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.

Someone to Romance by Mary Balogh

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Westcott, #8

Release Date: August 28, 2020

Lady Jessica Archer, daughter of the late and sister to the current Duke of Netherby, has decided that this will be the year she finally marries. At 25, she has had many opportunities, but when her dearest friend and cousin Abby’s life was upended by scandal, Jessica stood by her in solidarity, but Abby married two years ago and Jessica realizes romance is probably not in the cards for her. She decides that she will make a practical match, much to Abby’s dismay. But little does she know that fate has something else in store for her!

Gabriel Thorne first sees Jessica at a small inn in the middle of nowhere and immediately dislikes her, as she is the reason he has to give up the private parlor he paid handsomely for! Gabriel is back in England not by choice, he left 13 years ago under a cloud of suspicion and made a new life for himself in America. His mother’s cousin adopted him and took him under his wing, leaving Gabriel a prosperous shipping business, that Gabriel turned into an even more prosperous shipping empire. But when the past comes back to haunt him and the fate of someone he loves is caught in the balance, Gabriel leaves Boston and returns to England to claim his birthright. Gabriel is actually Gabriel Rochford, the Earl of Lyndale and is soon to be declared dead. Gabriel was happy to let the title pass on to his cousin Manley Rochford, despite their past, but when Manley starts making changes that hurt people Gabriel loves, he will do his duty. Part of that duty will be to marry and he decides that haughty Lady Jessica is perfect for the job! He goes to London and meets with his godfather Sir Trevor Vickers, due to the accusations leveled against Gabriel when he left, they decide to keep his identity a secret until Gabriel can clear his name. But they do sponsor him and introduce him to the ton.

Jessica begins the season hoping that there will be some new prospective suitors in town and is surprised (and intrigued) to see Gabriel, but he is not the only new face, she is also impressed and attracted to the soon-to-be Earl of Lyndale’s son, Anthony Rochford. When Gabriel tells Jessica he intends to marry her, she is annoyed and tells Gabriel that if he wants to marry her, he will have to romance her! They spend more time together and it is not long before Jessica figures out who Gabriel really is and vows to help him claim his title and clear his name.

This was a well written, slow paced love story with a dash of mystery. The book chock full of betrayal, lies, murder, secrets, likeable characters, mild to warmish love scenes, a bit of intrigue, a vile villain, the entire Westcott family and lots of my personal favorite AVERY! I enjoyed the story, but I really didn’t feel the “romance”, it was definitely an unstated, slow burn type of love story – I did believe they loved each other – but that love did not leap off the page at me. This book is the eighth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title, I really enjoyed the story and would happily recommend it!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by the publisher*