Someone to Remember by Mary Balogh – Review & Giveaway

Someone to Remember by Mary Balogh – Review & Giveaway

 

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository / Google Play / Apple

 

Description:
Matilda Westcott has spent her life tending to the needs of her mother, the Dowager Countess of Riverdale, never questioning the life of solitude she has spun for herself. To Matilda, who considers herself the aging spinster daughter, marriage is laughable–love is a game for the young, after all. But her modest, quiet life of order unravels when a dashing gentleman from her past reappears, threatening to charm his way into her heart yet again.

Charles Sawyer, Viscount Dirkson, does not expect to see Matilda Westcott thirty-six years after their failed romance. Moreover, he does not expect decades-old feelings to emerge at the very sight of her. When encountering Matilda at a dinner hosted by the Earl of Riverdale, he finds himself as fascinated by her as he was the first day they met, and wonders if, after all these years, they have a chance at happiness together. Charles is determined to crack the hard exterior Matilda has built for over three decades or risk losing her once again…

 

 

Review:

Someone to Remember by Mary Balogh is the 7th book in her wonderful Westcott series. I have said this before, I love this series, even though I do not read a lot of historical romances, but this is very well written by Balogh, with wonderful recurring characters that we get to revisit in the Westcott family.

Matilda Westcott, our heroine, is considered a spinster by her family, due to her spending most of her life caring for her unappreciative mother.  Matilda, who is now 56 years old, has never forgotten the man she loved and gave up 36 years ago.

Charles Sawyer (Viscount Dirkson), our hero, was surprised when Matilda came to visit him (in previous book) to plead for his help for his illegitimate son.  Once he stepped forward to help, Charles did not expect to run into Matilda again.  But the Westcott family is huge, and since Charles did help Gil and Abby, they invited him to a dinner hosted by the Earl of Riverdale.   Charles unexpectedly finds himself feeling his attraction to Matilda reemerging, and begins to make an attempt to win her back after all those years.  Will 36 years of no romance allow Matilda to open her heart to Charles again?

After the dinner is over, the young adults of the family plan an excursion, but the family insists they have chaperones.  Charles agrees to serve as chaperone, as long as Matilda also comes to help. After a little pressure from the young family members, Matilda agrees and they end up spending a lot of time enjoying themselves, as well as ruminating about the past.   What follows is a beautiful sweet story that brings Charles and Matilda together in a slow build rediscovery of a love that never left.  I really enjoyed watching Charles convince Matilda that he still loves her, and Matilda allowing herself to finally give in to her love for Charles.

It was wonderful to see all the Westcott’s again, especially the younger members of the family.   This is a big family, and we get to see many of them in each book, which is always fun.  The romance between Charles and Matilda was wonderful to watch, with so many emotions, both sad and sweet.  I always thought Matilda’s mother was too hard on her over the years, but it was great to see the change; especially with her mother now being very supportive of her and Charles.

I do not read a lot of historical romances, but I plan on reading every book in this series. I can’t say enough about Mary Balogh’s writing, as the Westcott series is a ‘do not miss’.  If you enjoy regency romance with great couples and secondary characters, you should be reading this one.  Someone to Remember is another fabulous fun heartwarming story in this fantastic series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Mary Balogh’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of SOMEONE TO REMEMBER to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE and Follow Mary Balogh on Facebook

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9.. Giveaway runs from November 6 – 10, 2019

 

 

Share

Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh – Review & Giveaway

Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh – Review & Giveaway

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / Google Play / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Abigail Westcott’s dreams for her future were lost when her father died, and she discovered her parents were not legally married. But now, six years later, she enjoys the independence a life without expectation provides a wealthy single woman. Indeed, she’s grown confident enough to scold the careless servant chopping wood outside without his shirt on in the proximity of ladies.

But the man is not a servant. He is Gilbert Bennington, the lieutenant colonel and superior officer who has escorted her wounded brother, Harry, home from the wars with Napoleon. Gil has come to help his friend and junior officer recover, and he doesn’t take lightly to being condescended to—secretly because of his own humble beginnings.

If at first Gil and Abigail seem to embody what the other most despises, each will soon discover how wrong first impressions can be. For behind the appearances of the once-grand lady and the once-humble man are two people who share an understanding of what true honor means, and how only with it can one find love.

 

 

Review:

Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh is the 6th book in her wonderful Westcott series.  I love this series, even though I do not read a lot of historical romances, but this is very well written by Balogh, with wonderful characters that she has created in the Westcott family.

I have waited awhile for Abigail Westcott’s story, as she is the youngest sister of the family that lost all of their inheritance, when they discovered their father was legally married to someone else.  Abby is a wonderful heroine, who was sweet, outgoing and loyal to her family; as well as accepting her situation at losing her inheritance.  After seeing her sister change her life and marry, she decides to accept the offer from Anna (step sister who inherited everything), giving her 1/3 of the inheritance, since Camille (Abby’s sister) had done the same when she married.  The family, which incudes Abby, Camille, Harry and their mother have come to love Anna, which took them a few years to move on and welcome themselves back into the huge Westcott family. When Harry returns home from the war, after suffering serious injuries, Abby decides to go back to their original home (Hinsford) to live; even though Harry has brought with him a friend from the war days.

Gil Bennington, was Harry superior officer and friend, who decides to help Harry recover and together they arrive at his home (which Anna gave back to him).   Gil does not know how long he will stay, since he has things at his own home he needs to address.  Seems that when Gil took some time off after his wife died to check on his new born daughter, he was blocked from seeing her by his wife parents.  Gil had hired lawyers to fight for his right, while he was away fighting for his country. 

Abby and Gil start off on the wrong foot, and do not get along; with both displeased that the other is also staying to help Harry.  Abby is determined to build a life for herself and help Harry, with no pressure from her family to marry.   Gil is desperate to find a way to get his daughter back.  In a short period, they get past their initial reaction to one another, and become friends, especially in helping Harry.  It is Harry to pushes them together, to help each other.  With a court case on the horizon, and the need to prove he is a good fit for his daughter, Gil will propose to Abby.

This is a slow build romance, that becomes even more after they marry. It was fun to watch them both slowly fall in love.  I loved how Abby faced her family after marrying Gil, and not telling them.  It was a great as this wonderful Westcott family comes together to help Gil, despite his determination to keep his distance from Abby’s family (which is easier said than done lol ).  I do love this family, and enjoyed how Balogh gave us such a great happy ending; and I also loved Beautiful, Gil’s dog.   I will note that for at least half way through the book, I thought Abby deserved better than the bitter Gil, but all ends well.

Someone to Honor was a great read. As always, it is wonderful to see all the Westcott’s again. I can’t say enough about Mary Balogh’s writing, as the Westcott series is a ‘do not miss’.  If you enjoy regency romance with great couples and secondary characters, you should be reading this one.  Someone to Honor is another fabulous fun heartwarming story in this fantastic series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Mary Balogh’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of SOMEONE TO HONOR to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE and Follow Mary Balogh on Facebook

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9.. Giveaway runs from July 3 to 7, 2019

 

 

Share