Someone to Cherish (The Westcotts #8) by Mary Balogh
Publication Date: June 29th 2021 by Berkley Books
Pages: 336 (?)
Source: Publisher
Rating: ★★★★
My
Thoughts:
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!
4 Stars
Book Description:
Is love worth the loss of one's freedom and independence? This is what Mrs. Tavernor must decide in the new novel in the Westcott series from New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh.
When Harry Westcott lost the title Earl of Riverdale after the discovery of his father's bigamy, he shipped off to fight in the Napoleonic Wars, where he was near-fatally wounded. After a harrowing recovery, the once cheery, light-hearted boy has become a reclusive, somber man. Though Harry insists he enjoys the solitude, he does wonder sometimes if he is lonely.
Lydia Tavernor, recently widowed, dreams of taking a lover. Her marriage to Reverend Isaiah Tavernor was one of service and obedience, and she has secretly enjoyed her freedom since his death. She doesn't want to shackle herself to another man in marriage, but sometimes, she wonders if she is lonely.
Both are unwilling to face the truth until they find themselves alone together one night, and Lydia surprises even herself with a simple question: "Are you ever lonely?" Harry's answer leads them down a path neither could ever have imagined...
