Monday 9 February 2015

Books Read: Fiona Gibson - As Good As It Gets?

“Midlife crisis? WHAT midlife crisis?!” 

Charlotte Bristow is worried about her husband Will. With her 16-year-old daughter Rosie newly signed to a top modelling agency, and Will recently out of a job, things are changing in their household. 

As Will dusts down his old leather trousers and starts partying with their new, fun neighbours, Charlotte begins to wonder what on earth is going on. 

So when Fraser, Charlotte’s ex – and father of Rosie – suddenly arrives back on the scene, she starts to imagine what might have been…

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Having read most of Fiona Gibson's previous novels I automatically downloaded a copy of As Good As It Gets? as soon as it was available on NetGalley as it sounded just up my street but then also received a proof copy from Olivia at Lighthouse Brigade PR as I had agreed to be part of the blog tour (so this is one of the books that you can win in my pre-loved books giveaway here).  

The story revolves about thirty-something wife and mother Charlotte Bristow whose life has become a little stale and right from the off we're led straight into the drama as we read letters between a young Charlotte and Arlene, boyfriend Fraser's mother, and the groundwork is laid as to how Charlotte ended up being a single parent until she met husband Will when her daughter Rosie was 18 months old.  Fast forward to the current day and we find Charlotte wondering what has gone wrong in her marriage and also having to deal with the consequences of what happens after Rosie is spotted by a modelling agency.  Will family life ever be the same again? 

I really liked Charlotte as the main character as she was totally relatable, there were certain things that she did or circumstances that she was dealing with that I'm sure many readers will find familiar.  Even when she was keeping secrets that could have had a serious impact on her family life she was doing them with the best intentions because she didn't want her family to be hurt.

At first I found Will a bit moody but that was also totally understandable considering his role as the breadwinner of the family had been taken away from him, but as the story progressed I warmed to him more and more and he certainly provided a few entertaining moments as he tries to relive his youth! 

Although As Good As It Gets? dealt with some serious issues there were plenty of laugh out loud moments too and one of them that sticks in my mind was son Ollie refusing to wear the jumper she'd bought him in Hollister as it was the wrong colour as the store was so dark she couldn't see what colour it was... anyone who has ever shopped in one of their stores knows exactly how this could happen!!  

A thoroughly entertaining read from Fiona Gibson and I cannot wait to hear what we can expect from her next. 

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