Member Reviews

The queen of family sagas returns with another gem.

Kip and Louisa have been together for forty years. They have three adults children together, a beautiful home and grandchildren they adore. So it comes as a bolt out of the blue when Kip announces on Boxing Day that he's fallen in love with someone else, and wants a divorce.

The someone else happens to be their youngest sons ex girlfriend. Just to add another insult to injury.

The repercussions of Kip's decision reach far and affect everyone. It has all the hallmarks of a mid-life crisis, and for a good part of the book, I really didn't like Kip at all.

Whereas Louisa was a badass and navigated her new life with dignity and even excitement for having full autonomy over her life, Kip finds himself falling apart and breaking down.

An intricate portrait of family and human complexity this was a truly enjoyable read with a heartwarming feel throughout.

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Enjoyed the family POV of this book, felt it gave it more of an accurate telling of what was going on and the emotions too. It does feel somewhat flat against other books that I have read recently and I think the storyline (even though I have dealt with family divorce) it seemed that it still really didn’t have a really big story in it. Would read more from the author and would probably give this 3.5.

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Oh, the complications, joys and difficulties of family life! Erica James displays them with her usual expertise, with us getting to know each family member so well.
Louisa is absolutely fab, a very believable, strong older woman - I’d like to be more like her!
I enjoyed it very much, and was disappointed when I got to the end.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for review.

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I read this book fairly quickly at the start of my pregnancy and then fell off the wagon so I did not submit the review on time. I agree with the rest of the reviews. The storyline had potential to be dramatic and gripping instead it was too sweet, forgiving and unrealistic.
This was my first read by Erica James, I do look forward to reading some of her other books as the ideas are there for a good story but the characters feelings and emotions doesn't match the readers and so loses it's page turning grip.

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An ideal husband is a lovely family drama type read that is so relatable to those who have been through similar situations in middle life!
A supposedly happily married couple with grown up children, a gorgeous cottage, financial stability and rewarding careers, an enviable position to be in but all is not as it seems!
Kip, Louisa’s husband announces to her that after 40 years of marriage he wants out of their marriage as he is in a relationship with his sons ex girlfriend!!
The fall out from this revelation has far reaching consequences for the whole family, subjects such as divorce, forgiveness, deceit, trust, mental health issues and new beginnings are all encountered in this modern take on family life and blended families.
A great read perfect for anytime of the year
Thank you NetGalley for this early read.

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On boxing day, after seemingly 30 years of happy marriage, Kip asks Louise for a divorce. How will their grown up children react? How will Louise cope being on her own after all of these years?, And, will Kip get to live the life he craves free free from responsibility?...Read it (and fingers crossed justice prevails)

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Due to health issues cannot write a proper review now even if I enjoyed this book. as it's well plotted, entertaining and I liked the storytelling
A more extensive review will follow
Recommended.Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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Did I like the book?

What a delicious, warm and gorgeous book to read! Also a perfect example of “don’t judge a book by its name” I think. The blurb got me curious. I felt like an invitation to watch a new TV show about a family going KABOOM. Turns out it was just what I needed.

Did I enjoy reading it?

I truly enjoyed reading this novel. The writing is simple yet effective, the characters feel real (and you might want to slap them once in a while) and relatable. Everything in An Ideal Husband feels familiar with a spark of comfort and a zest of life.

What did I feel?

Loads. I felt LOADS. Did I take sides? Totally! Did I get upset and angry and talked to the characters as if they were in the room with me? Definitely. Did the author manage to get me to try and understand rather than judge and roll my eyes? You bet! I loved that! We don’t always understand what our loved ones do, why they do it. Sometimes they don’t even get it themselves. Sometimes we think we know what we want, what we need. Sometimes circumstances push us towards what’s best for us, like a forceful wind, and we have to learn to go with the flow. I couldn’t get enough of the chapters, I fed on the family’s struggles and wins and discoveries. I felt I was part of this all.

How would I describe it?

A big wonderful family storm throwing hugs (No, my descriptions don’t have to mean anything!)

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Another great read by this author
Lots of different characters in this book
A very good family drama
Thanks NetGalley

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Erica James' "An Ideal Husband" is a captivating and introspective novel that explores the intricacies of marriage, fidelity, and the ideals we hold about our partners. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque town, the story weaves together the lives of several couples at different stages of their relationships, highlighting the challenges and surprises that test their notions of a perfect partner.

James expertly crafts deep and complex characters, each grappling with personal dilemmas and the realities of their commitments. Her narrative is thoughtful and compelling, punctuated with moments of poignant reflection and insightful dialogue. "An Ideal Husband" offers a nuanced look at love and partnership, making it a must-read for fans of sophisticated relationship dramas and stories that provoke thoughtful consideration about the bonds we share.

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There is something so wonderful about starting a new Erica James novel. As a reader you know it is going to be enjoyable,fun, moving,emotional and filled with both lovable and detestable characters. You know the plot will be well thought out and the descriptions detailed. Having said all that,An Ideal Husband absolutely lived up to my expectations and more.
The story is based around Louisa and her husband Kip, who have been married for forty years, with three grown up children, twins Ashley and Arabella and youngest son, Angus, Louisa had always believed it was a happy marriage, right up until Boxing Day when Pip declares he wants a divorce, the family home needs to be sold and he's been having an affair with Angus's ex girlfriend Zoe! From that moment on Louisa's world is turned upside down as her and the children try and adapt to the new normal their father has thrust upon them.
An excellent novel that keeps you engrossed from the start.

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Louisa is totally shocked when her husband tells her on Boxing Day that's he's leaving her for her son Angus' ex girlfriend. He children can't believe that he's done this. but then he tells her her beloved house needs to be sold for the divorce

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This review is a bit late to the party but what a great read. I’m not sure there is such a thing as an ideal husband and Louisa would probably think the same. Family is everything to her so when she gets the rug pulled out from under her her children and grandchildren are there to help her. In the year that follows all of them find that life is anything but straightforward but they do have each other and try to find a new normal for them. I love Erica James writing she brings characters that are relatable and hopefully find their happily ever after

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Louisa is devastated when her husband announces that he wants a divorce and moves in with their sons ex girlfriend. The fallout and shock goes through the entire family and they need to learn how to live their new lives. Family dynamics, divorce and moving on and dealing with all the emotions that this brings.

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Fantastic. I enjoyed reading this book. How a seemingly happy family life was turned upside down when the husband wanted a divorce as he wanted to be with someone else. The whole book was well written and never a dull moment. I will look out for other Erica James books.

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#AnIdealHusband #NetGalley This was an easy holiday type book. Well written with lots of different twists to the story of family break ups, upset and turmoil. I enjoyed the book although I wondered how Louisa could be quite so amiable at times. A predictable happy ending but didn't detract from my enjoyment of this book. I will definitely read pore by this author.

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This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

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I was intrigued reading the premise of the book and keen to get stuck in what seemed a story about a marriage break-up and road to recovery. And in many ways this is what it was all about. I followed with interest the protagonists' journeys as they came to term with loss and while rebuilding their lives. But something fell flat for me, partly due to the (too) many intertwined storylines and mostly due to what I found unbelievable resolutions and happy endings for all involved. A pleasant read nonetheless.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

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Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I found it to be an interesting take on divorce and the impact on family members. I found it to a thought provoking read and at times I had great sympathy for Kip, but at others complete disgust. Louise,nthe wronged wife was amazing and dealt with things very calmly despite her obvious pain and frustration.. The grown up children also dealt with matters in different ways, showing the many sides of these life events. The conclusion with s blended family Christmas was unexpected. An admirable achievement. I wonder how many manage this in real life.
Z good read.

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This is not a bad book by any means. It's competently written, with a fairly believable family and the setting and scenes feel reasonably true to life. That said, it's all very cosy, twee and quite predictable. Everyone's so damn English and middle class and [largely] well behaved, and, well, self-satisfied. They lack real depth and complexity. The sweetness is not balanced or countered with sufficient acidity.

It's unchallenging and an easy read, so depending on what you're looking for, this might be your thing. I was rather disappointed. I was drawn to the book because the protagonist, Louisa, is a woman around my own age, and I thought I would be able to identify. No. She is too good to be true and has about as much depth and personality as a Victorian sponge. Her husband, Kip, just comes across as something of a fool.

I recommend it for anyone looking for a nice, British, slice-of-life mild family drama.

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