Village opinions and romance!

Major Harry Westcott was once the Earl of Riverdale until he and his family fell apart when they discovered their father had in fact married their mother bigamously. That left Harry and his sisters as illegitimate offspring. Imagine the shock and distress. Harry was no longer the Earl, no longer able to support his mother and sisters. Their place in society was gone. The life they knew was in tatters. Stripped of title, lands and funds this was the Great Disaster. Previous novels in the series give us the background to events up to now.
Harry, anguished and lost, joined the army, off to the Peninsula to fight Bonaparte. Thanks to Avery Archer the Duke of Netherby—his guardian, and his half sister Anna’s husband, he didn’t end up taking the king’s shilling. Avery purchased a commission for him with the same regiment he’d signed up for.
After fighting his way across the continent, Harry was badly wounded at Waterloo. He eventually came back to England, a wreck suffering from the memories of all he’d seen and endured. He now lives on one of Anna’s properties and his former childhood home—Hinsford Manor in Hampshire.
Within the village of Hinsford lives a widow, Lydia Tavernor, wife and ‘helpmeet’ of the former dedicated and charismatic vicar. A young woman who throughout her time has been overwhelmed by the men in her life. Lydia shocked her brothers and father by refusing to move home with them. Instead she bought a small house in the village at the end of Harry’s driveway. The two meet at a local dinner. The innocent action of Harry escorting the seemingly bland Lydia home leads to a situation!
Lydia is rather a fascinating woman hiding who she really is in plain sight. Still waters run deep!
Meanwhile the Westcott women have decided that Harry needs a wife and are planning to bring him to London to celebrate his thirtieth birthday and introduce him to potential partners. And if Harry doesn’t come to London they have a Plan B.
Harry’s mother just wants him to find someone he can ‘cherish.’
A gentle story that takes two people with secrets and ghosts and gives them another chance, albeit it in a rather unusual way.

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley

Kaetrin: Someone to Cherish reinforced to me the theme of the entire series – about self-actualisation, in particular of women. The female leads all, via their own paths, journey toward independence and freedom – even when that’s within marriage; they negotiate those marriages against that framework. They’re individuals to be seen as themselves and not as an appendage or someone’s sister, someone’s daughter. It reminds me of that meme: she is someone.

Janine: That’s a great point and one that I didn’t think of. For me Balogh hits that theme more strongly with Lydia than with any of the other female leads except Wren.

Kaetrin: Lydia was cossetted and protected all her life prior to her marriage (and after her widowhood to some degree also) by her father and brothers and found it stifling. She was relegated and neglected by her husband during her marriage. As a widow she had a taste of freedom and independence and she did not want to give that up.

Janine: The plot of Someone to Cherish centers on Harry and Lydia’s fantasy that taking a lover—not falling in love, just having a lover—would remedy their loneliness while allowing their uncomplicated lives to remain that way. Of course, in a tiny village in the 19th century that is not so simple.

Kaetrin: In some ways the book reminded me a bit of the premise of Irresistible, with a suggested “arrangement” between friends/friendly acquaintances but the books are very different for all that. Harry and Lydia don’t have the same kind of arrangement as Sophia and Nathaniel.

Janine: I was reminded of Indiscreet, with its emphasis on the precarious position of a woman living alone in a small village and how blameless her conduct must be if she is to protect her reputation. I liked Harry much better than Rex, though, and although the book was very emotional, it wasn’t nearly as angsty.

Kaetrin: I don’t remember much about Indiscreet to be honest. But Irresistible is in my top 3 Baloghs of all time.

Janine: Indiscreet was a big favorite of mine in the 1990s. It’s a problematic book but was somewhat ahead of its time—it had a #metoo theme that is both hit hard and hard hitting. But enough digressing.

Kaetrin: The story here has a kind of closeness/insularity when compared to Irresistible; it being self-contained in Hinsford and the very small village of Fairfield for the most part (whereas Irresistible was set in London). The cast is only large because the Westcotts all (all of them!) appear in the story but otherwise there’s a sense of cosy domesticity and lower stakes. Lydia’s reputation is of course very important in Fairfield but it’s also not life or death. There are no spies or conspiracies. There is knitting and baking and chopping wood, visiting one’s neighbours and going to church. The story is told, mostly, against these rather innocuous domestic activities and there was something calming and cosy about it which I found both soothing and engaging at the same time.

Janine: My experience was different to a degree. I started out irritated with Lydia and as the rest of her character was unveiled I became more and more engrossed in the book. I sank into it as if it were a feather mattress. Lydia was just so different because of her particular backstory and her initial (desire for? comfort in? devotion to?) blending into the background. The freshness of her characterization was engaging and as she changed from a faded nonentity into a woman blazing with vivacity I fell in love with her.

Kaetrin: Lydia’s concern was that she would lose her freedom by marrying again.

Janine: Lydia has chosen to lead a domestic, solitary life in a small cottage without even a servant and her house is both a refuge and a hiding hole. We don’t know much about Lydia’s marriage at first and she thinks about how her husband was a good man and she loved him. But we know he was a charismatic pastor with fervent followers, that he called Lydia his “helpmeet” rather than his wife, and that in the years of her marriage, Lydia blended into the wallpaper. It’s hard to describe without spoilers but for me it wasn’t only letting go of the typical freedoms of a single state vs. grabbing the happiness marriage offered that was at stake for Lydia.

Spoiler: Show
You can see I disagree about the stakes. Among all the books in the series except Someone to Wed (Wren/Alexander) and Someone to Care (Viola/Marcel), this one had the highest stakes for me.

Kaetrin: Harry, readers know, will not restrict Lydia’s freedom but I would have liked more on how Lydia came to know that. How she joined those dots. There were some pivotal conversations but were they enough? I’d have liked some scenes from after their marriage – perhaps negotiating something successfully together, or her disagreeing and Harry changing his mind about something based entirely on her desires. Or, more of Lydia observing the family dynamics of the Westcotts, seeing how the women are powerful, respected and that they are valued partners in their marriages and not accessories or cossetted to the point of being infantilised. I mean, I know that’s not how they are, but that’s not Lydia’s experience and I’d have liked more on how she realised she was safe with Harry and wise to trust him.

Janine: This part worked marvelously for me. I felt that primarily it was Harry’s innate kindness that persuaded her.

This is a partial review / discussion. Read the rest here.

https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-a-reviews/a-minus-reviews/joint-review-someone-to-cherish-by-mary-balogh/

I received a copy for review from NetGalley. Someone to Cherish is a sweet and satisfying end to a story arc in the Westcott series. (I may be mistaken, but I believe there are one or two books remaining. ) Harry and Lydia are a gentle, slow burn of a romance, and it is a low angst, sweet story of two decent people learning to love and trust each other. While it can't really be read as a stand alone, it is a nice addition to the series.

Harry Westcott lost everything, title and fortune, ten years back when his parent’s marriage was found to be bigamous which they all refer to as The Great Disaster. Harry went off to war and barely came back, but his sisters and mother have moved on and are happier than ever. Maybe even happier than they would’ve been if The Great Disaster didn’t happen, but Harry even though content finds himself a bit lonely sometimes. Especially after spending Christmas with his sisters, mother and all the extended family and seeing them overflowing with joy.

Harry goes back home and finds himself thrown together with the late Reverend’s widow, Lydia, and realizes he never really noticed her before. While walking her home from a gathering Lydia asks if he’s ever lonely which I guess in that time was sort of forward. More like an invitation to not be so lonely together.

Lydia has no interest in remarrying since losing her husband. Lydia was swept off her feet by her charismatic husband and found herself in a completely different union that she was bargaining for. Lydia just about lost her identity and she had basically no say in anything that went on. While it wasn’t outright abuse, her husband presented himself in a false light, and I felt so bad for her. Lydia never wants to be at the mercy of another again, but she wouldn’t mind taking a lover as she does get lonely.

Of course, things aren’t as simple as that, but it was a sweet, enjoyable journey, nonetheless. Harry and Lydia were both very likeable with realistic, relatable feelings. I love all the emotion Ms. Balogh pours into her characters, and I was rooting for them as a couple!

It’s not necessary to read the previous books since there’s enough of an explanation of past events to catch you up, but you would miss some of the enjoyment “seeing” previous couples well into their HEA.

Someone to Cherish seems like it may be the last of the Westcott series? Not sure, but I’ve loved all the romances from the beginning, and Harry’s was a long time coming! I hope there’s more planned, but if not the series ended in a beautiful, satisfying way!

It's interesting to compare Someone to Cherish to some of the old school Mary Balogh stories like Longing or The Secret Pearl. Harry has gone through some monumental events and changes over the past ten years (learning of his parents' bigamous marriage and the existence of Anna, losing his title to his cousin, joining the Army and being grievously wounded at Waterloo) but that was merely background drama in the previous seven books. Harry has come to accept his losses and move beyond them before this novel even begins.

So rather than the sturm und drang of Balogh's early novels, we get a much more gradual, gentle romance. Most of the conflict consists of Lydia deciding whether she can trust Harry, and whether a relationship with him would lead to the same loss of autonomy she suffered in her first marriage. I found Lydia more interesting than Harry in the end, because she has more to process and work through. Also kudos to Balogh, for taking one of my least favorite tropes and making it believable and sad.

I could have done without the arrival of the entire extended Westcott family in the second half of the book--as usual, they stole a lot of focus from Harry and Lydia's romance--but I can accept their presence, since this is (possibly) the series ender.

In short: a slow and sweet romance, featuring acquaintances to friends to lovers.

Review I've been reading Mary Balogh books since forever and I'm in awe of how consistently she manages to tell stories about relatable people falling in love. In her latest, we find Harry Westcott, the former golden boy of the ton until his father's bigamy was revealed and Harry lost his title, content with his simple life in the country. Until he meets a local vicar's widow and, like all Balogh heroes do, falls in love. Lydia Tavernor has had quite enough of being bossed around by the men in her life and is enjoying the freedom her widowhood has afforded her. But there's one thing she'd like to try: an affair. Of course romance readers know how that will turn out! But as always the journey to happy ever after is a delight.

The last of the younger generation of Westcotts to get his romance, and one I’ve anticipated since the very first book when his life went to pieces and he slowly put himself back together. A powerful series seems to be coming to a close and I’ve enjoyed the long romantic, and sometimes painful journey, with this endearing family.

Someone to Cherish is the eighth book in the Westcott series and reads best in order so all those family names and relationships and mentions of the past make more sense.

Harry Westcott started out the only son of an earl and anticipated a future of a title and wealth surrounded by family in the upper crust of English society. Then the unthinkable happens. He learns his father was already married and Harry’s mother was never married to the earl, meaning he and his two sisters aren’t even legitimate. What’s more, they have nothing- no family title, wealth, or home.

While it turned out that his newly discovered half-sister is ready to share and embrace family, Harry wanted far away from the debacle so he joined the army. War seasoned and matured him, but peace and coming home have left him somewhat adrift- lonely, in truth. But, he has no desire to have his earnest and well-meaning relations setting him up for marriage. Harry wants love, but he suspects, for him, it is not to be found in London society. And, he would be right.

Recently widowed former vicar’s wife, Lydia Tavernor, is done being controlled by the men in her life. None were cruel, but that doesn’t change her wish to retain control of her own life. Thus, moving back to her father’s house or even entering a second marriage are not options she will consider. But, that doesn’t mean she isn’t lonely for relations with a man. Lydia looks about her and the friendly, kind smiles of Major Westcott have her settling on this single gentleman for her choice.

This pair are both damaged in their own ways and this slow-burn, gently paced romance tells their tale of slipping into romance without wishing to and overcoming their reservations about matrimony even while well-meaning friends and family insist on ‘helping’.

Someone to Cherish is low angst and, I confess, missing a little sparkle and tension like previous series books. I liked the pair, but I guess I wanted more to challenge them. In the end, I was moderately pleased and hope for maybe Marcel’s twins to get their story before the series closes for good. It’s a heartwarming, thoughtful, mildly spicy and well-developed historical romance that I’d describe as ‘old school’ in a good way and part of a series I can highly recommend.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I have loved the Wescott series from its very beginning, and it was such a pleasure to now be a book reviewer and be able to share my great love for this family and all the books included in their saga. Though my reading tastes have grown and evolved over the years, I still Cherish (no pun intended) reading a sweeping, calm, lovely romance by Mary Balogh.

Getting to finally read about Harry Wescott getting his HEA was a joy and I was smiling the whole way though. I loved Lydia too, and she really needed the kindness, sweetness, and dash of a scoundrel that is Harry Wescott. He has been through so much since the beginning of the series, where he has his whole life changed at 20 years old. He had to pivot and join the army and go through so much to get here.

Lydia has had her own struggles and heartbreaks and she is ready to live a little. When she finally makes her move towards Harry, it is scary and thrilling and a bit more than she can handle. The way the feelings grow between them is just lovely.

I cannot express how full my heart feels after reading the last page. Seeing this huge extended family all there and loving each other and accepting everyone into the fold makes my heart so happy. Truly a beautiful experience. This book is so special and I enjoyed it completely.

5/5 stars.

A warm bath of a book! Very little angst, but lots of lovely emotions. I really enjoyed this book and read it cover-to-cover in a day. If you're looking for some old-school Regency, then Mary Balogh is the person for you!

Someone to Cherish felt like a classic Balogh novel to me - characters sweetly falling into love in the English countryside, touched by just enough scandal to keep things interesting. As with any book in a long-running series, the larger Westcott family backdrop is exceedingly genial, as most of the supporting characters have already reached their happy-ever-afters. Nonetheless, Someone to Cherish makes for a good read, and something fans of the Westcott series are sure to enjoy.

While this book could be read as a standalone, I think it would be best enjoyed as a continuation of the series, as the Wescott family and their history are referred to  multiple times in the story. In fact, the book opens with a gathering of Westcotts (sans Harry, our hero) discussing Harry's single state. While their husbands look on indulgently, the women of the family dream up some matchmaking schemes, planning to drag Harry to a season in London or, failing that, bring some eligible misses to him in Hampshire.

Luckily, Harry stumbles into a romance himself before his family can foist one upon him. The former soldier doesn't have much interest in town or the ton, and is happy with his quiet life at Hinsford Manor. After discovering he was a product of his father's bigamous marriage and therefore illegitimate (as detailed in the first book, Someone to Love), Harry needed time to ‘find himself’, if you'll forgive the modern cliché. Over the ten years spent fighting Napoleon, recuperating from wounds, and basking in the bucolic splendor of the English countryside, Harry has managed to grow content with his lot in life. By the time the book opens he no longer feels resentment toward his cousin for inheriting the earldom that was to be his, and truly the only real lack in his life is a companion - or rather, someone to cherish.

Enter Lydia Tavernor, widow of the late Reverend Tavernor, a charismatic man who was beloved by all and who died saving a local child from drowning. Lydia reveals herself to both Harry and the reader relatively slowly, as she reconstructs her own self image. Over a year since her husband died, Lydia is living alone in a cottage near Harry's estate. She spends her time quietly enjoying her independence, baking, and attending local gatherings as the genteel widow (read: wallflower) everyone expects her to be.

Imagine the surprise of the townsfolk, then, if they were to discover that quiet Lydia Tavernor is sitting in her corner at these parties and wishing for a lover. But it's true - Lydia has been missing physical affection for a long time, and she's lighted upon Harry as a potential partner. When he walks her home from a dinner party one evening, Lydia impulsively asks if he's ever lonely. Reading at once the subtext of her question, Harry takes some time to consider it. Over the following weeks the two begin to circle each other, growing into friends, then lovers, then returning to simple friendship as they determine that any more of a relationship would prove scandalous to their simple town.

Ironically, it is only after they have ended their relationship that Harry and Lydia spark a scandal. A local gossip makes it her business to spread the word that Reverend Tavernor's widow is acting immorally - and this on the same day that Harry's family arrives with eligible debutantes in tow, hoping he will choose a bride from among them. Poor Harry and Lydia don't know what to do with themselves, overtaken by family expectations and scandal all at once.

Luckily, it doesn't take the pair overly long to realize that they love and trust each other, and would want to marry even independently of the scandal. Of course, happy endings seem inevitable with the Westcott family around - which is perhaps my one real complaint about the book. Much as I love the family and the series, having the supporting characters and their many children on site for the latter half of the story was unnerving. My extended family can't get together for a weekend, let alone any longer, without a few squabbles to keep things interesting. Harmony comes easily - maybe a little too easily - to the Westcotts.

However, if you are perhaps looking for a book to take with you on a family vacation (where there will already be enough squabbles), Someone to Cherish might be the answer. Harry and Lydia are well drawn, and their backstories are interesting. They have good chemistry and it is a pleasure to watch them encouraging the best in each other. As Lydia moves beyond the image of ‘saintly widow’, readers begin to see who she truly is, and how she suits Harry as a partner. It really is a sweet romance, and a fitting addition to the Westcott series.

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Mary Balogh is one of the greats; she consistently writes some of the best historical romances that tackle difficult issues and have imperfect protagonists. I have been reading the Wescott series as it has been released, and I am so excited to have had the opportunity to take an early look at Someone to Cherish.

I feel like I have been waiting for Harry's book right from the start of the series. But the wait was necessary; he needed to follow all the other stories. If you haven't read the series, no worries. This book starts with a great recap that tells you all you need to know. When his father died, Harry became the Earl of Riverdale. However, he quickly lost his title because his father had not legally married his mother. This book starts ten years later.

In the fifteen months since her husband died, Lydia has found contentment and knows what she wants: a lover but not a husband who would take away her freedom. I loved her character and her newfound quest for independence.

This story was so beautiful, and it was delightful to see the machinations of all the Wescott women. I love that it includes a family tree to help keep track of all the connections.

TW: abusive relationship

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a novel that had a lot of friends to lovers feel to it, even if they weren't friends at first. Nosy neighbors in this book were both adorable, trying to arrange things so they have more time, and frustrating, gossiping with the intent to ostracize the main character. I loved how this book seemed a bit quieter. Not so chaotic. And I loved when his family showed up.

This particular series has a LOT of characters in it, and a lot of backstory. Balogh does a good job doing a quick review so you don't need to read the other books in the series to understand what is happening in this one. But, I do think you'll enjoy it more if you've read all of the books.

Mary Balogh is one of my go-to authors for historical romance when it comes to wanting to deliver into the human condition. While I always talk on IG how I ain't into romance that isn't spicy, I lie, because Mary Balogh's books are tame when it comes to spice but make up for it in terms of content and depth. I just find myself deeply moved with each book she comes out with and Someone to Cherish is another favorite on my list. 

I read the first two books in this series, Someone to Love and Someone to Hold, so I am pretty familiar with Harry's back story, as well as a general understanding of the many Wescott family members we hear from in this book. So technically you could read this as a standalone, but what made it so powerful was having Harry's backstory from the first novel to really shine light on his character and how it was a long time coming for him to get his HEA. 

"Are you ever lonely?"

Such a simple question uttered by widowed Lydia Tavernor leads to a complicated by budding friendship, kinship, and romance with our handsome Harry Wescott. I loved Lydia and how vulnerable but strong of a heroine she was. And I loved the progression as both her and Harry try to come to terms with what their ever evolving relationship becomes. And again, while I say that this isn't steamy, it certainly made my heart race a time or two, as the tension between Harry and Lydia was delicious. 

I have to rate this 4.5 stars as it was pure comfort romance. Nothing too crazy or outlandish, but very thought provoking on what it means to be lonely, and independent, and trusting of another. If you're looking for straight romance that builds and builds, Mary Balogh is the author for you.

Harry Westcott’s life took a dramatic turn after the events of the “Great Disaster” when it was discovered that his recently deceased father, the Earl of Riverdale, had in fact committed bigamy when he married Harry’s mother thus rendering him illegitimate and stripped him of all titles and fortune he once had. Harry then made the decision to enlist in the Army, which nearly cost him his life. Gravely injured at Waterloo, he spent two years being treated in Paris before his cousin and his former guardian brought him home to England. He has spent the last four years healing at his childhood home of Hinsford and now, ten years later, he feels if not happy, at least content. Or he did until he spent the holidays with his mother and sisters, who worry about him. His mother insists that he needs someone to cherish, a claim he doesn’t believe is true. But when he returns to Hinsford and tries to pick up the life he believed he was content with, he meets Lydia Travernor, the widow of the town’s vicar.

15 months after the tragic death of her husband, the much-beloved Reverend Isaiah Tavernor, Lydia is ready to put away her mourning and even considers taking a lover. After Isaiah’s death, Lydia made the surprising choice to stay in town rather than return to her father’s house – much to her father and brother’s disapproval. She purchased a cottage and for the last year has lived completely alone, but not that her mourning is over, and she has eased back into society, she admits she is lonely. After being married for six years, she has no desire to give up her freedom, but that doesn’t mean she wants to spend the rest of her life alone. So when Harry offers to escort her home after dinner at a mutual friend’s house, Lydia does the unthinkable and asks Harry if he is lonely, implying they could become lovers.

Almost immediately, she regrets asking and tries to back away from the implication, but Harry is intrigued and convinces her to at least get to know him, so they can decide later what kind of relationship they might have. After spending some time together, Lydia tells him she can’t be his lover, and even being friends might be too much – Harry tries to respect her decision, but neither can seem to walk away. Add into the mix the fact that someone is spying on Lydia AND Harry’s family is planning a 30th birthday ambush and things in this quiet town start heating up!

This was a very sweet, well-written book with extremely likable characters. I have been looking forward to Harry’s story since the very first book and much like his family, I have worried about him. He is a good man, who has had so many bad things happen in his life, that it would be easy to become bitter, but Harry always seemed to be fine and has had the support and love of his family, but even with that support, Harry is not as happy as he would have everyone think, and when Lydia asks if he is lonely, he realizes that he is and sees a kindred spirit in her. This book is filled with emotion, secrets, well-meaning family members, a very cute dog, mild love scenes, peeping toms, and very slow-burning romance that leads to a very satisfying HEA and as a bonus, the reader gets to catch up with the Westcotts as well as their extended family! This is the eighth book in the series and while I recommend reading the books in order for the best reader experience, this book could easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

Lydia Tavernor's late husband was not only a charismatic pastor, he was a hero dying to save one of the young boys in their village. Now that he is gone, this man who she loved so deeply that their wedding is one of her happiest memories, she is discovering that she rather likes living on her own. Somewhat scandalously, she bought her own house at the edge of the village not even employing a servant. She grew up with a family of men who were overbearing in their love.

Harry Westcott understands the need to be alone. His family may have lost their titles but the people in the village still respect him as though he were still an earl. When he was younger, he was sunny and open but, after losing his title and serving in the king's army, he became much more serious. Now he just wants to live a quiet life, occasionally visiting his large and rowdy family. But when Lydia makes a tentative overture toward a purely physical relationship, Harry does not want to turn it down.
Regular Balogh readers will probably enjoy much of the story. I felt some of the conflict didn't quite make sense in this story but otherwise a lovely book.

Three and a half stars
Follows Someone to Romance
This book comes out June 29th, 2021
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

Mary Balogh is one of my favorite historical Romance writers. I’ve been following her A Westcott Novel series since the beginning, seven books ago. The underlying premise is that upon the death of the earl of Riverdale, it was discovered that his marriage had been bigamous. His three children--two daughters and his son (the heir)-- were immediately disinherited and ostracized by the ton. His fortune went to his firstborn, a daughter, who had been raised in an orphanage and then became a teacher there. His entailed properties went to a cousin.

The Westcott family is large and extended. The novels follow the various courtships and marriages of the daughters, the unfortunate wife who was not legally a wife, cousins, aunts, and now, with Someone to Cherish, the disinherited son.

Harry Westcott was twenty years old at the time of his father’s death. He had a couple of weeks to enjoy his new status of earl and head of the family before his world came crashing down. Lost and helpless, he joined the army and fought against Napoleon. He was badly wounded and took years to recover. Now, he lives at an old family estate in the country, Hinsford Manor. His step-sister (the legitimate heiress) owns the property but has essentially given it to him, if he would only take it.

Harry is content with his life, but his family (the whole huge lot of them) worry about him. He’s about to turn thirty and he’s alone. The women decide to throw him a surprise party and do some matchmaking.

The town of Hinsford is small and everyone knows everyone. Harry is treated with all the courtesy and respect that would have been his if he were still an earl. (Although they call him Major instead of milord.) One of the townspeople--Harry’s neighbor, in fact-- is the young widow of the previous vicar. The vicar was a well-regarded zealot who died saving a local youth from drowning. His wife, his helpmeet, is the largely invisible Mrs. Lydia Tavernor. Lydia lived in her husband’s shadow, echoing his good works. She has completed her year of mourning and is beginning to emerge into society. But though she has discovered a few close female friends, she still does her best to remain inconspicuous. It’s difficult being the pious widow of a martyred vicar.

Lydia is determined never to marry again. She’s had enough of overbearing males in her life. But she’s lonely. She wonders what it would be like to take a lover. Specifically, she wonders what it would be like to have an affair with Harry Westcott.

This is not something she would ever act upon. Except, after a quiet evening of cards and music at the home of mutual friends, Harry is prevailed upon to walk her home. They have never had a real conversation before, despite being neighbors, but both enjoy the short walk. As they arrive at her home, a small cottage that she keeps by herself, she asks Harry if he’s ever lonely. Although she doesn’t finish the thought, it’s clear to him what he’s asking and what she’s offering. Nothing happens that night, but he returns the next day to further the friendship, because he is lonely too. Things take their course. Scandal ensues, the culmination coinciding with the arrival of the extended Westcott brood for Harry’s surprise party.

The novel is lovely. The plot unfolds a bit slowly since there is a lot of backstory to cover, largely to catch the reader up on Harry’s family. It’s nice to be reminded of the lot of them, though it would probably be overwhelming (and maybe unnecessary) for readers jumping in here or having jumped in somewhere in the middle. I’d recommend reading the series in order, although it will require a significant investment of time by now.

Harry and Lydia make a fine couple. Harry has a painful past to overcome, but he has made great strides already and finding his own true love is the final step for him. Lydia also has had a difficult past. Her marriage was not what people imagine and it’s a leap of faith to imagine another marriage would be different.

Mary Balogh has a gift for creating sympathetic characters, protagonists to root for, and a large, warm supporting cast. I’ll continue reading about Westcotts as long as she keeps writing about them.

This was an enjoyable book. Very Mary Balogh. I did find it a bit repetitive at times for example the narrator tells the story of Harry's family only for Harry to repeat it almost word for word in a conversation. The ending also felt a bit rushed.

Someone to Cherish by Mary Balogh is the 8th book in her wonderful Westcott series. I have read every single book in this series, and each time I have loved it. I loved Someone to Cherish, as Balogh once again give us a fantastic wonderful romance. Just when you think she can’t do better than the previous books (and they are all great), I become enthralled once again, unable to put the book down. Make no mistake, I absolutely love this series, love the Westcotts and Balogh’s fantastic writing

Someone to Cherish revolves around Harry Westcott, our hero, as we have waited a long long time for his story. Harry resides in the mansion he lived when his family was still there, though he still refuses to allow his half-sister, Anna (she inherited the entire fortune – read the first book) to give him the ownership of the mansion. Harry has been through a lot in his young life (going on 30), losing his earlship when his father died & the terrible bigamy situation that the entire family lost their home, titles and money. He also suffered serious injuries during the war, but now he is content staying at a family estate. Though he is still somewhat of a loner, he has friends in town, and does make appearances, as everyone likes him.

Lydia Tavernor, our heroine, is widowed (she was married to Reverend Tavernor), and is content living in a quaint cottage, with her small dog, Snowball; with no servants, doing everything herself. Lydia is very independent, determined to never marry, and enjoy her peaceful life. She has friends and is also well liked in town. During a town event, Harry will offer to walk Lydia home, and to his surprise, he never really knew anything about her, only that her late husband seemed to overshadow her. As he walks her to her door, getting a kick out of Snowball growling, he says goodnight, and Lydia to her own surprise impulsively asks him ‘are you ever lonely’. When he gets home, Harry starts thinking if Lydia was propositioning him, and at the next event, he walks her home again. He makes an effort to kiss her gently, and she does respond, but Lydia tries to back off saying she was wrong, but they could be friends. He totally understands her predicament, but after a bit staying away, he finds himself thinking about her. They will both succumb to their feelings, with a one-night stand, which both found satisfying. But again, Lydia pulls away, as she wants no commitments, and later Harry will realize that her relationship with the Reverend was not as expected.

What follows is a wonderful slow build romance between Harry and Lydia, with the entire Westcott family forcing themselves on Harry to celebrate his birthday, as well as try to find him a wife. To his and their dismay, a scandal is brewing, because a young boy and his mother put Lydia in a bad situation, having been kissed by Harry. Of course, the fabulous Westcott family works wonders with the town to alleviate the scandalous situation. It is always wonderful to see the Westcott family again, and how they all stick together. Over the years, we have gotten used to the Westcott clan to protect their own, as well push themselves into each other’s’ lives.

Someone to Cherish was a wonderful story, bringing together an unlikely emotionally damaged couple to find love and happiness, with both knowing that they each needed to find someone to cherish. Again, 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 Cherish was another fabulous fun heartwarming story, possibly the best one yet.

The incomparable Mary Balogh does not need a review from me, as I'll read anything she writes, but that's the point, right? I always know I'll get the best story, wonderful character development, and an HEA I can believe in. And, friendship, camaraderie, loyalty, and so many other aspects of her characters that I depend on. "Someone to Cherish" is no exception!