This is one of those romances where the chief obstacle to the couple’s happily ever after lies in their unwillingness to tell each other how they feel.

Someone to Care is the fourth novel in the Westcott family series. It’s been two years since Viola’s husband’s death revealed that their marriage was bigamous. In that time, the members of her family, including her husband’s relatives, have made every effort to show her their love and acceptance in spite of the scandal. Feeling smothered by their concern, Viola decides to take a trip by herself, during which she encounters Marcel at an inn. The two of them had been attracted to each other during her marriage but didn’t act on it. Now, however, they decide to indulge themselves by spending a few weeks together at a cottage Marcel owns. Neither Viola nor Marcel expects their families to track them down, but when they do and find them together at their love nest, Marcel tells them that he and Viola plan to marry. Which is of course a lie, and both of them have to deal with the consequences.

Both of the characters have pasts that affect their ability to form a new relationship. Due to the circumstances of his first wife’s death, Marcel has cut himself off from love and has a hard time opening his heart to the possibility of that feeling with Viola. Viola has a similar problem, having survived a loveless marriage by suppressing her feelings. The scandal of her bigamous marriage overshadows her future as well.

Still, the biggest obstacle that keeps them from moving forward with the marriage is the fact that neither one of them is willing to admit that what’s between them might be more than just a sexual relationship. Since neither one of them will open up, both are convinced that they are the only one with deeper feelings. Then they wind up pushing each other away.

Sometimes I can accept lack of communication as a complicating factor in a romance, but here it rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe that was partly because Viola and Marcel are both older than the typical romance couple (both are around 40). I would hope they would have a bit more maturity at that age than to make assumptions about how another person feels.

I did appreciate that Balogh chose to write about an older couple, though. In fact, Viola is in menopause—no surprise baby here! That was a nice change of pace.

Fans of the author who are invested in the Westcott series should read this novel, but I don’t think it’s the strongest entry in the series.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

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Someone to Care isn’t your typical romance but is one of a mature couple finding passion and love for the first time. Both main characters had disastrous first marriages and have been walking different paths before they saw each other again. Viola Kingsley is a widowed former countess who has lost everything and throws caution to the wind for a sexual dalliance with Marcel Lamarr, the Marquess of Dorchester. Marcel has become a rogue to the highest order after the death of his first wife and was smitten with Viola 14 years ago when he first set sight on her. Viola turned him away all those years ago but can she now accept him for what he is and have a walk on the wild side for once in her life?

This was a wonderful story to see how these two lost souls find love but they realize there is more to them than what they think, and how family really means something after all. Marcel has only thought of himself for so long and puts his enjoyment above his duty and family. He has had many women, and now that he’s been with Viola, she isn’t what he expected. He didn’t grow tired of her and that puzzled him. Ever since Viola’s world turned upside when she found out her marriage was bigamous, she went through the motions but finally had enough. She cracked and needed to run away from her life and be alone. Was it fate that threw Marcel in her path on her way home? She thought so and took a chance to have a fling and do something for just herself. Unfortunately, both their families found out about their tryst and Marcel and Viola are caught up in drama and doing the right thing. Doing the right thing for the wrong reasons isn’t always the way to go, as both Marcel and Viola found out. Thankfully it all worked out in the end.

The author has done a wonderful job creating a love story for two very deserving individuals who do a lot of reflecting on how to proceed forward with their relationship. I love that their families play a small part in this and cheer for them to get their act together. Mary Balogh is one of my favorite historical romance writers and this story spoke to me. Someone to Care is a highly engaging and contemplating story for historical romance readers. It’s never too late to find love and get a second chance at happiness.

Who are we when we are no longer who we thought we were?

That’s the question that is initially before Viola Kingsley, who spent over 20 years believing that she was the Countess of Riverdale, only to discover that her marriage, an unhappy union that had produced three children who are the light of her life, was never valid.

The man she thought was her husband was already married. While the discovery of this fact after his death made her children bastards-in-law, her not-quite-husband was certainly a bastard-in-deed. His sisters still want to dig him up just so they can kill him again.

The previous books in this series, Someone to Love, Someone to Hold and Someone to Wed, have told the stories of the other people affected by the late Humphrey Westcott’s assholishness. At least three stories were left to tell. One is that of the youngest of the disinherited children, a story that I hope we get to see. Another is that of the young man who believed he was the son-and-heir of Riverdale, only to find out that he wasn’t.

The third story is Viola’s. She believed she was Countess of Riverdale. She discovered that she was not, and never had been. If she is not who she thought she was, then who is she?

Polite society immediately cut her and her children. They are none of them to blame, but they are the ones who will suffer the consequences. But Camille, Harry and Abigail are just barely, or in Abigail’s case, not quite, into adulthood. While their lives have been irrevocably changed, they still have those lives before them, and can make of them, if not what they originally expected, at least whatever they will.

Viola is 42 at the time of Someone to Care, and the scandal is two years behind her. Well, the scandal feels ever present, but the breaking of it is in the past. Her children are grown or nearly so. While she is financially secure, she is no longer part of society and happy not to be so. But what does she do with the rest of her life?

Her family wants her to be happy. And they keep smothering her in their care, in the hopes that they can make her happy, or see her happy. But even smothering with love is still smothering, and Viola has finally had enough. She needs time to herself, to figure out who she is and where she goes next.

And into that question steps Marcel Lamarr. Marc has a well-earned reputation as a rake and a libertine, but once upon a time, when they were both a bit younger, the “fearsomely” handsome Lamarr and the beautiful young mother Viola embarked on a flirtation. Merely a flirtation, because Viola remained faithful to her vows and Marc did not dally with married women.

Which does not mean that they were not sorely tempted to break all the rules. But they did not, and when Viola felt her heart to be in too much danger, she told him to go. And because he felt his own heart to be equally at risk, he went.

In the middle of a journey that neither of them planned to take, they meet again. But the rules are different now. Viola is no longer married, not that she ever was. And they discover that their unresolved feelings for each other are still there. And they believe that no one will miss them if they take a little time for themselves, outside of their regular lives, with each other.

They are both wrong. And so very, very right.

Escape Rating B: I absolutely loved the first half of this book. And I was so very disappointed with the second half.

The first half was so much fun at least partially because we seldom see romance that feature women “of a certain age”. Viola is 42, she’s been married (well at least she thought she was married) she’s been widowed (sorta/kinda), she’s the mother of grown children who love her but no longer need her, and she’s suffered a tremendous reversal of fortune through no fault of her own and is doing her best to soldier on.

But she has no idea who she is now that she is no longer any of the things she thought she was. While it’s a problem that was thrust upon her, it is one that we can all sympathize with. Anyone who has ever taken their identity from their career faces this loss if they get laid off or when they retire. And many parents go through “empty nest” syndrome when their children grow up and move away.

Viola, after a chance meeting with an old flame, decides to take a little time to live just for herself. She’s going to be selfish, and it’s something that she’s never done in her life. They are both adults, they are neither of them married or otherwise encumbered, who is to care if they choose to spend some time together? Who should it matter to if they have an affair, as long as they both understand that the entire situation is temporary?

When they are discovered, the story moves from its delightfully unpredictable path to a predictable one, and one that I personally always find annoying in the extreme. Because once they are discovered, the entire story descends into a giant misunderstandammit, a misunderstandammit that seems obvious to everyone except the protagonists, and that takes half the book to finally resolve.

He believes that she was through with him, because he didn’t listen to what she actually said or give her a chance to explain. Then he compounds that error by declaring to both of their families that they are betrothed, when in fact he was about to let her go, however reluctantly.

And, of course, they have fallen in love with one another, even though they are both way too stubborn to admit it. Meanwhile, Viola, and rightfully so, is unwilling to enter into another loveless marriage, but is equally unwilling, because of the way that women have been trained, to make either a scandal or a fuss, or to hurt all of the people who suddenly want them to marry by declaring that it was never so.

The mess goes on, and on, and unfortunately on. They do finally talk to each other again, at least enough to resolve the tangle and reach their happily ever after, but it was torture getting to it.

I would have loved this book if they had continued being as unconventional as they were in the first half. That would have been different – and oodles of fun.

When I first heard that the Westcott Family saga would include Viola’s story, I was excited. How could I not be? The romance genre almost exclusively contains novels about younger women. I can only think of three off-hand that had a more mature heroine. (I know — if this review were in the comments of some internet article, I’d get a lot of flak for pointing this out — there is nothing wrong with young ladies being the focus of romance novels, but there IS something wrong with ONLY young ladies being seen as worthy of being a romance novel heroine).

This was trademark Mary Balogh — it is as though the idiom “still waters run deep” were created for her. In many ways this is a story about two families overcoming two separate tragedies. She does not pull punches in her explorations of human nature. I have always really respected that about her. Marcel and Viola are highly individualized, fully realized characters. And I absolutely love that Viola is actually a grandmother. How wonderful is it to see a 42 year old woman finally find her happily ever after?!

Kudos, Mary Balogh! I can’t wait to read more about the Westcotts!

Someone to Care is the 4th book in the Westcott series, revolving around a family who got the shock of their lives to discover that their father/husband was a bigamist, thereby illegitimizing his (second) marriage and his children of the second wife. This was quite the scandal back in the day, causing the ton to scorn the family. So we follow the Westcotts as the navigate this new dimension of their lives, learning to manage the fall-out and find a way to move on.

But can we pause for just a moment to admire the beautiful covers of this series? I just want to jump in them and look around for a while - especially these last two. (covers appear on blog post)

So our heroine in this series was quite unique for a historical heroine - she was 42 years old! Viola Kingsley was the fraudulent bride of the scoundrel Westcott, and mother to the now illegitimate Westcott children. Viola has been a silent pillar of strength in previous books, and in her own story we see just how much she has internalized her pain throughout the ordeal. But Viola has finally cracked and run away from her family, and is being selfish for (it seems) the first time in her life. I really sympathized with her situation and was glad that she was being selfish. I liked her as a heroine and I was so happy to have someone a little older than our standard marriage-minded miss.

The hero was somewhat unexpected as well, Marcel Lamarr, the Marquess of of Devonshire, is a few years younger than our heroine. Since the death of his wife many years ago, Marcel has been a rake and womanizer, making his way through all the single women of the ton, and flirting outrageously. Viola seems to be the only woman to have ever turned him away, and it left a lasting impact. While Marcel was a rake on the surface, he had hidden depths that no one seemed to notice. Deeply wounded by his wife's death and riddled with guilt, his behavior has been a mask for the pain and shame he feels. I also liked Marcel as a hero, but I tend to have a soft spot for reformed rakes.

The relationship between these two was not a slow burn, but it did feel like it was dragged out quite far (despite the early intimacy). I thought their characters completed one another quite well, and I really liked the carefree version of Viola that we saw in the village and at the cottage. There was a lot of miscommunication between the two that created relationship obstacles and prolonged the story - and that wasn't my favorite. I would have liked to have the relationship solidified for a portion of the book and then spend some time with them as a married couple. Luckily, we will most likely be revisiting them in the remaining books of the series.

I continue to adore the Westcott family and I have a feeling that Harry's book is going to be outstanding. While this particular story was not my favorite, the series as a whole has been spectacular.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Berkley.

I absolutely LOVED Viola and Marcel's story!! I was a second chance story and those are one of my favorite!!

Viola and Marcel had a brief flirtation many years ago, but since she was married nothing came of it. Years later, nothing stands in their way of a little fun. Viola has been through a traumatic couple of years and when Marcel propositions her, she finally jumps at the chance to do something for herself. But when their family catches up with them, what was supposed to be an enjoyable interlude, turns into something permanent. Can these two find the happiness that has eluded them for so long?

Since starting this series, I have always felt that Viola got the short end of the deal and I was so glad that Balogh decided to give her her HEA! This was a great addition to the series and I an VERY excited to read the next book in the series, Someone to Trust, which is Lizzie's story!!

Viola Kingsley spent more than two decades as Viola Westcott, Countess of Riverdale. It was a loveless marriage, but she did come out of it with three children. As it turned out, that was ALL she got out of it--upon the death of the Earl, the entire Westcott family discovered that Viola and Humphrey had never been legally married, since his unknown first wife was still alive at the time of their wedding. Overnight Viola went from being a wealthy widow to a penniless pariah. The Earl's title transferred to a very reluctant Cousin Alexander; the Earl's money went to his sole legitimate heir: Anna, his daughter from his first marriage.

Several years later, Viola's life has stabilized: instead of being rejected by her family, the entire Westcott and Kingsley clans have gone out of their way to enfold and support her. Camille, her eldest daughter, has made her a grandmother. Anna is impossible to hate and absolutely insisted on giving Viola's home and dowry back to her and to her youngest daughter, Abigail. Viola worries constantly about her son Harry, back with his regiment and fighting Napoleon's forces, but he says he's having the time of his life. She should be content. And yet....

Just after her grandson's christening, Viola snaps. She has been suppressing her true self for a quarter of a century, and at 42 years of age, she no longer knows who she is and desperately needs to be alone to figure it out. She makes her escape in a hired carriage, which breaks down in a small village in the middle of nowhere, stranding her temporarily at the sole inn. Because Fate has a wicked sense of humor, she's not the only traveler stranded there that day. Marcel Lamarr, Marquess of Dorchester, the only man to ever tempt her to break her marriage vows, is already in the main dining room when she arrives. It's been fourteen years since she sent him away....

Marcel has a well-earned reputation as a gambler and cynic, a long list of former mistresses, and a history of avoiding family responsibility. He's in no hurry to return to his estate and deal with the various relatives living there, including his own children. In fact, he's successfully avoided dealing with them more than a few brief times a year since his wife's fatal accident almost 17 years ago. When he spies Viola, he makes the impulsive decision to send his brother away with his carriage, intending to test his powers of persuasion...and is delighted when she doesn't turn down his offer to escort her to the village fair. He's even more delighted when she agrees to spend the evening with him...and then to run away with him to his remote cottage.

What starts out as an impulsive fling evolves into a far more complicated relationship as the weeks go by, eventually becoming impossibly tangled once they are discovered by their respective families. For it turns out that responsibilities are not shed quite as easily nor permanently as Marcel had talked himself into believing, and to his astonishment, he's no longer sure he wants them to be.

This fourth book in the Westcott series is my favorite so far, and not just because the protagonists are only slightly younger than I am (a nice change from twenty-somethings who are magically as mature as people a decade older). Ms. Balogh is known for her character-driven romances, and this is one of her best, in my opinion. Viola and Marcel bring lots of baggage to their relationship, and the journey they make toward reconciliation and healing, particularly Marcel in his broken relationships with his children, is an absorbing story to read.

For readers' advisors: character doorway is primary, setting (1813 England) is secondary. There is no violence, but there are sex scenes (not overly explicit) and some mild swearing (mostly variations on "damn").

Many many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC ebook I received in exchange for my honest review.

SOMEONE TO CARE is the fourth book in Mary Balogh's Westcott series. The circumstances under which each couple in this Westcott series meet is very different and unique to each couple. In SOMEONE TO CARE, the couple first met and experienced a spark years ago but, for various reasons, chose not to act on that attraction. At the opening of this story, Viola Kingsley and Marcel Lamarr, Marquess of Dorchester are older, wiser, with adult and teenaged children, but that spark is still there. Although society in general, and their families, pose something of a challenge to this couple's ability to easily fit in each other's lives -- they prove to be their own worst enemies.

This story can be divided into two sections -- the first half involving Viola and Marcel meeting and rekindling an old attraction, and the second half is largely about the two of them trying to figure out how they will have each other without blowing everything else in their lives to smithereens. Although this hero and heroine are not teenagers, Mary Balogh does a wonderful job of detailing unexpected angst and inner turmoil. The Westcott family is one of my favorite families written by Mary Balogh. At several points in this story, you think that Viola and Marcel would be better off without their respective families and allowed to explore their new relationship on their own. On the other hand, the Westcotts add a lot of humor and lighten things up when this hero and heroine seem determined to let their romance fizzle out due to stubbornness or pique. Both families in SOMEONE TO CARE are more of a positive force than a destructive one.

I like how these two main characters are a contradiction -- starry-eyed lovers and world-weary adults. During the honeymoon phase of this romance, at the beginning of SOMEONE TO CARE, Marcel displays his mature charm and Viola is an equally engaging companion. Mary Balogh captures the excitement and sense of wonder at discovering romance when least expected. Viola and Marcel are realistically flawed characters and the things that drove me crazy about them, are also the things that kept me glued to the page hoping for them to work out their issues. These characters are eventually able to learn from their pasts and invest in the future that they both want desperately.

SOMEONE TO CARE is a whirlwind of emotions anchored by some amazing characters and sensational storytelling. This is a great book for readers who enjoy complex characters and "second chance" love stories. While reading SOMEONE TO CARE, I groaned in frustration, laughed at the witty dialogue, and got teary-eyed near the end. I am dying to read the next installment in this Westcott series, since it features two intriguing characters - Elizabeth and Colin.

Two years after the death of the Earl of Riverdale, his family has overcome the shame of being stripped of their titles and fortune--except for his onetime countess, Viola. With her children grown and herself no longer part of the social whirl of the ton, she is uncertain where to look for happiness--until quite by accident her path crosses once again with that of the Marquess of Dorchester, Marcel Lamarr.

Marcel Lamarr has been a notorious womanizer since the death of his wife nearly twenty years earlier. Viola caught his eye when she herself was a young mother, but she evaded his seduction at the time. A prize that eluded him before, she is all the more irresistible to him now although he is surprised to discover that she is as eager now for the excitement he offers as he is himself.

When the two defy convention and run away together, they discover that the ties of respectability are not so easily severed, and pleasure can ensnare you when you least expect it.

Two years ago Viola’s husband died and she found out that her marriage of 23 years had been bigamous. She retreated to her brother’s home trying to deal with the emotional aftermath. She would have thought that she’d be over it all by now but when she heads to Bath for her grandson’s christening she’s inundated with her family. Even the Westcott family, which she was never legally a part of, shows her love and kindness. She knows she’s horrible for not appreciating it more but she finds it smothering. She leaves Bath in a hired carriage (many family members had offered their carriages and servants but she’d refused) and just her luck, the thing breaks down. She ends up in a little village overnight and who does she meet there but the man she’d fallen in love with 14 years earlier.

Marcel is on his way home to deal with family issues when he sees Viola. He knows that she’s no longer married and though he knows he shouldn’t, he approaches her. She told him to “go away” years earlier and he had abided by her wishes. He knew she was married but he couldn’t help flirting with her. Now she’s free and he suggests they spend the day at the town fair. Viola agrees and has more fun with Marcel then she’d had in a very long time – even when she was married. They end up spending the night together and Marcel suggests that they run away together for a couple of weeks. Viola knows it’s not proper but she agrees.

Marcel and Viola spend time at his cottage in the country and they have a great time but reality soon comes crashing down on them in the form of their families and to save Viola’s reputation Marcel says that they’re betrothed. Now it’s back to reality and Viola has to figure out how she can get out of the betrothal. She loves Marcel but knows he doesn’t love her. She thinks he’s just a womanizer and not good marriage material but there’s a whole lot more behind Marcel’s outer core than Viola knows.

This was another lovely novel by Mary Balogh. She’s become one of my favorite historical romance authors as she writes so well and always gives me a good story.

I’ve loved reading about the Westcott family as they’ve gone through the scandal of what their father/husband did to them. Finding out that she was never married to her husband was a shock to Viola and I think she’d been in a bit of a depressive state for two years. I know I would have been! When she sees Marcel again she thinks he’s just as handsome as he was 14 years earlier. She’d fallen in love with him back then but knew nothing could come of it because she was married and not a cheater. To be with him again easily brought those feelings back and she quickly fell in love with him. I could see how she would fall hard and fast for Marcel. He had a dry sense of humor and though he held himself back some I could tell that he truly cared for Viola.

Marcel had once been a loving husband and father to his twins but after the death of his wife he left his kids with their aunt and only visited them twice a year. He had become someone he didn’t recognize, or particularly like, but that changed when he was with Viola. She made him want to be a better person and I loved reading about his transformation throughout the book. Balogh did a wonderful job of bringing him to being more “human.”

The book included characters from previous Westcott books and that was awesome. We got to see how the couples from books 1-3 were faring and I loved reading about the whole family. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see what happens next with this wonderful, loving family.

Rating: 4 out of 5

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I am absolutely loving this series by Mary Balogh! I love that she addressed the mom's issues. Very often that generation is left to flounder while authors only concentrate on the young girls and men. It was a pleasure to read about Viola. She was given a raw deal by her "husband" and it was exciting to see that she was able to move past the hurt and pain in her past life and start a new life. I love the way the families were in such disarray over Viola and Marcel's behaviour while at the same time I don't think any of them would have hesitated to do the same thing. I applaud the way Mary Balogh writes her series. Even though she is often writing about different family members, she makes each of their characters unique and the stories are all so different. Keep writing this series!! There are still many members of the families who have not been addressed and I would love to see what happens to each of them as well.

If you keep up with my blog you know that I am a huge Mary Balogh Fan, I have read everything she has written and loved them all. This story goes to my 3rd favorite, behind Heartless and Slightly Dangerous. Marcel Lamarr, Marquess of Dorchester is the perfect hero for Viola Kingsley. In some ways, Marc reminds me of Lucas (Heartless) and Wulfric (Slightly Dangerous).



He is unapologetic in the way that he chooses to live his life. He is beautiful in a dangerous way without a care for others. He is arrogant, subtle in his speech and irresistible to women. He takes what he wants and moves on when he gets bored. He is not interested in reforming and is brazen in his appetites. He was married when he was 20 years old, his wife 18. He has twins, a boy, and a girl. His wife died in a tragic accident which has shaped his life and everyone in it. He is 40 years old and has spent little time with his family or his children. He has buried his past and all the emotions that led to his wife's death. His sister-in-law and her husband moved into his home and has raised his children. He only goes home when he feels he must put in an appearance and never stays long, the feelings that try to emerge send him fleeing back to London.



Viola Kingsley is a tainted woman. Her husband of 20 years apparently was married before they met and married Viola before his first wife died. Which meant they were never legally married and her children were made illegitimate. She hasn't been seen in Society in a long time. Viola has always been the perfect lady. It was an arranged marriage and she never even liked him, but she did her duty and never complained when he took mistresses and gambled away his son's inheritance. She has always been the perfect wife and mother. Where did that ever get her?



A chance meeting in an out of the way Inn where both Marc and Viola are running away from their family and the guilt that drives them. They knew each other when they were both in London pretending to enjoy the Season. Marc saw something in Viola that made him pursue her even though she was married. Viola was young and lonely and fell in love with Marc, but she would never have an affair and sent him away. Marc persuades Viola to run away with him for a week of being free of all their cares and of pleasures that she has never had before.



The journey that Marc and Viola take through this is a story is so profound. It is filled with sadness, guilt, regret, and discovery. The fears they discover are ones that they have buried for years. The greatest one is that it is not too late. They can try to redeem themselves and embrace their feelings and those of the people who have always loved them, flaws and all.



This is vintage Mary Balogh, I cannot even tell how many times I cried in the last five chapters of this story. Mary has a way of letting you into the minds and hearts of her characters that you feel what they feel. All of her characters are memorable and her stories ones that you will read over and over, year after year. If you are new to Historical Romance, I highly recommend you start with Mary's books. Mary is the standard for all Authors of Historial Romance to emulate.

Viola Kingsley's world came crashing down when, after her husband's death, she found out that she wasn't actually his wife and her children were now considered illegitimate. It turned her world upside down. And now in her forties, she's trying to put her life back together. Hard at any time but especially in Victorian England when many people look down on her even though none of what happened was her fault. It's no wonder that one day, she feels like she needs to get away.

Many years ago, Marcel Lamarr, Earl of Riverdale, had tried to seduce Viola. Being a good wife, she had rebuffed his efforts. He was married once and has twins that are being raised by a very stodgy relative. His life is... boring. So when he runs into Viola at a country inn (her carriage broke down), he takes the opportunity to spend more time with her. Even if that only means spending the day at the local fair and then saying their goodbyes and parting for the evening. When Viola decides to take him up on his offer for a very good night, Marcel is shocked but still behaves honorably, giving her the space to change her mind. She doesn't. And it sets them down the road to eventually being discovered... and engaged.

Another book that Balogh lovers will enjoy.



Four stars
This book comes out May 1
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Someone to Care by Mary Balogh is the 4th book in her wonderful regency Westcott series. I do not read a lot of historical romances, but I will read every book in this series, which is very well written by Balogh and the wonderful characters she has created from the Westcott family. Someone to Care is different as instead of the children finding happiness, the heroine and hero in this one are an older couple around 40.

Viola Kingsley, the former Countess of Riverdale, is attending another gathering of the large Westcott family. Viola and her three children lost their inheritance when her deceased husband was found to be a bigamist. Two years has passed, and though her children have adjusted (Camille found happiness in the 2nd book, her other daughter and son seem to be content in their lives), Viola is still embarrassed and feels tainted from the scandal, even though everyone in the family treats her well and cares about her and her three children. Watching everyone in the party enjoying themselves, Viola decides to leave early.

Marcel (Marguess of Dorchester) is considered a womanizer, and a man that puts the fear in others. When Marcel lost his wife years before, he changed and became more of a loner. He had put his son and daughter in the care of his sister in law, and rarely sees his children. When his carriage breaks down, Marcel is stuck at an inn overnight. While leaving the restaurant, he notices a familiar face; he remembers the woman he was beginning to fall for 14 years ago and was rejected, since she was married at the time. Viola also staying overnight at the same inn, recognizes Marcel looking at her. Marcel approaches Viola, and they reminisce about the old days, and her embarrassment over losing the title and fortune in her now defunct marriage. Since they are stuck over night, they decide to take a walk around the town, join some festivities. A slow build romance between former friends will begin.

What follows is sweet romance between two people who are basically quiet lonely life. They decide to run away and have some fun, eventually becoming lovers. It was nice and fun to see how they were both enjoying each other’s company, as well as their hot chemistry. After a couple of weeks, both Viola and Marcel’s family begin to worry, and each begins to look for them. Just when Viola decides she needs to go home, so her daughters don’t worry, they are found. Marcel will automatically go on the defensive and protect Viola, as he tells the family members that they are betrothed, which shocks Viola. Unfortunately, this will slowly cause Viola and Marcel unhappiness to be in a situation they never intended.

When they are home with both families coming together for a betrothed party, both Viola and Marcel are at odds, each thinking the other doesn’t care. The wedding will be called off, and the two go back to their lives. Marcel came off as a rake, causing the Westcott family to dislike him. Will Marcel and Viola find a way to be happy again?

It was wonderful to see all the Westcott’s again. This is a big family, and we get to see many of them in each book. Marcel’s son and daughter were very nice too.

The romance between Viola & Marcel was wonderful to watch, with so many emotions, both sad and sweet. 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 an adult couple, you should be reading this one. Someone to Care a heartwarming story, great characters, and a wonderful couple.

Oh, this one made me sad, because I love love love Mary Balogh. This is the first time I almost didn't finish a book, let alone, one of hers. What did I think went wrong? Too much narration and not enough conversation. Because I felt like I never heard their voices, I wasn't interested in their relationship. It felt too sterile and distant for me. It read like a review...this happened, and then this, and then this, and then this. She felt...he felt. She shouldn't have done...he did...etc.

What I treasure about Mary Balogh is her ability to tell a story, weave in witty and engaging conversation, and leave us with an ah-ha moment. I'm so sad to say, this book left me hanging.

The Survivor's Club is probably one of my all-time favorite historical romance series. As this was my first Westcott book, I was sadly underwhelmed.

Another satisfying entry in this wonderful series -- fans of Mary Balogh will rejoice, and new readers to this series will finish this title and immediately want to catch up on what they have missed.

Like many of Balogh's novels, the drama here is internal rather than plot-driven, and focuses on two basically decent people determining whether they can make a life together, which sounds boring but is in fact compelling. It's refreshing to see an older heroine (from an era when early 40s was "old") who is given a second chance at love--and life. The only thing I didn't like about this book is that now I have to wait until November to read the next one in the series.

I have enjoyed the previous three books in the Westcott series, but I just could not get into this one. Viola as a MC I was behind, because she probably was in the most difficult position, the one most affected by That Man's selfishness and idiocy. How would she adjust, what were her interactions with former friends, did all of her friends really just cut her completely out of their lives? Would she finally start thinking about herself and what she wanted rather than stand meekly aside to make way for her husband and children's wishes? I wanted to know.

Instead, Viola came across as insipid and ready to be led. After all of her experience, she just seemed to be exhausted and reluctant to make any real changes. If any character could benefit from taking charge of their life, Viola should be the most likely one.

And the Hero, who's name I can not even remember although I finished the book a few hours ago, just was not likable. Acting like an entitled twit, neglecting his children, rude to everyone. Oh, but he made a charitable donation which he just 'happened' to be thanked for in front of the lady he was attempting to seduce, so he must be nice, underneath all of the insults and hauteur.

And this family, the Westcotts, it is humongous! And they all make appearances. Everyone. And they all have babies or children. I read the first three books in the series, and I was overwhelmed by Camille, Winifred, Jacob, Sarah, Ivan, Abigail, Anna, Avery, Mildred, Harry, Mary, Alexander, Elizabeth, Matilda, Wren, Joel, Josephine, Jessica, and the dowager duchess Louise and her spinster daughter (who is made out to be such a fool) and the earl's two sisters! Oh, and then HIS family! Andre, Adeline, Estelle, Bertrand, Jane, Oliver, Charles, Michael, William, Annemarie, Ellen, Lord and Lady Ortt, Isabelle, Margaret. I have probably forgotten some names. Too many people.

Not my favorite Balogh.

Viola Kingsley dutifully wed the lord her parents had picked out for her. She endured a loveless marriage for 23 years, until his death revealed that it had been no marriage at all; the Earl of Riverdale had already had a wife when he married her, so the marriage was invalid and her children illegitimate. Now, two years later, Viola lives quietly in the country. At the christening for her grandson, she finally becomes overwhelmed by the family concern and sets off for home by herself in a rented carriage. On the way, she meets up with an old flirt, Marcel Lamarr, whom she rejected fourteen years ago to remain faithful to her husband. On an impulse, she accepts his suggestion that they run away together--just for a while. After an idyllic few weeks in his cottage by the sea, their concerned families catch up to them. Things then become complicated.

Two appealing older characters and an unconventional romance make for an appealing read.

A lovely instalment in the Westcott series, focusing on a woman dealing with the repercussions of being betrayed in Regency culture. My only concern is that the cast of characters is quite large in this series and it is sometimes hard to keep the relationships straight.

Wow. How do I begin to review this book? Let me start by saying that Someone To Care is a sweet, heartbreaking, captivating story from start to finish. I wasn't sure how the book would turn out just from the first few chapters as it seemed like the ending could go either way for the two major characters. But without giving away any spoilers, the story did have a HEA which was very much to my liking - although I was hanging on by a very thin thread at the outcome of Marcel and Viola!

The story of Someone To Care begins with quite a scandal of sorts for the beautiful and refined Viola. Deceived to believe she had a proper noble title, Viola was cast out of proper society after learning her marriage and life as a Countess was a farce. Believing that she needed to escape it all - her family, her life, and her past, and maybe even her own future - Viola set out to leave on her own to who knew where. And that was when the fun began. Along the way she meets an old friend whom she had fallen madly in love with at a much younger age - or at least what young people knew of love. The Marquess of Dorchester had been in love with her too fourteen years ago when they met and became friends. But alas, she had told him to go away for fear that their fierce attraction would ignite an illicit affair - she had been married at that time and he was a widow.

Oh, how delightful it was to read Viola and Marcel's (the Marquess) story as the author intricately writes their feelings about their lives, and eventually their feelings for each other. A slow friendship develops between the two although they had both decided to run away together and become lovers. What they both had decided, if not between each other, then surely with themselves that it would be a brief fling without either of them needing to be attached to each other. The agreement of sorts was made and the two lovers lived in seclusion for a couple of weeks.

It is during this time that they were together that the author brilliantly wrote Viola's feelings on her downward path to self-isolation and her disruption of a peaceful life. She had thought she was the Countess and even lived that way for twenty years. But when the truth came out that she wasn't truly married to the Earl, her world fell apart. Thinking that her family and her in-laws blamed her, she decided to flee and get away from everyone and everything. While certain parts of the book was a bit long in the description, that didn't deter me one bit from reading through though. The author made me feel Viola's anger, her loneliness, and her rejection.

And Marcel. What can I say about Marcel? He was incredibly handsome, mysterious, and self absorbed, although a gentleman in every way. His attraction to Viola was clear although he was rejected by her many years ago. Then fate had intervened and brought her back into his life again. He wanted only a brief flign to "get her out of his system" because he wasn't prone to falling in love or even loving anyone. He was a widow at a young age and still carried the guilt and hurt after many years. But Marcel was much misunderstood and I don't think he even truly understood himself. He lived in his own isolation of sorts - isolating himself from his two children, his family, and society. He wanted to be a loner, a "rake" because he felt he was incapable of love. And this all stemmed from the sudden death of his wife many years ago. He didn't think himself capable of loving Viola and in fact, he forbade himself from doing so although he was starting to go that route. As a reader I saw that right away of course, but the author wrote Marcel so delightfully flagrant and clueless that it was such a delight to learn about Marcel's slow and true feelings develop for Viola.

Onto Marcel's family. His children were raised well by his sister in law yet because of his self imposed guilt, he rarely saw his children. Even after eighteen years of neglect, he later learned that they still loved him as children are supposed to love their parents, I suppose. Estelle was the adorable daughter, frightful of her father but so desperate for his love and attention. The son, Bertrand was stoic and growing into his own manhood but still had unresolved issues. The two children were delightful to read and it was through their interference that Marcel decreed that he and Viola were betrothed. While it was a fake betrothal to save the reputation of Viola, there was something truthful within that lie.

I could go on forever talking about this story but I won't simply because you have to read it for yourself. Ms. Balogh's words were engaging and enticing, flowery in prose yet straightforward, and drew me in from the first few paragraphs. All of her characters - major and minor - were a joy to read and learn about. I couldn't say I had one single favorite character because I liked them all. They were all equally enjoyable to know in the story.

Alas, the happy ending was what I had hoped for and perhaps the author will delight us again in writing more about Viola, Marcel, and their endearing but crazy families.
Thank you for the ARC and the chance to read Someone To Care.