This book was a great read. A dysfunctional family but a happy ending. The characters were well written and very believable. All in all, thoroughly recommended.

If you are a fan of contemporary family saga, then An Ideal Husband is the novel for you.
The storyline revolves around the Langford family; parents Kip and Louisa, their adult children, Arabella, Ashley (with their respective partners and children), and Angus.
From the opening pages, the Langford family are in crisis, as husband Kip has announced his intention to divorce his wife Louisa, and move in with his girlfriend, Zoe - who happens to be the ex-girlfriend of his youngest son Angus.
With multiple PoV, the reader is provided with an insight into the thoughts and emotions of each character, thus adding an extra element of depth and substance to the storyline. And helps to avoid the reader from automatically associating stereotypes with characters such as Kit. We were given the opportunity to learn about his "side", and emotions, rather than his simply being "the cheating husband". Mind you, I'm still Team Louisa!
An Ideal Husband is the story of a year within this complex family where family dynamics, love, health and divorce are all
This is a brilliant contemporary take on modern family dynamics as they encounter love, divorce and mental health issues. All wrapped up in a humorous and easy to read tale.

I’ve always loved Erica James’s novels and generally found them 5* however this one really didn’t grab me. I found everyone hideously selfish and unlikable - I’m aware that’s what generally splits families up so maybe this was just too true to life!

I found myself skipping through the book just to get it finished rather than settling down to really enjoy it as I have all her other novels. Just not one for me!

Thank you to the author Netgalley and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Absolutely loved it, a lovely family read with a great storyline with charecters it was easy to get to know, a fluffy spring read

What starts off to be a happy normal family, Kip and Louisa, with adult children Ashley, Arabella and Angus, soon turns into a dysfunctional one when Kip delivers his Boxing Day announcement of his intent to move in with his girlfriend and divorce Louisa. Lots of surprises lie ahead for everyone one of this close knit family and their respective partners whilst they all come to terms with their ever changing world and learn to make adjustments. An example of everyday life but on a bigger scale, until the family bond comes back into play and how acceptance and compromise are so important. A relaxing read with a rather staid storyline.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and thank NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins for an opportunity to review this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"An Ideal Husband" is the latest involved and involving family drama from Erica James. The residents of rural Suffolk are shocked when seemingly ideal husband and father of 3 Kip announces on Boxing Day that he is leaving his wife of over 30 years. The book covers the aftermath of this announcement as the hidden rifts within the family are uncovered. As usual there are great characters and a good sense of place.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Although I did enjoy this book I did think parts of it would be wishful thinking to lots of people going through a break up. When Louisa's husband Kip announces on Boxing Day that he's being having an Affair and leaving her she is devastated. This doesn't seem to last for long and as she settles in her new house and looks forward to a new future Kip's life starts to fall apart. As Kip confides in Louisa she actually tries to help in sorting his life out.
She is actually a Saint! I find it hard to believe that any woman would act like her.
Some of the characters seem to change their personalities and make decisions overnight. Giles was one of them and changed from being okay to being vile.
Very sugery sweet ending and not easy to believe.

Love, divorce, lust and babies - this story has them all. Each chapter alternates between all the various members of the family, so you really get a deeper understanding of how Kip's decision to leave his wife for his son's ex-girlfriend has an impact on them all. I loved how Louisa deals with this and how she displays so much compassion. I didn't warm to Kip as a person, but I did feel sorry for him with the realisation of twins take two!
A warm-hearted story, perfect to lose yourself in for a couple of hours.

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

Kip and Louisa have been married for forty years and have three grown-up children.
After a lovely family Christmas, Kip announces he is leaving Louisa and moving in with his son's ex-girlfriend Zoe.
To say everyone is shocked is an understatement. The fallout and family dynamics, how each of them deal with the news and the consequences, makes for an unputdownable read.
How Louisa stayed so calm and almost forgiving makes her a strong matriarch.
Although I did feel sorry for Louisa, she was more than capable of moving on.
Kip, on the other hand, felt such freedom and happiness only for something to happen, which brings it all crashing down. I did feel for him.
Erica writes with such warmth and empathy that you can't be helped but to be drawn in by the characters.
I absolutely loved this as I do with all Erica's other books.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Kip and Louisa Langford have been married for over forty years. They have three children, twins Arabella and Ashley, and Angus their youngest child, though all grown up and away from home. Christmas is always a special time at Charity Cottage when all the family, along with partners and grandchildren, descend. As usual Louisa is in domestic bliss, surrounded by her nearest and dearest. Come Boxing Day when the masses have departed, Louisa is brought down to earth with a massive bump when Kip asks for a divorce. The story follows the angst and anguish along with the trials and tribulations of a fractured family.

Told from various points of view the reader comes to know and get the perspective from each character. However, due to so many POV there is a lot of repetition and I did skip a fair amount of pages, with no detriment to the plot.

My second Erica James book and IMO not as good as A Secret Garden Affair. I found this story to be overlong with an unbelievable ending. I appreciate that Louisa had a forgiving nature, but a halo must be winging its way to her!

An ok read, not to my taste but I understand the appeal and James’ many fans will love it.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ.

I love Erica James and her new book does not disappoint. She brings a real warmth to her characters and also a poignancy to her story telling. Highly recommend.

Another brilliant novel by Erica James. One of those books that I was really sad to finish.. I was totally invested in all the characters...even though some of them were less than likeable. A seemingly happy family turned out to be harbouring several issues. I thought the way the characters reacted to their situations was realistic and relatable. My only criticism would be that it ended a little abruptly...with Kip contemplating his family and situation.....but nevertheless a really good read.
Highly recommend

I enjoyed this book but skipped the occasional page as I felt there was unnecessary detail which felt like a bit of padding. It’s possible that I’m a bit impatient with my reading and want to get on with it and others will be happy with it.
Most of the scenarios were unrealistic, but it is a novel - read it for yourself and see, after all, I did enjoy it!

Another fantastic read from Erica James. I have a large ‘patchwork’ family so lots of the book really resonated with me.
It was hard to like some of the characters, but I enjoyed how the managed to evolve around each other and also the situation.
It’s a 5 star recommendation from me

What a wonderful writer and compassionate person is Erica James! This novel is truly beautiful and a reminder of the healing power of love and forgiveness. Louisa is devastated when her husband, Kip, leaves her for the considerably younger, Zoe. Even worse, Zoe is the former girlfriend of Kip and Louisa’s youngest son, Angus. He, and his siblings, are furious with their father, and unwilling to forgive him for the way he has treated their mother. Erica really understands human nature and portrays very convincing and conflicted characters. She depicts the challenges of extended families, the difficulties of of step relationships, and cleverly juxtaposes a 12 year old child’s reactions to the woman who usurped her mother to the hostility felt my grown up children to their father’s new partner. This could have been a story of bitterness and just desserts, with all the reader’s sympathy being directed towards the wronged wife. But it is much more. Louisa’s innate goodness shines through and eventually helps all parties move on and learn to adapt to the changing family dynamics. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is thought provoking, yet at the same time a most uplifting and positive read. It was also a hospital read for me, carrying me happily through long waits in A&E, pre surgery anxiety and post surgery recovery. To provide distraction and enjoyment in such circumstances is no mean feat. Thank you Erica for such an inspiring novel.

This is a highly readable book of a story that is familiar to so many. Having had a long and seemingly happy marriage, with three children to boot, Kip decides to walk out from his wife Louisa. At Christmas! With the youngest sons ex girlfriend.
We see the story from all aspects which draws you in and makes you think about the perspective of each character. It’s always easy to side with the wronged but the book explores how each person involved feels and their take on the whole situation.
I thought it was a good read, I wasn’t sure about ‘Kip’ as a name as it just reminds me of a school book character and I feel Kit would have suited him more. It was a bit off putting.
Apart from that, a good relaxing read.

This was an easy read for me full of relatable characters and events .

Louisa and Kip have been married for 40 years , they have three grown up children and just as Louisa thinks it’s time for them both to start enjoying the next stage of their lives, kit drops the bombshell that he’s in love with someone else and he wants a divorce,

The impact of divorce and infidelity is devastating not only on the couple involved but the whole family circle. This was explored with such understanding and empathy it made the story feel true to life.

Hard decisions , changes, grass greener and mid life crises are all topics which the book encompasses.

If you love family dramas this is definitely one you will enjoy. Beautifully written it may make you think how life can change in a heartbeat and remind you to never take anything or anyone for granted .

As one would expect, this is very well written. There is a large cast of characters and we see the events through many different eyes.

After thirty years of marriage, Kip tells his wife Louisa that he’s leaving her and setting up home with their son’s ex girlfriend. He does this at the most insensitive moment.

This was a great premise and one can only enjoy the fallout and the developments that ensue. I would have given this more stars but for Louisa who was almost ready for sainthood as she behaved so perfectly and unselfishly for most of the book. Sorry I just couldn’t buy into this sentimentalised view. The final scene at Christmas was just so over the top as to make me want to throw my book at the wall. It’s a tribute to the writer’s skill that I actually got so involved. An enjoyable read nonetheless.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the invite to read this eARC.

An Ideal Husband by Erica James is a good, easy read. Louisa has been married to Kip for years when he announces he wants a divorce as he has been having an affair with their youngest sons ex girlfriend.

I think the authors story telling is good here, it is engaging, flows well and is easy to follow. Erica James introduces a cast of characters who are in shock at Kip's news and I liked that the story is told through different family members as they adjust to a new family dynamic. My favourite characters are Angus, CeeCee and Caro. I found it hard to like Louisa and Kip though - Louisa feels too perfect, accepting Kip's news the way she did .. there was little anger, bitterness ... And I wanted to shout at Kip to face up to the consequences of his actions that he set in motion.

Overall, this is an ok read, just not one that had me desperately turning the pages wanting to know more. It has themes of mental health, family angst and drama. The ending was OK, although I think it's a bit far fetched that the Langford family were in such a good place just a year on?

3 stars

Wonderful book.

I've read a few of Erica James' early books quite a few years back, and loved them, so it was a real treat to get back to this author.

Louisa Langford. She's doing something as normal as driving home from the farm shop at the beginning of the book. But what will be her story? What will happen?

I like this: Normal, everyday things that many go through, so, even though it's fiction, it's totally believable. You can empathise with the characters, and get totally involved as events unfold.

This got off to a great start, and I was soon hooked. Lovely descriptions and scene-setting, also brilliant dialogue and discussions between the characters.

So quick, easy, and relaxing to read, I loved it. I liked how she wrote chapters from different characters' points of view, so you were able to see their side, see their reasonings; sympathise-it wasn't saying one character was in the right and another in the wrong. She perfectly captures the steps forward and back in dealing with and getting over a break up.

Pure reading joy. So accurate, so easy to glide through. About everyday scenarios lots of families encounter. You can identify with the characters, and lose yourself in their stories.

Lovely country village life, agas etc. friends, family, life's ups and downs.

A wonderful book.