To Wed a Stranger [Mass Market Paperback]

Edith Layton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 2003

Is legendary beauty Lady Annabelle beyond redemption? Rejected at every turn and growing older, Annabelle agrees to marry the man of her father's choosing, believing this will lead to a comfortable life free of complications. Miles Croft, the new Viscount Pelham, seems perfect for the part, but instead of finding a comfortable complacency, Miles and Annabelle awaken in each other a greater knowledge of themselves, and discover their need to complete each other.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edith Layton loved to write. She wrote articles and opinion pieces for the New York Times and Newsday, as well as for local papers, and freelanced writing publicity before she began writing novels.

Publisher’s Weekly called her “one of romance’s most gifted authors.” She received many awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Romantic Times, and excellent reviews and commendations from Library Journal, Romance Readers Anonymous, and Romance Writers of America. She also wrote historical novels under the name Edith Felber.

Mother of three grown children, she lived on Long Island with her devoted dog, Miss Daisy; her half feral parakeet, Little Richard; and various nameless pond fish in the fishness protection program.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (February 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060502177
• ISBN-13: 978-0060502171
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,241,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a satisfying and terrific read, February 26, 2003

By 

tregatt (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Wed a Stranger (Mass Market Paperback)

I've been dying to read Lady Annabelle Wylde's story ever since I read "The Chance." Somehow, even though Lady Annabelle was an incredibly spoilt flirt in that story and very obviously the character we were all supposed to dislike and despise, she still managed to capture all my attention and my sympathy. So that I was quite ecstatic to realise that "To Wed A Stranger" featured Lady Annabelle as a heroine. Was it worth the wait? I, definitely thought so.

After having literally thrown herself at three different men over the past few London Seasons only to have them marry elsewhere, Lady Annabelle Wylde has become the focal point of some rather unpleasant gossip. So that when her father arranges a marriage for her with Miles Croft, Viscount Pelham, she reluctantly agrees to the union. Having given up on the notion that she'll ever marry for love, what else can she do save agree to an arranged marriage?

Miles Croft needs a socially prominent and accepted wife to help him repair his family's reputation which his scoundrel of a stepfather had destroyed quite thoroughly before he died. And after having noticed how Lady Annabelle carried herself and dealt with the ton in spite of all the unkind gossip, he's sure that she is the one who can help him do this. Of course there is the added bonus that Lady Annabelle also happens to be incredibly beautiful as well. And Miles is sure that this arrangement will work very well. Until everything goes terribly wrong during their wedding journey, when Lady Annabelle falls dangerously ill and looses most of her spectacular looks. Now, Miles is irrevocably tied to stranger he barely knows and has little in common with. Can he still look to Lady Annabelle to help him with his family now that she has lost her looks? And can this marriage really work given that he's not in love with his wife and is no longer attracted to her?

Ever since she was old enough to attend social functions, Lady Annabelle has used her beauty to prop herself up and to get what she wants. But now that she's no longer to spectacular Lady Annabelle, she's had to readjust her idea of who and what she is, and how Miles fits into everything. And the one thing she's come to realise is that there is a lot more to her than just her beauty. But can she get Miles to see this? For Lady Annabelle is beginning to realise that she may be falling in love with her kind and patient husband. But what of his feelings for her? Has Lady Annabelle lost her heart again to someone who doesn't return her feelings?

If you're looking for something that has nothing to do with the usual -- heroine at risk of her life subplot, or the spies and murderers that lurk in the bushes and drawing rooms subplot, or even the rakish hero pursuing/seducing innocent feisty heroine subplot -- then "To Wed A Stranger" would definitely do. It's a romance novel all about the relationship and love that develops and blossoms between two strangers who just happen to be married to each other. It's also about how a young woman who has always used her beauty to get her own way, now adjusts to the knowledge that she has, temporarily as least lost some of those looks, and resolves to be more than just a pretty face. This book is a really good example of Edith Layton's writing at her best, and gives one an inkling as to why so many consider her to be one of the best Regency-era romance novelists around. I liked how she developed the characters in this book, and how she allowed the novel to unfold in a smooth and even pace. True the ending was a bit rushed. I would have preferred a little bit more of a resolution to the subplot dealing with Miles' mother. And it would have been nice if Lady Annabelle's mother had been featured a lot more -- that would have made it a 10 star book for me! On the whole though, if you're looking for a good read that is a little more character driven and that is not the usual, "To Wed A Stranger" should definitely satisfy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK marriage of convenience with a twist, June 24, 2003

By 

baltimore0502 "Hon!" (BALTIMORE, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Wed a Stranger (Mass Market Paperback)

Lady Annabelle Wylde is touted to be the most beautiful woman in London. So why is she still single well into her twenties? Because beautiful as she is, every man she has ever seriously pursued wound up loving someone else - despite all her machinations. She's tried unsuccessfully to find love, but neither will she be pitied by the ton and wind up a spinster. So when her father proposes an arranged marriage to stranger Miles Croft, she agrees. He's handsome and wealthy and amiable enough, so why not?

Miles Croft, Viscount Pelham, is taken with her beauty, grace and moxie. He needs to reestablish his family in society after his mother's disastrous second marriage nearly ruined them all. Oh yes, Lady Annabelle will do just perfectly - grace, beauty, charm and sterling family name - not to mention that he wants her as well.

Well, the best laid plans . . . unfortunately, Annabelle becomes seriously ill on the honeymoon and emerges a shadow of her former self. Though Miles is at her side every step of the way during her long convalescence, she wonders if it's just pity or the polite concern any kind man would show his wife. And when Annabelle finally heals and makes her triumphant return to society Miles wonders with sadness if she no longer needs him. But why should either care? Wasn't this a marriage of convenience?

Since this is my first Edith Layton book, I obviously was not familiar with Annabelle's character. She's apparently played key roles in prior books as something of a manipulative flirt. As a result, I found I had very little emotional investment in her until a third of the way into this book. Same with Miles - he's the ultimate nice guy and thoroughly likeable, but I wasn't mad for him. Their relationship lacked that emotional spark coming across as more friendship than passionate romance to me. And I found the blackmail subplot tedious. I did, however, feel for her after losing her looks, dealing with a difficult and slow convalescence and the humiliation of appearing in public again while not looking her best. She definitely had strength and courage and Miles was sweetly supportive. Rather than the blackmail bit, I'd rather have seen more time spent on building the relationship of the leads and even would have liked to see more of Miles' sister Camille and Eric Ford (but perhaps they're getting their own story). This story had potential, but ultimately is just an OK read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Annabelle Redeemed !, February 27, 2003

By 

"davislnd" (Ferndale, Washington USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Wed a Stranger (Mass Market Paperback)

I didn't think it could be done ,really this was one character we all truly loved to hate and I for one was NOT looking forward to having any sympathy for her...And I knew I would.. because Ms.Layton draws the reader into these things.So I bought the book and let it set for a few days pondering. I didn't want to like it.But I love Ms. Laytons style of writing so I convinced myself that was why I was going to read it,not about Annabelle!!
I won't really describe the tale told cuz I hate it when some one spoils the story for me ,I will say to all the fans of this great author that this is well worth reading and just as endearing as her other storys have been.