Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh is a 2018 Berkley publication.

A winter romance that will warm your heart!

While attending a Christmas Party at the Wescott’s which also doubled as a wedding, the widow Elizabeth Overton and Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, spend some easy going and friendly time together. However, they are both aware of a little something extra simmering just below the surface. Although they are both convinced it is time for them to marry, it most certainly would not be to one another. For starters, Elizabeth is nine years older that Colin! What a scandal that would be!!

As the London season approaches, Elizabeth and Colin plan to join in, albeit, solo… but, they have promised to share at least one set of dances together at each ball they attend… and not just any dance- a waltz!

This one got off to a very sluggish start unfortunately. In fact, I had intended to read this one around the holidays but put it aside because it just wasn’t working for me right then.
But, because Mary Balogh is one of my favorite historical romance authors, I was determined to give it another try. I am glad I stuck with the book, as it turned out to be a beautiful and heartwarming love story.

As the title suggests, there are some trust issues involved, especially for Elizabeth, who is determined not to give in to romantic love as she had with her first husband, which ended in disaster.

“ I want my own home. I want to be a part of a couple so that I do not have to feel lonely at events like family Christmases. I want- I hope for- children.”
Your need is emotional, he said, yet you look for safety and dependability. My need is practical, yet I dream of love. I would like to be in love with the woman I marry. But there are so many other considerations that I suppose are more important. I dream of perfection, Elizabeth. You do not dream at all.”

Can Colin convince Elizabeth she can have trust, stability and romantic love or will she break his heart?

Once this story finally got moving, I was glued to the pages, loving every conflicted and emotional moment.

Overall, this one isn’t the strongest book in the series, but despite the slow start, I ended up thoroughly enjoying Elizabeth and Colin’s story. I’m happy they defied convention, despite the odds, and fulfilled their dreams of a happily ever after.

3.5 stars

*If you haven’t read the previous installments in the series, I wouldn’t suggest starting out with this one. While reading the series in order is always ideal, at the very least read the forth book before starting this one.

This was a weet and gentle costume romance. Will be very popular with many of the library’s readers.

Mary Balogh writes books that once you start, sleep is optional until you utter a happy sigh at the end. I’m invested in the Westcotts, a close, intertwined family who invite readers into their charmed circle.

Balogh does widows who’ve had a crummy first marriage very well. Some causes are abuse, be it emotional and/or physical, or the consequences of dealing with a husband’s mental illness. Lizzie aka Elizabeth, Lady Overfield, is the latest widow-with-a-troubled-past. She shares characteristics that reoccur in Balogh’s depiction of widows, like a stiff upper lip, an almost preternatural serenity, and a tendency to be self-effacing.

Another trope Balogh occasionally revisits is love between an older woman and younger
man. Been there too. Am I suggesting readers take a pass on Someone to Trust? No, indeed, because Balogh makes every trope fresh and new.

In Balogh’s world, Christmas is a time when conventions are ignored and everyone comes together to celebrate Christ’s birth, surrounded by friends and family. If they’re very lucky, they make merry surrounded by glorious newly-fallen snow:

After her husband’s passing, Elizabeth Overfield decides that she must enter into
another suitable marriage. That, however, is the last thing on her mind when she
meets Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, at the Westcott Christmas house party. She
simply enjoys his company as they listen to carolers on Christmas Eve, walk home
from church together on Christmas morning, and engage in a spirited snowball fight
in the afternoon.

They discuss their expectations of marriage—Colin wonders, “why would she marry for
any other reason than love?” In his opinion, Elizabeth deserves to be adored and loved for the rest of her life. Why would she settle for less?

“Perhaps I am a little too old for romantic love. Or perhaps I do not trust it as much
as once I did.”
“Now, that sounds purely sad,” he said. And he meant it. I do not trust … ? Had love
let her down? Perhaps because it had let her husband die? “And too old for
romance? Tell that to those two.”
He nodded ahead to the Marquess and Marchioness of Dorchester.

Someone to Care, the fourth Westcott book, is the story of the Marquess of Dorchester and his bride but we have established that the Westcott clan is close-knit. Elizabeth agrees with Colin’s assessment.

“They do look happy,” Elizabeth agreed, “after all of twenty-five hours of marriage.
And yes, they are both over forty.”
“I have always thought that I need not consider anything so drastic as marriage for
years yet,” he said. “I have only recently turned twenty-six, after all.”

Elizabeth tells him she’s thirty-five and makes the obvious point that, “no one would even remark upon it if it were the other way around—if you were nine years older that I, that is.”

It’s a shame because they feel “an instant affinity, a total comfort” in each other’s company. Still, there’s much to enjoy during their time together. What would put a cherry on this confection of Christmas cheer? How about an accidental tumble into a snowbank and a stolen kiss? And such a kiss.

But this was not a brief kiss, or at least not very brief. And there was nothing
brotherly about it. It was indeed on the lips, or rather, it was all heat and moisture
and mouths more than just lips, and for a fraction of a moment—or forever, he was
not sure which—he felt as though someone had wrapped him in a large blanket that
had been heated before a roaring fire.

Kiss notwithstanding, Elizabeth and Colin leave the Christmas party, not as a couple, but as two individuals with marriage on their minds with a spouse to be named later. But first they waltz, that most romantic of dances. Avery, Duke of Netherby, comments on how well they frolic together, and Colin admits to Avery’s wife, “that Lady Overfield has probably spoiled me for all other waltzing partners.”

“Oh dear,” she said, “Well, you must get her to promise to reserve a waltz for you at
every ball during the coming Season.”
“What a splendid idea,” he said.

It is a splendid idea. Watching Elizabeth and Colin deepen their undeniable attraction to
each other and navigate the obstacles in their path is an unalloyed pleasure. Trust me, Mary Balogh has given us another deeply satisfying story with Someone to Trust.

Another lovely book in the Westcott series by Mary Balogh. This sweet romance includes a controversial topic, at that time in history, of an older woman younger man relationship. It is not high on passion but it is a sweet story that takes the reader back to a time in history when going against social expectations was difficult. Mary Balogh did a lovely job in bringing us this unique scenario with the angst that went with the issue and times.

I’ve been wanting to read a Mary Balogh book for a year now. I’ve seen her recommended in multiple occasions for different reasons and I just had to try for myself. I am jumping into this series out of order but the wintery vibes of this cover and the younger hero trope were just too much to pass up.

SOMEONE TO TRUST was a surprisingly soft story, if I had to describe it in one word. I’m not sure if that’s the feel of this particular series but the romance is a slow burn that never fully ignites. It’s a nice and steady bond that develops from friendship and humor between the heroine and the hero. They are both looking to marry, but obviously never to each other. He’s looking for a suitable bride that can deal with his family problems and she is looking for a comfortable and safe life with a second husband. The last thing they need is each other but somehow they are very well suited.

While this didn’t have sizzling chemistry, I did like the softer approach to the story. I’m a sucker for a younger hero story and although I wish there would’ve been more of that palpable sizzle between the two, I could still buy into the romance and be happy they got to be together.

This was a great start of my journey through Ms. Balogh’s stories. SOMEONE TO TRUST has a lot of heart. I came to care about the crazy Westcott family, about Elizabeth and Colin as well. I can’t wait to see what else I can pick up by this author next.

~~Reviewed by Amy~~

It seems that in many historical novels, the heroine is flawlessly beautiful, sweet, naïve, and young. What about the women over 30 who find themselves looking for someone to love? What about those who have experienced marriage once and are looking for a second chance? Someone to Trust, #5 in Mary Balogh’s Westcott series gives us just such a heroine. With most romance readers being between the ages of 30-54, she’s definitely someone readers can identify with.

Elizabeth Overfield and Colin Handrich, Lord Hughes meet at a Christmas gathering of family and friends. Elizabeth is the sister of the host and Colin is the brother of the hostess. Knowing Colin may feel awkward at a celebration consisting of virtual strangers to him, Elizabeth, always one to make people comfortable, makes a special effort to ensure he feels welcome. Through the Christmas celebrations, the two quickly become at ease with one another. Elizabeth is enchanted by Colin’s quiet charm and he finds her poised, serene, and lovely. They fast became good friends, laughing and talking throughout the festivities. Both were looking to wed. Elizabeth had been widowed for some time and knew she needed to marry again. Now that Colin had become Baron, he knew he should look for a wife. Both had possible matches but none that appealed. When Colin suggested “Perhaps we should put ourselves out of misery and marry each other”, Elizabeth knew surely he was teasing. After all, she was 9 years older than he. She did agree though that while in London looking for suitable matches, they would dance one waltz together at each ball.
And they did just that. There was total comfort between them. They could forget about the rest of the world and just enjoy. They were easily able to talk on any subject. Elizabeth opened up to him about the ugliness of her marriage and Colin shared the bleakness of his childhood with her. Things they’d never shared with anyone. Soon they found themselves attending balls solely for the desire of dancing with each other. Though each had possible suitors, none made them feel as they did when together. Did they want to settle for a match with someone society deemed suitable or were they willing to choose with their hearts?


This was a charming, sweet story. Personally, I would have preferred a little more passion and sizzle but it was a lovely and well-written story and followed the social rules of the time. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the English countryside and the London balls. The family dynamic was excellent. A wonderful contrast between a loving, close family and the most dysfunctional family you’ll ever read. And I found the characters intriguing. Even the “bad” ones. Elizabeth was the kind of woman that can hide a lot behind a calm façade. No one would know the horrors she’d endured in her marriage or how lonely she was. She had a serene countenance but she was a lovely and lively woman. And strong. Colin was teasing and fun and someone she had an instant affinity with. Though she was developing feelings for him, she was uncertain. She’d thought herself in love before and that had ended badly. She worried that their age difference would be frowned upon. As much as she wanted him for her own, she was a friend to him first and wanted him to find happiness. I felt for Colin. He’d not had the loving family Elizabeth had. His family had never shown affection. Quite the opposite in fact. They chose to hurt and manipulate. He was burdened by his new responsibilities. And he was torn between what was expected and what he wanted. Though society and his mother wanted him to choose a young beauty, “he yearned for Elizabeth’s friendship, her approval, her smiles, her jokes, her exuberance, her serenity”. He yearned for her. I enjoyed how Colin and Elizabeth’s relationship slowly developed and I enjoyed seeing them question their own feelings. Knowing their uncertainties made me nervous they would choose the match expected of them. It did feel slow at times though with the characters rehashing the same worries repeatedly. Still, Mary Balogh is adept at decoding every little detail of the duties, worries, and obligations that go along with human relationships. I understood their doubts and fears, especially those of Colin in regard to his family.
As I mentioned before, I enjoyed the family dynamic of the Westcott family. What a loving and supportive group. There were many to meet as this was a new series to me. The author did give a brief history of each character as they appeared but there were so many that the descriptions tended to get in the way of the story. There was a family tree chart at the front of the book that would have been sufficient for me. I wish more authors would include those.


Fans of the Regency era and all the customs and rules involved will enjoy this story. A must read for Mary Balogh fans and fans of this series though I wouldn’t recommend reading it as a stand- alone.

I was really looking forward to reading this story. The older woman/younger man tropes are rare, yet very close to my heart. And this one had two characters that had so much potential. Alas, it was not to be.

I would have enjoyed this story so much more if only the author hadn’t brought into it not just the close family, but an entire slew of characters that totally distracted and frankly, annoyed the piss out of me.

You know what bugs me the most? That whoever edited this story hadn’t had the guts to tell the author to pull back on secondary and minor characters who kept pulling away from the main story.

In all honesty, this is one book that I recommend you skip. Unless you are ready to skip, hop and jump ahead.

Melanie for b2b

Someone to Trust, the third installment in Balogh's Westcott series features sharp, witty dialogue between a couple caught between passion and societal expectations.

*An advanced reader ebook copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I did not realize at the time I requested this book that it is actually book 5 in the Westcott series! I was a little apprehensive about reading a series book without reading the previous books. However, in my initial foray into romance I had read/heard that most romance series can be read in any order since typically the focal couple changes in each book. While there may be details that would be more greatly appreciated if read in order, it’s not an absolute necessity.

Briefly, this Westcott novel focuses on the widow Elizabeth, Lady Overfield and Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges. Elizabeth is an poised and loving woman, widowed, and unmarried at the ghastly age of 35. After a disastrous first marriage she’s resigned to herself to finding a stable life but not one filled with romance. Meanwhile, Colin is a reluctant baron attempting to build his life and embrace his responsibilities at the tender age of 26. The bond over Christmas with family although despite their easy friendliness they note the large age difference and joke that if only were older or younger they could be together. Fast forward to the London season and both are on the lookout for a suitable partner. Balls are thrown, engagements made and and broken, and an awful, though pitiful, mother is introduced.

Ultimately, this is on the “sweeter” side and more historical side of romance. There are rare moments of passion but there is a lot more love and character development than the few other romances I’ve read. Moreover, as a regency era romance is actually deals with society’s norms and mores. Although I enjoyed Sarah MacLean’s regency era romances there was a tongue-in-cheek tone and circumstances that certainly would have never happened or would have been more catastrophic, socially. Whereas, on the whole I felt that Balogh was really invested in the time period.

I loved the twist of having a younger man fall in love with an older woman, and vice versa, without the stereotypical “cougar” connotation. However, at times I did feel like I was getting beaten over the head about the stark age difference. Additionally, the first chapter was a bit disconcerting as a new reader to the series because I felt like a lot of names and connections were dropped and I became a little overwhelmed by the number. In spite of this, I persevered and once I settled in it became easy enough to follow.

I really enjoyed reading this book around Christmas! I was warm and loving and easy to pick up between festivities!

Stevie‘s review of Someone to Trust (Westcott Novels, Book 5) by Mary Balogh
Historical Romance published by Berkley 27 Nov 18

I’m enjoying following the reactions of the various members of the Westcott family to their differing changes in status and fortune, and while the heroine of this novel is someone who is the least directly affected by the former Earl of Riverdale’s bigamy, she’s been shown throughout the series to have issues of her own to contend with. In spite of that, she’s always been on hand to help others with their problems, and so it’s about time she got some happiness of her own in return.


Elizabeth, Lady Overfield, sister to the current Earl, had a disastrous first marriage, marred most especially by her husband’s drinking and cruelty. Since being widowed, Elizabeth has enjoyed her freedom and used her time to help younger friends and relatives enter into society and then into marriage. Now almost all her family have found love, she is beginning to wonder whether one of her potential suitors of recent Seasons might provide her with more security – and perhaps the affection that was missing from her first marriage – than did her first husband.

At a large family Christmas house party, Elizabeth strikes up a friendship with Colin, the younger brother of her sister-in-law. Wealthy and titled, though also some nine year’s Elizabeth’s junior, Colin feels that he now needs to find someone to marry, although none of the eligible younger women at the party particularly appeals to him. In fact, he much prefers talking to Elizabeth and joining her in outdoor pursuits following a particularly heavy snowfall to wooing anyone at the party.

Once Christmas is over, and the various family members return to London, Elizabeth and Colin try to find suitable partners of appropriate ages, neither having much success in spite of the efforts of Colin’s controlling mother on the one part and various determined older bachelors and widowers on the other. The two keep meeting at different Society events and dance together each time, while trying to maintain that the affection between them is merely that of two people connected by their relatives’ marriage. Their closeness, however, causes jealousy to erupt in the most likely of Elizabeth’s suitors and provokes the ire of Colin’s mother, who begins scheming to force him into marrying the debutante of her choosing – one whose beauty will complement her own fading looks and who will be as biddable as the daughter and son-in-law she has remained close to, her other surviving daughters having escaped into marriages over which she has no control.

We’ve met Colin’s mother before, but once again she’s met her match with Elizabeth and her family. We do see a slightly more sympathetic side to her and her followers this time round, but she is still destined to meet her comeuppance, courtesy of the Westcotts.

I enjoyed this story a lot, although it’s not my favourite of the series. Elizabeth is a very deserving heroine, and Colin is sweet, even if he still needs to grow up a little more than he manages through the course of the book. It was good to catch up with the rest of the family, and I hope we see more of them soon.

Grade: B

Elizabeth Overfield is a young widow. She is contemplating marrying again and may have found the right man. A man she can trust is of most importance. While visiting her brother's at Christmas she meets Collin, a younger man. They hit it off and remain friends. Each time they meet their attraction grows. Elizabeth thinks she is too old for Collin, but can't deny their chemistry. Collin's mother has other plans for her son. Thankfully she is no match for Elizabeth. This is a great addition to the series even though it got off to a slow start. Look forward to Abigail's story next year.

This is an interesting historical where the female character is older than the male.

Elizabeth, Lady Overfield, is an elegant widow who is surrounded by loving family for a warm, Westcott Christmas. As the family gathers to celebrate with a Christmas wedding, Elizabeth, in her mid 30s, begins to think that maybe she should remarry and have children before it is too late. Her first marriage was for love but didn’t turn out well. This time she is inclined to move forward with a suitable, reliable husband whom she can trust.

Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, has joined the Christmas festivities to be with his recently found sister, Wren, who has married into the Westcott family. Colin and Wren were separated when young and he doesn't remember having a warm family Christmas after that. Now that he sees what loving family looks like he decides that perhaps he is ready, at age 26, to start looking for a bride to start a home and family of his own.

Colin admires Lady Overfield as a serene, confident example of womanhood. They begin to build a friendship as they discuss the potentials of the young ladies at the house party. Colin challenges Elizabeth to join in the outside activities, including snowball fights and sledding. A tumble from their sled leads to a surprise kiss. They are both embarrassed, but their thoughts wander even though they think that a relationship is not likely. After they share a magical waltz during the Christmas ball, they agree to share a waltz at the balls when they are back in London for the ton season.

Spring finds them in London keeping their promise to share a waltz. Colin has made it apparent that he is bride looking so there are plenty of matrons introducing their young debutantes. Meanwhile Elizabeth is being courted by a suitor she left waiting the previous year. Although there is no spark with the man, Elizabeth is inclined to think he is stable and suitable.

Trouble steps forward in the form of Colin’s mother who wants to perpetually be viewed as a young beauty. She will only allow other young beauties around her, so she has picked out the most beautiful of the debutantes to be Colin’s wife. Lady Hodges will do whatever it takes to squelch the rumors that Colin and Elizabeth may have a developing relationship.

I quickly was pulled in by the primary characters, Elizabeth and Colin, and their teasing friendship. Ms. Balogh does a good job developing their vulnerabilities as well as their strengths. Although Elizabeth is an older woman, she is not a cougar character. I enjoyed Balogh's usual sweet romance building, but the story seemed to be drawn out unnecessarily. I think the story could have been shortened and the tension between the couple might have been stronger. I am glad the potential scandal later in the story and the conflicts with Colin’s mother pulled the interest back. I do recommend Mary Balogh’s work as she is one of my favorite Historical Romance authors.

Source: NetGalley.

Another book in the Westcott series. The sister of the new Lord Riverdale, Elizabeth is widowed. Lord Hodge is a younger man. Can they overcome the challenges of society? ARC from NetGalley.

Mary Balogh finds Elizabeth Westcott Someone to Trust in Colin Handrich, Baron Hodges. The Westcott series brings romance between the older Elizabeth and Baron Hodges during the Christmas holidays, but Elizabeth thinks a betrothal to a settled man near her own age is what she needs. Then scandal erupts, she dismisses the one man and becomes engaged to Colin Handrich shortly thereafter. Are the lovers star crossed or will they make a go of it. Elizabeth is supported by a loving family while Colin has a mother who only loves herself and her aging beauty. A classic Mary Balogh story with real people in impossible situations.

SOMEONE TO TRUST is the fifth book in Mary Balogh's Westcott series. Colin Handrich, Baron Hodges is my favorite type of hero. Colin possesses an affable charm with an infectious smile and good looks to match his sunny disposition. Lady Elizabeth Overfield finds Colin irresistible, much to her chagrin. Having been burned by love in the past, Elizabeth is especially cautious about getting involved in any new romantic entanglements. Colin being nine years younger than her makes any possible long-term romance between them seem almost impossible. Thankfully for readers, Elizabeth overcomes her reticence and gives Colin a sporting chance. And unexpected, yet magical, kiss at a Christmas celebration sparks a wonderful love story.

Elizabeth and Colin have been two of my favorite supporting characters in this Westcott series, so I was giddy to learn that they would be matched up in SOMEONE TO TRUST. I like stories in which the hero and heroine have personalities that mesh well together, and Colin and Elizabeth complement each other perfectly. While Colin is attracted to Elizabeth's appearance and personality, he was thoroughly seduced by her family. Elizabeth's family is large, messy, boisterous, full of quirky characters, and lots of love. Colin's family is something of a mess, and something that he hopes to strengthen in the future. His mother is a very self-centered and vain woman who will stoop to Machiavellian lengths to maintain the status quo and control over her family, and her adoring court. In Elizabeth, Colin finds the antithesis of his mother. Colin's mother is often casually, and seemingly unconsciously, cruel while Elizabeth is kind and compassionate. However, while she is generally tender-hearted, Elizabeth has the type of strength needed to deal with the many machinations presented by Colin's devious mother. One of the things I love about this story is the way this couple deals with problems together and treat each other with a mutual respect and affection.

SOMEONE TO TRUST is superlative storytelling, with charismatic characters, and an enchanting love story. Apart from the romance, Mary Balogh showcases a strong heroine and one who has learned from the past and therefore won't be doomed to repeat it. Rather than do what people say she ought to do, Elizabeth ultimately does what she wants to do without succumbing to bullying or societal pressures. As always, I eagerly await Mary Balogh's next sublime romance.

The Westcotts and extended family all together for the holidays, a surprise wedding that carries over from the last book, and a new budding romance that is built on friendship and takes everyone including the romance pair unawares. Gently-paced, sweet, and all the holiday feels wrapped up in one engaging story.
Review

Someone to Trust is the fifth book in the Westcott series. While it might seem all right to pick it up as a standalone or out of order because it is an all new pair with no earlier threads together, this series is one that really works best in order. There is a strong connection of family and situation as each book builds on the last. Many scenes involving the larger family and references to the past might not grab a new reader to the series.

Someone to Trust actually overlaps a little in the beginning with the previous book, Someone to Care, so it is a spoiler if someone was planning to read the fourth book. This is Elizabeth, Lady Overfield’s book. Elizabeth has been the sweet, tenderhearted support for everyone and hides her secret pain and loneliness behind a twinkling smile. Christmas is a joyous time particularly this year as the whole extended family assembles at Brambledean, her brother’s home, and she is enjoying it, but can’t help watching all the happy new couples and young families with envy. That is a dream she feels that she cannot have; but she is determined to participate in the upcoming London she will settle for a nice man to give her her own family and home. However, her eye and mind keep straying to Colin Handrich, Lord Hodge, her sister in law’s younger brother. He’s too young for her to even consider, but she wishes it were not so because she enjoys the laughter and fun and companionship they have. He even is the keeper of some of her saddest and darkest memories that no one else knows.

Colin, for his part, has never know this sort of feeling. He is nearly overwhelmed by the love, support, and laughter of this huge, generous family who pull him into their group because he is Wren’s brother. Elizabeth Overfield, most of all. He knows that he needs to get about the business of doing his duty as head of his family by marrying and settling down on the family estate while taking his mother’s extravagance and wildness in hand. He looks about and has some of the most beautiful eligible girls paraded before him, but they can’t compare to the one woman who refuses to consider him because he is her junior and she claims he can do better than her. He has to watch sadly as she prepares to accept a boring, ‘safe’ match. But, will he take his chance when he gets it and convince Elizabeth she can trust him to be what she needs?

This one was heartwarming and slow-burn. It starts off slow with holiday and family and the early moments of Colin and Elizabeth’s friendship. There are a few brief moments of flirtation and glimpses that they share an attraction, but then they try to be sensible save for a whimsy that they will dance the first waltz together at every London ball they both attend. I didn’t mind the slow build and it made sense since Elizabeth is an abuse survivor and Colin has his own tangled past with his family.

And, that brings me to the family element. Colin came from a cold, lonely background with a distracted father and a narcissistic mother. He knows his sister was treated awful and sent away and he sees the way his mother twists and warps people to suit only her needs. It is all in stark contrast to Elizabeth’s warm and giving family. Incidentally, for fans of Georgette Heyer, I’m pretty sure there is homage being paid to the book, Venetia, in the form of another narcissistic mother.

The romance requires a lot of patience because it truly does take its time. It’s not absent in the beginning and middle of the story, but it is in a unnoticed or denied form by the players and even when they come together there is still more needing to happen to bring about the true swoony happily ever after. But, it does get there and was worth it.

All in all, I was in a mood to match with the tone, pace, world, characters, and friends to lovers in this holiday historical romance. I love the series and the whole family of Westcotts. There are a handful of stories that I really want and I’m not sure who is getting theirs next, but I’ll take any of them. I can definitely recommend this one and the whole series.

My thanks to Berkley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Someone to Trust is the perfect holiday book for the Austen-inclined reader! I thoroughly enjoyed this historical romance, with its unique characters and large, warm, overarching family story. This was particularly refreshing because it was DIFFERENT. Instead of your typical young-couple-meets-and-falls-in-love (naturally with a few obstacles thrown in their way, but nothing they can’t overcome), the heroine is actually a widow, and somewhat old for a Regency era heroine at that. Ok, not just somewhat old, but unheard-of old at thirty-five! And the hero is…twenty-six. GASP!

Elizabeth has been unlucky in love, but she is reconciled to her life. She is still a vibrant, intelligent, warm-hearted woman but has determined that

Contentment would be good enough, even preferable to exuberant happiness, in fact. Happiness did not last. There was more stability in contentment.

I loved Elizabeth so much. She has a backbone of steel and a heart of gold. Despite her misfortune, se is not closed off or unreachable or wallowing. I think it safe to say it is all of those underlying qualities that most attract the young Lord Colin Hodges, much to his own amazement. Colin does not waste much time fretting over what society will think of his inappropriate attachment – no Mr. Darcy scruples here – but determines to win Elizabeth’s heart. Of course, true love’s path never runs smooth, as his own mother (and LORD WHAT A MOTHER) conspires against him, along with the rest of society and Elizabeth’s own belief about herself and what she deserves out of life.

This book is so far removed from what I usually expect from books labeled historical romance. It is full of solid, steady, but also heart-fluttering love. The characters are mature and make decisions that MAKE SENSE, both for the time and for the story. There was none of the ridiculous swooning and obsession that so often marks romances.

4/5 stars, because I did feel that some of the dialogue was really too modern and felt removed from the time period. Didn’t detract from the story itself, just from my absorption in it. Still highly recommend! I will definitely be coming back when I get the itch for a historical romance again, especially since this was the 5th in the Westcott series. All the previous relationships and people are well explained so that it CAN be read as a standalone, but it really made me curious!

This is the fifth book in the Westcott series. Great Christmas time story. Highly recommended for historical romance fans.

I was looking forward to finding a new author, but unfortunately, I didn't realize that I should have read the previous books in the series. In "Someone to Trust" there are so many characters mentioned in the first chapter that I lost track of who was who. It didn't get any better as I continued to read about Colin and Elizabeth. Perhaps things became clearer as the story unfolds, but I stopped reading at the 30% mark. I couldn't get behind the romance and didn't finish the book.

Since the first book, I’ve been eagerly anticipating Elizabeth’s book, as she’s been my favorite from that point and continued to be so. Often, I’m let-down when I finally get to the romance for my favorite, but Someone to Trust is thoroughly charming and everything that Elizabeth deserves.

Elizabeth serves as the best friend and companion for many of the members of the Westcott clan. She’s the one you can rely on to be in good spirits, making quips and lightening moods. Along the way, she’s already revealed some of her back story: the drunken, abusive husband, but it’s even darker than what we already knew.

Now in her head, the reader can witness Elizabeth’s struggle with feelings of depression. She works hard to maintain that cheery air with which everyone is so familiar. I respect this girl so much, because she endeavors to turn everything to the positive, and she’s so thoughtful and caring of those around her.

Someone to Trust tackles, in a Regency sort of way, the concepts of alcoholism and narcissism, and it does so in a very thoughtful manner. Elizabeth maintains that there must be some sort of disease tied to her deceased husband’s drinking, as he could not control it as other men could. Even her evaluation, by no means accepted by others (the way she always qualified her pronouncement made this clear), reveals how much she endeavors to understand the people around them, always looking to understand their motivations and truly relate to them. She’s such a deeply empathetic person.

Obviously, she didn’t come out of an abusive relationship without emotional scars, and it’s a nice reminder that, no matter how together someone seems on the surface, there’s no saying what they’ve been through. Elizabeth, as the title indicates, wants someone she can truly trust, but she’s not sure if she can even trust herself to choose wisely. She wants a relationship stable and kind, and she’s willing to settle for one without love.

Meanwhile, Lord Hodges (aka Colin aka Wren’s little brother) has started considering taking a wife, but he wants a romance of true affection. Yasss to romances where the lady is pragmatic and the man a romantic. My faves.

Someone to Trust picks up immediately after the events of Someone to Care, still at that Christmas wedding. Lord Hodges immediately delights in Elizabeth’s friendship, because she always makes an effort with the new people brought into the fold, in an effort to make them feel welcome. He’s pretty instantly smitten, though he’s not sure how serious he is about that, and Elizabeth dismisses his comments about a possible relationship between the two of them as jokes, because he’s gorgeous and nine years her junior.

Colin’s such a precious little hufflepuff, just like Elizabeth. They’re like the Jane and Bingley of the Westcotts, because they’re both so freaking nice. They get along incredibly well from start to finish, and I adore the moments when, once they’re together, Colin intentionally doesn’t step in and help Elizabeth because he knows how much she values her independence. When he gets those protective urges, he slaps them down, because he actually gives a shit what she needs.

There’s also so much commentary on gender roles and double standards in here, and it’s all so on point. This book makes so many observations about the society of the time, and that makes some of the plot elements I might not otherwise have liked work so well. There’s such a strong emotional and intellectual foundation to this book.

Someone to Trust is an adorable slow burn romance between an older woman and a younger man. It’s beautifully done, and, like all of the Westcott books, so unlike anything I’ve read in historical romance thus far. I hope every single Westcott gets a novel, because I don’t see myself tiring of them any time soon.