This one left me feeling a bit uncertain of it. I wanted to like it more. In fact, it is setup for an amazing story. I mean a woman ends up working with the pregnant woman her husband left her for. There were so many different directions that could have went in. So many story lines it could have taken but just didn't. However, as always just because a book isn't right up my alley doesn't mean others won't adore it.
The Impossible Search for the Perfect Man by Debbie Howells
Genres: Womens Fiction

Imagine for a moment, your husband leaves you. Then through a bizarre twist of events, you find yourself working with the girl he’s left you for – and even worse, she's pregnant...

Louisa’s not really up to any more complicated relationships. Right now, she doesn’t need them. She has good friends. Okay, so one has a screwed-up husband and the other a very strange horoscope habit. Not to mention her ex-husband’s new girlfriend, who Louisa has somehow found herself giving relationship counselling to. She doesn’t need anyone else with problems in her life right now.

It would be nice, wouldn’t it? To find a straightforward man, who isn’t remotely messed up. Now there’s a thought... But does such a man even exist?

She thinks not. But, she resolves, a life of helping other people find their happy-ever-afters is still something. But then handsome vet Marcus walks into her life. And everything changes…

Set in the Hampshire countryside against a background of horses and vets, this is a story about friendship and love, and life's way of throwing in the unexpected...

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Review

Louisa’s life takes an unexpected and heart-wrenching turn when she finds herself blindsided by a divorce she never saw coming. Her world is shattered, and just when she thinks things can’t get any more complicated, her ex-husband’s expectant girlfriend begins working alongside her at the veterinary clinic where she’s employed. Talk about an awkward and emotionally charged predicament!

As I delved into this book, I discovered an intricate tapestry of emotions and relationships that left a deep impression. There were elements of the narrative that resonated with me on a profound level, while others left me wishing for a swifter pace. The story, at times, seemed to meander, and I couldn’t help but feel that it could have benefited from some judicious editing to maintain its momentum.

One aspect that struck me as rather bewildering was the sheer number of entangled relationships that played out within the confines of the veterinary clinic. Potential relationships, past connections, and budding romances swirled around the characters daily, making it a wonder that any work got accomplished at all.

Louisa, the central character, evoked a complex mix of emotions within me. At times, her actions left me frustrated, while on other occasions, her confusion mirrored the genuine struggles of real-life individuals navigating tumultuous relationships and unexpected life changes.

Furthermore, the story presented a somewhat enigmatic financial situation. I couldn’t help but wonder how Louisa managed to purchase a house so swiftly after her divorce, especially while owning and caring for two horses, a financial commitment that doesn’t come cheap. Surprisingly, financial challenges were rarely mentioned throughout the narrative, leaving me with more than a few lingering questions.

Overall, the book boasts a promising premise, which interweaves moments of lightheartedness with instances of deeper emotional gravity. While not without its imperfections, I found myself intrigued and willing to explore future works by this author. I particularly relished the gradual development of the relationship between Louisa and Marcus, which added a satisfying dimension to the story.

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