The Full Nest

by Fiona Gibson

Pre-order the brand-new, heartwarmingly hilarious novel from Number 1 bestselling author Fiona Gibson, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Jill Mansell and TikTok sensation Mama's Still Got It

One family home. Three generations. What could possibly go wrong?

Carly loves her family. She really does. It’s just that now her three children are grown up, she thought it was her time.

Everyone talks about the empty nest and how difficult that can be, but Carly and her husband, Frank, have often fantasised about it – meals without arguments, conversation without shouting over the sound of the Xbox, holidays planned around the culture not the kids’ club.

But Carly’s nest is far from empty. Her elderly dad needs more support and is moving in ‘temporarily’. On top of which, Carly’s son, Eddie, is far too comfortable at home – why go out and get a job, when your parents keep you fed and your clothes laundered? And just when Carly is starting to pull her hair out, Eddie drops a bombshell that changes everything.

Is there room in the nest for one more?

Fiona Gibson is back with her brilliantly funny novel about family, frustrations and finding yourself in the chaos. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Milly Johnson and Jill Mansell.
Readers love Fiona Gibson:

'I absolutely love Fiona Gibson's funny, emotional, relatable writing.’ JENNY COLGAN

‘A terrifically entertaining, cheery romance, with an endearing heroine.’ Sunday Mirror

‘Warm, funny and poignant.’ Daily Mail

‘Warm, witty and fun.’ My Weekly

‘The voice of modern women.’ Marie Claire

‘More than funny, it’s true.’ Elle

‘Warm, funny and endearing.’ Best

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fiona Gibson always brings funny to her stories. Something special.’ Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fiona Gibson never fails to entertain. Another gem.’ Reader review

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Humor, Womens Fiction

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2025

About the author

Fiona is an author and journalist who has written for many UK publications including The Observer, The Guardian, Marie Claire, Red, New Woman, Top Sante and Elle. She writes a monthly column for Sainsbury’s magazine and is a Contributing Editor at Red magazine.

Fiona lives in Scotland with her husband, their twin sons and daughter. She likes to draw, run 10k races, play her saxophone and lie in the bath with a big glass of wine, although not all at once.

Reviews

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

As if it were meant to be, our librarian Carly finds a book in the non-fiction section that she has never seen before: “The Empty Nester’s Handbook: Living Your Best Life When the Kids Leave Home.”

“Let’s Celebrate your fabulous second act!” It beckons…and unlike some parents-Carly and Frank can hardly wait!

If only their son 22 year old son Eddie would move out, the adventures could begin-And, then, one day it finally happens!

But, their “empty nest” doesn’t remain that way for long-as first Carly’s dad needs to move in temporarily, followed closely by Eddie returning home and this time, he doesn’t return alone.

The books spans a period of six months, with each month opening with the header of which family members are CURRENTLY living at Kilmory Cottage, and it unfolds predominately from Carly’s POV.

Will it be just Carly and Frank by the book’s end? Will they find a special way to celebrate? I was entertained as I read to find out!

I discovered this author this past Christmas when I stumbled upon the delightful “Tis the Damn Season”, and I was eager to read more of her work, so I was thrilled that her newest book was available to request.

Although this one didn’t score quite as high for me-I did enjoy it-though I am torn about whether to round up or down. Fiona Gibson creates likable characters and lets them navigate tricky situations with warmth and humor-and sometimes a “feel good” story like this is exactly what I am looking for! I look forward to discovering more of her work.

Now Available!

Thank You to Avon Books for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

[Cristina Neves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-warming, poignant, relatable, loveable characters, funny, a very well written story of a family trials and tribulations!

Scotland, Sandybanks, a small coastal town, and of course Kilmory Cottage!

Carly, a librarian, turning 50 in 9 months, lives with her husband Frank, a mechanic still deeply in love since they first met at 21 in Portugal, Algarve, and their eldesr son Eddie who refuses to leave home as her sisters have done.
Acting like a grown up teenager!

But suddenly, out of the blue, he announces he's leaving to Edinburgh to rommate with his best friends Raj and Callum and he already got a job at a known restaurant!

They finally can start the next chapter of their lives enjoying the house all to themselves, just doing ordinary things like watching a movie together.
And they fulfil a long time dream of going to Paris, for 5 days, for Frank's fiftieth birthday!

To good to be true, Eddie returns home with news that left them all gobsmacked!
He met a beautiful girl Lyla, lost his job, got injured and the empty house is no more!

Then Kenny, Carly's father, almost 85, becomes very ill and after leaving the hospital he comes to live with them.
The house turns noisy in a bad way, there's no privacy in the small cottage, Kenny, Eddie and Frank hardly get along and Frank and Carly get further apart, becoming almost strangers!
Recriminations, painful, hurtful remarks they regret almost immediately .

Will they be able to forgive one another, to restore the love that always flowed between them?
Will Eddie and Lyla find their hapiness and be a family too?

You just have to read one of Fiona's books and you're forever hooked!!

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Full Nest is the twenty-first novel by British journalist and author, Fiona Gibson. Carly Munro is thoroughly fed up with the way things are at Kilmory Cottage: having raised three children to adulthood, she and partner Frank Silva should be empty-nesters, enjoying the next phase of their lives. But while their daughters are fiercely independent, with studies and careers in other cities, their eldest offspring, Eddie is still at home, at twenty-two, eating, sleeping, jobless and making no effort to move out.

Between picking up after Eddie, and attending her elderly father, Kenny, who left when she was a teen, her full-time job at the library is a welcome respite. Just as she is ready to despair, Eddie does a complete about-face, decides to move into a flat with friends in Edinburgh, and work as a kitchen porter in a restaurant. Such a radical change sounds a bit like a recipe for disaster, but Eddie manages to add his own twist to factor in another level of complication.

The cast that Gibson assembles for this tale mostly don’t endear themselves to the reader: Eddie is an immature freeloader; Kenny a grumpy parent who walked out and little deserves Carly’s devotion; and Frank is nice enough, but a bit insipid. Carly seems to be, to some extent, the architect of her own unsatisfactory situation, a doormat to Eddie and Kenny, so tolerant that readers may get a bit frustrated with her spinelessness, and it’s not hard to sympathise with Frank when he walks out.

Billed as heart-warming and hilarious, the former eventually applies, but the latter doesn’t make an appearance. Not Gibson’s best.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I could definitely relate to, since my husband and I became “empty nesters” recently!

Frank and Carly have raised three kids, and are beginning to imagine what life might be like when it’s just the two of them. They never dreamed of the chaos that would ensue when their last child moved out…
At times laugh out loud hilarious, and others where the reader will possibly feel a lump in the throat; it’s a must read for anyone whose children have, or soon will, have “flown the coop.”

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovers of Fiona Gibson’s books will need no encouragement to read this new one

Dealing with kids leaving home, exasperated Mum’s and self unassured Dads with a good old fashioned elder relative thrown in

Life will be perfect when Carly and Frank are alone again in their home….and they are, for a few weeks….and then the fun really begins

It is as good, as funny,as real, as poignant, as nuancing clever and as honest ( even uncomfortably so at times ) as those that have gone before and again manages to offer a really good read, and sometimes thats all we need, a really good read, and this is that

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kim Melbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutly love Fionas books and this one certainly didn't disappoint. Full of humour and love it portrays so accurately the time of life when parents and children are getting older, leaving home.....then coming back again.. ..Still needing that parental support. Add to the mix grandparents that also need looking after and finding time as a couple to start that next chapter in your life....and chaos, short tempers and misunderstandings are bound to follow.

Characters that were so relatable and easy to like and understand, I highly recommend this book. Top marks from me.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona Gibson is a fantastic author and I have enjoyed many of her books. This one was brilliant and very relatable. I found it funny as well as poignant and I laughed out loud a few times. Great book I highly recommend

[Cindy P Huntington · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️s Complicated family life story mixed with funny moments but also frustrating moments for the mom. Life doesn’t go the way most plan and this book shows that the many complexities of empty nest expectations are not all equal.

[Sammy Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely family fluffy read❤️

[Megan Mobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up

[Amelia]

I wrote this review for another book on accident :/ It was okay, but a bit meandering.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carly and Frank fell in love young and built a beautiful family. They bought a small home in Scotland, right on the sea, and that’s where they raised their three children. When the kids were old enough, Carly took a job at the local library, and Frank tried to run a series of small businesses. When those didn’t work out as expected, he took a job as a mechanic. Their children all grew up and left the nest. Bella went to London to find a job in publicity. Ana went to art school. And Eddie moved to Edinburgh to live with a couple of school friends and find a job.

Carly and Frank realize that after many years, they have their home all to themselves. They can do whatever they want. They can travel, they can sell the house and move. Or they can just stay in the home they love and enjoy quiet nights together. It’s the life they always dreamed of.

But then Carly’s father, who was living alone, opened a bad can of fish and got a life-threatening case of botulism. And Eddie gets fired from his restaurant job, where he was training to be a chef, and can’t afford to live in Edinburgh anymore. But even more dramatic, he met a woman at a party. Lyla was her name, and they barely spoke before he was following her lead and going to her place. Weeks later, Eddie finds out that because of that night, Lyla is pregnant.

Now Carly and Frank are trying to deal with her father, who moved into Eddie’s old room after getting out of the hospital. He’s taken over the television, watching only his favorite shows at a high volume, and insists on Carly making him his favorite bland meals for their dinner every night. When Eddie moves back in, he takes over the girls’ bedroom and refuses to look for a new job. And then, when Lyla decides she’s not comfortable living at her mother’s place anymore, Eddie asks if she can move in also.

And just like that, Carly and Frank find that their empty nest is full again. But this time, they are exhausted and depleted. They do their best to keep everyone else safe and happy, but at what cost? Will they be strong enough to stay together through it all, or will their full nest break Carly and Frank?

The Full Nest is the latest family novel from bestselling UK novelist Fiona Gibson. She writes stories about real people in difficult situations with heart and humor, and this is no exception. I thought The Full Nest was a heartwarming story of love and longevity. These characters showed compassion and humanity in difficult circumstances, but they also could be honest about their failings and insecurities. I thought this book celebrated the best of family relationships without being overly saccharine or unrealistic. This was a fun read, lighthearted and entertaining, and perfect for those struggling with their role as caregivers for parents and adult children.

Egalleys for The Full Nest were provided by Avon Books through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine. And I enjoyed the book so much I bought it myself.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I think the worst thing we imagine often turns out to not be so bad after all."

Parenting doesn’t stop when the kids grow up—especially when they refuse to move out!

Carly and Frank were ready to enjoy the perks of an empty nest—peaceful dinners, uninterrupted conversations, and vacations that didn’t involve kids’ clubs. But life had other plans. Instead of newfound freedom, Carly finds herself managing a full house once again. Her elderly father moves in, needing more help than he’d like to admit, and her grown son Eddie seems way too comfortable living rent-free. Just when she thinks she might finally catch a break, Eddie throws in a curveball that shakes things up even more.

The writing style is easy to read and follow along with. The descriptions were just detailed enough to get a general idea, though I had a hard time picturing their cottage or Lyla's flat. It was a bit of a mix—sometimes I had to fill in the gaps myself, but it worked out. I liked the multiple perspectives, but the switch between first and third person threw me off a little. Carly’s inner dialogue, though, was a highlight—I felt every bit of her frustration at constantly having to take care of everyone.

I don’t have kids, but I imagine Carly’s feelings are exactly what my mom went through when she wasn’t sure how my brother would make it in the world. Eventually, you have to let go, and they either fail or succeed. Luckily, my brother, like Eddie, chose to succeed. All the characters grow by the end, even Carly’s dad—who, after a questionable experience with some expired 1960s canned food, learns a thing or two himself.

While I enjoyed the book, I wasn’t a fan of some of the actions near the end and how they seemed to be brushed under the rug. It was an easy, enjoyable read, but it didn’t quite wow me enough for a five-star rating. That said, it had some great moments.

Overall, I'd give this book four out of five stars. It’s a warm, humorous take on family life, packed with relatable struggles and heartfelt moments. If you’re looking for a light but thoughtful read about the chaos of a full house, this one’s worth picking up.

"She knows I like a romantic story with a happy ending, but I realize that real life..."

"It's a bit more messy than that."

"It is."

"But it's also wonderful."

[Helen Broadbent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book and it was well written but I had to keep looking at the synopsis which described it as a “laugh out loud hilarious book”. I obviously lack a sense of humour as there was nothing funny about the book at all. It was total drama.
The female characters were great but the main male characters were just awful.
Eddie, the son, words fail me as to how awful he is. I think his age was mistyped and it was really 12 not 22. Lazy, rude and obviously despises his mum. Leaves home, gets drunk on his first night, has a one night stand and gets the girl pregnant. I spent the first half of the book thinking it was a scam and she would come after him for money or claim he was the father when it was really someone else. Even when Eddie moved back home and his mum is driving him to hospital he is still thinking “his own mother acting like she knows stuff and calm in a crisis. If his head wasn’t buzzing he might be impressed “. He even blames her for his accident with the blind as she was the one who bought him it. The only decent things he did was stand by Lyla and get his father to come home.
Frank. He started off ok. Came all the way from Portugal to be with Carly when her mum was dying. Then they had a fantastic holiday away in France which Carly surprised him with for his birthday. Then it all goes downhill as he blames her for Eddie getting a girl pregnant. Then he walks out on her because she is supporting their son and her father! That was after all the years she had supported all his failed, money draining enterprises. Yes the house was chaotic but it wouldn’t be forever.
Kenny was vile. Deserted his wife and daughter yet doesn’t object to moving in with his daughter and having her wait on him hand and foot. Even giving himself food poisoning to spite her because she had thrown away his 27 year old tins of steak pies and so he eats out of date pilchards instead.
The supporting guys were great, Oliver, Jamie and even Eddie’s friends who stayed with him all night in A&E.
Also, does the working time directive not apply in kitchen work? Eddie finished a shift at midnight and was back again at 0730 the next day.
So although I enjoyed the book it certainly wasn’t funny apart from Carly’s last sentence when Frank suggests they get married and she says they might be rushing into it (20 odd years and 3 kids later).

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited when I was reached out to about receiving Fiona's latest book. From the books I have read so far I'd say the main female characters are mostly in their 40s or 50s and are dealing with all the ups and downs of realistic life and this one was no exception!

We follow Carly, who is close to turning 50, and is (slightly) hoping her son Eddie will fly the nest like her two other children. When this eventually happens though, it is not smooth sailing from there!

I adored this book just as much as all the others I have read. We get these really funny moments throughout the book and then these raw, emotional moments too that I'm sure lots of mothers and families in general go through. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Carly and her families life and I liked the little updates throughout the book of whoever was staying at the cottage currently.

The chapters every so often were changed to another family member including Carly's dad, son and husband. We learn their own thoughts about the current situations in the book and can sympathise when we see things from their perspective too. We also meet lots of lovely characters along the way like Lyla, Suki, Oliver and Carly's colleagues who can be quite mischievous!

I really liked the ending of this one and it felt like it started how it ended with two people who love eachother a lot and deciding again to take on their future adventures together. I'm sure this will also be really relatable to any other 'empty nesters' out there. You never know, they might just come back!

[Monica Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh dear, this book hit a little bit TOO close to home!

Carly has a busy life: she has three children, a job and a husband who works full-time. She also goes backwards and forwards, looking after her elderly dad. Her eldest child is Eddie, who doesn't seem to know what to do with his life and all of Carly's gentle nudging hasn't helped to make him a productive member of society. So, he hangs around the house all day, every day, not doing much of anything.

Then, things start to change, rapidly.

I won't spoil the plot by going into the nitty gritty of what happens with Carly and her family, suffice to say that it was a very relatable book!

I am the mother of 2 adult children - one of whom keeps on coming back home to live, after I was SURE he was gone for good, this time. He leaves a trail of destruction behind, much like Eddie does in his home! Maybe it is a boy thing, as my daughter was off and running straight after she left school and is very settled.

It is tricky, being a woman of a "certain age" and it is clear that the author of this book has a good understanding of how it is, and how it feels.

There isn't some major plot twist about Carly leaving her husband/family and starting anew - more of a gentle meander through a tricky phase of her life and how she deals with it all. The book is told from the POV of Carly, but also her husband, her dad and her son.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

[Agi · Rating 4 out of 5]

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"...

[Judy Christiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well written story, just not for me. I am giving 3 stars because the story is perfectly fine.

I did not care for the plot since it was depressing to me. Most of the characters are taking advantage of the main character Carly and she lets them walk all over her because she accepts that their happiness is greater than hers. I know it is common now to have grown children still living in their parent’s house, but her son is treating her like a servant, and it was very difficult to read about that. Also, I was blessed with wonderful parents, and unfortunately, Carly has a grump for a dad, and that also was very difficult for me to read about.

I will stop with that since I will give away more of the plot if I keep typing. I am sure some readers will find humor in this book. I really did not. I found a sad situation, but I am happy to say I read the entire book.

Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carly and Frank have raised three children and look forward to being empty nesters. Their two younger daughters are off on their own but their 22-year-old son, Eddie, spends his days on the sofa in his scruffy dressing gown. He has no desire to find a job and gets angry when Carly brings it up. But one day, he ups and says he is moving in with his two good friends and has a job in a restaurant. They are delighted for him and celebrate by taking a vacation to Paris.

Carly also cares for her father who lives alone. He's a crusty and stubborn man and doesn’t appreciate what she does for him but she plods along helping him as she can.

It’s when she gets a call from Eddie with shocking news, that things take a big turn.

Oh what a heart-warming story that reveals the real parts of life that many of us encounter. I loved all of the characters with all of their flaws and all of their good possibilities. Family is so important and it was very rewarding to read about a real family and the every day situations that they face. Do read and enjoy this delightful book.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Frances Heaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.
#TheFullNest #NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read, the viewpoint is my own.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up The Full Next by Fiona Gibson expecting a lighthearted story with plenty of humor. Unfortunately, it was neither carefree nor amusing. I was not a fan of any of the characters especially Eddie. Carly needed to grow a backbone. She needed to tell her son to ditch that nasty robe, get off the couch, get a job, and move out. There was so much going on in the story. It flew about like the “follow the bouncing ball” in old cartoons and sing-a-longs (I am dating myself with this reference). I could have predicted Eddie’s path from the moment he said the golden words, “I’m moving out.” The story contains foul language, intimate relations, and the consumption of vast quantities of alcohol. The book seemed like it went on and on (I was starting to hope wine would appear in my fridge). The ending (I was very happy to reach the last page) felt rushed and incomplete. The Full Nest reminded me of cotton candy (all fluff with no substance). I was hoping for a diverting tale, and I ended up with an unappealing one.

[Sams_Fireside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surely there's nothing wrong with a tin of pilchards that are 27 years out of date....?!

Fiona's books are funny, you can usually hear me giggling away to myself somewhere when I'm reading one, and The Full Nest was very definitely witty, with loveable characters, from Carly's eccentric Dad who's addicted to game shows, to Eddie - Carly and Frank's eldest child who finds himself having to grow up superfast.

I wanted to slap Frank around a bit for acting like papa bear and retreating to his cave when the going got tough, but on the other hand, he just needed a big hug to show him that everything will work out when you all stick together.

I didn't manage to have kids of my own and when my stepdaughter's kids stay, I love them being with me, but it's so lovely when they go home!!!

If you're in the mood for an easy-read, that'll have you laughing out loud, then grab yourself a copy of Fiona's new book, you won't be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review The Full Nest by Fiona Gibson.

[Karla Renee Goforth Abreu · Rating 3 out of 5]

At this age of my life, this book resonated with me: two of the kids have long been moved out, with children and full lives. The youngest is still here but grown and sometimes distant. I miss the bustling house, friends crowding in, running to schools, etc. And this is right where Carly, the mother of three grown children, finds herself. She looks forward to finally having time for herself and Frank, her husband, but everything has changed so...
Carly finds out that just because kids grow up, doesn't mean they don't need you and sometimes to the point of moving back home, for a time.
Then, there is the issue of aging parents. They need attention also. Sometimes empty nest means more on one's plate than before.
This book has truly funny and relatable passages. It is really about embracing the chapters our lives undergo.
You will like this book, probably, if you are at that empty nest stage but are very connected with your family.
Nothing stays the same in life. This book was a delightful read.

[Sally Cowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 grow up 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!

[Erin Sparkes · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Carly’s last child, Eddie,finally leaves home she is excited. Her and her husband Frank are finally empty nesters and they cannot wait to enjoy their empty house and have all the time in the world for each other. But Carly’s elderly father gets sick and needs somewhere to recover for awhile, so he moves in for a bit. And Eddie’s new life doesn’t quite get out to the smoothest start and he has news that might throw things a little off kilter for Carly and Frank. Instead of enjoying their freedom the two seem to be getting more and more bogged down with everyone else’s problems.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for letting me have a copy of Fiona Gibson’s newest book.
I enjoyed this book and it’s look at family. The sacrifices made for it and trying to find a new way forward as it evolves with time.

[Monali · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔹 My take: 4.5/5

🔸 Carly is in her 50s and whilst she adores her family to bits; she and Frank have been waiting for that empty nest so that they can finally have time to themselves. Their 2 daughters have made on their own and are out in the world. But their son Eddie is too comfy at home and refuses to budge from that couch. On top of this, Carly’s dad makes an entry and is ‘temporarily’ settled at their home. Carly is trying to juggle multiple responsibilities when Eddie drops a bombshell that complicates already that is over complicated. Carly’s home is no longer an empty nest and instead has become a full nest with 3 generations living together which she had never planned.

💖 Wows - This was thoroughly funny and entertaining. Carly’s internal monologues, outbursts of Frank, stubbornness of Carly’s dad, non responsiveness of Eddie - all was so so relatable. I sympathised with Carly and was equally pissed off with her as to why she was so accommodating. The inter relationships amongst different family members was endearing. The characters look and felt real and not fictional. The editing and writing are top notch.

💔 Ows - For these cozy books, I would just say that there are no new concepts or revelations that they are based on. This book is what you read about life pedestals at your pace between heavy reads and just enjoy them. You might forget later what the book was about but while you are reading it; you will have a good time.

💫 If you have read Fiona Gibson’s book previously, then you will definitely enjoy this funny banter because I have read till date 3 of her books and enjoyed this the most. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Thanks to @avonbooks and @netgalley for sharing the DRC in exchange for honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Tracie Cohee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full Nest” was a good book about the complex dynamics of multi-generations. Carly has lived a full life as a mother of three with a committed partner of over 25 years, Frank. Once the oldest but final child leaves the house, Carly was trying to find her new norm. As well, Carly takes care of her cranky, stubborn Dad.

Carly wants to explore the world, have romantic dinners with Frank and enjoy more time with friends. But things quickly unravel. Her oldest has found himself in an unexpected situation. Her daughter is doubting her choice in the big city and her dad has become ill.

This book has witty conversations. As well as, in the end family is most important. This should be a 3.5 star read. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for this advance read set to come out, March 25th.

[Sally Tyrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

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