I have always loved fiona gibson’s books so was really looking forward to this read!
Viv is a middle aged menopausal wife of Andy and mother of two children Spencer and Izzy stuck in a mundane job when her world implodes!
Andy has been having an affair as viv discovers one day whilst using his phone, what follows is a voyage of discovery for viv as she gradually comes to terms with her marriage break up but more importantly reconnects with who she used to be becoming a woman on a mission with a project which leads to new career prospects and the possibility of love once more!
A quick undemanding read that will resonate with women of a certain age!
Thank you net galley for this early read.

This was a fun read. It gave me a new perspective on life.

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

First off I would just like to say Thank You for allowing me to read the ARC of this amazing book !! This is my first time reading anything by Fiona Gibson and it was a true pleasure!
I loved this book for so many reasons ...
The funny sassy whit of the main character Viv, man I do want her as one of my BFF's . I LOVE this woman!
Viv just happens to be hitting her menopause stage in life and is a mother of a 7 yr old little girl and 22 yr old son who gets blindsided by her husband that he is having a affair. In these pages you learn how this amazing woman figures out how to deal and heal from this trauma with help from some great girl friends to help her along the way.
This is a story of failed marriage, self discovery, self confidence, forgiveness, friendships and finding love again. It is set in London and hello I'm a sucker all things UK.
You will not be disappointed one bit with this book , it had me laughing out loud and shedding a few tears.
You will not want to put this book down, the way Fiona writes and how she make her charters so real that the words just come to life.
Definitely this book is a MUST READ in 2020!!

When Life Gives You Lemons by Fiona Gibson is a fun, uplifting tale, centred on a 'woman of a certain age' whose lot in life will be hugely relatable to many readers.

Viv has been betrayed by her husband, Andy, yet somehow finds the strength within herself to not only remain a steadfast presence for her young daughter, but to find a way to live her best life after coming out on the other side. I loved Viv's warmth, self-deprecating humour, and utter devotion to those she loves. This is a feel-good read that will have you chuckling and cheering in equal measure.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC.

Viv is wife to Andy, a doctor, and mum to 7 year old Izzy and Spencer who has moved out.
As well as the challenges of tackling the menopause, Viv is suddenly confronted with the fact that her husband is having an affair. Her job is mundane and the neighbours son a nightmare!!
However life takes a turn when her friend Penny's son returns from abroad, as well as the opportunity to undertake a project to not only help the local museum but also an attempt to celebrate penny's career.
A real feel good book with plenty of humour along the way and characters which are likeable as well as easy to relate to. Highly recommend.

This book makes you want to stand up and cheer for Viv as she regains her strength and in finding herself, realized she is an equal to those around her. She no longer lives a stopgap life but one in which she felt passionate and fulfilled. The Girl Friday project certainly helped people her forward and I also enjoy the British quips.

This book is very much about a woman finding herself while her old life comes crumbling down. It’s the perfect feel good book to read on a Sunday afternoon.

When Life Gives You Lemons, is set out in four parts, Before, After, Moving On and The Show.

Meet Viv, Viv's 52, married to Andy, they have two children, Spencer whose now grown and fled the family home and finally Izzy who's seven, their daughter.

Viv is going through the menopause with a very unsympathetic husband, although Andy works in a hospital. And it appears Andy is having a midlife crisis, a little attention from a colleague, taken too far.

Viv, finds messages on Andy's phone from Estelle, thinking initially to do with the star app she was looking at , then the realization that he is having an affair. On being found out, then overly attentive, to which he couldn't keep up, and then he leaves.

It then goes on to after, four months later, how Viv copes with being a single Mum/life, as it is now.

Viv works as a PA for Rose at Flaxico, a male dominated global food company. Rose seems like a quirky character, some requests, one would hope you're never asked at work, a little embarrassing (but you never know).

Then there's Penny, aka Girl Friday as she was, Viv's friend, who then introduces her son to Viv.

Viv has an idea putting on a show, to save the local museum. Preparing for the show has Viv Reminiscing over her youth and helps her move forward in life.

Viv's character was great, often thinking the way we all do at times, just don't tend to say out loud (although we want to). She goes through some sadder times, and comes out the other side.

This book is an easy read, great storyline, full of humour. A definite should read if you need something charming and witty to read.

Loved this romantic novel! The writer has a beautiful and seamlessly flowing narrating style and I literally could jot put the book down.

When life gives you lemons, make sure to have friends who will bring you gin or vodka...whatever works!

This was my first read by this author. Even though I have heard about her woman fiction books before.
When Life Gives You Lemons is a story about 52-year-old Viv and her life before and after divorce. We learn what she goes through and with what she struggles daily, what happened that led to the break-up, how she is handling it and her children. The book is told through her perspective but we have a plethora of side characters that make up the whole book more colorful.
It is really well-written book. I enjoyed it. The break-up and changes in life are universal and relatable subjects. Even though Via and I are miles away with life experiences, I still understand and feel for what she is going through. Maybe I was expecting a little bit lighter story, especially considering the cover.

Thanks to the publisher and to the NetGalley for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Love Fiona Gibson’s book.This one drew me right in a woman of a certain age discovers her husband is having an affair.From that moment her life as she’s known it is done the+road she takes to recover will make you cheer for her make you smile and laugh.A truly wonderful read.#netgalley#avonbooksuk

What a fun read this was! This is a book I could read more than once, would happily gift to others and read more by the author. The writing style is very good and the characters relatable

I recieved this book via Netgalley and give it my honest review.
This was an emotional rollercoaster of a book which captured the life of Viv in her 50s going through a break up, menopause and being a mother! A well written story with great characters, I enjoyed it.

When Viv discovers husband Andy is cheating on her, she is upset and angry. Andy is sincerely sorry and wants their relationship to work, until he decides otherwise, that is. He leaves Viv and she is inconsolable. As her life without Andy moves on, Viv picks herself up, dusts herself down and with good friends in the background, she is determined to get on with her life.

A good book with a likeable central character, a story of discovery which has plenty of humour and was an easy and enjoyable read.

I enjoyed this book and felt it was an easy ready! It was all about Viv whom after turning 50 is what she is facing and how she deals with it all!
Liked all the other characters too! A lovely light book to read.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Love this author she makes me laugh and this did not disappoint. I would recommend to others for a real good feeling

Wow. I love Fiona Gibson and this one did not disappoint! Another tale about a mum who’s struggling with life, where Fiona’s refreshing style accurately reflects the struggle and balances it with humour at the same time. If you’ve not tried one of her books this would be a great one to start with. 12/10!

This is a wonderful humorous story about the adventure of middle-age and menopause. I laughed outloud. My heart swelled in parts. A must read for fans of Fiona Gibson.

When Life Gives You Lemons by Fiona Gibson a five-star read that will make you snort your Lemondrop, as you will be laughing so hard. You will laugh so hard you will either cry, or if you are on the older side you may leak in other ways!! It shows us how good Fiona Gibson is at writing characters you will adore and want to help pick the pieces up, this is one of those stories you will identify with someone in some small way. This isn’t my favourite Fiona Gibson story, but it is a very good one. There are some very, very funny characters in this story and a couple that aren’t so funny, well not intentionally.

A captivating book about Viv who goes through a break up at age 50. I found the characters to be likeable and relatable.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A novel that I read in a couple of sittings which put my mind into a good place. Not as demanding as some I have written, but that, I get the feeling, is the author's style. This is a novel that made me laugh and wipe away the odd tear.

My thanks to Avon and Netgalley for allowing me to read.

A lovely easy read. Fabulous characters & full of humour & very relatable to woman of that age I’m sure. I’d recommend to anyone really enjoy this author.

OK, so a 50+ menopausal mum with marriage difficulties isn't exactly in my demographic and I had my doubts when I start reading this book. But there's common thread that we can all identify with the main character Viv. A dissatisfaction with our lives, a want for something more than we currently have. And most importantly, that the road before us is not always smooth. Whilst many of the obstacles that Viv faces are not life threatening, there's also some massive life changes that she has to face, whilst keeping a brave face on for her seven year old daughter.

I sped through this book; it was an engaging read with moments of humour, sadness and intrigue. If you have enjoyed Fiona Gibson's previous novels, then When Life Gives You Lemons will not disappoint.

This is absolutely hilarious and extremely uplifting.
I haven't been able to put this one down and adore the plot, the characters and the author.
This is such a cute little book and I have found myself laughing out loud on a number of occasions. This is a great read which you don't have to put any concentration into. As a reader, you can just sit and enjoy the story unfolding.
This is not my first read by this author, I definitely couldn't wait to get stuck into it though. The writer makes it easy to become lost in the story and this is definitely my favourite so far.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This tale of a menopausal woman who re-invents herself after her husband leaves her for a more glamorous woman is well-written and full of warmth and humour. Viv has some lovely friends from different backgrounds who rally round when Andy leaves the marital home. Daughter Izzy is delightful. Must read more by Fiona Gibson.

I thoroughly enjoyed this warm and funny entertaining book. It was a refreshing change to have the main character, Viv, middle-aged and experiencing the menopause. All the characters were just like people we all come across in real life and totally real with real problems and dilemmas. Some wonderfully hilarious observations so the book just flowed and I reached the end before I was ready, wanting more. I've enjoyed Fiona Gibson's writing in the past and this book certainly lived up to expectations.

The title of 'When Life Gives You Lemons' caught my attention and I'm delighted that I read this book. While not my usual genre, it is the perfect 'feelgood' novel and one that I raced through in one sitting.
The protaganist Viv is facing the menopause while realising that her beloved (and love-rat) husband Andy, is having an affair and about to abandon her and their witty seven year old daughter, Izzy,
While some aspects of the plot are plausible - the storyline re the menopause and Viv's confused feeling's towards Andy, the rest of the story meanders into the fairytale territory. However, this is part of the charm - the reader believes that the tale will have the requisite 'happy ending' but with some characters ready to throw a spammer in the works, we cannot be sure until the very end.
Suspend your belief, sit back and laugh and absolutely enjoy this hilarious story of one woman's battle against hot flushes, fashion and an errant husband!!
I received a free copy of this book from Avon via Netgalley in return for a honest review.

I do not often read a Fiona Gibson book, but when I do I always want to read more of her. The best part of this one is the characterization. Viv looks like someone I could be friends with, while her husband is not so much creepy as plain stupid. Stupid to leave Viv and throw away the best thing in life he had. I also liked Rose, Viv's boss, because she is hard working and deep down a very nice woman - although she is good in hiding it. And Izzy! An adorable seven-year old if there ever was one.
The story is not very unique or complicated so I just let myself go with the flow of the book and before I knew it it was finished. I was left with a pleasant feeling and in a way, some new insights.

Thanks to Netgalley for this review copy.

Viv is the mother to a 22 year old and a 5 year old, while she dreams of having her own midlife crisis. It seems that her husband has beaten her to it. He is having an affair with a leaves her for a younger woman. This is Viv's journey of self discovery, which is hilarious and heartbreaking.

Absolutely brilliant! Uplifting and inspiring, following the amazing Viv dealing with the many Lemons 🍋 life has suddenly thrown at her, was so entertaining and enthralling.
Some fantastic characters, I loved the bond between Penny and Viv, so refreshing to have an older view, especially one as outspoken and funny as Penny!
A thoughtful story, some difficult and emotional moments, dealt with in such a considerate and honest way.
You really feel like you are travelling the journey with Viv and her family.
This book kept me amused with its humour and intrigued with the drama all the way through.
I’m hoping we get the opportunity to see what happens next with Viv and everyone as I found myself becoming very attached to them all by the end of the book ( yes even the naughty lad from next door!)
More please!

Full disclosure, I am 26.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book. Let me tell you why. First of all, it addresses a category of readers who are often left behind. There are far more Young Adult books than Menopausal Woman books. While I can understand in part why is that, can we also understand the fact that women in those times in their lives need literature they can relate to too? I have been having a very big problem with the word "diversity" lately. Somehow it is believed that diversity means just race and weight. No, diversity means, as seen in this book, different ages too. Life doesn't stop at 20. It really goes on and it is just as worthy to be written about as all those others.

Closing my rant, I appreciated the theme of this book, the frankness and the humor. I loved to see women coming together supporting each-other, confronting their fears, their insecurities, moving forward.

Highly recommending it not just to women in their third youth but to women and men of all ages. Life is beautiful and it should be appreciated and read about in all its forms and stages.

I wasn’t sure how much I could get into the story of a menopausal woman whose husband cheats on her and then moves out. But Fiona Gibson writes so engagingly that I found that I couldn’t put down this story. Viv is so miserable most of the book with her physical ills, her rat of a husband, and her dismal job. But she has good friends and an adorable little girl that I kept pulling for her. I would have enjoyed it even more if the turnaround in her life had started a bit earlier since all the glum moments in her life seem to take up a good part of the book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I lived this book, loved viv the main character, could really relate to her. It’s hard growing older, but this book and it’s warm hearted ending had me gripped. Loved to see the cheating male lose out and really enjoyed the quirky sub characters. Every women of 40 needs to read this book.

I love Fiona Gibson's books! This story is the typical story of a middle-aged woman who has lost herself due to marriage and motherhood and reinvents herself after her husband leaves her for another woman. A fun, well-written, pleasurable read with a story that flows... A seemingly simple story that will definitely make you think!

3.5* Where was the Scottishness of this otherwise good book? Entirely missing!

So this is the second tale I've read in the space of a week that takes place in Glasgow, one of the poorer (generally) parts of the UK, and yet all we get to see/hear about is what comes across as fairly privileged people. That's a bit of a side whinge, actually, but I can't help think that both tales lost authenticity by not making any of their numerous characters seem authentically Scottish. I mean, in most novels where a lead/character is from another country, authors tend to throw in the odd bit of dialogue in that language, but here there wasn't so much as an 'och', rather disappointingly.

But, the tale drew me in, after I considered DNF'ing it about 10% in, as I have too much in common with the female lead, Viv. I think the author timed Viv's husband's dastardly deed at the right moment, with just the right number of hints and not an infodump, that I went off on a tangent and imagined a LOL tale of a woman scorned, and began to feel rather smug in anticipation. Nope, it wasn't, as it turned out, but it was a very decent tale of a woman finding herself and her backbone, realising that life with hubby wasn't and hadn't been all bliss, but that she wasn't unhappy that it had come to an end, as she'd gained her two children from it. The author's way of making me care about Viv, Izzy and Viv's friends, drew me into the tale, despite this genre not really being my thing.

The tale did have a side story happening, which wasn't the most interesting or the clearest, but at the same time, it added warmth and community spirit and friendships and relationships spawned from people spending time together when wanting to do so and also when united for a common goal.

This was a nice intro to this author, and I would read more.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for my reading pleasure.

Charming and heartfelt, When Life Gives You Lemons is a good first purchase for adult fiction collections. Sure to leave readers smiling

Thanks to netgalley for a chance to read this book.

Good book about Viv and her life when she finds out her husband is having an affair and how she deals with getting on with her life and how she deals with all it throws at her whilst looking after their daughter Isla.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this book.
I could have written this book!
Such a fun, wild and light hearted read and a look inside what most women are faced with today!!

When Viv's husband goes through a mid-life crisis and has an affair, Viv is initially devastated and wants him back. She's also going through menopause and raising her seven-year-old daughter. This witty book is all about how Viv gets her groove back! I enjoyed this book as a light read - parts of it had me laughing out loud! I might rate it 3.5 stars but decided to round up.

A great read.

Viv finds out her husband is having an affair, and when he leaves her she has a chance to live the life she wants.

Loved the scenes with Izzy, especially the cooking!

Another fun cozy story by this author. I really enjoyed the characters and storyline as well. Great for a winter read.

A very true to life look at the sudden breakdown of a marriage and how to pick yourself up again. With kids, a job, friends, and a project to throw herself into, not to mention the arrival of a very handsome man, Viv takes those lemons life has thrown at her and squeezes the life out of them. She's pretty good with eggs too! I was rooting for her from start to finish. Loved it.

Having read books by Fiona Gibson before, knew this would be a great read. The title fits the story perfectly. Great to get to know Viv the main character who decides to get on with her life & change it for the better with passion & determination. Highly recommend it

Fiona Gibson is a writer of instant-classic women's fiction. This book is all about the journey that needs to be taken when your whole life is upended.

Viv finds herself divorced and has to to rebuild her life and rediscover herself after years of being a wife and mother. She now finds herself single, and she struggles to adapt and make it all work. We read all the myriad emotions that Viv experiences, and Fiona Gibson expresses Viv's emotions very eloquently.

A fine work of women's fiction, a quick and easy read. Great for summer at the beach or pool.

I really enjoyed this book, even more so as the main character was a fifty-something menopausal woman rather than the usual perky 20/30-something. I loved reading about Viv reclaiming her life and setting herself on a new path after being being treated so badly by her cheating husband, having her self-esteem stomped on and being called amphibious.
When life gives you lemons slice them, put them in a G&T and read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers ____ for sending me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I mainly requested this book due to it being set in Glasgow and while I enjoy books set in Scotland in general, Glasgow has a really special place in my heart. However, I am much younger than the main character Viv and so once I started reading wondered if I would keep going as she was at a totally different point in her life to me. One grown up son (who's almost my age) and an "accidental" daughter aged 7, as well as going through the menopause with a less than sympathetic husband. 

Although she is getting through life, it is not how she imagined it would be, in a job that was meant to be stop gap but she is still in 5 years later, Viv is happy with her lot and bumbles through life. Enjoying her chats with Penny, an older lady who she met in the park but who has had a wonderful life. That is until "Viv's husband Andy makes his mid-life crisis her problem" and she finds out by accident that he has been having an affair. What makes matters worse is that the affair is with a colleague who is a similar age so totally appropriate for him. 

The book then follows Viv as she puts her life back together and figures out how to be single after 25 years with Andy always around. 

I really enjoyed the second half of the story as it showed Viv finding herself and realising that her life with Andy hadn't been perfect. 

I really fell in love with the characters and felt the author did a good job of giving them enough background without it being too much. I was slightly disappointed by the lack of mention of Glasgow however, since that was one of the reasons I picked the book but it does not take away from the story at all! I think I would definitely read more from this author and I would love a follow on from Penny's point of view!

Worth to be read but I can say it was a novel that kept me plugged! I like heart-warming stories about life and it's challenging moments - or better say crises as in this one middle age crisis hits, but at the same time I'd expect more! So just 4 stars from me! I'd love to read more from this author in the future

Always enjoy Fiona Gibson books. Guaranteed an excellent story line and relatable characters. This book did not let me down. Stuck in a dead end job, stuck in a rut at home. Life changes quickly and you adapt. Supported by friends of various ages and backgrounds. You are cheering on the main characters.
Would like to read a second book to follow on from where this one finishes.

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.

Review will be up on my Instagram channel @tamsterdam_reads on March 5th.

This book was a great read. The heroine, Viv, is going through the menopause, in a job she is over qualified for that was meant to be a stop gap. She has two children, 7 year old daughter Izzy, who loves cooking and a much older son, Spencer, who has left home. Her husband Andy, is a doctor and the same age as Viv, 52. Quite early on in the book Viv finds out that Andy has been cheating on her and he leaves as he tells Viv he is in love with his girlfriend. Fortunately Viv has supportive friends and the book shows how she grows in strength after her husband leaves. Along the way there are tears but there’s also a lot of fun as you see the character develop and what she achieves by the end of the book.
I have never read any books by Fiona Gibson before but I will definitely be looking out for her books in the future.