Sabrina is a widow left alone to raise her daughter Belinda, she gave up her wild past and became a very proper woman obeying all of the society rules to ensure her daughter a good marriage. Belinda becomes engaged to Erik the son of the Earl of Wyldewood. The only problem is Sabrina has no dowry to offer, due bad investments she has been left penniless. Sabrina discovers her husband won a letter that gives the location of gold that was hidden in Egypt, the answer to her money problems. She lets her butler in on her upcoming adventure who has accompanied her in the past, with his help she locates others from her past to assist her. Once her daughter discovers what she is planning she begs her finance to help, he goes to his father the Earl of Wyldwood, Nicolas. When he arrives Sabrina is packed and ready to go he insist she cancel the trip, when she does not he decides to accompany her. Once they sail Sabrina stays in her room, she is worried that he will discover her past and call of the marriage, she decides to stop hiding and deal with him. He tells her that he had her investigated and she would make the “Perfect Wife” for his status, unaware of her wild past. Sabrina decides that maybe marriage to him would guarantee her daughter’s marriage to Erik so she offers to marry him, with the understanding his is only a marriage of convenience, he agrees.

When I opened the book and read the prologue I really was looking forward to this story, but nothing every happened I was so bored reading the book the story was cluttered, the plot was not rewarding I am surprised I finished the book. I did enjoy some the secondary characters the were more enjoyable then the main characters. I read one other book by her and it was much better then this. ( )

First off, I love Victoria Alexander's writting-- she is an amazing historical romance author, providing both wit and love, steamy passion and mystery, and a good plot line and characters. What more can you possibly ask for?!

The Perfect Wife started off a little bit slow, but quickly gained speed. It was different, as far as my reading preferences go, because the hero and heroine were both parents, widowed, and they were in their thrities already. Usually the heroine is younger, maybe 26, and the hero is anywhere from her age on up to mid 30's. I'm not really complaining, however, because as I read the story, I felt that they really matched, and they truly did love each other.

Set in the back drop of England, but quickly moving to the open sea and Egypt, The Perfect Wife was captivating and interesting. Not only is it a great love story *With some great love scenes, I might add!* but V.A. has managed to also give us a nice subplot, the theme of danger and adventure, burried treasure and secret pasts...

I also liked how she was able to so deftly weave together not only Nicholas and Sabrina's love story, but also Erik and Belinda's and even some of Matt and Nic's sister *I'm so sorry, I can't remember her first name right now!!*. I found it a nice mix, and I didn't feel that it was confusing or took depth away from any of the relationships, like you would expect from such a detailed character plot.

4.5/5 STARS! The Perfect Wife is a great example of historical romance at it's best-- steamy, yet innocent, true love and exotic mysteries... And more than few reformed rakes... Because every woman knows---A reformed rake makes the best husband! ;) ( )

An adventerous story with mature primary characters (i.e., baggage) and the humor that I love in Victoria Alexander's work. Even the secondary characters were well-developed. ( )

From BackCover:
THE PERFECT WIFE

An ideal spouse, the Earl of Wyldewood had decided, should be pleasant to look at and agreeable to display on his arm. She should have little effect on his well-ordered life, and little to do with his private pursuit of pleasure. After meeting Sabrina Winfield, he thought he had found the woman to fit the bill. Graceful and genteel, the exquisite blonde seemed a perfect match.

But appearances, the Earl was soon to discover, could be deceiving. For beneath Sabrina's delicate beauty lay the most infuriatingly stubborn, wildly adventurous woman he'd ever known. And now his plans for a proper marriage were about to go dreadfully awry. For suddenly all the mighty Earl could think about was silencing her biting repartee with his kisses, diverting her schemes with expert seduction, and forever surrendering his heart and soul to her capable hands. ( )