A funny and entertaining treat of a read, you'll love this book if you find yourself to be an empty nester! The whole book from the characters to the plot was incredibly relatable and even therapeutic in a way.

I love Fiona Gibsons style of writing & this book is a real treat. A novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with the complexities of family life.

It's Warm, funny & entertaining while also tackling real life issues & trying to find yourself amongst it all. The characters are relatable and endearing.
Carly is a protagonist that readers will instantly connect with, & her struggles with family, aging parents, & finding her own identity will resonate with many.

It's a heartwarming and hilarious reminder that family life is never perfect, but it's always worth it.

This is a funny, warm-hearted romance that beautifully explores "empty nest syndrome" and the challenges of navigating life when the children have left home. The characters are relatable and well-developed, making it easy to connect with their journey. The story is both heartfelt and uplifting, with the perfect balance of humour and emotion. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good, engaging read.

This book was so, so relatable! Fiona Gibson writes in a brilliant way about feelings and emotions.

Sure, there were moments that I felt annoyed with the main character, Carly, as she felt so weak towards her son and husband, but on the other hand this is the way we, mothers, are, right? You can be so, so angry with your children, but you still call them "love" and "honey" and you can be so, so angry with your husband, but you know that marriage is one huge compromise and you simply give up. That's the way it works. And this is also why this book works so well, I think - the way Fiona Gibson managed to capture all the characters, making them feel so real and human, is really great.

So it's funny, but it's also down to earth and you really care about the characters, even though they are going to annoy it - but that's the great way of the author of describing them in such a way. It's a story that will pull you in, will make you roll your eyes at the characters' antics and nod with agrrement and understanding.

This book gives you an insightful and humorous look into different family dynamics and relationships. Through the different points of view it gives you a great look at how different situations could be seen through different eyes - interesting! And now I'm not so sure if I'm really looking forward to my own "empty nest"...

The Full Nest by Fiona Gibson hits the mark, telling the tale of a couple who should be empty nesters, but keep getting thwarted by family.
In case anyone thinks the kinds of things that happen in this book can't possibly happen in real life, let me tell you that they definitely do. I related to this book so much that reading it was almost uncomfortable. It perhaps hit too close to home for me.
Those still raising kids might want to read this book as a cautionary tale.
Regardless, the book is well-written and compelling, as readers have come to expect of Gibson.
Thank you for the ARC of #TheFullNest to #NetGalley.

I love Fiona Gibson's books & this one did not disappoint. Full of great characters & an engaging story line. Told from different perspectives that made this story so enjoyable.

This is the first Fiona Gibson novel I have had the pleasure of reading, and what a great writer she is! Her easy, streamlined narrative makes this such an enjoyable read. For me, what the author excelled at in the story is just the pure familial relatability, which this has in bucketloads. It's a steady read, with no real pointless drama and no irritable one-note villain (thank goodness!) which makes it such a comfy experience. All the characters are dynamic, specifically the three children, but I feel like Frank, the husband, could've had "more" about him, and his arc confused me a little. Carly, our main point of view who is the mom of the family, also needed a little more depth (I really did enjoy her overbearingness!) but there needed to be a bit more of an emotional arc for her. If anything, it feels like Frank and Carly's third act should've been swapped. But for what it is, this is such a well-done book!

Fiona Gibson is the queen of relatable comedies and she's done it again.

Carly and Frank have three grown up children who have already flown the nest, and are looking forward to being just the two of them. But life has a funny way of working out, and before long, Carly's ill Kenny moves in with them. Eddie, their eldest son is also struggling, having recently moved to Edinburgh, and a host of problems seem to land at Carly's feet.

I really enjoyed this book, there were parts I could have written myself. Perfect for us peri-menopausal ladies who are squeezed between children on the cusp of leaving home, whilst caring for parents as they get older.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A very readable and relatable tale set in a quiet seaside town in Scotland. Good development of characters, particularly the main character Carly who is a bit of a doormat but, as so many of us end up, are there for our families. Carly does seem to put up with a lot from her cantankerous father at one end of the family and her total nightmare of a son Eddie at the other., leaving Carly and her husband Frank struggling. The story is told from a few of the family voices but mainly Carly's. A touch of humour throughout plus a heartwarming feel make this book an easy light read overall.

Carly and her husband Frank are happy to see their son leave home and begin to work. They have brought up their family of three children, and Carly is more than ready to explore the opportunities that arise now they are empty nesters.

However, things don’t go to plan when problems arise with Carly’s dad Kenny. An irascible old man who always thinks he knows best, becoming ill and moving in with Carly and Eddie.

Written in a friendly, heartwarming way, this is a humorous book which I thoroughly enjoyed. With vivid descriptions, Fiona Gibson brings her characters alive and you feel that you know them. I felt empathy for Carly who is helpful and lovingly trying to support Eddie while her husband isn’t being as helpful.

Character driven, the story is about families, relationships and how they work things out, with lots of humour. I enjoyed reading about the characters so much, all with their different stories, it would be great to see them turn up in other books.

This was a great read, full of laughs and comfort. Definitely a heart warming read, and I'd be keen to read more from Fiona Gibson. The characters all felt human - which is particularly tricky with so many different family members! and the story line felt like a very real situation that could happen to any family, leaving a very slice-of-life feeling.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

this was such a good book!! I love the big family all together, it reminds me of all the memories I have with my own big family. I liked the themes of love, growth, family, relationships, and growth together that this book had. It was so entertaining and it kept me engaged!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Are you ready for a good laugh? Check out The Full Nest by Fiona Gibson. I couldn’t put it down.A five star read.

This story takes place across a year. Carly's three children have now all left home, so now is the time for her and her husband Frank to reclaim their lives - or so they think!

Fiona Gibson writes in a very entertaining and amusing style, very easy to read with incredibly relatable characters. I felt for Carly (her eldest child was VERY relatable!), and could understand Frank's feelings. It definitely made me think about how situations could be understood differently by different people, and how important talking actually is!

An emotive, quick read.

In their early fifties, Carly and her Portuguese mechanic partner Frank are looking forward to some 'me-time,' and when their son Eddie finally shucks off his brown dressing gown and goes to work in Edinburgh as a kitchen porter, they think they've found it. However, it's not long before they're opening their house again to more and more people, including Carly's elderly Dad, who has an unfortunate run-in with a tin of expired pilchards.

Soon, Cathy is having to hold lock-ins in her library workplace and Frank is sleeping in his old food truck just to try and get a bit of perspective on the situation. I admired how Carly was always there for her family, though she could have been tougher with them at times, and felt a little like her two daughters got short shrift in favour of the needier Eddie, and I wasn't invested in a potential romance plot for Carly with a new man, Oliver, but they all got there in the end, of course.

I found this easier to read and warmer than Fiona Gibson's most recent book 'The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything,' - I don't know what that shows, maybe that sometimes staying is funnier than going, or at any rate more realistic and easy to relate to. My thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the DRC!

Carly and Frank, at last, have an empty nest- their youngest child Eddie has l eft home. Time for themselves and a holiday in Paris. But all is not well when they return home as their Nest gradually refills. Some laugh out loud moments, some sad moments- ,true to life - do we ever "get rid" of our children?

What a lovely fluffy read, an ideal read cuddled up on the sofa in winter, or in the garden or on the beach in the summer, loved the charecters and loved the story

Fiona Gibson's books explore family life in a light hearted way, particularly the impacts on women who often have to pick up the pieces when things fall apart. Carly, nearly fifty, has loved raising her children with Portuguese-born partner Frank, but is nevertheless looking forward to the day when they can have some time to themselves. Only twenty-two year old Eddie is still left at home in their Scottish seaside town, both his sisters having flown the nest, and he's showing no signs of leaving, spending most of his days lying around in a ratty old dressing gown - until he suddenly does, heading off to Edinburgh with a flat-share and a job lined up.

Carly's longed-for empty nest doesn't last long, though. First Eddie gets himself into - to put it mildly - a bit of a scrape. Then there's her cantankerous elderly father, Kenny, who won't listen to anyone's advice. It's all getting a bit much...

I'll admit the story didn't quite go where I was expecting, particularly regarding the Eddie storyline. (Maybe I just have a suspicious mind, but I felt somebody was up to something.) But like all Fiona's books, it's a highly engaging read.

Gibson’s talent for capturing the messy, sometimes frustrating, but always love-filled reality of family life shines through. The humor is sharp, the characters are endearing, and the emotional moments sneak up on you when you least expect it.
But what makes this book truly delightful is its balance of comedy and heartfelt moments. The chaos that unfolds in Carly’s home might drive her to the edge, but it also highlights the beautiful messiness of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. As she navigates the delicate balance between wanting to reclaim her independence and doing what’s best for her family, The Full Nest delivers a story that’s both uproarious and deeply touching.

The Full Nest by Fiona Gibson is a heartfelt and humorous exploration of the complexities that arise when the family dynamic shifts, particularly when children grow up and leave the home. Carly, a mother of three, has long dreamed of the freedom that would come with the “empty nest.” Alongside her husband, Frank, she fantasises about quieter meals, fewer interruptions, and holidays focused on culture rather than kids’ clubs. However, Carly’s vision of peace and tranquillity is soon disrupted when her elderly father moves in “temporarily” for extra support. As if that wasn’t enough, Carly’s adult son, Eddie, has become far too comfortable in the family home, seemingly uninterested in moving out or seeking a job, enjoying the comforts of home life without the usual responsibilities.

Just when Carly’s patience is wearing thin, Eddie drops a bombshell that threatens to turn her already precarious world upside down. As her family expands in unexpected ways, Carly finds herself facing new challenges, navigating the delicate balance of caring for elderly parents, adult children, and the demands of her marriage—all while trying to maintain her own sense of self.

Gibson provides a keenly insightful look into the different stages of family life, capturing the tension and tenderness of adjusting to changing roles as children grow older, and the impact this has on relationships within the home. The novel addresses the phenomenon of empty nest syndrome, the struggles of menopause, and the relentless demands of modern life, yet it is infused with wit and realism. Through Carly’s journey, the book presents a raw, unfiltered portrayal of the emotional turmoil many women experience when pulled in multiple directions. The Full Nest is a brilliantly relatable and deeply moving read, filled with moments of humour and heart that will resonate with anyone navigating similar life stages.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Another great story from Fiona Gibson. We meet Carly and Frank, who are navigating a new stage in their lives as their youngest child Eddie leaves home.

However, being empty nesters is not as straightforward and freeing as they thought. Carly's elderly and cantakerous father Kenny is increasingly struggling to cope by himself. 22 year old Eddie finds that moving out requires a lot more responsibility than he realises and he has to grownup fast. One of their daughters is also struggling with adapting to the demands of a high-flying life in London, after growing up in a sleepy seaside town . To make matters worse there seems to be cracks in Carly and Frank's relationship...

The Full Nest has relatable characters and topics that will resonate with lots of readers. Another fab book for 2025!

Another brilliant read from Fiona Gibson. This was such a realistic book looking at the realities of family life as children grow up, move on and your parents age. It was so insightful and relatable but told with humour and showed the love, strength and bond between family and friends.
The characters were great and I loved the relationship between Carly and her Dad and how that progressed.
I would love a sequel to see how Eddie copes with fatherhood.
Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Fiona Gibson for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Another brilliant book by Fiona Gibson. Her characters are always so normal but in brilliant situations I know I'd find myself in. Her books are always a delight to read.

I absolutely loved this book! It was so funny, relatable, and had me feeling all the feels! Definitely could relate to taking too much on and never having a chance to be able to breathe and get to know myself. It was a great take on the “empty” nest and what that means and looks like for various members in your family. Loved every minute! I loved how it went back in time also!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC.

Carly, a librarian and husband Frank, a mechanic from Portugal, are in their early fifties. They have two daughters and a son in their early twenties, but the daughters have already flown the nest. However, Eddie, 22, is a lazy layabout and he doesn't see the need to leave the place where he gets his laundry washed and food cooked. One day though he suddenly moves in with his best friends from school in Edinburgh and finds a restaurant job, and Carly and Frank can finally walk around in their underwear at home.

The relief is short-lived though. Carly's belligerent father Kenny, 85, gives himself botulism by eating ancient pilchards from a rusty tin (They cost money, don't you dare throw them away!") and has to move in with them. Then Eddie comes back with shocking news and the number of house inhabitants goes up again. All the while, Carly longingly eyes up "The Empty-Nester’s Handbook" but its tips seem frustratingly out of reach.

I have to say, while it is funny in parts, I did not find this as funny and uplifting as the author's other books. The rapidly disintegrating marriage is sad, broken down from the strain of being in the middle and having to deal both with the younger and the older generation. It's bittersweet and realistic, and will draw you in, hoping it will all end well. There is also a sad side story with a gay colleague who feels hidden away by his partner. As is the case in a Fiona Gibson book, it's the men who cause the multi-generational drama and who can't cope while the women hold it all together. It's a well-written, easy read and if you're looking for a relatable family drama with strong women, this will be for you.

4.25 stars

This book is a warm and relatable read that dives into the complexities of family life, relationships, and the ever changing dynamics of a busy household. While it took me a little while to settle into the story, once it found its rhythm, it became an enjoyable read through the mess and joy of life as a member of a household that is oh so typical today. The different view points that stepped up as different characters played more important roles was well done.

The book strikes a really strong balance between humour and poignancy. There are laugh-out-loud moments that allowed me to read via the sharp wit of the author. and there were keen observational moments of life's quirks, but also quieter, sadder moments that stayed with me for longer and made me reflect. These contrasts make the story feel authentic and relatable, capturing the messy yet beautiful reality of life.

This book made me smile, even as it had its bittersweet moments. A page turner for a quiet afternoon.

The full nest is another great insightful read by Fiona!
Such an insightful look into family life and how it changes/the different stages that you go through as your children grow up and leave the family nest, the altered dynamics at home, the way it affects your relationship as a couple and then the added factor of looking after an elderly parent and grandchildren added into the mix as your family grows and you are needed more and more. Raw, unfiltered and totally relatable for so many women experiencing empty nest syndrome, the menopause, and being pulled in so many directions but hold with wit, humour and realism that will resonate with so many at a similar stage in life!
A great read that I would highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

I absolutely adore Fiona Gibson and I am so excited for this book to get into readers hands! I love her relatable funny takes on life and she always has me in stitches throughout the entire book. I am so excited for the Full nest. I love the characters, storyline, and hilarious anecdotes.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

This is a perfect five-star read for anyone who wishes they had the perfect family. I will be honest at times I wanted to give a couple of the characters a really good talking too, like Carly and Frank, her for being a doormat at times and him for being him at times, I know that life is complex and sometimes we go just go with the flow and we also do what we think is best for others I get that, but it still frustrated me, but that’s the beauty of writing like this, it impassions you to really care about the people on the page. Family aren’t always what we think they should be and sometimes we see them on social media looking all matchy and happy, and you look at your own and feel lacking, this is a story to show you that we are all different and made up differently, and how we thin we may be saving someone else, but really we aren’t, Also about how you should never eat anything out of date, something my nanna did when we moved her house, for the fourth time in 10 years and found some times that went out of date 17 years previously, so the tins had been alive almost half as long as I had in that time and moved more times than I had. Even if it’s a waste of food, throw them away!! Pick this up to have a good laugh, and have a real look at what family is like and why we should all communicate more, now if you don’t mind I’m off to call my mother, just because, as this story will make you want to do that connect with family or someone special, even if it’s just to thank them for not moving in with you, or if they did just to remind them that you love them as we do take them for granted sometimes. Overall, I gave this five-stars, and in places it didn’t deserve it, but it’s a proof, so you have to allow for editing and sometimes personal taste, the story was strong and pulled me in, really making me care and that’s what I find most important in a story.

I found this story rather sad, it’ll certainly strike a cord with many mums in their late 40’s/50’s who are going through “life”. Empty nest syndrome is a real thing for many and having to care for an elderly parent is brought to life with a real touch of reality. The characters are all flawed (aren’t we all?) and there seems to be one crisis after another. Although the ending is sweet, you know that isn’t how it works long term! This isn’t as funny as many of her books, more down to earth and thought provoking - 3.5 stars from me

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

You never stop being a parent and a mum especially. When Carly and Frank's two girls leave home there is only 22yr old Eddie left in the nearly empty nest. Carly is planning what life will be like for her and Frank when Eddie eventually gets his act together but for the moment he is a spoilt man child lying around the house.

Just as Eddie moves out Carly's elderly father has an accident and moves in with her. He is not an easy man to please and Carly once again has a spoilt man child in her home.
Frank is not much help to her ,in fact he makes everything much worse,but that's men for you.

I really enjoyed this book, it was very true to life. Most animals kick their young out of the nest or the den at an early age. I think it's probably only us humans who feel we should put up with the lives we created for the rest of ours, we never stop worring about them.
I really like Carly's character and how she just put up with everything. I'm not too impressed with Frank,another man child and I didn't really agree with his explanation of why he didn't support Carly.
I always enjoy Fiona Gibson's books and although this one wasn't quite as funny as the others it did have funny moments peppered through it.
I found it a nice easy read for this time of year.

I really like this author. This book does not disappoint. Realistic characters keep the story moving quickly. Even the title is intriguing. Family problems…family fun…dysfunctional episodes…what next? The main character is quirky, and even though her family gets to her, at times, she keeps going on. A page turner… A cannot put down novel... Enjoy. Thanks Netgalley.

Had fan and liked it. Entertaining and heartwarming
Liked it . Due to health issues cannot will write a proper review at a later time
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mineA more extensive review will follow

A fantastically funny and refreshing read. I really enjoyed this book. The characters are fabulous, the storyline is heart warming and the conclusion leaves you all warm and fuzzy inside. A great feel good read. I devoured this in a few hours as I could not bear to be parted from the craziness of Carly and Franks family. Great read.

Thank you Netgalley

Thank you Netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Despite being 384 pages, it was a quick, easy and fun read. Humorous to the point where I laughed out loud several times. Unexpected friendships and relationships were formed that I liked. Most of the characters I really enjoyed, and the pace was great. Nice ending, cozy sleepy, seaside town setting, which I love, overall just lovely book.

Excited to read more books by Fiona Gibson.

Absolutely brilliant, loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.

This was a fun story about families. Carly and her husband Frank, look forward to finally living alone in their small cottage, Kilmory Cottage. They raised a family of one son and two daughters in the cottage on the seaside in Sandy Banks Bay.

Nothing goes as planned, soon Carly’s father moves in and their son comes home. Everything falls apart for Carly as she battles on, supported by her friends at the library where she works.

This was about families, friendships. Lots of humour.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher Avon for a chance to read this E-Book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.