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Good Husband Material
Another warm, wise and witty offering from Sunday Times bestseller Trisha Ashley.
James is everything Tish has ever wanted in a husband – she’s married a man who even her mother approves of. He’s handsome, dependable, and will make an excellent father – unlike Tish’s first love, the disreputable Fergal. Her teenage sweetheart abandoned her for a music career and now lives a typical celebrity lifestyle. Fergal broke her heart – James helped mend it.
Now, they’ve bought a cottage in the country. The next step – kids and a lifetime of domestic bliss. Well, that’s the plan. And even if James has a slight tendency to view the village pub as a second home, their relationship is still in pretty good shape after seven years of marriage. So why is marriage to Mr Right making her long for Mr Wrong?(less)
James is everything Tish has ever wanted in a husband – she’s married a man who even her mother approves of. He’s handsome, dependable, and will make an excellent father – unlike Tish’s first love, the disreputable Fergal. Her teenage sweetheart abandoned her for a music career and now lives a typical celebrity lifestyle. Fergal broke her heart – James helped mend it.
Now, they’ve bought a cottage in the country. The next step – kids and a lifetime of domestic bliss. Well, that’s the plan. And even if James has a slight tendency to view the village pub as a second home, their relationship is still in pretty good shape after seven years of marriage. So why is marriage to Mr Right making her long for Mr Wrong?(less)
513 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
133 people are currently reading
1483 people want to read
About the author
Trisha Ashley
50 books1,092 followersTrisha Ashley is now a full-time novelist, but she has been known to work for stained glass makers and/or plumbers. She likes to paint, eat, drink, and read literary biographies. Her previous hobbies included getting divorced and packing to move. She claims to have once actually eaten Bronte burgers at the Branwell café, but her publisher declines to verify this. She lives in North Wales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
May 13, 2013
I couldn't figure out at first why the dates were all 1999 - I was thinking - why set a book ten or so years ago unless for part of that book you're going to bring us up to date. Ah - then I saw it had originally been published in 2000 - which explained a lot. It had a slightly out of date feel to it. Typing on type writers and then transferring to an Amstrad, lack of mobile phones etc etc.
I didn't mind all that. I just wish I'd known beforehand. What I did mind was a heroine who clearly was not in love with her husband who for over half of the book showed us quite clearly she was not in love and yet didn't do a thing about it. He was a horrible guy and I failed to see what she could have seen in him. But when she did see the light - she was like a different character - so hard and firm - I thought - where were you a few months ago? Similar problem with the love of her life who hasn't seen her for a long while - usual clichéd plot twists to explain why but WHY did he still love her? he'd not seen her for 10 years? I just didn't get it. Nor did I get
There were some very funny lines. I liked her as a character for some of the time. The supporting characters were interesting. The plot for me - was too weak but that's probably just me.
If you want a very light read it's probably fine but I was a little disappointed.
I didn't mind all that. I just wish I'd known beforehand. What I did mind was a heroine who clearly was not in love with her husband who for over half of the book showed us quite clearly she was not in love and yet didn't do a thing about it. He was a horrible guy and I failed to see what she could have seen in him. But when she did see the light - she was like a different character - so hard and firm - I thought - where were you a few months ago? Similar problem with the love of her life who hasn't seen her for a long while - usual clichéd plot twists to explain why but WHY did he still love her? he'd not seen her for 10 years? I just didn't get it. Nor did I get
There were some very funny lines. I liked her as a character for some of the time. The supporting characters were interesting. The plot for me - was too weak but that's probably just me.
If you want a very light read it's probably fine but I was a little disappointed.
September 13, 2013
Let me start by saying that I'm a huge Trisha Ashley fan, and read anything of hers I can get my hands on. I'm so happy in this day of Kindle and Amazon UK since this device has allowed me to get more of her books (and books from UK Rom Com novelists like Jill Mansell, Katie Fforde, etc)
The story starts with a prologue, when Tish falls for Fergal, who is a classic bad-boy rocker. She dreamed of marriage and commitment, and he clumsily fails to give her the answers or reassurance she craves.
Thinking she can't have the love of her heart, she settles for James, who seems the picture of what a husband should be. He has a stable job, he's handsome in a conventional way, and (gasp) her mother approves.
Tish is a commercial novelist who wants little more than a cottage in the quiet countryside and a companion at her side. James, however, isn't on board. He wants to move back to the city, where he can be in the middle of it all. He lets Tish know how restless and dissatisfied he is by cooking up reasons to stay out late, and for not coming home at all.
Enter Fergal, who buys the grandest house in the town, putting himself smack in the middle of where Tish cannot ignore him. Practical and self-sufficient, Tish is presented with a problem to solve in short order. I like the way this heroine gets on with it. As a reader, I didn't find myself shouting at her to make the obvious next move, as I sometimes do with thinly drawn Chick Lit characters. There are reasons she does the things she does, and she navigates the obstacles around her with fortitude and integrity. Still, as a reader, I felt her pain.
As if a good story and good characters aren't enough, let me mention what I like most about Trisha Ashley's books: They're funny. The author has a wry way of making a joke that's not your normal pie in the face shot. She's smart and subtle, and it comes out in the dialogue she writes.
Though there are a few heavy themes, some having to do with the cold, hard facts of marriage, this book is a light, romantic story in the end. That's what I was looking for, and I was not disappointed. That said, it didn't read like fluff; it's smarter than that. Highly recommended.
The story starts with a prologue, when Tish falls for Fergal, who is a classic bad-boy rocker. She dreamed of marriage and commitment, and he clumsily fails to give her the answers or reassurance she craves.
Thinking she can't have the love of her heart, she settles for James, who seems the picture of what a husband should be. He has a stable job, he's handsome in a conventional way, and (gasp) her mother approves.
Tish is a commercial novelist who wants little more than a cottage in the quiet countryside and a companion at her side. James, however, isn't on board. He wants to move back to the city, where he can be in the middle of it all. He lets Tish know how restless and dissatisfied he is by cooking up reasons to stay out late, and for not coming home at all.
Enter Fergal, who buys the grandest house in the town, putting himself smack in the middle of where Tish cannot ignore him. Practical and self-sufficient, Tish is presented with a problem to solve in short order. I like the way this heroine gets on with it. As a reader, I didn't find myself shouting at her to make the obvious next move, as I sometimes do with thinly drawn Chick Lit characters. There are reasons she does the things she does, and she navigates the obstacles around her with fortitude and integrity. Still, as a reader, I felt her pain.
As if a good story and good characters aren't enough, let me mention what I like most about Trisha Ashley's books: They're funny. The author has a wry way of making a joke that's not your normal pie in the face shot. She's smart and subtle, and it comes out in the dialogue she writes.
Though there are a few heavy themes, some having to do with the cold, hard facts of marriage, this book is a light, romantic story in the end. That's what I was looking for, and I was not disappointed. That said, it didn't read like fluff; it's smarter than that. Highly recommended.
September 22, 2018
Very typical Trisha Ashley, light and easy to read. Good holiday reading.
August 14, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it was absolutely comforting to read about a woman, having the courage to liberate herself from a toxic husband , who she was led to believe was the perfect husband and enjoying her independence in a country cottage. The countryside life was pictured wonderfully throughout the book. I will definitly read more from this author.
April 9, 2013
First of all, a confession. This is the first Trisha Ashley novel I have ever read! Sorry, Trisha! I own several of her books and they are all sitting waiting patiently on my to-be-read pile, and have been for months or even years. It's nothing personal against Trisha or her writing...I just buy too many books and can't get round to reading them all fast enough! So, given that I already possessed at least four other novels by this author, what on earth made me start to read Good Husband Material the minute I saw it in the shop? Well, I loved the cover for a start, and the title intrigued me. Good husband material? Hmm, would love to know what that is! I read the blurb on the back cover and just knew I had to read this, and having finished it this evening I had to post a review because, yes, it really is a five star novel.
I just adored everything about this. The writing was fantastic. The narrative style was so appealing and so easy to read. I loved the fact that the story was mostly told from the first person viewpoint of Tish, our heroine, a redhead in denial. She is a marvellous creation and I was rooting for her all the way. Fergal is a gorgeous hero (of course!) and his viewpoint is cleverly woven in through a series of headlines in local and national magazines and newspapers as he muses on the difference between the way he is perceived in the media and the reality of his life and feelings.
The secondary characters were a wonderful assortment that held my interest. A batty grandmother, a pathetic mother, jealous women, a wily shopkeeper, weird neighbours...Even the animals were fascinating, featuring a Borzoi (or bourgeois bitch) called Bess, a rude parrot called Toby, a deformed cat and assorted offspring and hangers-on. Tish's husband, the man her mother had decided long ago was "good husband material", is a character who slowly shows himself to be the opposite of what Tish initially believes him to be. As the book develops we see layer upon layer of James unpeeling to reveal a distinctly unattractive and rather weak man.
The setting itself was lovely, with the village really coming to life under Trisha's skilful writing. It may come as no surprise to discover where Tish ends up and who with, but the thrill is the journey she takes to get to that point. The narration is witty and sharp and there is some sparkling dialogue, which all goes to ensure that the book never flags and keeps you reading right to the end to find out how Tish will get her happy ending in spite of all the obstacles thrown at her.
I am so glad I read this book and very pleased that I have several more of Trisha's novels ready and waiting to read. They have been bumped up on my waiting list and I'm very much looking forward to them. I understand that this is a reprint of a novel previously published some thirteen years ago, but I didn't consider it to be dated, although, as a previous reviewer mentioned, the lack of mobile phones, internet etc is quite startling, if only to remind us how much things have changed in such a short period of time. Some things, however, never change, and love, thank goodness, is one of those things. So, if you want a well-written, sparkling love story with extremely believable and likeable characters and a lovely setting, buy this book! Great reading material.
I just adored everything about this. The writing was fantastic. The narrative style was so appealing and so easy to read. I loved the fact that the story was mostly told from the first person viewpoint of Tish, our heroine, a redhead in denial. She is a marvellous creation and I was rooting for her all the way. Fergal is a gorgeous hero (of course!) and his viewpoint is cleverly woven in through a series of headlines in local and national magazines and newspapers as he muses on the difference between the way he is perceived in the media and the reality of his life and feelings.
The secondary characters were a wonderful assortment that held my interest. A batty grandmother, a pathetic mother, jealous women, a wily shopkeeper, weird neighbours...Even the animals were fascinating, featuring a Borzoi (or bourgeois bitch) called Bess, a rude parrot called Toby, a deformed cat and assorted offspring and hangers-on. Tish's husband, the man her mother had decided long ago was "good husband material", is a character who slowly shows himself to be the opposite of what Tish initially believes him to be. As the book develops we see layer upon layer of James unpeeling to reveal a distinctly unattractive and rather weak man.
The setting itself was lovely, with the village really coming to life under Trisha's skilful writing. It may come as no surprise to discover where Tish ends up and who with, but the thrill is the journey she takes to get to that point. The narration is witty and sharp and there is some sparkling dialogue, which all goes to ensure that the book never flags and keeps you reading right to the end to find out how Tish will get her happy ending in spite of all the obstacles thrown at her.
I am so glad I read this book and very pleased that I have several more of Trisha's novels ready and waiting to read. They have been bumped up on my waiting list and I'm very much looking forward to them. I understand that this is a reprint of a novel previously published some thirteen years ago, but I didn't consider it to be dated, although, as a previous reviewer mentioned, the lack of mobile phones, internet etc is quite startling, if only to remind us how much things have changed in such a short period of time. Some things, however, never change, and love, thank goodness, is one of those things. So, if you want a well-written, sparkling love story with extremely believable and likeable characters and a lovely setting, buy this book! Great reading material.
July 15, 2015
• "Romeo and Juliet fell in love, grew up, argued, and parted.
Juliet became a boring suburban housewife getting her kicks from writing romantic novels, and Romeo became a drug-crazed sex-maniac rock star. . ." •
Reseña:
James es todo lo que Tish siempre ha querido en un marido (hasta su propia madre lo aprueba). Es guapo, confiable, y será un excelente padre, a diferencia del primer amor de Tish, el desprestigiado Fergal. Su novio de la adolescencia la abandonó por una carrera musical, ahora su estilo de vida es típico de una celebridad. Fergal le rompió el corazón mientras que James la ayudó a repararlo.
Ahora, Tish y James han comprado una casa de campo en Nutthill, Inglaterra. El siguiente paso: niños y una vida de felicidad. Bueno, ese es el plan… Aunque James tiene una ligera tendencia a ver el bar del pueblo como un segundo hogar su relación se encuentra todavía en muy buen estado, después de siete años de matrimonio…
¿Por qué desea a Mr. Wrong cuando tiene a Mr. Right?
Impresiones:
Es el primer libro que leo de esta autora, se me hizo muyyyy aburrido al comienzo, no llegaba más a la página 100 y pensé que en cualquier momento lo iba a terminar abandonando, los personajes no ayudaban mucho tampoco. Tish es insoportable, obsesiva con la limpieza, no le gustan los perros, utiliza ciertos términos para referirse a los animales y a los niños que me shockearon y hasta me hirieron, la odié!!!!! Luego se hace más tolerable, me gustó la transformación que tuvo este personaje, pero no quiero meterme tanto en el tema para no spolear el libro...
James es lo peor que hay, abogado, super aburrido, en ningún momento me dió la impresión de que tenga aunque sea un 5% para ser un Mr. Right, pero bue... James junto con la madre de Tish son lo más insoportable que hay...
Fergal...¡Oh Fergal!... lo mejor del libro, morocho, ojos verdes, proviene de familia Irlandesa-Italiana ♥ plusssss! es un rock star ♥ Es lo más tierno que hay! Cuando él aparece el libro comienza a ponerse más interesante y entretenido por suerte!!!! :D (más o menos página 120)... Así que me alegré por no desistir jeje. Me hubiera gustado que Fergal apareciera en más escenas y más capítulos igual...
Creo que es un libro el cual hay que tenerle paciencia al principio, tiene muchas descripciones, ahonda mucho en la relación de Tish con su madre, su abuela, los vecinos, el pueblo donde vive en general por eso en algunos momentos se me hizo un poco aburrido y lento, pero luego de la página 120 mejoró y no pude parar de leerlo!!! :D :D :D :D
3.5 de 5 estrellas.
Más: http://la-abadia-literaria.blogspot.c...
Juliet became a boring suburban housewife getting her kicks from writing romantic novels, and Romeo became a drug-crazed sex-maniac rock star. . ." •
Reseña:
James es todo lo que Tish siempre ha querido en un marido (hasta su propia madre lo aprueba). Es guapo, confiable, y será un excelente padre, a diferencia del primer amor de Tish, el desprestigiado Fergal. Su novio de la adolescencia la abandonó por una carrera musical, ahora su estilo de vida es típico de una celebridad. Fergal le rompió el corazón mientras que James la ayudó a repararlo.
Ahora, Tish y James han comprado una casa de campo en Nutthill, Inglaterra. El siguiente paso: niños y una vida de felicidad. Bueno, ese es el plan… Aunque James tiene una ligera tendencia a ver el bar del pueblo como un segundo hogar su relación se encuentra todavía en muy buen estado, después de siete años de matrimonio…
¿Por qué desea a Mr. Wrong cuando tiene a Mr. Right?
Impresiones:
Es el primer libro que leo de esta autora, se me hizo muyyyy aburrido al comienzo, no llegaba más a la página 100 y pensé que en cualquier momento lo iba a terminar abandonando, los personajes no ayudaban mucho tampoco. Tish es insoportable, obsesiva con la limpieza, no le gustan los perros, utiliza ciertos términos para referirse a los animales y a los niños que me shockearon y hasta me hirieron, la odié!!!!! Luego se hace más tolerable, me gustó la transformación que tuvo este personaje, pero no quiero meterme tanto en el tema para no spolear el libro...
James es lo peor que hay, abogado, super aburrido, en ningún momento me dió la impresión de que tenga aunque sea un 5% para ser un Mr. Right, pero bue... James junto con la madre de Tish son lo más insoportable que hay...
Fergal...¡Oh Fergal!... lo mejor del libro, morocho, ojos verdes, proviene de familia Irlandesa-Italiana ♥ plusssss! es un rock star ♥ Es lo más tierno que hay! Cuando él aparece el libro comienza a ponerse más interesante y entretenido por suerte!!!! :D (más o menos página 120)... Así que me alegré por no desistir jeje. Me hubiera gustado que Fergal apareciera en más escenas y más capítulos igual...
Creo que es un libro el cual hay que tenerle paciencia al principio, tiene muchas descripciones, ahonda mucho en la relación de Tish con su madre, su abuela, los vecinos, el pueblo donde vive en general por eso en algunos momentos se me hizo un poco aburrido y lento, pero luego de la página 120 mejoró y no pude parar de leerlo!!! :D :D :D :D
3.5 de 5 estrellas.
Más: http://la-abadia-literaria.blogspot.c...
April 1, 2013
I want to start by saying how gorgeous the cover is. It is truly beautiful and eye-catching, and I even heard two ladies discussing the ‘pretty cover’ in ASDA last week!
Tish fell in love with Fergal when she was younger. He was her first love, however he broke her heart, as she wanted a husband, and he wanted a life of rock and roll, of fame and of fortune. Now married to James, she believes she has everything she wants in a husband – he is handsome, dependable and he is also great father material. Having recently purchased a cottage in the country where Tish can work as a romance writer, it seems to be the life she has dreamed of. But James seems to be changing, spending more time at the pub and losing interest in things. And then Fergal suddenly arrives in the village, stirring things up, and causing Tish to wonder if Fergal was actually the man for her?
The characters were great – I especially liked Tish. As most of the book is written from her point of view we gain an insight into Tish, her personality, her thoughts and her feelings. One thing I particularly liked about Tish was that she was honest, and so many times I found myself smiling and laughing at the things she said or did. I thought Fergal was BRILLIANTLY written too, he made the book for me.
The setting was lovely, I liked that the book was set in the countryside, and it made the novel more enjoyable as Trisha managed to capture the atmosphere of the village and the people who live there.
Trisha Ashley has written a wonderful book that kept me guessing, and I’m sure this will be the same with other readers. I had no idea how the story was going to pan out, what would happen between Tish and Fergal, if anything, and what would happen with James too! Good Husband Material is a delightful book with some humorous moments, romance and all set in a beautiful little village. It is a light, easy read so make sure you buy a copy!
Tish fell in love with Fergal when she was younger. He was her first love, however he broke her heart, as she wanted a husband, and he wanted a life of rock and roll, of fame and of fortune. Now married to James, she believes she has everything she wants in a husband – he is handsome, dependable and he is also great father material. Having recently purchased a cottage in the country where Tish can work as a romance writer, it seems to be the life she has dreamed of. But James seems to be changing, spending more time at the pub and losing interest in things. And then Fergal suddenly arrives in the village, stirring things up, and causing Tish to wonder if Fergal was actually the man for her?
The characters were great – I especially liked Tish. As most of the book is written from her point of view we gain an insight into Tish, her personality, her thoughts and her feelings. One thing I particularly liked about Tish was that she was honest, and so many times I found myself smiling and laughing at the things she said or did. I thought Fergal was BRILLIANTLY written too, he made the book for me.
The setting was lovely, I liked that the book was set in the countryside, and it made the novel more enjoyable as Trisha managed to capture the atmosphere of the village and the people who live there.
Trisha Ashley has written a wonderful book that kept me guessing, and I’m sure this will be the same with other readers. I had no idea how the story was going to pan out, what would happen between Tish and Fergal, if anything, and what would happen with James too! Good Husband Material is a delightful book with some humorous moments, romance and all set in a beautiful little village. It is a light, easy read so make sure you buy a copy!
July 11, 2013
I'm sorry to say that it wasn't a delightful read. I spent most of the time getting irritated over James. Using up all the hot water and leaving none for your wife, grumbling about the choice of dinner, calling your wife's career rubbish and countless more examples... I don't see how that can be described as a "good husband material" as stated in the book's synopsis.
There is also an overused number of words with upper case letters like Horrible Howard, Poor Little Me and the Lump. I personally feel these should be used sparingly otherwise the story may lose its humorous essence.
However, I think it's a refreshing way of telling a story. I like how the author uses the end of each chapter to let us into Fergal's thoughts.
It's also a beautiful cover.
There is also an overused number of words with upper case letters like Horrible Howard, Poor Little Me and the Lump. I personally feel these should be used sparingly otherwise the story may lose its humorous essence.
However, I think it's a refreshing way of telling a story. I like how the author uses the end of each chapter to let us into Fergal's thoughts.
It's also a beautiful cover.
December 29, 2014
Too much repetition from CHOCOLATE WISHES (True Love apparently abandoned her to go off and be a rock star! Oh, and someone awful just might have been underhandedly involved in that apparent desertion. And a drunken night of rekindled passion (No, woman, I didn't think you were drunk! Couldn't keep you off me!) about which she's mortified results in the same thing. Also quite a bit too long and James was anything but a good husband, material or otherwise, which was quite dragged out. Awful mother again too. Still had some lovely moments, and I didn't get to throwing it away in disgust, so rounding up, but still disappointing after thinking I'd found a firm new favourite in Ashley.
April 19, 2020
Couldn’t really get into the characters with this one but enjoyable by the end
Read
August 6, 2021zzzzzzzzz
August 4, 2024
I do adore Trisha Ashley. Being in the US , it is somewhat hard to find books by her. Audibles has a lot but not all. I ordered this from Thrift Books.
I enjoy Trisha’s books because , they are for the most part light hearted and humorous. Also an one of the best things is Trisha Ashley has a wonderful way of bringing you to the places, where her characters abide. I’ve never been to the UK but after reading one of her books, I feel as though I have been.
This book is about a woman Latisha(Tish) in her early thirties, married to a handsome and up to this point loyal, loving James. While she writes her romance novels and he is solicitor in his uncles law firm, They (she)want a cottage in the country but after getting one, things unravel. He isn’t so steadfast.
Tishs’ ex rockstar boyfriend moves into the village grand hall. James is very jealous when he finds out his wife dated said rockstar when she was still a student.
Trisha Ashley usually has several threads weaving thru her books an this one is no different. Charming, yet, oddball neighbors, funny pets and lots of village gossip. Makes me want to move to one of her tiny villages with tiny cottages, a village green, a cute old vicar, and quaint country fetes.
I enjoy Trisha’s books because , they are for the most part light hearted and humorous. Also an one of the best things is Trisha Ashley has a wonderful way of bringing you to the places, where her characters abide. I’ve never been to the UK but after reading one of her books, I feel as though I have been.
This book is about a woman Latisha(Tish) in her early thirties, married to a handsome and up to this point loyal, loving James. While she writes her romance novels and he is solicitor in his uncles law firm, They (she)want a cottage in the country but after getting one, things unravel. He isn’t so steadfast.
Tishs’ ex rockstar boyfriend moves into the village grand hall. James is very jealous when he finds out his wife dated said rockstar when she was still a student.
Trisha Ashley usually has several threads weaving thru her books an this one is no different. Charming, yet, oddball neighbors, funny pets and lots of village gossip. Makes me want to move to one of her tiny villages with tiny cottages, a village green, a cute old vicar, and quaint country fetes.
June 29, 2025
I felt it dragged a bit with a lot of toing and froing, will they won’t they but I did enjoy the story and love a happy ending! Would make a good holiday read!
March 20, 2013
I received a copy of "Good Husband Material" in exchange for an honest review.
I have read just one book of Trisha Ashley and I didn't like it too much but I always like to try an author again. Well, it's good that I did it:)
At the beginning I have thought, well, Tish, who the hell are you? She was always dissatisfied, was obsessed with bacteria and looked like she doesn't like animals. But while reading I got used to her, to her funny ways and in the end she was not bad at all. Actually, she was a funny, warm person and I really liked the way she was, how cynical and witty she was. Actually I think that if you have such a family than you must have some phobia :) Tish is a little naive, she wants to see just the good in other people and life bites her in her back from time to time because of this. But she is developing, and she can finally fight for herself and she does it in funny ways.
The other characters are drawn in a hilarious way, I think some of them are a little exaggerated but it gives just more humour to the book. James was ridiculous, how did Tish manage with him so long??? So ancient in his views but such a hypocrite as well, I just wanted to shake him, slap him, and I just rolled my eyes when I read his opinions.
It's nice when the characters in the book are soooo moving, I like to like or hate them and I like to keep my fingers crossed for them, and I like to feel for them and I had this all in this book.
Fergal is an every girl dream I think:) So masculine and macho and bad on the surface, and so soft and lovely inside, wow, I just wanted to purr like a cat, lay on my back and let him stroke my tummy :) Tish's mother, sorry - mummy, was more ridiculous than James, although I don't know if it is possible.
The book was set in a village and I think that Ashley has wonderfully captured the real character of it: the nature of people living in the country, its atmosphere, fact that everybody knew everything about the others but also the fact that they are warm and nice people, always ready to help each other.
So, it was a really nice read, full of down - to - earth humour and laugh - out - loud moments, a real page turner, as I couldn't put it down. Some ideas were ridiculous but it made the book so unpredictable, I didn't know what is going to happen next. OK, the plot led to the one and only end but nevertheless it was a perfect read.
I have read just one book of Trisha Ashley and I didn't like it too much but I always like to try an author again. Well, it's good that I did it:)
At the beginning I have thought, well, Tish, who the hell are you? She was always dissatisfied, was obsessed with bacteria and looked like she doesn't like animals. But while reading I got used to her, to her funny ways and in the end she was not bad at all. Actually, she was a funny, warm person and I really liked the way she was, how cynical and witty she was. Actually I think that if you have such a family than you must have some phobia :) Tish is a little naive, she wants to see just the good in other people and life bites her in her back from time to time because of this. But she is developing, and she can finally fight for herself and she does it in funny ways.
The other characters are drawn in a hilarious way, I think some of them are a little exaggerated but it gives just more humour to the book. James was ridiculous, how did Tish manage with him so long??? So ancient in his views but such a hypocrite as well, I just wanted to shake him, slap him, and I just rolled my eyes when I read his opinions.
It's nice when the characters in the book are soooo moving, I like to like or hate them and I like to keep my fingers crossed for them, and I like to feel for them and I had this all in this book.
Fergal is an every girl dream I think:) So masculine and macho and bad on the surface, and so soft and lovely inside, wow, I just wanted to purr like a cat, lay on my back and let him stroke my tummy :) Tish's mother, sorry - mummy, was more ridiculous than James, although I don't know if it is possible.
The book was set in a village and I think that Ashley has wonderfully captured the real character of it: the nature of people living in the country, its atmosphere, fact that everybody knew everything about the others but also the fact that they are warm and nice people, always ready to help each other.
So, it was a really nice read, full of down - to - earth humour and laugh - out - loud moments, a real page turner, as I couldn't put it down. Some ideas were ridiculous but it made the book so unpredictable, I didn't know what is going to happen next. OK, the plot led to the one and only end but nevertheless it was a perfect read.
April 7, 2013
Fergal is a famous rock star, reputed to life a wild and promiscuous life. But he still remembers the 17-year-old Tish, who fell for him in quite a dramatic way...
The story takes place when Tish is 30 and comfortably married to the reliable but slightly dull James. Inevitably her path is going to cross with Fergal's again, and inevitably her marriage with James is going to take a downward turn. I started by feeilng sorry for James, but despite being 'good husband material', at least according to Tish's mother, he's a demanding and chauvinistic person who treats Tish like an unpaid housekeeper, and treats her successful novel writing as a hobby.
While the main plot is predictable, there are fascinating observations about village life, and some wonderful minor characters. There is a hint of mystery about Tish’s own past, and also about why James is spending increasing amounts of time away from home, but in both cases I easily guessed what was going on, long before Tish herself was enlightened. I wasn’t surprised, either, at a more significant revelation near the end of the book which somehow startled Tish - but none of that mattered.
‘Good Husband Material’ is light, and fluffy, and good fun. I read the second half of the book almost in one sitting and did not get bored for a moment. All in all, I would recommend this as ideal light holiday reading; it’s available for the Kindle as well as having been re-published in paperback.
The story takes place when Tish is 30 and comfortably married to the reliable but slightly dull James. Inevitably her path is going to cross with Fergal's again, and inevitably her marriage with James is going to take a downward turn. I started by feeilng sorry for James, but despite being 'good husband material', at least according to Tish's mother, he's a demanding and chauvinistic person who treats Tish like an unpaid housekeeper, and treats her successful novel writing as a hobby.
While the main plot is predictable, there are fascinating observations about village life, and some wonderful minor characters. There is a hint of mystery about Tish’s own past, and also about why James is spending increasing amounts of time away from home, but in both cases I easily guessed what was going on, long before Tish herself was enlightened. I wasn’t surprised, either, at a more significant revelation near the end of the book which somehow startled Tish - but none of that mattered.
‘Good Husband Material’ is light, and fluffy, and good fun. I read the second half of the book almost in one sitting and did not get bored for a moment. All in all, I would recommend this as ideal light holiday reading; it’s available for the Kindle as well as having been re-published in paperback.
April 1, 2013
Tish, is married to James - Good Husband Material, according to her Mother (Mummy), but are things different behind closed doors?
As far as Tish's Mother is concerned, James can do no wrong to the point that James confides all in Tish's Mother who believes James is always Mr Right. Thank goodness for Gran who has the measure of Tish's almost eccentric Mother.
Tish knows that all it not well in their relationship but those little niggles can , hopefully, be ironed out once they moved into their idyllic cottage in a Bedfordshire village.
A series of events put Tish and James' marriage to the test when a few secrets creep out of the woodwork and Fergal moves into the country manor at the bottom of the garden.
Fergal's comments on media headlines were a nice touch in the story.
Behind that gorgeous, fluffy cover is an edgy rom-com that explores how sometimes marriage is not always what it seems. How you can live with someone for years and not really see what is right in front of you. Trisha Ashley weaves into this novel some of the complex issues involved in complicated marriages and breakups.
This is a re-release of Trisha Ashley's novel from 2000 which is apparent in the writing and gives the novel the extra charm as a time capsule read
As far as Tish's Mother is concerned, James can do no wrong to the point that James confides all in Tish's Mother who believes James is always Mr Right. Thank goodness for Gran who has the measure of Tish's almost eccentric Mother.
Tish knows that all it not well in their relationship but those little niggles can , hopefully, be ironed out once they moved into their idyllic cottage in a Bedfordshire village.
A series of events put Tish and James' marriage to the test when a few secrets creep out of the woodwork and Fergal moves into the country manor at the bottom of the garden.
Fergal's comments on media headlines were a nice touch in the story.
Behind that gorgeous, fluffy cover is an edgy rom-com that explores how sometimes marriage is not always what it seems. How you can live with someone for years and not really see what is right in front of you. Trisha Ashley weaves into this novel some of the complex issues involved in complicated marriages and breakups.
This is a re-release of Trisha Ashley's novel from 2000 which is apparent in the writing and gives the novel the extra charm as a time capsule read
August 2, 2013
After feeling that she was messed around and badly let down by her first love Fergal, who is now a big Rock Star, Tish settled with the more reliable and dependable James. ‘Good Husband Material’
Life seems perfect and Tish and James move into a cottage in the country together. However when a chance meeting with Fergal happens, James is shocked to find out that his quiet librarian wife once dated a rock star and he is jealous.
Tish is about to discover that both men are not what she thought they were.
This is another brilliant read from author Trisha Ashley. I loved escaping in this five hundred page novel, observing the characters and becoming involved in Tish’s life. I really found Tish’s mum really entertaining and really good fun. This is a book with good humour a warm witty read perfect to take for your holiday read.
Life seems perfect and Tish and James move into a cottage in the country together. However when a chance meeting with Fergal happens, James is shocked to find out that his quiet librarian wife once dated a rock star and he is jealous.
Tish is about to discover that both men are not what she thought they were.
This is another brilliant read from author Trisha Ashley. I loved escaping in this five hundred page novel, observing the characters and becoming involved in Tish’s life. I really found Tish’s mum really entertaining and really good fun. This is a book with good humour a warm witty read perfect to take for your holiday read.
October 29, 2018
1st read 4/15/13: 3.5 stars.
Kind of boring in the middle, but lots to enjoy.
What I appreciated about this novel was the way Tish was not a doormat and stuck up for herself. I also like that she was a germophobe and a clean freak. Those are unusual characteristics, and it is nice to see something different like that. I liked the way Fergal was caring and protective even before their relationship was concrete. As usual with Ashley's books, the secondary characters (human and non) add a lot of fun to the romance itself
This will become a comfort re-read for me.
Re-read 12/20/14.
Re-read again 12/1/16. I think this is one of my favorite Trisha Ashley books. They both have so much quirky personality. I love the alternating POVs!
Kind of boring in the middle, but lots to enjoy.
What I appreciated about this novel was the way Tish was not a doormat and stuck up for herself. I also like that she was a germophobe and a clean freak. Those are unusual characteristics, and it is nice to see something different like that. I liked the way Fergal was caring and protective even before their relationship was concrete. As usual with Ashley's books, the secondary characters (human and non) add a lot of fun to the romance itself
This will become a comfort re-read for me.
Re-read 12/20/14.
Re-read again 12/1/16. I think this is one of my favorite Trisha Ashley books. They both have so much quirky personality. I love the alternating POVs!
June 15, 2013
I love Trisha's quirky writing style and sense of humour (eg. referring to the solicitor as that rogue Herries - really laughed at that one). Loved Fergal Rocco the rock god (phwoar), sexy yet loving and tender, and all the secondary characters in this book. James? Not so much; but you need a little grit in the oyster to produce a pearl, don't you? Trisha's books are for curling up on the sofa and reading in as many greedy gulps as you can manage. Looking forward to reading her next one already.
July 26, 2016
A warm and witty book by Trisha Ashley well worth reading I throughly enjoyed it and would like to hear more of what happens next. Tish had a first love who broke her heart as he went off to have a music career and leaving Tish behind but she meets her new husband who she thinks is the perfect husband and wants to have children but do things run smoothly for them when they move to a country cottage or does the appearance of her first love turn everything upside down. Tish falls pregnant and who is the father and who does she end up living with. Well worth reading.
October 9, 2017
New author to me, i chose this book cause of it's gorgeous cover & cause I've been wanting to read a book by this author for awhile.
It was a wonderful story, with truly well written characters, some of whom you fall in love with straight away and some you don't, but i think that is meant to be the case. The setting, and descriptions of the location that story was set in was well described and really drew you completely into the story.
Thoroughly enjoyable and can't wait to read more by this author.
It was a wonderful story, with truly well written characters, some of whom you fall in love with straight away and some you don't, but i think that is meant to be the case. The setting, and descriptions of the location that story was set in was well described and really drew you completely into the story.
Thoroughly enjoyable and can't wait to read more by this author.
October 28, 2016
Started slow, but the happy feel from midway made up for it. The climax is the highlight, read it for that.
Fergal makes you believe that running back to your ex is the best thing. But then not all exes are Fergal... Fergal is too good to be real.
The chemistry, intentional and unintentional between Tish and Fergal will remind you of your first love. Happy and dreamy, this one is surely raising your hopes and standards for the 'Good Husband Material'.
3.75/5
Fergal makes you believe that running back to your ex is the best thing. But then not all exes are Fergal... Fergal is too good to be real.
The chemistry, intentional and unintentional between Tish and Fergal will remind you of your first love. Happy and dreamy, this one is surely raising your hopes and standards for the 'Good Husband Material'.
3.75/5
February 6, 2015
I really really really loved this chick lit/ Rom-com. It was like there was nothing missing. It had everything from an awful start to a happy ever after that we all love.
I especially loved the main character. I found her really quite interesting rather than some of the more timid main female characters you can get in some books. There was genuinely nothing that I didn't like.
I especially loved the main character. I found her really quite interesting rather than some of the more timid main female characters you can get in some books. There was genuinely nothing that I didn't like.
July 20, 2014
What a sweet, sweet book this was. I loved everything about it. The love story between Tish and Fergal, the humour of the disintegration of James' smug life, the foolish Mummy, the caustic old Granny, I loved it all. I am most certainly going to look for more books by Trisha Ashley.
November 1, 2014
Didn't like this at all! I only bought it because I found it for £1 in a discount book store, and I can tell why! Thought it was so boring and predictable that I couldn't even finish it. I normally love this type of book, but definitely won't be buying any more by this author.
August 1, 2014
Rambly
Rambling and hard to follow, don't waste your time and money on this book. Author normally does well, this one is not so good.
Rambling and hard to follow, don't waste your time and money on this book. Author normally does well, this one is not so good.
May 1, 2015
Love Trisha Ashley usually but felted this one was a bit long winded nothing much happens until near the end of the book.
May 5, 2015
This book is quite boring for the intro. It's started to exciting once the main character get pregnant and her old boyfriend came to a rescue her from her bad lazy husband.
May 2, 2020
Tish is married - and to a suitable husband. James, a solicitor in the family firm, seems good, solid, reliable good husband material. He is on good terms with her mother, which is more than Tish is, supports her while she writes romantic novels, and is eager to become a father. He agrees, eventually, to move to an idyllic, country cottage. The problem is that Tish is not that convinced. Part of her remembers her first love, the famous, or maybe infamous, Fergal, pop star, celebrity, notorious for his lifestyle of wine, women and song. She knows that she should make the most of her safe, orderly life with James, but somehow all her fictional heroes resemble Fergal far more than her “good husband”. This funny book, mainly narrated by Tish as James becomes less than attentive and indeed her life changes, brings in several other characters that are all beautifully depicted, ranging from her slightly disreputable grandmother to Fergal’s ambitious self appointed girlfriend. It is possible to visualize her cottage, its challenges and proximity to a village in this well written book, full of dialogue and thoughts that entertain and engage throughout.
The Prologue is written from the view of a young Fergal Rocco, remembering his first glimpse of Tish at seventeen, falling from a tree. A vision of beauty, trying to capture a bad tempered parrot. Twelve years later Tish observes that when she writes her novels as “Marian Plentifold”, all her heros “bear a definite (physical) resemblance to Fergal”. She manages to find and buy a cottage in the countryside, which means that James has a longer commute, and she will be living out of town without being able to drive. Owing to strange twists of fate, Fergal and Tish meet again in a hotel. Meanwhile, James is becoming more uncommunicative, abandoning Tish with a temperamental dog and parrot, refusing to eat what she cooks, staying away overnight and becoming obsessed with the local pub and radio building. The locals in the village include a strange neighbour, a local shopkeeper and a wealthy woman, Margaret who has her own agenda. When the local manor house is bought, things become even more lively for Tish, and her challenges seem to multiply. Will her grandmother plots help? Will her awful mother finally gang up with James? Why has he been spending so much time away?
This book dates back to 2000, so predates mobile phones and the internet being everywhere. Research is more complicated, communication more tricky, and instead of social media the newspapers and magazines carry all the celebrity gossip that Fergal attracts. There is a lot of subtle comedy here, and there are some wonderful set pieces between various characters. Despite his supposedly wild ways, Fergal comes over as a good man, who tries hard for those he likes. The novel overall is genuinely entertaining and the character of Tish grows with the book, overcoming challenges and maintaining her independence despite her qualms. I really enjoyed this book, and would strongly recommend it as a positive book with a basis in real life.
The Prologue is written from the view of a young Fergal Rocco, remembering his first glimpse of Tish at seventeen, falling from a tree. A vision of beauty, trying to capture a bad tempered parrot. Twelve years later Tish observes that when she writes her novels as “Marian Plentifold”, all her heros “bear a definite (physical) resemblance to Fergal”. She manages to find and buy a cottage in the countryside, which means that James has a longer commute, and she will be living out of town without being able to drive. Owing to strange twists of fate, Fergal and Tish meet again in a hotel. Meanwhile, James is becoming more uncommunicative, abandoning Tish with a temperamental dog and parrot, refusing to eat what she cooks, staying away overnight and becoming obsessed with the local pub and radio building. The locals in the village include a strange neighbour, a local shopkeeper and a wealthy woman, Margaret who has her own agenda. When the local manor house is bought, things become even more lively for Tish, and her challenges seem to multiply. Will her grandmother plots help? Will her awful mother finally gang up with James? Why has he been spending so much time away?
This book dates back to 2000, so predates mobile phones and the internet being everywhere. Research is more complicated, communication more tricky, and instead of social media the newspapers and magazines carry all the celebrity gossip that Fergal attracts. There is a lot of subtle comedy here, and there are some wonderful set pieces between various characters. Despite his supposedly wild ways, Fergal comes over as a good man, who tries hard for those he likes. The novel overall is genuinely entertaining and the character of Tish grows with the book, overcoming challenges and maintaining her independence despite her qualms. I really enjoyed this book, and would strongly recommend it as a positive book with a basis in real life.
April 27, 2020
When I bought this I hadn’t realised it was one of her earlier works, although I like many of her later books I think her writing has improved greatly since she began. That said, I had noted the publication date before I began reading but, even allowing for the fact that this book was first published in 2000 it still feels really dated. The first word processing software was introduced 20 years earlier yet a young woman is still only using her Amstrad word processor for the final draft? Does she not grasp the point of the technology?
Then the husband and his interest in “ham radio”, I thought that was big in the early 1980’s. He is an annoying twat and she is little better, the townie who moves to the country and expects it to be some sort of leisure facility where tractors and livestock are silent, pig slurry doesn’t smell and there is no mud. No doubt our “townie” will eventually blossom into a “proper country girl” and the unknown wealthy individual who bought the “big house” that their property overlooks will turn out to be the man who broke her heart all those years ago. Or maybe I’m wrong, I don’t know because I gave up after the first quarter, read a couple of other books and never wanted to come back.
Not one of her best.
Then the husband and his interest in “ham radio”, I thought that was big in the early 1980’s. He is an annoying twat and she is little better, the townie who moves to the country and expects it to be some sort of leisure facility where tractors and livestock are silent, pig slurry doesn’t smell and there is no mud. No doubt our “townie” will eventually blossom into a “proper country girl” and the unknown wealthy individual who bought the “big house” that their property overlooks will turn out to be the man who broke her heart all those years ago. Or maybe I’m wrong, I don’t know because I gave up after the first quarter, read a couple of other books and never wanted to come back.
Not one of her best.
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