Hardback: 406 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga,
Publisher: Harper Collins 2024
Source: Tywyn Library
First Sentence: It was a perfect March day and spring had arrived in all its glorious splendour.
Setting: Suffolk, England
Review Quote: '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.' Netgalley Reviewer,
My Opinion: Erica James is one of my long time favourite authors for a guaranteed agreeable read. Once again she has not disappointed me.
'An Ideal Husband' is a contemporary family saga, covering a year in the life of the Langford family. A perfectly normal happy family, or so they thought until Kip Langford tells his wife Louisa that he is leaving her. The dynamics of the relationships within the family are full of emotion as they navigate a roller coaster of a year. What complicated individuals they all are and at times some of their behaviour feels unbelievable. Louisa in particular feels far too sympathetic and understanding of her husband's behaviour.
Recommended to fans of contemporary escapism, remember that is what it is escapism and fiction which is why at times the reader may find it somewhat removed from the reality of such a situation!
Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:
The Langfords are a perfectly happy family. Louisa and Kip, happily married for nearly forty years, have raised their children and are now just settling into a new phase of life where they’ll have more time for themselves. Everything seems perfect. But then, one Boxing Day after a lovely family Christmas, Kip tells Louisa that their marriage is over. It’s not something Louisa saw coming. And what he tells her next is even more he’s fallen in love with their son’s ex-girlfriend, Zoe, the woman who broke Angus’ heart. So just like that, Louisa’s marriage is over… and her new life can begin. A gorgeous, gossipy family drama of a couple navigating a divorce, a woman on a journey of self-discovery, and an older man getting his just deserts.
Previous Reviews: I have reviewed quite a few of her earlier novels on the blog. They are Tell It To The Skies, It's The Little Things, Hidden Talents, The Hidden Cottage, The Real Katie Lavender, A Secret Garden Affair, Mothers and Daughters, Letters From the Past, Summer at the Lake, Coming Home to Island House
Author Profile:
Photo Courtesy of Amazon
In the author's own words from her Amazon Profile.
Thank you so much for visiting my Amazon Author Page. My first novel - A Breath of Fresh Air - was published in 1996 and was selected by WH Smith as a finalist for their Fresh Talent promotion. Since then I have written many more novels, most of which have been bestsellers, including Gardens of Delight which won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award and features Lake Como, one of my favourite places to visit. My novel Summer at the Lake also features Lake Como and was a No.1 bestseller in Norway.
My twenty-fifth novel - A Secret Garden Affair - was published in the spring of 2023 and is my second book to be published by HQ Stories. Partially set in the summer of 1981 when Prince Charles and Lady Diana are about to marry, Libby discovers her fiancé has been cheating on her. Heartbroken, she flees London to go to Larkspur House in Suffolk to be with her great aunt Bess and the renown garden designer Elfrida Ambrose. As Libby tries to piece her life back together, Bess and Elfrida find themselves reliving the past with all its secrets and tragedies.
My 26th novel - An Ideal Husband - is currently available in hardback and I hope you'll enjoy meeting the Langford family who have to face more than their fair share of trouble after Kip announces that he wants a divorce as he's been having an affair with their son's ex-girlfriend! The paperback will be published in November.
If you want to keep up with all my latest news, or simply get in touch to ask me a question about one of my books, you can find me online in all the usual places as well as my website.
Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:
Erica James - Official Website. Instagram - Erica James
Goodreads Author Profile Erica James - Amazon Author Page. Erica James - Facebook