SOMEONE TO CHERISH by Mary Balogh

SOMEONE TO CHERISH is book eight in the Westcott Series by romance grande dame Mary Balogh. Balogh has written more than 100 (what?!) historical novels and novellas, more than 40 of which have been New York Times bestsellers. The mind boggles. Her later books have felt fairly sedate and gentle to me, and SOMEONE TO CHERISH is no exception.

This Regency brings together two lonely souls who have deeply suffered independently for years, in a sweet and contemplative book that manages to have some feminist overtones but doesn’t feel like wallpaper historical. Brava, Ms. Balogh!

Harry Westcott lost his title of Earl of Riverdale when it was discovered after his father’s death that the prior earl had been bigamous. The Westcott Series books have been following the various siblings of both the first true marriage and the second illegitimate marriage as they navigate the dramatic change in their circumstances. Poor Harry enlisted to fight Napoleon to escape his family’s ignominy, and returned several years later as a physical wreck, having been injured many times on the battlefield. Harry is about to turn 30, and his family is scheming to get him married off because they believe (and rightly so), that he is lonely. Pleasant though Harry has found his isolation, he is just coming to realize that his solitude is wearing on him, and it’s delightful to him recognize his tender feelings.

Lydia Tavernor is the village vicar’s widow. It’s been a year since her jerk of a husband passed away, and Lydia is looking for some companionship of the male persuasion. She has no interest in being under a man’s thumb again, though, given her terrible spouse and the domineering menfolk of her family. Boy, do I feel for Lydia! She awkwardly propositions Harry, a delightful scene, and they have a highly abbreviated affair before she decides that the risk is too great. They are caught out anyway, and Harry must convince Lydia that is trustworthy of her heart.

All of the Westcotts from the prior books feature prominently here, which does get a bit wearing. I think their extensive involvement in the plot adds to the slow feel of the book, which proceeds at an easy pace. SOMEONE TO CHERISH’s placid romance features plenty of introspection and historical detail, making it a dreamy and fulfilling sentimental story.

Is love worth the loss of one's freedom and independence? This is what Mrs. Tavernor must decide in the new novel in the Westcott series from New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh.

When Harry Westcott lost the title Earl of Riverdale after the discovery of his father's bigamy, he shipped off to fight in the Napoleonic Wars, where he was near-fatally wounded. After a harrowing recovery, the once cheery, light-hearted boy has become a reclusive, somber man. Though Harry insists he enjoys the solitude, he does wonder sometimes if he is lonely.

Lydia Tavernor, recently widowed, dreams of taking a lover. Her marriage to Reverend Isaiah Tavernor was one of service and obedience, and she has secretly enjoyed her freedom since his death. She doesn't want to shackle herself to another man in marriage, but sometimes, she wonders if she is lonely.

Both are unwilling to face the truth until they find themselves alone together one night, and Lydia surprises even herself with a simple question: "Are you ever lonely?" Harry's answer leads them down a path neither could ever have imagined...