3.5 Stars 🌟

This is a solid addition to the Westcott series, bringing together a couple of different groups. The story surrounding Elizabeth and Colin is entertaining and I wish we’d gotten to see more of them together.
Someone to Trust suffers a bit from what I consider “middle of the series” syndrome. At this point there are 4 of books of couples to track along with the assorted secondary characters that populate the various stories. Because of the relationships involved and how close these families are, the secondary cast is very large. Add in formal titles vs family names and the book becomes cumbersome and difficult to follow at times.
Elizabeth and Colin’s relationship is one that was sweet to watch, a bit of a slow burn and developing friendship. I didn’t love the conflict set up/resolution with his mother, but that falls under personal preference.
I jumped into this series with book 3. I do want to go back and read the first two and am looking forward to what comes next in the series. If I could offer one piece of advise to the author, it would be that it is time for some of the extended family to stay home in the next book and let the focus be more on the couple.

The Westcott family has had their problems and so have the families associated with them. This time it is a older female and younger male who are attracted and fall in love. Both bring baggage to the table and it has to be dealt with. Both Elizabeth and Colin are wonderful characters. They have a wonderful relationship from the beginning. The tension and problems are at the heart of the story and drive the plot. A very nice addition to the Westcott series.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

It always takes me about 25% of the book to really get into a Mary Balogh novel. She has a beautiful writing style that makes you feel like you're living in a Charles Dickens novel, but it's definitely a different pace than most historical authors publishing today. The family Christmas scenes at the beginning of the book put me in the holiday spirit as nothing else can; it's all so idyllic. 

Someone To Trust is about two kindred spirits separated in age by nine years. Unfortunately for our kindred spirits, Elizabeth and Colin, Elizabeth is older than Colin by nine years which was taboo at that time. It was so frowned upon that Elizabeth and Colin don't even consider each other as true romantic partners for most of the book.

Mary Balogh writes some of the most beautiful prose out there. I found myself highlighting passages just so I could revel in her use of language later. While this is a gentle friends to lovers novel, I could genuinely feel the angst as Elizabeth and Colin tried to reconcile their feelings, familial expectations, and societal pressures. If you're expecting the characters to break the rules, cause a scene, or in any way act out of character for someone in their time period, this is not the book for you. 

This is the first book I have read in this series, and while Someone To Trust does standalone, I think my experience would have been richer if the secondary characters had less page time. Every time I started to get into Colin and Elizabeth's chemistry, I feel like they were interrupted by 20 uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers, sisters, who clearly all had previous books updating them on their lives. While people who have read the other books in this series might enjoy the updates, it read as filler to me, which I didn't enjoy.

Overall, the excess of characters and slow pace didn't detract much from my enjoyment. This book was addictive once the story really started at about 25% in and I recommend it to anyone looking for a change of pace and unique plot line.

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

Someone to Trust is the fifth book of Mary Balogh’s Westcott series. It presents us with a delightful hero and heroine who have both dealt with difficult emotional and personal issues over the last few years and are finally at a place where they feel ready for love and marriage. While the novels work as standalones, knowing the secondary characters via the previous narratives adds a great deal of depth to the story. Since the hero of this novel is the brother to the heroine of Someone to Wed and they come from a difficult family situation, I would recommend reading at least that one first.

Lady Elizabeth Overfield’s first marriage was destroyed by her husband’s alcoholism, and his death brought sorrow, but also freedom. Freedom from angry fists and broken bones and freedom to live life on her own terms. She has enjoyed that freedom immensely but while she is celebrating Christmas with her large, extended family at her brother Alex’s house she realizes something – she’s lonely. Her family love her and treat her with great affection, but seeing all the recently married couples enjoying their spouses and children fills her with a longing for something more. She has received several marriage proposals over the last few seasons and realizes its time she gave some serious thought to accepting one.

Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, is also seriously contemplating marriage while celebrating at the Westcott Christmas festivities. He sees the happy home his sister Wren and brother-in-law Alex have built, and thinks he would very much like to create something similar for himself. He also sees the mature, measured way Alex serves as head of his family and wants to emulate that as well. He is officially the senior ranking male member of the Handrich clan, but his mother has always ruled them with an iron fist. She has also ruled with cruelty, coldness, vanity and complete selfishness. Her ‘leadership’ has not been good for the family, but Colin is unsure how to wrest control from her. He determinedly sets these thoughts aside in order to simply enjoy the festivities and finds the best way to do that is to spend time with Elizabeth. He admires her calm, thoughtful good cheer and appreciates how she has gone out of her way to make sure he feels welcomed and included in every activity. He delights in their friendship but accepts that flirtatious camaraderie is as far as it can go, since at nine years his senior she is completely ineligible. He is therefore appalled when, after upending the sleigh they are riding on and landing on top of her in the snow, he takes advantage of the moment and kisses her.

Elizabeth knows Colin is indulging in a harmless flirtation, but she is very much aware that her heart is being far more stirred than it should be by the handsome, charming young man. She accepts his apologies for the kiss with assurances that no harm was done and after sharing a waltz with him during the Boxing Day party agrees they dance well together. So well in fact that they determine to share the first waltz at every ball they both find themselves at in the coming Season. They hold true to their promise, both attending an inordinate number of balls, strictly for the pleasure of that joint dance. Oh, and to look for marriage prospects. Elizabeth is certain that their perfect partnership on the ballroom floor can not extend into married life, but Colin is increasingly convinced that the only person he wants to walk down the aisle with is her.

There is quite a lot going on in this story, and it is easy to be a little bit overwhelmed by all the different family members and acquaintances. That is undoubtedly because this is the fifth book in the series and the author can’t resist catching us up with what has been happening in the lives of the extended Westcott clan. As someone who has read every book, I enjoyed the grand reunion feel to the tale. The two principal characters are well drawn – despite the possible distractions – and the boisterous feeling of being overwhelmed by family suits our hero and heroine admirably. Colin is envious of Elizabeth’s warm relationships with her relatives and appreciates that as Wren’s brother, he has been welcomed into their group. The author does a splendid job of making him a fully-realized adult who happens to be on the younger end of the spectrum. At twenty-six he does not have a lot of life experience, but he does have a great deal of maturity thanks to the fact that he was essentially forced to raise himself. His mother’s overwhelming beauty and devotion to maintaining it have made him wary of judging women strictly by their looks, another personality trait I found very admirable. Colin has the wisdom to be balanced, however; he would never marry a woman because she is beautiful, but he won’t marry a plain woman simply to spite his mother, either. He is determined that whomever he weds is someone he will love and admire. He admires Elizabeth’s “contentment, serenity, maturity, good sense and kindness” from the start and it is apparent to the reader, if not to our leads, that what they are calling friendship is essentially love at first sight.

Everything that Colin admires about Elizabeth is what made me love her as a heroine. She has a crucial scene towards the end of the novel which shows precisely why she is the ideal choice for him, but even before that it is obvious that these two are simply perfect for each other. Her cheerful, sunny stability is an excellent foil for Colin’s honorable, family-oriented nature. The romance is fairly low-key and their passion on the sedate side, but that is perfectly in character for both Elizabeth and Colin, who are looking for a partner with whom to build a home and family. Neither is looking for a sensuous, ardent experience but someone they can trust and rely on, someone with whom they can create a warm, loving future.

I’ve heard complaints before about the author’s heavy handed use of forgiveness and compassion in situations involving truly villainous characters. That certainly happens here, where the heroine is extremely understanding about her former husband’s tendency to physically abuse her while drunk. It is underscored that his behavior was wrong and no man should hit a woman, but for those who find this aspect of the author’s writing sanctimonious, be warned that it is in full force here.

There is, perhaps, some excessive drama to the tale, but that suits the plot in that it highlights the serene common sense of the heroine and maturity of the hero. I would have preferred Elizabeth to see that Colin was her perfect match sooner, since I found their courtship a bit drawn out, but that was a minor irritant.

Someone to Trust is an enjoyable story that is a nice addition to the Westcott family saga. I think fans of the series will be pleased and will join me in eagerly awaiting the remaining novels.

Falling I Love at a Regency Christmas – with a Younger Man

Elizabeth, Lady Overfield, feels she is ready to marry again. Her first marriage to an abusive alcoholic ended badly, but that was years ago. She believes that her heart has healed, and she’s ready to try again. What she doesn’t count on is falling in love with Colin, Lord Hodges. He’s nine years younger than she and in Regency England that was simply not done.

Meeting at a Christmas gathering with Elizabeth’s family, they are drawn to each other, but the kiss when they tumbled from a sled is unexpected and devastatingly important. Unable to face defying convention, they both start the London season looking for other marriage partners, but it’s not as simple as it seems to disregard their attraction.

This is a rather delightful story of manners in Regency England. The background, including the strictures of society, are historically accurate. The characters include ones you love and the villains you love to hate. Colin and Elizabeth grow in understand and courage through the story. Other characters, such as Colin’s mother, show their true colors. You can’t help cheering when she’s forced to face reality.

The book has a restrained pace. There is considerably more conversation than action. However, the action that does occur is well within the confines of the period and upper class manners.

This is the fifth book in the Westcott series. I did find it difficult to keep all the characters straight in the beginning, but when Colin and Elizabeth became the center of the story, it was easier. If you like romance in the tradition of Jane Austen, this is a book you’ll enjoy. While it’s possible to read as a standalone, I think it would be easier to follow if you read more of the series.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Someone to Trust is another cozy romance from the great Mary Balogh. An improvement from her Someone to Care, her recent and weakest entry into the Wescott family Saga, Someone to Trust gives us the waited for HEA for Lizzy. I enjoyed the age difference mix up, with the woman being the older one in the relationship, and the make being younger. I also enjoyed that both the male and female characters had trust issues to overcome. This was a sweet, holiday type read, full of sweetness and nostalgia, with a gentle friends to love relationship. Neither Balogh’s best, nor worst, and proving an enjoyable and easy read. I await the next chapter of this saga.

FINAL DECISION: This is a gentle sweet romance that takes its time developing the characters relationship. This is grand passion restrained in true Mary Balogh fashion.

THE STORY: At Christmas, Elizabeth, Lady Overfield decides that it is finally time to remarry after a disastrous first marriage. This time she wants stability and trust. Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, also decides that he wants to marry to establish a family as close as the Westcotts after a childhood with a highly dysfunctional family. Elizabeth and Colin enjoy one another's company but since Elizabeth is nine years older than Colin they know there can be nothing but friendship between them. They do agree, however, to dance a waltz together at every ball during the season.

OPINION: This is a quiet slow developing story based completely on the relationship between Elizabeth and Colin. I really enjoyed how the two of them build a friendship. There is always an underlying attraction between the two, but the two fight against it believing that a relationship is impossible.

I very much enjoy these stories. By the time these two marry, I completely believe that the two of them can build a lasting relationship. Those looking for big passionate romances might not enjoy this book, but I appreciated that these two have a quiet romance but one built on laughter and friendship and yet still the passion of falling in love.

The sexual content was also dialed way back in this one which completely fit the characters. Respect, friendship, companionship and trust all come before the sex in this story which was a nice change.

My one complaint is that I wish I had gotten to see some glimpse of their future. I'm sure we will see more of them in future books in the series, but I missed some confirmation that their marriage will manage to work for both of them and they will achieve their mutual goals.

WORTH MENTIONING: I loved seeing Avery who has a vital role at critical points in this story.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SOMEONE TO TRUST is the fifth book in the Westcott series. The romance here is self-contained and thus it can be read as a standalone. However, new readers should be aware that the book is filled with characters from the prior books and knowledge about them is largely assumed so this book is probably better read as part of the series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley which was used to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

This review will be posted on 11/27/18

Lady Elizabeth Overfield is feeling a bit lonely and on the outside, especially this Christmas. When she meets Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, the younger brother of her sister in law, Elizabeth realizes a kindred spirit. As the Christmas house party continues, the two become friends and possibly there is a spark of attraction. But Elizabeth is 9 years older than Colin and she is looking for what her head wants not her heart. Instead they promise the first waltz of each ball with each other for the coming season.

I'm actually kinda disappointed in this book. Elizabeth has been on of my favorite character since Someone to Love. She has heartbreak in her past but is doing her best to move past it. She is cheerful and problem solves and an awesome friend to have. She doesn't trust her heart with romantic matters and is reluctant to try marriage again. I was hoping for romance and trust and friendship which didn't really happen for me.

I got bored with both Elizabeth and Colin. I spent most of it wanting something to happen. And I felt that nothing ever really did. There wasn't any investment of emotion and I kept waiting for it to happen. I felt mostly blah. I kept waiting for one of them to decide or figure out that they were in love with the other. Instead they just were friends that might make marriage work.

So it was okay but mostly I was disappointed.

oh man this one didn't really work for me.

i read the first 3 in quick succession last year, and i remember struggling with all the characters then, even back to back. i skipped the 4th book which i **never** do (seriously) because i had no desire to read about the mother - it has nothing to do with her age, but the fact that she's the mother of characters i'm also reading about. it just bothers me for some reason. i had the same feelings when i read tack's book by kristen ashley, because i'd read own the wind first - but thankfully they are different series and tabby is quite young in tack's book, but i digress. that's why i skipped viola's book.

i remember being quite excited about elizabeth's book though i admit i don't remember a whole lot else from the first 3 as it was over a year ago. never fear if you've forgotten, most of this book recaps the first 3 and i'm assuming the 4th and gives you a whole lot of information about allll the other characters... it was a struggle to get through, unfortunately. i also just felt like there was a lot of description in between action/dialogue, pages and pages and i just wanted to get back to the main characters and have their relationship progress. all the family members were way too meddlesome in this one too. rather than loving and accepting like in the others. also colin's mother got way more page time than she deserved and it was just.. blah. she didn't deserve the kindness certain characters gave her.

unfortunately because of all the space in between getting to know the two main characters and having their relationship move forward, i never really felt anything with them, never felt the chemistry or anything. which was a bummer. and i was really not impressed by the fact that they were courting other people/accepting other people's proposals. i just feel like that, on top of all the random info throughout the book about other characters or random descriptions, we never got a real build up of their relationship. even when they get engaged, i wasn't expecting it because i felt nothing close to love, you know? it was just a bummer all around. i had no problems with their age difference, i love that she is older than him.

i think, personally, i am done with this particular series.i didn't *hate* it and if you are a mary balogh fan, i recommend it, but i just don't think it was for me. i will read other mary balogh books, but not this series. i did enjoy the first 3 regardless of the ridiculously large hard to keep up with everyone family.

Mary Balogh never disappoints. Once again I was transported to a good, old fashioned English country Christmas. The snow, the gathering of greenery, kissing under a misteltoe - Balogh always delivers the coziest of Christmas romances. This one has a bit of twist with the reverse May/ December romance. No one would bat an eye if an older man fell for a much younger woman and yet here an older woman falling for a younger is a huge scandal. With all of the other scandals running through the Westcott novels this one pales in comparison. So yes, depsite all it's cozy romance goodness, it's a bit old fashioned. I'm intrigued by the characters. Normally, the romantic heroes are older and cynical so having a 26 year old man who is hopeful and optimistic - as if he is in the ingenue role is refreshing. So depsite the old fashioned nature of the plot, the characters feel fresh and dare I say it? Almost modern. I have read the book without being very familiar with the Westscott series and was able to jump right in, I will include the book in my NYPL Christmas book list.

Mary doesn't disappoint and this is another wonderful story. Mary is able to snapshot a period of time and give it narrative life along with emotional romantic stories. I really loved the characters and the romance in this volume. A holiday treat!

This is not Balogh's best work, and yet it's a really solid romantic story with likable characters that you really want to root for. Balogh always manages to write a good story!

Ms. Balogh's books are the type you pick up not caring what they are about as you know it will be a good one!! Once again this book does not disappoint. This series has been incredible from the start and continues to be so. Elizabeth and Colin's story is so enchanting. You find yourself cheering for them from the first chapter. When they finally do find their way too each other, you know it is going to be an incredible match. Ms. Balogh has such an interesting set of characters in the book, in particular Colin's mother. I love how she loops characters together to make them into one incredibly large family! Hoping that this series continues. I think we need to know what happens with Abigail next!!!

Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh is the 5th book in her wonderful Westcott series. I have loved every single book in this wonderful series, and I couldn’t wait for Elizabeth’s story. She has always been the one person who was there to give support to each heroine, and now it was time for her own happy ever after.
When the last book left off, there was a last minute wedding (Viola & Marcel) at the Earl of Riverdale’s mansion, and we pick up at that point, where the entire Westcott family was in attendance. It is Christmas time, and everyone was enjoying the festivities. Elizabeth Overfield, our heroine, helps Wren (Alexander’s wife) make sure everything goes right, including greeting all the guests. She meets Colin Handrich (Lord Hodges), Wren’s younger brother, who does not know the many Westcott family members. Elizabeth takes it upon herself to welcome and befriend Colin, and together a friendship develops, with them enjoying the festivities and their company.

Elizabeth, who is a widow, has decided the time has come for her to possibly accept another marriage proposal, as she is now 35, and time is running out. Colin, is just stepping into the responsibility of being Lord Hodges and taking over their mansion, knows he has to start thinking about marriage, as he is 26 years old.
What follows is the friendship between Elizabeth and Colin grows, as each talk about their prior issues with relationships; such as her deceased ex abusive behavior, and Colin’s treatment by his family in his younger days. At the balls, Colin always makes sure Elizabeth saves him the first waltz. This was a very charming and fun story, as both Elizabeth and Colin begin to have feelings for each other, but continue to evade any possibilities because of the 9 year age difference. Elizabeth accepts a proposal from another Lord, but when her prospective fiancée verbally treats her badly, Colin and Alexander come to her rescue, and Elizabeth breaks up with the other man.

Elizabeth must endure the bad word of mouth gossip, and Colin is determined to make Elizabeth his wife, despite their age difference. Will Elizabeth give in to her feelings Colin, and ignore that Society does not approve of an older woman marrying a younger man.

I loved Elizabeth and Colin together (one of the best couples in this series), and enjoyed the fun and exuberance they had together. Colin was great, but I adored Elizabeth, as she was a great heroine, being fun, sweet, always helpful to others, and delightful.
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. The romance between Elizabeth & Colin was wonderful to watch, with so many emotions, both sad and sweet.

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

Believe in yourself and trust your gut feelings is the theme and it ran true throughout the book. Love does not know age and there’s a difference between beautiful and true beauty. I liked the story line and all the characters but this book moved a bit slow for me.
Colin Handrich, Baron Hodges knows it is time to fully embrace his title and find a bride. Spending Christmas with his sister and her huge extended family has opened his eyes to what he wants a true and loving family of his own. His feelings for the widow Lady Elizabeth Overfield start to come to the surface and he’s drawn to her like no other. Elizabeth is nine years his senior she know well what life can bring and bad decisions lead to heartbreak. She has feelings for Colin but she wants the best for him, he deserves someone young and beautiful. He begrudgingly agrees even when he still returns to Elizabeth as being the one.
When bad decisions and underhanded family take hold Colin and Elizabeth must learn that trust and true feelings is what will being happiness or all will be lost.

This is the fourthbook in this series that I have read, and I fall more and more in love with these characters and this family with each new book. This book is about Elizabeth, who if have been following the series, is the last member of this family I expected to find love. In all of the previous books she was such a secondary character and the little we knew of her made her seem to be quite busy taking care of her mother with little time for romance. But Mary Balogh has done a wonderful job of bringing her out of the shadows and into the spot light to find her true love where she least expected it. I really like reading stories where love and happily ever after happen for someone who would be considered an underdog and Elizabeth is the perfect leading lady for such a story. Seeing this couple realize their feelings for one another and that they were both completely wrong in their judgments of their individual compatibility gave this story a playfulness and joy that is both heartwarming and refreshing. I love watching Elizabeth find her personal fortitude in the face of scandal and seeing her perseverance carry her through. I am excited to read the romantic adventures of the next member of this family.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group, for the read of Mary Balogh’s, Someone to Trust.

I am a big fan of Mary Balogh’s and I found this instalment of the Westcott series such a pleasure to read.

The friendship-to-romance between widowed Elizabeth and younger Colin, is respectfully represented and wonderfully engaging. It’s a great testament to being true to oneself, and loving whoever you want to love.

A heart-warming story written with humor, spirit and finesse.

It’s all just nice. Colin Handrich, Baron Hodges is nice. He’s the brother of Wren, recently married Countess of Riverdale. Elizabeth, Lady Overfield is nice. She is the widowed sister of the Earl of Riverdale. Both of these nice people meet at a family Christmas gathering at the Earl’s seat, Brambledean Court. Colin is ready to take up the reins of the family estate he inherited at the age of 18. Elizabeth is ready to remarry and perhaps move on from her disastrous marriage. Colin and Elizabeth are friendly and attracted to one another but can see that a relationship between them would be impossible given the difference in their ages. They strike up a friendship and agree to dance one dance at every ball they are both attending during the upcoming season. It’s all very nice.

Once in London, Colin prepares to find a bride on the marriage mart and Elizabeth enters an engagement with a nice man who offered for her several years earlier. And then social disaster happens and Elizabeth is faced with ruin and Colin wants to rescue her. Additional peril faces the couple and with the help of their family, they overcome. It’s all very nice.

Honestly, I really enjoy Mary Balogh’s works. She has wonderful characters and charming stories. I enjoy the Wescott family series. Someone to Trust is a fine and pleasant story. However, I felt that the characters lacked great passion and were harder to connect with than others in the series. Also, the peril seemed a bit contrived and lacking in, well, peril.

Fans of the series will want to read this installment. 3 stars.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Westcott family celebrates together for Christmas. At this party, Colin, Lord Hodge meets Elizabeth, Lady Overfield. This is a story of a young man, older woman [9 years difference], family and most of all TRUST. A wonderful story

I have long awaited Elizabeth’s story ever since I began reading the Someone to… (Westcott) series by Mary Balogh. Elizabeth is a character I have grown to care about as she has been kind and supportive of the members of her immediate and extended families throughout this series. Balogh has alluded to Elizabeth’s tragic first marriage in other books so I have been greatly anticipating Elizabeth’s story.
Someone to Trust begins with Elizabeth’s complex family members gathering for Christmas at her brother’s home. As a first time reader of the Wescott series you may be overwhelmed by the vast variety of family connections, but the family tree in the front of the book is helpful. It will also perhaps compel you to read the entire series, which I would highly recommend since the books are well written and enjoyable to read. After getting past the family who’s who, the story of Elizabeth and Colin begins. There is a theme of forgiveness in this story that adds to depth of writing that is typical of Mary Balogh.
I enjoyed this book and have greatly enjoyed this series.
There was perhaps too much discussion of the age difference (9 years) between Elizabeth and Colin. Which would have been “scandalous” at the time of this book, and unfortunately the younger man/older woman still has a stigma 200 years later.
I wanted more romance for Elizabeth. I was disappointed her brother Alex, who has always been so supportive of her and she of him, didn’t immediately wish her happy.
As a fan of her character I wanted more Elizabeth and Colin as a couple. To see them start their home and family. Perhaps in the next book in this series, we will see more of this couple.
As an aside: The entire Wescott series and this book have wonderful calming book covers. They have been an elegantly dressed woman turned toward a beautiful natural background. I find them very appealing.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC