This is a brilliant contemporary take on love, divorce, modern family dynamics and mental health all wrapped up in an easy to read to read, entertaining contemporary fiction.

Love Erica James books and this one was no exception. The book was based on Louisa and how the shock of Kip her husband leaving her and resulting in a divorce affected her and the family. I was drawn in from page one all members of the extended family and their different characters. It was a very heartwarming and realistic tale of family life that’s not always perfect. Recommend this book for an absorbing and enjoyable read.

Erica James is so good at family relationships and writes with warmth and empathy. This is a multigenerational tale with a lot to get to grips with in developing an absorbing tale. It starts with Kip who decides, after thirty years of marriage and three adult children, to divorce Louisa to be with his son’s ex girlfriend. Thus begins an ‘annus horribilus’ for the whole family, even Kip himself to work through. Beautifully written, it engages all the way through as it shows how it affects all the different family members. Perhaps the ending is a bit hopeful, but we all need hope in our lives!
A very enjoyable read.

This was my first time reading a book by Erica James and I think I'm in the minority in saying it wasn't my cup of tea.

The premise of the novel is the breakup of a forty year marriage and how the whole family deal with the emotions and inevitable change in dynamics this betrayal brings. Not only does Kip ask Louisa for a divorce on Boxing Day but announces that he's leaving Louisa for their son's ex girlfriend, Zoe.

With an opening like that I was expecting fireworks, however, for me this didn't happen. I think the story gets lost with too many POVs, and too many subplots. I would have liked more focus on Louisa and her journey from feeling secure in her marriage and home to having to sell up and start afresh on her own. But instead of the anger and grief you'd expect someone to feel during a marriage breakup, Louisa just seems to accept and forgive far too easily. She even helps Kip when he makes some horrendous decisions in his new relationship with Zoe. I found this unbelievable and unrealistic.

The ending of the book is saccharine and I feel its completely far fetched to have everything resolved in the space of just twelve months.

This was one of those books where I don't know if I did or didn't enjoy it, I wanted to know what happened and I thought it very strange how it ended, there was nothing wrong with the story or the characters but it just didn't seem to "end" all the relationships seemed to be left hanging, whether that means there will be another or not I am not sure,

Another great read by Erica James. I’ve read many of her books to date and this one was on par with the others. Great storyline with characters the reader can connect with. This one centres around a large family , mother and father Louisa and Kip who marriage falls apart when it comes to light that Kip is having an affair with a much younger woman , Zoe. Zoe also dated one of their sons Angus. The storyline portrays how the affair and subsequent divorce impacts each of the adult children. A powerful read that will stay with you long after you finish reading the last page

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is a while since I've read a book from Erica James and I shan't leave it so long. Set in Suffolk the plot is around a drama affecting so many families with a break-up of a long term marriage and the threads of those affected, in fact, my close friend and neighbour is going through an almost identical life changing event so it made the book seem all the more real. Wonderfully depicted characters, quite believable with the star of the show being Louisa and her old windmill sounds delightful. Twists and turns as the family try to piece together their shattered lives whilst touching on several sensitive issues. Definitely worth taking on holiday and enjoying.

My late mother loved Erica James and I suspect she’s the demographic for this type of novel. It’s a cosy story of family drama, divorce, pregnancy and a final happy resolution. It’s what I think my mum would have loved, or would have enjoyed watching as a TV drama in the afternoon. None of which is bad, in fact, it’s an enjoyable story written in a readable style with a multi-narrative style which allows the reader to get into the heads of each character. If you like a bit of middle class family drama in which they all live happily ever after, no stress, this’ll ring your bell. My grateful thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the generous advance copy.

Book review 📚
An Ideal Husband by Erica James - 4/5 ⭐

I'll be honest with myself and state I grabbed this book simply because of the title! I need to know what this ideal husband myth is and whether it exists 😂 to my surprise it wasn't actually the funny, comedic book I thought it would be!

It's my first book from James, but it won't be my last. She has an incredible writing style, keeping me entertained and intrigued. You can truly feel the emotion and devastation behind her words and they make you feel all sorts of emotions.

The characters and their development throughout was impeccable! There's so much detail behind each and every one. There were so many real life situations that happen to people daily and it was really interesting to read about it in a different sort of way.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

I’ve read and admired most of Erica James previous books where contemporary issues are explored. This book has a long marriage and happy family blown apart when the husband breaks up the happy idyll by announcing on Boxing Day that he is leaving the home and marriage as he is now in a relationship with his youngest son’s ex-girlfriend. The fallout ricochets throughout the family over the next year with multiple POV from the characters giving an outlet to their views, justifications, anger and bitterness. Excellent and highly recommended.

I really enjoyed reading Mothers and Daughters by Erica James so when I sent her new book to read in advance I was over the moon.

What initially I loved about this book is that it is set is Suffolk and mentions my home town of Bury St Edmunds. That’s always a little thrilling.

I instantly warmed to Louisa who is a caring wife, mother and grandmother. What becomes clear to me is that she seems too forgiving for what Kip puts her through. I’ve got a few friends going through similar situations but I don’t think they would be as accepting as she is.

The family all go through turmoil and it’s lovely to see how they get through it. I definitely need to read more of Erica’s books.

Thank you to HarperCollins Publishing for an advance copy

When Kip, Louisa’s husband of over 30 years asks for a divorce, she is distraught and bewildered. He has started a relationship with a girl much younger, who had been in a relationship with his younger son.

Erica James really gets inside her characters and writes skilfully and emotively about the devastation felt by Louisa, especially when Kip goes ahead to sell their home without discussing it. I enjoyed reading how the family of three children support their mother, trying to understand how their father could be so cruel.

The story is about complex family relationships and dynamics, and how things can be misunderstood. Written from the viewpoint of several characters, gives added dimension and a more rounded picture. Louisa and most of the characters are friendly and likeable, and I felt totally involved in their story. Though Lexi – a pre-teen was a force to be reckoned with!

The author writes sensitively about the journey taken by each member of the family, their hopes and wishes, and how things don’t always turn out as expected. This is an in depth story about characters whom you feel you know well, and hope for the best for them. An excellent read, highly recommended.

I found this quite a compelling and captivating story and one that actually may resonate with many readers. We meet a once upon a time happy and close family that become divided over a shock announcement one Boxing Day. We follow their journey & how they try and navigate through the difficult times ahead of them. A wonderfully written story with real emotion, depth and warmth. Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of the book.

Kip and Louisa are married with three grown up children. Kip has left Louisa for Zoe; the ex-girlfriend of his son Angus. The family are reeling; everyone is upset and angry; and Kip doesn’t understand why they aren’t happy that he’s found happiness. This is the story coming to terms with their new set up; and Kip and Louisa navigating their new lives. I really enjoyed this book.

When a marriage unexpectedly breaks down the whole family are drawn in. Mid life crisis for the husband, new beginnings for the wife. A real modern tale.

I love Erica James writing but I was a bit disappointed with this if I’m honest - it was as beautifully written as ever but I couldn’t warm to Kip at all, so rather resented all the drama around him taking up a lot of the focus. Would still rush to buy the next novel by her.

An Ideal Husband by Erica James is a wonderfully complex story of a year in the life of a blended family - Kip and Louisa, their children, and grandchildren - and of second chances and fresh starts. Kip ends a long marriage on Boxing Day to move in with his son's ex-girlfriend. Louisa is forced to make a new start which she does with grace but her children find the split harder to live with and Kip soon finds that his dream life isn't as simple as he hoped it would be. I loved the vulnerability of the characters and how relationships developed through the year and in response to the challenges the family faced. Another great book from Erica James - fans won't be disappointed!
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Coming from divorced parents this was a little too close to the truth at times, however, it was an enjoyable read with good characters, a wonderful setting (I grew up in Suffolk) and a nice ending. I really enjoyed Erica's style of writing and will definitely look for her books in the future!

Louisa has been happily married for 40yr until after a happy family Christmas meal her husband Kip says he is moving out and not only moving out but moving in with his youngest son`s ex girlfriend, can Louisa move on from this horrendous betrayal and will the family survive there dads betrayal?
The family has has its ups and downs over the next year, a great moving story.
Loved how they had a holiday in Aldeburgh which I stayed at last year while visiting my son and the fish and chip shop is so famous we could never get any as the queue was so long every day.
A moving story well worth a read.

You can’t go far wrong with Erica James! Another great read.
On Christmas Eve Pip announces to his wife Louisa that he’s met someone else and he wants a divorce but the bigger shock is yet to come when Zoe turns out to be the ex girlfriend of his youngest son Angus.
The family is left in total shock which leads to dramatic events for the whole family.
A fantastic story of how one person can cause a whole chain of events.
Beautifully written I was captivated by Louisa right from the start.
Definitely a five stars from me.
Thank You HQ and NetGalley for an ARC of this great read.