SOMEONE TO WED is book 3 in the Westcott
series by long-term favorite Regency romance author Mary
Balogh. I think I'm still somehow stuck in her last series,
the Survivors Club,
because every time I read a Westcott book, I'm still
surprised that it is not about soldiers from the Napoleonic
Wars! Balogh always does a wonderful job at skillfully
evoking the Regency era, with all its familial obligations,
rules of propriety, and proper courting often flouted by
eager lovers.
Wren Heyden is a reclusive heiress who has never been out in
society due to a large port wine stain that covers one half
of her face. After the death of her aunt and uncle who
raised her, she decides that she wants to have her own
family. She sets out to purchase herself a husband who could
benefit from her vast fortune and turns her eye upon her new
neighbor, Alexander Westcott, the new Earl of Riverdale.
Originally taken aback by the very prosaic Wren, Alexander
at first demurs, but finds himself still thinking about his
clearly lonely young neighbor. He talks her into a courtship
in earnest.
There is a lot of contemplation in this book. Given the fact
that Wren has been secluded from society and lived in her
head for the vast majority of her life, she is necessarily
introspective. Alexander seems fairly contemplative as well,
and much of the story revolves around emotions, personal
growth, and support of others. Not a grandiose erotic
adventure, SOMEONE TO WED feels more like a comfortable pair
of slippers that feel oh-so-good when you snuggle into them
in front of a fire on a wet and chilly day.
I found myself very annoyed at Alexander for his comment
about Wren's facial disfigurement in the epilogue, which
seems to emphasize that he actually is always cognizant of
it, when he's trying to convince her that he really
doesn't see her port wine stain anymore, but just her own
dear face. Outside of this jarring moment, coming at this as
an abled person, SOMEONE TO WED appears to treat deformities
in a matter of fact manner, without the hero or his family
stereotyping the heroine but instead supporting her in a
kind way to do as she feels comfortable.
SOMEONE TO WED is a gentle romantic tale by Balogh. Fans of
prior Balogh books as well as readers of Grace Burrowes will
enjoy this sweet and compassionate Regency romance.
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. . . .
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy