Made the Grade: Married to a Perfect Stranger by Jane Ashford

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 386; Kindle Edition - File Size: 1066 KB | Expected Release Date: March 3, 2015 | Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca | Obtained: NetGalley

"Married to a Perfect Stranger" by Jane Ashford (aka Jane LeCompte)

Authors' Book Description : Quiet and obliging, John Bexley and Mary Fleming married to please their families. A month later, John was sent off on a two-year diplomatic mission. Now he's back, and they find that everything they thought they knew about each other is wrong. It's disconcerting, irritating and...somehow very exciting.

Reviews

...the perfect blend of interesting, emotionally complex and open-hearted protagonists...marvelous... Publishers Weekly starred review

...a touching, heart-warming story. RT Book Reviews 4 stars

Ashford's flawlessly written love story is a quietly compelling tale about what it takes to make a marriage really work. Booklist

An absorbing romance. For all collections. Library Journal

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars, at the urging of their Mothers’ two years ago, John and Mary married each other than John left for a two-year voyage to China for his job at the Foreign Office. Once John returns to England they find that their two years apart has changed them both and as they slowly come to terms with the new changes, they try to figure out how to work as a married couple once and for all. However, are all their personal changes for the better? In addition, with John trying to get advancements at work will they be able to help each other out or will their help turn into more personal blunders?

This is an intensely sweet novel about two supposedly similar individuals, who changed while they were apart, trying to make their marriage work as they navigate the difficulties of English society. I really liked how Mary was able to handle all the changes in her life without ending up being walked on by John or anyone else. Mary’s ability to draw, and what comes out of her drawings, is pretty amazing and makes the reader wish for that ability too. In addition, I liked John and Mary together! They are very sweet as a couple and I liked how John defended Mary, no matter the cost.

I recommend this novel to those looking for an easy flowing, historical romance that is a thrilling read too.

Purchase This Book Here : IndieBound (Paperback) : Married to a Perfect Stranger | Kobo (e-Book) : Married to a Perfect Stranger | Alibris (Paperback) : Married to a Perfect Stranger


Book Teaser(s) :

"Both our ideas will work," Mary insisted. "And things will go back to the way they were. Or...they will be even better. Your brothers will treat you with respect..."
"Don't ask for the moon," John laughed.
"Why not?" she demanded. She wanted so much, more than she could say just now.
"Never give up?"
"Never!"
Still laughing, he kissed her. ~ within Chapter 15

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Jane, then please check out her website.