The Perfect Wife
by Lynsay Sands
Lady Avelyn Straughton believes she is too plump to be loved and is mortified when her betrothed sees her in a padded gown. Paen de Gerville, newly returned from war, finds her perfect, and must convince her of it. A comic medieval romance.
About This Book
The Perfect Wife is a historical romance novel by Lynsay Sands, first published in 2005 by Leisure Books. It runs 354 pages. Readers can expect opposites attract.
At a glance
- Genre
- Historical
- Trope
- Opposites Attract
- Length
- 354 pages
- Format
- Mass Market Paperback
Where to read or listen
Get The Perfect Wife by Lynsay Sands
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- A self-conscious noblewoman finds her insecurities challenged when her returning-soldier betrothed insists she is perfect just as she is.
- Fans of historical romance
- Readers who enjoy body positivity themes
- Humorous
- Features Opposites Attract
This may not be ideal if…
- Short description limits full analysis
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Historical Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Balanced
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adult
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Lady Avelyn Straughton feels deeply insecure about her weight and is mortified when her betrothed, Paen de Gerville, catches a glimpse of her in a padded gown. Having returned from war, Paen finds Avelyn entirely to his liking and must navigate her self-doubt to convince her that she is the perfect wife for him.
Central Conflict
Avelyn's struggle with body image and low self-esteem creates a barrier to accepting her betrothed's genuine affection.
Setting
Medieval period.
Strengths
- Strong character-driven premise
- Relatable insecurity
Consider before reading
- Short description limits full analysis
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Lynsay Sands
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Leisure Books
- Format
- Mass Market Paperback
- Length
- 354 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780843954999
- ISBN-10
- 084395499X
The Perfect Wife: quick answers
- Who wrote The Perfect Wife?
- The Perfect Wife was written by Lynsay Sands.
- When was The Perfect Wife published?
- The Perfect Wife was first published in 2005 by Leisure Books.
- What genre is The Perfect Wife?
- The Perfect Wife is a historical romance novel, with opposites attract.
- How many pages is The Perfect Wife?
- The Perfect Wife is 354 pages long (Mass Market Paperback).
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get The Perfect Wife by Lynsay Sands
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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