This book was nothing like I was expecting it to be. Based on the blurb, I was expecting a light hearted, fun, holiday romance turns into forever kind of book. Instead, what I got was very litle holiday, a whole lot of over the top, unrelatable, unbelieveable, unikelable characters, angst, and way too much attention focused on one single side character, who by the way is 20 and has been dating a man in his 50s for two years. Just not my type of book.

What an immensely readable, charming story!
The writing draws you in immediately and the characters have real depth. The plot is not action-packed; the characters drive the story, and it impacts the emotions even though difficult feelings and circumstances are handled with a light touch. The friendship/ romance between Lauren and James is so tender and believably developed. Charlie and Esther also emerge as fully-fleshed young people trying to find their path in life, and their relationships with their respective parents are authentic. Miles, the Peter Pan of the story, is the antagonist you love to hate! A gentle, absorbing tale of older lovers and young adults struggling to find their way, this one is perfect for lovers of women's fiction.

Can two single parents who met on the beaches of Corsica keep the relationship going when they get home? That's the question this rom com pokes at after Lauren and James fall in love with a pow. Her son Charlie and his daughter Esther aren't so sure but everyone has their say. It's a nicely written tale with grownups trying to live their best lives. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

While I'm not a huge fan of rom-com books, Gibson's are some I really enjoy. Her latest is no exception. It was the fun, lighthearted read I needed.

Gibson crafts characters that are flawed, funny, and realistic. They struggle with relatable issues of self-doubt. I enjoyed the multiple POV's in the story, as it gives the reader a fuller picture. Secondary characters, such as the children, are well-utilized. I wasn't a fan of Miles and Rhona, but I truly enjoyed the others. Overall, this is a heartfelt story with themes of family dynamics and romance, and it quickly pulls the reader in.

Going on holiday with your 17 year old son does not recreate the blissful holiday of previous years. Feeling a bit lost and not knowing what to do, taking parent's dog for a walk leads to a chance encounter.
But can it work in the real world. Will jobs, family, social media and friends get in the way?
Can a holiday romance translate to home ground when you are in your 50's with adult children, parent's and life domestic issues?
Cheer them on and realise life doesn't end because you are single, a parent or over 50. See

I enjoy Corsica scenery, the activity around them (the beach, swimming, kayaking, snorkling, canyoning), the food influence between france and italian make me droll. Lauren glad to show James around the island, they spend time together, be with each other companion, feeling build during that time. When holiday over, the story move and focus to another character in this book, Esther (James daughter) share pov about her life, career, boyfriend, worried, difficulty.  Charlie (Lauren son) have pov too share what he think about his mom, James, his father, Esther, his bestfriend. Relationship not easy even in middle age, there is up and down, testing the love, only the strong one will last forever.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#TheManIMetonHoliday #FionaGibson #AvonBooksUK #NetGalley #ARC

I’ve always loved Fiona Gibson’s previous books but this was a bit of a letdown. It had such promise but it just didn’t deliver. The two main characters meet on holiday and continue their holiday romance when back home and surrounded by their respective baggage! I did feel James was too much of a wimp and kept disappointing Lauren which I didn’t like!

The cover and idea that I’d be reading a fun holiday romance-type book fell flat. This book was a slow read for me.
The two main characters, Lauren and James, meet on their respective holidays. Unfortunately they both have children who don’t want to have fun with their parents. Lauren’s relationship with James soon becomes a romance, but it doesn’t quite have the feels!
The storyline didn’t gel, too many interruptions in the ‘real world’ and without a build up to a happy future! The characters weren’t relatable, more like annoying with their drama.

Thanks to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lauren and James - 50+'s- meet on holiday and fall in love. They had not taken into account the effect of family ties and problems - will their romance survive? Another enthralling novel from Fiona Gibson.

I really loved the fact that this book focused on two adults and how different dating might be when they both have adult children. The issues were definitely real and I'm sure many people can relate.

The first part of the book (the first 100 pages or so) that took place on vacation was amazing. However, it felt too rushed and I think that more time could have been spent on developing their relationship. But the two main characters were likeable and I really enjoyed reading about their adventures on holiday.

As I said before, it is very interesting to read about their real life problems and how different things are when they are in real life and not on holiday anymore where everything is perfect. When they come back, they have to face some challenges, for example meeting each other's children. Although these things are very real, they felt kind of boring in the book. I did not care about the other characters, especially Esther and Miles.

It wasn't even really focused on Lauren and James anymore, which I found very disappointing. Some bits were funny but some unfortunately very boring. This book touched on some important and real struggles, which I appreciate because it made the story very realistic.

Maybe it is my fault that I was expecting something else from this book. I wanted a light, funny, romance book that takes place on holiday but that was only the first 100 pages. It is not a bad book at all, it just didn't really meet my expectations.

Thank you so much NetGalley for this ARC!

This was so good. It was a great book that seriously made me feel all warm inside.
I just reviewed The Man I Met on Holiday by Fiona Gibson. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I loved this book, I’ve always enjoyed Fiona Gibsons writing, but something in this one resonated with me.
Lauren is such a sweet character, so passionate about her work and desperately trying to keep her teenage son, Charlie, close to her.
James is lovely, handsome, over 50 and a vet who loves animals, perfect! But his troubles with 20 year old daughter Esther affect his blossoming relationship with Lauren.
The book begins on the beautiful island of Corsica, with rich imagery and vividness. The story is a candid yet enjoyable look at dating in your fifties with all the complications that brings.
A superb book.

Relatable and heartwarming. I really love the characters, normal parents and human beings navigating life—a perfect feel-good read.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review. The Man I Met on Holiday by Fiona Gibson is out on March 2nd 💌

What happens after the holiday romance ends and life at home happens? The one thing many books don’t end up getting into, but this one did, and I really liked it. Lauren and James, single parents in their fifties, meet on holiday in Corsica and hit it off! Once the holiday is over and Lauren and James are home again, the real challenge begins as life gets in the way. Beautifully written book with so much depth to it, so different from all the “holiday romances” I’ve read so far. Really recommend if you want a beautiful lovestory about the meaning of family, trust and don’t mind a book without any spice (which honestly, I do sometimes!) 🥰

I always really enjoy books by Fiona Gibson snd this was no exception. It tells the tale of Lauren and James, who meet whilst holidaying on Corsica. Both have offspring who are late teens or early twenties and are not without challenges in their lives.

The story mainly focuses on their return from a perfect holiday romance and whether they can keep that romance alive whilst dealing with many of the issues that spring from middle life.

I enjoyed the tale, it was easy to read and very gentle. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I want to visit Corsica after reading this story! Lauren and James meet on holiday and have a wonderful connection. They try to continue on when they return home, juggling the new relationship along with jobs and family life. Can they manage to make it all come together? Told from the point of view of all the main characters this is a very well told story, switching between the thoughts and perspective of young adults in a modern world, to the middle aged parents trying to embrace something new and special while not letting anyone down. Keeps the pages turning until late in the night!

On holiday in Corsica, Lauren is having difficulty connecting with Charlie, her teenage son. The once loving boy has grown up wanting to become more independent. James is also on holiday alone, and he and Lauren begin spending time together becoming romantically involved.
The book is mainly told from two perspectives, which gives a more rounded, in-depth story. Written in a warm, welcoming and humorous tone, the characters are relatable and friendly. While their holiday romance has been perfect, when Lauren and James return home and families become involved, things become more difficult.
This engaging, heartfelt story is about romance, family relationships and trying to cope when problems arise. I enjoyed the interplay between the characters, James’s daughter Esther is living with Miles, a man James can’t stand, and the story is humorous as his character develops. Though Esther’s complex relationship with Miles seems to take over as the plot unfolds.
This is the second book I have read by Fiona Gibson, I thoroughly enjoyed reading and she is becoming one of my favourite authors. Highly recommended.

A little all over the place.

I liked Lauren and James as our main characters. It's nice to see messy lives in literature. I wish we'd seen more of their relationship blossoming on holiday. It felt very rushed and we were just told that they fell in love because they went on dates, rather than being shown the emotional process of falling in love.

In places it felt like two different books, we really didn't need the perspectives of Esther (James's daughter) or Charlie's (Lauren's son). Esther's arc felt like it needed its own book and felt out of place. I understand it was a plot device to create conflict but I wish we had gotten it through James's perspective. But in the end it just felt like filler.

The prose itself is easy to read and very similar to Gibson's other books. I have loved other books by the author but this one missed the mark.

Thank you @netgalley and @Avonbookuk for my eARC in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately I was severely bored and disappointed. The story lacked something I can’t really explain but it just fell flat, the characters had no chemistry and the story doesn’t really take place on a holiday. They just take their baggage home and hope it doesn’t blow up in their faces (spoiler: it does).

The side characters were awful and what was that about a relationship between a 20 and a 50 yo??

An enjoyable read with a real feel to it plus a fair sprinkling of humour. 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 and although I liked the main male character of James I found him a little weak and somewhat over concerned with trying to please his self obsessed daughter Esther who had a narcissistic thoroughly obnoxious boyfriend Miles.