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.

Viv's 52, in the midst of menopause, mother of two (20ish and 7 y/.o), working as a PA in a pellet factory, when she finds out that her husband has an affair. They try to save their marriage but eventually he leaves her. Now Viv has to pick up the shards of her life. She does so quite well, but the story presentation is dull and convoluted. I skim-read the second half of the ARC.

Also, why does every story of self-discovery of middle-aged women have to start with a cheating husband?

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

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

I love Fiona Gibson’s books, so this jumped straight to the top of my TBR pile. Unfortunately, like other readers, I found it lacking. Usually I can’t put her books down, but this one just wasn’t right for me - I loved Vic’s story but sadly Penny’s side didn’t do it for me and I skipped over a lot of it. A real shame, as it captures a lot of what I like about her work - characters, dialogue and humour - it just wasn’t gripping enough.

Unfortunately I was unable to read this book due to formatting issues. My rating is based on the synopsis.

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

This book didn’t match up well to my tastes. From the cover and description, I was expecting a lighter story. The elements I expected were there, but there wasn’t the humour and character progress I was looking for.

The first 55% seemed to be all the bad stuff, which for me is a little too long. The recovery then took the rest of the book, and there was no romance at all. I was disappointed.

However, the book is well written, and not riddled with mistakes. Some interesting things happen, it just is slightly too negative and to closely focussed on what to me, feels like the first half of the story. If you’re looking for a story about gentle character development, rather than romance, this may be your thing.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thought this book was okay, I enjoyed the characters and the world and it was a very easy read. The romance was very much a slow burn and the new love interest was introduced really late in the book. Was craving more of a whirlwind love story and that we'd get to the new love story earlier.

Started well but lost its thread after a couple of chapters
Sorry Fiona but not for me
After a couple of chapters seemed to lose a purpose

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.

I was pleasantly suprised by how much I took away from this book! I found myself completely engulfed and read it in one sitting.well done

When I started reading this book I was full of hope, I enjoy Fiona Gibson's other books and own many of them. However, this book for me - while good - just did not sit right. Usually I can get through it in a sitting or two because I'm so engrossed but this one just fell a little bit short for me. I didn't really like the main character and found her a bit irritating and found some parts of the story didn't really flow, for example one minute it would be all about work and then work wouldn't be mentioned for chapters and chapters at a time but this is something she does everyday - where are the updates?! I found it hard to develop a relationship with the supporting characters for example Nick and therefore found it incredibly hard to feel connected to them and to root for them, they felt like they were just there.

Perhaps I couldn't relate to this book because it wasn't my age bracket but it felt like it took me a really long time to get through the book. However, it wouldn't stop me reading something by Fiona Gibson again!

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.

The story of a woman rebuilding her life following the breakdown of her marriage. Viv is likeable and easy to connect with but I didn’t find the story all that engaging. Her relationship with Penny and Nick was easy reading but I did struggle to stay interested in the work / fashion show story line. The book however is well written and good for a non taxing holiday read.

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.

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.

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!!