My rating: 3 of 5 stars 
The Idea of You by Amanda Prowse is an emotional tale of love, heartbreak, loss, and healing, and renewal. It’s a fast, easy read and I finished this book in one day.
The main character, Lucy, has suffered multiple miscarriages. She is also trying to bond with her 16 year old stepdaughter Camille, who clearly holds her at arms length. It makes me reflect on my own life, where I am a stepmother to two teens and I am a mother to two girls. I empathized with Lucy’s and her husband Jonah’s roles in their relationship with Camille.
The first 75% of the book describes Lucy’s struggle with miscarriages and Camille. It’s sprinkled with passages that I assumed are meant for the unborn fetuses. But then I got past 75% and then everything was revealed. The last 25% made the entire book worthwhile, when Camille’s unexpected pregnancy is the catalyst for Lucy admitting hers, and the torment that she has carried for 24 years.
What I liked:
- The proper British slang woven through the book. The British accent shined with the author’s writing.
- The ending gave a satisfying closure to the characters.
- The characters are very relatable to parents and step parents.
What I didn’t like:
- I couldn’t understand Lucy’s obsession with miscarriages until the end. I think bringing more background to her earlier in the book might bond the reader faster to her.
Grab that Kleenex for the last quarter of the book, you will need it!
Read This, Not That 