The main character in this book is Viv, she has a demanding boss, a seven year old daughter and an unsympathetic husband. She is trying to juggle her commitments, and also the menopause. She finds it hard to say no, but when she is described as 'never makes a fuss' she decides that actually she does want to make a fuss, and the menopause is not going to be the only 'change' in her life.
I have read a couple of books by Fiona Gibson before, and I was pleased to receive an early preview copy of this book from Netgalley and the Publisher in return for an honest review.
Many Mothers will be able to relate to Viv and her struggles to balance work and home. I cringed when she kept saying yes to things that she really did not want to do. It is very familiar and relatable. I enjoyed reading about Viv's accomplishments as she began to say no. It was uplifting to see her making changes to please herself.
There were many amusing moments in this book, it is a lovely easygoing lighthearted read.

When life gives you lemons is the ultimate feel good book.
Viv is approaching that certain time of life. Expecting support from her doctor husband, she discovers he’s not the most sympathetic. In fact he’s got another woman..
Left single with a young daughter in tow and a grown up son. Viv learns to live again.
An easy read with some fantastic one liners.

Viv is a middle aged mother of two, Spencer and Izzy. Her husband Andy isn’t very sympathetic of her menopausal symptoms. He complains that waking up next to her is like ‘waking up in a swamp’. Andy is a Doctor so she feels he should be much more helpful when she likens herself to feeling like a reptile he corrects her in his usual manner and tells her she is more amphibious! Follow the trials and tribulations of Viv and Andy as she navigates this new phase in her life. I loved this book and there were so very good laugh out loud moments.

Give more stories like this one! I loved it and I read it as fast as could.
Great characters, great plot and an author who is a talented storyteller.
It was an engrossing and entertaining read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I was able to read this book when I went on vacation.
Enjoying this charming, funny, and sweet read by the pool was perfect for my vacation.
I have read books by this author and she def didnt disappoint in this novel.


I was given this book from netgalley and publisher for my honest opinion.

I have read Fiona Gibson before and enjoyed - this one did not disappoint. Fun, warm and very easy to read with likeable characters - perfect beach book - thank you!

I enjoyed this title by Fiona Gibson. I'd not previously read any of her books, but looking at her back catalogue, I see there is a theme running through her books. Middle-aged woman at a turning point in their life.

The heroine, Viv, is a likeable enough character. She's down to earth, in a job she didn't expect to last as long as it did, two children (one having surprised her late in life) so she's up against it, especially since we know her husband does the dirty on her.

I thought Viv's character was well written but I almost got bored when nothing really remarkable about her and the plot surrounding her happened towards the beginning of the book. I think what made me carry on was Gibson's storytelling. She made ordinary people, just getting on with their lives, somehow interesting. I can see the appeal, especially to fans of Gibson. Personally, I don't mind a heroine with a flaw or two, or three.

On the whole, an easy book to lose yourself in, with a satisfying ending. If you read the blurb, you will be getting what it says on the can and nothing more, but Gibson handles the story with a sweetness and sensitivity that did actually have me turning the pages to see if I was going to be right about the ending. I was, and happily so. What's not to love about a HEA?

This book is full of emotions, some good, some bad but it is very enjoyable. It was surprising as I didn't think this novel would pan out the way it did but I am so pleased that I read it. The characters come from different age groups but they all gel together and support each other. I will give this 4 stars as it took a few pages to get into , other than that I will recommend you read this.

When Life Gives You Lemons is the new novel from Fiona Gibson. This book is set in Glasgow and focuses on Viv. She’s a PA to a demanding boos, mother to seven year old Izzy and wife to Andy. After discovering her husband is having an affair she suddenly finds herself single. Rather than retreating into herself, she does the exact opposite.

Well written, t’s the usual mix of real life with some humour thrown in. I would rate this book 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and the author for the chance to review.

A really enjoyable read about a woman who, in the midst of crappy circumstances, remembers who she is.

With gentle humour and honesty the novel tells the story of Viv who finds her life suddenly changing.

I enjoyed the book although it felt like it took quite a while for anything to really happen. That said the story very much about the journey, not so much the destination!

I’ve read and enjoyed all Fiona Gibson’s books, and this one was a hit as well.

Viv is married to Andy and has two children with quite a gap between them. She’s also menopausal and trying to keep juggling all the balls. Then Andy decides he’s having a mid-life crisis by taking up with another woman. Viv is strong and she has some strong friends supporting her, and one of them – Penny – has a rather nice son called Nick…!

I really liked Viv and I wanted everything to work out well for her, she didn’t deserve to have a wayward husband.

A great book that I didn’t want to put down, absolutely loved it! Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

This is the first book I have read by this author. I really enjoyed her down to earth writing style. The daily issues faced by Viv were so true to life and both funny and sad in parts. I enjoyed the story and although it was not fast moving it held my interest throughout and I did enjoy the ending.

Thank you for allowing me to read a preview copy. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author to read.

For the most part, I enjoyed Fiona Gibson's writing style in When Life Gives You Lemons, but I found that this story just wasn't for me. Based on the book's description, I didn't realize that Viv, the main character and narrator, was in her 50s and menopausal. I'm glad that authors are writing about women of this age - representation matters after all! - but I'm a bit too young for the story to properly resonate with me. I'm not the target audience, and that's okay! I'm still happy that readers who can relate to this type of heroine will have the chance to read this one!

I just love Fiona Gibson's books. I couldn't wait to start this one and I certainly enjoyed it. Funny, well written and lot of woman can identify with the main character. I definitely recommend it.

Really enjoyed this book thank you. Vibrant, believable, characters and an absorbing plot. I will ensure I look out for this author in the future!

Oh this was adorable: late 40’s Viv is in the throes of menopause, trying to keep everything together: including chasing after her seven year old “surprise daughter” Izzy. Her husband, an endocrinologist is often off at lectures and symposia, and their ‘together time’ is pretty much two people existing. Until one night when Viv has decided to use the app on his phone and discovers a nearly year-long affair. Of course, there are tears and his ‘determination’ to make it work: underfoot at every opportunity, she’s just not quite sure where to go or what to do. And just as Viv is starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, he goes off again. And leaves her rethinking everything.

I ADORED Viv and her voice: she’s snarky, has a great sense of humor, and a determination to make things work, even when they are horribly off kilter. From rebuilding her own shattered self-esteem, to keeping her son (now in his 20’s) and her young daughter on track, she’s also busy wrangling a boss who, at the best of times is demanding and exacting, and these are not the best of times. With an ‘older” friend who offers sage advice that all seems based in her post-modeling 70’s self, the laughs are frequent, and even as Viv is fighting and sad, she’s finding moments to enjoy and move forward, almost sometimes without her noticing.

Gibson’s voice is solid and the characters are adorably quirky, allowing readers to feel a kinship even with those very different from themselves. With plenty of laugh out loud moments, the story never drags into the maudlin – Viv is moving forward and on, and dragging her baggage behind her…what falls off or out of the cases merely lightens her load. Clever and quick reading, this is a story full of hope and change – and new horizons for everyone.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at < a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aDn /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Fiona Gibson just knows how life works, so many aspects of this lovely story ring true. A super relaxing read, amusing in places, warm hearted in others. I just spent so long hoping our heroine Viv wasn't going to give in and have her rat of a husband back. It all worked out beautifully in the end as you'd expect leaving you happy to have filled your hours with such a wonderful, true to life story.

thank you NetGalley for an advance copy in return for an unbiased review

Typical story line. Middle aged woman thinks her life is trundling along fine, but then discovers that her husband has been having an affair. He leaves and she thinks she’s going to fall apart, but pulls herself together and turns into some really successful woman, meeting a new wonderful man along the way. Husband realises he’s made a mistake and breaks up with girlfriend and wants to come back home, but her new found success and new man mean they can only be friends. We’ve all read this storyline a million times over and for me, unfortunately, this book is just a regurgitation of that same old storyline.

Viv is suddenly faced with being a single mom of her seven-year-old when her cheating husband leaves her for his fellow doctor/mistress. Stuck in a going-nowhere job that makes “food pellets” and impending menopause hot flashes, Viv begins to regain confidence with the help of her good friends and an opportunity to share her friend Penny’s nostalgic fashion line in hopes to revive the line and the local museum’s relevancy.

It was a bit of a slow burn for me. The reinvention took too long to start as did the romance. It was also deeper and longer than I expected from the cover (don’t judge a book etc ...). Still there were some incredibly funny and relatable moments

I had high hopes for this book but sadly this just didn’t make me smile and certainly didn’t fit the ‘hilarious’ byline.