SOMEONE TO REMEMBER is a novella and the seventh installment in Mary Balogh’s “Westcott” series. I think of SOMEONE TO REMEMBER as Mary Balogh’s take on Jane Austen’s classic novel PERSUASION. The particulars are different, but thirty-six years ago Lady Matilda Westcott was persuaded by her parents to refuse the man she loved, and the sense of longing, regret, and hope are very palpable in this story. For those thirty-six years Matilda has never married or become romantically entangled with anyone else and has remained her aging mother’s companion. Now Matilda and Charles find themselves connected when Matilda’s niece marries Charles’ natural son. Although their lives progressed in different ways, they both still find that spark of love they experienced in their youth.

I’ve read stories in which the hero and heroine were separated for a number of years, but never as long as in SOMEONE TO REMEMBER. This story is told from alternating perspectives, so that the reader gets a better understanding of the main characters and how they each process their feelings after reuniting with an old love. I like that Charles and Matilda both acknowledge the part they each played in their separation years ago. There is a certain level of angst simply because of the missed opportunities, but neither of these two characters have experienced a dismal life while they were apart, and each takes an active part in making their current lives fuller by finally fusing their lives together. It’s great to experience a well-written story with a couple in their fifties rediscovering an enchanted love and a youthful joy. This story has surprising and sweet stolen moments, kisses with intriguing walks down memory lane, and romantic outings to places like Vauxhall.

SOMEONE TO REMEMBER is a charming story about love resurfaced, reestablished and a hero and heroine reinvigorated. I enjoyed having the younger set be the main supporting characters in this novel and I especially hope to read a story with Adrian Sawyer, Charles’ son as the hero. As always, I eagerly await Mary Balogh’s next novel.