Anyone But Him

by Ronali Collings

Ingrid has spent her life being everything to the dependable daughter, the supportive wife, the one who never steps out of line. But when her husband returns from a sabbatical abroad with divorce papers in hand, her carefully planned life unravels.

Needing to reclaim control, she books a week's stay in the Lake District to escape it all. Though a muddy hiking mishap lands her straight into the arms of a charming stranger who reignites a spark she hasn't felt in years. A little holiday flirtation seems harmless enough - until she returns home and discovers Jacob is the new consultant on her work project.

Juggling a messy divorce, a demanding job, and her daughter's needs, Ingrid knows getting involved with Jacob is a bad idea. He's younger, her colleague, and everything she's been taught to avoid.

But will Ingrid dare to risk it all for love or retreat to the safety of the life she's always known?

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2025

About the author

Ronali Collings was born and bred in Middlesex, has a degree in English Literature from King’s College London, studied law and worked in international tax for 16 years. After several years as a stay at home mother and decades of vicarious living through books, she rediscovered her passion for writing and graduated with a MA in Creative Writing from Brunel University under the supervision of Bernardine Evaristo. Love & Other Dramas is her first novel.

Reviews

[savannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ ngl dont remember much about this book

i was intrigued at first but these characters were lowkey boring and i was dragging myself through it

although i didnt love the characters i did like the plot line of the single mom and i loved her daughters characters

the romance didnt really grab me but i was still rooting for them to be together and her ex was such a piece of shit i was bouta fight him 👊👊👊

kinda a late review and i dont know what to say but this was a quick but forgettable read

[Denise Ruttan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because it had all my favorite tropes: reverse age gap, workplace romance, pushy Sri Lankan Catholic immigrant family, single mom in her 40s taking back her power after a messy divorce. I need more romances featuring women in their 40s with established careers, whose experiences I relate to more than young women in their 20s, which are the usual romantic protagonists. Ultimately the characters and the romance fell short for me.

The book starts off slow with Ingrid surrounded by her big, boisterous, judgmental family, particularly that overbearing mother of hers. I did love her family in this despite their issues; she had an amazing bond with her sisters and her family were all vibrant, colorful characters. She has felt like a single mom since her daughter was an infant, with her husband Matt always going off to find himself and never sharing in the domestic labor. After Matt leaves for a year on a sabbatical, he comes back and asks for a divorce.

Distraught, Ingrid, who works as a high-powered executive at a major accounting firm in London, takes a retreat in the Lake District to let off steam. There she meets Jacob, and the two share an instant connection when he helps her after getting lost on a hike and falling in the mud. Then, just as she is going through a nasty divorce in which her ex wants full custody (just to be vindictive, I guess) she lands a coveted pitch at work after standing up for herself for once. Turns out the investment banker consultant on the project with her is none other than Jacob, the much younger heartthrob she never thought she'd see again.

At first I loved the tension between the two of them but I thought Jacob was just too perfect, like a Mary Sue. He never really felt like a whole person, just a Greek god of a man who women were always hitting on who was somehow also patient, kind and good with kids. Ingrid's ex was a complete stereotype of an oafish divorcee who you just wanted to constantly slap.

The two had a 15-year age gap but Jacob often was perceived to be 22 and everyone else acted like when a woman is 45 she's a dried up old crone, except Jacob thinks she's gorgeous. They constantly acted like that 15-year age gap was a 30-year age gap. All the family drama about the age gap, which really wasn't that big and 32-year-olds aren't that young, took away from the charm of their romance for me. They kept constantly teasing each other about their ages in unrealistic ways. I'd have expected them to talk about it and discuss their concerns but I felt like I was hit in the head with their age gap throughout the book.

I felt like Ingrid relied on the hot younger man to finally boost her confidence and shed her people-pleasing ways instead of finding her power on her own.

Ultimately just found their love story kind of boring and I really wanted to be charmed by the elements of this, but I didn't care for how they were put together and often didn't understand the characters' motivations.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Ronali Collings's first book, so I was eager to read this second offering, and it did not disappoint.
Ingrid is a woman in her 40s, trapped in a loveless marriage with an absent husband, a young daughter and a mother with very high expectations. She works hard to keep her family in the manner they are accustomed to until her husband reappears, having had the ultimate midlife crisis, and asks for a divorce.
The story follows Ingrid, who is shell-shocked by the request. However, as she processes what her new life will look like, she discovers more about her character and realises she needs to change, not just in her personal life but also in her work life.
And some of those changes aren't looked upon favourably by certain members of her family and community.
It is a journey of change and development for more than one throughout.
And there is romance. It is an age-gap romance, and seeing as how much of a nasty character her husband is, Jacob is the knight in shining armour. He's hot, caring, considerate, hot, and good with her daughter and family. Did I mention hot?!
Idealistic? Maybe. But then again, why do we read stories? For the happy ending, and I definitely felt the feel-good factor once I finished this.

[Becky Pashouwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Embla Books and Ronali Collings for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 ⭐️

Ingrid has never stood up for herself. Not in her marriage, not with her slightly overbearing (but loveable) family and not at work. She runs herself ragged trying to be everything to everybody. When her husband returns from a year-long trip he took to find himself, he announces he wants a divorce.

Now, Ingrid has been acting like a single mother for years now, so it's not the act of balancing her child and her work that concerns her. She's more worried about how her traditional Sri Lankan mother will take the news that her marriage is ending. (Spoiler alert: she doesn't take it well and blames Ingrid at first, which is enraging!)

Ingrid's loving and supportive sisters convince her to go to a spa for a weekend, which turns out to be more of a wellness trip with hiking than a relaxing weekend of massages and facials. She gets lost hiking and is rescued by a handsome stranger who takes her in for the night. Nothing untoward happens, but sparks fly. After he drops her off at her car, she thanks him and assumes she'll never see him again.

A few weeks later, she's put on a work project at the accounting firm where she's a partner (go Ingrid!) with a financial consultant who is none other than Jacob, her savior from the hiking trip. They're crazy attracted to each other and try to fight the relationship, which is a battle they both lose.

The thing I liked most about this book was the relationship between Ingrid and her sisters, Audrey and Grace. They leaned on each other during times of need, and while they kept a few things from each other, they were usually honest and backed each other fully. I also really loved Ingrid's relationship with her daughter, Lily. It was a wonderful depiction of unconditional love and support.

Onto the romantic relationship between Ingrid and Jacob. Am I the only one who thought a 13 year age gap between a 32 year old and 45 year old isn't that big of a deal? It's not like they were 22 and 40, but i feel like it was depicted that way. They're both successful adult professionals, and one of them happens to be older than the other. Idk, I just felt like it got a little blown out of proportion.

And finally, Jacob was just too perfect. He's this gorgeous, smart, successful man who is also kind, considerate, and loving toward Ingrid's daughter. He's too good to be true, and I feel like the main reason for Ingrid's growth throughout the book is because she has him.

[Teneisha (Teesbookjourney) · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first chapter, I was swept into Ingrid's world—the messy, beautiful, painful world of a woman who's always done what's expected, only to find herself blindsided by betrayal. Watching her unravel, then piece herself back together, was like rooting for a friend you didn't realize you needed. The Lake District getaway felt like more than just a change of scenery; it became this symbolic shedding of old skin, and when she crashed (literally) into Jacob, it was impossible not to hope right alongside her.
Ronald Collingsz captures the raw, complicated emotions of starting over with such honesty that I paused to sit with specific lines. This perfect tension between responsibility and desire, fear and freedom, made Ingrid's journey feel so real. Jacob isn't just a charming distraction; he challenges every rule Ingrid was taught to live by, forcing her to rethink who she wants to be, not just for everyone else but for herself.
It's not just a romance story—although the chemistry leaps off the page—it's a story about agency, resilience, and daring to want something different when someone else's expectations have mapped out your whole life. Collingsz doesn't shy away from the messy, uncomfortable parts of growth, which makes this book hit harder and stay longer after the last page.
Honestly, Anyone But Him made me want to stand up and cheer for every woman who's ever been told to "stay in her lane" and decided to bulldoze right through the barriers instead. It was an absolute triumph.

[Jayslibrary_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows Ingrid, a Sri Lankan woman in her 40s, living in London and raising her 11 year old daughter pretty much on her own—despite technically being married. Her husband has been absent for a year and suddenly returns, asking for a divorce. But the truth is, he wasn’t just physically absent —he was absent in the marriage too. While Ingrid worked and took care of their daughter, he was off doing his own thing, contributing nothing to their family life. Now, just as she’s trying to navigate this new chapter, she meets Jacob—a man in his 30s who is everything she’s ever wanted. He’s kind, respectful, charming, and warm. But of course, life isn’t that simple. Between her selfish husband, her overbearing family, and cultural expectations, Ingrid starts to feel like she doesn’t deserve happiness or a fresh start. The question is: will she let them dictate her future, or will she finally put herself first?

Now, onto my thoughts…

This book was okay. Some parts were predictable, and a few moments felt unrealistic. It also started off quite slow, but it picked up as the story went along. One thing I really couldn’t stand was Ingrid’s husband—what a vile man! He checked out of their marriage long before he physically left, leaving Ingrid to do everything alone. And then when he finally decides he wants a divorce, he somehow still acts like he’s the one being wronged?! The audacity. Men like him deserve nothing. I was rooting for Ingrid the whole way—I wanted her to find love, happiness, and show her ex exactly what he was missing.

Jacob, on the other hand, was almost too perfect. Don’t get me wrong, he was lovely, but at times it felt like he didn’t have a single flaw, which made his character a little boring. I would’ve liked to see more depth there.

One of the strongest parts of the book for me was Ingrid’s relationship with her sister—it felt so real, so authentic. The family dynamics in general were well done, especially with her mother, who cared way too much about appearances and what people would say. Are all immigrant parents the same? Lool. That part really resonated.

Overall, this was a decent read..frustrating at times, heartwarming at others. If you like stories about second chances, complicated families, and love that comes when you least expect it, this one might be worth checking out.

[Bookshortie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ingrid’s life isn’t going well. Her husband wants a divorce and she can’t remember when she last had time to herself. When Ingrid goes away on a short break to the Lake District she meets Jacob. Could Jacob be part of Ingrid’s new start?

I would describe this as a quick and easy read. The storyline was filled with happy moments and some sad moments for Ingrid.

I couldn't help but feel really sad for Ingrid especially because at the start of the book her husband Matt who has been away returns and says he wants a divorce. During that conversation he pretty much blames Ingrid for his decision so when she throws a glass of wine over him I think he got off lightly. At that point I was cheering Ingrid on. I disliked Matt from the beginning. He was self obsessed and self absorbed. Even though he didn’t want to be part of Ingrid’s life he still did what he could to upset her and used their daughter as a bargaining tool. In contrast Ingrid is very selfless, always putting others before herself. Whether that's as a daughter to be parents, as a wife to Matt or as a mother to her daughter. Matt ending their relationship is the best thing that could have happened to Ingrid because she starts to put herself first for once. I thought one of the most powerful scenes in the story was when Ingrid stood up for herself during a work meeting where previously she'd be quiet. She makes it clear to her boss the work that she's put into a project and why she should be in charge of it rather than someone else who is essentially trying to take all the credit. Where the old Ingrid would have sat back and let the opportunity slip from her hands the new Ingrid stands up for herself.

The first meeting between Ingrid and Jacob was certainly memorable and it was the perfect meet cute. Ingrid has a fall and Jacob rescues her. She ends up spending time at his cottage and they get to know each other and connect. Ingrid can’t stop thinking about Jacob and when she thinks she’ll never see him again fate has a different idea because it turns out that Jacob will be her work colleague on a project. So they end up spending a lot of time together and their connection grows.

Ingrid faces many hurdles in the story but I loved seeing her overcome them and become a more confident person.

[Krystina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly thank you to Insta book tours, Embla books and Ronail Collings for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I have to say i was really looking forward to diving into this book, it seemed like the perfect book to dive into between a couple of non-fictions i was reading. And i really love reading romances that aren't all young woman in their 20s , its nice to have a more mature woman finding romance. Ingrid felt so much more rounded and real to me because of all the things she was juggling whilst trying to sort her divorce and then happening to find romance on top of her jugging act, with all the additional stress and joy it brought with it. I found it a really well written book, the characters were all so well crafted that i think you could probably find people like them if you looked around you. The family dynamic i loved! The way the sisters supported each other and had code red made me smile. I hated Matt from the first moment he appeared on the page. He was such a self centred waste of space, and how he treated Ingrid was infuriating. I did often though get angry at Ingrid for not standing up for herself and i was cheering every time she took a step forward in doing that, it was really nice to see her growing in herself alongside her new relationship.
I loved the teasing banter between Jacob and Ingrid, it was lovely to read, as was him pushing her outside of her comfort zone but not forcing her out of it. The climbing activity is a really good example of this, he didn't push her when she expressed her fear he just stayed with her and put no pressure on her. I found the writing style easy to slip into, stepping into the book and walking alongside Ingrid was effortless and i enjoyed how it flowed.
I really enjoyed this book and i would happily pick up another book by Ronali Collings in the future.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The prologue introduces us to Ingrid, her baby, and her already absent husband. The book picks up about 10 years later when her husband returns from a yearlong sabbatical and requests a divorce. Ingrid has spent her life pleasing her family, her husband, and trying not to make waves at work. It is clear from Ms. Collings writing that Ingrid is smart and dependable but maybe not happy with her life. She meets Jacob, a younger man, that has faith in her and finds her beautiful. And slowly she starts to turn her life around.

Ms. Collings does an amazing job of bringing us into Ingrid's life. We get to meet her complicated family and her co-workers. With every dig or slight thrown Ingrid's way, I tensed. I felt angry on her behalf. I love that she was able to bring me to Ingrid's side.

I found the story slow, especially in the beginning. It took a while for me to get into the story. And I tried not to be frustrated with Ingrid. I like my heroines feistier. Have a younger MMC worked, but the age gap was 15 years and was treated like it was closer to 30 years. He was a grown man and she was not an old lady. She was mid-40s with a 10 year old daughter. He was possibly the most emotionally intelligent person ever to live. I appreciate that he helped Ingrid and her daughter grow, but I wish she needed him a little bit less.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Addy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley I was given the opportunity to read a digital advanced reader copy of Anyone But Him by Ronali Collins. This was such a cute read about life’s second act. The novel opens with the FMC Ingrid realizing that her husband, a man who has been on a yearlong self-actualization journey wants a divorce. He has spent their time apart from each other sleeping with anyone he wants. To help her deal with this new change in her circumstance Ingrid’s sister offer to watch their niece Lily while Ingrid goes on a brief trip to gather herself and her thoughts. For most of their relationship Lily managed everything while her husband Matt was big useless. While on her vacation Lily has an accident while hiking that lands her in the arms of Jacob, the novel’s MMC. This is a slow burn novel so the tension between the two was chef’s kiss. After their brief encounter Ingrid is convinced, she will never see the sweetheart that saved her ever again, luckily, she’s wrong. Jacob is her accounting firm’s new outside consultant and the two are forced together. Without giving too much of the novel away Ingrid and Jacob have a slow courtship that starts as friends as Jacob helps Ingrid and Lily find their sparks again as they navigate Ingrid's divorce from her useless ex-husband. I truly enjoyed this novel, it was a quick fluffy slow burn that made me care about all of the characters.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this charming, second-chance romance novel, readers follow Ingrid, whose perfectly planned life is totally upset by her husband returning from his sabbatical with divorce papers. Retreating to the Lake District to regroup and escape her challenges at home, Ingrid does not need a hiking mishap to lead to her meeting a charming stranger to help her out, but it soon turns out her muddy rescuer Jacob is now consulting for her work project. With so many spinning plates between work, her divorce, and her daughter, Ingrid must decide if risking a workplace relationship with an age gap with Jacob is worth the happy ending they could have. Emotional, tropey, and charming, this new novel is a fascinating and fun second-chance romance that readers will love. Ingrid is a sympathetic romantic protagonist, and her chemistry with Jacob is absolutely fantastic, bumps in the road and all. Her various struggles with other elements of her personal life bring her to life and allow readers to sympathize with her, but they help build out her long-term character development. Well-written, a bit steamy, and entertaining, readers will love this new romance novel from Ronali Collings for the brilliant characters, relatable struggles, and excellent chemistry.

Thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for the advance copy.

[Erin Sparkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ingrid is dependable. She holds down a partnership at a prestigious accounting firm and for the last year has been raising her preteen daughter on her own. Her less then dependable husband has spent the last year “finding himself” abroad, but now he is back and wants a divorce, and custody. Ingrid’s sister sends her off to the Lakes district for a getaway where she has a steamy encounter with Jacob, a handsome woman who rescued her in the wilderness. When she returns to work after her getaway the last person she expects to see walk into the boardroom is Jacob. Trying to balance parenting, her divorce and her attraction to Jacob will push Ingrid to the limit.
So this was a bit of a slow starter for me, I couldn’t quite get attached. And then Ingrid started to stand up for herself and I couldn’t put the book down. I love watching a great character find their backbone and I was cheering for Ingrid as she finally said the things she needed to. The romance was incredibly sweet and Ingrid’s relationship with her sisters and daughter were beautiful. This really is a book about love in multiple forms.
Thank you to Ronali Collings, Netgalley, and Embla Books for letting me have an advanced copy to review. Look for Anyone But Him February 11 2025

[S Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ingrid is in her mid forties and she has spent most of her life as a bit of a pushover, going along with her husband mistreats her, giving in to the demands and expectations of her mother, and not rocking the boat when her job doesn’t value her with the same partner percentage as her male peers despite brining in more business. When her husband returns home after being away “finding himself” for a year and ask for a divorce, Ingrid finally starts making changes in her life for the better. When her older supportive sister suggests spending some time away at a retreat, she is rescued by a handsome stranger when she gets separated from her group and lost. Ingrid is very shocked when her wilderness savior shows up as a temporary consultant at her firm.

I really liked this book. Ingrid is a complex character and at times you just want to shake some sense into her. You wonder how can someone just constantly let every single person in her life walk all over her. What I loved about this book is that the author has a way of explaining why Ingrid seems to be so willing to settle for less than she deserves in a believable an relatable way. The way that Ingrid embraces her new life and at the same time opens herself to a relationship with Jacob is a super relatable read.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading something by this author and I found it to ba a delightfully fun romance. Ingrid has spent her life being dependable, selfless, and firmly within the lines—until her husband returns from a sabbatical not with souvenirs, but divorce papers. Ouch.
So, what’s a freshly unmoored woman to do? Escape to the Lake District, of course. But instead of peace and solitude, Ingrid ends up in the mud—literally—and in the arms of Jacob, a younger, disarmingly charming stranger who sparks something she hasn’t felt in years. A harmless holiday fling sounds perfect... until she gets home and discovers Jacob is now the consultant on her latest work project.
What follows is a witty, heartwarming story of rediscovery, messy boundaries, and the terrifying freedom of finally asking, What do I want? Ingrid’s evolution from people-pleaser to a woman ready to risk it all is both empowering and deeply relatable. And Jacob? Let’s just say he’s the kind of complication you root for.
Funny, hopeful, and full of swoon, this book is a reminder that it's never too late to start over—even if you’re ankle-deep in mud when it begins.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️





Es un libro sobre las dinámicas familiares, el divorcio, el racismo, la misoginia en el trabajo y en general, la maternidad y las segundas oportunidades.

Ingrid es una mujer de más de cuarenta años que ha dedicado su vida al bienestar de su esposo e hija, hasta que se da cuenta de que su marido no vale la pena, la trata mal y está cansada de tener que fingir que todo está bien. Además, lleva un año sin verlo, por lo que decide pedir el divorcio.

En su trabajo, conoce a un hombre más joven y entre ellos comienzan a surgir chispas. Aunque intenta alejarse, debe trabajar mano a mano con él, y cuanto más lo conoce, más le gusta. Le da miedo lo que pensarían en su trabajo, en el que ya tiene que esforzarse el doble solo por ser mujer. Si comienza una relación con un compañero, su reputación podría quedar dañada. Además, debe pensar en cómo reaccionaría su hija y si aceptaría a un nuevo hombre en la vida de su madre.

La madre de Ingrid no la soporte y odie a su ex.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tanisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of traditional romance, although there are certain “tropes” that I enjoy more than others. Although I’m not the biggest fan of “age gap” romances, the description of this book really hooked me. Because of this, I was extremely excited to read this book.

I am sometimes hesitant to read books from a new author, because I sometimes have a hard time adjusting to their particular writing style. Fortunately, I did not have an issue with this book at all. I immediately became interested in the female lead, and I eventually felt that way about the male lead as well.

I really enjoyed most of the secondary characters as well. Not to be a spoiler, but I definitely did not like the husband.

I really loved this book, and am a little disappointed that I am done with it. I would have liked to give this book five stars, but, not to be a spoiler again…there’s no epilogue. I feel that this book really needs one. Ultimately, I really did enjoy the book, though.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Clo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGallery for the chance to read this as an ARC!

I really enjoyed this book, I read it in one sitting so you know I enjoyed it!

The story focuses on a woman in her 40s who's stuck in a hopeless, loveless marriage but everything gets turned upside down when her husband returns and asks for a divorce 😮

The book follows a journey of self-discovery and change as Ingrid comes to terms with the shock of the divorce and the realisation that she needs to make some major changes in her life, her career and life. And this wouldn't be for me if there wasn't romance! It's an age-gap romance, one of my favourite tropes. Jacob is the perfect gentleman, he’s hot, considerate, caring and absolutely amazing with her daughter. However, he was a little too perfect times. One thing that did bug me was the focus on their age gap when nowadays, age isn't that big of a problem...well not for me anyway.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Ronali Collings books in the future!

[Briony · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC - PUBLICATION DATE 11TH FEBRUARY

4 ☆

『 tropes 』
•age gap
•single parent
•found family
•forced proximity
•slow burn
•love after divorce
•close family

『 plot 』
the story follows ingrid, a 45 year old, who is a partner at her firm and is raising her 11 year old daughter. her husband has been away for a year, and returns wanting a divorce. her careful, safe home life is unravelled and she needs to clear her head, so she books a week away in the lake district where she meets jacob, a younger man who helps her when she gets lost in the rain. there’s a spark between them and knowing she’s never going to see him again, she harmlessly flirts with him. that is until he ends up being the new consultant on her work project. so now ingrid has to deal with her messy divorce and terrible soon to be ex husband, raise her daughter and still be the best at work, deal with her mothers judgement and her two sisters interfering. but will jacob make her see that her carefully planned life doesn’t have to be so mundane?


『 my thoughts 』
i really enjoyed this book. ingrid is such a relatable character, she’s gone through life making sure everyone else is looked after and are pleased and happy, but at the expense of her own happiness. the only good thing out of her 15 year marriage, with someone who clearly never appreciated, is her daughter lily. with the divorce and needing to lean on her sisters more, she starts to see that she can have more from life and that her sisters have her best interests at heart. i feel the family relationships, the one she has with her parents and the one she has with her sisters was shown in such a real and imperfect way, not all families are perfect but at the end of the day, they’ll be there for you.

her relationship with jacob was just really sweet and also very real. i like that, in the beginning, they tried to keep it professional but there was always that underlying tension and attraction that was threatening to surface, which created great angst and made you root for them. their relationship had very real problems that were dealt with (for the most part) maturing and rationally, which was refreshing to read.

i enjoyed this so much. it was real, sweet, mature and beautiful. glad i found this on netgalley

[Jessie Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't have any major issues with this book, it was just fine. The biggest issue for me was that all the conflict between Ingrid and Jacob was becasue of their 13 year age gap. It felt like every other page I was reminded about their age gap and it was treated like 30+ years, not 13. 32 to 45 is not a massive difference in maturity and life stage. Everyone kept being worried about Jacob wanting kids, but, honestly, at 32 most everyone knows if they want kids or not firmly. His mom and Ingrid kept reacting to him like he was a kid, not a successful 32 year old man. It just felt off to me.

Other than that, there's a bit of a slow start to this book, but the characters are a ton of fun. Ingrid's family is a LOT, especially her mother, but they all come out on the better side of it by the end. Her ex, Matt, and the sleazy coworker, Tim, can go kick rocks and that's the extent of my thoughts on them.

Overall, a fun book but one I won't go back to or that will even pop up in my mind later in the year.

[Haney Hayes Promotions · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captivating Romance: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Second Chances

This heartwarming and feel-good romance novel is a must-read for anyone who loves stories about self-discovery, second chances at love, and the courage to take risks.

Follow Ingrid as she navigates the complexities of a messy divorce, rediscovers her independence, and unexpectedly finds herself drawn to a charming stranger. As Ingrid grapples with the pain of her past and the uncertainties of her future, she must learn to prioritize her own happiness and embrace the possibility of new love.

With vivid characters, relatable struggles, and a heartwarming message, this book will stay with you long after you turn the last page. It's a story about finding hope in the midst of heartache, discovering strength in vulnerability, and learning to love again.

[Kels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get a spot on the Insta Book Tours blog tour for Anyone But Him by Ronali Collings and I'm so grateful because this book was great!

Ingrid is a middle aged mother, juggling a high powered job and looking after her daughter single handedly as her husband had gone off on a one year sabbatical to "find himself", and when he gets back he asks for a divorce.

When her loud and interfering (and very, very loving) sisters find out, they convince her to go away for a few days to regroup. She ends up in the Lake District and already tired and hungry, she finds herself lost in the hills in the rain. Stranger Jacob takes pity on her and leads her to shelter, and they spend the evening getting to know each other.

The next day, Ingrid goes home and expects never to see Jacob again - until he walks into her work and it turns out he's a consultant on her new project. The attraction from that first night in the Lake District continues to grow, but Ingrid tries to fight it. She's going through a divorce, she's busy at work, she has a daughter to look after, and Jacob is younger than herself - what would her judgemental (but again, loving) mother say?! Does Ingrid take a risk for happiness, or continue being safe and steady to keep everyone else happy?

One of the things I loved about this book is that the main female character is middle aged - I feel like there are too few characters this age in romance books! She was an interesting character, at first it felt like she let people walk over her before getting into the book more and realising that she has an inner strength - she just chose to keep quiet because it was easier for her.

I really enjoyed this book, the way Ingrid rediscovered her confidence, and her dynamic with her family! It was very well written and also relateable! The characters were all interesting - I loved it!

[Tyler Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another romance for the books!

Ive recently been on a romance kick and it's safe to say this is one of my favourites ive read. This plot felt fresh and fun, I love when this genre has older Fmc's who have established lives, it makes the characters and story line feel more realistic and relatable. I really liked Ingrid, she was easy to connect too and root for, after receiving a shock with her divorce we really get to see this character grow through out this novel.

I loved the whole story line! It flowed so well and was packed with some of my favourite tropes such as workplace romance to age gap romance. Collings did an amazing job with this novel and the characters within it, you could really feel the chemistry and tension between the two MC's and after seeing how horribly our FMC was treated in her previous marriage it makes it really easy to root for her and her new love.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun and light romcom. Ingrid is a mid 40s wife, mother, and successful executive whose completely selfish husband returns from a year of trying to find himself to demand a divorce and custody of their daughter. Distraught, she goes to the Lake District for a weekend of solitude that her sister booked for her. Lost and muddy, she is rescued by a kind and handsome (and younger!) man who she later finds herself partnered with at work. This book has great sisters, an ex you want to punch, a meddling unsupportive mother, and a heroine who learns how to stand up for herself at work, with her family, with her ex, and in her life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Sophie Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fun and fast-paced (but also v thoughtful) romance about finding new relationships after life throws unexpected challenges your way, and not denying yourself the love that deep down you know you deserve 🥹

aside from ingrid and jacob (obv) the standout dynamic for me was ingrid and her sisters --- i could really understand their motivations and support for each other. HATED matt, it goes without saying, but also appreciated his self reflection by the end of the book and felt that his awfulness made jacob all the more important for ingrid ❤️

i truly love ronali's writing - it makes me laugh one minute and cry the next - and i can't wait to read what comes next

[Danielle Amor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story in emojis: 👩🏾‍🤝‍👨🏻❤️💰

3 things about this book:
•Chapter Titles
•Relatable characters
•Realistic life issues

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Anyone but Him was very different to what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it nonetheless.

Whilst this story had romance elements, ultimately it was a story of strength and there was so much more to it which gave Ingrid, the main character, so much depth plus there were also plenty of comical moments!

I really liked that each chapter had a personalised title, it gave the gist of what was to come in the coming chapter and I then made a point of looking for it within the words.

I absolutely hated Matt, what a nasty piece of work he was!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ingrid’s marriage falls apart her sister Audrey books her a spa getaway. What was supposed to be relaxing massages and facial treatments turns into diet food and hikes. While hiking one day Ingrid gets separated from her group. She tries to make her way back and ends up being rescued by a handsome stranger, Jacob. Romance is the last on either’s mind for several reasons as well as the fact that there is quite an age gap. Little do either of them know they will not be strangers for long.

[Ashleigh Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that this book had a woman going through divorce taking control of her life again and no longer holding back due to her marriage which is something new to me.

However I just didn't feel like the romance was engaging at all and I didn't have that pull of wanting to see them together which really let me down. I do think Jacob was a nice guy and one we all deserve but he didn't feel real to me.

This book was okay but I just wanted more.

[Natasha P · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book delivered a cinnamon roll book boyfriend, an eye-rolling awful estranged husband, and not enough on page chemistry to make me swoon. I wish the author would have given us more insight into why Ingrid and Jacob were perfect for each other.

#AnyoneButHim
#NetGalley

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[mspepesilvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very cute! It’s very very British so the formatting and writing style might not be for everyone. But it had some great humor and chemistry between the main two characters. It’s pretty closed door/fade to black so not a lot of spice. Though I adored the main couple, the ex husband was just such a dick and I’m so sad that the FMC even put herself through his bs. I was like Girl STAND UP!

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed it

A capable underappreciated wife finds her HEA with a loving and hot younger man? Yes please. I also enjoyed reading about a Sri Lankan British family. Ingrid was a but too pitiful but she gets better in the end.