Tag: #Westcotts

Remember That Day by Mary Balogh

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Series Crossover, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Remember That Day (A Ravenswood Novel)Remember That Day by Mary Balogh

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Ravenswood #5

Release Date: January 6, 2026

While visiting London with her adopted father, Winifred “Winnie” Cunningham, she attends the Trooping the Colour parade for the King’s birthday with her “uncle” Bertrand, the Viscount Watley and her friend Owen Ware, the youngest brother of the Earl of Stratton (and the man she secretly hopes to marry). She is introduced to his older brother; Col. Nicholas Ware and she is shocked at the instant attraction she feels to the man. But they clash almost immediately when she practically insults him by saying being a soldier is the same as being a murderer. She is mortified by her actions and tries to make amends by agreeing to grant him a dance at the upcoming ball. But after an uncomfortable interaction at the ball, where she learns he is courting the beautiful and poised Miss Grace Haviland, she has to remind herself that they have nothing in common and she wants to marry his brother. But when the Earl invites her family to visit Ravenswood and to stay for the village fete, she realizes her feelings for Nick are deeper than she thought and it is hopeless as they are both almost betrothed to others. So why can’t she stop wanting what she knows she could never have?

Nicholas “Nick” Ware has decided at the ripe old age of 34, it is time for him to marry, and he has decided that the lovely daughter of his commanding officer is the perfect choice for a bride. He isn’t in love with her, but she will be a wonderful wife and mother. He asks his brother to invite her and her parents to Ravenswood for the fete and plans to propose to her and make the announcement at the ball. But he finds himself drawn to Winnie, which is ridiculous, she is much too young for him, has no connections, isn’t a beauty and she dislikes him, besides he is almost betrothed. So why can’t he shake the feeling that he is making a huge mistake?

In this installment of the Ravenswood series, the author treats readers to a crossover story, Nicholas from the Ravenswood series and Winifred from the Westcott series. I enjoyed this gentle romance, but having read the other books in both series, I will agree with other reviewers that noted that there was a lot of repetition and the story did move slowly. I appreciate that the author was trying to give the reader plenty of backstory, but I think it was a little much, especially for those who have read the previous books. I loved Nick and was happy that he found his HEA, but I found Winnie a bit harder to like at first, she is abrasive and borders on rude, but she does have a good heart and is loyal to her family, so in the end, she won me over. I can’t say when these two fell in love, but by the end of the book, I did believe they were perfect for each other. Overall, this was a good story, but not my favorite of the series. This is the fifth book in the Ravenswood series, but the author gives more than enough backstory to read this book as a standalone.

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

Someone Perfect by Mary Balogh #BlogBlitz

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

9780593335291

As a young man, Justin Wiley was banished by his father for mysterious reasons, but now his father is dead, and Justin has been Earl of Brandon for six years. A dark, dour man, he nonetheless takes it as his responsibility to care for his half-sister Maria when her mother dies. He travels to her home to fetch her back to the family seat at Everleigh Park.

Although she adored him once, Maria now loathes Justin, and her friend Lady Estelle Lamarr can see immediately how his very name upsets her. When Justin arrives and invites Estelle to accompany Maria to Everleigh Park to help with her distress, she begrudgingly agrees, for Maria’s sake.

As family secrets unravel in Maria’s homecoming, Justin, too, uncovers his desire for a countess. And, while he may believe he’s found an obvious candidate in the beautiful Lady Estelle, she is most certain that they could never make a match.

Mary_Balogh_credit Sharon Pelletier[17929]

Mary Balogh has written more than one hundred historical novels and novellas, several of which have been New York Times bestsellers. They include the Bedwyn saga, the Simply quartet, the Huxtable quintet, the seven-part Survivor’s Club series, and the Westcott series. Learn more online at marybalogh.com.

 

Tracy’s Review:

 

Someone Perfect (Westcott, #9)Someone Perfect by Mary Balogh

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Westcott, #9

Release Date: November 30, 2021

Justin Wiley, the Earl of Brandon has come to Prospect Hall to collect his younger half-sister Maria and bring her home to Everleigh Park. For the last six years, since their father’s death, Maria and her mother have lived at Prospect Hall, but when her mother died a year ago, Maria has lived there with only her governess/companion and even though Justin knows she dislikes him, he is determined to bring her home and introduce her to society.

He knows it will not be easy on either of them, but he truly loves his sister and wants what is best for her. Years ago they were close, but at the age of 22 Justin’s father turned him out and all but disowned him, so he has not seen her in years and has no idea what stories his stepmother told her about him. So to smooth her transition, he asks her neighbor and good friend Lady Estelle Lamarr, the daughter of the Marquess of Dorchester, and her twin brother Bertrand, Viscount Watley to join a house party he has put together – he hopes having her friends near will ease the transition. But Justin is not prepared for his reaction to Estelle and soon wonders if he could tempt her into becoming his countess!

Lady Estelle is positive that she and Justin will never suit – but the more time she spends with him, the more she wonders why he was sent away – society at large has offered many theories over the years, but none seem to fit the man she has come to know. But as it happens, secrets have a way of coming to light and the truth is almost more shocking and painful than any scenario she could have imagined. Can she help him heal from the past and find that this dour, imperfect man is in reality, her someone perfect?

This was a well-written, gentle read, with wonderful characters and a good helping of emotion. The romance between Justin and Estelle is slow-burning and doesn’t always feel like the prime focus of the book and it is a bit on the wordy side, but it is a lovely story nonetheless. The book has wonderful secondary characters, warmish love scenes, secrets, heartache, regrets, and an especially fun, sweet relationship between Estelle and her twin Bertrand before culminating in a very nice HEA. This book is part of the Westcott series, but it is loosely connected and you should have no problem reading this book 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.*