Long overdue, but finally read! I felt like the story was highly predictable but was glad that Lucy didn't get what she wanted in the end...as is so often the case in these types of books but not so much in reality. Being a miscarriage survivor myself, I could relate with Lucy's inner dialogue and anguish over her inability to become pregnant. You could tell that the author was familiar with the pain of miscarriage and the longing to become a mother.

The Idea of You by Amanda Prowse is a 2017 Lake Union Publishing publication.

One of my 2019 New Year’s resolutions was to utilize by Kindle Unlimited subscription more. I had checked this book out a very long time ago, and it has been sitting on my Kindle, untouched, for ages. So, this was one of the first KU books I chose to read this year.

Amanda Prowse has received a lot of praise from some of my reviewer contemporaries, so every time I saw one of her books on sale or in the KU library, I’d grab it, but to my knowledge this is the very first book of hers that I’ve read.

So, what were my first impressions?

Lucy, after an uncomfortable breakup, meets Jonah, at a baby christening of all places. The two hit it off and waste no time making their union official. For a while, the newlyweds enjoy wedded bliss and life is good, until Lucy suffers through a couple of miscarriages, and her step-daughter, Camille, comes to stay with them.

Lucy’s preoccupation with carrying a child to term, and her tense home environment also affects her focus at work. If that weren’t bad enough several huge situations arise which could put an abrupt end to Lucy’s happily ever after-

I understand why this story resonates with so many readers. The struggle with infertility, and the strain it can place on a marriage, coupled with the challenges of a blended family and career pressures, are all real life issues many people can relate to.

Not only that, the story is pragmatic, proving that humans often make mistakes and errors in judgments, and that life is full of disappointments and unrealized goals and dreams. It’s the way one faces and meet those challenges, that will ultimately allow one to feel real joy and peace, no matter how differently things turned out from the way they envisioned them.

This is an emotional story, but it also ends on a satisfying note. The character growth is the story’s strongest element, especially with Lucy, although, the supporting cast contributes a little compromise and support as well.

My first impression of Amanda Prowse is mostly a positive one. I’m not sure that this story is the very best representation of her work, however. But it was a solid read, and I enjoyed it overall.

3.5 rounded up

I very much enjoyed this book! The subject matter is real and raw that will touch the hearts of readers. It takes you on an honest and realistic journey and would recommend to people who enjoy a deep and emotional read.

This book was not at all what I expected. I liked the cover but didn't understand it fully until getting half way through and have to say that it one of the most fitting, brilliant covers that I've ever seen. A metaphor for wanting to establish a home and have a baby but being unable to. Sheer genius.

The mechanics of the story are quite simple and it flows well chronologically. The characters we likeable and relatable and there were some excellent twists that I did not see coming and two things that I thought MUST happen did not materialise, so a masterpiece of misdirection from the author.

While the subject matter is not trivial (if you have struggled to conceive, this may be a tough read), it was a light read and I devoured the story in a day. 4.7 Stars out of 5.

It’s the kind of book where you are still thinking about it after reading, it grabs at you’re heart!!
I could relate to this subject after going through IVF and having a miscarriage I could feel the pain and longing for a child.
As always well written, emotional but heartwarming too!!!

I've read this author before, good read but not my kind of storyline I normally read. Would recommend to fans of this author, was sensitively written. Would look out for her next book

This was a provoking and emotional book. It seemed to drag on through the middle to the end, but that’s not to say that there weren’t parts of the story that made it worth trudging through. I wouldn’t read it again, but it was a good to spend a few free hours.

Miscarriages are a subject which people find difficult to talk about, there needs to be more awareness around the subject and this book tackled that with sensitivity. The pregnancy in the first part of the book was very well written. I enjoyed the read.

First I would like to thank Amanda Prowsa and Net Galley for allowing me to review The Idea of You.
Amanda is one of my turn to authors for a bit of reality after thrillers. She writes books that real women can relate too about courage, love, strength from within the family or the main character.
Amanda's character descriptions make them feel as if you know them personally and it helps us realise that even if the life the plot line describes does not work out as planned we can always look for happiness, courage, strength or love to materialise in ways which had not been thought of

Did not finish - I couldn't get into this at all. I didn't like the lead character so didn't read more than a couple of chapters.

The Idea Of You is a beautifully written, highly emotional story, which I have found completely compelling. If you are sensitive to the subject of miscarriage then you may find it a difficult read, or maybe you will find it of some comfort. I'm not really sure as this is something I have never experienced, thankfully. As a mother of two I can only imagine the devastation of losing a baby.
Lucy Carpenter is quite a complex character and one I warmed to quite quickly. She is very happily married to Jonah and has a very successful career, a loving family (despite a somewhat strained relationship with her mother), but what she wants more than anything is to have Jonah's baby. This however is proving to be more difficult than she ever imagined, despite having no problem conceiving, and she feels like time is running out as she approaches forty. Following Lucy's story has been heart-breaking. I could almost physically feel her pain as she struggled to come to terms with an unsuccessful pregnancy. The raw emotion made my heart ache for her.
When Jonah's teenager daughter, Camille, comes to stay with them for the summer holidays Lucy tries her best to make her feel welcome and to become friends, but Camille doesn't make it very easy for her and Lucy finds herself feeling like a bit of an outsider in her own home. Camille is also a constant reminder of what she longs for so it's not an easy time for Lucy. Jonah is naturally quite defensive where it comes to Camille, but I can totally empathise with Lucy as I probably would feel the same in her situation. Let's face it, men don't always understand us and often don't even try as some things are just easier for them to avoid.
I did get the feeling quite early on that there was more to learn regarding Lucy's relationship with her mother and the truth came as a shock. I thought I knew what was coming, but I was wrong. It explained a lot though and my heart broke for Lucy all over again, especially considering Jonah's reaction. I did find it a very believable reaction for a man though and I truly felt for them both and prayed that they could move on and still be happy together.
This story is an absolute roller-coaster of emotion, but ultimately uplifting and with a powerful message about family, love and cherishing all that we have in this life. I loved it and I highly recommend.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via Netgalley.

This book just didn't wow me like I had hoped. It was an interesting read about step parenting and the difficulties of a blended family. The Idea of You follows Lucy's journey as she longs for a husband and family. She meets a man and marries at 39 and they immediately start trying to have children. Several miscarriages later, their marriage is strained, and it doesn't help that Lucy is now the step parent to a 16 year old daughter.

We've all had ideas of what our future will be like and "the idea of you" - or the people / children in our future. When life doesn't work out like our ideas, that's where disappointment and resentment falls. This book captures all of this really well. I love Amanda Prowse's writing style...I just didn't connect with the story as much as I had hoped to.

had problems finishing this book. I could not relate to her disappointment and desperation over needing a man and then a child. I gave it 3 stars because it is very well written and I do not want to take away from the author's ability just because I didn't like the premise of the story.

Ive read some others by this Author, liking some more than others. They can be a little predictable and sometimes the character’s can be somewhat tedious. I would place this one somewhere in the middle. If you like her books in the main you may like this one too.

This turned out to be not my type of book. Lucy and Jonah is a married couple that has to deal with some of the hardest issues a married couple goes through. There was blending families, miscarriages, and a lack of communication when dealing emotionally with those issues. There were some very heartbreaking moments especially when dealing with the miscarriages. Any woman that has gone through that devastation would be able to relate emotionally. Any woman that has had to deal with blending a family would be able to relate. Although there were moments that I felt irritated with the actions taken in the end it was a touching story.

This specific video will be included in the November 2018 wrap-up.

For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

The story of Jonah and Lucy is like a fairytale, such deep love and the only thing to complete it is to start a family, but this proves to be harder than they thought. When Jonah’s teenage daughter Camille comes to stay with them for an extended holiday, Camille takes an instant dislike to her father’s new wife who she has never met before. Can the marriage survive this as well as all the trauma they are living through?

Lucy and Jonah are such lovely and believable characters and I just loved them both to bits.

I have read a few of this authors books and have enjoyed them all but I think this is my favourite and I can highly recommend this fantastic book that I could not put down.

This was really a heart-wrenchingly poignant family drama. The characters were interesting and the story line in modern times made it one I wanted to see with a happy ending. The topic of pregnancy, miscarriage and family was well handled by the author.

Heartbreaking and compelling. A touching novel from Amanda Prowse that I loved. She has written a truly special novel, incredibly executed.

“The Idea of You” by Amanda Prowse


What if you wanted something so badly and it was the only thing that seemed unattainable? To what degree would it affect your happiness? To what degree would you mourn? To what degree would it affect you personally? To what degree would you let it affect your relationships?

Lucy has always wanted a baby. But for one reason or another this dream and desire just seemed out of reach for her and her husband, Jonah. Throughout much of their journey toward attempted parenthood, Jonah’s teenage daughter comes to live with them. This creates a whole bunch of other challenges for Lucy, especially when her step-daughter reveals a secret she has been holding on to for some time.

An emotionally riveting novel of one woman’s journey (and dream) of motherhood, step-motherhood, woman, wife, sister and daughter.

A very personal and realistic read that will bring the reader into the novel and not let them go until the very last word.

Rating: 4.7
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love how this book got me. It was well written in how it is aimed at you. Anyone can relate to the story the author portrays. It reached me deep down and the emotions i went through in this book.