--- product_id: 105923126 title: "Paper Wife: A Novel" price: "£1.65" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/105923126-paper-wife-a-novel store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # Paper Wife: A Novel **Price:** £1.65 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Paper Wife: A Novel - **How much does it cost?** £1.65 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/105923126-paper-wife-a-novel) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description From the bestselling author of Yellow Crocus comes a heart-wrenching story about finding strength in a new world. Southern China, 1923. Desperate to secure her future, Mei Ling’s parents arrange a marriage to a widower in California. To enter the country, she must pretend to be her husband’s first wife—a paper wife. On the perilous voyage, Mei Ling takes an orphan girl named Siew under her wing. Dreams of a better life in America give Mei Ling the strength to endure the treacherous journey and detainment on Angel Island. But when she finally reaches San Francisco, she’s met with a surprise. Her husband, Chinn Kai Li, is a houseboy, not the successful merchant he led her to believe. Mei Ling is penniless, pregnant, and bound to a man she doesn’t know. Her fragile marriage is tested further when she discovers that Siew will likely be forced into prostitution. Desperate to rescue Siew, she must convince her husband that an orphan’s life is worth fighting for. Can Mei Ling find a way to make a real family—even if it’s built on a paper foundation? Review: Paper Wife - Good book - The story captivated me. Review: Well written story of a Chinese young woman coming to America as a paper wife - Paper wife is a well written story of a Chinese young woman who becomes the wife of Kari Li due to a contract her father made. Actually it was her sister that was in the contract however she was sick so it was Mei Ling's responsibility to take her place. The book is a historical novel which tells the story of young Mei Ling experience to marry a stranger and come to California to live. It is deep in custom and shows the sacrifices the family goes through. It tells of her year in Angel Island in San Francisco and the hardships she faced. It also tells of a young woman's struggles in a strange environment and different culture. The story tells about paper wives and how the new immigrates from China had to adapt to a totally different world. It is a story of love, disappointment, sacrifice, resourcefulness, and adaptation. I was a little disappointed in the happily ever after ending as it just didn't seem real. But on the whole this was a good read and I would recommend it for anyone who likes historic novels. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #29,067 in Kindle Store ( See Top 100 in Kindle Store ) #5 in Historical Chinese Fiction #12 in Historical Asian Fiction #65 in Asian American & Pacific Islander Literature (Books) | ## Images ![Paper Wife: A Novel - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1sY1Ke7tSL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Paper Wife - Good book *by T***0 on May 7, 2026* The story captivated me. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Well written story of a Chinese young woman coming to America as a paper wife *by M***I on October 16, 2019* Paper wife is a well written story of a Chinese young woman who becomes the wife of Kari Li due to a contract her father made. Actually it was her sister that was in the contract however she was sick so it was Mei Ling's responsibility to take her place. The book is a historical novel which tells the story of young Mei Ling experience to marry a stranger and come to California to live. It is deep in custom and shows the sacrifices the family goes through. It tells of her year in Angel Island in San Francisco and the hardships she faced. It also tells of a young woman's struggles in a strange environment and different culture. The story tells about paper wives and how the new immigrates from China had to adapt to a totally different world. It is a story of love, disappointment, sacrifice, resourcefulness, and adaptation. I was a little disappointed in the happily ever after ending as it just didn't seem real. But on the whole this was a good read and I would recommend it for anyone who likes historic novels. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very interesting *by D***I on March 25, 2026* Very interesting --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/105923126-paper-wife-a-novel](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/105923126-paper-wife-a-novel) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-06-05*