What a good read this was. Celia is stuck in a rut with her husband Geoff who married her as a teenager when she fell pregnant with another boy's child. Now they knock about in the same house ,him being a miser turning the heating down and complains if she spends any money.
When Celia witnesses something that shocks her she knows life will never be the same and all she wants to do is retreat to bed and pull the covers over her head.

Enter Amanda , Celia's old school friend who she hasn't been in touch with for many years parts from a year ago when Celia attended her posh wedding which made her feel dowdy and unwanted there.
Amanda is a TV presenter is London,posh and a well known face but everything is not going well for her either in her job or her marriage. Amanda has no friends ,nowhere to go to get her head together.
Just at the absolutely worst time in her life, Celia opens the door to Amanda along with a large suitcase acting as if she had only seen Celia yesterday.
Great story and very funny too. I loved reading about Celia's transformation into being a strong independent woman.
Love Fiona Gibson's books.

I loved The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back, it has great characters, multiple story lines that cross over and is a feel good book.

As the title implies, "The Woman who got her Spark Back" is the story of a woman who had been stuck in a rut, but who fights back and builds a new and better life. Fiona Gibson writes about great, down to earth characters in a wonderfully natural way. I highly recommend her books, including this latest one.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Celia’s life has taken a spin. She and Geoff have got on ok and he took on her son as a baby (who is now 24) so when she suddenly finds things don’t add up it’s quite a shock to say the least. Amanda, her best friend from school in Scotland. now lives in London as a TV presenter. They have sort of kept in touch but lives diverged. Amanda is rather fed up with her other half Jasper, who is making a half hearted attempt at being an artist after being a failed actor. Amanda ups sticks and decides to go and visit the one person who would understand her turmoil- Celia, little knowing what has just happened.

This is a wonderful story, one of hope and new beginnings. Of the little things that mean the world and how a little kindness goes a long way. Of friendships and love, of life and its trials and tribulation. An uplifting read with a smile.

For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog

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BOOK REVIEW

The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back By Fiona Gibson
Published By Boldwood
Publication Date 7th June 2025

Blurb
Is it ever too late to bloom?

Meet Celia. Life hasn’t worked out quite how she’d planned.

Since her son left for university, Celia has felt stuck at home – battling with her husband Geoff over control of the thermostat, and without the merest glint of a social life. Her only joy comes from the plants she nurtures in her makeshift plant hospital in their Glasgow flat.

Then three unexpected things happen:

She catches Geoff in bed with a secretary from his sausage factory (no pun intended).
Her high-flying best friend Amanda arrives on her doorstep without warning (but with a very large suitcase).
A tall handsome French teacher asks her to tend his daughter’s cactus back to health.
Suddenly, Celia finds her life in freefall, but she makes a decision: she won’t let this be the end of her. She’ll bring herself back to life, just like the plants she works her magic on. But just how do you change the habits of a lifetime?

🌵 🌵 🌵 🌵 🌵 🌵 🌵 🌵

I was very grateful to receive an ARC of this book & after a few weeks of not being able to pick up a book after my dear Mum passed away, this is the book that has helped me 'get my reading spark back' so thank you Fiona Gibson & Boldwood for playing a part in 'my story'.

I love Fiona's style of writing, it's totally absorbing, always relatable in some way, emotional & hilarious! I don't think I can ever look at a Scotch egg in the same way ever again lol 🤣

A real feel good read & absolutely one to add to your TBR for June!

Sometimes life can go off on a tangent and this book had tangents in spades! With gentle humour and information on plants that even a person with absolutely no plant growing skill can enjoy ( that is me, I am legendary for not keeping plants alive). I well recommend reading this with a cuppa and a biscuit.

I loved this light hearted cozy romance! Don’t let the cute cover fool you though, Celias story of finding her spark back with the help of her childhood bestfriend Amanda was beautiful to read about. The story did not dive straight into the romance which was an aspect I appreciated because you got to understand exactly what kind of place Celia is coming from. Overall, I would highly recommend Fiona Gibson’s ‘The Woman Who got Her Spark Back’. Thank you so much to NetGalley & Fiona Gibson for the arc 💜

Celia’s life was rather dull but she was content with her plant hospital, son Logan and husband until she found him in the middle of a compromising position. She is thrown for a loop when long ago friend Amanda shows up. Celia’s life begins to shift for her. Her journey forward is an eye opener and things start to evolve.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Uplifting, witty, and full of heart – Fiona Gibson has done it again!
I absolutely adored The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back. As a long-time fan of Fiona Gibson, I knew I was in for a treat – and this latest novel delivered everything I love about her books: relatable characters, sharp humour, and a heartwarming story that stays with you long after the final page.
Celia Bloom is a wonderfully drawn character – warm, slightly frazzled, and painfully stuck in a life that’s lost its shine. But when her world is turned upside down (starting with an affair involving Geoff and a secretary from his sausage factory!), Celia embarks on a brilliantly messy, funny, and unexpectedly hopeful journey of rediscovery. From her makeshift plant hospital to chance encounters and fresh beginnings, every twist felt both charming and real.
I especially loved Celia’s love for nurturing plants – a lovely metaphor for the slow, determined way she starts to nurture herself too. While I did wonder about the viability of a “houseplant hospital,” I couldn’t help but root for her. It’s a beautiful idea, and like so much of this book, it adds just the right touch of whimsy to Celia’s world.
Fiona Gibson’s writing is a joy: light and witty on the surface, but never afraid to dip into deeper emotional truths. This book was exactly what I needed – it made me laugh, gave me hope, and reminded me that it’s never too late to bloom.
Funny, feel-good, and full of warmth – this is Fiona Gibson at her very best.
Thank you to Boldwood Books for my review copy. I devoured this in just a couple of days – it’s the perfect pick-me-up read.

Fiona Gibson once again pulls on your heartstrings with her latest book, The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back.
Well-written with relatable characters navigating various life challenges, this story of how three individuals connect is at times funny and at other times heartfelt. Readers are likely to find aspects of each character's life that hit home.
That said, I found the book a bit slow at the start. While not my favourite book of Gibson's, it is well worth a read.
I received an ARC of #TheWomanWhoGotHerSparkBack from #NetGalley.

A fun, lighthearted read about second chances and the road back from the mundane. I found the story relatable and the protagonist likable, but a little narrative-heavy at the expense of action and dialogue, so it took me a while to get through it. Still, a fun read, worthwhile and very much recommended!

I absolutely love this authors books and couldn’t wait to get stuck into this one which was the perfect pick me up and had the perfect mix of humour and wit and laugh out loud moments. Love how this author writes about real people and also older female characters. This was a heartwarming read and shows it’s never too late to get your spark back and make a fresh start and embrace second chances.

Oh what a joy this book is to read.

Celia is an amzing character and when she catches her husband with another woman her world is shattered.

Celia is a character that the reader really wants to do well and I really enjoyed how she manages her sorrow and along with her friends finally 'gets her spark back'

I think a lot of women will connect with the characters in this book.. it is the perfect holiday read and I really loved it

I laughed and cried ..

This is a really lovely feel good story and at the heart of it is a woman with a lovely soul who has had a tough life but continues to be a good friend, great mother and bring ailing plants back to life.

If you are looking for an entertaining modern day romance full of wit, real life angst and heartache then this is thoroughly recommended. The characters are great and the story comes to life from page one.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley.co.uk and Boldwoodbooks.com for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Fiona Gibson hits just the right tone with this fun, light read. Hilarious and touching both at the same time, it focuses on real-life issues, friendship, and family, with honesty and humour. Every chapter brought a smile to my face, I loved the easy, comfortable way she tackled some of the issues with thoughtful, deep, and encouraging sensitivity.
I loved how Celia, Amanda, Terri, and Logan negotiated the obstacles together, and all showed up for each other in their individual ways. The other characters, Enzo, his family and friends, were equally well written and represented, as to make them really engaging also. This is really Celia's story, but with her strong friendships and a lovely community around her, everyone has a voice.

I really enjoyed this book, a first I've read by this author, so I loved that a sample of one of her other books, "Ti's the Damn Season," was included at the end. A taster of another fun Christmassy read, which I will add to my TBR list, and I look forward to reading over the festive season.

Celia's life has never gone to plan, so when she catchers her husband Geoff with another woman, it's her chance to change her life. Will the arrival of old friend Amanda, along with a cactus named Spike, help or hinder?

A fun read, perfect for the summer. Lots of great characters and amusing content - I loved "haggis en croute"! Fiona Gibson has a very relatable style, her characters and scenery are easily pictured by the reader - she is a must read author for me, and this one didn't disappoint.

The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back is a heartwarming, witty, and deeply relatable story about second chances and rediscovering your inner strength. Celia is a fantastic protagonist—her journey from stuck in a stagnant life to reclaiming her sense of self is both inspiring and uplifting. The unexpected twists, including a cheating husband, a supportive best friend, and a charming French teacher, keep things fresh and entertaining. This book is a perfect blend of humor, personal growth, and the power of change. If you’re looking for a feel-good read that celebrates finding joy again, this is the one!

Have always lived Fionas books and once again this one did not disappoint. A really warm, cosy, hug of a read that had such likeable characters that were so easy to relate to.
The character of Celia certainly struck a chord with me...a loving wife with a husband who shows no gratitude, alongside the hard work of running her own business. The friendship bonds between old and newer friends was beautifully portrayed alongside the struggle to rebuild a life after it feels like it is crumbling around you.

Highly recommend a read of this brilliant book.

ARC Review: *The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back* by Fiona Gibson

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 joyful, life-affirming stars)

Fiona Gibson has done it again — *The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back* is a hilarious, heartwarming, and deeply relatable story about rediscovering yourself when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Celia’s world turns upside down after a shocking betrayal, a surprise visit from her glamorous best friend, and an unexpected new friendship with a handsome French teacher (and his troubled cactus!). Watching Celia bloom after years of feeling stuck was both moving and laugh-out-loud funny. Her journey from lost to lively is filled with awkward moments, sweet surprises, and a glorious sense of hope.

Gibson writes midlife reinvention with so much authenticity and charm. Celia’s struggles — with confidence, love, and letting go of old expectations — feel wonderfully real, but the tone always stays uplifting and empowering. Plus, the Glasgow setting and plant hospital subplot add a delightful, cozy backdrop to her adventures.

**Tropes and themes I loved:**
- Midlife reinvention
- Cheating husband glow-up
- Best friend chaos
- Found family vibes
- Sweet slow-burn romance
- Personal growth and empowerment

*The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back* is a reminder that it’s never too late to start again — and to laugh your way through the mess. Warm, witty, and totally unputdownable!

*Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!*

A light, pacy read about Cecila, who catches her husband in an uncompromising position just before a series of happenings occur. Humoursly told, this book was an enjoyable read in all. 4 stars. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.