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Westcott #3
Someone to Wed
A very practical marriage makes Alexander Westcott question his heart in the latest Regency romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Someone to Hold.
When Alexander Westcott becomes the new Earl of Riverdale, he inherits a title he never wanted and a failing country estate he can’t afford. But he fully intends to do everything in his power to undo years of neglect and give the people who depend on him a better life. . . .
A recluse for more than twenty years, Wren Heyden wants one thing out of life: marriage. With her vast fortune, she sets her sights on buying a husband. But when she makes the desperate—and oh-so-dashing—earl a startlingly unexpected proposal, Alex will only agree to a proper courtship, hoping for at least friendship and respect to develop between them. He is totally unprepared for the desire that overwhelms him when Wren finally lifts the veils that hide the secrets of her past. . . .
When Alexander Westcott becomes the new Earl of Riverdale, he inherits a title he never wanted and a failing country estate he can’t afford. But he fully intends to do everything in his power to undo years of neglect and give the people who depend on him a better life. . . .
A recluse for more than twenty years, Wren Heyden wants one thing out of life: marriage. With her vast fortune, she sets her sights on buying a husband. But when she makes the desperate—and oh-so-dashing—earl a startlingly unexpected proposal, Alex will only agree to a proper courtship, hoping for at least friendship and respect to develop between them. He is totally unprepared for the desire that overwhelms him when Wren finally lifts the veils that hide the secrets of her past. . . .
361 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 7, 2017
About the author
Mary Balogh
216 books5,724 followersMary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curling.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
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November 14, 2017
Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh is a 2017 Berkley publication.
A tender, but redemptive love story, that gave me so many feels!
While this series has been quality reading up to this point, as is most anything Mary Bologh pens, I was still suffering a bit of a book hangover from the ‘Survivor’ series, which was absolutely amazing. Up to this point the first two books in the Wescott series have failed to really grab me in the same way.
However, this third installment was the perfect remedy for my previous lethargic response to the Wescott saga.
Alexander has been a wonderful character in this series and I am so happy he got his own story. With an inherited title, came a country estate in dire need of repair. With limited funds, his only choice is to marry for money.
It was therefore quite fortuitous when he is summoned to the home of Wren Heyden, a wealthy businesswoman who is looking for a husband. Her marriage proposal, which would simply be an a marriage of convenience,but one Wren hopes will quell her soul deep loneliness, and provide her with children, is very tempting to Alexander, and he can’t dismiss it out of hand.
The couple agrees to see how well they might get along before making any decisions, but this task is more difficult than it should be, due to Wren’s extreme social anxiety and awkwardness around other people.
Can the couple find a way around their differences or will Wren's insecurities prevent her from making a commitment?
Wren’s years in seclusion has made her appear aloof, or cold, when nothing could be further from the truth. She has endured so much, most of it needlessly, but with Alexander’s openness and willingness to draw her out, to encourage her to step out into the open more often, Wren flourishes.
Alexander may need to marry for money, something his family is very sad about, but every day he spends with Wren, the deeper he falls in love with her. He admires her unconventionality, her lack of pretentiousness, her intelligence, and incredible courage and inner strength, and so did I!! She is a most remarkable character, one that is both vulnerable and inspirational.
This story touched my heart! I loved this couple and their journey together!! The characters are front and center, there is no childish, immature angst, but the emotions and feelings of these richly drawn characters pulled at my heart, and, moved me deeply, evoking sincere empathy and compassion, which is Mary Bologh’s signature touch.
This is, quite simply, a beautiful love story, the kind we ALL need a lot more of!
4.5 stars
A tender, but redemptive love story, that gave me so many feels!
While this series has been quality reading up to this point, as is most anything Mary Bologh pens, I was still suffering a bit of a book hangover from the ‘Survivor’ series, which was absolutely amazing. Up to this point the first two books in the Wescott series have failed to really grab me in the same way.
However, this third installment was the perfect remedy for my previous lethargic response to the Wescott saga.
Alexander has been a wonderful character in this series and I am so happy he got his own story. With an inherited title, came a country estate in dire need of repair. With limited funds, his only choice is to marry for money.
It was therefore quite fortuitous when he is summoned to the home of Wren Heyden, a wealthy businesswoman who is looking for a husband. Her marriage proposal, which would simply be an a marriage of convenience,but one Wren hopes will quell her soul deep loneliness, and provide her with children, is very tempting to Alexander, and he can’t dismiss it out of hand.
The couple agrees to see how well they might get along before making any decisions, but this task is more difficult than it should be, due to Wren’s extreme social anxiety and awkwardness around other people.
Can the couple find a way around their differences or will Wren's insecurities prevent her from making a commitment?
Wren’s years in seclusion has made her appear aloof, or cold, when nothing could be further from the truth. She has endured so much, most of it needlessly, but with Alexander’s openness and willingness to draw her out, to encourage her to step out into the open more often, Wren flourishes.
Alexander may need to marry for money, something his family is very sad about, but every day he spends with Wren, the deeper he falls in love with her. He admires her unconventionality, her lack of pretentiousness, her intelligence, and incredible courage and inner strength, and so did I!! She is a most remarkable character, one that is both vulnerable and inspirational.
This story touched my heart! I loved this couple and their journey together!! The characters are front and center, there is no childish, immature angst, but the emotions and feelings of these richly drawn characters pulled at my heart, and, moved me deeply, evoking sincere empathy and compassion, which is Mary Bologh’s signature touch.
This is, quite simply, a beautiful love story, the kind we ALL need a lot more of!
4.5 stars
June 11, 2019
$1.99 Kindle sale, June 11, 2019. One for the Regency romance fans.
Someone to Wed is a lovely Regency romance that I downed whole in one evening. It's by one of the better-known authors in the field, Mary Balogh. The unique plot point here is that the heroine, Wren, has a large purple birthmark on one side of her face that she considers disfiguring, and she's been a hermit for many years, always wearing a veil in public. Notwithstanding that, she's also an intelligent, accomplished businesswoman who's taken over her uncle's glassworks business.
Now her aunt and uncle (her beloved adoptive parents, who took her in after a distressing childhood that Wren refuses to discuss with anyone) have passed away. Wren is lonely, almost 30, and very rich, and so she comes up with the idea of essentially bribing some nice, respectful man to marry her, treat her well and give her babies and sex (not, however, in that order :D), and put up with her isolated ways.
Enter Alex, who's unexpectedly inherited a title and needs lots more money to whip the accompanying estate into shape. He's young and handsome, and he's not sure why he should even consider Wren's offer to him. There are lots of other rich heiresses around, and with his title and looks he shouldn't have any trouble finding a wife. She's clearly a very damaged soul, which is far more distressing to Alex than the mark on her face. But Alex is also a kind and thoughtful man. Perhaps something might be worked out? They decide to get to know each other slowly, with lots of bumps in the road along the way.
It's a heartwarming story, if a little facile, especially in the last half. Alex is a paragon, and a man who feels bound by his duties to the people working on his estate. He very much wants to make life better for them, and is willing to set aside his own desires in order to achieve that. Wren is a more memorable character, trying to muster the courage to do things - meet new people, go out in public, kiss a man - that she's never done before.
Lots of references and characters from the prior books in this Westcott series. It was a little distracting for me since I haven't read those books, but if you've read them you should be pleased to catch up with those characters.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review. Thank you!
Someone to Wed is a lovely Regency romance that I downed whole in one evening. It's by one of the better-known authors in the field, Mary Balogh. The unique plot point here is that the heroine, Wren, has a large purple birthmark on one side of her face that she considers disfiguring, and she's been a hermit for many years, always wearing a veil in public. Notwithstanding that, she's also an intelligent, accomplished businesswoman who's taken over her uncle's glassworks business.
Now her aunt and uncle (her beloved adoptive parents, who took her in after a distressing childhood that Wren refuses to discuss with anyone) have passed away. Wren is lonely, almost 30, and very rich, and so she comes up with the idea of essentially bribing some nice, respectful man to marry her, treat her well and give her babies and sex (not, however, in that order :D), and put up with her isolated ways.
Enter Alex, who's unexpectedly inherited a title and needs lots more money to whip the accompanying estate into shape. He's young and handsome, and he's not sure why he should even consider Wren's offer to him. There are lots of other rich heiresses around, and with his title and looks he shouldn't have any trouble finding a wife. She's clearly a very damaged soul, which is far more distressing to Alex than the mark on her face. But Alex is also a kind and thoughtful man. Perhaps something might be worked out? They decide to get to know each other slowly, with lots of bumps in the road along the way.
It's a heartwarming story, if a little facile, especially in the last half. Alex is a paragon, and a man who feels bound by his duties to the people working on his estate. He very much wants to make life better for them, and is willing to set aside his own desires in order to achieve that. Wren is a more memorable character, trying to muster the courage to do things - meet new people, go out in public, kiss a man - that she's never done before.
Lots of references and characters from the prior books in this Westcott series. It was a little distracting for me since I haven't read those books, but if you've read them you should be pleased to catch up with those characters.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review. Thank you!
November 4, 2017
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Wren has hidden herself away from the world but without her aunt and uncle, she has grown lonely. Deciding that her inheritance should be good for something, she decides to buy herself a husband.
Alexander was happy in his life but now finding himself an earl of an impoverished estate, his life has been turned upside down.
What starts off as a business proposition could end up being a fairy tale.
"I am twenty-nine years old, very nearly thirty, and I would like…someone to wed."
Third in the Wescott series we come to Alexander's story. The previous two books set the storyline of the previous Earl of Riverdale dying and exposing that his second marriage was bigamist. His three children are declared bastards while a daughter from the first marriage is found in an orphanage and suddenly legitimate. I did not read the previous two books and appreciated how Balogh smoothly and organically explained how Alexander became the Earl. Balogh relayed important information and characters but didn't info dump and in fact integrated all those previous characters into this story, creating a believable and familial world. You could feasibly start the series here.
Her instinct was to hide behind veils within veils, and she had done it for so long that she did not know how to cast those veils aside.
The star of this story and where most of the heavy emotional lifting comes from is our heroine Wren. She was born with a large birthmark covering half of her face and a mother who puts vanity above all else. When she is ten, her aunt takes her from her home and eventually she and her husband adopt Wren. Unfortunately, those important formative years with her cruel mother keep Wren from having any self-worth. Wren always wears a veil to cover her face unless around her aunt and uncle. When they die she becomes incredibly lonely and decides to buy a husband. Her new neighbor, the Earl of Riverdale, is third on her list for potential husbands but he may be just too good looking.
You'll feel awful for Wren as she uses an ice queen persona to keep her pain and self shielded. Balogh masterfully created a perfect hero for Wren in Alexander. He perfectly complements the situation by being wary of the heroine's pain but also acknowledges it; there are no quick simple solutions in this story. This wasn't even a slow burn but a slow thawing; you'll need to wait until around the half-way mark before our couple starts to really get moving.
I appreciated this building and forming of their relationship but I also thought the second half dragged on a bit. This is definitely not a "modern" historical, characters and mannerisms stay true to the time period, emotions and actions are a bit more constrained. While the larger cast of characters helped create a full world, it also stole away from my lead's romance more than I would have liked, the story had a tendency to slowly meander.
Alexander's sister and mother and how they engaged and tried to understand Wren brought such a wonderful warmth to the story; I love when women characters kindly engage with each other. Alexander and Wren were such intelligent characters but I did think Wren’s internal declaration of love felt a bit quick as I don't think the "special" connection with Alexander had been quite made yet, he was the first and only man to show her attention in her life.
A little slow and meandering towards the end but Wren will have you emotional and incredibly happy that she found the handsome Alexander.
Wren has hidden herself away from the world but without her aunt and uncle, she has grown lonely. Deciding that her inheritance should be good for something, she decides to buy herself a husband.
Alexander was happy in his life but now finding himself an earl of an impoverished estate, his life has been turned upside down.
What starts off as a business proposition could end up being a fairy tale.
"I am twenty-nine years old, very nearly thirty, and I would like…someone to wed."
Third in the Wescott series we come to Alexander's story. The previous two books set the storyline of the previous Earl of Riverdale dying and exposing that his second marriage was bigamist. His three children are declared bastards while a daughter from the first marriage is found in an orphanage and suddenly legitimate. I did not read the previous two books and appreciated how Balogh smoothly and organically explained how Alexander became the Earl. Balogh relayed important information and characters but didn't info dump and in fact integrated all those previous characters into this story, creating a believable and familial world. You could feasibly start the series here.
Her instinct was to hide behind veils within veils, and she had done it for so long that she did not know how to cast those veils aside.
The star of this story and where most of the heavy emotional lifting comes from is our heroine Wren. She was born with a large birthmark covering half of her face and a mother who puts vanity above all else. When she is ten, her aunt takes her from her home and eventually she and her husband adopt Wren. Unfortunately, those important formative years with her cruel mother keep Wren from having any self-worth. Wren always wears a veil to cover her face unless around her aunt and uncle. When they die she becomes incredibly lonely and decides to buy a husband. Her new neighbor, the Earl of Riverdale, is third on her list for potential husbands but he may be just too good looking.
You'll feel awful for Wren as she uses an ice queen persona to keep her pain and self shielded. Balogh masterfully created a perfect hero for Wren in Alexander. He perfectly complements the situation by being wary of the heroine's pain but also acknowledges it; there are no quick simple solutions in this story. This wasn't even a slow burn but a slow thawing; you'll need to wait until around the half-way mark before our couple starts to really get moving.
I appreciated this building and forming of their relationship but I also thought the second half dragged on a bit. This is definitely not a "modern" historical, characters and mannerisms stay true to the time period, emotions and actions are a bit more constrained. While the larger cast of characters helped create a full world, it also stole away from my lead's romance more than I would have liked, the story had a tendency to slowly meander.
Alexander's sister and mother and how they engaged and tried to understand Wren brought such a wonderful warmth to the story; I love when women characters kindly engage with each other. Alexander and Wren were such intelligent characters but I did think Wren’s internal declaration of love felt a bit quick as I don't think the "special" connection with Alexander had been quite made yet, he was the first and only man to show her attention in her life.
A little slow and meandering towards the end but Wren will have you emotional and incredibly happy that she found the handsome Alexander.
December 18, 2017
I've given this an A- at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars rounded up.
Someone to Wed is the third book in Mary Balogh’s series following the fortunes of the Westcott family as its members struggle to put their lives back together after the revelation of a long-buried family secret impacts all of them in many different ways. The author once again proves herself to be incredibly skilled at examining the detail and minutiae of relationships – both romantic and familial – and in her ability to make her characters’ dilemmas and insecurities feel understandable and realistic. These aren’t ‘flashy’ books; the focus is very much on the characters and how they adjust to the fact that the lives they had imagined for themselves are suddenly taken away – and how they come to understand that perhaps the very thing they have regarded as a disaster might just have changed their lives for the better.
When, after his death, it was discovered that Humphrey Westcott, the Earl of Riverdale had married his countess while he was already married to someone else, the consequences were far reaching. His ‘wife’ retired from society to reside with her brother and took to using her maiden name again, and their three children – two daughters and a son – were declared illegitimate, meaning that the supposed heir, Harry, a happy-go-lucky young man in his early twenties, could no longer inherit the earldom. That honour now falls to Alexander Westcott, the late earl’s nephew, although it’s an honour Alexander could have done without.
When we first met Alex in Someone to Love, he had spent the better part of the last five years working on making good his family finances and setting his Kent estate, Riddings Park, to rights. A young man who takes his responsibilities very seriously, Alex was at long last looking forward to settling into the life of a country gentleman and had expressed his intention of looking about him for a wife, hoping to find a woman with whom he could happily share his life. But his dreams of love and a quiet life of obscurity were shattered when he became the Earl of Riverdale. He has inherited the entailed properties that come with the title without being left even the smallest amount of the money necessary to run them, meaning that Alex is now faced with the prospect of marrying for money rather than for love as he’d hoped.
When he receives an invitation to tea from his reclusive neighbour, Miss Wren Heyden, Alex is surprised on arrival to discover that he is the only guest, and even more surprised when Miss Heyden suggests that they are both in a position to offer the other something they want. She is a shrewd, intelligent and very wealthy businesswoman who successfully runs the glassworks she inherited from her uncle, but owing to the birthmark that covers half her face, she considers herself disfigured and has lived the life of a hermit. But she doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life alone; she wants marriage and a family (and she’s not too coy about her desire to experience sexual passion) and decides to – in effect – buy herself a husband. Alex is stunned (and not a little put out) by the offer, but he can’t deny that marrying Miss Heyden would solve his financial problems and enable him to put right everything that needs putting right at Brambledean Court. Yet even so, he knows she isn’t his only option. In spite of his lack of fortune, he’s very eligible – he’s young, titled and attractive – and there are enough wealthy cits looking to land a title for their daughters that he wouldn’t have any trouble finding a bride among them. And while Wren’s birthmark doesn’t really worry him, he senses she’s broken somehow, that her “defensive, slightly mocking manner” and her “surface coldness” and self-imposed isolation are the result of emotional issues that go far beyond her face – and he isn’t sure he wants to deal with them.
After a few meetings, Wren and Alex agree that they will not suit and part ways. Alex returns to London and his family, and gets down to the serious business of bride-hunting while Wren goes to Staffordshire to visit her glassworks. Yet as Wren immerses herself in work and Alex sets about courting a suitable young lady, both find their thoughts straying to the other, and when, to Alex’s astonishment, Wren appears unexpectedly in London, he realises he’s happy to see her and had missed her. It’s a new beginning for them both. Alex has come to terms with the fact that Wren is clearly hiding the truth about her childhood, but feels fairly sure that, given time, she will confide in him, while Wren comes to understand that, should she actually become the Countess of Riverdale, her life as a recluse must end. She realises the foolishness of her hopes to marry and continue to live in obscurity and, with the help and support of Alex and his family, all of whom treat her with warmth and respect, begins to come out of her shell and to live her life – which is by no means easy for her. All her life she has hidden her face and her secrets, and it takes a huge amount of courage and determination to set aside years of conditioning and to deal with her fears of being seen in public as well as to believe that people can see past the mark on her face. Throughout it all, Alex encourages and supports her with a growing sense of pride, even pulling her back occasionally when he senses she’s pushing herself too hard.
Both central characters are extremely likeable and easy to relate to. There’s a danger that Alex – intuitive, responsible, gorgeous and charming – could come across as too good to be true, but there’s an honesty and depth to him that counteracts that, making him seem more human. For instance, while his admission that he is put off by Wren’s emotional baggage might make him seem somewhat selfish, I applauded him for both his insight and his truthfulness. And he gets extra Brownie Points for the way he owns up to being offended that a woman would propose a match based on monetary consideration, while it would have been perfectly acceptable had the boot been on the other foot and actually takes the time to think things through. Wren is perhaps more difficult to warm to, but that’s intentional; she is self-assured and independent when it comes to business, but her insecurities and lack of social interaction make her seem aloof and prickly, although as soon as the reader begins to understand the reasons for her awkwardness, it’s easy to sympathise with her and to cheer her on as she decides to take back her life with both hands.
As I said at the beginning, this is not a ‘flashy’ book, meaning there are no convoluted plot-twists or melodramatic developments. Someone to Wed is a leisurely-paced, beautifully developed, character driven romance of the sort at which Mary Balogh excels, and I have no qualms about giving it a wholehearted recommendation.
Someone to Wed is the third book in Mary Balogh’s series following the fortunes of the Westcott family as its members struggle to put their lives back together after the revelation of a long-buried family secret impacts all of them in many different ways. The author once again proves herself to be incredibly skilled at examining the detail and minutiae of relationships – both romantic and familial – and in her ability to make her characters’ dilemmas and insecurities feel understandable and realistic. These aren’t ‘flashy’ books; the focus is very much on the characters and how they adjust to the fact that the lives they had imagined for themselves are suddenly taken away – and how they come to understand that perhaps the very thing they have regarded as a disaster might just have changed their lives for the better.
When, after his death, it was discovered that Humphrey Westcott, the Earl of Riverdale had married his countess while he was already married to someone else, the consequences were far reaching. His ‘wife’ retired from society to reside with her brother and took to using her maiden name again, and their three children – two daughters and a son – were declared illegitimate, meaning that the supposed heir, Harry, a happy-go-lucky young man in his early twenties, could no longer inherit the earldom. That honour now falls to Alexander Westcott, the late earl’s nephew, although it’s an honour Alexander could have done without.
When we first met Alex in Someone to Love, he had spent the better part of the last five years working on making good his family finances and setting his Kent estate, Riddings Park, to rights. A young man who takes his responsibilities very seriously, Alex was at long last looking forward to settling into the life of a country gentleman and had expressed his intention of looking about him for a wife, hoping to find a woman with whom he could happily share his life. But his dreams of love and a quiet life of obscurity were shattered when he became the Earl of Riverdale. He has inherited the entailed properties that come with the title without being left even the smallest amount of the money necessary to run them, meaning that Alex is now faced with the prospect of marrying for money rather than for love as he’d hoped.
When he receives an invitation to tea from his reclusive neighbour, Miss Wren Heyden, Alex is surprised on arrival to discover that he is the only guest, and even more surprised when Miss Heyden suggests that they are both in a position to offer the other something they want. She is a shrewd, intelligent and very wealthy businesswoman who successfully runs the glassworks she inherited from her uncle, but owing to the birthmark that covers half her face, she considers herself disfigured and has lived the life of a hermit. But she doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life alone; she wants marriage and a family (and she’s not too coy about her desire to experience sexual passion) and decides to – in effect – buy herself a husband. Alex is stunned (and not a little put out) by the offer, but he can’t deny that marrying Miss Heyden would solve his financial problems and enable him to put right everything that needs putting right at Brambledean Court. Yet even so, he knows she isn’t his only option. In spite of his lack of fortune, he’s very eligible – he’s young, titled and attractive – and there are enough wealthy cits looking to land a title for their daughters that he wouldn’t have any trouble finding a bride among them. And while Wren’s birthmark doesn’t really worry him, he senses she’s broken somehow, that her “defensive, slightly mocking manner” and her “surface coldness” and self-imposed isolation are the result of emotional issues that go far beyond her face – and he isn’t sure he wants to deal with them.
After a few meetings, Wren and Alex agree that they will not suit and part ways. Alex returns to London and his family, and gets down to the serious business of bride-hunting while Wren goes to Staffordshire to visit her glassworks. Yet as Wren immerses herself in work and Alex sets about courting a suitable young lady, both find their thoughts straying to the other, and when, to Alex’s astonishment, Wren appears unexpectedly in London, he realises he’s happy to see her and had missed her. It’s a new beginning for them both. Alex has come to terms with the fact that Wren is clearly hiding the truth about her childhood, but feels fairly sure that, given time, she will confide in him, while Wren comes to understand that, should she actually become the Countess of Riverdale, her life as a recluse must end. She realises the foolishness of her hopes to marry and continue to live in obscurity and, with the help and support of Alex and his family, all of whom treat her with warmth and respect, begins to come out of her shell and to live her life – which is by no means easy for her. All her life she has hidden her face and her secrets, and it takes a huge amount of courage and determination to set aside years of conditioning and to deal with her fears of being seen in public as well as to believe that people can see past the mark on her face. Throughout it all, Alex encourages and supports her with a growing sense of pride, even pulling her back occasionally when he senses she’s pushing herself too hard.
Both central characters are extremely likeable and easy to relate to. There’s a danger that Alex – intuitive, responsible, gorgeous and charming – could come across as too good to be true, but there’s an honesty and depth to him that counteracts that, making him seem more human. For instance, while his admission that he is put off by Wren’s emotional baggage might make him seem somewhat selfish, I applauded him for both his insight and his truthfulness. And he gets extra Brownie Points for the way he owns up to being offended that a woman would propose a match based on monetary consideration, while it would have been perfectly acceptable had the boot been on the other foot and actually takes the time to think things through. Wren is perhaps more difficult to warm to, but that’s intentional; she is self-assured and independent when it comes to business, but her insecurities and lack of social interaction make her seem aloof and prickly, although as soon as the reader begins to understand the reasons for her awkwardness, it’s easy to sympathise with her and to cheer her on as she decides to take back her life with both hands.
As I said at the beginning, this is not a ‘flashy’ book, meaning there are no convoluted plot-twists or melodramatic developments. Someone to Wed is a leisurely-paced, beautifully developed, character driven romance of the sort at which Mary Balogh excels, and I have no qualms about giving it a wholehearted recommendation.
November 17, 2017
What would you do if you had a big mark on your face?
When I was young even having a pimple was a huge tragedy!
Sometimes I watch a TV show where plastic surgeons remove scars from peoples' faces and here I felt sad that such an option was not available to Wren. I don't even know if modern medicine could help her...
I admired Wren at the end of the book very much! I don't know if I would have such courage!
And I loved Alexander (and his family too!) even more for appreciating Wren for herself without judging her from only her appearance!
The love part of the story here is slow growing and very tender. At the beginning neither Wren nor Alexander are even attracted to each other! Here there's no lusting at first sight!
Wren was righteously cold and business-like, but at the same time determined. She wants her own family and children. She think that with her blemish no man will want her, but she's rich and probably it would be possible to find a honorable man who will wed her for a part of her inheritance. To her it's the only way...
Alexander is in dire straits. He knows that he must marry a heiress - he doesn't want to, but that's the only way. But when summoned and proposed by Wren, he's aghast! It is just not done! Man proposes, not a woman! And she also dare to make it a business!!! But he's also intrigued.
So they agree to become acquainted before deciding anothing about marriage. And so it starts...
It is really a sweet love story. I could see Alexander's opinion changing, his feelings getting engaged, his tenderness and admiration growing.
Also you can see Wren being dragged out of her shell, acquiring her confidence and overcoming years of hiding her face.
Just beautiful.
When I was young even having a pimple was a huge tragedy!
Sometimes I watch a TV show where plastic surgeons remove scars from peoples' faces and here I felt sad that such an option was not available to Wren. I don't even know if modern medicine could help her...
I admired Wren at the end of the book very much! I don't know if I would have such courage!
And I loved Alexander (and his family too!) even more for appreciating Wren for herself without judging her from only her appearance!
The love part of the story here is slow growing and very tender. At the beginning neither Wren nor Alexander are even attracted to each other! Here there's no lusting at first sight!
Wren was righteously cold and business-like, but at the same time determined. She wants her own family and children. She think that with her blemish no man will want her, but she's rich and probably it would be possible to find a honorable man who will wed her for a part of her inheritance. To her it's the only way...
Alexander is in dire straits. He knows that he must marry a heiress - he doesn't want to, but that's the only way. But when summoned and proposed by Wren, he's aghast! It is just not done! Man proposes, not a woman! And she also dare to make it a business!!! But he's also intrigued.
So they agree to become acquainted before deciding anothing about marriage. And so it starts...
It is really a sweet love story. I could see Alexander's opinion changing, his feelings getting engaged, his tenderness and admiration growing.
Also you can see Wren being dragged out of her shell, acquiring her confidence and overcoming years of hiding her face.
Just beautiful.
December 23, 2017
This is third in a series and I highly recommend that you read them in order. The extended family is broad and a lot of them show up in all the stories and that can be confusing if you’re coming into that newly here. All the books are outstanding, so at least starting at the beginning shouldn’t be a burden.
This one became my favorite, no question. And it has been a whole week since I finished, so I’m afraid this review won’t be as good as it could have been. Which sucks, but it was still too raw for me to write until now because I had all the feels.
I already knew that I liked Alex from the first two books. Not only that, but he has all my sympathy for having toiled for years to bring his ancestral home into order after his father’s neglect only to inherit a far greater mess from his great uncle—that set him even farther back from being able to offer a stable home to a deserving female and settle into domestic life. A competent, quietly powerful man who wants to create a loving home is just all kinds of attractive and Alex has already been shown to be good and kind and admirable. I only hoped that the woman he ended up with would be worth it.
And I had doubts about Wren. She’s all kinds of damaged. And while it originated with a birthmark that covers half her face, early abuse extends that damage far deeper emotionally than a simple sense of disfigurement. But I came to really enjoy her, too. It helped that she has had the benefit of an extremely kind adoptive family and that they let her get involved in the family business so she has a core of strength that she knows she can rely on. She’s competent and smart and completely unwilling to simply let herself be background to any man or to consider herself helpless. I was skeptical, at first, about her desire for a husband because it’s completely self-driven and a bit nonsensical (in that she doesn’t need one). Fortunately, Balogh is good enough to make that an integral part of her character, as well, so that you can see her underlying need for loving contact and her awareness of its absence in her current situation.
The family continues to be a very strong presence in this story, possibly more so than in the others. By now, we’re pretty familiar with the pattern of rallying around need and exerting the family influence on behalf of others that so defines them, so seeing them rally around Wren was no surprise. I really like that in this series. I might have been skeptical about such a thorough commitment to each other in an extended family except that I’ve been the beneficiary of exactly that dynamic in marrying into Melissa’s family. They are essentially just like this—to the extent that I’m far more comfortable in my mental disorder with them than I am with my own family. And again, Balogh is good enough that they still feel like individuals with their own perspectives and problems even as they unite behind the needs most prominent at any given moment.
So anyway, this was an outstanding experience and Balogh just seems to be getting better all the time and fully warrants all five stars.
A note about Steamy: There are a couple explicit sex scenes. They’re all post-marriage, because that’s definitely the man Alex is. And they are a beautiful illustration of the act of physical and emotional intimacy in bringing two people together into a new whole. And I particularly liked how “well” the first time went, not least because it wasn’t all smooth sailing, or even much better than “good enough”. Or maybe I mean “a good place to start”. Anyway, way more realistic than most romances reach for and I really liked that.
This one became my favorite, no question. And it has been a whole week since I finished, so I’m afraid this review won’t be as good as it could have been. Which sucks, but it was still too raw for me to write until now because I had all the feels.
I already knew that I liked Alex from the first two books. Not only that, but he has all my sympathy for having toiled for years to bring his ancestral home into order after his father’s neglect only to inherit a far greater mess from his great uncle—that set him even farther back from being able to offer a stable home to a deserving female and settle into domestic life. A competent, quietly powerful man who wants to create a loving home is just all kinds of attractive and Alex has already been shown to be good and kind and admirable. I only hoped that the woman he ended up with would be worth it.
And I had doubts about Wren. She’s all kinds of damaged. And while it originated with a birthmark that covers half her face, early abuse extends that damage far deeper emotionally than a simple sense of disfigurement. But I came to really enjoy her, too. It helped that she has had the benefit of an extremely kind adoptive family and that they let her get involved in the family business so she has a core of strength that she knows she can rely on. She’s competent and smart and completely unwilling to simply let herself be background to any man or to consider herself helpless. I was skeptical, at first, about her desire for a husband because it’s completely self-driven and a bit nonsensical (in that she doesn’t need one). Fortunately, Balogh is good enough to make that an integral part of her character, as well, so that you can see her underlying need for loving contact and her awareness of its absence in her current situation.
The family continues to be a very strong presence in this story, possibly more so than in the others. By now, we’re pretty familiar with the pattern of rallying around need and exerting the family influence on behalf of others that so defines them, so seeing them rally around Wren was no surprise. I really like that in this series. I might have been skeptical about such a thorough commitment to each other in an extended family except that I’ve been the beneficiary of exactly that dynamic in marrying into Melissa’s family. They are essentially just like this—to the extent that I’m far more comfortable in my mental disorder with them than I am with my own family. And again, Balogh is good enough that they still feel like individuals with their own perspectives and problems even as they unite behind the needs most prominent at any given moment.
So anyway, this was an outstanding experience and Balogh just seems to be getting better all the time and fully warrants all five stars.
A note about Steamy: There are a couple explicit sex scenes. They’re all post-marriage, because that’s definitely the man Alex is. And they are a beautiful illustration of the act of physical and emotional intimacy in bringing two people together into a new whole. And I particularly liked how “well” the first time went, not least because it wasn’t all smooth sailing, or even much better than “good enough”. Or maybe I mean “a good place to start”. Anyway, way more realistic than most romances reach for and I really liked that.
November 17, 2017
Mary Balogh is my comfort read. She waves her magic and creates emotionally satisfying world of complex relationships between strong, likable and honorable characters without relying too much on evil villains or annoying misunderstandings. Her stories tend to have more characters’ introspection as opposed to melt downs or limitless arguments.
The story, third in the series, is no exception and I would say it’s my favorite in the series. I loved both protagonists. I don’t know if it's possible to create a better romantic hero than Alex. He’s kind, patient, honorable dream-man. He is a perfect man for the emotionally scared heroine. It’s she who made a difference for me in the story. My heart went out to her right at the beginning even when she appeared stiff, defensive, cold, and at times, even hostile. She had good reasons for it. Her courage to face and overcome the demons and to venture outside of her lonely cocoon was truly admirable. The two protagonists were made for each other.
I smiled and sighed with contentment at the end. This story is exactly what I needed.
The story, third in the series, is no exception and I would say it’s my favorite in the series. I loved both protagonists. I don’t know if it's possible to create a better romantic hero than Alex. He’s kind, patient, honorable dream-man. He is a perfect man for the emotionally scared heroine. It’s she who made a difference for me in the story. My heart went out to her right at the beginning even when she appeared stiff, defensive, cold, and at times, even hostile. She had good reasons for it. Her courage to face and overcome the demons and to venture outside of her lonely cocoon was truly admirable. The two protagonists were made for each other.
I smiled and sighed with contentment at the end. This story is exactly what I needed.
November 6, 2017
Oh, this book! I just loved it so much!
Since Wren has lost her aunt and uncle, Wren has been lonely. She wants a marriage and hopes for all that comes with it: respect, trust, affection, and children. As a wealthy woman she sets out to buy a husband, since she doesn’t think she could acquire one any other way. She’s heard of Alexander Westcott’s predicament, inheriting the title of Earl of Riverdale with the massive estate of Brambledean, long neglected, and in need of a mountain of money to repair and restore. So, Wren makes Alexander and offer of marriage.
Alexander Westcott always thought when he married it would be for love, but that was before he unexpectedly inherited the title of Earl with Brambledean, its people and properties dependent on its prosperity. He doesn’t have the money to restore it the way it should and if he doesn’t take a bride for money it will be years of struggling to get the estate back on course. Wren Heyden’s offer is practical, and he feels like he could respect and eventually have affection for her, but Alexander’s afraid by the deep pain he thinks lies under her surface. Could she get past that to truly let him in? If not, would he be content such an emotionally remote marriage?
Wren had so many barriers at first, I wasn’t sure a romance between her and Alex could be possible. They start off as so practical without the promise of love, it was a little depressing, but oh, things change and progress, and I fell in absolute love with their emotional journey!! Once their course was settled the romance was slow steps, but always going forward. No ridiculous, dramatic setbacks.
Wren didn’t have any family to speak of, so I was very moved that Alexander’s family stepped up and gave Wren the support and friendship she needed. It was impossible to feel lonely with his cousins, aunts and uncles by her side, but I most appreciated Alexander’s mother and sister welcoming her into the family so warmly.
Mary Balogh’s writing stirred up so many emotions, had me tearing up here and there with all the feels! She brought Wren and Alexander to life, to the point they felt real that I was genuinely touched by all the trials they overcame to find their HEA! Someone to Wed is tied as favorite in the series with Someone to Hold, the previous book, and now I can’t wait for the next one!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at The Readers Den.
Since Wren has lost her aunt and uncle, Wren has been lonely. She wants a marriage and hopes for all that comes with it: respect, trust, affection, and children. As a wealthy woman she sets out to buy a husband, since she doesn’t think she could acquire one any other way. She’s heard of Alexander Westcott’s predicament, inheriting the title of Earl of Riverdale with the massive estate of Brambledean, long neglected, and in need of a mountain of money to repair and restore. So, Wren makes Alexander and offer of marriage.
Alexander Westcott always thought when he married it would be for love, but that was before he unexpectedly inherited the title of Earl with Brambledean, its people and properties dependent on its prosperity. He doesn’t have the money to restore it the way it should and if he doesn’t take a bride for money it will be years of struggling to get the estate back on course. Wren Heyden’s offer is practical, and he feels like he could respect and eventually have affection for her, but Alexander’s afraid by the deep pain he thinks lies under her surface. Could she get past that to truly let him in? If not, would he be content such an emotionally remote marriage?
Wren had so many barriers at first, I wasn’t sure a romance between her and Alex could be possible. They start off as so practical without the promise of love, it was a little depressing, but oh, things change and progress, and I fell in absolute love with their emotional journey!! Once their course was settled the romance was slow steps, but always going forward. No ridiculous, dramatic setbacks.
Wren didn’t have any family to speak of, so I was very moved that Alexander’s family stepped up and gave Wren the support and friendship she needed. It was impossible to feel lonely with his cousins, aunts and uncles by her side, but I most appreciated Alexander’s mother and sister welcoming her into the family so warmly.
Mary Balogh’s writing stirred up so many emotions, had me tearing up here and there with all the feels! She brought Wren and Alexander to life, to the point they felt real that I was genuinely touched by all the trials they overcame to find their HEA! Someone to Wed is tied as favorite in the series with Someone to Hold, the previous book, and now I can’t wait for the next one!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at The Readers Den.
April 17, 2018
Oh man, this one started out SO GOOD!! I had that expectant feeling in my chest at the build up, and then their Along the way, what could have been passionate and exciting became . . . tepid? With two MC's so entirely free of making poor decisions, I think the problem (for me) was that the climax focused on the heroine's personal struggles rather than the couple. I wanted that big *PASSIONATE* moment, but the love came quietly and skipped passion, going straight to affection.
I still enjoyed the story, characters, and writing (obviously, Mary Balogh is a freaking goddess mastermind).
I still enjoyed the story, characters, and writing (obviously, Mary Balogh is a freaking goddess mastermind).
October 8, 2018
As always, another delightful read from the Wescott series! I loved how Wren gradually shed her reclusiveness and how Balogh described her thought processes as she did so. The slow burn romance is so sweet! A wonderful read, and my favorite in the series so far.
November 17, 2017
There's plenty to like in Someone to Wed, Mary Balogh's third installment in her Westcott series.
It's a fantastic MOC story, something that Mary Balogh does really well. Great, well-developed characters. Wren is such a strong, layered character. She knows what she wants and while she presents this cold and aloof behavior on the outside, her heart is passionate. But years of self-imposed seclusion and loneliness did a number of her, which made her all the more endearing and likable in my opinion.
I really liked Alexander, too. I liked that at very beginning, there's no feelings or even an attraction between them. Their relationship grew from chapter to chapter and I was swept away with the slow burn romance between these two characters.
If you're a fan of both slow-burn romances and the marriage-of-convenience trope, I highly recommend this book.
ARC provided by Berkley
It's a fantastic MOC story, something that Mary Balogh does really well. Great, well-developed characters. Wren is such a strong, layered character. She knows what she wants and while she presents this cold and aloof behavior on the outside, her heart is passionate. But years of self-imposed seclusion and loneliness did a number of her, which made her all the more endearing and likable in my opinion.
I really liked Alexander, too. I liked that at very beginning, there's no feelings or even an attraction between them. Their relationship grew from chapter to chapter and I was swept away with the slow burn romance between these two characters.
If you're a fan of both slow-burn romances and the marriage-of-convenience trope, I highly recommend this book.
ARC provided by Berkley
December 18, 2020
This took a while for the story and the romance to take off. Wren is a very, very shut down heroine due to a horrific childhood as a result of a large port stain birthmark and one bad mama. Her back story is worth reading.
Adopted and raised by a loving aunt and uncle she is that rare entity, a businesswoman in Regency England. MB makes it work without making Wren a strident, corset-burning feminist. The h is very wealthy.
The hero is the now heir to the Westcott title after the previous Earl died with a nose thumb to everyone. He left his wife and children in the lurch by making them bastards and beyond the pale in Regency society. This is touched on in other books and pops up repeatedly because the H is such a Dudley Doright about inheriting the title and all his responsibilities. Luckily, despite being a big and somewhat boring Boy Scout, he’s very handsome and very poor.
She's wealthy: he's poor. You can do the math.
The heroine meets him when she starts interviewing prospective husbands because she wants a family and wants some sex. She doesn't know that's what she wants, but she suspects that is the issue.
It’s all kind of
B
O
R
I
N
G
for a while. Until the H, his very nice mother and sister lure the h to London.
MOC where they connect in bed and the heroine opens up and stretches her wings until ...dun dun DUN...her past comes back to haunt her and her backstory is revealed.
I had a hard time with this as the couple are so reserved for so long, a true courtship and marriage-of-convenience. The writing was well done as always, and I enjoyed the heroine’s courage in opening up to the world via the whole Westcott family.
Adopted and raised by a loving aunt and uncle she is that rare entity, a businesswoman in Regency England. MB makes it work without making Wren a strident, corset-burning feminist. The h is very wealthy.
The hero is the now heir to the Westcott title after the previous Earl died with a nose thumb to everyone. He left his wife and children in the lurch by making them bastards and beyond the pale in Regency society. This is touched on in other books and pops up repeatedly because the H is such a Dudley Doright about inheriting the title and all his responsibilities. Luckily, despite being a big and somewhat boring Boy Scout, he’s very handsome and very poor.
She's wealthy: he's poor. You can do the math.
The heroine meets him when she starts interviewing prospective husbands because she wants a family and wants some sex. She doesn't know that's what she wants, but she suspects that is the issue.
It’s all kind of
B
O
R
I
N
G
for a while. Until the H, his very nice mother and sister lure the h to London.
MOC where they connect in bed and the heroine opens up and stretches her wings until ...dun dun DUN...her past comes back to haunt her and her backstory is revealed.
I had a hard time with this as the couple are so reserved for so long, a true courtship and marriage-of-convenience. The writing was well done as always, and I enjoyed the heroine’s courage in opening up to the world via the whole Westcott family.
July 15, 2021
Alexander Westcott, noul conte de Riverdale, se trezește cu viața complet dată peste cap atunci când moștenește titlul fără a fi fost vreodată conștient de existența acestei posibilități.
Wren Heyden este o moștenitoare foarte bogată, ieșită din doliu după unchiul și mătușa ei, o tânără timidă și retrasă, care nu își arată niciodată chipul. O tânără a cărei viață a început la vârsta de 10 ani, dar care are nevoie de o schimbare în prezent.
“Totul pentru căsătorie” este o lectură intensă, cu emoții care te iau cu asalt, te storc de puteri și apoi te încântă.
Autoarea Mary Balogh este maestra perioadei Regenței, o autoare care aduce ceva frumos cu fiecare nouă poveste.
Observăm trecerea celor doi de la intenția unei căsătorii de conveniență la prietenie și, mai apoi, la sentimente cu mult mai profunde. Ca orice cuplu, au de depășit obstacole, de înfruntat pericolul amintirilor.
O poveste de dragoste care evoluează treptat, care ne face să dăm pagină după pagină pentru a descoperi un nou aspect al acestei povesti pline de suspans.
Wren Heyden este o moștenitoare foarte bogată, ieșită din doliu după unchiul și mătușa ei, o tânără timidă și retrasă, care nu își arată niciodată chipul. O tânără a cărei viață a început la vârsta de 10 ani, dar care are nevoie de o schimbare în prezent.
“Totul pentru căsătorie” este o lectură intensă, cu emoții care te iau cu asalt, te storc de puteri și apoi te încântă.
Autoarea Mary Balogh este maestra perioadei Regenței, o autoare care aduce ceva frumos cu fiecare nouă poveste.
Observăm trecerea celor doi de la intenția unei căsătorii de conveniență la prietenie și, mai apoi, la sentimente cu mult mai profunde. Ca orice cuplu, au de depășit obstacole, de înfruntat pericolul amintirilor.
O poveste de dragoste care evoluează treptat, care ne face să dăm pagină după pagină pentru a descoperi un nou aspect al acestei povesti pline de suspans.
July 30, 2020
3 stars
3, maybe 3.5 stars - I liked it. It was nice to see Wren blossom with the help of Alexander's family and her own teancity/courage. Her first 10 years were filled with neglect, derision and isolation. This is a slow burn. Wren is wealthy - she inherited a lot of money when her aunt and uncle died. Although she offers a MOC to Alex (he came into a title & estate needs a huge cash infusion). Alex does not readily accept. He understands that he needs to marry for $$, but he also wants to like and respect his wife.
Wren is strong although she doesn't think so. She so deserved a happy life.
3, maybe 3.5 stars - I liked it. It was nice to see Wren blossom with the help of Alexander's family and her own teancity/courage. Her first 10 years were filled with neglect, derision and isolation. This is a slow burn. Wren is wealthy - she inherited a lot of money when her aunt and uncle died. Although she offers a MOC to Alex (he came into a title & estate needs a huge cash infusion). Alex does not readily accept. He understands that he needs to marry for $$, but he also wants to like and respect his wife.
Wren is strong although she doesn't think so. She so deserved a happy life.
April 10, 2023
I do have to give Balogh credit, in a sea of "regency historical romance" novels that all seem to have 99% of the same DNA, she consistently manages to come up with plots, storylines, and characters that rarely show up in other novels. The romance part often plays out the same (although, again, she stays away from many of her normal tropes in this book). I didn't really like the first 2 books in this series, but I liked this one. There are still plenty of weaknesses to the book, and lots of fluff, but I appreciate the originality.
December 15, 2017
I won't rehash my review of the book, which is HERE.
The audio version - narrated by the incomparable Rosalyn Landor - is every bit as enjoyable as the print version - possibly even moreso given the extra emotional nuance conveyed by Ms. Landor, who is just brilliant at getting into the heads of the characters she narrates.
Highly recommended.
The audio version - narrated by the incomparable Rosalyn Landor - is every bit as enjoyable as the print version - possibly even moreso given the extra emotional nuance conveyed by Ms. Landor, who is just brilliant at getting into the heads of the characters she narrates.
Highly recommended.
March 27, 2018
I'm sorta starting to regret my determination to catch up on this series in preparation for my ARC of book four because I have a sneaking suspicion I might have liked it better had I not experienced all these up and down reads for my first foray in Balogh's writing.
"Do you value yourself so little that you believe only your money gives you any worth at all?"
"Yes."
Strangely, in some ways, SOMEONE TO WED was my favourite of the Westcott series so far because the arrangement between this couple was the most.. believable. It was more mercenary and practical than passionate and all-consuming, and because of how little of the romance I end up feeling via this author's writing, that actually suited best.
It was not just her face that she had hidden from the world. It was the whole of herself.
Alexander is the heir who has inherited the Westcott title in the aftermath of the events of book one. He's now titled, with entailed properties, yet possesses none of the fortune to support them. So he's very aware he must marry for money. Conversely, Wren is a glassworks heiress with plenty of money, and yet believes herself to have no appeal because of a large birthmark that covers half of her face.
"I thought you were all gentlemanly perfection. How delightful it is to discover that you are human."
Their first interactions are not smooth, totally awkward, and show none of the connection one might expect for the book's couple. There is no hate, it's not one of those tropes, there's just.. weirdness. Incompatibility. Over the course of the book, Alex pushes Wren to open herself up to possibilities, to venture out unveiled, to experience life. To choose courage despite her fears and despite how self-conscious she is. And as a result Alex sees the woman behind the curtain who has been hidden away for so many years and who infact has more value than just a hefty bank account.
He wanted to be able to choose a bride with his head. The heart was too unpredictable and too capable of feeling pain and doubt and a host of other things.
Once again the part of this book that is an easy win for me is the concept, including the struggles the characters face. But I feel all that interest is lost beneath other things. Endless description. Tediously long monologues. Repetition repetition repetition. Rehashing of all the previous books. And while the intimacy for this romance was the least jarring of the three, there's still.. something lacking.
I'm really doubting my own compatibility with this author. For all that I love how she handles the subjects within her books, the emotional complexity, I just can't find the love for the experience on a whole.
Had this been my first read by the author, I think I would've been rounding up near a four. Maybe. But after three of these, despite this being my favourite, I'm just weary of it. The annoying members of this family are still mostly annoying. The oblivious ones are still oblivious. And they are all just too involved, too meddlesome, too.. I don't know. Something.
I'm glad I have a month's reprieve until my review for book four is due. I'll need every second of it.
2.75 "no rounding up this time" stars
"Do you value yourself so little that you believe only your money gives you any worth at all?"
"Yes."
Strangely, in some ways, SOMEONE TO WED was my favourite of the Westcott series so far because the arrangement between this couple was the most.. believable. It was more mercenary and practical than passionate and all-consuming, and because of how little of the romance I end up feeling via this author's writing, that actually suited best.
It was not just her face that she had hidden from the world. It was the whole of herself.
Alexander is the heir who has inherited the Westcott title in the aftermath of the events of book one. He's now titled, with entailed properties, yet possesses none of the fortune to support them. So he's very aware he must marry for money. Conversely, Wren is a glassworks heiress with plenty of money, and yet believes herself to have no appeal because of a large birthmark that covers half of her face.
"I thought you were all gentlemanly perfection. How delightful it is to discover that you are human."
Their first interactions are not smooth, totally awkward, and show none of the connection one might expect for the book's couple. There is no hate, it's not one of those tropes, there's just.. weirdness. Incompatibility. Over the course of the book, Alex pushes Wren to open herself up to possibilities, to venture out unveiled, to experience life. To choose courage despite her fears and despite how self-conscious she is. And as a result Alex sees the woman behind the curtain who has been hidden away for so many years and who infact has more value than just a hefty bank account.
He wanted to be able to choose a bride with his head. The heart was too unpredictable and too capable of feeling pain and doubt and a host of other things.
Once again the part of this book that is an easy win for me is the concept, including the struggles the characters face. But I feel all that interest is lost beneath other things. Endless description. Tediously long monologues. Repetition repetition repetition. Rehashing of all the previous books. And while the intimacy for this romance was the least jarring of the three, there's still.. something lacking.
I'm really doubting my own compatibility with this author. For all that I love how she handles the subjects within her books, the emotional complexity, I just can't find the love for the experience on a whole.
Had this been my first read by the author, I think I would've been rounding up near a four. Maybe. But after three of these, despite this being my favourite, I'm just weary of it. The annoying members of this family are still mostly annoying. The oblivious ones are still oblivious. And they are all just too involved, too meddlesome, too.. I don't know. Something.
I'm glad I have a month's reprieve until my review for book four is due. I'll need every second of it.
2.75 "no rounding up this time" stars
November 22, 2017
This is going to be a quick review!:)
I love Mary Balogh’s books and this one too, every time I read it, I feels like been watching those BBC period drama!:) it feel authentic 😍.
Also, her heroine mostly a real woman, not 18 years old simpering miss!
This one is no difference, the heroine is a 29 years old successful business woman.
Usually with other authors, the heroine in this age will giving up man and feel permanently stay on the shelf. But this one? She used her money and tried to buy a husband! 😂😂😂
Well, you know find a tittle guy who desperately need money😜.
So, that’s how our H and h met.
Unfortunately thought behind those bravado, the heroine had a tragic childhood which made her a recluse and stay away from everyone. While it made me frustrated reading it I can understand until I’ve got to read the villain’s POV! Goodness me, she is too cartoonish to be afraid of!
If Wren is only 19yo, I can understand her more but a successful 29yo woman? Nah..
And the scene with those two young men, good grief, give me a break!!
But those situations is not ruin the story, it just me I think, sigh.
Beside is only one chapter toward the end, so there you go, I like it but I like Anna and Avery’s story in Someone to Love more:)
I love Mary Balogh’s books and this one too, every time I read it, I feels like been watching those BBC period drama!:) it feel authentic 😍.
Also, her heroine mostly a real woman, not 18 years old simpering miss!
This one is no difference, the heroine is a 29 years old successful business woman.
Usually with other authors, the heroine in this age will giving up man and feel permanently stay on the shelf. But this one? She used her money and tried to buy a husband! 😂😂😂
Well, you know find a tittle guy who desperately need money😜.
So, that’s how our H and h met.
Unfortunately thought behind those bravado, the heroine had a tragic childhood which made her a recluse and stay away from everyone. While it made me frustrated reading it I can understand until I’ve got to read the villain’s POV! Goodness me, she is too cartoonish to be afraid of!
If Wren is only 19yo, I can understand her more but a successful 29yo woman? Nah..
And the scene with those two young men, good grief, give me a break!!
But those situations is not ruin the story, it just me I think, sigh.
Beside is only one chapter toward the end, so there you go, I like it but I like Anna and Avery’s story in Someone to Love more:)
October 1, 2019
More than just Someone to Wed
I am really enjoying the Westcott series and Someone to Wed was an excellent addition. We meet two very original characters in Alexander, Earl of Riverdale, and his someone to wed, Wren Heyden, a very rich woman looking for a husband.
Wren is a recluse who has spent nearly all of her life hiding behind her veil. When her beloved aunt and uncle passed away within days of each other, she decides that she wants her own family to love. Keeping close to home, she looks at the eligible men surrounding her property to find a prospective husband. Her first two options do not suit, but the third seems a little too good to be true. Wren knows that her money is the only thing that would attract a man as gorgeous as Alexander.
Alex has only just gained his title but unfortunately, there was no wealth attached to the estate. Being the upstanding and good man that he is, he's determined to bring his neglected property back to rights and give jobs to the people on his lands. Alex knows he must find a wealthy wife and has resigned himself to settle for a union that may or may not have love. When he meets his intriguing neighbour, he's surprised when she offers her fortune in exchange for marriage.
Will the gorgeous Earl be content with a marriage of convenience? Will Wren be willing to remove her veil and take a risk on exposing herself?
Mary Balogh creates realistic characters...warts and all. The characters inner thoughts do not always show them in a favourable light but that, to me, just makes them more endearing. I absolutely loved that we get to see Wren's fear and hesitations change to courage and determination. While at times I thought Alex was a little too like a martyr, he eventually grew on me.
I loved catching up with the Westcott's and again, I loved Rosalyn Landor's superb narration. I will definitely be coming back for more soon.
I am really enjoying the Westcott series and Someone to Wed was an excellent addition. We meet two very original characters in Alexander, Earl of Riverdale, and his someone to wed, Wren Heyden, a very rich woman looking for a husband.
Wren is a recluse who has spent nearly all of her life hiding behind her veil. When her beloved aunt and uncle passed away within days of each other, she decides that she wants her own family to love. Keeping close to home, she looks at the eligible men surrounding her property to find a prospective husband. Her first two options do not suit, but the third seems a little too good to be true. Wren knows that her money is the only thing that would attract a man as gorgeous as Alexander.
Alex has only just gained his title but unfortunately, there was no wealth attached to the estate. Being the upstanding and good man that he is, he's determined to bring his neglected property back to rights and give jobs to the people on his lands. Alex knows he must find a wealthy wife and has resigned himself to settle for a union that may or may not have love. When he meets his intriguing neighbour, he's surprised when she offers her fortune in exchange for marriage.
Will the gorgeous Earl be content with a marriage of convenience? Will Wren be willing to remove her veil and take a risk on exposing herself?
Mary Balogh creates realistic characters...warts and all. The characters inner thoughts do not always show them in a favourable light but that, to me, just makes them more endearing. I absolutely loved that we get to see Wren's fear and hesitations change to courage and determination. While at times I thought Alex was a little too like a martyr, he eventually grew on me.
I loved catching up with the Westcott's and again, I loved Rosalyn Landor's superb narration. I will definitely be coming back for more soon.
June 18, 2021
Genre - M/F Historical Romance.
I have read few books by Mary Balogh in the past and liked it but none are from this series. I went into the book with the expectation of reading a marriage of convenience trope but the marriage came quite late in the book and the focus was more on relationship development and hurt/comfort.
I was not surprised by the characters and writing style which had a distinctive Mary Balogh serious tone, perfectly suited for a Historical setting.
Our heroine, Wren is a practical businesswoman who has recently acquired a fortune after the death of her uncle and aunt. She pretends to be distant because she is a recluse but she in reality she has suffered a lot in her childhood due to the purple birthmark on her face. Her face looks scared so she hides behind veils both visible and invisible.
After the mourning period, she decided that she do not want to remain unmarried and makes a list of potential suitors. After two failed candidates she made the proposition to her neighbour Alexander, Earl of Riverdale.
Alexander was a quintessential beta hero. He was gorgeous in his looks and perceptive towards the comfort of others. He was smart but also caring and sweet towards Wren.
I know the plot sounds familiar but the characters were realistic and clever and not overdramatic like we normally get to see in HR. I also liked that the attraction between them was gradually built and slowly nurtured. I loved both the MCs especially the Hero, its a good change in HR where we mostly get to see Rakes. 😏😏
Note-
•The narration by Rosalyn Landor is the best I have ever experienced while listening to a female narrator in an HR book. I didn't expect to like this book so much but I love clever MCs and maybe I was in an awesome mood too.😇😇
• Don't go with anticipation of a lot of sex scenes because that's not the style of Mary Balogh.🤭🤭
I have read few books by Mary Balogh in the past and liked it but none are from this series. I went into the book with the expectation of reading a marriage of convenience trope but the marriage came quite late in the book and the focus was more on relationship development and hurt/comfort.
I was not surprised by the characters and writing style which had a distinctive Mary Balogh serious tone, perfectly suited for a Historical setting.
Our heroine, Wren is a practical businesswoman who has recently acquired a fortune after the death of her uncle and aunt. She pretends to be distant because she is a recluse but she in reality she has suffered a lot in her childhood due to the purple birthmark on her face. Her face looks scared so she hides behind veils both visible and invisible.
After the mourning period, she decided that she do not want to remain unmarried and makes a list of potential suitors. After two failed candidates she made the proposition to her neighbour Alexander, Earl of Riverdale.
Alexander was a quintessential beta hero. He was gorgeous in his looks and perceptive towards the comfort of others. He was smart but also caring and sweet towards Wren.
I know the plot sounds familiar but the characters were realistic and clever and not overdramatic like we normally get to see in HR. I also liked that the attraction between them was gradually built and slowly nurtured. I loved both the MCs especially the Hero, its a good change in HR where we mostly get to see Rakes. 😏😏
Note-
•The narration by Rosalyn Landor is the best I have ever experienced while listening to a female narrator in an HR book. I didn't expect to like this book so much but I love clever MCs and maybe I was in an awesome mood too.😇😇
• Don't go with anticipation of a lot of sex scenes because that's not the style of Mary Balogh.🤭🤭
September 17, 2017
I put this book on my TBR because Mary Balogh is an autobuy for me, not because I was necessarily excited for Alexanders' story. Frankly, Alexander wasn't all that exciting in the two previous books.
But Balogh transforms Alexander into a truly great hero in this one, he rather blossoms honestly.
This story seems rather an allusion to beauty and the beast with the gender roles reversed. In fact, like she did in the first book of the series where she throws romance novel convention out the window and makes her her hero in that book code rather effeminate (I always picture Netherby as looking kinda like a Caucasian version of Prince with his lace and eyeliner) she codes Wren, the heroine here, somewhat masculine-ly.
Alexander is always described as otherworldly handsome and proper and his estates needs rescuing by money. Whereas Wren is "tall as man" and "athletic" and she is a business mogul who runs a glass factory and brings in dolla-dolla bills to help him fix all his estates. Also she is the one who proposes to him. And while she is not technically a beast -- she has a big birth mark on one side of her face which has made her a recluse and she hides in her big estate all alone -- her life is in somewhat of a suspension until Alexander breaks the spell.
But the story isn't just abut her surface scars, the bigger issues surrounding them are much deeper. The fun of the story is watching their somewhat unconventional courtship play out and then watching as Alexander and his family dive under that surface and help her heal. There seems to be a theme that runs throughout all three books so far and that is one of parental/parentage secrets and lies and the resultant scars those secrets have left that the adult children must work out.
And speaking of Alexander's family -- this is the third book in the series so if you've read the other two you know that the Westcott family is ginormous. And they all make an appearance. I rather like the chaotic lot of them and to see how they are all faring after the monumental scandalous revelations from the first book. Thank goodness Balogh includes a family tree in the beginning.
Really good book. My second favorite of the series.
this review is based on an ARC received from the publisher
But Balogh transforms Alexander into a truly great hero in this one, he rather blossoms honestly.
This story seems rather an allusion to beauty and the beast with the gender roles reversed. In fact, like she did in the first book of the series where she throws romance novel convention out the window and makes her her hero in that book code rather effeminate (I always picture Netherby as looking kinda like a Caucasian version of Prince with his lace and eyeliner) she codes Wren, the heroine here, somewhat masculine-ly.
Alexander is always described as otherworldly handsome and proper and his estates needs rescuing by money. Whereas Wren is "tall as man" and "athletic" and she is a business mogul who runs a glass factory and brings in dolla-dolla bills to help him fix all his estates. Also she is the one who proposes to him. And while she is not technically a beast -- she has a big birth mark on one side of her face which has made her a recluse and she hides in her big estate all alone -- her life is in somewhat of a suspension until Alexander breaks the spell.
But the story isn't just abut her surface scars, the bigger issues surrounding them are much deeper. The fun of the story is watching their somewhat unconventional courtship play out and then watching as Alexander and his family dive under that surface and help her heal. There seems to be a theme that runs throughout all three books so far and that is one of parental/parentage secrets and lies and the resultant scars those secrets have left that the adult children must work out.
And speaking of Alexander's family -- this is the third book in the series so if you've read the other two you know that the Westcott family is ginormous. And they all make an appearance. I rather like the chaotic lot of them and to see how they are all faring after the monumental scandalous revelations from the first book. Thank goodness Balogh includes a family tree in the beginning.
Really good book. My second favorite of the series.
this review is based on an ARC received from the publisher
March 11, 2021
A hurt/comfort trope (at least that's what we called it in my fandom days) done right. I really think MB excels at this trope. She takes someone broken and heals them with romantic (and other kinds) of love. It was the point of her Survivors series and she returns to it here.
Heroine #3 is rich and orphaned by the deaths of her adoptive parents. She was given away by her mother because she was born with a disfiguring strawberry birthmark covering the left side of her face. She has lived as a veiled recluse, only leaving the house to oversee the thriving glassworks her adoptive father left her. She want's "someone to wed." So she invites the neighboring gentlemen around for afternoon tea, one at a time. Hero is #3.
Hero is the new heir to the earldom. He has inherited the property, but none of the money so he needs to marry well. He is tempted by the h's offer, but also repulsed by it. It's not the birthmark that bothers him, he's worried about her strange manner and reclusive ways. He needs a countess who will enter society with him.
Still, he's a noble guy and gives her lots of chances. In this story I was glad the Wescott family was so kind, since their friendship did just as much for the h as romantic love, imo.
The most touching part of the story is when the heroine is reunited with her younger brother (who was told she had died) after she was adopted out. I see he's going to have his own HEA later on in the series.
Just a nice story, plagued by the slow pace and repetition of the backstory that has marred the previous books in the series.
Heroine #3 is rich and orphaned by the deaths of her adoptive parents. She was given away by her mother because she was born with a disfiguring strawberry birthmark covering the left side of her face. She has lived as a veiled recluse, only leaving the house to oversee the thriving glassworks her adoptive father left her. She want's "someone to wed." So she invites the neighboring gentlemen around for afternoon tea, one at a time. Hero is #3.
Hero is the new heir to the earldom. He has inherited the property, but none of the money so he needs to marry well. He is tempted by the h's offer, but also repulsed by it. It's not the birthmark that bothers him, he's worried about her strange manner and reclusive ways. He needs a countess who will enter society with him.
Still, he's a noble guy and gives her lots of chances. In this story I was glad the Wescott family was so kind, since their friendship did just as much for the h as romantic love, imo.
The most touching part of the story is when the heroine is reunited with her younger brother (who was told she had died) after she was adopted out. I see he's going to have his own HEA later on in the series.
Just a nice story, plagued by the slow pace and repetition of the backstory that has marred the previous books in the series.
May 29, 2022
When I read this book a couple of years ago I have no idea why I started the series with this book as it is the third. It is not that I didn't fully understand it, but i certainly didn’t appreciate it. Now that i am in the flow of the messages that Mary Balogh wants to send with this series, I appreciate it much more.
As I said in my previous reviews of book 1 an 2, this is not a series to read if you like a steamy romance. Because every single one is tepid. But I enjoyed a lot the storyline and the family connection. You see a lot of everybody.
I don't know if I will ever read the 9 books of this series but I certainly will continue it.
And in this book we deal with imperfections and how you were treated back in the day. Ofc here the view of beauty is in the extreme but nevertheless a lesson.
As I said in my previous reviews of book 1 an 2, this is not a series to read if you like a steamy romance. Because every single one is tepid. But I enjoyed a lot the storyline and the family connection. You see a lot of everybody.
I don't know if I will ever read the 9 books of this series but I certainly will continue it.
And in this book we deal with imperfections and how you were treated back in the day. Ofc here the view of beauty is in the extreme but nevertheless a lesson.
May 30, 2020
Another wonderful book in the Westcott series! And I so enjoy listening to Rosalyn Landor’s narration. ❤️
Both Wren and Alexander were fabulous. I love a strong heroine and Wren was that. And Alexander was so damn sweet. Loved him too! ❤️❤️
July 1, 2022
When Alexander Westcott, the new Earl of Riverdale, is summoned to his neighbor's house, he's rightfully shocked when she proposes marriage. Wren Heyden, it turns out, is both rich AND horny. But Alex wants to like his wife, so they decide to court or something.
1. Is it a marriage of convenience when they've already pretty much determined they they really, really like one another and are well on their way to mutual love? I think not.
2. AT LEAST HER LONG -LOST SIBLING WAS GLAD FOR THE REUNION.
3. Seriously, the formulaic nature of the books in this series so far feels vaguely like I'm being gaslit or something. Like, can I trust my own expectations of Balogh to successfully describe major plot elements and beats? There's no way—she's a published author! She won't return to that well again; that would be ridiculous! Except, oh wait: she totally will and does!
Long-lost family emerging from the margins to embrace the hero/heroine? CHECK. A waltz scene, with curved spines? CHECK. A painful, disappointing-for-a-first-time sex scene? CHECK. A perfunctory kiss that never reads as sexual or arousing? CHECK.
I should learn to trust myself, I suppose.
4. The 'reflection' dialog was fucking clunky as hell. There are more streamlined ways of considering what another character said in the last chapter that isn't reiterating blocks of text like that.
5. While I liked Wren, I did not necessarily love her transformation in this the way I did with Camille's book. In my review of that book, I went on at some length about how much I appreciated Camille's struggle to "perform" her love, to change herself.
In this book, Wren starts off as a cold, isolated creature who struggles to unwall herself enough to connect to—anyone. And I was fucking there for it. Except that by the middle of the book, with Westcotts popping out of the goddamned wainscotting, she's completely unbent and able to converse easily and connect without seemingly any consideration or anxiety. She turns into a Standard Romance Heroine Who Oozes Love almost between chapters.
And, Reader, I Do Not Care For It.
6. I was also really grossed out by Alex's little asides about how "person-like" Wren was, instead of "female-/woman-like". I have no idea where that came from, since I'm far more used to Balogh's modernity, but: it was not enjoyable.
1. Is it a marriage of convenience when they've already pretty much determined they they really, really like one another and are well on their way to mutual love? I think not.
2. AT LEAST HER LONG -LOST SIBLING WAS GLAD FOR THE REUNION.
3. Seriously, the formulaic nature of the books in this series so far feels vaguely like I'm being gaslit or something. Like, can I trust my own expectations of Balogh to successfully describe major plot elements and beats? There's no way—she's a published author! She won't return to that well again; that would be ridiculous! Except, oh wait: she totally will and does!
Long-lost family emerging from the margins to embrace the hero/heroine? CHECK. A waltz scene, with curved spines? CHECK. A painful, disappointing-for-a-first-time sex scene? CHECK. A perfunctory kiss that never reads as sexual or arousing? CHECK.
I should learn to trust myself, I suppose.
4. The 'reflection' dialog was fucking clunky as hell. There are more streamlined ways of considering what another character said in the last chapter that isn't reiterating blocks of text like that.
5. While I liked Wren, I did not necessarily love her transformation in this the way I did with Camille's book. In my review of that book, I went on at some length about how much I appreciated Camille's struggle to "perform" her love, to change herself.
In this book, Wren starts off as a cold, isolated creature who struggles to unwall herself enough to connect to—anyone. And I was fucking there for it. Except that by the middle of the book, with Westcotts popping out of the goddamned wainscotting, she's completely unbent and able to converse easily and connect without seemingly any consideration or anxiety. She turns into a Standard Romance Heroine Who Oozes Love almost between chapters.
And, Reader, I Do Not Care For It.
6. I was also really grossed out by Alex's little asides about how "person-like" Wren was, instead of "female-/woman-like". I have no idea where that came from, since I'm far more used to Balogh's modernity, but: it was not enjoyable.
March 18, 2020
Review originally published at Romancing Romances.
Mary Balogh is one of my all-time favourite authors. Her books are always feel-good books, they make me happy. And this one was no exception.
I have to say, even if I do love a good rake/rogue book, I miss the beta heroes so much. And Alexander Westcott is a beta hero. And it made me so happy.
He’s a practical man, who had a title and property dropped on his lap without any warning – and property/land that desperately needs money. And Alex is a good man, so he will do whatever it takes to bring it back to its glory, even if that means marrying for money.
This is where Wren comes in. I really liked her character. She’s so lonely, and all she wants is a family, but she believed almost all of her life that she would not be able to have anyone love her – don’t we just love an “unlovable” trope?
Wren is rich, young, and when she discovers Alex’s predicament, she invites him over for tea – actually for a marriage proposal, but surely that can be discussed at tea time?
I felt so much for Wren. Her life had been defined by what she covered with her veil, and as we follow her in this journey, taking baby steps to meet more people, to connect, we see and feel her pain, and her growth. And Alex is right by her side, supporting her, cheering for her, calling her out when needed, without ever being a brute.
Before getting this title, Alex dreamed of respect, family, and hopefully love, and in the beginning he’s not sure he can have that with Wren. It’s a pleasure to see his relationship with Wren grow, and when things don’t work and he’s confronted with other possibilities, Wren is his choice. And they both learn how to love each other, and love their lives, on their own, and together.
As always, a pleasure to read.
Mary Balogh is one of my all-time favourite authors. Her books are always feel-good books, they make me happy. And this one was no exception.
I have to say, even if I do love a good rake/rogue book, I miss the beta heroes so much. And Alexander Westcott is a beta hero. And it made me so happy.
He’s a practical man, who had a title and property dropped on his lap without any warning – and property/land that desperately needs money. And Alex is a good man, so he will do whatever it takes to bring it back to its glory, even if that means marrying for money.
This is where Wren comes in. I really liked her character. She’s so lonely, and all she wants is a family, but she believed almost all of her life that she would not be able to have anyone love her – don’t we just love an “unlovable” trope?
Wren is rich, young, and when she discovers Alex’s predicament, she invites him over for tea – actually for a marriage proposal, but surely that can be discussed at tea time?
I felt so much for Wren. Her life had been defined by what she covered with her veil, and as we follow her in this journey, taking baby steps to meet more people, to connect, we see and feel her pain, and her growth. And Alex is right by her side, supporting her, cheering for her, calling her out when needed, without ever being a brute.
Before getting this title, Alex dreamed of respect, family, and hopefully love, and in the beginning he’s not sure he can have that with Wren. It’s a pleasure to see his relationship with Wren grow, and when things don’t work and he’s confronted with other possibilities, Wren is his choice. And they both learn how to love each other, and love their lives, on their own, and together.
As always, a pleasure to read.
April 11, 2018
She was well aware that she was different. She was not warm or open in manner and never could be. She seemed incapable of showing her feelings. She was not ... Oh, she was not a thousand and one things other people were without any effort.What an enjoyable read! I just recently finished Book 2 in the series, Someone to Hold (my review), 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)!!
What was she, then? She did not want to define herself for the rest of her life with negatives.
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.
It was not just her face that she had hidden from the world. It was the whole of herself. Her instinct was to hide behind veils within veils, and she had done it for so long that she did not know how to case those veils aside.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?
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.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.
February 24, 2019
I can't say enough how I love Ms. Balogh's novels. This one hit home for me as I had a friend from school who had a birthmark that too covered her left side of her face. She was picked on a lot however I never let her appearance deter us from becoming close friends.
I truly love the fact that the H/h were both older mature individuals who knew what they wanted and needed in their lives to make them somewhat a whole person. Although there seemed to be not alot of romance and intimacy between the two there was definitely mutual respect for one another. I also loved the strong woman that Wren made herself into and how she made her own destiny.
This was was a very lovable story that had me tears-eyed for the heroine and also wanting to pummel the mother and her entourage. What kind of mother would treat her child in such a fashion when she does not possess the level of beauty ascribed by her standards...to put her in an asylum...totally ridiculous.
A wonderful read and I am going to have to listen as I know Ms . Landor probably has done a fantastic job of narrating.
5-Stars
I truly love the fact that the H/h were both older mature individuals who knew what they wanted and needed in their lives to make them somewhat a whole person. Although there seemed to be not alot of romance and intimacy between the two there was definitely mutual respect for one another. I also loved the strong woman that Wren made herself into and how she made her own destiny.
This was was a very lovable story that had me tears-eyed for the heroine and also wanting to pummel the mother and her entourage. What kind of mother would treat her child in such a fashion when she does not possess the level of beauty ascribed by her standards...to put her in an asylum...totally ridiculous.
A wonderful read and I am going to have to listen as I know Ms . Landor probably has done a fantastic job of narrating.
5-Stars
June 14, 2022
Alexander é o novo Conde de Riverdale, tendo herdado o título que nao contava, as propriedades que vêm com ele, mas não o dinheiro para as sustentar. Wren é uma mulher independente, rica, com negócios próprios, mas sem o que, na sua perspetiva, é imprescindível para uma Senhora se poder casar, um rosto bonito e aprazível. Isto porque Wren tem uma marca de nascença na cara que a tornou numa heremita e afastada de todo o contacto com a sociedade. Um precisa do outro, por razões práticas, mas para além do óbvio, nasce uma verdadeira amizade. Até que a amizade se transforma em amor.
Gostei imenso deste livro, que nos mostra uma protagonista muito insegura relativamente à sua aparência, que foi ensinada que deveria ser afastada dos olhares das pessoas, até que o amor lhe ensina que a verdadeira beleza está no interior.
Gostei imenso deste livro, que nos mostra uma protagonista muito insegura relativamente à sua aparência, que foi ensinada que deveria ser afastada dos olhares das pessoas, até que o amor lhe ensina que a verdadeira beleza está no interior.
November 28, 2017
Rated 4.5 - SOMEONE TO WED by Mary Balogh exemplifies her skills in characterization. I adored our heroine, Wren, from the very beginning, even though she was determined and overbearing. It was easy to see through her haughty behavior as a barrier she used as much as her veil.
Miss Wren Heyden inherits Withington House and her uncle’s glass factory, after the couple she claimed as her parents die within a week of each other. Considering herself a businesswoman first, she intends to buy herself a husband. Not able to attract one due to her facial disfigurement, she sets her sights on the Earl of Riverdale. He’s broke and needs the money. It seems like a perfect match – the rich heiress and the poor earl with a property to revamp. Apparently, Wren doesn’t know Alexander Wescott as well as she thinks.
Their initial meeting in reservedly hilarious. Alexander has not met anyone as direct as Wren. She, on the other hand, cannot understand his need for communication, socializing, and a courtship. He pushes, and she pushes back. Finally, Wren gives in to Alexander’s demands in hope that he’ll marry her.
Alexander puts up with Wren’s curt responses because he desperately needs her money to renew his broken-down estate. He cares about the people who live there and feels responsible for their welfare. I like that he sensed that there was something more to Wren than she let on. Initially, her money is his reason for pursuing their relationship, but it doesn’t take long for Wren to impress him as someone to love.
Wren has been a recluse most of her life. Her hideous birthmark forces her to wear a veil in public, giving her a mysterious air. She prefers to stay at home, but she will go to her glass factory as needed. Her aunt and uncle allowed her to withdraw from society when they became her adoptive parents. Alexander won’t stand for her reclusive behavior. He insists that any wife of his will learn her social duties.
I found Wren very entertaining. Her high-handed way of speaking was often very funny. She acted as if she had no feelings, but that was to cover up her very passionate core that truly cared what others thought about her appearance. Alexander was a good hero, but Wren was such an outstanding heroine that Alexander faded into the background for me.
One of the best parts of this book is visualizing the other characters we’ve come to love from this series through Wren’s eyes. There are some good chuckles, as well as heartfelt emotion.
Wren’s situation choked me up on page 137. My own emotion was sudden and unexpected. Author Mary Balogh has a true gift of making me love her characters. I get so wrapped up in their lives without even realizing it. The Westcott family are all so precious. I love their hearts.
I highly recommend the WESTCOTT series so far. I think you’ll enjoy it best if you read all three books in order. Start with Anna and Avery in SOMEONE TO LOVE, then read Camille and Joel’s journey in SOMEONE TO HOLD.
SOMEONE TO WED is the type of historical romance I love to read. It’s emotional and funny with characters I can’t wait to catch up with in future books. The Regency period is not my favorite style of historical. It takes a very talented author to draw me into this era without reservations. Mary Balogh has a unique talent that is mesmerizing. I can’t wait for SOMEONE TO CARE, releasing in May 2018!
Review by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies. Print ARC provided by the publisher.
Miss Wren Heyden inherits Withington House and her uncle’s glass factory, after the couple she claimed as her parents die within a week of each other. Considering herself a businesswoman first, she intends to buy herself a husband. Not able to attract one due to her facial disfigurement, she sets her sights on the Earl of Riverdale. He’s broke and needs the money. It seems like a perfect match – the rich heiress and the poor earl with a property to revamp. Apparently, Wren doesn’t know Alexander Wescott as well as she thinks.
Their initial meeting in reservedly hilarious. Alexander has not met anyone as direct as Wren. She, on the other hand, cannot understand his need for communication, socializing, and a courtship. He pushes, and she pushes back. Finally, Wren gives in to Alexander’s demands in hope that he’ll marry her.
Alexander puts up with Wren’s curt responses because he desperately needs her money to renew his broken-down estate. He cares about the people who live there and feels responsible for their welfare. I like that he sensed that there was something more to Wren than she let on. Initially, her money is his reason for pursuing their relationship, but it doesn’t take long for Wren to impress him as someone to love.
Wren has been a recluse most of her life. Her hideous birthmark forces her to wear a veil in public, giving her a mysterious air. She prefers to stay at home, but she will go to her glass factory as needed. Her aunt and uncle allowed her to withdraw from society when they became her adoptive parents. Alexander won’t stand for her reclusive behavior. He insists that any wife of his will learn her social duties.
I found Wren very entertaining. Her high-handed way of speaking was often very funny. She acted as if she had no feelings, but that was to cover up her very passionate core that truly cared what others thought about her appearance. Alexander was a good hero, but Wren was such an outstanding heroine that Alexander faded into the background for me.
One of the best parts of this book is visualizing the other characters we’ve come to love from this series through Wren’s eyes. There are some good chuckles, as well as heartfelt emotion.
Wren’s situation choked me up on page 137. My own emotion was sudden and unexpected. Author Mary Balogh has a true gift of making me love her characters. I get so wrapped up in their lives without even realizing it. The Westcott family are all so precious. I love their hearts.
I highly recommend the WESTCOTT series so far. I think you’ll enjoy it best if you read all three books in order. Start with Anna and Avery in SOMEONE TO LOVE, then read Camille and Joel’s journey in SOMEONE TO HOLD.
SOMEONE TO WED is the type of historical romance I love to read. It’s emotional and funny with characters I can’t wait to catch up with in future books. The Regency period is not my favorite style of historical. It takes a very talented author to draw me into this era without reservations. Mary Balogh has a unique talent that is mesmerizing. I can’t wait for SOMEONE TO CARE, releasing in May 2018!
Review by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies. Print ARC provided by the publisher.
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