Someone to Wed (A Westcott Novel)

Once again Balog h takes on a difficult subject and develops it in the context of historic romance. Although she doesn't go into child abuse as deeply as she does ptsd and survival guilt in the Survivor series, it it still makes for a fascinating story.

This is an engaging book with a prickly heroine and a soothing hero. It made for a wonderfully calming read at the end of a stressful day.
Thank you, Mary Balogh, for this nice third addition to the series.

Oh, my, what a fantastic addition to this amazing series. Ms. Balogh is the queen of Regency romance. This book deals with the emotional scars from living her first ten years with a narcissistic mother. I'm the beginning, Wren is so damaged I wasn't sure how Ms. Balogh would redeem her, but as always she did. Great characters, wonderful plot from a master. Happy ☺reading ?!

This book is fabulous. As usual, Mary Balogh has captured the whims and fears of a young lady in the most believable way. All the main characters were very believable, within the frame of the story. I loved the story line, as any young girl can imagine how they would feel if they had to live with a physical deformity. I could hardly put it down.

And so the saga continues. I am absolutely loving this series and this book was no exception. I love following the family and seeing all of them develop throughout the series. Can’t wait for the next book!

"I am twenty-nine years old, very nearly thirty, and I would like . . . someone to wed. In my own person I am not marriageable, but I do have money. And you do not."

FINAL DECISION: Absolutely lovely story. This is my favorite of the series so far as the heroine and hero have such a wonderfully adult relationship. Wren is a woman who has been damaged by her past and Alex recognizes and eventually comes to embrace and finally help her free herself.

THE STORY: Alexander Westcott unexpectedly becomes the Earl of Riverdale when his cousins are found to be illegitimate, but while he gets the title and the entailed estates, he doesn't inherit any money needed to maintain the properties. As such, he finds himself needing to marry an heiress. Wren Heyden has been a recluse for most of her life, but upon the death of her aunt and uncle wants marriage and children no matter how unlikely. Knowing that she can never hope to obtain a husband in the usual manner, she decides the buy a husband. Propositioning Alex, Wren is surprised that Alex will not agree unless there is something more than money between them. Getting to know and build at least respect and care between them challenges them both.

OPINION: Sometimes there are books that I just fall into. As I read, everything just acts to pull me into the story and I am surprised when the book ends. This was one of those books. There was nothing particularly dramatic, but word by word, page by page, I became absorbed in Alex and Wren's story.

The story asks for a commitment from the reader as the romance between these two isn't love at first site, but rather a slow building of the connections and emotions and eventually great love between these two. This book is the example of how two strangers fall deeply in love.

Alex is a wonderful hero. While surprise inheritance of the title is something that most people would be rejoicing, Alex keenly feels the family pain which caused his inheritance but also the new responsibilities that he has acquired. He is a man who cares and while he knows that his marital choices are limited because he must marry a a fortune, he is unwilling to be mercenary and just be concerned about money. I also greatly admire that he is unwilling to lie to Wren. He is compassionate but also he it truthful about her issues.

Wren is a heroine that I loved. Despite the great pain in her past and her conviction that her appearance makes her unworthy of having a "normal" life, she has managed to be successful and build a life for herself. Her interactions with Alex begin to break her out of her protective shell. Alex recognizes almost immediately that she is walled off in pain when they first meet and that repels him. But her willingness to take chances both brings her closer to Alex and also her dreams.

One other thing I really liked about this story is the "deep secret" from Wren's childhood is not what is commonly used in romance novels. Both more heartbreaking and also something different.

There was nothing I didn't like about this book except that it ended. I feel more and more in love with this story as it developed. This is a book I look forward to reading again.

WORTH MENTIONING: I can't wait until the next book because Balogh is fabulous at mature adult romances.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SOMEONE TO WED is the third book in the Westcott series. This book has overlapping characters, but this book can be read on its own. I think it is better to read the other books first, but this story is really self-contained.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

The beginning was startling but I fell in love with the entire Westcott family. Mary Balogh is one of my favorite authors and she has never disappointed me. Her characters are strong. They overcome heartbreak with courage, humor and modesty.

What an enjoyable read! I just recently finished Book 2 in the series, Someone to Hold (A Westcott Novel), which was absolutely lovely, but it's not a required read (also: I have yet to read Book 1). Balogh keeps giving us these terrific heroines that completely break my heart (though in the very best of ways)!!

SUMMARY. Miss Rowena (Wren) Heyden (29) is searching for a husband. She has just finished a year of mourning the loss of her beloved aunt and uncle, and finds herself now an heiress, with work that she loves to do, but nothing and no one (really) else in her life. She longs for love, belonging, and family, and as she is now an heiress and very well-off, she figures she can essentially buy herself these things by proposing to a man who is in need of money, since she is convinced that no man would ever willingly marry her.

Wren has never been out in society and has been a virtual recluse since she was 10 years old and went to live with her aunt and uncle—all because of a large birthmark that severely mars her face. She is extremely, extremely self-conscious about it, to the point where she has never even spoken with the neighbors whom she's lived near for the past 19 years. The only place she would go, besides for church, was to her uncle's place of business, but there (and everywhere else she went out) she always wore a veil so that no one would see her face.

She's now 29 years old, alone in the world, and longs for a family, children, and ... marital relations (love that she's so open about her curiosity and desire for this!). Alexander Westcott, the Earl of Riverdale (30), is 3rd on her list of suitors, and while the first two were unfortunate duds, she knows that Alex is in need of an heiress after unexpectedly becoming an earl and inheriting properties, without any of the necessary income to maintain them (or bring them back from the already-shabby state they're in). As soon as she meets him though, she realizes she should have left him off, for he is far too good-looking, but she nonetheless goes forward with "the interview" and lays out the situation, figuring you have to risk a lot to gain a lot.

Alex does indeed need a rich wife, but he hates the fact that he has to marry a woman for her money. He's a dedicated family man, extremely responsible, who has spent the last 7 or so years bringing his family home and the surrounding area back from the brink, after his father wasted so much money, and now he finds himself back at square one, with new properties and new emergencies to handle. He's determined to fulfill his responsibility though and do what he has to in order to take care of the people that are dependent on the Riverdale title.

Their first meeting is awkward at best, with Wren being blunt to the point of rudeness, and Alex's pride and self-respect being sorely tested. The stark differences between them are also evident from the first—and by this, I mean things that go far beyond the surface and their perfect/imperfect looks. Alex is, generally speaking, warm, friendly, and engaging ... while Wren is none of these things. Besides for her maid (and her now dead aunt and uncle), she has no one in her life who is really close to her and has absolutely no practice at letting people in. Being social and interacting with people is physically and emotionally tiring for her, and her anxiety about it is compounded by the fact that she feels her deficiency in this area most keenly. Alex is in desperate need of money, but can he marry someone who would prefer to be anything else but a countess, and who would go from living a very singular life, to being part of the huge Westcott family and all the many close relations that come with it?

[... QUOTE ...] What repelled him was, paradoxically, the very thing that had brought him back here. Her pain. It was carefully guarded. It was veiled more heavily than her face was, in fact. It was encased in a coolly poised manner. But it screamed at him from the very depths of her, and he was both horrified and fascinated. [... QUOTE ...]

MY REVIEW. What follows is a truly lovely tale of two people who seem like they couldn't be more different, but who in truth fit together so very, very well. So many times, the romances we read feature tortured/pained/etc. heroes, who are healed and supported by the heroines, and it was a nice change to have this traditional setup reversed. I love Alex's family members, whom we met briefly in Book 2. We get to know Alex's mother and sister very well in this story and they're a wonderful addition to the story.

Wren is incredibly strong and admirable, but also so, so fragile; the beginning of her life was torturous, and it is no wonder, with all that she has been through, that she is the way she is. There is a great vitality and capacity for love in her, though, and Alex is able to see the promise of this and finds himself continuing their interactions and pursuing her, despite his initial instincts. There were two things I really, really appreciated about her character and think Balogh pulled off really well: she's a very sharp and competent businesswoman and has a really strong sense of self, which is all the more fascinating given the also deep well of insecurity that she has; she very openly and honestly has sexual desires and wants to act on them and experience that part of life.

Alex is super, super sweet and I loved how Wren is able to bring out a more relaxed and joyful side to Alex. He's a very positive and "happy" character generally speaking, but he is also quite burdened because he takes his responsibilities so seriously and always feels like he needs to be making everything right for everyone; Wren is able to give him some relief and push him to relax and let himself off the hook sometimes. Wren is really the main star of this book, but I don't want to give the impression that Alex is cast in shadows, because he's not; he's a quieter character in the arc of the story, but absolutely essential to Wren and her development—he provides the strength, acceptance/understanding, and romantic love that she needs.

QUOTE.
He was gazing at her rather than at the view, at her right profile, proud, inscrutable, beautiful. But appealing? Attractive? Lady of mystery. Jessica had chosen the very best words to describe her, he thought. She was unknown and perhaps unknowable. It had bothered him back at Brambledean, and it made him uneasy now. But ... he had glimpsed something tantalizingly fleeting behind the veil. Something ... no, he could not find the word. But something that invited him to keep looking.

*This review is of an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Some changes and/or edits may be made to the final published version.

Alexander Westcott is now the Earl of Riverdale through a bizarre circumstance. The previous earl, a cousin, was declared illegitimate when it was discovered that his father entered into a second marriage while his first wife was still alive. Alex never expected, or wanted the title, and the estate is greatly in debt. Alex had just spent years putting his own family estate on more solid financial footing, and now is overwhelmed with these additional responsibilities. Alex knows he must at least consider marriage to an heiress, but he's determined to at least marry someone he can respect and like, if not love.

Rowena "Wren" Heyden has inherited her uncle's thriving business upon his death, and is now extremely wealthy. She lived with her aunt and uncle since she was ten, almost twenty years. Her aunt and uncle lavished love on her, and her life is now empty without them. Half of Wren's face is marred by a birthmark, and she has always stayed away from company, and wears a veil when she ventures out. Her loneliness has made her long for a husband and children, but she feels the only way to obtain her dream is to "buy" a husband. She compiles a list of gentlemen who she feels may be agreeable to her plan, and invites each to tea.

Alex arrives at Wren's home, believing he is simply making the acquaintance of a neighbor. When Wren decides that Alex is a definite possibility, she declares her true purpose. Alex is shocked, and asks to see her face, which she had hidden behind her usual veil. When Alex doesn't run away in terror, they begin to discuss her plans. Alex only agrees that they become better acquainted in order to see if they could possibly suit. Thus begins an awkward series of meetings that leaves both of them with mixed feelings. When Wren meets Alex's mother and sister, she is stiff and unfriendly, leaving everyone uncomfortable. She decides that she could never be a proper countess, and ends the relationship. Wren felt a strong attraction to Alex, but also felt very inadequate. Alex also had mixed feelings - at times he felt that he could like Wren, and at other times, he was repelled by what seemed to be her coldness.

As Alex goes back to town, he meets several young debutantes, and he finds them shallow and without substance. He regrets that he allowed Wren to end their relationship before it really had a chance. When he encounters Wren, also in town on business, he convinces her to let him call on her. This time around, they are a little easier with each other. They talk seriously of their plans and goals, and Alex comes to realize that he truly likes and wants to marry Wren. He encourages her to slowly meet his family, one at a time, and to not hide behind her veil.

Alex is truly what dreams are made of - he's honest, steadfast, kind, patient, and caring. He's protective of Wren, yet does his best to bring her out of her self- imposed shell. He tries not to overwhelm her with his family members, yet slowly woos her. Wren does become overwhelmed at times, but shows extreme courage. Soon she starts to feel that Alex's family is now her family, too. Everyone is matter of fact about her face, and soon, they are no longer even noticing the imperfections. Alex and Wren do marry, and find that they share a passionate chemistry that brings them even closer together.

The mystery of the first ten years of Wren's life is finally revealed, and it's a very sad story of a tragic childhood. Alex stands by and supports Wren as she faces down old ghosts, and emerges even stronger. SOMEONE TO WED is magnificently written. As with all of Mary Balogh's stories, the strength is in the characters, and their growth and development. Skillful writing had me feeling all of Wren's insecurity and loneliness, and Alex's doubts and burdens. I loved how Wren truly blossomed under Alex's care, and how they were perfect for each other. SOMEONE TO WED is full of heart and emotion, and is a beautiful story of a marriage of convenience that leads to a genuine and lasting love. I recommend it most highly, and it is definitely one of my top favorites of this year.

A Top Pick as reviewed at rosesareblue dot net. I received a complimentary copy of this book.

Marriages of convenience are a favored trope of mine, especially if it’s the heroine who is proposing. Mary Balogh writes of such a heroine in the third story of her Westcott series, Someone to Love. Each story interacts loosely with one another and deals with the fallout from the actions of Humphrey Westcott, the former Earl of Riverdale and confirmed bigamist though they are all independent enough to be read as standalones. Balogh offers readers just enough background to sail forward confident in comprehension and enjoyment.

Quietly engaging, Balogh writes a pragmatic romance that starts as a business proposition and builds on friendship and respect. A friendship that gradually turns to love as this couple discovers their compatibility. The story about the ugly duckling came to mind as I was reading this. A young woman who is brought low, in her own mind, by her lack of beauty eventually transforms through the kindness and love of those around her.

“You honor me. I can only hope I am worthy of you.”

A strong beginning sets the tone. Wren is an odd duck in Alex’s eyes because she deals with him not as a woman setting her cap for a beau but as his equal and he finds that insulting. She openly discusses his finances or lack thereof and offers him a practical solution though at first, he doesn’t see it that way.

“…how dared she-a stranger-make open reference to it? The vulgarity of it had paralyzed his brain for a few moments.”

The story moves along at a steady pace as Alex takes his time considering Wren’s offer. Alex teeters between his dislike of Wren’s unfeminine attitude and his growing respect for her intellect and boldness. He is the perfect foil for Wren as he acknowledges her pain but is not naive enough to think he can “cure her.” Quiet, intelligent, and reflective, he has his own row to hoe and knows he must do what is best for the estate, no matter his true feelings.

Wren is a true recluse and refuses to mix with society. Her aunt and uncle showered her with love though they never forced her into public. They tried to show her that her face didn’t define her as a person but Wren chose to hide, fearing she is hideous. An uncomfortable meet and greet with Alex’s mother and sister highlight the extent of Wren’s fears. There is deep set and it sets their courtship back a few steps but that changes when Wren shows much courage by grabbing hold of an offer of friendship and enters London society on her terms.

Balogh stays true to form and convention for this time period. Some may find it dry reading as her characters remain constrained in their emotions and actions, never moving more beyond polite outrage or delight. It slows the story down a bit as our couple spends a great deal of time deciding what is the right choice.Wren and Alex do share some touching scenes that help showcase their gradual evolution though Wren’s changes are far more emotionally poignant.

“Miss Heydon, you are going to fit into this family just fine.”

A kaleidoscope of characters infiltrates the story, old faces and new ones to help guide this couple and story to the end. I loved the relationship Alex and eventually, Wren came to have with Alex’s mother and sister. Warm and engaging they wanted what was best for both of them, regardless of the outcome. The rest of the Westcotts descend and offer their congratulations as they embrace and welcome Wren wholeheartedly into their fold.

Mary Balogh always guarantees a quiet and elegant romance, perfect reading for a much need retreat. Fans will enjoy seeing the Westcotts again and watching Alex discover his happily ever after. With more Westcotts to be led to the altar, this series is in no danger of ending anytime soon.

GRADE: B-

I have been so pleasantly surprised by this series. I don't know why I've been surprised, Mary Balogh is an excellent writer. But I feel like each book has caught me off guard with how much I enjoyed it. I think this one caught me off guard with a sort of reverse Beauty and the Beast theme, with a beautiful hero and a tortured heroine. It was quite refreshing.

I urge you to read the earlier books so you have the complete back story, but if you have not, there are enough tidbits in this story to give you the gist of what has happened in the past.

So our heroine is Alexander Westcott, the new Earl of Riverdale. Alexander earned his title when the fraudulent marriage of the late earl was revealed, and his children were dispossessed of their legitimacy. It wasn't something Alexander wanted, but now he feels an obligation to the neglected tenants and estate that suffered under the hands of the prior earl. Alexander's sense of duty conflicted with his wish for an affectionate marriage, given that he was afraid he would have to marry solely for money to save the estate. But Alex wasn't quite prepared for our heroine's proposal and treating his marriage as a strict business arrangement. I admired Alex's determination to go through a period of courtship and understand the heroine's pain and past. And I liked his quiet strength, he maintained composure and calm in the face of most everything, but people certainly learned that they should not mess with his family.

"I was itching for a fight, but all they could do was dangle."

The heroine of this installment is a newly introduced character, Miss Wren Hayden, business woman and recluse. Wren is a tortured heroine who has been isolated most of her life due to a birthmark covering half of her face. Despite her seclusion, Wren is an intelligent and successful business woman who was straightforward and blunt. I loved this about Wren, and my heart hurt for the pain she held inside. I enjoyed watching Wren challenge herself to come out of her shell, and I thought her encounters with the closeknit Westcott were endearing.

There was not much plot conflict with this story, but I felt like it did not need a huge drama. It was a feel good story in that we see a broken woman learn to live and love and accept herself. Wren's journey was inspiring and uplifting, and I got pulled into a great emotional connection with her character. I liked how the story and relationship were paced and continue to enjoy all the family connections and relationships.

I didn't quite like how Wren was referred to as "more of a person than a woman" because she intelligent and straightforward, intimating that one could not possess these qualities and still be feminine. But, it was in keeping with the times and it made sense with the story, so I didn't feel that it detracted from my enjoyment.

I recommend this series to all fans of Mary Balogh and historical romance in general. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Berkley.

I rarely get to read historical romances these days, so I gobble them up when I finally have the chance to pick one up. The premise to Someone to Wed sounded so unique and I couldn't wait to read it!

Alexander Wescott never thought he'd be the Earl of Riverdale, but when he inherits the title, he has a lot of work to do to update the family estate. When he's invited to his neighbor's house for a meeting, the last thing he expects to receive is a marriage proposal. Wren Heyden has never left the house without a veil and prefers her time alone due to the large birthmark on the side of her face. She has made a life for herself at her uncle's estate, but now that he has passed with his wife, she has a vast fortune and is in desire of a husband. After meeting a few prospects, she knows that the Earl of Riverdale would be perfect for the job, especially since he is in need of the money she has to offer. Alex agrees only if Wren will enter a courtship with him, and he's shocked to find himself falling for the intriguing woman behind the veil.

From the moment I started this book, I was so in love with Wren's character. She was such a strong female trying to overcome the hurt and abuse she experienced as a child because of her face. I hated how much she let her birthmark define her life, but I also loved how she became such a successful businesswoman and went after what she wanted, which, in this case, was Alex. Alex was such a perfect gentleman and I loved how honest of a man he was. He wasn't ready to just take Wren's money and marry her. No, instead, he wanted to actually get to know her and become friends before they agreed to marriage.

What I loved most about this book and their courtship was how much Wren changed throughout this story. She was so sure people would only see her for her birthmark, but Alex was convinced to show her that people looked at HER, not her birthmark. I loved how he brought her out of her shell and made her realize what it was like to have a family and actually enjoy being around people. Gah, it was just so gosh darn cute!

Overall, I really enjoyed this historical romance. While it did slow down near the end, the slow build of this romance was perfect and I loved the change these characters experienced. If you're a historical romance fan, you have to check out Someone to Wed!