I've never read a "meet cute" before....but this is exactly how I would categorize a meet cute. The first half was wonderful and enjoyable. The two MCs were adorable. The halfway point is when the story really got going....which to me was almost too late. At this point I was almost ready to put it down...because the "meet cute" part happened but the plotline (which was hinted at) was not developing . It just kept getting dangled in front of me like a carrot....well there is potential for a problem....but lets not get to that...just yet.

Then if finally brings the side characters into play and off the reader goes. We get some CONFLICT.
But....
Then it sort of wrapped up really quick, mostly through the assist of side characters. In fact all through the assist side characters. No actual resolution is seen between our MCs...it is only talked about. They get back together....and that's that. We skip seeing each other to get back together, we miss the talk,....the hallmark moment so-to-speak. I was a bit surprised.

There was no real resolution or talk about the conflict. Just that the side characters magically solve the problem and the MC's get together like nothing ever happened. Oh we hear their points of view; like how they are happy to be back with each other. But have no idea how they got back to being happy again.

It's like how I argue with my parents sometimes. We argue...then just don't talk about it...and just forget it ever happened. While this works for minor arguments....in relationships and for big issues...this doesn't solve anything.

WOW! What a treat this book was, I absoloutely raced through it and genuinely laughed out loud.
I particularly enjoyed how fast paced the novel was and how it felt like I was catching up with friends activities.
The book is packed full of romance, laughter, what-ifs and is just so relatable. I could read this kind of novel all day everyday.

A light hearted rom com that the reader can enjoy over a weekend. It definitely is different from the other romcoms since the protagonists are in their early 50s and have children. What becomes of their chance at happily ever after is fun to read.

A thoroughly enjoyable, light hearted read. Told from the point of view of the 4 main characters, it’s easy to follow and hard to put down. Romantic with a dose of realism, you can’t help but root for the main couple Lauren and James. A great read.

Thank you Netgalley

I do love a Fiona Gibson book!!! This didn’t disappoint at all and was lovely to see Lauren get her happily ever after. Fiona stays on my favourite author list!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I have to say. Maybe because it was romantic but realistic at the same time? Featured people more my own age than other books of this ilk? Probably a bit of both :)

Single mum Lauren goes off to Corsica for a break with her nearly adult son. He finds her embarrassing and she bemoans the lessening of their bond now he is older.

James is supposed to be in Corsica with his daughter but at the last minute she bails.

Then Lauren and James meet and it is an instant attraction.

How are they going to make it work in the real world though, once their holiday is over? This is something lots of people struggle with after a holiday fling - but most people aren't middle aged with lots of baggage!

A good, solid book and I enjoyed the stories of Lauren and James' kids that were interwoven with theirs.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

An interesting story of how two middle-age people accidentally met in a summer holiday, falling in love, and tried to develop their relationship back home in England. The story tells from 4 perspectives, not only from the two main characters, but also their own children and their own personal issues and how they sees their respective parent relationship with each other. It's a funny and heartwarming read!

A lovely read. Great characters and storyline. A holiday romance not about 20 year olds! Lauren and James, both single parents in their 50’s are learning to accept that their children do not need them in the same ways they always have and what that means for them. What is next for them? They meet in Corsica on vacation and hit it off immediately. They have a romantic fun filled time together and wonder if this will is just a summer thing or can it possibly translate into the “real world”. I really enjoyed the road they each traveled.

Lauren meets James while they are both on holiday, but what will happen to their relationship once they are back in their real lives. I loved the setting in Corsica and how it was told from both points of view.

The Man I met On Holiday is a novel by British author, Fiona Gibson. It starts innocently enough: two people in their early fifties abandoned by their near-adult children whilst on vacation in Corsica. London veterinarian James Burton happens along just as the dog Lauren Summer is walking collapses, and saves a life. The attraction is immediate and soon they are spending almost all their time together, the appeal morphing into love by the end of James’s holiday.

But can a holiday romance withstand the rigors of everyday life? Will it survive meeting important family members and friends, the emotional baggage of past relationships, exes in the background, demanding jobs, and a ninety-minute drive between their homes?

All goes well at first: they make time to be together, and Lauren’s seventeen-year-old son Charlie gets on fine with James. Their relationship grows stronger. But, just as Lauren’s priority is the son she has raised alone since he was seven, twenty-year-old social media influencer Esther lays claim to her father’s attention, even as she lives with her ageing DJ boyfriend, Miles, whose fidelity, honesty and suitability for his precious daughter are frequently questioned by James.

Christmas is often a catalyst for family drama, and so it goes with James: events in Esther’s life beget a crisis, and Lauren’s off-grid Cornwall cottage getaway goes quite differently from what was hoped. Irritation, worry and disappointment are the hallmark of those special days; can they come back from that?

Both Lauren and James are characters with depth and appeal, for whom it’s easy to wish the best. Charlie’s perspective offers a different view of relationships; Esther is an interesting character whose developing maturity will have readers initially frustrated but then cheering her on. An enjoyable romance that takes a few turns before the happy ending.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

Cute story with a fun premise, I read it in one night!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book at the start of chapter 6 when the main characters meet. It wasn't through any fault of the book, I was enjoying the book right up until I wasn't. I read the summary several times, and obviously, I'd seen the characters separately in the first 5 chapters, but the moment they introduced themselves it triggered a memory in my brain that I prefer not to think about and I couldn't bring myself to spend the rest of the book thinking about that because that absolutely would have negatively impacted my feelings on the book. It's fine it just means that I am not the reader for this book, but this book would definitely be great for fans of rom comes and second chance romances.

Oh I do love a book set on a holiday it really makes me feel like I’m there with them. I also love Fiona Gibson’s books, I think she writes amazing and lovely books that transport you to a happier place.
I liked the different points of view and how it all came together and I felt like we really got to know the characters along the way. I love a bit of romance and this one really was the perfect holiday romance read!

Unfortunately, I am DNFing this one at 40%. I honestly do not care about the characters at all. From page one, I was not invested. I am sad because I love seeing older protagonists.

What a really great book. When Lauren and James both get pushed aside by their children whilst on holiday they find themselves seeking company with each other. What seemed like a future alone now brings hope that an adventure might be beginning. Fiona Gibson manages to make me laugh every time. You will have to read it to find out if their romance can survive back home.

An intriguing tale of believable relationships. Lauren and James meet on holiday and immediately feel an attraction to one another. But both have “adult” children and a previous partner so things don’t run as smoothly when they get back home as they would have hoped.

All the characters were well described and relatable so I found myself rooting for the pair and hoping it might all work out in the end.

This is a holiday rom com that has a twist I've never seen before - the story follows the couple home for a very real feel.

James and Lauren meet while on holiday in Corsica. Lauren is a single mom whose teenager does not want to hang out with her. James was supposed to be on holiday with his daughter, but she cancelled.

Lauren is out walking her parents' dog when the dog collapses. James, a vet, rushes to their aid. James and Lauren get on well and decide to continue to date each other when they return home.

This is a sweet read and will appeal to mature readers.

Thank to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Lauren takes her son Charlie in holdup but he decides he doesn’t want to spend any time with her.

James was meant to be on holiday with his daughter Esther but was sold up at the airport.

They meet in Corcisa and explore the area together. Once they return home the find it more and more difficult to spend time together and real life troubles start to get in the way. Can they make it work?

The story is told from the different points of view of James, Lauren, Charlie and Esther.

A lighthearted tale of what happens next when a holiday romance comes back home and real life gets in the way.
Lauren and James meet on holiday and immediately make a connection. Both are worried about their children, who are getting older and leaving the nest. So when they return home, real life troubles get in the way. Can Lauren and James make it work?
Told by Lauren, James and their children, Charlie and Ester, I really connected with them and cared what happened. The story starts well but I felt it was a little rushed later. I did enjoy it and it was plausible. I would recommend.

<b>Actual Rating: 2.5⭐</b>

A holiday romance featuring two single parents met in Corsica and ended up getting together while exploring the place.
The plot idea sounds like it’ll be a cute and unique rom-com, however I’m quite disappointed with how this book turns out.

The story is told in multiple POVs, there’s Lauren and James and also their kids – Charlie and Esther. I like seeing how their family struggle to try to find a way to fit in together with their kids even after the holiday is over.

Corsica is a beautiful place and I really like the place as the main characters – Lauren and James, explore it. Sadly, the story only takes place there for the first 20%.

The romance between James and Lauren is barely there. There’s a lot of telling instead of showing especially near the ending. I would’ve like it more if the book shows more about Lauren and James relationship instead of other people’s problem.

This book has the potential to be more but some things just makes me couldn’t enjoy the whole story, like the time jumps, hard-to-like characters and minimum romance aspect.

Even though this one is not for me, it might work out for you if you enjoy reading a character-driven, full of drama and emotional book then you can give this one a try.

<i>I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to the author and publisher.</i>