Once again, author Mary Balogh has outdone herself, giving us the story of a unique heroine overcoming a lifetime of demons to find love and happiness. At the start of SOMEONE TO WED, Wren Heyden is a recluse, hiding behind dim lighting and an ever-present veil. The aunt and uncle who raised her -- the only family to show her love and kindness -- have died, and she resolves to find a husband. She figures her only selling point is the fortune her uncle left her, so she adds the impoverished Earl of Riverdale to her list of possible matches.

Alexander Westcott never wanted the title and received it only through a technicality that left his cousins illegitimate. He inherited a decrepit estate and no money to bring it up to snuff, so he sets himself a goal of marrying a wealthy woman. When confronted with Wren's offer, he finds he cannot commit himself to marriage for money alone.

The depth of Wren's despair over her appearance, the terror, and shame she feels when she lifts her veil or indeed exposes herself in any way, quite often brought tears to my eyes, as did her bravery as she confronts each challenge along the way. Alexander and his extensive extended family offer her friendship, as well as opportunities to cast off her self-imposed shell, but she struggles to defeat the doubts created during years of isolation.

SOMEONE TO WED is both heartbreaking and uplifting. It is a love story that will stay in your heart and mind long after you turn the final page. I highly recommend this novel (and the whole Westcott family series) to readers who enjoy Regency romance and unusual heroines.