Book tour: The Mum Who Got Her Life Back - Fiona Gibson

When her 18-year-old twins leave for university, single mum Nadia’s life changes in ways she never expected: her Glasgow flat feels suddenly huge, laundry doesn’t take up half her week, and she no longer has to buy ‘the Big Milk’. After almost two decades of putting everyone else first, Nadia is finally taking care of herself. And with a budding romance with new boyfriend Jack, She’s never felt more alive.

That is, until her son Alfie drops out of university, and Nadia finds her empty nest is empty no more. With a heartbroken teenager to contend with, Nadia has to ask herself: is it ever possible for a mother to get her own life back? And can Jack and Nadia’s relationship survive having a sulky teenager around?

My opinion.
Uplifting, colourful and funny. Those were my first impressions when holding this book. And Fiona Gibson did not disappoint on those expectations.
Her delightful sense of humor really shines through. Her characters are easy to love, easy to relate to and hard to forget. Even when your own day to day life doesn't like anything like Nadia's or Jack's, you somehow relate to them from the start. Or I'm now really getting old for feeling more understanding and sympathy towards the 50-something parents, instead of the college students - who I was one of only a couple of years ago! All credit to Fiona Gibson's writing to make these characters and their stories recognizable, even for someone like me - who's just now getting used to the idea of being someone's mum in a couple of months time! Let alone a couple of teenagers...
Both Jack and Nadia are wonderful characters. They've both bring their past to this relationship. At least one failed relationship, a temporary loss of identity when becoming a parent, or in Jack's case some scars that run even deeper. I loved how despite, or maybe because of all this baggage, they were open to the possibilities of getting to know each other.
Jack is an incredible guy and an amazing father figure. His involvement and care towards his volunteers in the shop and the way he tries to be both a friend to them, as well as a "coach" in whichever way they need, is heartwarming. 
Apart from making me feel very grateful for my ever-patient parents during those horrible teenage years, 'The Mum Who Got Her Life Back' made me laugh out loud, and even cry a little. Great, uplifting and heartwarming read!