Category: Tracy’s Reviews

Someone to Cherish by Mary Balogh

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Someone to Cherish (Westcott #8)Someone to Cherish by Mary Balogh

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Westcott, #8

Release Date: June 29. 2021

Harry Westcott’s life took a dramatic turn after the events of the “Great Disaster” when it was discovered that his recently deceased father, the Earl of Riverdale, had in fact committed bigamy when he married Harry’s mother thus rendering him illegitimate and stripped him of all titles and fortune he once had. Harry then made the decision to enlist in the Army, which nearly cost him his life. Gravely injured at Waterloo, he spent two years being treated in Paris before his cousin and his former guardian brought him home to England. He has spent the last four years healing at his childhood home of Hinsford and now, ten years later, he feels if not happy, at least content. Or he did until he spent the holidays with his mother and sisters, who worry about him. His mother insists that he needs someone to cherish, a claim he doesn’t believe is true. But when he returns to Hinsford and tries to pick up the life he believed he was content with, he meets Lydia Travernor, the widow of the town’s vicar.

15 months after the tragic death of her husband, the much-beloved Reverend Isaiah Tavernor, Lydia is ready to put away her mourning and even considers taking a lover. After Isaiah’s death, Lydia made the surprising choice to stay in town rather than return to her father’s house – much to her father and brother’s disapproval. She purchased a cottage and for the last year has lived completely alone, but not that her mourning is over, and she has eased back into society, she admits she is lonely. After being married for six years, she has no desire to give up her freedom, but that doesn’t mean she wants to spend the rest of her life alone. So when Harry offers to escort her home after dinner at a mutual friend’s house, Lydia does the unthinkable and asks Harry if he is lonely, implying they could become lovers.

Almost immediately, she regrets asking and tries to back away from the implication, but Harry is intrigued and convinces her to at least get to know him, so they can decide later what kind of relationship they might have. After spending some time together, Lydia tells him she can’t be his lover, and even being friends might be too much – Harry tries to respect her decision, but neither can seem to walk away. Add into the mix the fact that someone is spying on Lydia AND Harry’s family is planning a 30th birthday ambush and things in this quiet town start heating up!

This was a very sweet, well-written book with extremely likable characters. I have been looking forward to Harry’s story since the very first book and much like his family, I have worried about him. He is a good man, who has had so many bad things happen in his life, that it would be easy to become bitter, but Harry always seemed to be fine and has had the support and love of his family, but even with that support, Harry is not as happy as he would have everyone think, and when Lydia asks if he is lonely, he realizes that he is and sees a kindred spirit in her. This book is filled with emotion, secrets, well-meaning family members, a very cute dog, mild love scenes, peeping toms, and very slow-burning romance that leads to a very satisfying HEA and as a bonus, the reader gets to catch up with the Westcotts as well as their extended family! This is the eighth book in the series and while I recommend reading the books in order for the best reader experience, this book could easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

His Improper Lady by Candance Camp

On By TracyIn Historical Mystery, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

His Improper Lady (The Mad Morelands, #8)His Improper Lady by Candace Camp

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Mad Morelands, #8

Release Date: June 29, 2021

When Tom Quick thwarts a break-in to his offices, he is shocked to realize the would-be thief is a woman! She escapes but leaves a clue to her identity – a token from the Farrington Club. It isn’t hard for Tom to track her down and confront her, but never in his wildest dreams could he have anticipated the story she has to tell.

Desiree Malone thought she had left her days of crime behind her, but when the opportunity to learn the truth of who her father is comes up, she can’t resist. When she breaks into the offices of Moreland and Quick looking for an envelope that Falk, the kidsman she used to work for wants, she doesn’t find it, but she does find something that might lead her to her father without having to work with Falk. She is so absorbed in her find, that she doesn’t hear Tom and is nearly caught, she barely gets away and takes to the rooftops to escape. It isn’t until later that she realizes she lost her token – the first one she ever won at her brother Brock’s gaming hell. But she is so excited about her find that she doesn’t worry overmuch about it. While in the office, she found a ring in the desk – with the Moreland crest, she immediately recognizes the ring as the same one her brother Brock has, that was given to him as a small child. Desiree and her twin brother Wells, remember nothing of their parents, but Brock was old enough to know some things, such as their parents were not married, their mother was their father’s mistress, and that they ran away together when the twins were still babies. Brock doesn’t know who their father was, but the man had given him a ring and that ring is an exact replica of the one she found in the office! She is sure her father was a Moreland, which in her mind, explains so much especially since she seems to possess a “gift” and has heard the whispers about the Mad Morelands and their “abilities”. She is trying to figure out how to proceed when she is confronted by Tom.

At first, Tom is sure that Desiree is trying to scam the Morelands and there is no way he will let that happen. Tom too worked for Falk, a fact that surprises them both, but he was saved by Reed Moreland and given a new life, which makes him very protective of the family. But as evidence begins to mount, Tom realizes that Desiree is not trying to hurt the family, she is just looking for answers. He agrees to help her and after visiting the Morelands, it becomes clear that while she is not from the Duke’s immediate family, she is in fact a Moreland. But even that knowledge doesn’t quell the uneasiness she is feeling and there is still the mystery of why her parents left without making provisions for them. But the more she and Tom begin to grow closer and to dig for answers, the more her uneasiness increases and it is clear that someone doesn’t want them finding the answers!

This was a well-written and interesting story that was more mystery than romance. The mystery was well-paced and perfectly executed with plenty of suspects and motives, the romance was a bit more subtle, which worked wonderfully for this book. My only real complaint was the constant incorrect use of the titles Lord and Lady Moreland, there would actually not be anyone addressed as Lord/Lady Moreland, but the author used it for everyone with the last name Moreland, so not only is it incorrect usage, but it makes it confusing to know which Moreland she is referencing. I enjoyed this book and I am hoping that there will be more installments that include Desiree’s brothers, This is the eighth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no problem, and while it is not necessary, to really understand the “Mad Morelands” I would recommend reading the books in order.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *