The storyline was so far fetched. I love Erica James’ books but this became a bit of a chore to finish

This is the first book I’ve read by Erica James as family drama is not a genre I would usually read. I chose it as I’ve heard a lot of good things about her books.

After 40 years of marriage, the not so ideal husband leaves for his son’s much younger ex-girlfriend. It is indeed well written as the family go through the process of trying to mend broken bridges, but I felt that the wife was far too forgiving when her life was completely turned upside down, and the rather quickly achieved happy ever after ending just didn’t seem realistic. It could be that this simply isn’t the genre for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

An Ideal Husband is a true to life story about a couple going through the throes of divorce.
With a large cast of characters and written from many points of view, it is an easy read with a somewhat fluffy ending.
Recommended to readers who enjoy family dramas.

A rather ironic title really. Louisa and Kip have been married for nearly 40 years and have three grown up children. Their relationship seems to be rock solid until Kip drops the bombshell that he has fallen for his son's ex-girlfriend and wants a divorce.
The book is about the fallout from Kim's announcement; how Louisa copes with such a seismic shift in her life and how the children and grandchildren now feel about the man they idolised.
The story shows everyone's issues but felt rather safe. They were cross with Kip but no-one really got angry and they all found a way back a bit too quickly. Perhaps middle class Suffolk where the book is set is like that but it all felt a bit too nice.

I really liked this book. I empathised with Louisa and the family when Kip dropped the bombshell on Boxing day and turned all their lives around forever.

I was impressed by how Erica wove the story around each family character and introduced others which were relevant to the story.

I've always liked Erica's books and this was yet another which had me gripped. I laughed and cried but had to read until late to find out the outcome.

Thankyou for this Arc.

🙂

Louisa and Kip, have happily married for nearly forty years, have raised their three children and are now just settling in to live on their own and enjoying their grandchildren. When Kip drops the bombshell that he wants a divorce because he has met someone else. And it isn't just anyone, it is his Son Angus's ex girlfriend Zo.

The books deals with the strain that this brings on to the paternal relationship and the stress of Louisa trying to start over again. This is true family drama. Whilst the children are absolutely disgusted with their father, especially Angus. I found Louisas attitude to it all little bit unbelievable. She wasn't exactly devastated at the end of her 40 year marriage as I would be only having been married for half of that time.

This is the first time I have read a book by Erica James but I am sure it won't be the last. I didn't absolutely love the book but I did enjoy her writing style and character development. Especially Caro.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Free courtesy of Netgalley

I think this is the 2nd book I have read from Erica James, and it was a really lovely book and left me wondering why I haven't read more of her books.

The books centre on Louisa and Kip and their family. When Kip upsets the apple cart by asking Louisa for a divorce, the book then explores this difficult time from all the characters involved in the story. The book covers all the feelings from each person involved, to the guilt, betrayal, sense of being let down, panic of having to start again and the love between new people. Children have to feel like they have to take sides and the relationship with the parent breaks down.

Divorce is a difficult time for all involved and if you have been through it you probably only heard one side of the story but this book examines everyone's point of view, which gives you a much rounded opinion of divorce.

This book is very well written, and you feel empathy for the characters in the book. I would recommend this book as it is a great read and I must read more of Erica's books.

Not the best way to spend Boxing Day - being told by your husband Kip that he no longer loves you and wants a divorce! Louisa his wife is shocked and devastated. She had no idea he was unhappy, they had three children and all seemed well1

Bigger shock; Kip has been seeing a much younger woman and to add more upset, it's the former girlfriend of their youngest son, who is till nursing a broken heart. Louisa is a stalwart and after Kip moves out is left to sort things out. She returns from a short break and finds the house up for sale without being consulted and things moving on for Kip as if their years of marriage and family mean nothing!

But Louisa is made of strong stuff and sets about making a new life for herself starting with the purchase of a new home as well as keeping relations as normal as possible with her children and grandchildren. She is moving on but Kip finds his new life challenging.

This is a great family drama, filled with challenges, sadness, anger, forgiveness, hope and resolution. I loved it and all of the characters!

Louise is shocked when her husband, Kip, announces that he is leaving her for Zoe, an ex girlfriend of their son Angus. This family drama follows the next year in the family's life.
Excellent character portrayal really hooks you to find out how each family member copes with the fallout.
Definitely recommend.

An Ideal Husband by Erica James

Louisa is shocked when her husband Kip tells her he is leaving her on Boxing Day after 40 years of marriage and three grown up children. Even worse, he is going to live with Zoe, their son's ex-girlfriend. Louisa has to build a new life when their family home is sold and rises to the challenge, whereas Kip struggles once the honeymoon period with Zoe is over.

I loved this book so much - so warm, witty and wise. Lovely to read about older characters and the challenges of mid-life, adult children and their partners, alongside the younger characters. Very VERY highly recommended.

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

Another great book by this author I know I am always in for a treat with her books. Although a difficult subject to be uplifting about this book keeps your interest and is heartwarming throughout and a book that stays with you after you have read it

Louisa and Kip have been ‘happily’ married for a long time until Kip announces on Boxing Day that he wants a divorce. He’s been seeing a much younger woman who also happens to be the ex of his youngest son. He starts the process of selling the family home to the disgust of Louisa but she manages to find herself a new unusual home and maybe a new beau. But then things start taking a turn for the worst in Kip’s life. Is he really an Ideal Husband? I really liked this book.

I’ve read a few Erica James novels and An Ideal Husband is my favourite to date!! I was totally immersed in the story and read the book in just over a day. A heartwarming and sad story of divorce and the impact it can have on the whole family but also how happiness can be found again after such a life changing event.

An Ideal Husband by Erica James was a little too 'happily ever after' for my liking.

The plot of the book is about a husband who has an affair and leaves his wife for a much younger woman. This obviously brought a lot of turmoil to the wife and their grown children, as the affair partner is the ex-girlfriend of their youngest son.

With that as the plot, I was expecting a lot more depth into the raw emotions of those affected. Louisa (the wife) was a saint, she went above and beyond what most people would do, and it just felt all a bit unrealistic.

A really wonderful story demonstrating the difficulties that can surround marriages and relationships and how different people can react.

An ultimate feel good after a bouncy ride to get there.

I really love the characters Erica James creates, and this is another wonderful example of a story that contains many threads and such different challenges faced by families.

At the heart of the story are Louisa and Kip who have been married for 40 years and seemingly happy, or so Louisa thought! Kip demands a divorce and has already moved onto a new relationship with a much younger woman, who just happens to be an ex of his own son!! Talk about make life complicated for yourself!

So we are left to witness the fall out and the impact that such a big change has on the whole family, as each character gets their own POV told. It's a book that really plays with your emotions as from the outset you expect to feel sympathy with Louisa and being inside her head you see all the insecurities play out as to why this is happening.

We also see the impact on each of the adult children, alongside going through their own challenges within their relationships and it really brings to light the blended family issues that can arise!

It's all about starting over, forgiveness and finding that good in a bad situation and I think each character gets that chance to put their perspectives across so that you can empathise and see just how complicated the emotions of a human can be! It would be very easy to stay bitter and seek revenge in such circumstances, but the storyline allows the characters to see how negative that could be for their own headspace! A really absorbing family drama read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've read other books by Erica James and I felt that this was a more "grown up" chic lit. The characters were older and their lives were more complicated.

I appreciated having a mid life protagonist, it sometimes feels as if women are forgotten about in books. The family dynamics make the book interesting and keeps the reader guessing. The characters are well thought out and even Kip (the straying husband) elicits feelings of empathy by the end.

It was also thoroughly satisfying in its conclusion which realistically is what you want when you're reading this type of book. A perfect summer holiday read!

Easy to read
Beautifully written, I was totally engaged in reading the families perspective on a difficult situation. it's always interesting to read everyone's opinion on the same situation and Erica wrote this beautifully.
Everyday encounters that are easily relatable

Kip decided to tell Louisa, his wife of many years, on Boxing Day that he was leaving her for an ex-girlfriend of his youngest son.
This alienates him from all of the family as they rally around Louisa.
The book tracks the next year and how bridges are made, broken and mended.
An interesting read.

I always enjoy an Erica James book and this one was no different. A great story, with fab characters, which created a wonderful family saga. So many life events take place, with loads of emotions on display but the overriding theme I got from the story was one of how wonderful it was that they all supported one another. OK, so not all the time and in every situation, but ultimately they all come together and are there for each other. I would highly recommend this book if you love a good old family story, with plenty of relationship issues along the way.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review, which is what I have given.