I'm pretty torn by this title. On the one hand, Balogh is in a class all her own - she wields her pen with expertise, and is the reigning queen of this time period of historical romance. However, despite giving it my best college try, I just could not bring myself to like or root for the heroine of this story. She was simply too annoying for me to warm up to. Beyond that, I'm finding the Westcott books are starting to get sort of repetitive. (Unlikeable heroine, more likeable yet slightly more shallow hero who is forced in some way to interact with said heroine - cue a rather unromantic form of romance). But most fans of Balogh will likely find what they're expecting and appreciate this next installment of this series.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

Not my favorite of the "Someone To..." series, but I am happy that Lady Jessica found her prince charming. I had trouble viewing the hero's decision to abandon his interests in America...just didn't feel right but I don't know what else he could have done.

This was another enjoyable, gentle, comfort read by Mary Balogh. For the most part it follows very closely along in the same vein as the others in this series, indeed I must admit this series has run quite repetitive along plot and character lines. I think we got much more dynamic and original characters in Balogh’s other series like Bedawyns, Survivors, and Huxtables. Comparatively, the Westcott’s series feels a bit expected. Jessica’s book did not really feel that different from Abby’s book. And Jessica did not feel like the same Jessica we have seen throughout the series. In other books her character has been extremely expressive, emotive, and vivid. She had a lot of tantrums. But in this book the hero CONTINUOUSLY describes her as an “ice maiden” and remarks how self contained she is. So I really do not feel like this was even the same Jessica. As a stand-alone story this one was fine. I enjoyed the subtle weaving of feminist ideas, that seemed new to Balogh’s work. Overall I enjoyed the book and read it in one sitting. But I doubt I’ll remember it in a week.

This is another book in the Westcott series. This is a sweet romance. There was a lot of description about different family member that did detract from the story some. But overall this is a book that I can recommend to my customers and know that they will enjoy it.

Lady Jessica, a duke's daughter and a duke's sister, has decided that it is about time she is married, and determines to find a husband during the current London season. A great character -- she is intelligent, kind, and a great judge of character. When she meets, Gabriel, a man with a mysterious background, she is captivated, but has no idea who he really is. Once she discovers his true identity, she joins forces to help him help the people who are counting on him. This is a great love story, with appealing secondary characters to add interest. I didn't realize this is part of a series, and I look forward to reading more books about the Wescott family.

Mary Balogh hits a home run again with another wonderful Westcott story. Lady Jessica finally gets her time to shine and who doesn't love a good comeuppance.

Mary Balogh continues to disappoint in her latest series. It's perfectly serviceable but nothing special. Meh. Long-time fans would likely appreciate this new installment, but I didn't enjoy it very much.

Okay, so I love Mary Balogh and this is a very solid, well written story. However, for some reason with this series, I can't keep track of the participants. I have read a lot of Balogh's series, and I don't know why I can't keep track of people in this one, normally I don't have any trouble with the main players, but for some reason, I can't keep track with this series. It's not Balogh's fault, but it does hamper a little bit of my enjoyment of the series. This book was solid though. I really liked the hero. The heroine was okay, although not as well fleshed out as the hero. If you like Balogh, this is a solid story. I wish we could spend more time with the hero and his music though, that was a nice unexpected thing that I really appreciated.

Mary Balogh is the Queen of Heartfelt Historical Romance. Someone to Romance was an emotional and sweet story where it's easy to fall in love with the characters.

In Someone to Romance, we return to the delightful Westcott family, whose fortunes changed so dramatically after the late patriarch was found to be a bigamist, and his children were illegimate and shunned by society. Lady Jessica, who was nearly the same age as youngest Westcott daughter Abigail, was determined not to enjoy life or get married if her beloved cousin couldn't do the same. But now that Abby is married, Jessica decides it might be time to seek a match of her own.

Gabriel Thorne has returned from America to reluctantly claim a title and take on his responsibilities. That includes taking a wife, and he sets his sights on the proper, titled Jessica Archer. She's intrigued by the mysterious man, but tells him she won't marry him unless he proves he can see *her*, not just the outward society packaging. Gabriel sets out to do just that, although he's distracted by the machinations of murderous relatives who want his title and money for themselves.

Balogh has written another sweetly comfortable romance. That sounds like faint praise, but it's a pleasure to read one of her books when I know everything will be all right in the end, no matter what the drama in the middle, and her protagonists are genuinely good people who love and support each other.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review.

Mary Balogh never ever disappoints, and this new entry in the Westcott series is no exception. Lady Jessica Archer and Gabriel Thorne seem intrigued by each other and their many differences, but neither thinks love is a real possibility. Of course they are proven wrong, but how they slowly come to that realization is a most enjoyable journey. It is also fun to re-visit the many Westcott family members who play a part in their story. I truly wish this series could go on forever. Highly recommended.

After writing several books about more "non-traditional" couples, Ms. Balogh returns to what at least on the surface, appears to be a perfectly traditional Regency couple: two young members of the aristocracy. But neither of these two is entirely traditional. As the book opens, Lady Jessica Archer, the sister of the Duke of Netherby, is realizing that it may be time to finally put aside the guilt and anger she has been carrying on behalf of her cousin who has found happiness after being ousted from society, and finally get on with her own life. And Gabriel Thorne, who had left England for America thirteen years earlier after a scandal, now finds himself leaving the happy and prosperous life he had built for himself and returning to an inheritance he never wanted in order to save a friend. He needs to marry, and makes it clear to Lady Jessica that she is his choice of bride. She calmly informs him that if he is serious about it, he needs to "romance" her to convince her. In the first book of this series, Jessica was still something of a child, and struck me as rather petulant. The fact that her story is coming in on Book 7 (8, if one counts the previous novella) has given her character time to grow and mature, and allows fans to not merely to touch base with the--also maturing--family of characters who have come before, but gain new insights on them. Gabriel, an aristocrat who never wanted to be, doesn't take up his new title for the honors, but rather, for the responsibilities, which is refreshing, and Ms. Balogh makes it feel believable. Equally refreshing is the fact that the main characters are all intelligent, and perfectly capable of figuring out the secret Gabriel is keeping. Another highly enjoyable visit with the Westcotts!

This is the newest installment of the Wescott series. Like all of Mary Balogh's books, it features likable characters and strong family relationships. It is the story of Jessica Archer (half-sister of the Duke of Netherby) and Gabriel Thorne. Readers will recognize many familiar characters from previous books in the series. The large family ensemble is usually part of the charm of Balogh books, but in this instance the frequent descriptions of how all the characters are related and synopses of their background stories distracted a bit from Jessica and Gabriel's story. I found myself skimming passages of background exposition. Even so, this was an enjoyable read, full of warm emotion and romance.

What a fun read! When I start a book by Mary Balogh I know I will be thoroughly entertained and such was the case with Someone to Romance. Lady Jessica has, for reasons of her own, rejected the marriage mart and now that she wants to wed she is having difficulty finding someone who meets her standards. At 25, she is considered almost on the shelf except for her desirable status in society. Surrounded by family who have married for love Jessica longs to have that in her marriage. When she meets Gabriel Thorne he is unlike anyone she's ever known. He decides she'll do as a wife for practical reasons, but doesn't understand her request to be romanced. If you like Regency romance, you'll enjoy this latest edition of the Westcott series!

I have been looking forward to Jessica's story. I had thought her story and Harry's story would be the same. I thought maybe Jessica's affections were tied up with Harry and that is why she hadn't been that interested in finding a husband as the series progressed. However, I really liked the way Jessica's story turned out. I love that she truly has grown into a more interesting woman than her younger self looked to be heading in the early stages of the series. I enjoyed getting to know a new character, an American, with an interesting backstory and a tender heart. I love the way Balogh allows her characters to learn and think and grow throughout her books. ( I wish I could get her to write some of the story lines I have twisting around in my head.) Balogh lets us revisit some of the other characters in the series. There are so many of them now, it seems like many of them are just a gratuitous inclusion. However, the book can't be complete without Avery, Anna, and Alexander. I was sad that we didn't get much of Abigail in the story, except as a beginning. There are some twists and turns and that were fun to figure out. I was somewhat disappointed in the ending of the book. It didn't quite give me the satisfaction I was looking for. It wasn't bad, I just wanted Gabriel to be able to have some "hands on" involvement. I don't want to say more or I would give things away. I haven't loved all of the stories equally but this one will be one of the favorites. Thank you to Netgalley for the arc of this book.

Mary Balogh can always be counted on to write a fresh, entertaining and engaging book. The genealogy at the front of the book is extremely helpful, given how large the family has become! Thoroughly enjoyable, although I wish we could have followed the newlyweds to their new home and had the satisfaction of seeing wrongs righted and fresh memories established. Can't wait for the next one!

I love Mary Balogh, but her books are usually a bit sedate. This one has a different take on the hero's dark secret that was refreshing. Every book in this series is enjoyable and this one is excellent. I'm going to be very sad if she runs out of Westcotts!