This was the first book i read by this author and it touches on a story in a small way i can relate with but i'm afraid to say i found the book long winded and a few times i would have given up if it wasn't for the fact i was reviewing it, having said that i am pleased i read it until the end as the story does get better, there is a slight twist i did not see coming and it did move me but unfortunately it wasn't enough for me to give it more than 3 stars.
I do thank Netgalley, the Author and publishers for allowing me the chance to read and review the book.

I have read and loved every one of Amanda's books. I find them so easy to read and so believable. Lucy and Jonah meet fairly late in their lives and are a very happy couple. But having a baby together is something they are struggling with. Lucy knows that time is running out. When Camille Jonah's teenage daughter comes to stay things get a bit difficult, especially for Lucy who feels pushed out and that Camille hates her. The story follows their relationships and how they interact and try to get along. All the way through Lucy is writing to her "daughter" who doesn't exist. A story of longing, love, heartbreak and real life. One of those stories that you want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens.

This book was a bit slow in the start but built to a very enjoyable book. At times it was difficult to see how the characters could continue but there were some very great twists that enhanced the story. I' would definitely read a book from this author in the future.

I'm giving this a generous two star rating. I received an advanced reading copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I'm pretty sure that if I had picked this up on my own I would not have finished it. The plot is focused on 39-year old Lucy wanting to have a baby and is fairly predictable. Lucy manages to make every situation about her and her feelings while Jonah seems too good to be true. All along, it was obvious to me what had happened in Lucy's past, but I couldn't believe she chose to reveal it at the moment of her step-daughter's big announcement. This book may appeal to other readers, but it just wasn't for me.

I imagine this book to be very painful for women struggling to become mothers because it was painful to me and I have three very healthy children. It's the story of Lucy Carpenter and her quest to become a mother after having several miscarriages. She's married to a loving, sympathetic and kind husband, Jonah who happens to be a father of a teenage girl, Camille.

Lucy is about to turn 40 and along with wanting a baby of her own, she is struggling at work. It's only when Camille comes to live with Lucy and Jonah, does Lucy realize just what being a mother is all about.

Wonderfully written book by a new to me author. I for sure will be reading more of her work.

Right away I could tell this book wasn't the typical book I read. I don't usually do contemporary women's fiction because they contain unrealistic romantic situations and a fairy tale ending. This book contains the first but the ending is better than I anticipated.
Lucy meets Jonah at a christening and, after a whirlwind affair, they are married. There life is almost perfect until Lucy suffers a miscarriage. Lucy must deal with that grief while trying to raise her teenage step-daughter.
The story mainly deals with the relationship between Jonah and Lucy and how it changes with having Camille in their home. The end hurtles to a bombshell secret and that's when the book gets the most heartfelt and realistic as Lucy and Jonah both scramble to adjust to their new perspectives.
I was highly disappointed in the lack of depth the novel went into dealing with miscarriage. The description call the book heart wrenching, but though sad things happen, the characters seemed only superficially and unrealistically fazed. It surprised me because in the acknowledgement the author confessed to going through that heart ache. I have known those closest to me who suffered a miscarriage and compared to them Lucy's grief was just a drop in the cup. But if the story helps other women cope with their loss, then it has done it's job. For that I am grateful.

I don't usually read what might be called contemporary women's fiction. I prefer something more gritty and perhaps a little dark. I wasn't immediately pulled into the story, but after a short while, I found the characters interesting and wanted to know what was going to happen next.

This turned out to be far more gripping than I'd ever imagined. The central characters have substance, with good dialogue and the scene setting felt very real. It deals with longing, loss and relationships very honestly. It's an excellent account of people in difficult circumstances; any reader can understand and feel sympathy with the tragedy and loss. It tackles difficult and emotive issues with honesty and there are some surprises along the way which, for me, lifted this above run of the mill chick lit.

The first book I've read by Amanda Prowse and more rewarding than I expected and I'm pleased it was offered for review by the publisher, via Netgalley.

my first book by this author and im pleased to say i wasnt disappointed! A real page turner and highly recommended.

I felt that Amanda Prowse realistically and sensitively presented a problem that many women and their families can relate to. The pressure from family and friends to get pregnant before it's too late together with society’s pressure to balance a family and a career and the comments from the doctors that everything happens for a reason are all situations which are presented in a balanced way. The author writes with such depth of understanding of the various perspectives. I really liked Lucy as a character and her flaws made her very realistic. It was great to see how her relationships with various members of her family developed over the years as she came to terms with her past and present. I was delighted that Lucy eventually reaches a place where the elusive happiness she sought becomes part of her daily life albeit shaped a little differently to what she expected.

As with many of Amanda’s stories this one also reduced me to tears.

Another beautifully written book by Amanda Prowse. Right from the beginning I could feel this had been written from the heart. Covering such a difficult subject of miscarriage Amanda took me through every emotion. This is not a book that leaves you empty it breaks your heart but also leaves you feeling warm and content. Wonderful book definitely will be recommending this to family and friends

Definitely the best read I've had in a long time. Amanda Prowse writes from her heart, you feel you are living the story in real life with every page giving you emotions and feelings that keep you turning and turning as quickly as you can. The writing is exciting and poignant at the same time, beautiful and full of emotions making it impossible me to put down. Highly recommended, I can't wait to read more from this author.

When Freya receives a call from her daughter Lexi's teacher, she can't believe what she's hearing but it is the shocking discovery under the teenagers bed that is the beginning of a nightmare that she can't awake from and will test her love for her daughters and her husband. Will Freya's need to nurture and protect allow her to make the right decision to save Lexi.

Amanda Prowse once again introduces us to a family that we care about and fall in love with before laying their terrible secrets bare. This is the harrowing story of anorexia and the effect it has on the victim, her family and friends.

The Idea of You is a story of a woman trying to conceive a child, and the struggles that she and her husband face. It touches on so many aspects of motherhood, that almost all woman face when wanting to have a child. The story is well-written and touches on everything from conception, miscarriage, surprise pregnancies, and loss. I think it would be a difficult read for many woman as we have all struggled in one way or another with motherhood, whether we have a child of our own or not.

Overall, it is a good story - the characters are believable, as are the various scenarios that play to not only for the couple trying to conceive but those around them. It is touching to see the characters interact, and easy to see how so many misunderstandings occur, and feelings are hurt. I would recommend this book, but only if you are in a good place regarding motherhood.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced (and free!) copy of this book to review!

A story of something that happens to many women and yet there is still a reluctance for the thoughts and feelings that are experienced around the subject of miscarriage to be explored. Our heroine begins with excitement, hope and positivity for the possibility of pregnancy and a baby. With each miscarriage that she endures, a little piece of her is destroyed. Meanwhile, life goes on, work continues, the arrival of a step-daughter ensures that life is thrown into upheaval. Ultimately though this is a positive story and the ending proves that although life may not always follow the path that you originally chose, a happy ending is possible.

A thought provoking realistic story giving high and low emotions, a great read and well written. The style of writing really gets the reader involved in the emotions of the charactors and I found myself wishing for a typical happy ending which actually ended differently than I imagined. Well worth a read.

Genre– Women’s Lit
Steamy?– No
Cliffhanger?– No
Can be read as Standalone?– Yes
Rating– 4 out of 5 Stars

***COMPLIMENTARY COPY PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW***

First, I must say the writing was really solid and enjoyable! To think that the author was hesitant to start her writing career… what we would’ve missed if she didn’t take that leap of faith! Such an engaging story and believable characters.

Over-all, I give the story 4 stars because though I thoroughly enjoyed it, it didn’t move me the way I like to be moved. The subject matter was very sensitive and heartfelt. I liked how the pace of the story was as such that we were allowed to really get to know each person without being bored. I was however disappointed in the ending a bit as I felt like Lucy was cheated. I’ve never experienced a miscarriage but I can now understand how devastating it can be. I would’ve liked to gotten a more definitive reason for their struggle in conceiving and not just settle for them just not trying anymore. Being a STEPG-ma just doesn’t replace being a “mum”, but maybe that’s because I haven’t had any kids. But great read - I will definitely read more from this author.

I hadn't read any of Amanda Prowse's books previously although I had read some good reviews so when I received an email from NetGalley saying I was pre-approved for this title, I jumped at the chance. I am so glad I did. I really enjoyed the story although it is quite emotional and at times sad. I was reaching for the hankies a few times.

The story itself starts with a christening where Lucy is one of the godparents. She is approaching 40, has a successful career, but is at the christening on her own, her boyfriend having left a year before and now about to marry her cousin. Despite having the successful career, Lucy really just dreams of being a mother.

Of course at the christening she meets a wonderful man, they fall in love and marry soon after. Jonah had been married before and has a teenage daughter who lives in France with her mother and stepfather so he had missed most of her growing up. When Lucy falls pregnant they are both delighted and excited about having a baby.

However tragedy strikes before they even tell anyone their baby news. Lucy suffers a miscarriage and for me that is when the real emotional journey starts. It seems for Lucy the problem is not that she can't conceive, but rather she has problems holding on to a pregnancy.

When Jonah's teenage daughter Camille comes to stay, Lucy tries to make her welcome but soon starts to feel pushed aside. Step-parenting isn't easy and the friction between Lucy and Camille have an effect on Lucy's relationship with Jonah.

Although I personally have never been affected by miscarriage I got quite engrossed in the story and found it hard to put down. Throughout the book there are poignant letters Lucy writes to her 'lost' children. I found Lucy a fairly likeable character although at times I felt she was a bit naïve

Despite the traumatic main theme, it's well written and a good read. Although it's heartbreaking at times, there is also joy and hope. It's a story of family relationships too – between husband and wife, sisters, mothers and daughters, parents and children/step-children.

Oh, and there are a couple of twists too which added to my enjoyment of the book.

The Idea of You is a different kind of love story. I suppose technically it is literary fiction or women's literature. It is a story of love, loss and acceptance. Though not a show stopper I did like the story and felt it strum a thread within my soul.
Lucy is our lead character and she finds the love of her life at a fairly late age in life. She is a successful woman who is full of insecurities and throughout the book those insecurities tend to not only get the better of her but become worse. She is pulled into a cycle of depression that deepens with every miscarriage that makes her question her abilities in all aspects of her life as well as regrets for the past.
Woven throughout the novel is a letter that Lucy is writing to the daughter she wishes she had.
The Idea of You is touching and poignant. It is a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
If you have found yourself digging out from under depression or dealing with the aftermath of miscarriage this novel could help you cope with those things. If you want to read something that doesn't fall under the category of romance but still has the feels here ya go, The Idea of You, is for you!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, and the author, Amanda Prowse for the review copy.

The desperation of one woman to have a baby is the overriding theme of this heartbreaking story. Lucy has the perfect life; a wonderful husband, Jonah, a cosy home, and a great career. The only thing missing is a baby.

Unfortunately Lucy seems to be unable to carry a baby to term; and we feel her sheer heartbreak when she miscarries. Miscarriages are fairly common, we are told, but the grief and despair felt by would-be parents can be all-consuming. The author writes with a great deal of sensitivity, with no mawkishness or huge drama, depicting Lucy as a strong, capable woman who has to suffer what so many women go through.

Her life is further complicated when Jonah's daughter. Camille, comes to stay with them. Lucy struggles to bond with the girl, who is so dismissive of her stepmother, but of course Jonah cannot see how cruel and rude his daughter is, alienating Lucy and making her feel even more useless in her ability to be a mother.

Her relationship with her own mother is a complicated one too, and their story shows how much families need to communicate.

The author has created a great character in Lucy; I just wanted to give her a hug! Jonah and Camille are both great in their supporting roles, the latter being wholly understandable as a stroppy teenager. It is undeniably an emotional read, but heartwarming too.

Motherhood can be so important to a woman, sometimes the very essence of being female, and when that is held back from you, it's hard not to feel inadequate. But there are other ways to realise your potential, even if it's not quite what you had mapped out.

I really tried to get into this book, but it wasn't my type of storyline that I enjoy reading..