Series: Westcott #3 Rating: 5* Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Publish: November 7th 2017 by Berkley ISBN13: 9780399586064
Wren! What a refreshing and delightful protagonist she turned out to be! Wren had literally been a recluse for letting a purple birthmark on the left side of her face dictate her future. But a year after her beloved adoptive parents passed, Wren decided she wanted more out of her life and being fabulously wealthy and independent decide she would ‘buy’ herself a husband. Doing her homework, to find a man who would wed her and let her continue on as before she made a list of four prospective men she would interview.
When Alexander Westcott became the new Earl of Riverdale, he inherits a title he never wanted and a failing country estate he can’t afford. However, he dutifully intends to do everything in his power to undo years of neglect and give the people who depend on him a better life knowing it would take years to bring the estate back to life.
Being a business woman who ran a highly successful glassworks factory, Wren initially began in a very brusque manner stating the obvious to Alexander of his lack of coin in his circumstances of inheriting a pile of stones and estate he couldn’t possibly afford. Then went on to explain that he might consider wedding her whereby, she could “with her ample supply of cash” help him refurbish the estate. Alas, Alex was astounded at her bad taste in bringing up such a personal matter which was in bad taste to ever discuss upon just meeting someone.
*** The first thing I must say is when I start a novel by Mary Balogh, I get that “Ahhhhhh….” feeling just knowing that when I get to the last page, I will experience that very same feeling of contentment and relaxation. In SOMEONE TO WED I had already read the first two books in this series so was more than ready in anticipating this third book, though I hadn’t come across anyone like Wren before.
Obviously, both protagonists had a lot to work out between them before any romance could ever be developed. Both had issues – Wren with letting her birthmark define her life; and Alex with his abject horror to discover that he just might be the type of person who would marry for money? Alex finally agreed to a proper courtship, hoping for at least friendship and respect to develop between them. Naturally, neither was prepared for the desire that overwhelmed them both when Wren finally lifted the veils that hid the secrets of her past.
Marilyn Rondeau