Loved this book. I really enjoyed the way that it was written, the sort of book that you cant put down as you just have to see what happens next. Never expected the way the story turned out which in my opinion is the mark of a good author. Some stories these days are so predictable and you only need to read the first few chapters to know what is going to happen, not this one, kept me gripped from start to finish. First book by this author that I have read and I certainly shall be looking out for more.

On the surface, The Idea of You by Amanda Prowse seems to be all about Lucy’s desperate need to have a baby. But it’s so much more than that. It’s about life and the people living it, with all their beauty and all their flaws. Lucy’s life is full of promise. She’s with the love of her life and they are going to start a family. But it doesn’t happen, over and over, and soon everything in her world is colored by her failure to carry a child to term. About halfway through the book, even though I was trying to understand her pain and frustration, I found that I didn’t like Lucy very much. She was so unpleasant, so critical. Was this coming from her past? Was she just always like this? Had she lost all hope and this was the new Lucy? Her responses to Jonah and others around her seemed so harsh, so fierce: “Yes, really!” she tutted, a little irritated that he was so oblivious. It was hard to sympathize with or feel sorry for her. She was rude to everybody and seemed overly sensitive, taking affront at everything people said or did, even their facial expressions. As a stepmother she was just plain mean, not acting like the adult, blaming everything on Camille and expecting to receive grand thanks and be fawned over for any little effort she, Lucy, made.

But The Idea of You isn’t all about Lucy and her bad behavior. It’s about secrets and hurts and feelings of inadequacy and failure. It’s about slogging through daily life and not always being able to put your best foot forward. It’s about realizing that every member of a family has things that weigh on them; it’s not always all about you. There isn’t any emotion it won’t make you feel while reading it. You’ll laugh and cry, be happy and sad, get angry, feel hope and then feel despair. The characters are well-developed and believable and make you care about what happens to them. The situations they find themselves in are almost too hard to read, but you won’t be able to put this book down.

This was the first book I have read by Amanda Prowse but it won’t be the last. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I can say without reservation that I highly recommend The Idea of You.

I read the last 1/3rd of this book on a plane and I had to hold back the tears. This book struck a chord with me because I went through the early miscarriages that Lucy, the main character went through. This is an easy to read, well written book. It had the feel to it that the author knew what she was talking/writing about because the feelings and emotions that were described were real. This book doesn't go terribly in depth about infertility or loss of a pregnancy but that was what I liked about it. Having dealt with those issues I usually don't like to read about them. But the story around the losses and the relationships of the characters where dealt with in such a way that I actually enjoyed reading it even though its a subject matter I usually avoid. Amanda Prowse did such a good job describing the emotions of Lucy that it really brought it all back to me. Accidentally walking into the baby department at a store reminded me of how painful that used to be for me. The road to motherhood is a different journey for all women. Some choose to not even get on that road. Others take a long, difficult and winding path while some women only need to start the car. This was the first book I have read by Amanda Prowse as I had never heard of her before. I was surprised to learn she has penned so many other books. I will check out her other offerings for sure.

The Idea Of You is a touching and emotional book. I've read many Amanda Prowes books and I love that she writes domestic dramas with such realism. Lucy is fast approaching her fortieth birthday and is desperate for a child after suffering miscarriages. She has a successful career as a high powered advertising exec in London but the one thing she desperately wants is to carry a baby to full term and bring that baby home. Then added to the mix is her step-daughter Camille who seems determined to cause trouble. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves an emotional domestic drama with a twist.

Thanks to Netgalley, Lake Union publishing, and Amanda Prose for this ARC. I'm sorry, but I didn't like this book nor any of the characters in this book. They were mean to each other at times and then a bit sickening nice other times. Lucy was especially annoying with her obsessive behavior with her miscarriages. It was annoying at times. Such a dysfunctional family ! A few redeeming qualities at the end that seemed like they were all one big happy family. Just not my kind of book, sorry.

A story about family, love, relationships, motherhood, and loss, which will resonate with many readers.

I found myself getting very emotional at some parts of the book, particularly the sections about Lucy and her stepdaughter.

What a wonderful book! It's absolutely perfect to show the raw deal that mothers (and fathers!) have in today's hectic society and how they tend to be torn between doing what the world tells them they should be doing and actually doing what they think themselves.
The writing style is beautiful and makes the tale very poignant at times. I have to admit to grabbing tissues on a couple of occasions because I have been there and done that and it was totally relatable to me and my life.
Overall, this was an excellent book, really well written, and I'll definitely be looking out for the author again!

An absolutely beautiful and surprising look at motherhood, from a woman who not only can't have children, but who once could and gave it up. A relatable, thought provoking protagonist, and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Believable, and well written. I was moved to tears at a few points, and the growth of one of the (sub) main characters at the ending was unexpected but a pleasant surprise.

I gave this book a 2.75 on goodreads. I felt like my connection or lack there of with the characters hampered my view of the overall story.

This book was an unexpected pleasure for me. I don’t know what I actually thought this book was about…but I was bowled over with the characters, the story and the myriad of emotions. This is some amazing writing. I was so wrapped up in EACH character. It was like I was right there with them experiencing the same feelings.

Honor is a cranky old woman who takes a pretty bad spill. She moves in with Jo and her family. Honor is irritable and hard to get along with for many reasons. Basically, she is hurt on many levels. Not only does she hurt because she is getting old and cannot do what she once did, but the hurt over her son’s death….stays with her forever and affects the way she relates to everyone around her.

Jo is a special woman. Not only is she raising three children by herself, she takes in her mother-in-law after the fall. She is one of the most giving characters and has the patience of a saint…Many times I wanted to YELL for her because she wouldn’t lose her temper and temper-losing was so warranted. There is a part in this book where Jo just has a doozy of a day! As a mother, I remembered what it was like. I almost got as stressed as Jo did. But don’t worry, she handled it like a trooper. I would’ve lost it on the first episode of poop!! Very well written and her feelings came right off the page to me!

Lydia is Jo’s daughter and Honor’s only granddaughter. She is pulled in many different directions. I am not about to give her story away. Just know, she is much tougher than she appears.

This story was an absolute treasure for me in many ways! Highly recommend if you need a book to get totally absorbed!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review

Did not finish.
Not for me, although well written I found Lucy irritating. For a successful, career minded woman I found her lack of self confidence and desperation to find a man frustrating. Enough said.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have read a couple of Amanda Prowse's books and they were great! The Idea of You just struck a cord with me. It's so hard being a working mother in today's world, and the author touches this subject with such consideration. Very well written and highly recommended.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Lucy, a woman in her late thirties, is admired for the glass ceilings she is breaking in her career. However, she feels that she is miles behind her peers because she does not have a husband or, her most desperate longing, kids. Meeting Jonah Carpenter at a christening changes that for her; they quickly marry and decide to start a family. Having a baby proves harder than they expected, though, and Lucy feels even more acutely what she is missing when Jonah’s teenage daughter comes to stay with them for the summer.

I liked that the characters in the book were realistic; they were likeable yet had their flaws at times. As a woman who has chosen to be childfree, I am in a different position than the main character, but the author really made me feel what Lucy was going through in the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction.

beautiful from page 1 to the end. i laughed. i cried. i laughed and cried at the same time. i dont have kids, never wanted kids, don't really like kids , having said that i love every minute of this book. so authentic. anyone will love this book. you must read it ! enjoy!

This was my first Amanda Prowse book and it definitely won't be my last. I absolutely loved it. Great characters and storylines. I found myself crying and being hopeful at the same time!

Lucy is finally happy with her life. She loves her work and has a fabulous husband Jonah (who just adores her) whom she met at a friend's baby's christening. She loves him with all of her heart and can't wait for the day when they have a baby of their own.

But things don't work out as planned Lucy has a couple of miscarriages which are devastating for her. All she has ever wanted has been a child of her own to love and care for. Jonah's teenage daughter Camille comes to stay and Lucy struggles to get to know her. Camille is offhand with Lucy and always ready with a barbed word at every turn. No matter what she does she just can't seem to get on with her stepchild.

The story has a twist which I didn't see coming which in turn is connected with the present day. An absolute joy of a read (with a little bit of heartache too). Loved it.

Thank you for sharing this book.
I appreciate NetGalley

I enjoyed The Idea of You. The storyline has an accompanying storyline told in 'flashbacks' which I found very intriguing and helped to build the emotion through the book. The main characters felt rounded and it was easy to connect with them and feel the rollercoaster of emotions they were experiencing. My only comment is that I found the conversation at times a little stilted... I just don't know anyone that talks like that! I would have given 3.5 stars but NetGalley doesn't allow for half stars.

Wow another great book from Amanda prowse

This was a fab read about how they overcome horrible situations they face as a family past and present. But shame there was not much of a happy ending for Lucy seeing as she was longing for a baby thought she would not give up that easy, apart from that a great read.

Thanks Amanda prowse

Lucy, 39 is desperate to be a mum and so is thrilled to meet and fall in love with Jonah, but things get a bit tricky when his teenage daughter comes to stay. It's a bit hard to like Lucy as she is sickly sweet and some of the other characters are often irritating. The dialogue isn't always convincing plus there's an awful lot of someone saying something twice in the same sentence - e.g. I'm going to do something, I am which irks a bit. Very descriptive though of Lucy's troubles and you can sympathise with her, up to a point. A bit of all sorts in this book, feel good factor, sadness and happiness too. I liked it.