This was very emotional book, well written and easy flow to the story.
My first book by Amanda Power was very interesting , she is on my favourite list of Authors( which getting bigger by the day :) ).

I understood the intensity of Lucy and her emotional turmoil . The story is very sad and hard to read .At the beginning Lucy expectations is overwhelming her ,and she starts to analyst everything. ( but in her state of mind you understand why). But by the end you understand and love her so much ( I wanted to give her hug).
I loved each and every character,But Lucy was on top ( how she coped with everything and came to the other side).

Good book makes you invest in the character, which I was from set go .
This is sad , well written book. SO PREPARE TISSUES!!!!!!

Riddle me this....how can a book where so very little actually happens be so compelling to read? This is my second Amanda Prowse novel and again she's left me an emotional wreck.

This is the story of Lucy, a successful career woman who never really wanted to be that. At forty she watches her friends enviously their marriages and children, the things she wants most in the world. Then she meets Jonah and its practically love at first sight, marriage follows....then pregnancy....then nothing. As she deals with her heartache Jonahs teenage daughter by his previous marriage comes on an extended visit rubbing salt in tender wounds.

And there it is. Like I said not much happens, if you want action you're in the wrong place. This is a story about the crap that life can throw at you but also about the treasures you can unexpectedly find. And it's beautiful. And I may have shed a tear or six. I may well have to start looking at Ms Prowses' back catalogue....but first I'll need to recover.

Thank you Netgalley, publishers and author for this review copy.

This book made cry, made me laugh, made me cry a bit more but especially made me really appreciate my family and what I have. Lovely story that meant I struggled to put down the kindle the whole way through.

This is probably the most emotional book I have read in some time. I knew going in that this would be a gut-wrenching story, but I was still unprepared for the overwhelming feelings that I would experience while reading about Lucy and Jonah's journey. The characters were relatable, the grief palpable, and the honesty of the words left me stunned.

I firmly believe that I would not have had such a visceral reaction to this book had portions of it not mirrored my own life. The first half of this book was like a terrible trip down memory lane, and the raw accuracy of the author's words as she described not only the feelings and emotions of Lucy, but of Jonah as well, were like a vice on my heart. I felt vindication, however, that I was not alone in how I had once felt/acted, but I also suffered the loss right alongside Lucy and Jonah more profoundly. I do not wish these experiences on anyone, but I do not think that a reader can fully appreciate the brutal honesty and beauty of the author's words without some kind of personal knowledge. In some ways I feel it would be so cathartic for people with similar history to read this to help cope, understand, and heal, yet at the same time re-hashing these feelings made me want to run and hide.

So why not 5 stars? If this review was based solely on the representation of miscarriage and loss, I would give this 10 stars. I enjoyed the overall story and message a lot, but there was almost too much detail (ie: the decorations in a room or on a cake, what's for dinner, etc) that made the flow of the story a little choppy. The heavily foreshadowed storyline with Bella also seemed to be dragged out unnecessarily, but I was satisfied with its resolution. These things didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of The Idea of You, but it did make things feel a little too drawn out.

This was a truly a heartbreaking and yet uplifting book. It delves into experiences and emotions not normally freely discussed and deals with them in an honest and meaningful way. The conclusion was moving and brought the story full circle. This is the first book I have read by the author and I look forward to reading more.

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*

The Idea of You is a departure from the usual books I read but I know Amanda Prowse has a devoted readership and the subject of this book is something I can identify with. I have three daughters now but have also had three miscarriages and having read some early reviews of The Idea of You knew that pregnancy loss was a main theme of the book so decided it was time to try something different.
Many people who read this book will also have first hand knowledge of pregnancy loss and so it's important to point out that the subject is sensitively handled. However, it's also (quite rightly) covered honestly, this isn't a book that deals in euphemisms when it comes to miscarriages. I believe this is entirely correct, despite being so common there still seems to be a stigma surrounding miscarriage so although this is a work of fiction I applaud the author for her open approach to the subject.
Although Lucy and Jonah's struggles to have a baby form the main thrust of the story, relationships are also an emotive theme. At first the couple seem to have an almost prefect marriage but various pressures soon end up putting their relationship under strain. I have to admit that at times I struggled to warm to the characters in the book. I had conflicting feelings about Lucy,she often seemed very naive for a successful business woman and I found her inability to discuss her problems openly to be frustrating at times. This is addressed as the book progresses and I became more sympathetic towards her later in the story. Jonah, I felt in some ways was almost a peripheral character and after a promising beginning I found him somewhat self obsessed although again I did feel sympathy for him as the book progressed. I actually found the relationship between Lucy and her stepdaughter, Camille to be the most interesting part of the book and really enjoyed the ups and downs between the two as they struggle to understand one another. Their relationship actually felt more believable to me than Lucy and Jonah's marriage which seemed to be either too idealised or near to falling apart.
The Idea of You is a warm and empathetic book that handles universal subjects with sensitivity and an honest clarity. I'm probably not quite a convert to family dramas but am very glad to have read it and can understand why so many people love Amanda Prowse's books.
Many thanks to the publishers for my copy received through Netgalley in return for this review.

Loved the book! A must read.. a beautifully written book.. an emotional roller coaster!

Although this book started out a little bit slow, it picks up and unveils a very moving story. Well written, this book puts you on an emotional roller coaster. Have a box of tissues handy. A moving, touching story of love, loss, and hope.

I adore Amanda Prowse's books; all of them. This is up there with one of her best. She just seems to be getting better and better as an author, especially when she is clearly writing about issues close to her heart. This book I felt drew similar emotions as to ones I felt while reading 'The Food of Love" and "Two and a half heartbeats" .... in that you really feel part of this family whose life you are suddenly involved in, that's how Amanda manages to make you feel when writing these books, like you are a part of the family; you almost feel their pain. The book tells the story of Lucy and her desperate desire for a family, a baby with her wonderful husband whom she met quite late in life, adding to the difficulties they encounter. Many women will relate, this may make it a tear jerker, however the disappointment felt by Lucy is told in such a wonderful manner so as not to be too intense but still portraying the heartbreak and suffering. Even if you haven't gone through any of the issues in the book, and it's not just about miscarriage, it tackles so much more, including being a step parent to a teenager (eeek!) and other family issues, such as adoption, teenage pregnancy, mother/daughter relationships....it has it all.
I was so happy when this book came out hot on the heels of 'The Food of Love' - I only hope her next is on its way soon too as I don't think anything else I read measures up to Amanda's books. I actually took my time with this one as I didn't want it to end. Hurry up with the next one :)

Beautifully written. Sensitive. Thought provoking. Another winner for Amanda Prowse.

MoMo’s Book Diary highly recommends the latest Amanda Prowse release. Be warned – you will be left an emotional wreck but it is worth it!
                       
Amanda Prowse is an incredibly talented author who writes poignant and moving books that will have you hooked in the opening pages and does not let go until the last word.

This page-turning masterpiece focuses on the heart-wrenching subject of family, parenthood and the heartbreak caused by miscarriage.

This is a real emotional read with very likeable, believable characters. I struggled with my own emotions whilst reading as I recently lost my mother and I will never be a mother.

Thank you to Netgalley, Amanda Prowse and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Oh, I loved it, I loved it!! If the things that we desperately want are not attainable, perhaps we can get happiness in a different way by changing a few things or changing our views. A great family story with the usual trials and tribulations of step families and teenagers; married life and family life being juggled. A real feel good story and I would highly recommend.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher, much to my bemusement. Most publishers send me literary fiction, or thrillers since I seem to get a lot of attention for my reviews for them, so I was expecting this to be among the same. Instead it was a simple, somewhat trite story about a woman struggling to reconcile her idea of motherhood with what the universe is intent on giving her. Lucy and Jonah are happily married after having found each other somewhat late in life. They are desperate to have a baby, but luck is not in their favor. In the midst of their fertility struggles, Jonah's teenage daughter from a previous marriage comes to live with them, throwing their lives into disarray.

This is ultimately a story about the difficulties one family faces when negotiating through unfamiliar territory with one another. There is nothing wrong with that, especially if you are a reader that really likes this kind of story, but I found it to be very uninteresting. This is the sort of thing my extended family is always going through, and I'm happy to be there for them as a sounding board, or someone to lean on, but that's because I care about them, and their unhappiness, or happiness indirectly affects my life. I never once cared enough about any of the characters in The Idea of You, so I found it hard to care much about Lucy's martyrdom, or Jonah's tantrums, or Camille's manipulations. The book wasn't written very well, with a lot of awkward dialogue, and situations. The major "reveals" of the story failed to move things along. The characters were so flat, and their actions felt like they had been written by a kid who wants her friend to act out a play she's thrown together. The author seems very proud of the fact that she's written sixteen novels in only a few years, but this comes through in the quality of her writing.

The ultimate frustration with this book is that this story is an old one, but it's classic, so if it's done well, than the story could be a good book. This isn't a very good book, but it reads easily, and if the story is your kind of thing, you will probably be satisfied with it. However, there are better books that tell a similar story. Smart Women by Judy Blume comes to mind, even if it's a bit dated. (A classic story that's well written will stand the test of time!) Abide With Me by Elizabeth Strout also deals with a family renegotiating their spaces. In A Perfect World by Laura Kasischke talks about a stepmother's struggle as the world descends to chaos. I prefer these books to The Idea of You.

This is a heartbreaking, yet lovely, uplifting story of a woman- Lucy who more than anything wants a baby with her husband Jonah.
How is it she just can't have a baby after losing so many pregnancies?
Jonah's daughter-Camille, comes for a visit. It's never been a close father-daughter relationship and now add a step-mom. Lucy works so hard to understand this teen and ultimately after much time and struggle, finds their love for each other.
But... wait there is more. After almost each chapter in the book, there is a personal letter, Lucy has written to a baby. Is it one of the babies she has lost?
This was a good read and often heart wrenching.

I received this ARC from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

From the book description... With her fortieth birthday approaching, Lucy Carpenter thinks she finally has it all: a wonderful new husband, Jonah, a successful career and the chance of a precious baby of her own. Life couldn’t be more perfect." But of course life has its own agenda.

A quick read, the writing flows nicely. I can't imagine having at baby at 40, maybe that is why this book didn't really click for me.

2.5☆ rounded up to 3☆

A realistic and heart-wrenching story that exposes all the ups and downs of motherhood, relationships and families. Another powerful read from Ms Prowse that took me on an emotional roller-coaster of a read.

Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC for which I have given a voluntary and unbiased review.

A realistic, emotional read that brings the characters to life. Sad and uplifting with love, grief and resentment running through. Another lovely Amanda Prowse story.

They found love now can they find the family they want. Wonderful good read book.

I have to be completely honest and say I haven't finished this book - but that is because it is so very beautifully written and I couldn't cope with it. I have experienced a larger than normal number of late miscarriages, and despite having read about similar situations many times, Amanda Prowse has just captured the whole experience with such reality and emotion that I found it too hard to read. I empathised too much and it took me back to some dark days. The bits I did read were very well written, with passion and compassion - there is humour and all the characters I met were so very easy to picture and relate to in different ways. I will be seeking out more of her work as I really like her style and easy pace - but this book wasn't for me right now. I should add I have four beautiful children - all rainbows!

I have no experience of miscarriages but this is a good book nevertheless. The characters are brought to life by the writing and have varied backgrounds and emotional reactions to the different situations. The way that the characters changed because of the events taking place was believable in the main. I would read other books by Amanda Prowse.

Thoroughly ejoyed this book.
Lucy appears to have it all, Jonah, a wonderful husband and a fabulous career, but is it enough?
Planning for parenthood and questioning everything when things don't go as expected.
Complications appear when Camille, Jonah's teenage daughter, arrives and lives are changed forever.
This is an emotional rollercoaster that explores the role of Motherhood in many forms. It had me grabbing for the tissues, empathising with Lucy, and hoping she would find happiness.
Not my usual read, more of a crime/psychological thriller reader, but this tale had lots of twists and turns and kept me reading until the last page.
Would recommend highly. Loved it.