Books by Julie Garwood are always a delight to read and The Ideal Man is no exception. This romantic suspense novel features a wicked sister, good guys and bad guys, one bad girl, a sassy, super smart heroine and a rugged brooding FBI man as the hero. Ellie just isn't having much luck. She has a long time stalker and she doesn't know where he is. She witnessed a shooting by criminals that find ways of making witnesses disappear and to top it all off a witchy sister who betrayed her in the worst way a sister can who now demands that she take part in her wedding. Ellie meets Agent Max Daniels after the shooting takes place an it's not long before Max's protective instincts come out and he volunteers to protect her. Their romance develops over the course of the novel in a realistic manner. The characters are well done and their interactions together make this story a fun read. The plot is interesting, entertaining and fast paced. 
 The Ideal Man is a great book but there are a couple areas that may put readers off. One of those areas is a character who is completely self-centered and over the top obnoxious. You'll know who when you read the book. She deserved to be slapped silly, unfortunately that doesn't happen. There is also a side story with Ellie's sister Annie that comes across as underdeveloped and has too pat of an ending. Her boyfriend's explanation for disappearing with no word just didn't cut it. This side story would have been better either further developed or continued in a separate novel. 
 Overall, The Idea Man is very well done and won't disappoint Julie Garwood fans. It is recommended for readers of Romantic Suspense.