This is my second read by this author and it won't be my last. For this read we are based in Scotland with Celia who has discovered her husband with another woman. Celia needs to decide whether this will be the end of her, or whether she can bring life back to herself like she does in her houseplant hospital.

This is a funny emotional read that I happily lost a couple of hours to. Roll on the next one!

I was not familiar with Fiona Gibson's previous works. She has an impressive backlist but this was my first book by Gibson.

Celia's life is not how she expected it to be at her age. Celia, a forty-something mother and wife, has been struggling to figure out her life now that her son is at university.

Then Celia's life is turned upside down with some unexpected events.

This is a fun book that is entertaining but has some deeper topics.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Possible triggers: Alcoholism and marital infidelity

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back by Fiona Gibson,

Celia has been in the same situation for a while, both in her life and marriage. But, when she discovers that her husband hasn’t been faithful everything changes.

Now, she’s doing things for herself and finding out what out what she wants out of her life, the changes she wants to make.

It’s a story of friendship, second chances and doing things that you want to do, not letting others tell you what to do.

I think the character of Celia will relate to readers.

I recommend this book.

This felt so real. Celia was a woman who endured so much and love her store of rediscovering herself and what she finds along the way.

3 stars... The story did start a little slow for me. And the jumping between the three main characters did get a little confusing for me at first, but once I figured out who was who and what was happening, I enjoyed the story and was rooting for Enzo and Celia. I also like that even though Amanda was a secondary character, she got her spark back, too. The writing was easy, it followed and enjoyable.

I loved this book so much! Once I started reading I just couldn’t put it down and I ended up reading this book in one sitting. I loved all the quirky characters, I also found that this book had some heartbreaking moments but also a lot of heartwarming moments as well and it just warmed my heart and made me smile.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you love a heartwarming read.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

If you’re a fan then you will just love and revel in this new book from this superb author,whenever I start one I know it is going to be full of fun and laughter but tinged with some sadness from lovable characters and there will be an underlying lesson to be learnt

This time we meet Celia, Celia has an ‘ok’life,kinda, with Geoff and certainly she loves her son Logan but it’s not an overly generous life as Geoff is stingy and a Pret sarnie is akin to a day shopping in Harrods for Celia,still she musn’t grumble as she runs a plant hospital from home and works in a well heeled and well to do ladies designer boutique

But then a caravan changes everything…..

Celia’s old best friend Amanda is a well known TV presenter who is going through many crisis’s,she decides to turn up at Celia’s for comfort only to find she is not the only one needing it and then the fun,tears,life changing experiences for both start

A joy filled romp of a read,uplifting and yayyyy affirming I loved it as have done every book read by this ‘hits the spot every time’ author

Always great fun reading a new Fiona Gibson book and this one was brilliant. Great characters along with a storyline that kept me turning the pages to see where the fun would go next. A great read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

What a joyous uplifting read for summer day escapism! Celia is a relatable protagonist whose life is thrown in the air with the arrival of an old friend, secrets revealed and a poorly cactus. Vivid characters, an unusual job running a plant hospital and a not so perfect life made this book stand out from the crowded book pile.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for this advanced reading copy of The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back. It will be released on June 7th to retailers.

Celia has had a life that she didn’t plan. She got pregnant unexpectedly at age 18. She marries a rather boring man who promises to love her son as his at age 19. She has her husband, who loves golf so much he takes a lot of trips, and her 24 year old son who is finishing is university degree. She finds her husband cheating on her, and that same day her best friend (they’ve fallen apart), has decided to visit. Her son hates Amanda and has locked himself in his room. Her husband hasn’t contacted her, and she just feels lost.
However, the best part of this book is how Amanda decides Celia needs to take charge of her life. They go to bars. Celia meets Enzo, a single dad, who she enjoys talking with. Celia gets a clothes and hair makeover. Celia realizes that maybe this affair was what she needed to stop living her life for everyone else and living her life for herself.

I enjoyed this book. It’s an easy read, and I enjoyed the transformation of Celia from tired and drab to 40 and fabulous!

Having thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Tis The Damn Season last year, I was very excited to dive into more of the same.

Ms Gibson's writing style is engaging and her wit appeals greatly to my sense of humour.

While it took me a little time to get settled into this story, it was definitely worth it. There are several characters to be introduced and their relationships explained before the story really comes together.

The protagonist is Celia Bloom. Celia appears to have drifted into a marriage at a young age because circumstances had conspired against her. Years later, her husband, Geoff, has drifted out of the marriage and into an affair with his secretary. Celia had been unaware of his affair until she tries to do something nice for Geoff and catches the two of them together.

Celia is coming to terms with the affair when her best friend from childhood arrives completely out of the blue. Celia hasn't had much contact with Amanda since she married Geoff and while Amanda has her own reasons for dumping herself on Celia, she is a positive influence on Celia and helps her to reinvent herself.

This is a very relatable story of friendship, family, and coming back from the breakdown of a marriage.

The ending wraps with learning how Celia is progressing but does not tell us how Amanda, who has her own issues, is fairing beyond 'tackling her problems like Celia would'. But perhaps that's another story.

This was a GREAT story to listen to! AWESOME narration! Great main characters. The plot was easy to find. The story was engaging and easy to follow. Will be purchasing this book. Shout out to Netgalley and publishing for allowing me to listen and review this story.

4 STARS!

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Reading the synopsis for this one, you wonder how life passed Celia by for so long. She’s a lovely sounding lady who cares for her friends, family and houseplants. Finding Geoff in the stinky caravan was not one of her best moments, but it started an avalanche that creates New Celia (once the shock has worn off, of course!)

Amanda turning up as well as just the wrong - or is it the right? - moment was a mini miracle too. She’s going through her own crap that she wants to ask her friend for advice on but when she walks into what has happened there, keeps it to herself and helps Celia instead. That’s what true friends are for. There are some lovely additional characters that we meet along the New Celia journey, and of course Spike!

I really enjoyed this book, it was fun, sad and just lovely. The writing style was just perfect, and flowed so well I read it in just a couple of days. It would be lovely to get a follow-up or spin-off from this book, maybe letting us know how Amanda’s story developed or how Spike is! Will definitely be checking more from this author for sure.

This was such a fun, hopeful book that showcases a woman’s midlife search for happiness after being stuck in a rut and receiving the shock of her life when her partner betrays her. She finds comfort in expected places and people and includes readers in her fun and often funny adventure. I loved this book and it made me want to pick up the many books she has written before this one. Bravo, Fiona! What a feel-good book! Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the Advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Celia’s story in The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back is one of rediscovery, resilience, and a little bit of chaos—and I ended up really enjoying it, even if the beginning left me a bit unsure.

At first, the plot felt a little scattered, and I wasn’t quite sure where it was going. But once the story settled into its groove, it really picked up. Celia is a relatable and endearing character—stuck in a rut, fumbling through the aftermath of her husband’s betrayal, and trying to figure out what’s next. Her love of plants becomes the perfect metaphor for her journey: sometimes wilted, sometimes messy, but capable of blooming again.

The supporting characters added plenty of color—especially her dramatic best friend Amanda and the charming French teacher (yes, there’s a bit of romance!). It’s quirky, heartfelt, and a little unpredictable, just like life.

While the pacing might throw some readers off in the beginning, it’s worth sticking with. Once it finds its footing, it becomes a sweet and empowering story about starting over at any age and finding joy in the unexpected.

This talented author has written a page turner. Reflectional…emotional…life changes…some good and some not…realistic characters keep the story moving quickly. I like the title…lively…hopeful…enjoy the journey…thanks Netgalley.

| The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back - Fiona Gibson |

I was so happy my request was approved to read this ARC this morning! I devoured this book in a day. It was such a sweet, feel-good book.

Fiona has created great characters and Celia was so real and down to earth. How the characters deal with certain situations in this story felt really genuine.

The emotions were relatable, moments that were laugh out loud funny and times where I was trying not to scream into the book.

I didn't catch the "Scott Chegg" name until Logan told Celia either 😂

It's a book filled with love, friendship and getting through tough times.

A great read! I'm so pleased I had the opportunity to read it in advance. ✨️🩷

👩‍⚕🌵The plant whisperer ditches humdrum!💞🎉

4.5🌟 stars
Fiona Gibson really knows how to create a realistic heroine who can come out on top despite realistic knocks. Celia "settled" for the first man who seriously courted her when she was a young mother and her life became routine, pretty colorless actually, except for her green thumb with plants and her sideline as a plant doctor who revives the woeful and wilting. A major shock has her reeling and an estranged old friend shows up and becomes a "Celia whisperer," helping her rediscover the fun and color in life.

All is not sweetness and light but then, that's not really life, is it? It's the way her female characters handle their fears and disappointments that makes this story such a good read. And Enzo, the teacher with a critically ill cactus, was a great second chance romance foil for Celia.

Not the first Fiona Gibson novel that I've read and enjoyed and it certainly won't be the last. Think women's fiction whimsical with romance and lots of heart.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 5/29/25 on Waterstones and Goodreads, and with Barnes & Noble and BAM; to be shared on Google Play and with kobo upon publication.

Celia has her life turned upside down when she discovers her husband in bed with his secretary.

Her next surprise in when her childhood friend appears at her home with a suitcase and in the hope of staying for a few days. And finally a chance meeting with a handsome man and his daughter in need of some urgent plant care for their dying cactus.

This book is light a witty, full of hope friendship and love.

I really enjoyed this , wasn’t an immediate thing took a couple of chapters but once I was in ,I was IN! Gods storyline , well written , with mostly likeable characters and very amusing in parts . Recommended.