Customer Reviews

The Perfect Wife

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was so funny. I really enjoy Linsay Sands historicals. This one is going into my keeper shelf. The heroine has a bad self-image of herself, but the hero finds her beautiful.
(WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILER)...........I keep laughing just thinking about the sceen where she didn't lose enough weight to fit into her wedding gown, so her mother and her maid binds her so tight to make her fit that she can't breath, or bend, or walk! She thinks her cheeks are too round that she is sucking them in like a fish! The groom is wondering what's wrong with ther face and worried that he has married someone so "delicate" she may not survive the hard medieval times they live in.

This was a laugh out loud funny book with wonderful characters. Paen and Avelyn were the perfect match. I loved how there was no disagreement between these characters, no fighting, just misunderstanding that didn't lead to arguments. I loved Paen's "praise" of Avelyn. That made me laugh. If you like a book that makes you laugh this is one for you. Lynsay Sands just proved how well she does at writing comedy.

Lynsay Sands has penned another charming historical tale, with a dear heroine females will take to her heart. As Avelyn faces her approaching wedding day, she is riddled with fears. Her wedding gown is suddenly a wee bit too "tight". Our lass is buxom lady, and used to her independence. She wants a husband, but doesn't "need" one. As the day approaches she nearly frets herself to death fearing her betrothed - Paen Gerville - will be repulsed by his pleasingly plump bride. She tries to remake herself - hide those few extra pounds and pretend she is biddable. Only, Avelyn is too used to running her holding and doesn't believe she can be the perfect wife - think and he subservient.

Paen wants just the opposite. To him the perfect wife is a full-figured lass who has a brain and mouth to match. He relished his new bride has something to cuddle and wants an equal, a helpmate, not a servant. In typical Sands style, Avelyn blunders along trying to force herself to be what she thinks is the perfect wife. Instead of winning the love of Paen, she causes Paen to think he's made a mistake in marrying her.

Avelyn has to learn she can be loved just the way she is. It's a warm, gentle tell that reminds us all to be who we are!

Avelyn fears that her physical built and mental independence will leave her beloved new husband Paen Gerville loathing her. She feels she is too fat for any man to desire her as razor thin is in and she is the opposite. On top of that she is used to having her way so she can not be subservient to her spouse.

Paen wants a woman with love handles as he can not stand the stick figures that are the prevalent way of the in crowd. He prefers meat on his woman. He also likes a lady who is not afraid to speak her mind in and out of the boudoir.

Avelyn tries to hide her curves and struggles to fit what she believes are the image of THE PERFECT WIFE. As her efforts lead to embarrassing failures, Paen is ready to give up on marriage as he wants the woman who will tell him he is wrong if she believes so and enjoys an active tussle in bed with him, which he thought would be Avelyn.

This amusing medieval romance contains a serious message to be yourself and not try to be someone your not just because you believe that is what your soul mate desires. Paen is a fantastic person who wants the real Avelyn as his partner, but begins to wonder if his conception of her is wrong she acts simpering and inane instead of witty and intelligent. He is ready to give up on love and just settling for less. Avelyn seems in some ways like a modern female trying to fit the image of THE PERFECT WIFE (and woman). Fans will enjoy Lynsay Sands' deep historical.

Harriet Klausner

Self esteem can be a tricky thing when trying to make a first impression. This book deals with low opinions and high expectations, making it a story containing both humor and sadness. Most girls today battle the overall "image" of the perfect body, so to speak, and that is the start to a possible unhealthy future.

Convinced by her cousins that she is fat, our heroine tries to change her image to please her new husband. What he expects and what he recieves are not one in the same. Tho, through love and guidence she begins to understand her worth.

The perfect wife is a historical romance with a modern flavor dealing with issues of today's society. It has humor, joy, sadness and love, and I would reccomend this book to any who love a good story with real-life issues. Thank you Lynsay for writting this book.

The Perfect Wife was a wonderful read. It was funny and sexy with a little bit of mystery. It is a fast read but "hit the spot" with me! Lynsay Sands has done a wonderful job balancing the different aspects of this book, the comic scenes had me laughing out loud and the sexy scenes left me wanting to read more! The main character, Avelyn is very real and it's easy to put yourself in her shoes. I really enjoyed reading about a woman who is found to be beautiful and sexy without being stick thin! I look forward to reading more from Sands! Definately time well spent, enjoy!

THE PERFECT WIFE is another `perfect read' I have come to associate with anything Lynsay Sands puts her writing brilliance to. Having discovered Lynsay by way of her early medieval novels THE DEED, and THE KEY, I was thrilled to see her setting this story in that same medieval era.

In this story, the lead heroine is Avelyn, a well-rounded, buxom lass who is fast approaching her wedding day to Paen de Gerville, a young man returned from crusades. Having been betrothed in early childhood Avelyn hardly remembers him or what he looks like. Consequently, over the years she has been mercilessly taunted by her three cousins about her weight so much so that her self-esteem has hit a new low. Determined to lose weight before the wedding she instructs the seamstress to take in her wedding gown a few sizes smaller than her size! UNFORTUNATELY, her dieting efforts were about as successful as my own, and she does not fit into her wedding dress. From this begins a calamity of events that lead Paen (who truth be told was looking forward to a pleasingly plump bride to warm his bed) to believe his bride to be frail and accident prone. What follows are a plethora of comical misunderstandings, each funnier than the last, between the two leads that will leave you with a bellyache from laughter.

*** This was for me another laugh-out-loud hysterical read that seems to be the trademark of Ms. Sands. The heroine of Avelyn was simply delightful and one that most women can relate to, especially with weight related self-conscious issues. The reader will fall in love with Avelyn who after so many embarrassing incidents let's her natural optimism and kindness carry the day. Paen is also another darling character to love who after being away at war for so many years needed lessons in how to interact towards his wife and not pat her on the head as he would his hounds or his horse. In addition, Sands skillfully weaves in the subplot of someone trying to dispatch Avelyn to the great beyond which also had some lighter moments. The laughs were pretty much non-stop in this delightful story that was supported by secondary characters including both of their engaging lovable parents, a young bumbling squire, and the biggest surprise of all -- a little piglet that ends up as the hero of the day! Sands has been an auto-buy for me for years and continues to solidify that standing. Her books should all be stamped "Satisfaction - GUARANTEED"!

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

Okay, I've read some of the other reviews, and I was literally taken aback by the cluelessness of some. Avelyn was NOT dimwitted or a twit she was just insecure. Insecurity can definately short wire the brain on occasions. Also it was charming that even though her newfound husband made some serious feux pas himself that she didn't ridicule him, she just went with the flow. That, in my opinion, had a lot to do with making her look incompetant. Avelyn was a beautifully written character with much of the self doubt that a lot of women have today. Granted it wasn't because her boobs weren't big enough or her nose was like pinnochio but it was because she was overweight. You really don't see that in ANY of the romances today. It was a lovely change.

Ms. Sands did a superb job in catching the character's spirit as a large girl. The fact that her confidence was helped by her husband falling in love with her no matter what she looked like, was the icing on the cake. True beauty DOES come from within. If it didn't, I know for a fact that I wouldn't now be married to the high school jock. Bravo Lynsay!!

I must say that I love Lynsay Sands. Have loved her books. The last one I read, Love is Blind was one of the best books I read last year.

However, it is with regret that I must say that this book was rather terrible. I finished this book because I thought that it had to get better. The hero and heroine were likable enough but unfortunately, the plot was useless, thin and trite.

Avelyn was so "recurrently" clumsy that it made her escapades not even funny - it makes you wonder why everyone believed she was that clumsy when her maid, who had been with her all her life went and with her on their journey could have straightened the situation - but everyone kept believing that she was clumsy and clutsy. The "vile" characters were not so vile and the plot was so watery that by the time I was done I was very disappointed, even though I had persevered to read till the end.

I you want "cute" then I guess I can say that the book could be labeled as "cute" in some parts. However, I want books that once I am done with them I cant wait to recommend. Not so with this one. Sorry if I am a bit brutal with this review. I guess that having enjoyed her other books so tremendously, I was thoroughly disappointed that this book was so flat. Sorry Ms. Sands, this one just wasn't you at all. I am giving it 3 stars, out of love for your other books, it should be more like 2. Sorry guys.

I don't usually like historical romantic books, but after I read Love is Blind by Lynsay Sands, I decided to give another one of her Leisure historical books a try. I was pleasantly surprised again! The Perfect Wife is a wonderful read. I love a story where the heroine is not your perfect supermodel skinny stick figure.

Avelyn wants to be the perfect wife for Paen Gerville, but everything that can go wrong does, plus more. Avelyn believes herself to be too round and too fat and believes that her husband would prefer a slim girl. What she can't believe is that her husband wants a round wife to keep him warm at night. In Paen's eyes, Avelyn is just perfect and beautiful.

The Perfect Wife is a great story that also has a lot of humorous moments. It is one of those light, fast reads that you can finish in a day. I can't wait to read more of her historical romance books. 5 stars!