This didn't offend me or anything, I just didn't care much for it. It's small town life, hardly anything happens. The characters are attracted to each other, and I think they know enough about the other to be interested, but they're in love by the end and I'm not sure when that happened or what it's really based on. The whole premise is how they can't just be alone together for the sake of propriety, and of course they work out some exceptions, but all told it's still not a lot of interaction, and it seemed largely based on simple sexual attraction when it was. That said, this is Balogh and not one of her steamier ones at that, so don't expect much steam. Truly. lol. So it just ended up being kind of 'meh' for me. Also a lot of the book is spent checking in with all the previous couples and summarizing how they all got together in their books, and how many children they have now. It seemed both like it was trying to give fan service to the diehard Westcott lovers, and also fill in for the people who might just have picked this book up randomly. Kind of like how you might remenice in the last book of a 20 book series, looking back on everything that had happened. But this is only the 8th book, and not the last one either. So it felt shoehorned in awkwardly for a story that already didn't have very much going on with the primary couple. I liked the main characters okay, when I had much of an opinion on them at all. This whole series (besides book 5 perhaps) has been kind of humdrum and uninspired in my opinion. All told I've read 5 series by Balogh, the Bedwyns is my favorite, and this one is second to my least. I feel like the premise definitely had potential, but more often than not it has fizzled. ( )

Over Christmas with family, Harry sees his mother and sisters content and happy with their spouses and children leading to a bit of restlessness on his part. Lydia, the widow of the former vicar, wants to keep her independence after years of having men manage her life. However, she finds herself a bit lonely at times and daydreaming of her handsome neighbor, Harry Westcott. However, a relationship in a small town is nearly impossible without a scandal, especially for a widow living alone.

As the Westcott family plan a surprise birthday party for Harry, he and Lydia develop a rapport that leads to scandal. Enter the Westcotts with plans to salvage reputations and maybe even do a bit of matchmaking. But, can Lydia give up her hard won freedom for love?

I'm a big fan of the Westcotts, so I'm glad to hear Harry's story, at last. Hard to tell from this book whether this will be the last in the series, or if we will hear from some of the other adult characters who have married in to the larger Westcott clan. I admit there were moments when I was having a hard time keeping track of everyone, but it was also nice to see them all back in one place. One thing I found hard to believe -- Lydia living without even a housemaid to wash up in the kitchen, for one, as that would have been de rigeur for her class and income level at the time; also cooking/cleaning/laundry by oneself was hard graft without running water. Not that she couldn't do it, but that there was an awful lot of noodling about in the kitchen making ginger biscuits and playing with the dog in the garden... who cares, anyway, the romance was good, the Westcotts are great fun, the characters continue to delight.

advanced readers copy provided by edelweiss ( )

Someone to Cherish by Mary Balogh is a 2021 Berkley publication.

This eighth installment in the Wescott series is centered around Harry, the man who lost his title, his inheritance and social standing all in one felled swoop when it came to light, after his father’s death, that he and his sisters were born illegitimately. From there, he nearly lost his life in the Napoleonic Wars.

Now, nearing the age of thirty, he finds himself living a very secluded, but contented life.

Lately, though, he has become a bit restless,. Though he would flatly deny that his eminent birthday has him thinking about finding a woman to spend his life with.

Lydia Tavernor, recently widowed, has discovered a new lease on life. Once married to a reverend, she was expected to live a life of service. Now, she has found a refreshing feeling of independence, and has no plans to ever marry again.

Instead, she dreams of having a lover, and Harry Wescott has crossed her mind as a possible prospect…

Another lovely story from Mary Balogh!

Harry’s story comes late in the series, but it was definitely worth waiting for. Though I must say, that while Harry is one of the main characters the series is based around, it is Lydia’s story that takes center stage here.

Harry has endured much in the past, but at this point it seems he is more amenable to looking for a wife than he led on, so his role is more of a supportive one here, while Lydia struggles with social appearances, her forceful brothers, and her developing feelings for Harry.

Overall, the story moved just a tiny bit too slowly at times, but of course, as always, Mary Balogh brings together two wonderful, well- deserving characters who find ‘someone to cherish’, to trust, and to love…

I enjoyed the reminiscences in the final chapters and felt this was most likely the series’ swan song… but I am happy to see that there is at least one more installment to enjoy! Yay!

4 stars ( )

It took me a bit to get into this, but it was likely my own life stuff rather than the book itself. I loved the whole concept of trust here and how Lydia dealt with it. When the love really hit Harry and Lydia, it worked perfectly. Also was great to see all the other couples and the massively growing Westcott clan gathering. ( )