The Ideal Wife (Thorndike Press Large Print Romance Series) [LARGE PRINT] (Hardcover)

by Mary Balogh (Author)
Key Phrases: quizzing glass, Sir Gerald, Lord Severn, Lady Ripley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Miles Ripley, the young, dashing and wealthy earl of Severn, is tired of scheming women (namely his mother and sister) trying to marry him off. Just as he vows to marry a quiet, undemanding woman, the plucky, irrepressible Abigail Gardiner--a destitute, distant relative--comes seeking a recommendation from him; having been abruptly dismissed for impertinence from her position as a lady's companion, she presents herself as thoroughly subservient. The earl, seeing the answer to his problems, offers marriage instead of a reference. The couple spends an idyllic three days as newlyweds, although Miles is bemused to realize he knows very little about his wife. Trouble comes with the arrival of relatives, and Abigail's mysterious past threatens to shatter their promising beginning. Although she employs all the cliches of the genre, veteran romance writer Balogh ( A Masked Deception ) tells a good story, filled with likable characters.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
When desperate financial conditions force Abigail Gardiner to ask the assistance of her distant cousin, the wealthy and influential Earl of Severn, she receives much more than the letter of reference she seeks. For the earl is anxious to escape an imminent marriage to a spoiled society miss that his mother is planning for him. He sees in the seemingly meek and mild Abigail "the ideal wife"--quiet, obedient, someone who will allow him to continue his bachelor ways, yet produce an heir. But underneath the mousy facade, the true Abigail is a far cry from the earl's ideals. Balogh's 25th Regency holds no surprises but is entertaining for those who like the genre.
- Leslie A. Bleil, Western Michigan Univ. Lib., Kalamazoo
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 375 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (September 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410409406
• ISBN-13: 978-1410409409
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,936,002 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She is cute and endearing, he is the perfect husband, June 1, 2000

By	Camy Tang "Asian romance author (www.camytang... (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Ideal Wife (Hardcover)

This is one of my favorites by Mary Balogh. It is "Cinderella"-ish in its fairy-tale plot and happy ending, but if you love that kind of stuff, you'll love this book.

She is Abigail Gardiner, the companion to Mrs. Gill. Mrs. Gill has a cit of a husband with roving hands, especially when it comes to the young governess in hishouse, Abigail's friend. After telling off Mr. Gill, Mrs. Gill turns off Abigail with only a week to find another position.

Desperate, she screws up her courage and goes to see the Earl of Severn, her very distantly related cousin, for a letter of recommendation so that she can find another place of employment. Determined to still her talkative tongue, blunt speech and managing ways, she succeeds so well that the Earl is convinced that she is the plain, quiet brown mouse she appears to be.

The Earl is besieged by managing females--namely his mother and sisters--who are descending upon him in a week in order to encourage him to formally betroth himself to another sweet, very beautiful, equally managing girl.

In a fit of pique he declares he'd rather marry a plain mouse who will NOT manage his life rather than submit to his persuasive mother. Being faced with his impulsive wish in Abigail's visit, he also impulsively decides to marry her...and two days later finds his wife is not what she seemed.

He, however, has never laughed so much in all his thirty years of his life, and is amused and falling in love with his unconventional, warm and friendly and EXTREMELY talkative new wife.

But Abigail is beset by doubts an terrible fears. She never seems to be able to get up the courage to tell him all about her past and scandalous family...until it comes back into her new life to rear its ugly head and destroy her new-found happiness...

This is a quick read and a delightful story. Abigail is entirely endearing in her talkativeness and kind heart. The Earl is the epitomy of a perfect husband--kind, patient, amused and willing to admit when he is wrong, but still slightly confused on the ways of women. Their story is satisfying and sweet.

Players in this book are also featured in other of Mary Balogh's books, namely one of the Earl of Severn's friends, who features in his own book, "A Precious Jewel."

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not as intense as other Balogh stories, February 26, 2007

By	Shaila Jade (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ideal Wife (Hardcover)

I came across the hardcover edition of this title while doing an online catalog search at my local library. I am a huge Mary Balogh fan--although it's very difficult getting a hold of her older books. I've faithfully read my way through the entire Slightly and Simply series (yes, including A Summer to Remember). I totally loved The Secret Pearl; I even bought a collector's copy of the 1st edition original Signet paperback. When I read the Ideal Wife, I had high expectations. I was very disappointed, and even wondered if it was truly written by the same author.

I admit, though, that this is the very first Signet Regency I've read. Maybe the plots of these shorter stories are supposed to be less intense, less heart-wrenching. In The Ideal Wife, the hero is looking for a "nice, quiet & demure" (or plain/dull/very ordinary) wife just to escape his family's marriage plans for him. Enter the heroine, Abby, a very distant relation, if at all, to ask for assistance in seeking employment, and just like that, he proposes. To a virtual stranger.

I could not find anything to like about Abby. She seems like a shallow gold-digger, who accepts a stranger's proposal just to escape destitution and supposedly to help out her family (she wants custody of her 2 younger stepsisters and also wants to pay off the family debts). Her extremely talkative nature seems forced and unnatural--a bit like Christine from Slightly Dangerous. I totally missed the reason why Miles fell inlove with her, and vice versa. There was zero chemistry between them, sexual or otherwise. Where was the initial, intense connection that is almost a trademark of Mary Balogh stories?

The secondary characters were no help either. A scheming stepmother, a proud and independent brother (Boris) who falls for Abby's best friend, even the hero's lovesick best buddy (Sir Gerald)...the whole lot of them were quite unimpressive. When Abby learned of the real reason Miles married her, she pouted and sulked and acted cold towards him in bed and out, then cut her hair the next day. And what about her own deep dark secret? I don't think it made me like her any better. It was a struggle having to finish the entire book. I'm glad I didn't go out and buy a ridiculously overpriced copy.

I'd rather search out the author's other books...I'm confident I will find more worthwhile titles. She is still one of my all-time favorite...I know romance authors cannot possibly come out with winners all the time!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny and totally romantic, March 12, 2002

By	Layla (Dubai - UAE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ideal Wife (Signet Regency Romance) (Paperback)

Mary Balogh is a wonderful writer. Her characters, no matter how seemingly 'ordinary' are never what you expect and Abigail is no exception. The Earl vows to marry the plainest 'mouse' as long as she is not managing.. well.. Abigail is no mouse and she is definitely managing, but she is also kind, loving and deathly afraid of exposing her 'secret' to her husband.

The Earl of Severn is surprised by his wife's many talents and especially her talkativeness... she makes him laugh and he enjoys her company, more than any other woman he knows.. AND she manages his mother and sister beautifully. What else can he ask for?? Why then does he have this distinctly uneasy feeling??

Mary Balogh is her usual superb self. The main characters, as well as the supporting cast are delightful, the dialogue, especially with the ever talkative Abigail is never boring or ordinary. The book is a wonderful read and thoroughly enjoyable.