Cover of The Ideal Wife
Historical RomanceRegency Romance

The Ideal Wife

by

  • 1991 first published
  • 254 pages
  • ★ 3.8 (5 ratings)
  • 6 editions
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Published in 1991, The Ideal Wife is a historical romance and Regency romance novel by Mary Balogh. It is set in the Regency era. Characters include Abigail Gardiner and Miles Ripley Earl of Severn. It deals with married people.

Open Library readers give it an average of 3.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, and 37 more have it on their want-to-read list. It has been published in 6 editions. It appeared on the New York Times Mass Market Paperback bestseller list in 2008.

It runs to roughly 254 pages — 4–5 hours of reading at an average pace.

About The Ideal Wife

In this classic tale, New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh introduces a hero like no other: Miles Ripley, London's most irresistible bachelor, who's about to lose his heart to the last person he ever expected to love--his wife. When Abigail Gardiner knocks at the door of Miles Ripley, Earl of Severn, the last thing she expects is a marriage proposal. Desperate, she'd come to this charismatic stranger's home to plead for her future. Instead she shocks them both by saying yes. Her impulsive decision will have consequences neither she nor her new husband can foresee. For Miles has his own reasons for marrying her. And Abigail is harboring a secret of her own. As distrust gives way to desire . . . as, together, they give in to the pleasures of the marriage bed, a devastating scandal threatens their future. Now these two wary hearts will risk ruin and disgrace for a love that has changed them both forever--the kind all seek, but few ever find.From the Paperback edition.
Description from Open Library

Awards & lists

  • 📰New York Times bestseller list — Mass Market Paperback, 2008

Themes, setting & tropes

Genres

Era

Characters

  • Abigail Gardiner
  • Miles Ripley Earl of Severn

Subjects

  • Regency Historical Romance
  • Aristocracy, Social class
  • Married people

Quick answers

Who wrote The Ideal Wife?

The Ideal Wife was written by Mary Balogh and first published in 1991.

What genre is The Ideal Wife?

It is usually shelved as Historical Romance and Regency Romance.

How long is The Ideal Wife?

The median edition has 254 pages, about 4–5 hours of reading at 250 words per minute.

What books are similar to The Ideal Wife?

Readers who like it often enjoy Marriage Most Scandalous, The Grand Sophy and Frederica.

More by Mary Balogh

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