connection continues even after their holiday, as they bring their families together. This book narrates their story of finding a second chance at love, while also exploring the conflicts and challenges they face along the way. The perspectives of both Lauren and James' children, Esther and Charlie, are included, adding depth to the narrative. I appreciate how both Lauren and James handle the issues involving their children in a practical manner. Overall, this book is an enjoyable read.

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A fun and enjoyable summer read that leaves you wanting more. I really enjoyed this book from the interesting and fun characters to the setting

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I have mixed feelings about this novel. Some positives first, I liked our main characters. They are in their early 50s, divorced, and each have their lives pretty together individually. I tend to really like novels that have older romantic leads, the banter is generally good and so are the jokes. I also like that this is multiple POVs.

While these are aspects of the novel I liked, there were a number of things that did not jive with me. I expected more of the story to take place on vacation, but that aspect of the story only lasts about 15-20%. I wanted more in Corsica. Most of it does take place back home in the UK. The conflict seems reasonable, but is drawn out. I think some readers will like that, but I found it to drag a bit and to be sad to be quite honest. Also note this novel does not have any spicy scenes, so do not expect that.

I don’t think this is a poorly written novel or a bad story, but it just wasn’t for me right now. If you want a novel with middle aged characters with a more realistic romantic conflict that isn’t wildly unrealistic you might really like this!

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Fiona Gibson has written another wonderful story full of real life relevance and thoughtful looks at the ebbs and flows of relationships. Her main characters, James and Lauren, are good, smart, kind people who have found each other when they have just begun their fifties. They are trying to build a relationship without letting old baggage, children, and life get in the way and they are learning new ways to navigate the pitfalls. The story is so sweet and touching but also fun and has enough angst to keep you a bit off balance. It was a joy to read!

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Finding love a second time round while on holiday. Will it last or will it turn out to be just a holiday romance ?
A lovely easy read although the ending was a little bit of a disappointment it seemed a bit rushed but maybe that was just me as I was enjoying the story?

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This was an easy read, however unfortunately it didn’t grip me as much as her others.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

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This book was good for the first little bit while the heroine and Hero meet and enjoy their time together on vacation. Once they go back home things quickly grind to a halt and got boring.

The conclusion of the book and the conflict was very quick in the last few pages and felt like it was missing a lot that could have happened throughout the whole book.

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A gentle romance between a mature couple which also includes complicated 'baggage' from previous marriages. A good balanced mix of well drawn characters although I found some more than a bit annoying. I loved the main female character, Lauren and her teenage son, Charlie!

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I usually love Fiona gibsons books however this left me bored and irritated with not just the characters but the story! I really hope the next book is better.

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Lauren meets Jim on holiday and they both realise their holiday romance cannot go as smoothly with almost adult kids, work and life in general once they are back home.
That doesn't stop them trying nor does it prevent all the forseen obstacles and even more unforseen obstacles hindering the path of true love.
The main problem being a spoilt daughter who flexes her independence whilst running to daddy for help and believing that being an I Influencer is a fullfiling career.
Although it has possibilities I found the book really irritating although I loved the authors last one

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Rated 3 1/2 stars on the blog - The Man I Met On Holiday is a book to easily relax to, whilst on holiday.
There is the holiday fling and the aftermath of it. Lauren and James are in their 50s and with kids, who really don’t think holidaying with parents is cool anymore. It is interesting to see how each person relates to each other. There is humour to be had there.

There is the emotional side laid bare as to what happens when they return home and the question of whether they get it back together in their main parts of their lives or not, when reality hits home again. There’s the emotional baggage of family, the possibilities of complications and of previous relationships and the busyness of everyday life, including work to contend with as they decide what path to go down.

It took me a little while to get into, but once I did, it is a book to sit back, kick off the shoes and relax into and is quite a fun read to be immersed in.

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