ARC of this book provided by NetGalley and Avon Books UK for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

The Full Nest is a contemporary adult fiction following 49-year-old Carly. Carly's birthday looms close and nothing is going the way she pictured. Her big five O was meant to be filled with Paris trips, date nights, no kids, and a peaceful sanctuary in her and Frank's family home. Problems of every shape and color rise and with a quick snap Carly has her hands full and no idea how to juggle.

I'm not the target audience, having no kids of my own. However, I felt connected to Carly. Sympathizing with her inner turmoil, but also fascinated, as she pushes through these hardships with sheer determination. I loved all the flaws in each character, the banter, and the interactions between everyone. It all felt natural and added to the drama, making them very... human.

I was hooked from the beginning and spent every free time between work and errands to continue reading, wanting to know what else Carly had to deal with now.

Another winner from this author!

With three children making for a lively household, Carly has often dreamed of a time when it'll just be her and husband Frank; a time when they can get back to a quiet, peaceful, adult household - a time when their needs come first for a change. They are almost there. With their two daughters having flown the nest, she is beginning to despair if son Eddie will ever get the impetus to begin his grown up life - he is far too comfortable at home, doing nothing and contributing even less. Then Carly's father needs more support and moves in temporarily - but for how long that is is anyone's guess ...

Fiona Gibson has come up with another winner! No matter how much we love our children, there are times when we all fantasize about the day we find ourselves with a home which stays clean, tidy and - is perhaps - peaceful. As someone who is now retired, I can still remember the teenage years when I would have sold my soul for some quiet time. This is a fun read but with more than a dollop of honesty, entertaining from first to last. Definitely worth my recommendation and all five stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

A lighthearted story of a generational family and how they live together and the logistics behind this. A couple who thought they were empty nesters suddenly have a house full again.

The Full Nest by Fiona Gibson is a heartwarming, witty take on life’s unexpected challenges when the nest isn’t quite empty. Carly’s struggles—juggling her dad moving in, her son Eddie’s refusal to grow up, and her longing for space—are captured with humor and heartfelt honesty. The story balances laugh-out-loud moments with poignant reflections on parenting, aging, and self-discovery. With well-crafted characters and surprising twists, it’s a feel-good read about embracing life’s chaos and finding joy in family, even when it’s not what you planned.

I almost gave up on this novel but I am so happy that I completed it as it only got better the longer I read!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I do love Fiona’s books, they make you smile.

Carly and Frank’s last child who was still living at home, has now moved out. Looking forward to having the place to themselves, they weren’t expecting to be informed by him some time later that he’s about to become a dad.

The story highlighted how life is different for parents after their children have left to how it is when their house is full again. It also showed the difficulties each situation had on their own relationship.

The story will relate to lots of readers.

I highly recommend this book.

I love a Fiona Gibson book - they are always full of characters who feel just like you, and situations that you could more than easily find yourself in. Like Carly, who should be an 'empty nester' when her grown up children move out, but finds herself a new housemate in her elderly father.

The Full Nest is another humourous, engaging read for parents of all ages (if you can find a few quiet moments to read it that is!)

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for an advanced copy of The Full Nest.

All of Carly and Frank’s children have finally moved out and they are finally empty nesters. They have been waiting for this time in their lives when it would be their time again. They take a trip to Paris and are having the time of their lives and when they get home reality hits and they are empty nesters no more.

This story just had so much going on and it just felt like it was all over the place jumping from one storyline to another. There was also times that I felt like the book was just about nothing. I just could not get invested in this story.

This is a riot - Fiona Gibson is so reliable in creating wonderful but chaotic characters and then throwing them into it. Luckily it all turns out well!

Carly and Frank are good together. Their three kids are grown up, and all but out of the nest - except for son Eddie, who is a bit lost. Carly's dad factors in too, he's closed minded and judgey, and hanging on to his independence. It all gets (much worse) before it gets better and we get to know them all through the multiple points of view. I almost couldn't read Eddie's chapters, they were excruciating, but even Eddie is redeemable.

Author Fiona weaves it all together so beautifully, It's comedic and everyone needs a hug, and she uses these lovely people to explore ideas about family and love, attachment, and how much caregiving is too much, or not enough. It's also about friendship and loyalty. I loved how she kept them all just back from total disaster.

A warm and funny, if spiky read - recommended!

Thank you Fiona Gibson, Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

The Full Nest by Fiona Gibson

Carly and Frank start to settle into life as empty nesters when the last of their three grown up children leaves home, but it doesn't last long. Carly's Dad has an accident and moves in, then son Eddie reveals some shocking news which changes everything. All of a sudden Carly and Frank's nest is looking rather full and things become very strained.

I really enjoyed this book. Highlights for me were the setting - Carly and Frank's village sounded like such a lovely place to live - and the library staff/group of friends. Very funny in places and also poignant. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Oh Fiona Gibson knows her genre and boy does she know it well. And aren't we lucky for that!
I adore her books. I'm a total fangirl reader.
They are quick to get into the nitty gritty of truths. They feel relatable and personal all at the same time. They feel outrageous but perfect. Her character are pieces of us or people we know. And I just want more and more from her please.
This book follows the empty nest. But so beautifully it tells of that time. Add in mixed feeling of moving on,forward. What to do now? Who are we? How are we!? Then there is husbands and grandparent to navigate. Often who need more care than ideal.

This heartfelt and engaging novel explores the complexities of family, highlighting how reality often differs from the seemingly perfect images portrayed on social media. The story follows Carly and Frank, two characters who occasionally frustrate but ultimately feel deeply real, making readers emotionally invested in their journey.

At its core, the book emphasizes the importance of communication, self-worth, and the ways in which we think we are helping others—sometimes without truly understanding their needs. With humor and poignant moments, it captures the messy, imperfect nature of family life while encouraging readers to appreciate and reconnect with their loved ones.

Despite some minor flaws, the story’s strong emotional pull, relatable themes, and engaging writing make it a compelling and memorable read.

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.

I love Fiona’s books, they are funny, lighthearted and will make you smile. This one did not disappoint, Carly and hubby Frank have just got rid of their last child, he moved out at the age of 22, but when he gets a girl pregnant, looking after a grand child was not on the plans. I liked that the book shows you the hardship of an empty nest that is quickly changed to a full one again. It showed the strain it has on relationships after the kids leave, it was real yet written as fiction. Enjoyed reading about Carly and looking forward to Fiona’s next book. 5 fabulous stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

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

Wow what a book which made me laugh till my sided hurt but also made me cry I love all the characters in this book with my favourite being Carly and without giving any spoilers away I love the dynamics of the characters and how they all work together in this book and story and fit like a jigsaw puzzle

Many thanks to Publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and review it

I would highly recommend it

Carly manages to keep her sense of humor against steep odds in this novel about being a woman in the sandwich generation. She was all prepared to enjoy life in an empty nest with her husband Frank but then Eddie, her 22 year old son drops a big one (no spoilers). Add in that she's got her dad to deal with and it's a lot, This could be depressing but Gibson takes what is reality for some and finds light. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. The characters were really relatable, even though I'm nowhere close to an empty nester yet. I loved the family dynamics, some good humor and really down to earth. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
This book was perfectly fine, but it was not for me. I guess it made me understood my mother more, but it wasn’t just something I could relate to at all.
It took me a while to read beause it didn’t hook me at all.

🔹 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.