The Wife He Always Wanted

School for Brides #5

by Cheryl Ann Smith

The next irresistible romance in the School for Brides series from the author of A Convenient  Bride...Sarah Palmer is impoverished, desperate, and alone. Her father was murdered years ago, and her only sibling is now dead. When an unkempt man turns up on her doorstep, he claims a friendship with her late brother, and the desire to fulfill her brother’s dying wish that they marry. Sarah sees no other solution for her situation but to wed the roguish stranger. Although it’s not apparent from his gruff appearance, Gabriel Harrington comes from one of London’s finest families. However, he is not the man Sarah’s brother intended her to marry. Overcome with guilt at his hasty lie, Gabriel must begin a life with the chilly Miss Palmer, who appears content with their passionless marriage. But Sarah is not as immune to Gabriel as he thinks. Driven by the desire to learn the truth behind her father’s murder and committed to a make her unexpected marriage successful, she fights to win Gabriel’s affections. Once he begins to see the passion in her, he isn’t that hard to convince…   

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 3, 2013

About the author

A fan of historical romance fiction, author Cheryl Ann Smith combines a love of history and all things English to create stories that link both passions.

She lives in Michigan with her family, two cats and a very hairy dog. She enjoys outdoor adventures and traveling, when she has the time, and hopes to make her first visit to England in the very near future.

Reviews

[Haley · Rating 2 out of 5]

C+ on All About Romance

I didn’t have any real expectations for The Wife He Always Wanted when I picked it up. The author, and her previous books in the series, were totally unknown to me. What I ended up with was a really middle of the road book. The story seems to skim the surface of what Regency romances are without ever delving into deeper emotion or any original territory.

Sarah Palmer has been left destitute by the death of her father and brother. She is struggling just to put food in her own belly. So, when a man claiming to be a friend of her brother’s shows up declaring that they are engaged, she thinks that his offer can’t possibly be worse than her current situation. Gabriel Harrington was friends with Sarah’s late brother but he lied about her brother asking him to marry her. I never actually understood why Gabriel decided to lie about this. Sarah’s brother asked him to look after her until he could find her a husband. Then Gabriel shows up and just up and decides to marry her himself. What was odd was that, even after he decides he should wed Sarah, he acts nervous and reluctant about the marriage. His lack of conviction about the marriage carried over to me and made it to where I could not really believe the scenario. This ended up feeling like a very forced way of squeezing these characters into the plot whether it made sense or not. At least from Sarah’s side, there was some justification for her decision. She has been on the verge of starvation and had already been avoiding undesirable marriage offers.

Of course, lucky for Sarah, Gabriel comes from a wealthy family. They hightail it to London to live with his family – who welcomes Sarah with open arms. Once they arrived, this book started to feel like it was checking off a list of what a Regency romance should be. There were makeovers, fancy balls, masquerades, jealousy, and the main character making female friends. Even Sarah and Gabriel’s gradual romance did not appear as anything original. Although none of this is all that bad, it made for a forgettable book. I actually enjoyed some parts of the story, however, the character names could have been changed out with only a few minor changes in the details and this book could’ve taken the place of any other less than remarkable historical romance I’ve read and forgotten about.

The romance between Gabriel and Sarah lacked any genuine chemistry. However, I did like Sarah’s attempts to build their relationship. I think that, in the end, they were a sweet couple. By the end of the book, there was some genuine affection between the pair. I was happy that I enjoyed their interactions because it saved the book from being overly dull.

Sarah’s friendship with her new sister-in-law was also nice enough. The friend attempts to teach Sarah how to seduce her own husband and help cement their relationship. I think that, without this friendship, Sarah’s transformation from a frightened virgin to the woman who is seducing her own husband would have been totally unrealistic.

The historical setting of this book was a lot less lush and captivating than most historical romances I have read lately. I never got a firm idea of what Sarah and Gabriel’s world was like. I think that Smith attempted to force more period language onto the book in order to create atmosphere. Sadly, this caused the narration to feel a little stilted and the dialogue lost some of its natural flow. The book never mentions, that I can recall, exactly what year this was intended to be, however, I would like to know that information. The characters made several references to things happening in Texas and, as a native Texan who grew up with Texas history, this set off some bells in my head. Given that Texas didn’t claim independence from Mexico, let alone become a state, until after the Regency period ended, I have to wonder whether a poor girl from rural England would have known anything about Texas. It was such a little detail but, the first time Gabriel mentioned having been to Texas, it pulled me totally out of the story and sent me hunting for information about when Texas really became Texas.

The Wife He Always Wanted does contain a little bit of a mystery storyline revolving around the death of Sarah’s father. I can’t really say much about this except that it didn’t work for me. The mystery element takes the majority of the book to really appear and was not particularly memorable or exciting. I understood the attempt to add a fuller plot to the book but it just didn’t do it for me.

All in all, this book was just… nice. There were times that were sweet and some that were borderline sexy, however, it didn’t evoke any real emotion in me. I think that Smith may be trying a little too hard to imitate other romances she has read and it made for a stuffy read. That said, there does seem to be some potential in her storytelling method and I hope that she can find her own niche where she is comfortable writing.

[Sherrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story in the School For Brides series. I really liked the 2 main characters. Recommend this book.

[Wendy Tavenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful adventurous read! Sarah was on the verge of starving when a bear of a barbaric man knocked in buckskins knocked on her door. Gabriel Harrington has just come from America to tell Sarah her brother was dead, when he saw her starved body he then claims Albert betrothed them. Sarah agrees, they are married and they head to a London. Sarah believes she can find out about her fathers murder 10 years before. Instead she opens a hornets nest of spies, murder, coverup and traitors. A fast paste read with a great ending to a wonderful series!

[Robin Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of contrived and far fetched, but the story has a certain charm. The couple meet when Gabriel comes to tell Sarah of the death of her brother. He finds her living in poverty and about to marry the town bully in desperation. They marry and return to London where she meets his extremely wealthy family. Needless to say this leads to marriage. Then they begin to investigate the death of her father amid the scandals, gossip and getting settled in her old home.0f course all works out in the end - as in all good fairy tales.

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out as an interesting marriage of convenience novel, but it lost my interest half way in the book when the romance part was almost entirely resolved and the spy story took over. Pity that.

[Zaxs Yacs · Rating 3 out of 5]

SHARING: The Wife He Always Wanted By
Cheryl Ann Smith (NEW RELEASE)

Cheryl Ann Smith

The Wife He Always Wanted

By Cheryl Ann Smith

 The School for Brides, Book #5

The
next irresistible romance in the School for Brides series from the author of A Convenient Bride...

Sarah Palmer is impoverished, desperate,
and alone. Her father was murdered years ago, and her only sibling is now dead.
When an unkempt man turns up on her doorstep, he claims a friendship with her
late brother, and the desire to fulfill her brother’s dying wish that they
marry. Sarah sees no other solution for her situation but to wed the roguish
stranger.

Although it’s not apparent from his gruff
appearance, Gabriel Harrington comes from one of London’s finest families.
However, he is not the man Sarah’s brother intended her to marry. Overcome with
guilt at his hasty lie, Gabriel must begin a life with the chilly Miss Palmer,
who appears content with their passionless marriage.

But Sarah is not as immune to Gabriel as he
thinks. Driven by the desire to learn the truth behind her father’s murder and
committed to a make her unexpected marriage successful, she fights to win
Gabriel’s affections. Once he begins to see the passion in her, he isn’t that
hard to convince… 

[Gayle Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW

I found that this author has written some very good books in the Bride Romance series. I haven't read all of them, of which I wish I had started with Book One and continued in series. I loved the book. Sarah Palmer appeared at first to be a country mouse, but she soon became a strong woman who finally let her husband be a husband. I know some readers don't care for the 'mistress' kind of book, but this book held a different outlook on the 'courtesan'. The courtesans were being helped if they wanted it. They were a part of history whether we like it or not. This has followed through the years and is still going on. The hero,, Gabriel (Gabe) travelled with Sarah's brother. The brother had some hidden secrets that he took to his grave. The brother had asked Gabe to see that his sister is taken care of. He found Sarah who is very shy and backward. Gabriel tells Sarah that her brother had made a betrothal between them. You couldn't but like that big, gorgeous hunk of man. He then marries Sarah and they start for the Harrington Estate. Gabriel is from one of the finest families in London. After some very awkward and frustrating moments, Gabriel and Sarah become actual husband and wife. They join together to try and solve the mystery of Sarah's father''s death. What was the secrets that were being kept silent? What was the reason for Sarah's father's murder? There is a lot of passion, mystery,and strong wills that will keep you turning the pages so you don't miss one little moment between Gabe and Sarah.Pick up a copy and go on the adventures with Gabe and Sarah. It won't be dull.

I would give this book 4 GOLD RINGS.

I was given a complimentary copy of THE WIFE HE ALWAYS WANTED by Cheryl Ann Smith from Manic Readers for my uncompensated view.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read the entire School for Brides series, I jumped in a little late with books 4 and 5. Even though I read the title prior to this one, I feel that you can fully enjoy the series by reading all of the books. There are a lot of secondary characters that I feel I would have enjoyed more if I fully understood their background. Cheryl Ann Smith does a good job of weaving everyone’s stories in but I still had some confusion with other characters. Other than that, I really enjoyed the story of Sarah and Gabriel. Sarah is on her last leg. After the death of her father she’s been living with an aunt who has now passed and with no other relatives she will soon lose her home, not that there’s much left of it. Over the years she’s had to sell off anything of worth to support her and her aunt. When a disheveled man shows up at her door claiming to be the man her brother intended for her to marry, Sarah doesn’t feel life she has any other option. Gabriel knew he shouldn’t have lied to Sarah but offering her marriage seems like the only way to convince her to leave with him. Gabriel believes that Sarah is in danger and he promised her brother that he’d keep her safe. As they slowly navigate their marriage, secrets are revealed and they both have to decide how they would life their marriage to proceed. Is there a chance for happiness or should they go their separate ways? I really enjoyed how Sarah grew, how she found strength in herself and stood up to Gabriel. I loved Gabriel’s interactions with his family and how his family welcomed Sarah. Fun read!

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

What's a nearly destitute girl to do who's all alone with no immediate prospects other than to marry a lecherous widower with a load of kids? Why, accept the sudden proposal of a stranger, that's what! And if he claims that her deceased brother willed it so, all should work out fine.

Although this is the fifth book in the series, this was my first experience with School for Brides and its author. I have to say that I was lured by the title because it suggests that I'll get that rare treat in historical romance—an exposé of the hero's mind and emotions. I have a soft spot for heroes who lay it all out—their emotions, their insecurities, their hopes to win the girl. I thought for sure this was one of those times. In the end, I felt the title was a bit misleading.

Still, I could forgive Gabriel for manipulating the marriage because he was ultimately a good guy. And I laughed over Sarah's attempts to attract his more husbandly attention under the tutelage of the courtesans' school. Their sexual tension was something to savor and that they liked each other was a plus. But then solving her father's murder overshadowed their romance for the better half of the book leaving only a few tender moments between the couple. That relationship plateau bugged me especially after the steady build up stalled until it rushed back into focus at the ending. The Wife He Always Wanted was more like what he didn't know he wanted until it was in his face.

Although an enjoyable read as a stand alone, I'll pass on searching out the previous books in this series.

[Aspoon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The summary sounded so nice and engaging...but after reading about 10 chapters I realize this book SUCKS big time. I found that the author descriptions of the characters were lacking in every area...which is sad because that's what really gives the readers a connection to the characters...I felt little chemistry between Sarah and Gabe...the mystery surrounding her father death seriously came out of no where and it dragged on longer than it needed to. I was really hoping for more of a love connection than a mystery. I had to stop several times while reading to research some of the authors other books and see what other reviews were and it's interesting that only a few people have read her books...I can see why.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I was so excited by the blurb and 1/3 of the way thru the book was ready to call it quits. I admit that I had not read the other books in this series and perhaps that is why I found it difficult to follow who was who in the family. In addition to a slow moving story and portions that made little sense (such as why Sarah was willing to talk with everyone about the problems in her marriage but wasn't talking to them about her hunt for her father's killer?), I was ready to just stop. Luckily I didn't, the last third of this book moved this book from 2 stars to 3- it picked up pace, the characters began to actually grow.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sad in the aspect of knowing this series is coming to an end with this final story, but on the other hand I am happy to have the book and be able to read it. Which wins the war of how I feel about the book? I dragged this book out as long as I could because anyone who has read the rest of the books in this series knows that it won't feel the same once this series ends. But boy what a way to end it! You got to love the dedication of the book.... Awww. :)

[May ّمي · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Finally
Cheryl books always lose me in the middle .. the plot get to complicated and a little boring there ..

Not reading one of hers for a while ..

I loved the whole bunch all the characters of the previous books are in this one. I loved the interactions, the revisit .. it was nice and refreshing.

[Roshane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Good story but the period language felt forced.