Is there such a things as: An Ideal Husband (Erica James)

I have been reading books by Erica James ever since her first, A Breath of Fresh Air, was published in 1996. An Ideal Husband is her newest release, having been published in 2024.

James writes stories that take place in attractive settings, feature characters with complex interrelationships and, generally, have reasonably happy endings. All of that is the case here.

This book has beautiful real estate including a well loved, family home, a refurbished lighthouse and more. I wanted to visit each of these places.

Protagonist Louisa and husband Kip have three adult children, in laws and grandchildren, all of whose lives intersect in these pages. Life seems good and Louisa is content. All of that changes, however, when Kip announces that he is leaving Louisa for their younger son’s ex. Definitely messy. Readers follow what happens to all of the members of the family, each of whom has their own challenges and faces loyalty issues. Will their be growth? Will characters remain stuck?

James looks over her characters with a sympathetic eye. She helps readers to understand how each of them has come to be in their present situation. Along the way the reader gets to know them very well.

This over page 400 book, kept me occupied during a bout of the flu. That seems like a good recommendation to me.

I look forward to whatever this author writes next.

Have you read this or other Erica James titles? If yes, what are your thoughts.

‘She’s so good, isn’t she? Wonderful on characterisation and family dynamics, and done very deftly, with wry humour’ Marian Keyes

The uplifting story of fresh starts and second chances from the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James

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After a long and seemingly happy marriage, Louisa is stunned when her husband Kip suddenly asks for a divorce. He’d never seemed unhappy – and they’ve raised three children together.

For months, Kip has been secretly seeing a younger woman – and if that wasn’t bad enough, it’s the woman who broke their youngest son’s heart.

Now Kip is moving out and embarking on a new life with Zoe, and Louisa is left to pick up the pieces. Their beloved family home, Charity Cottage, is up for sale, and tensions are running high.

Yet, despite the betrayal and anger, when Louisa lays eyes on what might be a unique and welcoming new home, she feels a first glimmer of hope that life might be taking a turn for the better.

And while Louisa is making exciting plans, Kip finds himself facing challenges of his own and begins to learn that living the dream may not be as simple as he thought…

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Praise for An Ideal Husband:

‘So, so good … A deliciously satisfying story’ Cathy Kelly

‘I couldn’t put it down’ Sarah Morgan

‘A compelling family drama … Effortlessly elegant storytelling from Erica, as ever’ Veronica Henry

‘So warm and kind’ Fern Britton