This hit all of my bulletproofs.

Bride is older than groom - check
So much pining for like over a decade - check
Marriage of convenience - check
Bride isn't a beauty or even particularly attractive - check
EXCEPT WHEN SHE BLOSSOMS BECAUSE SHE STARTS BELIEVING IN HERSELF - check

Also had awesome lady friendship and passes the Bechdel test, icing on the cake. I checked this out from the library but I'm gonna buy a hard copy and reread often.