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.

Easy read to get hooked on and lost in! These character were portrayed in such a raw manner, I’m in awe. I so loved how perfectly imperfect they were.

Erica James latest book is an engaging tale of a family. Kip and Louisa have been married for 40 years but when he asks for a divorce as he has fallen in love with someone else their lives are turned upside down. The impact on Kip and Louisa as well as their 3 grown up children is explored over the coming year. Erica James well drawn characters, mix of humour and pathos is a really good read.!

Highly recommended!

What a great read yet again from Erica James.

Set in Suffolk (how I love to try and work out where some of the places are), Louisa and Kip have been married for nearly 40 years, they have twins Ashley and Arabella and a younger son Ashley.

On Boxing Day, Kip announces to Louisa he wants a divorce and leaves to live with his lover Zoe (who just happens to be Ashley's ex girlfriend) and 30 years younger than him.

The family find it tough dealing with their father after him leaving, and stunned when without discussing with Louise he puts the family home up for sale.

The book follows the year in their lives, with all the ups and downs of divorce, separation and unwanted / wanted pregnancies and the consequences that follow.

I couldn't put the book down, and really grew to love the characters with possibly the exception of Arabella's step-daughter Lexi.

I think most of us can relate to some of the things that happen in this book, which makes it such an enjoyable read.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed this book.

After being married for thirty years, Kip, Louisa's husband leaves her. She now has to think about what she does next, and how she handles what has happened.

Louisa is starting to get her life back into some sort of routine, on the other hand, Kip is finding it hard to deal with his new life, as well as his family and their feelings over what’s happened.

I recommend this book.

Ohmy goodness, Erica James does it again. Another I must read another chapter. I loved this book and could not putt down. Thank you so much for the chance to read this. I felt for Louisa as her life is tipped upside down, especially at Christmas. There is no good time! As her husband Kip decides the grass is greener, Louisa must re-evaluate her life and the direction in which it is to go now. With her children supporting her, even though they have their own issues she starts to build her life.
I have to say I know a lady like Louisa who is calm and very giving and would aspire to be like them if I found myself in this situation. I'm afraid to say I would not though! Sometimes I did want Louisa to stop being so nice though and give it to Kip both barrels, but this was not her character. She did have an inner core which helped her to make hard decisions and her positivity shone through. It is this that is aspirational.

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.

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.

I have loved Erika James novels for many years and this one does not disappoint. A thoroughly up to date family saga set in Suffolk, which for someone living in Suffolk instantly adds interest.
A seemingly happy family with everything looking rosy is suddenly split apart by a Boxing Day announcement.. individual members of the family are devastated for differing reasons and over the following months so many family situations bring heartache and questions.
Recognition of mental health needs, understanding and forgiveness enable the family to regroup and reimagine the family dynamics. Can it be happy ever after? I do hope so.

When Kip leaves Louisa for his son's girlfriend it leaves damage that looks like it will tear the family apart.
Louisa is forced out of her house and the ramifications of the split cause others to look at their relationships.
Good story with satisfying ending.

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.