I was drawn to this book because it had all my favorite tropes: reverse age gap, workplace romance, pushy Sri Lankan Catholic immigrant family, single mom in her 40s taking back her power after a messy divorce. I need more romances featuring women in their 40s with established careers, whose experiences I relate to more than young women in their 20s, which are the usual romantic protagonists. Ultimately the characters and the romance fell short for me.

The book starts off slow with Ingrid surrounded by her big, boisterous, judgmental family, particularly that overbearing mother of hers. I did love her family in this despite their issues; she had an amazing bond with her sisters and her family were all vibrant, colorful characters. She has felt like a single mom since her daughter was an infant, with her husband Matt always going off to find himself and never sharing in the domestic labor. After Matt leaves for a year on a sabbatical, he comes back and asks for a divorce.

Distraught, Ingrid, who works as a high-powered executive at a major accounting firm in London, takes a retreat in the Lake District to let off steam. There she meets Jacob, and the two share an instant connection when he helps her after getting lost on a hike and falling in the mud. Then, just as she is going through a nasty divorce in which her ex wants full custody (just to be vindictive, I guess) she lands a coveted pitch at work after standing up for herself for once. Turns out the investment banker consultant on the project with her is none other than Jacob, the much younger heartthrob she never thought she'd see again.

At first I loved the tension between the two of them but I thought Jacob was just too perfect, like a Mary Sue. He never really felt like a whole person, just a Greek god of a man who women were always hitting on who was somehow also patient, kind and good with kids. Ingrid's ex was a complete stereotype of an oafish divorcee who you just wanted to constantly slap.

The two had a 15-year age gap but Jacob often was perceived to be 22 and everyone else acted like when a woman is 45 she's a dried up old crone, except Jacob thinks she's gorgeous. They constantly acted like that 15-year age gap was a 30-year age gap. All the family drama about the age gap, which really wasn't that big and 32-year-olds aren't that young, took away from the charm of their romance for me. They kept constantly teasing each other about their ages in unrealistic ways. I'd have expected them to talk about it and discuss their concerns but I felt like I was hit in the head with their age gap throughout the book.

I felt like Ingrid relied on the hot younger man to finally boost her confidence and shed her people-pleasing ways instead of finding her power on her own.

Ultimately just found their love story kind of boring and I really wanted to be charmed by the elements of this, but I didn't care for how they were put together and often didn't understand the characters' motivations.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Absolutely brilliant book!
I am a big fan of this author and love the writing style!
I cant wait to read more!

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

This was a fun and light romcom. Ingrid is a mid 40s wife, mother, and successful executive whose completely selfish husband returns from a year of trying to find himself to demand a divorce and custody of their daughter. Distraught, she goes to the Lake District for a weekend of solitude that her sister booked for her. Lost and muddy, she is rescued by a kind and handsome (and younger!) man who she later finds herself partnered with at work. This book has great sisters, an ex you want to punch, a meddling unsupportive mother, and a heroine who learns how to stand up for herself at work, with her family, with her ex, and in her life.

While the book takes a little time to build momentum, once we get to know the main characters, it's impossible not to fall in love with them. Ingrid is on a powerful journey of self-discovery, and as she learns to stand up for herself, she truly begins to shine. The romance is both believable and heartwarming as it develops, and the concerns about the main character’s age difference are addressed thoughtfully. The relationship between Ingrid and Jacob feels like a true partnership.

I highly recommend this book to romance lovers. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Anyone But Him is a heartfelt narrative that takes readers on a poignant journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness amidst life’s unexpected upheavals. The story revolves around Ingrid, a woman who has meticulously crafted her life to meet the expectations of those around her—a dependable daughter, a supportive wife—only to have her world turned upside down when her husband returns with divorce papers after an extended sabbatical abroad.
From the outset, Collings expertly captures Ingrid’s emotional tumult. We get to witness her struggle to reclaim her identity in a world that has dictated who she should be for far too long. This theme is relatable and resonates deeply, particularly with those who have faced similar personal crises. Collings does an exceptional job of illustrating the pressures society places on women and the courage required to break free from them.
Ingrid’s decision to escape to the Lake District in search of solace is a pivotal moment in the novel. It serves as a reminder that sometimes stepping away from our responsibilities is necessary to find clarity and direction. The picturesque setting of the Lake District is vividly described, almost becoming a character in its own right, offering a stark contrast to Ingrid’s chaotic life.
It is during this retreat that she encounters Jacob—a charming stranger with whom she shares an undeniable chemistry. Their initial relationship blooms in an atmosphere of freedom and adventure, reigniting feelings within Ingrid that have long been dormant. However, the narrative takes a compelling turn when Ingrid returns home to discover that Jacob is now her colleague and the new consultant on her work project.
The complexity of their relationship forms the crux of the novel. Collings skillfully navigates the tension between desire and duty as Ingrid grapples with her feelings for Jacob while balancing the demands of her messy divorce and working life. The juxtaposition of her budding romance with the real-life complications of her circumstances makes for an engaging read.
The novel does not shy away from exploring the intricacies of modern relationships and societal norms. It poses essential questions about love, loyalty, and the oftentimes overwhelming weight of societal expectations.
Overall, this novel is not just a light hearted romance, it is also a profound exploration of redemption and empowerment. Its a perfect read for anyone seeking a story that reflects personal struggles and the beauty of second chances.

I loved the author's writing style with this one and the characters felt so real with how well they were developed and portrayed. Some of the drama was a bit pointless but I loved the story overall.

Anyone But Him is a beautifully written and deeply moving story about love, identity, and second chances. Ronali Collings masterfully explores complex relationships, cultural expectations, and the power of self-discovery. The characters felt so real, and their emotional journeys kept me hooked from start to finish. It’s a story that stays with you, reminding you that love isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth fighting for. A poignant and heartfelt read!

Anyone But Him is a must read for adult romance readers. Ingrid's story was so compelling, I didn't want to put this book down. Fans of Emily Henry will enjoy this title. I had never read Ronali Collings before, but I can't wait to read more of her books.

Ingrid is dependable. She holds down a partnership at a prestigious accounting firm and for the last year has been raising her preteen daughter on her own. Her less then dependable husband has spent the last year “finding himself” abroad, but now he is back and wants a divorce, and custody. Ingrid’s sister sends her off to the Lakes district for a getaway where she has a steamy encounter with Jacob, a handsome woman who rescued her in the wilderness. When she returns to work after her getaway the last person she expects to see walk into the boardroom is Jacob. Trying to balance parenting, her divorce and her attraction to Jacob will push Ingrid to the limit.
So this was a bit of a slow starter for me, I couldn’t quite get attached. And then Ingrid started to stand up for herself and I couldn’t put the book down. I love watching a great character find their backbone and I was cheering for Ingrid as she finally said the things she needed to. The romance was incredibly sweet and Ingrid’s relationship with her sisters and daughter were beautiful. This really is a book about love in multiple forms.
Thank you to @ronalicollings @netgalley and @emblabooks for letting me have an advanced copy to review. Look for #anyonebuthim February 11 2025
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Ingrid is a mother, works full-time as a partner in one of the big four accountancy firms in London, and has to do all of this pretty much single-handedly since her husband seems to spend his life on various holidays and retreats 'finding himself'. Also, despite being a partner, Ingrid still seems to do all the work while her less able colleagues get the kudos and her performance appraisal is never better than average. Add in an interfering (but well-meaning) Sri Lankan mother and her life feels like one big struggle.

When Ingrid's husband comes home after his year long sabbatical to tell her he wants a divorce, half the house, and custody of their daughter, Ingrid calls a code red with her sisters. She can't believe he thinks he can walk all over her. Ingrid's sisters send her away for what she expects will be a pampering spa retreat, only to discover that it is instead more of a wellness retreat all micro dinners and ten mile yomps in the Lake District. When she gets lost, a charming stranger helps her out and lets her stay the night in his cottage there is definitely a spark.

When Ingrid returns to London she discovers her mysterious good Samaritan Jacob is the new Investment Bank consultant on her big new project. But is getting involved with a younger man a good idea at this time?

I was going to say it was an unrealistic portrayal of life in a big UK accountancy firm but I see the author worked in international tax for sixteen years for PWC so I guess she knows what she is talking about - glad my firm isn't like that!

This was okay. Jacob was a bit of a Unicorn, just too perfect. There was some pointless drama with his mother and I am left with the feeling that somehow Ingrid wouldn't have turned her life around if it hadn't been for Jacob's support - ie not that she did it on her own.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this book!!

What a great book! I enjoyed this one a lot!!! I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters. Great writing style!! This was a first by this author for me but will not be my last!

Es un libro sobre las dinámicas familiares, el divorcio, el racismo, la misoginia en el trabajo y en general, la maternidad y las segundas oportunidades.

Ingrid es una mujer de más de cuarenta años que ha dedicado su vida al bienestar de su esposo e hija, hasta que se da cuenta de que su marido no vale la pena, la trata mal y está cansada de tener que fingir que todo está bien. Además, lleva un año sin verlo, por lo que decide pedir el divorcio.

En su trabajo, conoce a un hombre más joven y entre ellos comienzan a surgir chispas. Aunque intenta alejarse, debe trabajar mano a mano con él, y cuanto más lo conoce, más le gusta. Le da miedo lo que pensarían en su trabajo, en el que ya tiene que esforzarse el doble solo por ser mujer. Si comienza una relación con un compañero, su reputación podría quedar dañada. Además, debe pensar en cómo reaccionaría su hija y si aceptaría a un nuevo hombre en la vida de su madre.

La madre de Ingrid no la soporte y odie a su ex.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.