The Perfect Wife

This book truly surprised me by how entertaining it was. There was so much going on and it with all the misunderstandings and poor timing, I would have thought I'd be frustrated, but I wasn't. I found it to be thought provoking, sad, and funny all at the same time. It's starts out with an obsessed Henry who'll do anything to keep his happy childhood home from falling into the ocean literally. He can't save it because he doesn't own it and the only way to own it, before it collapses into water, is to get married so that he'll receive his full inheritance. So the despicable Henry decides he needs to marry. Between he and his best friend, they select the most undesirable and fat woman they can find, Anne, who is absolutely beautiful on the inside, although young and naive. Anne is head over heels in love with Henry and can't believe her fortune when Henry proposes, but on their wedding day, Henry gets called away where he attains his inheritance and his home. Three weeks later, Anne gets divorce papers, even though they haven't consumated the marriage, and that throws her into ruination. Fast forward two years and Anne has lost all the weight and is beautiful on the outside. Between she and her best friend, they decide to instill "The Plan" to get Henry to fall madly in love with Anne so she can tell him to go to hell when he does. The first time Henry sees Anne, he doesn't realize it's her and is quite smitten. From there, it's ups and downs on both their plans in the battle of the sexes. What I really enjoyed were Henry and Anne's best friends. They were a delight in this story. Underlying all this, was a very serious and sad turn of Henry's grandfather's story. Normally, I don't like when I'm pulled away from the main characters, but the supporting cast was equally entertaining if not more so at times, and that's saying alot, because I loved each turn of events from Henry and Anne. I really enjoyed the writing which kept me engaged all throughout, although I have to say that love did not seem to sprout from a personality as opposed to a pretty package. Once love was there, I felt it was there for good, but how love got there wasn't as convincing. Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed this story. Although alot of content was quite sobering, it was delivered in a witty upbeat tone that I couldn't stay away from.

Henry is a jerk but he's our jerk - he does what he has to in order to get what he wants, although at least he does feel some (redeeming) remorse. Ann has a bit of growing up to do, and it's unfortunately painful. But what a great story as both these two evolve along the way! You will root for Ann to get both her revenge and her love...a wonderful time will be had by all!

The Perfect Wife takes place in Rhode Island, in 1893. It's a romance about a young woman whose weight and appearance puts her in last position as a popular debutante, but in first place with a man desperately looking for a woman he couldn't possibly have an emotional attachment with, marry, and ultimately leave in order to get his rightful inheritance from his wicked, selfish grandfather.In the first chapter, the reader is made aware of Henry Owens feelings, and what he feels are acceptable reasons for choosing Anne Foster and treating her the way he does. I'm sure each reader will have her own reaction to it and to the story line that reveals everyone's secrets, including Henry's parents and grandfather. My reaction was sympathy for Anne, but I had none for Henry or his grandfather, even up to the end. When Anne is rejected, her family and society put her out. She disappears, and after two years comes back for revenge. This is where the story takes off. Anne's friend Beatrice Leyden, Bea's brother, and mother, Helen, take part in The Plan to make Henry pay for ruining Anne's life. Henry's moral support will be found in his life long friend Alex Henley and a famous socialite.The story as a whole was an interesting read. Jane Goodger juggles the different story lines quite well. Once I realized that the grandfather's journal was going to pop up, off and on, throughout the story I was able to capture each bit of the information, put it aside, and continue on with the main story. Once at the end I was able to put the grandfather's journal pieces together and understand the impact of it. Like I said, I held no sympathy for his character, but I thought his storyline added a great mystery feel to the main plot. I will give a couple of fair warnings: the sexual content is bold and passionate and the author successfully reveals the sad side of prejudice that is shown against those who are overweight. It's a serious, though provoking read that will have you turning the pages in hopes of a happy ending.

This is a Cinderella story with a twist of revenge.Ms. Goodger has drawn her characters so well that they come alive. This story takes place when Newport was THE place to be and when divorcees were absolutely to be shunned. Henry Owen, a ruthless rogue in need to marry to claim his inheritance of an ancestral home, sets his sights on Anne Foster to complete his plans. Anee is an overweight, shy wallflower and can hardly believe that this wonderful man (in her eyes) wants to marry her. At the end of their wedding day Henry tells Anne that he must see to some business and will be back soon. He disappears and shortly thereafter, when Anne has to return to parents' home in disgrace, divorce papers arrive with no word of explanation. Anne soon becomes aware of the plot concocted by Henry and his friend Alex Henley to get Henry's inheritance. Anne is comforted by her best friend, Beatrice, and is totally shunned by everyone, even to the degree of being pushed out of her own home. Her mother does not want to lost HER social standing. Two years later a slim, beautiful woman - Anne - appears at a social gathering at the urging of her friend, Beatrice. Anne knows she will be shunned but feels she must do this.When Henry sees her, he does not recognize her and is instantly attracted to her. When he learns her identity, he is stunned and can hardly believe that this sophisticated woman is the woman he dumped two years ago. Beatrice convinces Anne to turn the tables on Henry by leading him on until a marriage proposal and then refuse him. However, the complication is that Anne has never stopped loving Henry. A subplot between Alex and Beatrice is very good. Five stars ++/