THE PERFECT WIFE

Author: Lynsay Sands ISBN: 084395499X 10/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: DORCHESTER/Leisure
Time Period: Medieval

It was to be hoped that her groom was partial to cherries. For Avelyn feared she would very much resemble one at their wedding feast. Too round, too red in the scarlet gown that was all she could fit into ... and perhaps too tart for his taste? No doubt he longed for a sweet, biddable bride, one who was as tiny and trim as she was trying to appear. Paen Gerville longed for a lively, well-rounded woman, one whose plump breast would cushion his head after the lonely, harsh life of a solitary fighting knight. At first his wife-to-be promised no such delights—her form was unbending, her health apparently fragile as she fainted into his arms after their first kiss. But one split bridal gown later, her assets were eye-poppingly apparent and Paen could only grin as he anticipated the surprises yet to come on his wedding night with ... The Perfect Wife.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

While this story is a humorous, fun and sexy historical romance, it's also one with a message: Be yourself, believe in yourself, love yourself and know that you have value. With THE PERFECT WIFE, Lynsay Sands sends that message beautifully. To be honest, I really wish Sands had written this book geared toward younger adults. It is the perfect story to introduce historical romance to a teenaged girl who, in today's world, is constantly bombarded with the same criticisms that Avelyn has heard through the majority of her adolescent life—that she's too fat, too ugly, she's a klutz and as a person has no worth.

The saddest part is, after so many years of listening to her cousin's taunts, and despite the loving affection of both her parents, poor Avelyn has come to believe them. When her betrothed comes to claim her as his "perfect" wife, she's sure that "perfect" is one standard she will never be able to live up to.

Enter Paen, her new husband, who realizes that what he sees in Avelyn as a woman and wife, Avelyn doesn't see in herself. While Paen's not exactly the brightest flame in the torch, he is determined to do what it takes to boost her self esteem. However, for a man whose idea of complimenting a woman is by patting her rump and giving her an apple, he soon discovers there is as much to learn about being a husband and understanding the opposite sex (do they ever?), as there is for Avelyn to find self-confidence enough to become his "perfect" wife.

How I enjoyed this story. Both Paen and Avelyn come from warm homes and two loving sets of parents, each who play pivotal roles in Paen's and Avelyn's relationship. Paen is an endearing and loveable rascal, a medieval heart-melter with a touch of naivety, while Avelyn, for all her self-doubts and supposed faults, is beautiful, capable, and loving, which makes her in Paen's eyes, just perfect.

And THE PERFECT WIFE by Lynsay Sands is, in this reviewer's eyes, just perfect as it is, too.

Nancy Davis