Married to a Perfect Stranger

Starred review from January 5, 2015
Ashford (The Headstrong Ward) once again provides the perfect blend of interesting, emotionally complex, and open-hearted protagonists, supported by their sparklingly witty social allies and vexed by bumbling, blustering political enemies, as they make their way through the complex world of 1816 London’s high society. John Bexley, having been called to an awkward two-year government mission in China immediately after his honeymoon, comes home to find his shy wife, Mary, transformed into a “managing female”—and she is just as displeased to find that he has become difficult and secretive. But as Mary makes fortunate social connections and begins to value her own skills as a preternaturally insightful portrait artist, and as John slowly yields more information about his clandestine work, their relationship opens up into mutual admiration, support, and delight. In a story of personal growth and excited rediscovery, both characters must overcome scorn and opposition from their family and colleagues in order to come into themselves, appreciate each other, and turn a naïvely arranged marriage into a passionate partnership. A preteen boy and a misbehaving monkey add mischief and merriment to this marvelous novel. Agent: Jennifer Weltz, Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency.

February 15, 2015
What happened to the woman John Bexley married? When John left his new bride, Mary, 18 months ago to travel to China, she was a sweet, shy lady. The Mary John now faces is anything but complacent, as evidenced by her ability to snap out orders to servants as well as engage in verbal fisticuffs with John whenever she believes him to be in the wrong. Who does John Bexley think he is? Mary is not the same woman she was when her husband packed her off to stay with her great aunt Lavinia while he traipsed halfway around the globe. Now if Mr. Bexley expects to waltz back home and just pick things up exactly where he left them, he is in for a rude awakening! Ashford's latest flawlessly written love story is a quietly compelling tale about what it takes to make a marriage really work. The author's ability to create truly memorable characters while getting all the historical domestic details exactly right ensures that romance readers picky about authenticity will be well rewarded.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)