Publication Date: 11/27/2018
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Imprint: Berkley
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 384
ISBN-13: 978-0399586101
(Received for an honest review from Berkley Publishing Group)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, Book Depository, itunes
Mary Balogh on the Web: Website, Facebook, Goodreads
Books in the Series:
1. Someone To Love (2016)
2. Someone To Hold (2017)
3. Someone To Wed (2017)
4. Someone To Care (2018)
5. Someone To Trust (2018)
Coverart:
Excerpt from Someone To Trust courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature
Synopsis:
During a rare white Christmas at Brambledean Court, the widow Elizabeth, Lady Overfield, defies convention by falling in love with a younger man in the latest novel in the Westcott series.
After her husband's passing, Elizabeth Overfield decides that she must enter into another suitable marriage. That, however, is the last thing on her mind when she meets Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, at the Westcott Christmas house party. She simply enjoys his company as they listen to carolers on Christmas Eve, walk home from church together on Christmas morning, and engage in a spirited snowball fight in the afternoon. Both are surprised when their sled topples them into a snowbank and they end up sharing an unexpected kiss. They know there is no question of any relationship between them, for she is nine years older than he.
They return to London the following Season, both committed to finding other, more suitable matches. Still they agree to share one waltz at each ball they attend. This innocuous agreement proves to be one that will topple their worlds, as each dance steadily ensnares them in a romance that forces the two to question what they are willing to sacrifice for love. . . .
Thoughts:
The Wescott family is having a Christmas party! Tis the season to be merry or to get married in this case. Mary Balogh is a master at writing historical romance and this one has a bit of a twist. It's not the typical boy meets girl story. The heroine, Elizabeth is a widow, who longs for the love and affection that was absent in her first marriage. Colin comes from the dysfunctional family and hopes to settle down with the life he's always dreamed about. They sound like the perfect couple don't they? So what's the problem... she's nine years older than him, in a society that frowns on anything that deviates from the norm. Balogh gives readers a story that reminds us what we are willing to sacrifice for love.
What I liked:
If you're a reader of the Wescott series, you've been waiting awhile to see Elizabeth get her happy ending. As a reader, I was really excited to get this book and dive into another one of Mary Balogh's proper English novels. I love description and reading about the scene and the parties and the places where the action of the book takes place. I want to know what the ladies were wearing and who was lurking around in the shadows watching the festivities. Balogh never disappoints in this area. She engages all of the readers senses with her amazing descriptions of the times, the culture, the clothing, the food and just about everything in between.
I thought this was a very sweet romance. It is a little slow to start and readers will likely find themselves wondering if these two will ever get together. But, these are not young debutantes or rogues. This is a seasoned couple who have a lot more at stake than just a good romp. I actually enjoyed that aspect of the story. I loved that Balogh writes to the beat of her characters. This one is a bit slower, a little less overtly sexual. It just really fit the tone of the characters she was writing about and added to the over all satisfaction of the book.
I liked the older woman, younger man trope here. Sometimes that is hard to pull off, but this isn't Balogh's first try at it and I thought she did a great job. Honestly, I think society still has a bit of trouble accepting this combination even today. Watching it play out against the background of a less forgiving society was interesting and proved that once again love comes in many shapes and sizes and it usually doesn't check to see if it fits everybody else's idea of what it should look like.
What I didn't like:
I felt like this one dragged a bit. The first part of the book was hard to get totally invested in. The couple seemed well suited for each other, and they obviously liked each other, but they were quick to move on and try to find more suitable partners. It was like it took them a little while to realize they were in love enough to buck convention. I liked the idea of the one dance per ball. That was romantic, but it put a damper on the action. It made things move a little too slow for my tastes, but otherwise I enjoyed the book very much.
Some readers will take issue with the fact that there isn't a lot of sexual tension or good old fashioned make out sessions. That doesn't usually bother me in a book even if it's a romance. If it fits the situation. Which in this case I felt like it did. But if that's what you are looking for in your romance books, this one might leave you a little wanting.
Bottom Line:
This is probably not the best book in the series. But, it is a good book. Definitely worth the read, especially if you are a fan of the series in general or the author. If you're looking for hot and sexy, maybe try something else. I liked the juxtaposition of the older woman, younger man. I loved the sweetness of it and the way it seemed to fit the characters. Lots to enjoy about the latest in the Wescott series.
Someone To Trust is available now from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
