This is absolutely hilarious and extremely uplifting.
I haven't been able to put this one down and adore the plot, the characters and the author.
This is such a cute little book and I have found myself laughing out loud on a number of occasions. This is a great read which you don't have to put any concentration into. As a reader, you can just sit and enjoy the story unfolding.
This is not my first read by this author, I definitely couldn't wait to get stuck into it though. The writer makes it easy to become lost in the story and this is definitely my favourite so far.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This tale of a menopausal woman who re-invents herself after her husband leaves her for a more glamorous woman is well-written and full of warmth and humour. Viv has some lovely friends from different backgrounds who rally round when Andy leaves the marital home. Daughter Izzy is delightful. Must read more by Fiona Gibson.

I thoroughly enjoyed this warm and funny entertaining book. It was a refreshing change to have the main character, Viv, middle-aged and experiencing the menopause. All the characters were just like people we all come across in real life and totally real with real problems and dilemmas. Some wonderfully hilarious observations so the book just flowed and I reached the end before I was ready, wanting more. I've enjoyed Fiona Gibson's writing in the past and this book certainly lived up to expectations.

The title of 'When Life Gives You Lemons' caught my attention and I'm delighted that I read this book. While not my usual genre, it is the perfect 'feelgood' novel and one that I raced through in one sitting.
The protaganist Viv is facing the menopause while realising that her beloved (and love-rat) husband Andy, is having an affair and about to abandon her and their witty seven year old daughter, Izzy,
While some aspects of the plot are plausible - the storyline re the menopause and Viv's confused feeling's towards Andy, the rest of the story meanders into the fairytale territory. However, this is part of the charm - the reader believes that the tale will have the requisite 'happy ending' but with some characters ready to throw a spammer in the works, we cannot be sure until the very end.
Suspend your belief, sit back and laugh and absolutely enjoy this hilarious story of one woman's battle against hot flushes, fashion and an errant husband!!
I received a free copy of this book from Avon via Netgalley in return for a honest review.

I do not often read a Fiona Gibson book, but when I do I always want to read more of her. The best part of this one is the characterization. Viv looks like someone I could be friends with, while her husband is not so much creepy as plain stupid. Stupid to leave Viv and throw away the best thing in life he had. I also liked Rose, Viv's boss, because she is hard working and deep down a very nice woman - although she is good in hiding it. And Izzy! An adorable seven-year old if there ever was one.
The story is not very unique or complicated so I just let myself go with the flow of the book and before I knew it it was finished. I was left with a pleasant feeling and in a way, some new insights.

Thanks to Netgalley for this review copy.

I have been enjoying Fiona Gibson's clever comedies for some years now but I didn't think this one was quite up to her usual standard. I thought it took a while to get going, only really holding my attention from about halfway through. If this had been my first time reading one of her books I don't know that I would have finished it. There didn't seem to be as much emphasis on the children as in her other books and I think it needed a couple of nasty yummy mummy types. The characters were almost too nice, it needed someone the reader could hate.
Review posted on Goodreads and Amazon

Cute. Maybe a bit slow the first half, but it was pretty sweet after that. I liked Viv, and her friends, her daughter and her cooking show, the evil kid neighbour. A nice story about getting yourself up again, stronger.

I don't usually read books with mc a lot older than me. It's about not relating a lot to them, maybe it's just because I really hadn't given these books a chance. I know I'm not going through menopause and I don't have kids, but it was nice seeing this strong woman being fragile but at the same time doing something to be her best self, for her and her daughter.

Marriages can end, but you are still you, you have to move on and change your life as you knew it. It must be super hard, and Viv, even with the down moments, the menopausal symptoms, started living her life for the first time in first person: not as someone's wife in charge of accommodating a fragile male ego, and being extra patient with a husband that was really awful to her.

People change, and I liked how this journey was portrayed here. The hope, the positivity, it was great.

A funny, sweet read with relatable characters. I felt like I could have been BFFs with the characters in this book. Such a fun great read!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Viv is the mother to a 22 year old and a 5 year old, while she dreams of having her own midlife crisis. It seems that her husband has beaten her to it. He is having an affair with a leaves her for a younger woman. This is Viv's journey of self discovery, which is hilarious and heartbreaking.

Absolutely brilliant! Uplifting and inspiring, following the amazing Viv dealing with the many Lemons 🍋 life has suddenly thrown at her, was so entertaining and enthralling.
Some fantastic characters, I loved the bond between Penny and Viv, so refreshing to have an older view, especially one as outspoken and funny as Penny!
A thoughtful story, some difficult and emotional moments, dealt with in such a considerate and honest way.
You really feel like you are travelling the journey with Viv and her family.
This book kept me amused with its humour and intrigued with the drama all the way through.
I’m hoping we get the opportunity to see what happens next with Viv and everyone as I found myself becoming very attached to them all by the end of the book ( yes even the naughty lad from next door!)
More please!

The book deals with Viv's perspective, how she is married to a doctor who cheats on her, she is going through menopause and having a difficult time, self conscious and irritable, she has kids and doesn't want them to suffer. The good thing is she has friends who can relate, help her and let her achieve her dream.

When Life Gives You Lemons by Fiona Gibson a five-star read that will make you snort your Lemondrop, as you will be laughing so hard. You will laugh so hard you will either cry, or if you are on the older side you may leak in other ways!! It shows us how good Fiona Gibson is at writing characters you will adore and want to help pick the pieces up, this is one of those stories you will identify with someone in some small way. This isn’t my favourite Fiona Gibson story, but it is a very good one. There are some very, very funny characters in this story and a couple that aren’t so funny, well not intentionally.

A light, fun read that made me smile and is certainly relatable to women of a certain age! Viv is a menopausal 50-something woman, mother to a 22 year old and a 7 year old, whose husband has an affair and leaves her. The book is a story of re-finding herself and there are plenty of laughs along the way, along with some likeable and well drawn characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A captivating book about Viv who goes through a break up at age 50. I found the characters to be likeable and relatable.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A novel that I read in a couple of sittings which put my mind into a good place. Not as demanding as some I have written, but that, I get the feeling, is the author's style. This is a novel that made me laugh and wipe away the odd tear.

My thanks to Avon and Netgalley for allowing me to read.

An enjoyable easy read. Viv has to face life in her 50s when her husband leaves. Lots of laughs and a fun book

Viv is 52 when she finds out her husband of 25 years is having an affair. She loves her children (a grown-up son and 7-year old daughter) but her life hasn't turned out exactly how she imagined; suddenly single and working a mundane job, while dealing with symptoms of the menopause. But now seems like the perfect time to put herself first and do something about it. Especially when the opportunity arises to help organise a 70s fashion show at a local museum, with the help of her friend Penny's charmingly handsome son.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I'm in my late 20s and wasn't sure I'd be able to relate to a woman in her 50s, but I thought Viv's character was very well-written. I expected it to be a cheesy romance novel, but I liked that it focuses more on the friendship between women. I even found myself getting a little emotional towards the end! An easy and entertaining read.

A lovely easy read. Fabulous characters & full of humour & very relatable to woman of that age I’m sure. I’d recommend to anyone really enjoy this author.

OK, so a 50+ menopausal mum with marriage difficulties isn't exactly in my demographic and I had my doubts when I start reading this book. But there's common thread that we can all identify with the main character Viv. A dissatisfaction with our lives, a want for something more than we currently have. And most importantly, that the road before us is not always smooth. Whilst many of the obstacles that Viv faces are not life threatening, there's also some massive life changes that she has to face, whilst keeping a brave face on for her seven year old daughter.

I sped through this book; it was an engaging read with moments of humour, sadness and intrigue. If you have enjoyed Fiona Gibson's previous novels, then When Life Gives You Lemons will not disappoint.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC.

This was my first Fiona Gibson book and I am in love with the way she writes. Her characters and stories are so relatable that it made this read quick and enjoyable. Viv, the main character, is sassy and funny as she navigates what her next stages in life will be. It was sad, funny, and awe-inspiring.
This is a story of a failed marriage, self discovery, self confidence, forgiveness, friendships and a second chance at love.