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Searching: A love story
Not yet published
Expected 4 Jun 26From friends to lovers, fate always conspired to drive Hatty and Monty apart...
High-flier Hatty has been hurt before and hopes that career success in New York is a safer bet than opening her heart.
But when she distances herself from Monty, she realises he might be her soul mate.
Monty has loved Hatty from the start and yearns for a life with her.
When he finds himself spiraling in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami, he is consumed by the search for his missing father and pushes her away.
When they find their way back to each other, they must confront the question:
Can true love endure the worst and still bloom, or is some hurt too deep to heal?
High-flier Hatty has been hurt before and hopes that career success in New York is a safer bet than opening her heart.
But when she distances herself from Monty, she realises he might be her soul mate.
Monty has loved Hatty from the start and yearns for a life with her.
When he finds himself spiraling in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami, he is consumed by the search for his missing father and pushes her away.
When they find their way back to each other, they must confront the question:
Can true love endure the worst and still bloom, or is some hurt too deep to heal?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 4, 2026
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Ian T. Proud
2 books2 followersIan Proud was Head of Political Section at the British Embassy in Bangkok when the Boxing Day tsunami struck in 2004. He was the first to leave the embassy with the Ambassador on a 900 km drive to the disaster zone and remained there initially for thirteen days before his first break. Following this he continued to work on disaster recovery in southern Thailand on a permanent basis through the months that followed.
‘As part of my diplomatic role in Thailand I found myself overseeing on-the-ground response to the 2004 tsunami. I didn’t have any training for something of that magnitude, it was unprecedented. The work was relentless, the pressure unlike anything I’d experienced, and the emotional toll brutal. The experience haunts me and I still have to grapple with the residual effects of PTSD.
'Searching is a novel that I needed to write for my own healing. Everyone who experienced the tsunami had a life before and after that tragic event. For most, I suspect, life after has been lesser in some way. But I wanted to create an old-fashioned love story about two people who loved each other so much that they had the strength to endure the very worst.
'Most of all, I wrote Searching to commemorate the victims of this terrible tragedy and to pay tribute to all those who did their bit to help in the most harrowing of circumstances.’
Ian Proud was a member of His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service from 1999 to 2023. During that time, he was one of the Foreign Office’s most accomplished crisis experts and was Chair of the Crisis Committee at the British Embassy in Moscow when the Salisbury nerve agent attack happened in March 2018. He posts international relations articles and podcasts from his Substack page, The Peacemonger.
‘As part of my diplomatic role in Thailand I found myself overseeing on-the-ground response to the 2004 tsunami. I didn’t have any training for something of that magnitude, it was unprecedented. The work was relentless, the pressure unlike anything I’d experienced, and the emotional toll brutal. The experience haunts me and I still have to grapple with the residual effects of PTSD.
'Searching is a novel that I needed to write for my own healing. Everyone who experienced the tsunami had a life before and after that tragic event. For most, I suspect, life after has been lesser in some way. But I wanted to create an old-fashioned love story about two people who loved each other so much that they had the strength to endure the very worst.
'Most of all, I wrote Searching to commemorate the victims of this terrible tragedy and to pay tribute to all those who did their bit to help in the most harrowing of circumstances.’
Ian Proud was a member of His Majesty’s Diplomatic Service from 1999 to 2023. During that time, he was one of the Foreign Office’s most accomplished crisis experts and was Chair of the Crisis Committee at the British Embassy in Moscow when the Salisbury nerve agent attack happened in March 2018. He posts international relations articles and podcasts from his Substack page, The Peacemonger.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Unputdownable!
I was hooked after the first 3 pages.
A smashing love story with humour and ‘will they, won’t they’ tension combines seamlessly with the backdrop of a natural disaster.
The novel made me laugh out loud and also weep in the most heart rending passages. I loved the Naughties’ soundtrack references. The retelling of the catastrophe was really sensitively done; almost like waves of emotion throughout; and was weaved cleverly into the hero and heroine’s love affair.
Being a ‘Southern Gal’, I enjoyed the nods to local landmarks which were convincing and fun.
I have never reviewed a novel before but felt compelled to write about this one because it was so well written and I hope a wide audience gets to experience it as I did. I couldn’t put it down, finishing it in two sittings!
The fact that the author was involved professionally in this harrowing event made it even more poignant.
I recommend it enormously!!!
I was hooked after the first 3 pages.
A smashing love story with humour and ‘will they, won’t they’ tension combines seamlessly with the backdrop of a natural disaster.
The novel made me laugh out loud and also weep in the most heart rending passages. I loved the Naughties’ soundtrack references. The retelling of the catastrophe was really sensitively done; almost like waves of emotion throughout; and was weaved cleverly into the hero and heroine’s love affair.
Being a ‘Southern Gal’, I enjoyed the nods to local landmarks which were convincing and fun.
I have never reviewed a novel before but felt compelled to write about this one because it was so well written and I hope a wide audience gets to experience it as I did. I couldn’t put it down, finishing it in two sittings!
The fact that the author was involved professionally in this harrowing event made it even more poignant.
I recommend it enormously!!!
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March 29, 2026A sensitive and gentle account of two people struggling to find their way and the higher calling of their lives, through the challenges of career ambition and great personal grief. Ian develops the characters with a patience and kindliness that inspires. His warmth and appreciation of the Siamese people comes through as the backdrop of the story, together with London and New York. Woven into these two peoples lives is a very telling account of what it was like to be in South East Asia at the time of the Boxing Day tsunami, the devastation, the human pain and yet the need to carry on and deal with an extraordinary, extreme situation. Much of that journey is autobiographical and unique which makes this story well worth the read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Searching is a novel that stays with you long after the final page. Set against the chilling devastation of the 2004 tsunami, the novel does not simply recount first hand experience of the tragedy, it explores what might remain when everything else has been swept away. I purposely read it at the time it happened (this past Christmas), and I couldn’t put it down.
At its core is the love story of Hatty and Monty — such a tender, imperfect, and profoundly real relationship. Their bond feels lived-in and relatable.
This book is beautifully written, emotionally intelligent, and moving.
At its core is the love story of Hatty and Monty — such a tender, imperfect, and profoundly real relationship. Their bond feels lived-in and relatable.
This book is beautifully written, emotionally intelligent, and moving.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a fantastic book. Written from the heart and born out of real life experiences. Ian brings the characters beautifully to life and also brings out very clearly the essence of Thai culture.
I could literally feel the warmth, passion and internal struggles of the characters and could empathise with them. Although this is a work of fiction it is so clearly anchored in reality.
It was a real page turner, a book which will stay with me for a very long time.
I could literally feel the warmth, passion and internal struggles of the characters and could empathise with them. Although this is a work of fiction it is so clearly anchored in reality.
It was a real page turner, a book which will stay with me for a very long time.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A gentle but emotional tale of heartache and love. Having had friends who experienced the Tsunami on Boxing Day, I could transport myself to the very heart of the tragedy and embrace all of the characters emotions.
A happy ending which is always a good thing having ridden the emotional rollercoaster this book brings to the reader.
A happy ending which is always a good thing having ridden the emotional rollercoaster this book brings to the reader.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved this story! Once you start reading, it is really difficult to stop, it's a very addictive plot. The characters are incredible and you can't stop yourself from feeling happy, sad, anxious, worried etc about them. I believe that this rollercoaster of emotions is what makes this book so "addictive".
A beautifully sad story with an interesting ending (I don't want to spoil the ending).
A beautifully sad story with an interesting ending (I don't want to spoil the ending).
Review of advance copy
A compelling story that reminds you of the different forms that trauma takes. Characters you root for, situations you hope you will never have to face and the ache of knowing that this is not fiction, this is very real. A read that will stay with you long after you close the book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. It kept my attention all the way through. Would recommend for romance and interest of the Tsunami.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews