What do you think?
Rate this book
As Good As It Gets?
A warm, funny read for fans of Outnumbered and the novels of Fern Britton, Fiona writes about life as it really is.
“Midlife crisis? WHAT midlife crisis?!”
Charlotte Bristow is worried about her husband Will. Their fourteen years of marriage have been rather lovely so far, but things have been a bit odd lately.
With their stunning 16-year-old daughter Rosie newly signed to a top modelling agency and Will recently out of a job, Charlotte can’t help but notice that 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, Charlotte starts to wonder what might have been…
“Midlife crisis? WHAT midlife crisis?!”
Charlotte Bristow is worried about her husband Will. Their fourteen years of marriage have been rather lovely so far, but things have been a bit odd lately.
With their stunning 16-year-old daughter Rosie newly signed to a top modelling agency and Will recently out of a job, Charlotte can’t help but notice that 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, Charlotte starts to wonder what might have been…
Audible Audio
First published January 29, 2015
303 people are currently reading
1101 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Gibson
45 books501 followersFiona 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
January 21, 2015
3 - Was as good as it got! stars.
I am usually a huge fan of Fiona Gibson’s writing. She manages to take an average storyline and elevate it to excellence, with a combination of witty observations, engaging conversations, likeable characters and just a little spark of something out of the ordinary.
I like that her heroines are usually just normal women, with jobs, kids, stretch marks, (ex)husbands/partners, self doubt, zany friends/neighbors, living everyday lives. Her unique observations about run-of-the-mill occurrences inject her books with inoffensive humour, that makes them easy to read, and hard to put down.
Something fell short with As Good as it Gets for me, I found Charlotte’s inner monologue didn’t have that usual ease and flow to it, it went on too long and for no apparent reason a lot of the time. The humor was sorely lacking, and the secondary characters were either annoying, uninteresting, or nothing out of the ordinary.
This isn’t a bad book, but I just expect more from Fiona after my past experiences with her previous books.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
I am usually a huge fan of Fiona Gibson’s writing. She manages to take an average storyline and elevate it to excellence, with a combination of witty observations, engaging conversations, likeable characters and just a little spark of something out of the ordinary.
I like that her heroines are usually just normal women, with jobs, kids, stretch marks, (ex)husbands/partners, self doubt, zany friends/neighbors, living everyday lives. Her unique observations about run-of-the-mill occurrences inject her books with inoffensive humour, that makes them easy to read, and hard to put down.
Something fell short with As Good as it Gets for me, I found Charlotte’s inner monologue didn’t have that usual ease and flow to it, it went on too long and for no apparent reason a lot of the time. The humor was sorely lacking, and the secondary characters were either annoying, uninteresting, or nothing out of the ordinary.
This isn’t a bad book, but I just expect more from Fiona after my past experiences with her previous books.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
January 16, 2015
I do like the characters in Fiona Gibson’s books, especially the mothers of teenagers as I feel I can relate to them. I am walking in their shoes. This is another book based around such a mother, Charlotte, married to Will and mother to 16 year old Rosie and 11 year old Ollie. Yes I know exactly how Charlotte feels when she is forced to walk a few yards behind her kids in the shopping precinct so as not to cramp their style! I know how it feels when the question “how was your day?” is answered with a grunt. I know just how that teenager’s bedroom is going to smell when I open the door in the morning. Yes, I dread those innocent but awkward facts of life type questions from young boys. It is just so nice to know that I am not the only one.
This is the story of a marriage that has settled (in Charlotte’s words) to that of housemates, a feeling that we all get from time to time in a long term relationship, but things seem especially bad in this household. Husband Will is currently unemployed and there are times when Charlotte feels that he is deliberately distancing himself and turning away from her. Can they get their marriage back on track? What will happen when new neighbours move in – ones that are fun to be around and with a wife who is extremely friendly, especially to Will? There is also the really enjoyable story of Rosie, who is scouted by a model agency and her subsequent foray into the world of modelling. Rosie’s modelling is unknowingly going to open up a can of worms for Charlotte – she is going to have to face up to events that took place in the past that she should really have faced up to and dealt with before now, but with the current state of her and Will’s relationship – can they survive?
It is a very warm, amusing read, one that I just couldn’t help enjoying. Charlotte and her family are nice people, who are good to read about and who you can’t help liking and hoping that they can work everything out. It is predictable, but in a nice cosy way. Thanks to the publishers for the review copy which did have more than the usual number of typos etcetera, and I am reviewing this book on the assumption that all of these have been ironed out prior to publication.
This is the story of a marriage that has settled (in Charlotte’s words) to that of housemates, a feeling that we all get from time to time in a long term relationship, but things seem especially bad in this household. Husband Will is currently unemployed and there are times when Charlotte feels that he is deliberately distancing himself and turning away from her. Can they get their marriage back on track? What will happen when new neighbours move in – ones that are fun to be around and with a wife who is extremely friendly, especially to Will? There is also the really enjoyable story of Rosie, who is scouted by a model agency and her subsequent foray into the world of modelling. Rosie’s modelling is unknowingly going to open up a can of worms for Charlotte – she is going to have to face up to events that took place in the past that she should really have faced up to and dealt with before now, but with the current state of her and Will’s relationship – can they survive?
It is a very warm, amusing read, one that I just couldn’t help enjoying. Charlotte and her family are nice people, who are good to read about and who you can’t help liking and hoping that they can work everything out. It is predictable, but in a nice cosy way. Thanks to the publishers for the review copy which did have more than the usual number of typos etcetera, and I am reviewing this book on the assumption that all of these have been ironed out prior to publication.
May 11, 2020
Well I am up to date with Fiona Gibson's recent books but I was behind on her back catalogue so imagine my delight when I discovered this beauty. This has solidified my opinion that Fiona Gibson is the queen of writing what women think after the babies have grown and their marriage has reached a certain point in its existence, I feel like she could help me navigate through that point in my life and I am in awe of her because of it.
Charlotte is such a great character to spend the book with because she is so easy to relate so and you can almost feel yourself rolling your eyes with her over a cuppa before suggesting that you both switch to win instead, she is just that find of a person. Poor Charlotte though, this writer puts her through so much in this book and yet she deals with everything that is thrown at her, not necessarily with grace, but like an abolsute trooper and in the best way she knows how! I did fall a little bit in love with Charlotte and her life whilst reading this book!
The idea of someone going through life not knowing their child is not a novel concept but the way it is written in this book, it is like Fiona Gibson has put a new twist on it and funnily enough I am watching a similar storyline in a Gimore Girls rewatch and they are dealt with completely differently. So if you are looking for a fresh take on this storyline, you'll find it right here.
Similarly, the trope of the husband having a midlife crisis is present here but is done in a completely different way and so I really laughed at some of the things Will said and did and found myself despairing at others. I did feel a little sorry for him whilst still siding with Charlotte all the way obviously. I really enjoyed this book, it was fresh, it was fun but it was also brutally honest, something with Fiona Gibson does so well. I can't wait to discover more of her back catalogue!
Charlotte is such a great character to spend the book with because she is so easy to relate so and you can almost feel yourself rolling your eyes with her over a cuppa before suggesting that you both switch to win instead, she is just that find of a person. Poor Charlotte though, this writer puts her through so much in this book and yet she deals with everything that is thrown at her, not necessarily with grace, but like an abolsute trooper and in the best way she knows how! I did fall a little bit in love with Charlotte and her life whilst reading this book!
The idea of someone going through life not knowing their child is not a novel concept but the way it is written in this book, it is like Fiona Gibson has put a new twist on it and funnily enough I am watching a similar storyline in a Gimore Girls rewatch and they are dealt with completely differently. So if you are looking for a fresh take on this storyline, you'll find it right here.
Similarly, the trope of the husband having a midlife crisis is present here but is done in a completely different way and so I really laughed at some of the things Will said and did and found myself despairing at others. I did feel a little sorry for him whilst still siding with Charlotte all the way obviously. I really enjoyed this book, it was fresh, it was fun but it was also brutally honest, something with Fiona Gibson does so well. I can't wait to discover more of her back catalogue!
April 3, 2018
Een echte feelgood roman. In het begin is het verhaal vooral grappig. Later krijgt het een serieuze ondertoon. Uiteindelijk eindigt het wel weer grappig. Ik had weinig tijd om te lezen, daardoor heb ik er lang over gedaan. Toch heb ik erg van dit boek genoten. De situaties die Charlotte meemaakt zijn herkenbaar. Een aanrader.
February 10, 2015
*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
This is my second Fiona Gibson book and I liked the first one Take Mum Out but something was kind off missing there. In this one I was caught up from the start and I enjoyed every second of the story.
Charlotte has a lot going on in her life. The relationship to her husband Will is a bit rosty and boring.They have been together for 15 years now, but he is distant and some of his actions are weird. He is definitely not what you have in mind thinking about a loving husband. Does he have secrets?! Of course, he is unemployed and it’s hard to find a job, but… I found myself questioning all of his moves and so did Charlotte. Their relationship was a bit of mystery, but it made the story dramatic and interesting. I wanted them to fin a way and fall in love all over again. But then her ex Fraser contacts her out of the blue. Fraser is Rosie’s dad, Will knows that, but now that Fraser wants to meet his daughter…
Rosie is a great character. She is discovered by a modelling agency while shopping in Forever 21. This takes her on a journey about modelling, but also about lots of other things. What will she make out of these experiences?! I loved how Will and Charlotte supported their daughter throughout this adventure. There was also Ollie, their 11-year-old son, who brought freshness and fun into the story. All the characters were well lined out and they all had something to tell. Yes, it was all Charlotte talking about her perspective, but Rosie, Will and Ollie all had their own part, which was great.
The return of Fraser makes Charlotte’s life even more complicated, she begins to think about what could have been. It’s her journey of finding out what she really wants in life and of what is important. Ups and downs are normal and she learns to deal with all these situations.
Fiona’s writing is funny, exciting, warm and full of surprises. The storyline is very entertaining and full of life. Fiona created a story which reminds me of home and family. It’s authentic and genuine, like real life.
Rating: 4.5
This is my second Fiona Gibson book and I liked the first one Take Mum Out but something was kind off missing there. In this one I was caught up from the start and I enjoyed every second of the story.
Charlotte has a lot going on in her life. The relationship to her husband Will is a bit rosty and boring.They have been together for 15 years now, but he is distant and some of his actions are weird. He is definitely not what you have in mind thinking about a loving husband. Does he have secrets?! Of course, he is unemployed and it’s hard to find a job, but… I found myself questioning all of his moves and so did Charlotte. Their relationship was a bit of mystery, but it made the story dramatic and interesting. I wanted them to fin a way and fall in love all over again. But then her ex Fraser contacts her out of the blue. Fraser is Rosie’s dad, Will knows that, but now that Fraser wants to meet his daughter…
Rosie is a great character. She is discovered by a modelling agency while shopping in Forever 21. This takes her on a journey about modelling, but also about lots of other things. What will she make out of these experiences?! I loved how Will and Charlotte supported their daughter throughout this adventure. There was also Ollie, their 11-year-old son, who brought freshness and fun into the story. All the characters were well lined out and they all had something to tell. Yes, it was all Charlotte talking about her perspective, but Rosie, Will and Ollie all had their own part, which was great.
The return of Fraser makes Charlotte’s life even more complicated, she begins to think about what could have been. It’s her journey of finding out what she really wants in life and of what is important. Ups and downs are normal and she learns to deal with all these situations.
Fiona’s writing is funny, exciting, warm and full of surprises. The storyline is very entertaining and full of life. Fiona created a story which reminds me of home and family. It’s authentic and genuine, like real life.
Rating: 4.5
February 1, 2015
Is this really as good as it gets?
Charlotte thinks this as she gets an email from her first love and the biological father of her first born. What follows is an hilariously gripping story of Charlotte's life and how she tries to cling on, while Rosie (her daughter) starts a modeling career and Will, (her husband), desperately looks for a job while keeping the house going.
This is life how a lot of us know it, No rose covered cottages or knights in shinning amour and certainly a lot of mistake and wishful thinking. Brilliantly written, this is a book which can be loved by all.
Charlotte thinks this as she gets an email from her first love and the biological father of her first born. What follows is an hilariously gripping story of Charlotte's life and how she tries to cling on, while Rosie (her daughter) starts a modeling career and Will, (her husband), desperately looks for a job while keeping the house going.
This is life how a lot of us know it, No rose covered cottages or knights in shinning amour and certainly a lot of mistake and wishful thinking. Brilliantly written, this is a book which can be loved by all.
January 28, 2015
Fiona Gibson is back with a new book and this is one of the best news! I have read all of her novels and I can be absolutely sure that she always delivers a great, entertaining story that is usually so close to my heart! It was no differently this time and I have actually postponed reading other book just to start and enjoy this little baby by Fiona. And. What a beautiful cover! Isn't it lovely, so spring - like already?
"As Good as it Gets?" follows a story of a family of four: Charlotte is a nearing 40 mum of two: 16 - year - old Rosie, who is a result of a short and hot romance when she was young, and 11 - year - old Ollie, and is married to Ollie's dad, Will. Right now Will is unemployed and Charlotte starts to worry that perhaps he undergoes some kind of middle - age crisis or something, because he changed a lot towards her. Moreover, when the new neighbours move in across the road, at first sceptical Will changes his behaviour again, and Charlotte really doesn't know what to think anymore.
But those are not all of the problems. Rosie is "scouted" during one of the shopping trip and starts modelling career and her first photo (together with Charlotte - but it's a long story :)) published in one of the magazines is going to open up a can of worms: Rosie knows that Will is not her "real" father and Charlotte fears there comes a moment that she'd like to meet Fraser, who suddenly, after all those years of silence, gets in touch. We are being acquainted with Fraser at the beginning of the book in a form of letter sent from Charlotte to him. The answer comes not from him but from his mother and let me tell you, the letters, although only few of them, were VERY entertaining! Charlotte and Fraser need more than sixteen years to meet again and see that somebody stirred between them all those years ago - so what now? With the foul atmosphere between Charlotte and her husband, are the old feelings going to see the light again?
The only stable thing in Charlotte's life must be Ollie right now, who is very much into science and is dreaming of owning a microscope.
Is Charlotte and Will marriage going to survive the crisis? Is Rosie going to be hurt by her real father? How is her career going to continue? Is the new neighbour Sabrina, who seems to take a shine to Will, going to enchant him?
As usual, Fiona Gibson delivers a bunch of fantastic, colourful, vivid characters that feel extremely realistic with all their everyday problems and normal life. I liked Charlotte from the very first scene with her, and I didn't stop liking her. I can only imagine as she felt when shopping with her daughter, forced to hoist all the bags and walk a few steps behind, but nevertheless, I really appreciate that Fiona describes it in such a honest, realistic way because, well, that's yet to come for me. I will also be walking a few steps behind my daughter in a few years, that's for sure. I absolutely adored the way Charlotte was coping with all the crises at home, with Will, Rosie, Ollie and her mother - in - law, how she juggled all the things and how she stayed optimistic. I think that all of the readers are going to fell for Charlotte, and it is the sign of a great, strong character.
I only couldn't figure out Will for a long time, actually for the whole book. As the story was written from Charlotte's point of view, we get only her views on the matters, but we don't know what the others are thinking, and to be honest, even now, after finishing this book, I'm not sure what to do with Will. What was his problem? Why was he behaving in this way? For me personally, only being at home and looking for a job was not the main reason he was treating Charlotte in such a bi - polar way: once he was sweet as a sugar, but mostly he was dismissive and unwelcoming, he seemed not to take her seriously, he didn't talk to her at all. Why Will, why? Why did you flinch when Charlotte touched you? Why this ostentatious Sunday morning lawn - mowing? Was this really a crisis? I so wanted to find out what was going on with Will but to be totally honest, his plot disappointed me a little.
But all the characters are, in fact, beyond average! I loved Rosie with her typical teenager behaviour and her make - ups, Ollie with his science obsession, they were brilliantly portrayed and felt so realistic, I had a feeling I can stretch out my hand and touch them. The drinking sessions Charlotte had with her friend and her neighbour were hilarious, and what came later was much more hilarious. Charlotte's boss and his full of enthusiasm emails to encourage his team were also priceless. They all just created a wonderful, optimistic atmosphere and I felt I could make friends with all of them.
Fiona can in incredibly engaging, interesting, vivid and colourful way write about everyday family's life and problems, and even if you can relate to the problems, even if you roll your eyes at the stinking teenager's room (because you know it so well!), even if you can only hold your temper at the grunted replies to your questions, even if it all just comes to you as a very well- known scenario because it IS your life, you will still enjoy the book immensely and will joyfully accompany all the characters through the story. And even if the first word that comes to your mind to describe the characters and situations is "normal", it's normal in a very unusual, light, witty and true to life way.
As much as I enjoy reading Fiona's books, as much as I love her writing style, I missed action in this book. It took almost the whole story for something to happen and still, it was not with such a fanfares or drama as we could expect. Don't get me wrong, please, a book doesn't have a lot of drama or twists and turns dropped at us on every page of course. It was a very steady read, on one level. But as usually, Fiona writes a brilliant, funny and so realistic story about a family, and she writes it with such easiness and confidence. And even if the story feels a little flat, it is still full of action, there is really a lot happening, just like in a family. Fiona can really brilliantly capture the dynamic and antics of a family life. There is always something in her stories that I can relate to, and it makes the reading absolutely amusing. And let's not forget the dynamic, sharp and oh so realistic dialogues, the lovely banter between the characters.
It is a story with a feel - good factor to it. Fiona Gibson mixes fun and humour with much more sensitive issues in her novel, but tackles this with a lot of her unmistakeable sense of humour. There is no glamour/glitz or exaggerated situations but it makes this book such a joy to read, and you can feel that Fiona knows what she writes about, she writes incredibly genuinely. I know that every book by Fiona is going to be a cracker and that I can be sure I'm going to enjoy her stories, she's an author that always delivers! I really recommend this book to you and beg you, please go and get your copy, you won't regret it.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
"As Good as it Gets?" follows a story of a family of four: Charlotte is a nearing 40 mum of two: 16 - year - old Rosie, who is a result of a short and hot romance when she was young, and 11 - year - old Ollie, and is married to Ollie's dad, Will. Right now Will is unemployed and Charlotte starts to worry that perhaps he undergoes some kind of middle - age crisis or something, because he changed a lot towards her. Moreover, when the new neighbours move in across the road, at first sceptical Will changes his behaviour again, and Charlotte really doesn't know what to think anymore.
But those are not all of the problems. Rosie is "scouted" during one of the shopping trip and starts modelling career and her first photo (together with Charlotte - but it's a long story :)) published in one of the magazines is going to open up a can of worms: Rosie knows that Will is not her "real" father and Charlotte fears there comes a moment that she'd like to meet Fraser, who suddenly, after all those years of silence, gets in touch. We are being acquainted with Fraser at the beginning of the book in a form of letter sent from Charlotte to him. The answer comes not from him but from his mother and let me tell you, the letters, although only few of them, were VERY entertaining! Charlotte and Fraser need more than sixteen years to meet again and see that somebody stirred between them all those years ago - so what now? With the foul atmosphere between Charlotte and her husband, are the old feelings going to see the light again?
The only stable thing in Charlotte's life must be Ollie right now, who is very much into science and is dreaming of owning a microscope.
Is Charlotte and Will marriage going to survive the crisis? Is Rosie going to be hurt by her real father? How is her career going to continue? Is the new neighbour Sabrina, who seems to take a shine to Will, going to enchant him?
As usual, Fiona Gibson delivers a bunch of fantastic, colourful, vivid characters that feel extremely realistic with all their everyday problems and normal life. I liked Charlotte from the very first scene with her, and I didn't stop liking her. I can only imagine as she felt when shopping with her daughter, forced to hoist all the bags and walk a few steps behind, but nevertheless, I really appreciate that Fiona describes it in such a honest, realistic way because, well, that's yet to come for me. I will also be walking a few steps behind my daughter in a few years, that's for sure. I absolutely adored the way Charlotte was coping with all the crises at home, with Will, Rosie, Ollie and her mother - in - law, how she juggled all the things and how she stayed optimistic. I think that all of the readers are going to fell for Charlotte, and it is the sign of a great, strong character.
I only couldn't figure out Will for a long time, actually for the whole book. As the story was written from Charlotte's point of view, we get only her views on the matters, but we don't know what the others are thinking, and to be honest, even now, after finishing this book, I'm not sure what to do with Will. What was his problem? Why was he behaving in this way? For me personally, only being at home and looking for a job was not the main reason he was treating Charlotte in such a bi - polar way: once he was sweet as a sugar, but mostly he was dismissive and unwelcoming, he seemed not to take her seriously, he didn't talk to her at all. Why Will, why? Why did you flinch when Charlotte touched you? Why this ostentatious Sunday morning lawn - mowing? Was this really a crisis? I so wanted to find out what was going on with Will but to be totally honest, his plot disappointed me a little.
But all the characters are, in fact, beyond average! I loved Rosie with her typical teenager behaviour and her make - ups, Ollie with his science obsession, they were brilliantly portrayed and felt so realistic, I had a feeling I can stretch out my hand and touch them. The drinking sessions Charlotte had with her friend and her neighbour were hilarious, and what came later was much more hilarious. Charlotte's boss and his full of enthusiasm emails to encourage his team were also priceless. They all just created a wonderful, optimistic atmosphere and I felt I could make friends with all of them.
Fiona can in incredibly engaging, interesting, vivid and colourful way write about everyday family's life and problems, and even if you can relate to the problems, even if you roll your eyes at the stinking teenager's room (because you know it so well!), even if you can only hold your temper at the grunted replies to your questions, even if it all just comes to you as a very well- known scenario because it IS your life, you will still enjoy the book immensely and will joyfully accompany all the characters through the story. And even if the first word that comes to your mind to describe the characters and situations is "normal", it's normal in a very unusual, light, witty and true to life way.
As much as I enjoy reading Fiona's books, as much as I love her writing style, I missed action in this book. It took almost the whole story for something to happen and still, it was not with such a fanfares or drama as we could expect. Don't get me wrong, please, a book doesn't have a lot of drama or twists and turns dropped at us on every page of course. It was a very steady read, on one level. But as usually, Fiona writes a brilliant, funny and so realistic story about a family, and she writes it with such easiness and confidence. And even if the story feels a little flat, it is still full of action, there is really a lot happening, just like in a family. Fiona can really brilliantly capture the dynamic and antics of a family life. There is always something in her stories that I can relate to, and it makes the reading absolutely amusing. And let's not forget the dynamic, sharp and oh so realistic dialogues, the lovely banter between the characters.
It is a story with a feel - good factor to it. Fiona Gibson mixes fun and humour with much more sensitive issues in her novel, but tackles this with a lot of her unmistakeable sense of humour. There is no glamour/glitz or exaggerated situations but it makes this book such a joy to read, and you can feel that Fiona knows what she writes about, she writes incredibly genuinely. I know that every book by Fiona is going to be a cracker and that I can be sure I'm going to enjoy her stories, she's an author that always delivers! I really recommend this book to you and beg you, please go and get your copy, you won't regret it.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
September 13, 2025
Honestly a pretty average read for me. I’ve had this book for ages (probably from highschool) from one of those roadside free libraries. It was nice to read from a different perspective / age group but felt a bit bland. Some story lines didn’t really develop and felt as the characters (even though they’re family) lacked depth and chemistry. The thing with Fraser was weird as well like why did they not discuss it at all after meeting up? I wanna know what happened but nothing was mentioned about it again.
December 7, 2017
This book was a suprisingly good read and I got very caught up in the story and wanted to know just how things would turn out. It was sweet without being sickly and funny without being silly - a quick and easy chick lit which showed wit and depth. Will be looking for more books by this author!
February 7, 2015
I was given a copy of this book, published by Avon by Olivia Wilson at Lightbrigade PR in exchange for an honest review which I'm more than happy to give.
What a book - Fiona has written a novel that reads like a fly on the wall documentary from a real home. She could have done the research for this book in any number of homes across the country, my own included!
Fiona has created characters that get under your skin, they really could be people you know. Charlotte the mother of the household is trying to hold the family together. She's running on her last bit of steam and the tension oozes from her like steam from an iron. Will, her husband has lost is job and has turned into an apathetic mess, putting a meal on the table each day is as much as he seems able to do. Rosie is very clearly a typical teenager with hormones bouncing all over the place and baby brother Ollie is managing to stay under the radar - not because he is perfect but because there is so much else going on he's hardly noticed.
Fiona has done an outstanding job, this book could so easily have been heavy going but it wasn't at all. It tackles so many everyday issues such as teenagers and their anxieties, unemployment, infidelity, jealousy and separation, all of them happening to the one family at the same time! The humour is the counterbalance, lifting the story when needed.
For the first half of the book I just thought it was a nice read, a what I'd call 'pick up, put down' book, it had me laughing out loud and 'oh I remember thating' to myself several times at the same time as thinking how many awful things can happen to one family. I had to love Charlotte though, no matter what she always managed to pull 'the face' out of the bag and tried to put a positive spin on things. She was always just slightly out of sync though and never quite getting it right despite her best intentions - the funniest incident involving fishing waders, creosote and a torch had me literally howling out loud.
The relationship of Rosie and Charlotte really touched a nerve as I know it will to anybody who is, or has been parent to a teenager. They want to shop with you, but not be seen with you, it's the purse that's important! And, please tell me, what is the attraction of shopping in the dark? I'm weird apparently because I don't get it :D
The second half of the book, gathered pace and Fiona really took hold of the characters, adding more depth and definition, allowing the reader an insight into who they really were and their true feelings. There are some very touching moments that pull at the heart strings. But, there are still some very funny moments in this half that help to break the building tension. There are some hard decisions made and I thoroughly enjoyed taking the journey with them. Life isn't always about happy endings, hearts and flowers but time, space and understanding go a long way along the road towards it.
If you're looking for a story about real people, with real problems and situations, that demonstrate the power of humour and family then this is a book for you - perfect for a lazy Sunday, snuggled in your pj's in the conservatory. Thank you so much Fiona for a most enjoyable read.
What a book - Fiona has written a novel that reads like a fly on the wall documentary from a real home. She could have done the research for this book in any number of homes across the country, my own included!
Fiona has created characters that get under your skin, they really could be people you know. Charlotte the mother of the household is trying to hold the family together. She's running on her last bit of steam and the tension oozes from her like steam from an iron. Will, her husband has lost is job and has turned into an apathetic mess, putting a meal on the table each day is as much as he seems able to do. Rosie is very clearly a typical teenager with hormones bouncing all over the place and baby brother Ollie is managing to stay under the radar - not because he is perfect but because there is so much else going on he's hardly noticed.
Fiona has done an outstanding job, this book could so easily have been heavy going but it wasn't at all. It tackles so many everyday issues such as teenagers and their anxieties, unemployment, infidelity, jealousy and separation, all of them happening to the one family at the same time! The humour is the counterbalance, lifting the story when needed.
For the first half of the book I just thought it was a nice read, a what I'd call 'pick up, put down' book, it had me laughing out loud and 'oh I remember thating' to myself several times at the same time as thinking how many awful things can happen to one family. I had to love Charlotte though, no matter what she always managed to pull 'the face' out of the bag and tried to put a positive spin on things. She was always just slightly out of sync though and never quite getting it right despite her best intentions - the funniest incident involving fishing waders, creosote and a torch had me literally howling out loud.
The relationship of Rosie and Charlotte really touched a nerve as I know it will to anybody who is, or has been parent to a teenager. They want to shop with you, but not be seen with you, it's the purse that's important! And, please tell me, what is the attraction of shopping in the dark? I'm weird apparently because I don't get it :D
The second half of the book, gathered pace and Fiona really took hold of the characters, adding more depth and definition, allowing the reader an insight into who they really were and their true feelings. There are some very touching moments that pull at the heart strings. But, there are still some very funny moments in this half that help to break the building tension. There are some hard decisions made and I thoroughly enjoyed taking the journey with them. Life isn't always about happy endings, hearts and flowers but time, space and understanding go a long way along the road towards it.
If you're looking for a story about real people, with real problems and situations, that demonstrate the power of humour and family then this is a book for you - perfect for a lazy Sunday, snuggled in your pj's in the conservatory. Thank you so much Fiona for a most enjoyable read.
November 17, 2014
4.5 stars
I received an advance reading copy of this title, from netgalley.com, in return for an honest review.
Not quite forty, but feeling it, Charlotte is trailing her sixteen year old daughter, Rosie around the shops. Always a few feet behind, as having her Mum walking alongside her would not be cool, Rosie is scouted by a modelling agency in Forever 21. The teenager has visions of trips to Paris fashion week, and large pay packets, before she has even got home. Charlotte is excited for her, but dreads telling her husband. She foresees trouble in the camp.
Charlotte has been happily married for years, and along with Rosie (who's biological dad is not in the picture), has an eleven year old son. Her recently unemployed husband is withdrawn, her son is a highly intelligent character and Rosie is caught between childhood and wanting to be grown up and independent. If all this wasn't bad enough, an email from Charlotte's Ex adds a twist to the tale.
It has been a while since I have read any of Fiona Gibson's work, but she still occupies a lot of shelf space in my library. I have great memories of her column in More! magazine (can I call it a column to avoid discussing it in detail) and even recall her Jackie and Just Seventeen days. Between these magazines and Smash Hits, there are great chunks of my adolescence....Those were the days. No mobile phones, waiting for the landline on the hall table to ring, or a letter to arrive. The free lip- gloss and the pull-out posters. What I loved about the book was how it showed that us, children of the 80s, are all aging together. I also have a sixteen year old and while she doesn't mind shopping with me, she has been known to suggest I put on some make-up before we leave the house. I actually burst out laughing at Charlotte's reaction to the maze that is Forever 21. A vast superstore for young adults, usually set over three or four stories, with staff who have brightly coloured hair and numerous body piercings or tattoos (displayed with over-tanned flat stomachs also on show), who always seem to be looking at the over 35s with pity. I may have even snorted a little when Charlotte buys her son a blue sweatshirt, instead of black one, from Hollister as she couldn't see in the darkness of the shop. I have often thought that shoppers should be issued with mining helmets as they enter the store!
The comedy element remains throughout but less so as the story of Rosie's birth dad surfaces and Charlotte tried to gain some momentum in her marriage. The supporting characters are fantastic, with Charlotte's workmates adding some real zest. I loved her bosses emails to his work force and could almost picture the grimace on Charlotte's face as she opens them. I could go on to mention more great personalities, a great tin foil story and a handful of birdseed, but, hey...... why ruin your enjoyment?
I would definitely recommend this to lovers of women's fiction, mother's of teenage girls and daughter-in-laws who have learned to keep their mouths shut over the years. Who? Moi? Ideal for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Jenny Colgan and early Marian Keyes.
I received an advance reading copy of this title, from netgalley.com, in return for an honest review.
Not quite forty, but feeling it, Charlotte is trailing her sixteen year old daughter, Rosie around the shops. Always a few feet behind, as having her Mum walking alongside her would not be cool, Rosie is scouted by a modelling agency in Forever 21. The teenager has visions of trips to Paris fashion week, and large pay packets, before she has even got home. Charlotte is excited for her, but dreads telling her husband. She foresees trouble in the camp.
Charlotte has been happily married for years, and along with Rosie (who's biological dad is not in the picture), has an eleven year old son. Her recently unemployed husband is withdrawn, her son is a highly intelligent character and Rosie is caught between childhood and wanting to be grown up and independent. If all this wasn't bad enough, an email from Charlotte's Ex adds a twist to the tale.
It has been a while since I have read any of Fiona Gibson's work, but she still occupies a lot of shelf space in my library. I have great memories of her column in More! magazine (can I call it a column to avoid discussing it in detail) and even recall her Jackie and Just Seventeen days. Between these magazines and Smash Hits, there are great chunks of my adolescence....Those were the days. No mobile phones, waiting for the landline on the hall table to ring, or a letter to arrive. The free lip- gloss and the pull-out posters. What I loved about the book was how it showed that us, children of the 80s, are all aging together. I also have a sixteen year old and while she doesn't mind shopping with me, she has been known to suggest I put on some make-up before we leave the house. I actually burst out laughing at Charlotte's reaction to the maze that is Forever 21. A vast superstore for young adults, usually set over three or four stories, with staff who have brightly coloured hair and numerous body piercings or tattoos (displayed with over-tanned flat stomachs also on show), who always seem to be looking at the over 35s with pity. I may have even snorted a little when Charlotte buys her son a blue sweatshirt, instead of black one, from Hollister as she couldn't see in the darkness of the shop. I have often thought that shoppers should be issued with mining helmets as they enter the store!
The comedy element remains throughout but less so as the story of Rosie's birth dad surfaces and Charlotte tried to gain some momentum in her marriage. The supporting characters are fantastic, with Charlotte's workmates adding some real zest. I loved her bosses emails to his work force and could almost picture the grimace on Charlotte's face as she opens them. I could go on to mention more great personalities, a great tin foil story and a handful of birdseed, but, hey...... why ruin your enjoyment?
I would definitely recommend this to lovers of women's fiction, mother's of teenage girls and daughter-in-laws who have learned to keep their mouths shut over the years. Who? Moi? Ideal for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Jenny Colgan and early Marian Keyes.
November 7, 2014
Hum where to start, the synopsis sounded so promising with this book, family, betrayal, past tragedy, heroism, all sounded so entertaining. However I didn't feel the book delivered the emotional feelings in order to have made it successful, it left me feeling flat, there was just to many roads travelled and not in any real reason, it felt detached.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher HarperCollins UK, Avon for the digital copy to review.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher HarperCollins UK, Avon for the digital copy to review.
February 4, 2015
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed 'As good as it gets' from beginning to end.
I really enjoyed 'As good as it gets' from beginning to end.
March 15, 2020
2.5* a pretty boring 400 pages of pretty okay writing and no spacing where paragraphs should be + spelling and grammar errors.
March 30, 2020
A lovely, warm and witty read, actually really enjoyed this book
August 23, 2021
Perfectly fine but I didn't love the main character, Charlotte, as much as I have Fiona Gibson's other ladies.
Read
August 2, 2022DNF at 16%
April 7, 2015
I have just finished reading 'As Good as it Gets' and I enjoyed it so much, I thought it was best to write a review.
The book follows the life of Charlotte, a middle age mother working to support her husband Will and their two children, after Will is made redundant from his job with an environmental charity and her daughter Rosie is signed to a modelling agency and starts asking about her biological dad, Fraser.
The characters are all really well written - there's an impatient and expectant mother-in-law, a teenage daughter doing all she can to be 'cool' and not need her mother, an uppity judgemental neighbour and a reliable, lovely best friend - all but to name a few. As a main character, Charlotte is great. She is trying her best to support and look after her family while also improver her marriage, and it doesn't always go her own way. To me, she was a vulnerable, conflicted main character which I actually enjoyed. It's realistic. When she is having a 'moment' (I don't want to spoil anything but there is a particularly hilarious scene involving the garden shed and some waders!) you can relate to her. We all have moments of madness, where we doubt ourselves, and Fiona brilliantly incorporates these all-too-familiar moments into the book.
As well as following Rosie's modelling journey and Will's search for a new job, the book delves into Charlotte and Will's marriage. From the outset you can see the strain on their marriage, the missing spark between them and the way Charlotte strives to make him want her. It tugs at her insecurities - is she not sexy enough? Is she not skinny enough? - common issues that lots of women, myself included, think time and time again. But it also shows the journey she goes on to become comfortable in her own skin, acceptance of time and age and to know that she IS good enough for Will.
As the book is written from Charlottes point of view, for most of it I found myself siding with her and, if I'm completely honest, found Will to be abrupt and rude. At first, I couldn't really understand why she didn't just call it quits and leave him. But as the book gets going, you get more of an insight into his point of view, and why he is they way he is with Charlotte. I realised there is always two sides to every story, and Fiona portrays this in an effective and gripping way. I particularly felt for Will when Fraser, Charlotte's ex and Rosie's biological father, gets in touch. Will has brought up Rosie since she was 18 months old, and you really feel how crushed he is that she wants to meet Fraser, her real father.
On occasion, I wanted to shake Charlotte and say 'stop nagging!' when she was asking her children what they were doing or where they were going. After finishing the book I realised this actually showed how the writing created such realistic characters - I wasn't getting annoyed because she was a really irritating character (which she isn't) but actually because it is so familiar and realistic it took me back to being a teenager myself and getting annoyed at my parents for constantly asking questions - 'what time will you be home', 'are you in for dinner?' Now I've grown up, I've realised they were actually doing this because they care and wanted me to be safe and so as much as I wanted to tell Charlotte to calm down, you can understand why she is that way - especially as her daughter is venturing into the modelling world.
The book has emotional ups and downs and overall is a fantastically written and hilarious read. I was laughing out loud at some parts and welling up at others. All the characters are equally intriguing and relatable, but I particularly liked Charlotte and really wanted everything to go well for her. If you haven't already I would certainly recommend you get a copy of this!
The book follows the life of Charlotte, a middle age mother working to support her husband Will and their two children, after Will is made redundant from his job with an environmental charity and her daughter Rosie is signed to a modelling agency and starts asking about her biological dad, Fraser.
The characters are all really well written - there's an impatient and expectant mother-in-law, a teenage daughter doing all she can to be 'cool' and not need her mother, an uppity judgemental neighbour and a reliable, lovely best friend - all but to name a few. As a main character, Charlotte is great. She is trying her best to support and look after her family while also improver her marriage, and it doesn't always go her own way. To me, she was a vulnerable, conflicted main character which I actually enjoyed. It's realistic. When she is having a 'moment' (I don't want to spoil anything but there is a particularly hilarious scene involving the garden shed and some waders!) you can relate to her. We all have moments of madness, where we doubt ourselves, and Fiona brilliantly incorporates these all-too-familiar moments into the book.
As well as following Rosie's modelling journey and Will's search for a new job, the book delves into Charlotte and Will's marriage. From the outset you can see the strain on their marriage, the missing spark between them and the way Charlotte strives to make him want her. It tugs at her insecurities - is she not sexy enough? Is she not skinny enough? - common issues that lots of women, myself included, think time and time again. But it also shows the journey she goes on to become comfortable in her own skin, acceptance of time and age and to know that she IS good enough for Will.
As the book is written from Charlottes point of view, for most of it I found myself siding with her and, if I'm completely honest, found Will to be abrupt and rude. At first, I couldn't really understand why she didn't just call it quits and leave him. But as the book gets going, you get more of an insight into his point of view, and why he is they way he is with Charlotte. I realised there is always two sides to every story, and Fiona portrays this in an effective and gripping way. I particularly felt for Will when Fraser, Charlotte's ex and Rosie's biological father, gets in touch. Will has brought up Rosie since she was 18 months old, and you really feel how crushed he is that she wants to meet Fraser, her real father.
On occasion, I wanted to shake Charlotte and say 'stop nagging!' when she was asking her children what they were doing or where they were going. After finishing the book I realised this actually showed how the writing created such realistic characters - I wasn't getting annoyed because she was a really irritating character (which she isn't) but actually because it is so familiar and realistic it took me back to being a teenager myself and getting annoyed at my parents for constantly asking questions - 'what time will you be home', 'are you in for dinner?' Now I've grown up, I've realised they were actually doing this because they care and wanted me to be safe and so as much as I wanted to tell Charlotte to calm down, you can understand why she is that way - especially as her daughter is venturing into the modelling world.
The book has emotional ups and downs and overall is a fantastically written and hilarious read. I was laughing out loud at some parts and welling up at others. All the characters are equally intriguing and relatable, but I particularly liked Charlotte and really wanted everything to go well for her. If you haven't already I would certainly recommend you get a copy of this!
September 17, 2015
What’s It About?
“Do we still love each other? Or are we only together for the kids, or because we’re too old or scared to break up and start again? I find myself wondering, is this as good as it gets?”
Charlotte Bristow is 38, married with two kids, working for a crisp factory, (potato chip factory), and wondering if the grass really is greener on the other side. Her husband recently lost his job, is sullen like a teenager, possibly going through a midlife crisis, and not sure what to do with himself.
Charlotte’s ex, and the father of her oldest child, gets back in touch, flooding Charlotte with a wave of emotions. Suddenly, she feels like a teenager again! –Carefree, without the worries of a mortgage, or having to clean up after her entire family.
As Good As It Gets? Is a British-American chick lit novel, set in London that begs the questions: What might have been?
My Thoughts
I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard while reading a book. Lead protagonist Charlotte Bristow is absolutely hilarious, and I enjoyed reading the story through her POV. As a matter of fact, when Charlotte wrote to Fraser, saying, “I’m not scrabbling around like some fat pigeon, waiting for your scraps,” and she receives back a packet of wild bird seed… I nearly died! I was hooked from that moment forward. (I believe this was on page 2.)
I believe that Charlotte is a relatable character to a lot of women. Who hasn’t felt under-appreciated at some point in their life, and wondered, ‘what if’? And who hasn’t wondered if the grass really is greener on the other side?
I loved the other characters as well, and found the secondary characters to be well-developed. I loved the family dynamic. I enjoyed reading about Ollie, Rosie, and Will. I even enjoyed reading about the neighbors next door, (although I was wondering about Sabrina’s intentions with Will). I even loved the annoying neighbors, Tricia and Gerald! -They were hilarious, in their own, pestering way.
There were so many great scenes in this story, but my favorite part of this novel, was when Charlotte was drunk, and explores the rotting shed as a possible “love nest” to spice things up in her and her husband’s sex life, per suggestion of crazy Sabrina. NEARLY DIED! And then Charlotte, graceful as ever, manages to fall down and hit her head, attracting the attention of neighbors, Tricia and Gerald! HAHAHAAA!!!!! HILARIOUS! My second favorite part, was when Charlotte squirted salad cream, (whatever that is), at Will, at the diner at 3 am. LOL!!!!!!
I really enjoyed the author’s humorous writing, and the steady pace of As Good As It Gets? –There was never a dull moment, and it was full of surprises. I was disappointed when the story came to an end, but I don’t think she could have ended it any better. It truly made me smile! :) I love a good happily-ever-after.
I also loved the setting of this novel, in London, and the charming British-English language used. I mentioned in a previous review how much I enjoy British-English. ***Shout out to Harper Collins-Avon UK for sending me such awesome books!***
I highly recommend this novel to fans of chick lit!
***I received a paperback copy, from Harper Collins-Avon UK, in exchange for a thoughtful, honest, and fair book review. This is no way swayed my opinion, or rating.
Please check out my full review: https://aprillwood.wordpress.com/2015...
“Do we still love each other? Or are we only together for the kids, or because we’re too old or scared to break up and start again? I find myself wondering, is this as good as it gets?”
Charlotte Bristow is 38, married with two kids, working for a crisp factory, (potato chip factory), and wondering if the grass really is greener on the other side. Her husband recently lost his job, is sullen like a teenager, possibly going through a midlife crisis, and not sure what to do with himself.
Charlotte’s ex, and the father of her oldest child, gets back in touch, flooding Charlotte with a wave of emotions. Suddenly, she feels like a teenager again! –Carefree, without the worries of a mortgage, or having to clean up after her entire family.
As Good As It Gets? Is a British-American chick lit novel, set in London that begs the questions: What might have been?
My Thoughts
I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard while reading a book. Lead protagonist Charlotte Bristow is absolutely hilarious, and I enjoyed reading the story through her POV. As a matter of fact, when Charlotte wrote to Fraser, saying, “I’m not scrabbling around like some fat pigeon, waiting for your scraps,” and she receives back a packet of wild bird seed… I nearly died! I was hooked from that moment forward. (I believe this was on page 2.)
I believe that Charlotte is a relatable character to a lot of women. Who hasn’t felt under-appreciated at some point in their life, and wondered, ‘what if’? And who hasn’t wondered if the grass really is greener on the other side?
I loved the other characters as well, and found the secondary characters to be well-developed. I loved the family dynamic. I enjoyed reading about Ollie, Rosie, and Will. I even enjoyed reading about the neighbors next door, (although I was wondering about Sabrina’s intentions with Will). I even loved the annoying neighbors, Tricia and Gerald! -They were hilarious, in their own, pestering way.
There were so many great scenes in this story, but my favorite part of this novel, was when Charlotte was drunk, and explores the rotting shed as a possible “love nest” to spice things up in her and her husband’s sex life, per suggestion of crazy Sabrina. NEARLY DIED! And then Charlotte, graceful as ever, manages to fall down and hit her head, attracting the attention of neighbors, Tricia and Gerald! HAHAHAAA!!!!! HILARIOUS! My second favorite part, was when Charlotte squirted salad cream, (whatever that is), at Will, at the diner at 3 am. LOL!!!!!!
I really enjoyed the author’s humorous writing, and the steady pace of As Good As It Gets? –There was never a dull moment, and it was full of surprises. I was disappointed when the story came to an end, but I don’t think she could have ended it any better. It truly made me smile! :) I love a good happily-ever-after.
I also loved the setting of this novel, in London, and the charming British-English language used. I mentioned in a previous review how much I enjoy British-English. ***Shout out to Harper Collins-Avon UK for sending me such awesome books!***
I highly recommend this novel to fans of chick lit!
***I received a paperback copy, from Harper Collins-Avon UK, in exchange for a thoughtful, honest, and fair book review. This is no way swayed my opinion, or rating.
Please check out my full review: https://aprillwood.wordpress.com/2015...
March 18, 2015
Fiona Gibson is one of those Chick Lit authors I really enjoy. Her books always make me laugh and although I have said I preferred her earlier, more serious novels, I do still look forward to her books and enjoy reading them. So when I spotted her new novel As Good As It Gets on Netgalley, I was chuffed! It sounded like a super read and I absolutely love the cover. It’s a very nice upgrade from her previous covers, while still retaining that fun feel.
As Good As It Gets? is pretty much your regular “is the grass on the other side of the fence greener” sort of novel. Charlotte and Will have been happily married for 15 years, but with Will out of work, and Charlotte being the breadwinner their lives are suddenly a bit upside down. Then daughter Rosie starts modelling, Will starts partying with the neighbours and Charlotte’s ex, Fraser, comes back in to the fold, Charlotte suddenly doesn’t know where she stands and begins to wonder how her life might have been had she been with Fraser all along.
Fiona Gibson is probably one of the best at getting into her character’s heads and getting us into her characters heads, and so it proves once again with the wonderful Charlotte! I loved Charlotte! She was a fantastic narrator and she regularly made me laugh, and fret. I don’t much enjoy novels where perfectly happy marriages suddenly start to disintegrate, it makes me sad, but I was always sort of hopeful Charlotte and Will had a stronger relationship than that.
I also really quite enjoyed the modelling aspect of the novel, with Rosie, Charlotte’s daughter. It didn’t exactly pan out how I had expected, but it was a fun insight and it will always be strange to be that you can be ‘scouted’ to be a model. (Not that it will ever happen to me, obviously.) Not to mention young Oliver. Oh, how lovely and insightful he was. I’m a sucker for receptive kids, and Oliver was one of the best.
It’s the thing I always don’t love in books like this: the ex who comes back and who is (of course) insanely delish. Ugh I am sick of it. SICK OF IT. It’s what stops books being a five-star favourite of mine, because it’s so cliched, so typical
All in all, it was a really great read that I loved from start to (almost) finish. As Good As It Gets? made me chuckle, made me warm and fuzzy inside, and I very much enjoyed the novel, except for the one teensy-tiny thing that drives me insane. It’s the one Chick Lit cliche that rears its head time and time again. But apart from that I really, really enjoyed As Good As It Gets? Fiona is a fantastic writer, so funny and witty and knows how to get you into her character’s heads and I absolutely loved Charlotte. She was a fantastic narrator and I loved her and her entire family.
As Good As It Gets? is pretty much your regular “is the grass on the other side of the fence greener” sort of novel. Charlotte and Will have been happily married for 15 years, but with Will out of work, and Charlotte being the breadwinner their lives are suddenly a bit upside down. Then daughter Rosie starts modelling, Will starts partying with the neighbours and Charlotte’s ex, Fraser, comes back in to the fold, Charlotte suddenly doesn’t know where she stands and begins to wonder how her life might have been had she been with Fraser all along.
Fiona Gibson is probably one of the best at getting into her character’s heads and getting us into her characters heads, and so it proves once again with the wonderful Charlotte! I loved Charlotte! She was a fantastic narrator and she regularly made me laugh, and fret. I don’t much enjoy novels where perfectly happy marriages suddenly start to disintegrate, it makes me sad, but I was always sort of hopeful Charlotte and Will had a stronger relationship than that.
I also really quite enjoyed the modelling aspect of the novel, with Rosie, Charlotte’s daughter. It didn’t exactly pan out how I had expected, but it was a fun insight and it will always be strange to be that you can be ‘scouted’ to be a model. (Not that it will ever happen to me, obviously.) Not to mention young Oliver. Oh, how lovely and insightful he was. I’m a sucker for receptive kids, and Oliver was one of the best.
It’s the thing I always don’t love in books like this: the ex who comes back and who is (of course) insanely delish. Ugh I am sick of it. SICK OF IT. It’s what stops books being a five-star favourite of mine, because it’s so cliched, so typical
All in all, it was a really great read that I loved from start to (almost) finish. As Good As It Gets? made me chuckle, made me warm and fuzzy inside, and I very much enjoyed the novel, except for the one teensy-tiny thing that drives me insane. It’s the one Chick Lit cliche that rears its head time and time again. But apart from that I really, really enjoyed As Good As It Gets? Fiona is a fantastic writer, so funny and witty and knows how to get you into her character’s heads and I absolutely loved Charlotte. She was a fantastic narrator and I loved her and her entire family.
January 29, 2015
Just how pretty is that cover please? I mean if you’d just ran into a supermarket for a pint of milk or something and you saw that, you would definitely pick it up, wouldn’t you?
Anyway, I can declare that not only does it look good, but it is good too.
As Good As It Gets drops us slap-bang right in the middle of the Bristow family. Mum – Charlotte. Dad – Will. Daughter – Rosie, and son Ollie. It’s here we get to see heroine Charlotte battle her way through a) daily life at her job in a posh crisp factory. b) teenage tantrums. c) a husband who flinches away from her in bed. And, 4) a mind worthy of producing drama’s that Hollywood would pay huge money for.
After Rosie is scouted by a modelling agency, Charlotte somehow ends up in a photo shoot with her. When the magazine for the shoot is released her ex, and Rosie’s biological father – who actually done a runner and broke her heart when she was pregnant. And who also doesn’t know Rosie is his daughter. I know proper scandal – sees it and gets in touch. With life spinning upside down at home, Charlotte finds herself trapped between lies, love, and her past.
Seriously, if you’re looking for a laid-back, funny, stress relieving, easy read, then this is most definitely for you. It is one of them books that has you giggling out loud regardless of where you might be reading it. It is one of those books that has you connected and deeply engrossed in the characters. And, it is one of those books that go cracking with a glass of wine.
I do have to admit that I did start flagging a little during the middle, but it saved itself by giving us the grit and drama we all crave in chick-lit just in time.
As usual with Fiona Gibson she has given us real life. She has given us laughter, and she has given us a bloody good book to read. She is without a doubt one of the best writers for us ladies in our prime. She connects with us, and for that especially in this book, it makes you become one of the Bristow family.
A fun read, filled with stress, family life, love, leather trousers, and chloe the sex doll.
A perfect book to buy as a gift for your book loving yummy mummy’s. Just don’t forget the wine to go with it.
4/5
June 8, 2015
This book is as close to chick lit perfection as one can get. It harps back to the age of chick-lit where there wasn’t so much of an emphasis on the shock factor- where you coudl just enjoy laughs and drama and get carried along with everyday occurances.
Our story begins with an exchange between a young girl who is pregnant and the mother of the guy she fell pregnant to (let’s just put it like that for the moment, we can put it many other ways, but for all intensive purposes, we’ll go with this!). The girl is wondering where the guy has, ok, em, fecked off to, and his mother is quick to reply with a pay off and a ‘have a good life’ type spiel.
Fast forward sixteen years and the girl, Charlotte, is now grown up and starting to feel like she’s fighting a losing battle. Her daughter’s descent into the (only slightly) murky waters of modeling and husband’s decision to relive the glory days of his youth, coupled with the arrival of an new family on the block, are dealt with brilliantly. There is no ‘poor me,’ no extra hammering home of what a great person Charlotte is; she just gets on with things and comedy ensues. All of the characters are human, and real, you muddle along with Charlotte, rolling your eyes at Rosie and Will, raising your eyebrows at Fraser, then heading off to the ‘posh crisp factory’ where Charlotte works.
Nothing to find fault with in this book. Not a book that you fly through in a day, more one that you savour for when you can sit down and properly enjoy it. Loved it.
5/5
Our story begins with an exchange between a young girl who is pregnant and the mother of the guy she fell pregnant to (let’s just put it like that for the moment, we can put it many other ways, but for all intensive purposes, we’ll go with this!). The girl is wondering where the guy has, ok, em, fecked off to, and his mother is quick to reply with a pay off and a ‘have a good life’ type spiel.
Fast forward sixteen years and the girl, Charlotte, is now grown up and starting to feel like she’s fighting a losing battle. Her daughter’s descent into the (only slightly) murky waters of modeling and husband’s decision to relive the glory days of his youth, coupled with the arrival of an new family on the block, are dealt with brilliantly. There is no ‘poor me,’ no extra hammering home of what a great person Charlotte is; she just gets on with things and comedy ensues. All of the characters are human, and real, you muddle along with Charlotte, rolling your eyes at Rosie and Will, raising your eyebrows at Fraser, then heading off to the ‘posh crisp factory’ where Charlotte works.
Nothing to find fault with in this book. Not a book that you fly through in a day, more one that you savour for when you can sit down and properly enjoy it. Loved it.
5/5
February 1, 2015
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…
My views
First i would like to thank netgalley for my copy of this book
I generally love books about family life being a mum to two girls myself it's nice to read about family life. Its nice to share a common ground with the book.
I loved the Bristows and all the family members they was not polished they was just a down to earth family. They are an easily relatable family just going about their everyday lives in London.
I think each member was an individual and they each made the story i especially liked Ollie and his passion for science and nature which was nice to see and it was used throughout the book rather than a boy sitting in front of a game console.
I enjoyed the first part of the book it was typical family life and it was full of humour i think the middle part dragged a bit especially when contact was made with Fraser but the book in typical chick lit style gripped me at the end.
As good as it gets it a great light and funny read.
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…
My views
First i would like to thank netgalley for my copy of this book
I generally love books about family life being a mum to two girls myself it's nice to read about family life. Its nice to share a common ground with the book.
I loved the Bristows and all the family members they was not polished they was just a down to earth family. They are an easily relatable family just going about their everyday lives in London.
I think each member was an individual and they each made the story i especially liked Ollie and his passion for science and nature which was nice to see and it was used throughout the book rather than a boy sitting in front of a game console.
I enjoyed the first part of the book it was typical family life and it was full of humour i think the middle part dragged a bit especially when contact was made with Fraser but the book in typical chick lit style gripped me at the end.
As good as it gets it a great light and funny read.
July 21, 2015
Charlotte is a typical Mum to her kids Rosie and Ollie. She and her husband Will have been married for fourteen years and with Will unemployed life at home has become somewhat different. I liked Charlotte and instantly warmed to her. Life just ticks along and she constantly has to think about everybody else apart from herself.
When new neighbours move in across the road her husband’s behaviour changes and at that point Charlotte isn’t really sure what is going on. In addition to that Rosie, who is a typical 16 year old gets signed to a modelling agency and suddenly its all about the latest colour palette that’s in style.
This book had its funny moments and also some moments where I was sure the ending would be very predictable. Thankfully the ending was just right and the story certainly kept me entertained. I liked the characters and Fiona Gibson has managed to make it light-hearted enough that the characters are very real. Having said all of that there was something that was maybe missing from this latest book that has been there for previous ones. I’m not sure what it was exactly but certainly lacking its usual oomph. Even though that may sound like a negative it was still a book I thoroughly enjoyed.
When new neighbours move in across the road her husband’s behaviour changes and at that point Charlotte isn’t really sure what is going on. In addition to that Rosie, who is a typical 16 year old gets signed to a modelling agency and suddenly its all about the latest colour palette that’s in style.
This book had its funny moments and also some moments where I was sure the ending would be very predictable. Thankfully the ending was just right and the story certainly kept me entertained. I liked the characters and Fiona Gibson has managed to make it light-hearted enough that the characters are very real. Having said all of that there was something that was maybe missing from this latest book that has been there for previous ones. I’m not sure what it was exactly but certainly lacking its usual oomph. Even though that may sound like a negative it was still a book I thoroughly enjoyed.
January 29, 2015
I loved this story portraying the chaotic lives of Charlotte and Will Bristow and their children Rosie and Ollie. Charlotte and Will have been happily married for over 14 years but life has become a little predictable. When Will loses his job and now spends his days at home cooking, he loses his identity. Charlotte is experiencing a crisis of her own, her ex and father of Rosie, suddenly makes contact. Charlotte doesn't know which way to turn. Rosie has also been given a new opportunity, how will she cope with it and how will the family cope.
This was a fun filled family saga with some great witty, comical moments. Some life affirming decisions were made and their were some lovely romantic scenes. This is a lovely, warm, fun filled 4/5* read.
This was a fun filled family saga with some great witty, comical moments. Some life affirming decisions were made and their were some lovely romantic scenes. This is a lovely, warm, fun filled 4/5* read.
February 28, 2015
I loved the writing style- amusing, real life accounts. Everyone who’s parented through the teenage years will be able to relate!
Charlotte and Will have been married a while and they have settled into a fairly staid relationship. Their daughter Rosie, has just been signed to be a model after being discovered shopping in Forever 21.
When Will loses his job and appears to be going through a mid life crisis, new clothes and partying with the new neighbours- how will things get back on track between them? Charlotte’s ex turning back up on the scene, adding to Will seeming distant makes her reflect on how her life COULD have been.
With many thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
Charlotte and Will have been married a while and they have settled into a fairly staid relationship. Their daughter Rosie, has just been signed to be a model after being discovered shopping in Forever 21.
When Will loses his job and appears to be going through a mid life crisis, new clothes and partying with the new neighbours- how will things get back on track between them? Charlotte’s ex turning back up on the scene, adding to Will seeming distant makes her reflect on how her life COULD have been.
With many thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
July 4, 2016
This was light-hearted and laugh-out-loud funny in places. There were no huge drama's or big event's to comment on which I usually enjoy in a story but it's quite refreshing to just enjoy a simple fun little book. I'd say this is a perfect holiday read!
March 9, 2024
I really hated Will Charlotte’s hisband in this! I teel like Charlotte was just trying to do ‘aldulting’. As a mother to two children and a wife, i feel like she had it difficult and was treated poorly.
May 6, 2015
For a more detailed review, please check out my review below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews