Title: The Ideal Wife (Stapleton-Downes #1; Dark Angel #5)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: 1991

Genre: Romance

Pages: 339

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf; Finishing the Series; Romance

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

I might be reading the Dark Angel series out of order, but this was written first, so I’m starting here… Also, it’s been on my book shelves for a few years now. Time to read and get rid of it.

I loved this story! Abby and Miles are such great characters. The plot uses a common trope in Regency romances, but I loved how the story evolved from there. We get to know the two main characters very well in just a short amount of time. I loved see how Abby and Miles grew both in their own person and within their marriage. Seriously loved it!

Stapleton-Downes: