When Life Gives You Lemons

By: Fiona Gibson

Narrated by: Cathleen McCarron

Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

Curl up with this hilarious, heartwarming read from the Top 5 best-selling author of The Mum Who Got Her Life Back.  

Sometimes life can be bittersweet....   

Between tending to the whims of her seven-year-old and the demands of her boss, Viv barely gets a moment to herself. It’s not quite the life she wanted, but she hasn’t run screaming for the hills yet. But then Viv’s husband Andy makes his mid-life crisis her problem. He’s having an affair with his (infuriatingly age-appropriate) colleague, a woman who – unlike Viv – doesn’t put on weight when she so much as glances at a cream cake. Viv suddenly finds herself single, with zero desire to mingle. Should she be mourning the end of life as she knows it, or could this be the perfect chance to put herself first?  

When life gives you lemons, lemonade just won’t cut it. Bring on the gin!

©2019 Fiona Gibson (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic Reviews

"A sharp, witty tale." (Northern Echo)

"A real 'smiler' of a book.... You’ll be cheering her on as she explores new endeavours, including an unexpected love interest." (Woman & Home) 

Women over 40 are still women. Can I get an amen?

I love this author. Fantastic stories about caring, creative, middle-aged women taking opportunities to grow and discover new loves. Great narration, too.

great book

I loved listening to this book. I wish there was a second part. it's so entertaining and I loved all the characters. I kinda feel bad for Andy at the end but I mean he did mess up so I guess that's his fault.

Incredibly enjoyable

I really liked the characters and their development. Characters were fully enjoyable as well as relatable.

Is that it? Yup.

About Chapter 16, I realize that I’m still waiting for the author to finish laying the foundation of the plot and get the thing off the ground. Or is this the plot? The day-to-day meanderings of a wronged woman? Is that it?

It is. That’s the whole of it. A dated diary of the events in a scorned woman’s year after being scorned. It’s the story of a normal life, and if that floats your boat, then you’ll enjoy this. If you need more excitement, then you might keep looking.

A Captivating Book

I loved this book as it has love, family, friendships, too much to mention. I loved it!! I've laughe lmkand wanted to cry when she was having hard times you'll be glad you read this one I loved it!!

Sweet story

The is a story of a woman who finds her strength and independence after her husband decides to leave her. It’s also a story about the importance of friendship and community. The narrator does a good job with the main character of the story, yet not the other characters. At the beginning of the story, I had a difficult time listening to the narrator with other characters but I kept focused on the story. I’m glad a did stick with it because this is a sweet story of perseverance and a happy ending.

Chic lit for The over 40's!!

Fiona Gibson's books are always very down to earth and amusing.
It's nice to read a novel that you can relate to if you are of a certain age.......over 40/50!
Sometimes funny, sometimes heart breaking, always interesting.
I didn't find this one quite as good as some of her others, it was a bit predictable, but still enjoyable despite that.
I have read all of her books and would highly recommend all of them
I'm already looking forward to her next book.

Really good storyline.

I did enjoy this book. Really good story. Looked forward to finding out what happened next. Only reason I gave 4 stars is because(and don't hate me) some of the voices really grated on me.

horrible narrator

unfortunately I couldn't finish the book because of how annoying the narration is :/ her regular reading is ok, but she makes 'voices' for the daughter and husband and old lady... and it's ABSOLUTELY AWFUL! I've never written a review, but this ruined the experience and I had to comment. She's so, so bad...

Another lovely story

Really enjoyed this If your looking for a good book about a mum and a family, thank you Fiona xx

Don’t bother

Awful! Couldn’t wait for it to end but it just kept ...on.
..going... far too protracted with very little substance.

Story of positivity.

This was a refreshingly positive and uplifting book about life after separation and divorce. It made a change to read about someone who thrived and survived her husband leaving her rather than being depicted as a victim. The performance was good although hearing a grown woman trying to talk like a 7/8 year old girl became a little annoying although I know this was unavoidable without using a child actor. An easy, nice listen but nothing more.

lovely book

Great story and funny at times, very modern and engaging. I didnt want it to end

Boring

I've given up. It's full of clichés . I can't finish it. Might be useful if you have trouble sleeping.

Excellent narrator

I bought this book because I'd just finished a thriller read by the same narrator. It's not normally the sort of book I would listen to. I enjoyed it but wouldn't listen to this type of book again.

I really wanted to like this book

I can't listen to this narrator any longer! I think I will buy the book instead. what child talks like that ! Arghhh its driven me mad.
Sorry but this is awful