Member Reviews
Beautifully written. There are a lot of Mums who will sympathise with the 'empty nest' syndrome that Nadia experiences at the start of the story. But her life changes in a completely different direction, lots of twists & turns that will keep you hooked right to the last page
If you're looking for something easygoing and easy to read then this is the book for you.
Nadia, a single mum of twins who have recently upped an left for university finds that her life isn't nearly as 'over' as she thought when she meets the handsome Jack in Lush a few days before Christmas. A whole new life is presented to her until Alfie suddenly drops out of university and she finds that her peace and opportunities to get to know Jack better are now a lot less forthcoming.
Nadia was a likeable enough character but her relationship with Alfie was infuriating; alongside the character of Alfie who just needed to man up! Jack on the other hand was fascinating. I loved his narrative and his life working in the charity shop.
Overall this was an easy read and I did get through it rather quickly.
A fun, quick and un-upsetting romp. This fun novel follows the story of Nadia and Jack who meet in a Lush store right before Christmas. Nadia is a new empty-nester and lives alone. I loved the interaction between the two, and having read some of Fiona Gibson's prior work, I knew that it would be well written, insightful, fun, and sweet. A wonderful chick lit book that went fast, made you feel cozy, and was intelligent as well. A great reprieve from the turmoil a lot of us are currently feeling in our lives and worlds, this book will completely transport you to a place where you can fall in love with Jack and Nadia.
I highly recommend this book.
This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I usually love fionas books but this one wasn't her usual humourous read. I'm sorry to say it as I always read them as soon as they come out.
I was sent an ARC of this book by Net Galley and the publisher.I found it very enjoyable,easy to read but well written.It deals with Nadia,whose twin children leave home for university,and the freedom she suddenly experiences to form a new relationship with Jack,as they are both divorced.He also has a fourteen year old daughter who lives with her mother.
It depicts modern family life very convincingly,with the ups and downs of raising teenaged children.It.'s funny in parts and has moments of sadness too.In the end I just wanted everything to work out well for these characters and I felt as if I cared what happened to them. Recommended-perfect holiday reading.
A story for all empty nesters and parents of kids who have left home - or have they? As so many people are now finding, kids that left, come bouncing back, just when you least expect them (and at very inopportune times) and really don't need them back. They disrupt this nice life you have (finally) managed to create for yourself - even a nice new romance. They become needy toddlers again as life has been unfair to them and because you feel guilty because you didn't miss them as much as you expected, you cater to their whims - even to the point where your new life begins to unravel.
Or least this is what happens according to this book.
Personally, if our kids had behaved the way her son did with his clothes and loo and messes they would have had a sharp word or two despite everything. Do Mums really get walked over nowadays as is portrayed here? And they don't teach their sons to cook? Who was this woman and why did she allow her kids to treat her like a limp door mat? This rang untrue to me. So though I generally enjoyed the book the story was not as realistic as it could have been.
Overall, this works as a romance between single parents trying to find a new life for themselves and juggling the demands of work and family, but...
This was my first book by Fiona Gibson after many recommendations for me to read this as I was looking for a good chick-lit funny read after many stressful days chasing 4 kiddos around. The synopsis of this book had me hooked as I was curious on what to possibly expect once my kiddos get to that age and had me thinking, this could be a great read. However, I found a few flaws and felt it wasn’t really what I was expecting. I was really hoping to get to know the characters more and felt there wasn’t too much about them (Alfie? What is happening with that character?) nor an in-depth storyline. Don’t get me wrong, there were parts I laughed at, but it was a continuous thing. It sort of fell flat for me. The book is easy to put down as it is to pick up. Definitely light-hearted and easy read for those looking for that.
After bringing up her twins practically single-handed after separating from their father when they were eleven years old, Nadia is looking forward to getting her life back when the twins go to university. A chance meeting in the Lush shop just before Christmas introduces Nadia to Jack, himself a single father, and they embark on a glorious passionate love affair.
However, just because your children have gone to university doesn't mean they are adults, when Nadia's son Alfie drops out of university Nadia's new life comes crashing to a halt, suddenly there are dishes left in the sink, towels on the floor and empty toilet roll inners on the floor. There's no time for naked afternoons and things become tense between Nadia and Jack, especially with Alfie's rabid veganism.
Jack runs a charity shop for a small group which supports animal rescue. On a daily basis he has to keep the peace between the various volunteers, some of whom are rather 'challenging'. He also looks after his young daughter on alternate weekends while worrying that his ex-wife may be verging on an alcoholic.
This is a lovely romance for the over-40s. It is refreshing to have heroine as a fifty-one year old, also nice that she lives in Glasgow rather than London or Edinburgh, especially nice that she is a life model for a local art class despite her children's objections. Good that the hero and heroine have their own family issues to contend with, that balancing of needs of children, exs, family and friends that we all have to learn once we reach a certain age. I guess what I am trying to say is that this rang true as two adults with hectic lives and competing claims on their time and attention.
I think this is my first book by Fiona Gibson but I will definitely look out for others as I enjoyed her writing style and deftly drawn characters.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. It follows the story of Nadia who has prioritised her kids first and then when they went to university, started to regain her life. Only for it to have to stop when they came back. This was a lovely book with lots of laughs and fun characters
I really enjoyed this, a light, laugh out loud read. I've read many of Fiona's books and she has a lovely writing style. Great book!
OMG - I had a female version of Alfie! Ms Gibson's depiction of living with a teenager is spot on, and I totally related to the HEN thing (Happy Empty Nester). The book had me chuckling and nodding my head in agreement by turns.
It certainly is a funny, uplifting read, with a couple of mysteries along the way to add a little piquancy to the humour.
I’ve never read any books by Gibson, but based on the description, I was expecting a chick lit book along the lines of Sophie Kinsella. Sadly, that’s not what I found, with the exception of it being chick lit. Some parts were humorous, and the characters were likable, for the most part. Alfie was a bit of a pointless character. There was no real depth to the characters or storyline. If you’re looking for a quick read to just pass a bit of time, this might be the book for you.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
I received this lovely story via Netgalley and give it my honest review.
I can relate to this book on so many levels, a voice for mums everywhere! An uplifting, amazing read. Nadia is dealing with an 'empty nest' and finally making time for herself and new relationship with Jack, when all of a sudden the nest is full again!. A son's sulky broken heart may come between the new romantic relationship she has with Jack!. A poignant but laugh out loud read, I recommend this book if You want a good laugh, with romance thrown in for good measure! I loved it!!!
A proper chick read. Full of fun and easy read.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Avon for my eARC of this book in exchange for my honest unbiased review
This was a fun read....lighthearted and easy.
A good snuggle up book to pick u and put down as needed!
Another great read from Fiona Gibson. If you’ve read and enjoyed any of her others, this one won’t disappoint either. A lovely story of an empty nester who starts to rebuild her life, only for the university age kids to return for the long summer holidays.... And it goes from there. It is well written, with some very funny scenes, although I strongly disliked the character Alfie (but maybe that was the point). If you like women’s fiction, you need to read Fiona Gibson.
Thanks Netgalley, Publisher and of course the Author who is one of my favourites. I absolutely loved this book and would highly 5 stars recommend
This book was easy to read but was not really my cup of tea.
Parts of the book was mildly funny but I don’t think the description of the book is true.
Not for me
The ultimate empty-nesters book to show you, you will be okay. Loved reading it from the other side of the story, as the child that left her mum and moved away. Very good story and characters to really make you want to read more and get involved in their life. Would love to read more in this story - a saga perhaps?
I always enjoy reading Fiona Gibson stories and found that this one didn’t disappoint. I look forward to reading her next one.