Would you settle for Mr. Less-Than-Ideal for a chance at happily ever after?

Registrar Maddie Winter has overseen enough weddings to know that marriage is not just for Christmas (or Valentine’s Day) – it’s for life, and regardless of whether the ceremony involves specially trained owls, dinosaurs, or the police, it should be only the beginning of a story that will end in happily-ever-after.

Saying that Maddie’s own married life is far from perfect – her husband, David, is more interested in his phone than in her, and when he suddenly walks out, Maddie’s long-held beliefs are put to the test.

Except Maddie knows David was never really her ‘Mr. Ideal’; that was sweet, funny, motorbike-riding Josh Diamond – although obviously not that ideal, as he did dump her to move to the States.

Even so, when Josh unexpectedly rides back into town, Maddie begins to wonder whether her happily-ever-after could still be to come …

Titles in the Recipes for Life series include — Recipe for Mr. Right —♥— Recipe for Mr. Perfect —♥— Recipe for Mr. Super —♥— Recipe for Mr. Ideal —♥—

ChocLit ARC

Title:  Recipe for Mr. Ideal
Series:  Recipes for Life #4
Author:  Anni Rose
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  February 28, 2023
Publisher:  ChocLit/Ruby Fiction
My Rating:  4.5

I had such a good time with Recipe for Mr. Ideal.  This is definitely a story that can be read on its own; although it is part of a series, only the location ties them all together.

Sometimes we settle in life, and that’s exactly what Maddie has done for years now.  For the entire length of her marriage to David, she’s settled because he isn’t the love of her life.  No, that man did a disappearing act when he left the country…  so she moved on.  Now she’s seeing her husband through clearer eyes when he basically says he needs space and walks away.  She’s learning that he isn’t the man she thought he was.  And his lies and deceit have ultimately cost her so much.

Josh has returned, well, at least for a work-related visit.  He’s learning that his old best friend, David, wasn’t really that much of a true friend after all.  And his love for Maddie has never lessened over time.  Perhaps they have a second chance to get it right this time.

I loved Maddie and the reactions she has to some silly antics at the weddings she officiates at.  I spent a lot of time just wiping away tears of laughter with their story.  And I love a second chance romance that brings two people back together who never should have been parted.

Josh and Maddie’s story is so good, and it’s well-written, emotional, funny, engaging, and real to life.  I enjoyed myself and would not hesitate to recommend this story to any reader who loves second chances and laughter in their romances.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent.*

Available in audio or for your favorite e-reader