I really enjoyed Viv and her daughter. I thought the writing was spectacular. This book made me laugh often and made me feel a wide range of emotions. But this book didn't do anything for me. I didn't see a plot other than "I'm in my 50s and my marriage is falling apart." I guess I just wanted more of this book. I do think it is better suited for other people, but this one was not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this delightful book.

Firstly, I’ll start by saying my mum loves Fiona Gibson’s books. I started describing this one to her and she laughed and said, “I’m also reading this exact book right now!” This is my first one and to begin with I was a little unsure how I could relate to the protagonist being a 50 something year old woman going through “the change”. Well, I loved it! It’s funny, endearing, and lighthearted. It’s sad in some ways but the protagonist is so optimistic, I’d love her as one of my friends! I highly recommend this easy read, I found it to be a tonic in light of the current pandemic.

Seriously cute book! A fun light read and one I really enjoyed. I would recommend it for sure and think it would be a great addition to summer reading for anyone!

I think this is my first by this author so i didnt know what to exoect and it is not the usual genre of books i read but read great things hence why i picked this book.
We begin in Edinburgh where we have 50 something overweight menopausal wife and mother to two children, one at 20 and one at 7, only looking after the young one as the older son has fled the nest. Quite early on in the book, the husband and daddy leaves the marital home after having an affair and the story is about how Viv gets back to normal life. Nothing was bittingly obvious, it just flowed from day to day and didnt keep me througholy interested so i had to keep putting it down and going through it slowly. By the second half of the book it dragged a little for me. Many parts of the book were very funny and i did giggle at some of the wording, the boy next door drove me nuts, Luca. Viv job is a PA and the second half is about her working life...
I dont normally read this style so it could just be that, i dont think its my style thats all but it was wrote well, i liked the character too. It just didnt pull me in that is all.
Thank you to Harpercollins publishers and netgalley for this book for an honest review

This is a light and fluffy read , sometimes funny sometimes sad, about menopause, marriage and men. Strong female friendships help Viv navigate her new path.

I received When Life Gives You Lemons by Fiona Gibson as an ARC from NetGalley. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the main character Viv. I can identify with Viv who is in the menopausal stage of her life. She and her husband have a grown son, Spencer and a 7 year old daughter Izzy who was a surprise when Viv was 44. She works as a PA for a big company and thinks everything is fine with her life until she discovers her husband is having an affair when she sees a text come in on his phone. Viv life is suddenly turned upside down but I love how strong a woman she turns out to be and how this was the push she needed to make important changes in her life. I plan to go and read Fiona Gibson's other books as this was my first introduction to her.

Wow! This was such a fun, light, easy-going read that made me laugh out loud. I could not put this book down. I loved Viv, eight-year-old Izzy, and glamorously colourful Penny. I'm happy that Andy didn't get much print time as to me, he was incredibly bland and just an awful character.

There will be women who will recognise a piece of themselves in Viv. Throw in the menopause, a failed marriage and a crappy job into the mix, and you get this glittering masterpiece.

When Life Gives You Lemons, is the first book by Fiona Gibson I've ever read, and I am now in the market for her others. I would love for the author to continue the storyline, and to see where Viv's life goes next because I have so many unanswered questions. Does Izzy end up a YouTube sensation or win MasterChef Junior?, Do Viv and Nick get married, and live happily ever after? Does Penny restart Girl Friday?

Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me access to this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

My thoughts



Narrative and Plot


When Life Gives You Lemons is entirely told in a first person's view, by the main character Viv herself.  Witty and self-deprecating, her tone settles you into the story with an ease and comfort right from the beginning. With effortless charm, Viv paints a clear picture of other important characters around her which is sometimes a problem with first person narratives.


This is mainly a character based story. It starts from how Viv is embarrassed about where she is at life and has a decent arc by the end where she is comfortable being herself.



Characters and Conflicts



The synopsis never mentions that Viv is in her fifties, which is a surprise when you start the book. But she is definitely a relatable character to most women. Menopause is an important topic in the story. This is a good thing because from where I come from, lots of people are still unaware about the issues that come along with it. The more it gets talked about, the better. Izzy, Viv's daughter is an adorable child. And even Ludo makes a good impression. The friendship between Viv and Penny is heartwarming.


The story doesn't make the changes abruptly. It takes small steps throughout when Viv's character develops further. There are times when certain events feel a bit too stretched. Most of them comes back and is justified at some point. All the ensemble characters contribute further to the story. There is a subtle romance and I really appreciate how it doesn't take centre stage. This is all about Viv and how she reacts to the sour lemons that surely gets thrown at her.




Conclusion


In short, I expected this book to be a fun, light read and that is exactly what it turns out to be. There's is this undeniable charm and simplicity to it. If not for a few drags and stretches here and there, this is almost a perfect read. This story goes out to all women who think it's a bit too late or they can't take risks anymore. It gives hope that one can turn around their life at any stage , if they truly desire that.

A hilariously funny read and my first by Fiona Gibson! It was really great to read a book about a middle age women going through menopause that doesn’t let life get you down! Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion!

I tried multiple times to read this book but couldn't get into it.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review *

Brilliant book loved the ending was worried she was going to get back together with her husband so glad it went the other way as I was saying to myself "I would never speak to her again if she got back with him"

Thank you for a brilliant book fiona Gibson cant wait to read more of your books

This book is just the perfect pick-me-up that we all need at the moment!

I’ve been a fan of this author’s books for a while, but it’s ages since I’ve read one of hers. They just keep getting better and better.

Viv is such a great character. I liked her so much. She goes through so much during the course of the book, but keeps such a great sense of humour through it all. She also finds her inner strength and confidence.

I love the way the author takes a subject that can be a bit of a taboo, or difficult to talk about, the menopause, and makes it so humorous. There’s a refreshing honesty there too.

There are genuine laugh-out-loud moments in this book, it really is hilarious. Absolutely loved it.

4☆ A Very Entertaining, Witty, Light Hearted Read!

Viv is finding everything a lil overwhelming, she's a mum going through menopause and feeling unsupported and unattractive by hubby Andy.

The menopause is giving her an insatiable sex drive... if only Andy would reciprocate.... instead he has a bad back or just too tired.... really?!
Or could it just be that he is having a rampant affair with his younger work colleague?

I'll let you read it and find out for yourself! 🤔

The title of this book is perfect!.....When Life Gives You Lemons....and Viv certainly had a few sour ones thrown her way!
But did she give up?... nope!
I really liked Viv she was strong, very relatable, likeable and a great Mum to seven year old Izzy!

When Life Gives You Lemons is a humorous, witty, womens fiction, with plenty of drama, a dash of Romance, a relatable plot and a fantastic set of characters.
I certainly could relate to the night sweats and painic LOL!
It's a Light Hearted, Entertaining, Fun, Easy flowing Read, perfect for a lil bit of Escapism, that will leave you Giggling!

Thank you to Avon Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Funny and sassy I did enjoy this book who touches on many actual themes. I'll definitely read more books from this author in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-copy in exchange for an honest review. This is the first Fiona Gibson book I have read – and I am hoping if I decide to read one of her other books that I will enjoy it more. The book started well, which is why I kept reading it, but basically from a quarter in until the last quarter of the book was slow and, in my opinion, not written very smoothly. I wish the whole book was like the last 100 pages. Even though the main character has been dealt a crappy hand with a cheating husband, I had a hard time having sympathy for Viv. Maybe the complaints about Andy the ex, need to be more detailed right from the start. She just felt whiny and irritating. There was no real chemistry between her and her love interest and no detailed time of Viv with Nick – not sure how they would even end up together. Viv’s treatment of Penny’s feelings was dishonest and I’m not sure I would rely on Viv as a friend. Couple these issues with the book not flowing causing me to feel disconnected with the characters. If I decide to read another Fiona Gibson book, I’ll pay close attention to what reviewers say. Since Ms. Gibson is a multiple written novelist, I assume this book may just be a lemon.

Starting this book I knew from the start that something was of with Andy. And I hated her reaction to it, the way she just tried to make things normal again. And even though she tried, she failed. Even if it’s not her fault.
And that made me so frustrated.
I thought this should’ve been funny, but it dragged on without showing a funny scene...

I don’t know if it’s the timing or myself, but I just couldn’t connect with the book.

The writing was good, but mostly character driven. All in all it felt a little bit too slow and it just couldn’t catch me sadly.
I needed to stop at 25 % even though I’m sorry about that.

When Life Gives You Lemons is a great motto to have, especially at the moment. But to cap it off the tag line is to add gin and tonic. Which if I must say is pretty perfect.

Viv is definitely the star of the show and it was great to see her blossom throughout. However, all the secondary characters  were fully fledged. I especially liked Penny, a strong older lady who has a penchant for bright clothes. And Izzy, Viv's seven year old daughter who is extremely creative.  But there are also many others.

Through Viv, we get her witty comments, her inner monologues and her dreams. Viv literally leaps off the page. So much so that it felt like she was sitting next to me. From the very first page I just wanted to be her friend. When she had a low moment I wanted to encourage her. When she planned to achieve her dreams I was her cheerleader.  Viv was a lady whom you can't help but like.

One gripe that I do have is, is the book being billed as a hilarious romantic comedy. Yet the book was not quite that. Yes there were some funny moments. And yes there was a hint of mild flirting. But whether this means that When Life Gives You Lemons is justafilable billed as such is questionable? Or maybe I am just being grumpy.

This was a fun, life affirming novel, that shows that no matter what stage of life you are. No matter what is being thrown at you. You can make positive changes and achieve your dreams.

An uplifting read, with a group of characters who cannot help but like. When Life Gives You Lemons is the perfect read. Especially when you add a Gin and Tonic in the mix!

This is my first book by Fiona Gibson, and I’m now wondering why I haven’t read anything by her before because this novel was right up my street, definitely what I needed to cheer me up and take my mind off my enforced isolation.

It probably helped that the main character of Viv could, in many ways, be me. I haven’t related this closely to the main protagonist of a novel in a long while. It is so refreshing to see a menopausal woman of a certain age as the main character of a mainstream book, and one who is so unassuming but kickass as Viv. Although I have to say, the thought of having a seven-year-old at the age of 52 (which would be the equivalent of me currently being in charge of a toddler) filled me with abject horror! Those days are far behind me, thankfully (although dealing with teens can be just as bad) and I admired Viv’s fortitude in this regard.

The writing in this novel is light and upbeat and easy to read throughout and I fairly flew through the pages. The plot and tone and characters are all very engaging, and it was very easy to immerse myself in their world and care about what was going on. I really loved the fact that Fiona did not make any of the characters canonised saints or absolute sinners, which sometimes can happen when an author wants us to sympathise with a protagonist and her decisions. Here, although Viv’s husband behaves like a cad, he is not a pantomime villain with no redeeming features, just an ordinary, if slightly weak, man, and this makes it much easier for the reader to believe in him and Viv’s reaction to him. All in all, I felt like all of the characters and their behaviour were realistically portrayed.

What made this book a real winner for me, though, was the painfully and brutally honest portrayals of peri-menopause and what it does to a woman, both physically and emotionally. As someone who is going through this stage of life at the moment and has, at times over the past three years felt like her body has been hijacked by an alien who keeps doing very undignified things to it, it was refreshing to see someone talking about this out loud and taking the sting out of it. At times this book had me absolutely howling with laughter. The part when Viv’s boss takes her out to lunch to discuss a potential new role for her in the company was a particular highlight. A good chuckle at women in my current situation was the tonic I never knew I was missing.

On the downside, I may never eat another Wotsit.

This book was funny and pacy and all-round delightful. If you looking for an easy, upbeat read to get you through quarantine, I highly recommend it.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't one that I would rave about all the time. The tropes were very cliché and the plot was ultimately predictable.

Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.

As with all novels by Fiona Gibson, there is a lot of humour in this book. You will be rooting for the middle-aged protagonist from the start.
What happens when the man you have spent all of your adult life with suddenly starts making you feel unattractive? As if the menopause is your own fault! You're not doing it just to spite him are you?
But maybe there's another reason for his behaviour. Something that hadn't even occurred to you until he hits you with it.
Well, life is about to show you what happens, just when you think it's all over..