Stevie‘s review of Someone to Remember (Westcott Novels, Book 7) by Mary Balogh
Historical Romance published by Berkley 05 Nov 19
I have been utterly enchanted by this series so far, and was particularly excited toward the end of the last book to see that the next was likely to feature a significantly older hero and heroine (older than me, even). Lady Matilda Westcott is the sister of the late Earl of Riverdale, who has been the cause of much of the family’s trials and tribulations throughout the series, due to his bigamous second marriage. Most of our glimpses of Matilda to date have been as companion to their mother, the Dowager Countess, although we saw a different side to her in the last book when she visited an old friend to request his help in securing the well-being of a new addition into the family. Now that old friend is about to make another appearance in her life.
Charles, Viscount Dirkson, courted Matilda when they were in their early twenties and he had yet to inherit his title. He already had a reputation for wild living, and when he visited Matilda’s father to request permission to further the relationship, he was sent away in no uncertain terms. In the years that followed, he gained a far worse reputation as a rake, even after his subsequent marriage. Having met Matilda all over again, however, Charles finds himself fascinated by her and wonders what will happen if they resume their relationship.
Matilda is wary of Charles, in spite of never having met anyone else she wished to marry, and is also of the opinion that she is indispensable to her mother. When a trip to Kew Gardens is proposed for a group of their respective young relatives, Matilda agrees to go with Charles as a co-chaperone. The party has a splendid time, and Matilda and Charles are able to rekindle their feelings for each other. Both are, however, uncertain as to what their families would make of such a late marriage between them – if that is indeed what they both want – and how Matilda’s mother would cope without them. The Dowager Countess, meanwhile, has some quite firm ideas of her own as to what needs to be done.
I really enjoyed this story, even though I would have liked it to be a full-length novel rather than a novella. It’s always lovely to see couples finding happiness at any and every age, and this series has certainly excelled in that regard. This was certainly my favourite out of those I’ve read so far, and very much hope that it won’t be the last we see of the Westcotts.
Grade: A
Summary:
Matilda Westcott has spent her life tending to the needs of her mother, the Dowager Countess of Riverdale, never questioning the web of solitude she has spun herself. To Matilda, who considers herself an aging spinster daughter, marriage is laughable—love is a game for the young, after all. But her quiet, ordered life unravels when a dashing gentleman from her past reappears, threatening to charm his way into her heart yet again.
Charles Sawyer, Viscount Dirkson, does not expect to face Matilda Westcott thirty-six years after their failed romance. Moreover, he does not expect decades-old feelings to emerge at the very sight of her. When encountering Matilda at a dinner hosted by the Earl of Riverdale, he finds himself as fascinated by her as he was the first day they met, and wonders whether, after all these years, they have a chance at happiness together. Charles is determined to crack the hard exterior Matilda has built up for more than three decades, or he will risk losing her once again….
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
