Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh is a 2017 Berkley publication.

A tender, but redemptive love story, that gave me so many feels!


While this series has been quality reading up to this point, as is most anything Mary Bologh pens, I was still suffering a bit of a book hangover from the ‘Survivor’ series, which was absolutely amazing. Up to this point the first two books in the Wescott series have failed to really grab me in the same way.

However, this third installment was the perfect remedy for my previous lethargic response to the Wescott saga.

Alexander has been a wonderful character in this series and I am so happy he got his own story. With an inherited title, came a country estate in dire need of repair. With limited funds, his only choice is to marry for money.

It was therefore quite fortuitous when he is summoned to the home of Wren Heyden, a wealthy businesswoman who is looking for a husband. Her marriage proposal, which would simply be an a marriage of convenience,but one Wren hopes will quell her soul deep loneliness, and provide her with children, is very tempting to Alexander, and he can’t dismiss it out of hand.

The couple agrees to see how well they might get along before making any decisions, but this task is more difficult than it should be, due to Wren’s extreme social anxiety and awkwardness around other people.

Can the couple find a way around their differences or will Wren's insecurities prevent her from making a commitment?

Wren’s years in seclusion has made her appear aloof, or cold, when nothing could be further from the truth. She has endured so much, most of it needlessly, but with Alexander’s openness and willingness to draw her out, to encourage her to step out into the open more often, Wren flourishes.

Alexander may need to marry for money, something his family is very sad about, but every day he spends with Wren, the deeper he falls in love with her. He admires her unconventionality, her lack of pretentiousness, her intelligence, and incredible courage and inner strength, and so did I!! She is a most remarkable character, one that is both vulnerable and inspirational.

This story touched my heart! I loved this couple and their journey together!! The characters are front and center, there is no childish, immature angst, but the emotions and feelings of these richly drawn characters pulled at my heart, and, moved me deeply, evoking sincere empathy and compassion, which is Mary Bologh’s signature touch.

This is, quite simply, a beautiful love story, the kind we ALL need a lot more of!

I loved this book. Full recommendation, five stars, all that jazz. When I write reviews, I sometimes comment on writing style, but I won’t for authors whose books I pick up without even reading the back cover blurb because it’s a non-issue. No complaints, only the highest of praise for Mary Balogh because she sets the romance bar higher than most.

I found that I could relate to the characters on a personal level, which is always such a hard thing to find in books. The romance was front and center, love scenes tasteful and unpredictable, and the story believable–even if it takes place before my grandparents were even born. Regency is actually not my favorite time period, but in this book it really doesn’t matter.

I don’t even know what else to say about the story. It’s superb. If I had a microphone, I’d give it to Mary Balogh so she could drop it.

Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh is a must read! I was immediately hooked. The plot line is addictive. Intrigue got me hard.

The female protagonist is a recluse. By her birth she went through an ordeal most haven't especially from being within a not so poor household. Yet, Wren suffered greatly. That past is part of her journey in healing. She lets her birthmark define her. Shutting herself away from people and life in general. Her birthmark covers the whole half of her face. A purplish mark that will not go away. Wren feels hideous because of it. She's at the point now, that she should wed. Wren wants a husband and a family of her own. However, she thinks no one would want her...and she has more than enough money to buy a husband.

Then, there's Alex. He is beyond good looking but has a heart of gold. He feels something for his recluse neighbor. Her marriage proposal struck him hard. She thought she wasn't worth marrying. All because of her birthmark. But her cold opinion of herself keeps Alex away from her. But something about her has him rethinking it. There were moments when he got to see her without wearing a veil and where she smiled or laughed. Those few precious moments showed Alex the real woman inside of Wren. Wren just needed to believe in herself...

A marriage of convienece. Alex needs the money and Wren wants a husband. Except Alex won't marray her unless she can see herself as a person of greater value than what she holds herself as. And they must have affection...

Little do they know it...but affection has been and is being felt on both sides...

Wren's horrible past comes to light and her journey of healing is due to Alex and his family. Their acceptance of her despite her birthmark, helps Wren get the courage she needs to walk among them without fear. Little by little she learns to be braver and find herself with a life of joy...

Someone to Wed is about facing fears. Overcoming those obstacles that bound the protagonist to her previous life. Good things can happen, if we open ourselves to the chance. Taking risks, trusting, and falling in love are themes throughout this beautiful tale. I couldn't stop reading it. Overall, I highly recommend Mary Balogh's historical romance novel to all.

Cecilia‘s review of Someone to Wed (Westcott #3) by Mary Balogh
Historical Romance published by Berkley 07 Nov 17

I’m an amateur romance historian of sorts, a snarky fan of some of our genre’s most…unusual and off-the-wall works (I even livetweet my reads sometimes, if you dig gifs, yelling, and crass/sarcastic humor…check out Storify). But I also appreciate authors who know their craft, particularly as it relates to historicals.

Give me a Dare, Maclean, Beverley, Quinn, Kleypas, Hoyt, Garwood, or Quick, and I’m a happy gal. And I love Mary Balogh. Love love love. I devoured the Survivors’ Club, which is, IMHO, her best work. I’ve read some of her earlier books, which aren’t as strong but are certainly worth reading. Almost everything I’ve read from her is a five star/A- or better read. And, frankly, this would be a five-star read except…I’m comparing her to herself. That’s right. Mary Balogh has to go up against Mary Balogh when I’m reviewing her stuff. Sorry, my dear. It happens. If anyone else had written this book, five stars to the moon and back. But I’ve gotta settle in and give her a wee lower grade.

Granted, my complaints are nitpicky. We have the female heroine, Wren, born with a portwine birthmark to a terrible, awful, no-good (seriously, she’s a bitch) mother. Raised by her aunt and uncle, she’s pretty much a recluse. A wealthy, virginal, business-savvy recluse. Her aunt and uncle die, she inherits everything, and decides she’s sick of being alone and sets her sights on a husband. She figures since she’s got the cash, she may as well marry a man who’s in need of…financial assistance.

But she’s cold. Ice cold. And clearly terrified of intimacy. Which is my main beef with her character development. Yes, her mama was a stupid bitchface who deserves to die a fiery death and is quite possibly the worst maternal figure I’ve ever read in an historical (that’s saying a lot, my friends…I read a ton of WTF old school cracky crackfests). But her loving aunt and uncle, who took her in and raised her as their own, didn’t do an adequate job of trying to overcome the psychological damage wrought by her mother. Yes, I understand that you want someone to make their own way, not be forced into doing something they don’t want to do, but Wren was never encouraged to be confident in her appearance, to realize that the mark on her face wasn’t a representation of her worth, because despite all their support, her pseudo-parents didn’t really push the issue and instead let her stay isolated on their estate. Again, a nitpicky point, but one that is so critical to plot development that it warrants a mention. Yes, women in that time were often valued for their looks and their dowry rather than their personalities, but her internalized self-hatred got to be a bit much at times and was somewhat unbelievable, given that wonderful relationship she had with her aunt and uncle.

Then we have our hero. Swoon. You can have your bad boys and your alphaholes and your billionaire bikers, I think men hell-bent on being responsible and protective are sexy as hell. Alexander is thrust into a role he doesn’t want by a fluke of lineage (his cousins were deemed bastards, so…he inherited the title from his uncle). Being the capable, mature guy he is, he wants to restore the title and the estate he inherited rather than let it keep going to shit like his uncle did. But he has no money. ENTER WREN with her proposed courtship and subsequent marriage. Things are awkward at first (Alexander is (of course) dreadfully handsome which throws Wren for a curve; her icy demeanor puts him off), but they become friends. She gets to know his mother and sister (who are awesome) and the rest of his family. (This is the third Westcott novel, so if you’ve read the first two books you’ll see references to familiar characters.) And, of course, they vow that their marital friendship and congenial, intellectual relationship WILL NEVER TURN INTO PASSIONATE LOVE BECAUSE NO WAY WOULD THEY LET THAT HAPPEN. AMIRITE?

The dialogue is, as always, superb. We get our HEA. We get resolution of all our issues with Mommie Dearest in a satisfying and emotionally mature way. In short, we get what we’d demand of a Balogh – great writing, meticulous character development, and the kind of reliable comfort read we often need in a world full of uncertainty and real-life angst.

Grade: B

http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-b-reviews/b-plus-reviews/joint-review-someone-to-wed-by-mary-balogh

Favorite Quote: “If you meet one person at a time, eventually you will have met the whole world.”



lexander Westcott never thought he’d inherit the Earldom after the former Earl passed on but when it comes to light that his Uncle’s marriage to the countess was false, it prevented his cousin from inheriting and propelled Alex into the role. In order to save the estate and the livelihoods of all those living there, Alex knows he must marry for money but he never expected to be proposed to by a virtual stranger.

“You are offering….marriage?”

Wren Heyden is an independently wealthy businesswoman. Raised by her aunt and uncle, Wren has lived a secluded life. Since the passing of her aunt and uncle, Wren realizes she is lonely and decides she would like to marry and experience all the joys that come with it. When she learns of Alex’s plight, she summons him and offers her wealth in exchange for marriage.

“In my own person, I am not marriageable…but I am wealthy.”

Alex is understandably shocked but eventually curious. Wren is neither charming nor affordable and Alex is unsure if he can marry without love or even respect. As he and Wren begin a tentative courtship, he realizes there is a wealth of beauty and spirit beneath the cold shell she presents to the world. But for this marriage to work, Wren needs to find the courage to stand by Alex’s side in public, because he refuses to just be someone she weds.

“I do not mingle with society or even the neighbors.”

“As Countess of Riverdale, you would have no choice.”

Marriages of convenience are a favored trope of mine, especially if it’s the heroine who is proposing. Mary Balogh writes of such a heroine in the third story of her Westcott series, Someone to Love. Each story interacts loosely with one another and deals with the fallout from the actions of Humphrey Westcott, the former Earl of Riverdale and confirmed bigamist though they are all independent enough to be read as standalones. Balogh offers readers just enough background to sail forward confident in comprehension and enjoyment.

Quietly engaging, Balogh writes a pragmatic romance that starts as a business proposition and builds on friendship and respect. A friendship that gradually turns to love as this couple discovers their compatibility. The story about the ugly duckling came to mind as I was reading this. A young woman who is brought low, in her own mind, by her lack of beauty eventually transforms through the kindness and love of those around her.

“You honor me. I can only hope I am worthy of you.”

A strong beginning sets the tone. Wren is an odd duck in Alex’s eyes because she deals with him not as a woman setting her cap for a beau but as his equal and he finds that insulting. She openly discusses his finances or lack thereof and offers him a practical solution though at first, he doesn’t see it that way.

“…how dared she-a stranger-make open reference to it? The vulgarity of it had paralyzed his brain for a few moments.”

The story moves along at a steady pace as Alex takes his time considering Wren’s offer. Alex teeters between his dislike of Wren’s unfeminine attitude and his growing respect for her intellect and boldness. He is the perfect foil for Wren as he acknowledges her pain but is not naive enough to think he can “cure her.” Quiet, intelligent, and reflective, he has his own row to hoe and knows he must do what is best for the estate, no matter his true feelings.

Wren is a true recluse due to a birthmark that covers the left side of her face. While she may go to the factory, she refuses to mix with society. Her aunt and uncle showered her with love though they never forced her into public. They tried to show her that her face didn’t define her as a person but Wren chose to hide, fearing she is hideous. An uncomfortable meet and greet with Alex’s mother and sister highlight the extent of Wren’s fears. There is deep set and it sets their courtship back a few steps but that changes when Wren shows much courage by grabbing hold of an offer of friendship and enters London society on her terms.

Balogh stays true to form and convention for this time period. Some may find it dry reading as her characters remain constrained in their emotions and actions, never moving more beyond polite outrage or delight. It slows the story down a bit as our couple spends a great deal of time deciding what is the right choice.Wren and Alex do share some touching scenes that help showcase their gradual evolution though Wren’s changes are far more emotionally poignant.

“Miss Heydon, you are going to fit into this family just fine.”

A kaleidoscope of characters infiltrates the story, old faces and new ones to help guide this couple and story to the end. I loved the relationship Alex and eventually, Wren came to have with Alex’s mother and sister. Warm and engaging they wanted what was best for both of them, regardless of the outcome. The rest of the Westcotts descend and offer their congratulations as they embrace and welcome Wren wholeheartedly into their fold.

Mary Balogh always guarantees a quiet and elegant romance, perfect reading for a much need retreat. Fans will enjoy seeing the Westcotts again and watching Alex discover his happily ever after. With more Westcotts to be led to the altar, this series is in no danger of ending anytime soon.

GRADE: B-

Mary Balogh takes a somewhat unusual approach in this romance by giving her heroine a very obvious facial disfigurement. I’ve read several romance novels where the hero is somehow “beastly” in appearance, but the opposite is much less common. Balogh’s development of the “beauty and the beast” trope made for an interesting story.

Readers who have read the previous books in the Westcott series will be familiar with Alexander Westcott, who inherited an earldom when his cousin turned out to be illegitimate due to the previous earl’s bigamous marriage. Now he needs to find a way to make improvements on an ancestral estate that was severely neglected by his predecessor. In short, he needs an influx of cash, something that Wren Heyden can easily provide, having inherited a thriving glassworks from her uncle. What Wren wants is a husband and family to end the social isolation she lives in due to a fear of allowing others to see her disfigured face. Wren suggests marriage to Alexander as a mutually beneficial arrangement, but he’s not eager to marry for such a mercenary reason as money. When Alexander insists that Wren leave her home and interact with other people, Wren’s not sure she’s so eager to marry, either. But as they come to know each other better, both Wren and Alexander find themselves more willing to wed.

Both Alexander and Wren are likeable characters, and it was easy for me as a reader to root for their HEA. The constraints of the historical romance format did cause Balogh to smooth Wren’s path to normalcy more than would likely be the case in real life. She seems to encounter very little negative response to her appearance when she does begin to show her face (and let’s be real, there are people who will stare and whisper whenever they see someone outside the norm even in these PC times, much less back then). At the beginning of the book, Wren seems to suffer from social anxiety, and that also seems to magically lessen with the development of the romance.

One thing I really liked was the way Balogh has Wren challenge Alexander periodically throughout the book about his response to her face. Alexander claims early in the novel that he will grow not to notice her looks, and she picks up on that, asking him regularly, “Did you notice today?” It highlights their deepening relationship as his response changes throughout the book, and how Balogh circles back to that idea in the last paragraphs of the story is rather lovely.

I’d recommend this novel for fans of Mary Balogh and the Westcott series or for readers who appreciate the “beauty and the beast” trope. Next up in the series is a book focusing on the bigamous earl’s betrayed wife, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Balogh develops her story.

An eARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that an impoverished nobleman puts his head, and his title, on the marriage block, in a quest for the highest bidder. This trope has been mined by Mary Balogh in many wonderful stories (A Christmas Promise comes to mind) but the one that pops up immediately is Dancing with Clara. There are important differences, however. Clara’s husband, the Honourable Frederick Sullivan, is, like Alexander Westcott, the Earl of Riverdale, “magnificently handsome” but Freddy “was a rake whose women were legion and whose gambling debts were staggering.” Vastly wealthy Wren Heyden wants someone to wed and her choice is her neighbor, the new Earl of Riverdale.

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.

Unlike Freddy, and like the Earl of Falloden, the hero of A Christmas Promise, Alexander is impoverished through an accident of inheritance. Alexander is not a gambler nor a womanizer. Wren, like Clara Sullivan née Dunford, controls her own fortune and negotiates directly with the man she wants to marry.

Wren had heard that the new earl was a conscientious gentleman of comfortable means, but that he was not nearly wealthy enough to cope with the enormity of the disaster he had inherited so unexpectedly. The late earl had not been a poor man. Far from it, in fact. But his fortune had gone to his legitimate daughter. She might have saved the day by marrying the new earl and so reuniting the entailed property with the fortune, but she had married the Duke of Netherby instead.

When Wren points out to Alexander, over tea at her house (at her invitation), that she understands that he is “not a wealthy man,” he is less than pleased.

Only the slight flaring of his nostrils warned her that she had angered him. “Do you indeed?” he said, a distinct note of hauteur in his voice. “I thank you for the tea, Miss Heyden. I will take no more of your time.” He stood up.

“I could offer a solution,” she said, and now it was very definitely too late to retreat. “To your relatively impoverished state, that is.”

She asked him directly if he intends “to marry a rich wife.” Meeting directness with equal candor, Alexander tells her that he finds her “curiosity offensive.” But Wren, having said so much already, presses ahead.

“I am a very wealthy woman, Lord Riverdale. But my life lacks something, just as yours lacks ready money. I am twenty-nine years old, very nearly thirty, and I would like … someone to wed. In my own person I am not marriageable, but I do have money. And you do not.”

Imagine the difficulty of speaking so frankly to a man whose “eyes fixed upon her, his jaw like granite.”

“Perhaps we could combine forces and each acquire what we want,” Wren said.

“You are offering me … marriage?” he asked.

Had she not made herself clear? “Yes,” she said. He continued to stare at her, and she became uncomfortably aware of the ticking of the clock.

“Miss Heyden,” he said at last, “I have not even seen your face.”

Wren has been veiled throughout their conversation. Going straight to the crux of her problem, for that is how Wren sees her situation: she asks her maid to open the curtains to let in the light, saying, “I suppose you must see what you would be getting with my money, Lord Riverdale,” as she lifts her veil. This slightly offensive, somewhat ironic comment is Wren being defensive because although her chestnut brown hair is “lustrous” and her profile is “exquisitely beautiful,” “the left side of her face, from forehead to jaw,” is purple. Alexander has never seen such a pronounced birthmark.

What would otherwise have been a remarkably beautiful face was severely, cruelly marred. He wondered if she always wore the veil in public. In my own person I am not marriageable.

But Alexander, although he does not answer her directly about the question of their marrying, states unequivocally that her looks are not a deterrent.

“We all have to learn to live behind the face and within the body we have been given,” he said. “None of use deserves to be shunned—or adulated—upon looks alone.”

“Are you adulated?” she asked with a slight mocking smile.

He hesitated. “I am occasionally told that I am the proverbial tall, dark, handsome man of fairy tales,” he said. “It can be a burden.”

“Strange,” she said, still half smiling.

Alexander asks for time to think about her proposal, saying, “despite the invitation and the tea and cakes,” that “it has been a job interview.” He suggests that he “arrange something at Brambledean,” like a tea or dinner—a soiree with neighbors—and Wren rejects that plan emphatically. She does “not mingle with society or even with neighbors.” That does not sit well with Alexander, his countess “would have no choice” but to be a part of society. He goes further.

“I would certainly not allow my wife to make a hermit of herself,” he said, “merely because of some purple marks on her face.”

“You would not allow?” she said faintly? “Perhaps I need to think more carefully about whether you will suit me.”

Perhaps Wren should and perhaps she shall because Alexander says that his invitation is the best he can offer.

“If you have the courage to come, perhaps we can discover with a little more clarity if your suggestion is something we wish to pursue more seriously.”

Someone to Wed is a charming, somewhat serious romance about two people who have the courage to look beyond an obvious solution for both—as Alex puts it, “neither one of us wishes to marry in haste only to repent at leisure.” Alex soon realizes, after Wren courageously visits his estate, that Wren is eager to find someone to wed, not desperate to marry: “The possibility made her seem more human and perhaps even a little more likable.” They give themselves the gift of time to get to know one another, to become comfortable in each other’s presence before they decide on their future. Alex and Wren are a quietly delightful couple: another tour de force from the pen of Mary Balogh.

Alexander Westcott, der Earl of Riverdale folgt einer Einladung der Geschäftsfrau Wren Heyden nach Withington House. Nach einem Jahr der Trauer für Onkel und Tante, die sie aufgezogen haben, möchte sie sich mit den Nachbarn bekannt machen. Der erste Kontakt zeigt ihr jedoch schon, dass er zu jung und gutaussehend für ihre Pläne erscheint. Sie ist fast dreißig und sucht einen Mann zur Gründung einer Familie. Sie will heiraten, aber nicht um jeden Preis. Der Zukünftige muss schon gewissen Mindestansprüchen genügen.

Alexander lebt auf Brambledean Court. Er besitzt Titel und Anwesen erst seit einem Jahr und war noch nicht oft dort. Das Anwesen benötigt dringend eine Finanzspritze. Wren spricht das Thema direkt recht dreist an und bietet ihm eine Lösung. Sie ist eine sehr reiche Erbin und Betreiberin der Glasmanufaktur ihres verstorbenen Onkels. Das Angebot stößt ihn zunächst zurück, er ist entrüstet und fühlt sich unwohl in der Situation. Ihm fällt auf, dass er noch nicht ihr Gesicht zu sehen bekommen hat. Sie hat schöne gepflegte Hände und einen grazilen Hals, aber ihr Kopf ist unter einem Schleier verborgen. Als sie ihr Antlitz lüftet, stellt sich heraus, dass sie ein wunderschönes Profil hat, ihre linke Gesichtshälfte aber ein pinkes Geburtsmal aufweist.

Alexander vermutet sofort, dass sie das sicher nicht nur äußerlich, sondern auch charakterlich sehr geprägt hat. Sie ist immerzu auf der Hut und strahlt oberflächlich Kälte, Einsamkeit und Isolation aus. Der Earl gibt Ihr zunächst keine Antwort, sondern rügt sie für ihre selbstauferlegte Isolation und fordert sie heraus, sich mit anderen Nachbarn auf eine Einladung zum Tee bei ihm zu treffen.

Nach dieser ersten Bewährung werden sie sich einig, dass ein Hochzeit ohne Zuneigung füreinander nicht in Frage kommt. Auch seine Mutter und Schwestern möchten nicht, dass er nur wegen des Geldes heiratet, sie wünschen ihm eine glückliche Ehe.

Wren und Alexander sind recht unterschiedliche Menschen. Zunächst verbindet sie wenig. Man kann als Leser gespannt sein, wie die Autorin hier eine Romanze wachsen lassen wird. Aber für solche Konstellationen ist Mary Balogh durchaus bekannt.

Auch wenn sie zunächst das ganze Unterfangen irgendwann wieder abblasen, können sie sich dann aus unerfindlichen Gründen doch nicht aus ihren Gedanken vertreiben. Unverhofft treffen sie in London aufeinander.

Es folgen manche sehr offene und erwachsene Gespräche zwischen den beiden. Schlussendlich macht er ihr dann doch einen sehr sachlichen Heiratsantrag aus Respekt und Sympathie. Sie hoffen auf eine gute Ehe, denn sie kann seine Ehre und sein Verantwortungsbewusstsein erkennen und ist sich sicher, dass er ein guter Ehemann und sicher auch Vater für ihre Kinder sein würde. Alexander würde sie nie im Stich lassen oder ihre Ehre beschädigen. Wren dagegen ist für ihn eine außergewöhnliche, mutige und leicht exzentrische Frau. Sie müssen Liebe und Glück finden wollen und daran arbeiten.

Wie soll Wren, die so zurückgezogen gelebt hat mit seiner riesigen Familie klar kommen? Wie soll sie ihre Rolle als Mitglied des Adels wahrnehmen können? Doch dann findet sie unverhofft ihre eigentliche Familie wieder und lernt trotz oder gerade wegen der Verletzungen oder Dunkelheit der Kindertage ihren Weg zu gehen. Am Ende entdecken beide, dass sie längst auch die Liebe gefunden haben.

Leider konnten mir weder Wren noch Alexander so richtig ans Herz wachsen und die zugehörige Familie war mir schon etwas zu groß und quirlig. Zudem hat es mir an Spannung oder Konflikten gemangelt.

Fazit: Ein ruhiger ernster Liebesroman mit Schwerpunkt auf der Entwicklung der Charaktere

4 von 5 Punkten

I have been so pleasantly surprised by this series. I don't know why I've been surprised, Mary Balogh is an excellent writer. But I feel like each book has caught me off guard with how much I enjoyed it. I think this one caught me off guard with a sort of reverse Beauty and the Beast theme, with a beautiful hero and a tortured heroine. It was quite refreshing.

I urge you to read the earlier books so you have the complete back story, but if you have not, there are enough tidbits in this story to give you the gist of what has happened in the past.

So our heroine is Alexander Westcott, the new Earl of Riverdale. Alexander earned his title when the fraudulent marriage of the late earl was revealed, and his children were dispossessed of their legitimacy. It wasn't something Alexander wanted, but now he feels an obligation to the neglected tenants and estate that suffered under the hands of the prior earl. Alexander's sense of duty conflicted with his wish for an affectionate marriage, given that he was afraid he would have to marry solely for money to save the estate. But Alex wasn't quite prepared for our heroine's proposal and treating his marriage as a strict business arrangement. I admired Alex's determination to go through a period of courtship and understand the heroine's pain and past. And I liked his quiet strength, he maintained composure and calm in the face of most everything, but people certainly learned that they should not mess with his family.

"I was itching for a fight, but all they could do was dangle."

The heroine of this installment is a newly introduced character, Miss Wren Hayden, business woman and recluse. Wren is a tortured heroine who has been isolated most of her life due to a birthmark covering half of her face. Despite her seclusion, Wren is an intelligent and successful business woman who was straightforward and blunt. I loved this about Wren, and my heart hurt for the pain she held inside. I enjoyed watching Wren challenge herself to come out of her shell, and I thought her encounters with the closeknit Westcott were endearing.

There was not much plot conflict with this story, but I felt like it did not need a huge drama. It was a feel good story in that we see a broken woman learn to live and love and accept herself. Wren's journey was inspiring and uplifting, and I got pulled into a great emotional connection with her character. I liked how the story and relationship were paced and continue to enjoy all the family connections and relationships.

I didn't quite like how Wren was referred to as "more of a person than a woman" because she intelligent and straightforward, intimating that one could not possess these qualities and still be feminine. But, it was in keeping with the times and it made sense with the story, so I didn't feel that it detracted from my enjoyment.

I recommend this series to all fans of Mary Balogh and historical romance in general. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Berkley.

Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh is a Regency romance at its finest and one not to be missed. It is Beauty and the Beast but in reverse and shows the heroine that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Wren Heyden is a wealthy businesswoman and is convinced that she is going to have to use her wealth to buy herself a husband. She wants a marriage and figures if men can do this why can’t she? Lucky for her she has a new neighbor who needs the means to repair his country estate and could use a bit of cash. Alexander Westcott doesn’t know what to think at first of her marriage proposal and is taken back by her boldness. He sees getting involved with Wren would be a whole heap of trouble considering she hides herself behind a veil and that her tight composure holds tight a world of pain and trouble. He doesn’t know what to think but is definitely intrigued by her.

Mary Balogh nicely creates characters that are flawed and complicated and show genuine feelings in the situations they find themselves in. The heroine Wren has defined herself by her facial mark and lives a reclusive life. She wonders if she has the courage to push herself out of her comfort zone. It took baby steps but she stretched herself with each new person she met and each new experience she does. Her fears, her strengths and struggles are expressed throughout the story making my heart ache for her for the life she has lived and the one she wants. The journey wasn’t easy but Wren learned something new about herself when she challenged herself to take a chance.

Alexander Westcott recently inherited the title of Earl of Riverdale and felt he had no choice in marriage when he knew he needed a woman with wealth to help him rebuild his estate. He could have ignored his responsibility but that is not who he is. He is an honorable man and intelligent to understand the bigger picture. He is a gentleman and protects the women in his family. He dreams of marriage with affection and respect so Wren’s offer doesn’t guarantee he’ll have those if he pursues this with her. When things fall apart with Wren and he returns to London for the Season, he sees what his choices are and isn’t satisfied. Wren isn’t your typical woman and has a trunk load of issues, but it would be a way to a means, and will keep things interesting. His love for Wren came softly over the course of their relationship when he learns more about this woman and how much she expands her world to include him and his big family.

Someone to Wed is the third book in the Westcott series but can read as a stand-alone without feeling lost when coming in midstream. There is a slew of characters and the author does explain the where Alexander fits in the mix and how he came into his inheritance. No worries on trying to learn them all because you can always go back and read the previous stories. Wren grew up feeling unwanted and unloved but it her aunt and uncle to show her that life is what you make of it if you are willing to go for it. She didn’t believe them but Alex keep telling her that she is only hurting herself by not trying. Reading a story by Mary Balogh is always a pleasure because she does it so well and delivers a well-crafted historical romance.

I don’t read a lot of historical romance novels, but I really liked the sound of this one. The author did an awesome job of connecting me with the heroine of the story Wren. She was very strong and independent in her own right, but her strength was what made me love her. Adding the hero, Alexander into the mix and he made the story work perfectly.

I will admit that it took me a little while to get the hang of the way that they talk. I think that’s why tend to steer clear of historical romance, because I’m used to the 21st-century as opposed to the more proper terms they use in the box. But I truly felt the author did an awesome job at keeping it simple and easy to understand.

I felt the author did awesome with the time. That she chose to use for the story. It was descriptive enough to make me imagine being there, but not overly descriptive to where I was scratching my head trying to get back into the story. I look forward to reading more stories from her in the future. 4 Stars #2OCCJD

3.5 Stars

Mary Balogh is a legend in the Regency Historical genre; so many amazing books not to mention multiple series that I have on my ‘Keepers’ shelf. I highly recommend picking up the Huxtable Quintet books if you enjoy this 3rd addition to the Westcott Family Series. Ms. Balogh’s books tend to be well-rounded and very character-driven, which makes them a pleasure to read if you enjoy a more complex story line.

Alex Westcott, the newly minted Earl of Riverdale, never wanted a title nor the obligations that came with one. He was content with his wealthy land owner status and building his simple country estate. But then catastrophe hits his extended family and he finds himself saddled with the crumbling Riverdale estate and in dire need of funds. Wren Heyden is a recluse with a massive estate and a successful business but no one to share it with. She wants love and a family and she is willing to buy it for herself, if necessary.

Enter the Earl of Riverdale… even if he was third on the list.

And so begins an on-again, off-again romance that neither one of them expected. Wren is deeply scarred both inside and out but Alex might just have the compassion and strength to bring her into the light. Well, maybe his horde–ahem—family will have a little something to do with it too. They will risk everything they have for the chance at a love that will complete them both and mend years of heartbreak and pain.

I tend to hesitate when picking up a book that is part of a series when I have not had the pleasure of reading the other books in the collection. In this case, I was determined to let this novel be my introduction to this new family drama in hopes it would suck me in and encourage me to discover the stories of other characters featured in this book. My gamble absolutely paid off. I was able to focus on Wren and Alex rather than the complexities of the layered stories that each new character in the Westcott saga introduced. I will definitely pick up the previous two books and look forward to further installments of this series. This book gave me a tantalizing glimpse into the lives of characters I want to get to know better and immerse myself in their love stories. But first there is Alex and Wren.

I found myself completely engrossed in this book for the first 200 pages. I read the first two-thirds of it in one sitting, looking at the clock at 3am and realizing that I needed to put the book down and sleep. I found the development of the roots of Alex and Wren’s love to be sweet and beautiful with, admittedly, a tear or two shed as I read through his attempts at healing her scarred soul. A man who is tall, smart, handsome, and sensitive in a strong masculine way is the embodiment of sexy in my book. His support of her just screams strength and made me fall in love with him just a little bit as I devoured each chapter.

But then it all fell rather flat. I felt like I was a bit let down as I neared the end of the book and it took me a while to figure out why. The entire book builds towards this climax that never really happens and the book ends in a gentler way that, honestly, disappointed me. I had all this anticipation for that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when a truly beautiful love story comes to fruition through all obstacles. But, in this case, the obstacles were just not that big and everything just worked itself out in a logical way which made me feel a little lost. This by no means implies that the book is bad or not worth the read; it absolutely is and I recommend it wholeheartedly. I just did not get the POW that I felt the beginning of the book was setting me up for. That being said, I enjoyed Alex and Wren’s story very much and I think this sweet love story is one that should be enjoyed by any true historical romance fan.

~ Danielle

What an enjoyable read! I just recently finished Book 2 in the series, Someone to Hold , which was absolutely lovely, but it's not a required read (also: I have yet to read Book 1). Balogh keeps giving us these terrific heroines that completely break my heart (though in the very best of ways)!!

Summary. Miss Rowena (Wren) Heyden (29) is searching for a husband. She has just finished a year of mourning the loss of her beloved aunt and uncle, and finds herself now an heiress, with work that she loves to do, but nothing and no one (really) else in her life. She longs for love, belonging, and family, and as she is now an heiress and very well-off, she figures she can essentially buy herself these things by proposing to a man who is in need of money, since she is convinced that no man would ever willingly marry her.

Wren has never been out in society and has been a virtual recluse since she was 10 years old and went to live with her aunt and uncle—all because of a large birthmark that severely mars her face. She is extremely, extremely self-conscious about it, to the point where she has never even spoken with the neighbors whom she's lived near for the past 19 years. The only place she would go, besides for church, was to her uncle's place of business, but there (and everywhere else she went out) she always wore a veil so that no one would see her face.

She's now 29 years old, alone in the world, and longs for a family, children, and ... marital relations (love that she's so open about her curiosity and desire for this!). Alexander Westcott, the Earl of Riverdale (30), is 3rd on her list of suitors, and while the first two were unfortunate duds, she knows that Alex is in need of an heiress after unexpectedly becoming an earl and inheriting properties, without any of the necessary income to maintain them (or bring them back from the already-shabby state they're in). As soon as she meets him though, she realizes she should have left him off, for he is far too good-looking, but she nonetheless goes forward with "the interview" and lays out the situation, figuring you have to risk a lot to gain a lot.

Alex does indeed need a rich wife, but he hates the fact that he has to marry a woman for her money. He's a dedicated family man, extremely responsible, who has spent the last 7 or so years bringing his family home and the surrounding area back from the brink, after his father wasted so much money, and now he finds himself back at square one, with new properties and new emergencies to handle. He's determined to fulfill his responsibility though and do what he has to in order to take care of the people that are dependent on the Riverdale title.

Their first meeting is awkward at best, with Wren being blunt to the point of rudeness, and Alex's pride and self-respect being sorely tested. The stark differences between them are also evident from the first—and by this, I mean things that go far beyond the surface and their perfect/imperfect looks. Alex is, generally speaking, warm, friendly, and engaging ... while Wren is none of these things. Besides for her maid (and her now dead aunt and uncle), she has no one in her life who is really close to her and has absolutely no practice at letting people in. Being social and interacting with people is physically and emotionally tiring for her, and her anxiety about it is compounded by the fact that she feels her deficiency in this area most keenly. Alex is in desperate need of money, but can he marry someone who would prefer to be anything else but a countess, and who would go from living a very singular life, to being part of the huge Westcott family and all the many close relations that come with it?

Review. What follows is a truly lovely tale of two people who seem like they couldn't be more different, but who in truth fit together so very, very well. So many times, the romances we read feature tortured/pained/etc. heroes, who are healed and supported by the heroines, and it was a nice change to have this traditional setup reversed. I love Alex's family members, whom we met briefly in Book 2. We get to know Alex's mother and sister very well in this story and they're a wonderful addition to the story.

Wren is incredibly strong and admirable, but also so, so fragile; the beginning of her life was torturous, and it is no wonder, with all that she has been through, that she is the way she is. There is a great vitality and capacity for love in her, though, and Alex is able to see the promise of this and finds himself continuing their interactions and pursuing her, despite his initial instincts.

There were two things I really, really appreciated about her character and think Balogh pulled off really well: she's a very sharp and competent businesswoman and has a really strong sense of self, which is all the more fascinating given the also deep well of insecurity that she has; she very openly and honestly has sexual desires and wants to act on them and experience that part of life.

Alex is super, super sweet and I loved how Wren is able to bring out a more relaxed and joyful side to Alex. He's a very positive and "happy" character generally speaking, but he is also quite burdened because he takes his responsibilities so seriously and always feels like he needs to be making everything right for everyone; Wren is able to give him some relief and push him to relax and let himself off the hook sometimes. Wren is really the main star of this book, but I don't want to give the impression that Alex is cast in shadows, because he's not; he's a quieter character in the arc of the story, but absolutely essential to Wren and her development—he provides the strength, acceptance/understanding, and romantic love that she needs.

"Someone to Wed" is a uniquely lovely romance, from the heroine's physical imperfections that scarred her emotionally and made her a recluse to the hero's uncertainty about himself and his place in the world. Both characters must face the expectations of society and decide if they want it to rule them or if they will forge their own path. The hesitations, questions and insecurities are handled so well and you can really relate to their struggle. Their HEA is well deserved!

What a refreshing and delightful protagonist she turned out to be! Wren had literally been a recluse for letting a purple birthmark on the left side of her face dictate her future. But a year after her beloved adoptive parents passed, Wren decided she wanted more out of her life and being fabulously wealthy and independent decide she would ‘buy’ herself a husband. Doing her homework, to find a man who would wed her and let her continue on as before she made a list of four prospective men she would interview.

When Alexander Westcott became the new Earl of Riverdale, he inherits a title he never wanted and a failing country estate he can’t afford. However, he dutifully intends to do everything in his power to undo years of neglect and give the people who depend on him a better life knowing it would take years to bring the estate back to life.

Being a business woman who ran a highly successful glassworks factory, Wren initially began in a very brusque manner stating the obvious to Alexander of his lack of coin in his circumstances of inheriting a pile of stones and estate he couldn’t possibly afford. Then went on to explain that he might consider wedding her whereby, she could “with her ample supply of cash” help him refurbish the estate. Alas, Alex was astounded at her bad taste in bringing up such a personal matter which was in bad taste to ever discuss upon just meeting someone.

*** The first thing I must say is when I start a novel by Mary Balogh, I get that “Ahhhhhh….” feeling just knowing that when I get to the last page, I will experience that very same feeling of contentment and relaxation. In SOMEONE TO WED I had already read the first two books in this series so was more than ready in anticipating this third book, though I hadn’t come across anyone like Wren before.

Obviously, both protagonists had a lot to work out between them before any romance could ever be developed. Both had issues – Wren with letting her birthmark define her life; and Alex with his abject horror to discover that he just might be the type of person who would marry for money? Alex finally agreed to a proper courtship, hoping for at least friendship and respect to develop between them. Naturally, neither was prepared for the desire that overwhelmed them both when Wren finally lifted the veils that hid the secrets of her past.

Marilyn Rondeau

Oh, this book! I just loved it so much!

Since Wren has lost her aunt and uncle, Wren has been lonely. She wants a marriage and hopes for all that comes with it: respect, trust, affection, and children. As a wealthy woman she sets out to buy a husband, since she doesn’t think she could acquire one any other way. She’s heard of Alexander Westcott’s predicament, inheriting the title of Earl of Riverdale with the massive estate of Brambledean, long neglected, and in need of a mountain of money to repair and restore. So, Wren makes Alexander and offer of marriage.

Alexander Westcott always thought when he married it would be for love, but that was before he unexpectedly inherited the title of Earl with Brambledean, its people and properties dependent on its prosperity. He doesn’t have the money to restore it the way it should and if he doesn’t take a bride for money it will be years of struggling to get the estate back on course. Wren Heyden’s offer is practical, and he feels like he could respect and eventually have affection for her, but Alexander’s afraid by the deep pain he thinks lies under her surface. Could she get past that to truly let him in? If not, would he be content such an emotionally remote marriage?

Wren had so many barriers at first, I wasn’t sure a romance between her and Alex could be possible. They start off as so practical without the promise of love, it was a little depressing, but oh, things change and progress, and I fell in absolute love with their emotional journey!! Once their course was settled the romance was slow steps, but always going forward. No ridiculous, dramatic setbacks.

Wren didn’t have any family to speak of, so I was very moved that Alexander’s family stepped up and gave Wren the support and friendship she needed. It was impossible to feel lonely with his cousins, aunts and uncles by her side, but I most appreciated Alexander’s mother and sister welcoming her into the family so warmly.

Mary Balogh’s writing stirred up so many emotions, had me tearing up here and there with all the feels! She brought Wren and Alexander to life, to the point they felt real that I was genuinely touched by all the trials they overcame to find their HEA! Someone to Wed is tied as favorite in the series with Someone to Hold, the previous book, and now I can’t wait for the next one!

An intriguing premise is quickly destroyed by a plodding story. It doesn't help that the hero thinks of the heroine as disfigured right off the bat and reflects about how manly she is in behaviour regularly. Not clear if Balogh was attempting to switch some tropes about gender roles in a historical. Falls flat instead of being engaging as Balogh's previous work has been. To be honest, I would not have finished it if I were not reading the ARC from Netgalley. I'm sure historical romance readers will pick it up to continue reading the series.

https://www.goodreads.com/Previous stories in this series had three siblings being proven illegitimate and their cousin coming into the title. Alexander Westcott never wanted to be the Earl of Riverdale. He <i>likes</i> his cousins and he liked his life. But now he's inherited not only the title but land, a crumbling house, and a mountain of debt.

Wren Heyden knows about the debt and she is offering up a solution; marry her and get her inheritance. Alexander is taken aback, especially when he discovers why she's been a recluse for most of her life. They decide that it won't work... until Wren comes to London.

Regular Balogh readers will recognize themes that she's played with before -- long-lost family, a slow build to love, etc. There is a nice balance between bringing back previous characters in the series and setting up for the next book. Regular readers will enjoy this book.



Four stars

This book comes out November 7

ARC provided by NetGalleyreview/show/2175432281

I was looking for a slight change of reading pace and Someone to Wed was just the thing.
Ms. Balogh does an excellent job introducing us to Wren, a very unique and unusual character for 19th century England. While Wren was initially a bit cold and awkward, the more we learned of her, the more I liked her and found myself rooting for her success. Alexander was a character that was initially easier to like and that impression continued to improve the more time we spent with him.
I appreciated the fact that the set up of this story was one that I had not seen before. Wren was a much stronger female character than is typical for her time period and Alex was more enlightened than expected.
While this is at heart a romantic story, it's also a story of relationships on many levels. Friendships, siblings, cousins, and extended family relationships all play key roles in the ultimate success for Wren and Alex.
Ms. Balogh is an author that I tend to expect good stories from and Someone to Wed more than met that expectation. I have missed the books earlier in the series, but that did not hinder my enjoyment at all. In fact, this made me want to go back and read the first two books in the series along with anything that comes next.