Someone to Care (A Westcott Novel)

This is one of those romances where the chief obstacle to the couple’s happily ever after lies in their unwillingness to tell each other how they feel.

Someone to Care is the fourth novel in the Westcott family series. It’s been two years since Viola’s husband’s death revealed that their marriage was bigamous. In that time, the members of her family, including her husband’s relatives, have made every effort to show her their love and acceptance in spite of the scandal. Feeling smothered by their concern, Viola decides to take a trip by herself, during which she encounters Marcel at an inn. The two of them had been attracted to each other during her marriage but didn’t act on it. Now, however, they decide to indulge themselves by spending a few weeks together at a cottage Marcel owns. Neither Viola nor Marcel expects their families to track them down, but when they do and find them together at their love nest, Marcel tells them that he and Viola plan to marry. Which is of course a lie, and both of them have to deal with the consequences.

Both of the characters have pasts that affect their ability to form a new relationship. Due to the circumstances of his first wife’s death, Marcel has cut himself off from love and has a hard time opening his heart to the possibility of that feeling with Viola. Viola has a similar problem, having survived a loveless marriage by suppressing her feelings. The scandal of her bigamous marriage overshadows her future as well.

Still, the biggest obstacle that keeps them from moving forward with the marriage is the fact that neither one of them is willing to admit that what’s between them might be more than just a sexual relationship. Since neither one of them will open up, both are convinced that they are the only one with deeper feelings. Then they wind up pushing each other away.

Sometimes I can accept lack of communication as a complicating factor in a romance, but here it rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe that was partly because Viola and Marcel are both older than the typical romance couple (both are around 40). I would hope they would have a bit more maturity at that age than to make assumptions about how another person feels.

I did appreciate that Balogh chose to write about an older couple, though. In fact, Viola is in menopause—no surprise baby here! That was a nice change of pace.

Fans of the author who are invested in the Westcott series should read this novel, but I don’t think it’s the strongest entry in the series.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Tedious and repetitive. Okay I admit I stole those two words from OLT's review but that's the whole book in a nutshell.

Viola the heroine was nice enough but a little ditzy. If Viola was my sister in law andleft not one but two house parties early that the family had attended I would assume she was trying to tell us something. When she refused to even ride in any of our coaches and took a broken down hired coach home instead I would have thought she was just plain stupid. Or ditzy.

Marce was an a$$wipe. Again one of OLT 's words. But if the shoe fits. He deserted his one year olds except for short visits twice a year when he showed them no attention or affection.. He left them with a sister law neither he nor his dead wife liked and had the nerve to criticize her raising of them. Of course there was a reason he left. He was devasted by his wife's death an went off for the next 17 years whoremongering. Well I supposed that helped.

Mary Balogh loves to name drop. She repeated the names of the characters from the first three books ad nauseam. If they gave a noble prize for in laws the Wescotts would be shoe ins. Hard to believe such a perfect family produced a Humphrey. Maybe it had something to do with his name. Was Humphrey ever a cool name. I doubt it. All the nice guys had names like Alex and Avery . Charles and Harry. Harry is still a cool name.

Fortunately the 20 year olds in the book had a brain and eventually straightened out the 40 year old who couldn't work their way out of the big M. Not that I cared . Disappointing read. I had high hopes for Viola.

I expect the characters in a Mary Balogh novel to spend a lot of time on self-examination, worrying about what they are feeling, what they should do. However, these ruminations are generally more interesting—and less repetitive—than they are in this book.
And while I understand that the theme of family is important in this series, there are simply too many secondary characters who do not have any function other than to fill up the family trees. I found myself turning to the family tree at the front as I tried to figure out which one this character was, and then it sometimes turned out to be a branch from the hero’s tree instead.
The next book in this series comes out in December, but I think I need to take a break. The books are starting to sound too much alike.

Review first posted at Girl Who Reads. A free copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Viola, the onetime Countess of Riverdale, is so overwhelmed by the family circumstances that it hits her at her grandchild's baptism in Bath that she runs away. When the carriage breaks down, she winds up in the same country village as Marcel Lamarr, the Marquess of Dorchester. He had flirted with her fourteen years before, and she now agrees to a liaison with him. She feels physical passion for the first time and well understood.

As part of the Westcott family series, it does involve some knowledge of the circumstances that led to disgrace and fall from being a Countess. It's clearly woven into the text if you haven't read earlier novels in the series, so you can pick it up and follow along without any difficulty. Viola is 42 years old, so this isn't a story about a young girl with her first Season in London, but a woman looking to figure out what she wants out of her life other than to be defined by the roles she takes with others. It's what we would recognize now as a midlife crisis of sorts, because in her time she didn't have interests other than controlling a household or looking after children, and those are not tasks she has to take on now that she is no longer a countess.Marcel, on the other hand, runs from emotional entanglements. We learn why about two-thirds of the way through the book when we really see how Marcel interacts with people.

The structure follows that of the usual Regency romance, with a little bit of a twist. Usually, we have the hero and heroine meet cute in some way, have an emotional connection, get separated by some kind of thrilling circumstance, then come together and get married. Here, there was the physical connection first, and the "thrilling circumstance" is less of an outside force than their own fears and emotional baggage driving them apart even as the external situation forces them together. It's more realistic for these two, who have realized that romantic love isn't the center of the universe, but the part that makes it worthwhile to keep going and try. There are all kinds of love, and we see shining examples of it in every relationship here.

Screaming from loneliness the Countess of Riverdale, Viola Kingsley runs, well really by happenstance falls into the arms of a former 'never happened adventure' in the person of the well practiced rake, the Marquess of Dorchester, Marcel Lamarr , in this funny/serious autumn romance. An invigorating plot where two souls who decide on a spur of the moment romantic adventure embark on more than they bargained for.
At last the story of the wife who found herself trapped in a bigamous relationship and lost all. The emotional toll and how she's not managing behind that oh so proper facade rings so true.
And then there's the family who see her, but don't really see her--their shock and horror about her disappearance and the disapproval of who she disappears with.
I really just wanted them to leave Viola alone to work out her own destiny. And that's why she ran, because she was alone despite having all these people who cared about her.
As for her and Marcel ... Well!

A NetGalley ARC

I love how Ms. Balogh can bring the Regency period to life and give us such superb characterizations. We sympathize with Viola’s anxiety and choices, and we understand Marcel even if we disagree with his choices. We become totally invested in both the H & h.
We are given cameo appearances by Viola’s extended family that brings us up to date on their lives. In depth looks at Marcel’s children and family round out a very large cast of characters. At times so many characters can be a bit overwhelming but their appearance in the novel is necessary to understand Viola and Marcel’s dealings.

This is the fourth book in the A Westcott Novel series and can standalone but I do encourage you to read the previous books in the series for a more complete understanding of Viola and her family.

I received this book free for review from the publisher.

Reviewed by Rachel
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book

I started this book several times, meaning, I cracked it open, read it, put it down, picked it up again, put it down…you get the picture. Mary Balogh is an extremely EXTREMELY talented author, so I’m not sure if it was my mood or her.

Case and point, I waited another week until I finally cracked it open again.

It’s a beautiful story.

It is.

I think my biggest issue was the detail, I know, I know. Some people love detail. I’m the type of person where I just want dialogue and actions, but in books like this, books that are masterpieces one needs to set the scene, the story, the details. You can’t rush perfection and Mary Balogh knows this better than most authors, as is obviously the case with this book.

I love that our characters are older, it reminds me of Eloisa James and her male characters who were in their forties, there’s something so attractive about that I think to readers, it’s not just young people sowing their wild oats; its people with life left, who want to live and love and have romance in their futures.

Violet as a main character made me happy, mainly because she decided that after twenty years of unhappiness she was going to take what she wanted, despite what society thinks. I think it must also be pointed out that society didn’t care as much anymore because of ruined reputations (and fortunes lost) but I loved that she still went for what she wanted, which was, quite obviously, the one that semi got away.

There is a very intense push pull between our main characters. A love hate that may annoy readers but I truly think it just makes us that much more needy for the moment when they do finally get together.

Marcel was a strong character, and I love that the flames are still alive between the two of them, an that the children are the ones that help them see the light with their stubbornness.

I do feel like yet again at your halfway point you get a lot of description that really isn’t necessary, I’m not sure if the author does this so that the final admission is that much more powerful, but you’ve been warned, you’re going to have to work for that HEA.

All in all it was a lovely story that I would recommend to anyone who wants a second chance romance set in Historical times with a older characters!

Someone to Care isn’t your typical romance but is one of a mature couple finding passion and love for the first time. Both main characters had disastrous first marriages and have been walking different paths before they saw each other again. Viola Kingsley is a widowed former countess who has lost everything and throws caution to the wind for a sexual dalliance with Marcel Lamarr, the Marquess of Dorchester. Marcel has become a rogue to the highest order after the death of his first wife and was smitten with Viola 14 years ago when he first set sight on her. Viola turned him away all those years ago but can she now accept him for what he is and have a walk on the wild side for once in her life?

This was a wonderful story to see how these two lost souls find love but they realize there is more to them than what they think, and how family really means something after all. Marcel has only thought of himself for so long and puts his enjoyment above his duty and family. He has had many women, and now that he’s been with Viola, she isn’t what he expected. He didn’t grow tired of her and that puzzled him. Ever since Viola’s world turned upside when she found out her marriage was bigamous, she went through the motions but finally had enough. She cracked and needed to run away from her life and be alone. Was it fate that threw Marcel in her path on her way home? She thought so and took a chance to have a fling and do something for just herself. Unfortunately, both their families found out about their tryst and Marcel and Viola are caught up in drama and doing the right thing. Doing the right thing for the wrong reasons isn’t always the way to go, as both Marcel and Viola found out. Thankfully it all worked out in the end.

The author has done a wonderful job creating a love story for two very deserving individuals who do a lot of reflecting on how to proceed forward with their relationship. I love that their families play a small part in this and cheer for them to get their act together. Mary Balogh is one of my favorite historical romance writers and this story spoke to me. Someone to Care is a highly engaging and contemplating story for historical romance readers. It’s never too late to find love and get a second chance at happiness.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

3.5 Stars

Viola Kingsley used to be the Countess of Riverdale until she found out the marriage was invalid since her late husband was already married to another woman. She and her children lost the title and fortune, but in the time since her family has rallied around her, and her children have come through remarkably well. Still, Viola hasn’t really dealt with her feelings about the whole situation and suddenly, she’s feels the need to escape the family gathering she’s attending. Hiring a carriage and fleeing for home, she becomes stranded in a small town when the carriage breaks down.

This is where she runs into Marcel Lamarr, The Marquess of Dorchester, and prior acquaintance. The man was temptation personified, but as a married woman, as she thought, Viola turned him down. Now seeing him again, fourteen years later, his appeal hasn’t diminished. They run off together, both trying to escape life temporarily, and they do, for a while.

Mary Balogh is one of my favorite historical romance writers, and I’ve loved all the stories in this Westcott series. Viola and Marcel have aches in their heart each escape by running away together and enjoying each other’s company, both physically and mentally. They have meaningful conversations, steamy nights, and grow closer than they thought possible. The cottage in Devonshire where they spent their time was dreamily described and sounded gorgeous!

I was a little disappointed Viola and Marcel kept their true feelings, both deeper than they wanted to admit, from each other. It was obvious to everyone that they loved each other, but their pride and worry over being more hurt stopped them from sharing what was in their heart and it went on longer than I would’ve liked. I’m thrilled with how it all turned out at any rate, and although this wasn’t my favorite installment, I still heartily recommend it.

This is the fourth book in Mary Balogh’s Westcott series and I loved all the stories before it, but this one was the closest to my heart because it tells the story of two mature people in their early forties. Not many authors dare to venture into telling grown up romances.

This story touches on many topics and beautifully told from both points of view, the heroine’s and hero’s. After the death of her husband who in the end turns out to have never divorced or annulled the marriage to his first wife, this strong woman is shaken to the core and left to deal with the aftermath of a broken promise, and broken family.

She is confused, angry and has a need to vent and finally come to terms of who she really is and who she wants to be. In order to do that, she decides that she needs to be alone and think things through. Leaving a family gathering and attempting to do just that, Serendipity has a totally other plan for her and puts her right in the middle of the path of a man that fifteen years ago had intended to have an affair with her, which she had rebuffed.

Marcel Lamarr, Marquess of Dorchester is the perfect man for Viola Kingsley. Actually, they are both what the other needs and they agree to spend some time alone, away from their families. Both of them are hiding the attraction they felt for one another all those years ago, and both feel that this chance meeting will only lead to a short affair.

This was one of the best grown up romances I’ve read to date. It had heart and warmth and plenty of grown up sex. Between listening to it and reading the ARC, I was really touched by this love story. I highly recommend it.

Melanie for b2b

Gift ARC provided by the publisher

Audible audio purchased

When Viola, Countess of Riverdale is propositioned by the somewhat scandalous Marcel Lamarr at her own house part, she very properly says no. Now, fourteen years later, she is the scandalous one having discovered that her marriage was bigamous and her children all illegitimate. Unknown to Viola, Marcel is now the Marquess of Dorchester. When they meet in a rustic inn, Marcel renews his pursuit of Viola and she agrees. Both of them remember their first meeting with the knowledge that there was something between them but Viola couldn’t give in because of her position.
Viola and Marcel are both escaping from family burdens. In Viola’s case she is having difficulty handling the care and concern of her one time family. Her life has been turned upside down and their well-meaning inclusion of her into many family events feels almost like smothering. Marcel is avoiding going home to his teenage twin children even though he knows it is time he got involved in their lives after years of letting others raise them. This romantic idyll is an opportunity for both parties to enjoy the moment and put the future off for a while longer.
I loved the relationship between Viola and Marcel, she being new to the whole fling concept and he being a practiced seducer. As in all Ms. Balogh’s work, the feelings come along slowly with the two people involved convincing themselves they are just living in the present with no emotional entanglements. Unsurprisingly, the real world intrudes upon them and then the story gets a bit more complicated. While there is obviously affection between the two, they are both wary of trusting their hearts to another person having been burned before.
The social mores at the time are also a big part of their concerns about being together. In a society that would let a woman and her children starve and be homeless through no fault of their own, wouldn’t hesitate to condemn any relationship between two “tainted” people. Fortunately for us there is a HEA because of strong family bonds and support, children who won’t let their parents act the fool and a couple finally ready to see what is really in their hearts.
A great addition to a wonderful series!

Mary Balogh has been my absolute favorite author for over a decade. While I do love her series books, I am ready for a stand-alone. The cast of characters in this series is getting a bit complicated!

I did love Viola and Marcel's whimsical day at the village fair once they became reacquainted, but ideally, this story should have opened with how they met and managed to fall in love 14 years previously. I wanted more backstory.

I wanted more steam...we didn't even get the details of their initial bedding. *SPOILER* I wanted a wedding night.

I will wait and hope for the next installment.

I loved reading this story because of the ages of the characters. Now if we could only have books about 60 year olds as well. I won this book from Goodreads. It is an advance reading copy and will be out to the public in May 2018. I have not read any books by Mary Balogh before, but I will be reading more!
I started this book this morning (at work - Study Hall Teacher), I read all day and have just finished.
The story was very interesting, the characters convincing, and it's good to know love doesn't just happen for the young.

I have enjoyed reading books by Mary Balogh for years. This story is about finding love at an older age. When Viola runs into Marcel while trying to take a break from her life and love ones, she does something she never thought of doing before and runs away with him. Always the proper lady she falls in love with a rogue.

Another wonderful series from Mary Balogh. this one is very refreshing because the hero and heroine are middle aged, with a good bit of baggage to bring to their relationship. The issue of family responsibility vs. one's heart's desire is one of many explored here. Loved it!

Another wonderful story by Mary Balogh! A chance meeting between a desolate gentleman and a disgraced lady who haven't seen each other in 14 years turns into a fiasco that brings two large families together, but what will the outcome be?