Someone to Cherish by Mary Balogh

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

Followed by Someone Perfect
This book comes out June 29th, 2021
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Someone to Romance by Mary Balogh

Lady Jessica Archer is 25-years-old and on the verge of being on the shelf, even if she is a duke's sister. But when her family sees her talking to Rochford, the heir presumptive to the Earl of Lyndale, they immediately fly into romance mode. Of course she should end up with an earl. Too bad she is more taken with the mysterious Gabriel Thorne. He seems to be a wealthy merchant from Boston and he set his eyes on her when she kicked him out of a private sitting room. Well, her brother's secretary did, but in her name. Gabriel needs a powerful wife to help him reclaim his birthright and he figures that Jessica will do. Too bad Jessica wants to be wooed for herself. But maybe that wooing will lead to something they can both love with... for the rest of their lives.
Regular Balogh fans will love this book. Gentle as always, with great character development. There are a LOT of characters from previous books in the series but Balogh actually makes them fit in pretty well. At least for regular readers. The denouement was a little rushed and expected but did not detract much from the overall joy of the book.

Four stars
Follows Someone to Remember

Followed by Someone to Cherish
This book comes out August 25th
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Someone to Remember by Mary Balogh

Balogh take a slight detour from her Westcott series with this novella focusing on a second chance romance between a maiden aunt and a viscount. Shockingly, both are in their fifties but they still find love. And I think the reason this book works for me is that they had love but both realized that it may not have worked out in the past but they're ready to try again now. Will it really work out for them? Perhaps not but seeing how to adults might court and fall in love was worth the read.

Four stars
Followed by Someone to Romance
This novella came out November 5th, 2019
Opinions are my own