Someone to Trust
Elizabeth's Story
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4.2 • 308 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
During a rare white Christmas at Brambledean Court, the widow Elizabeth, Lady Overfield, defies convention by falling in love with a younger man in this historical romance novel in the Westcott series.
After her husband's passing, Elizabeth Overfield decides that she must enter into another suitable marriage. That, however, is the last thing on her mind when she meets Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, at the Westcott Christmas house party. She simply enjoys his company as they listen to carolers on Christmas Eve, walk home from church together on Christmas morning, and engage in a spirited snowball fight in the afternoon. Both are surprised when their sled topples them into a snowbank and they end up sharing an unexpected kiss. They know there is no question of any relationship between them, for she is nine years older than he.
They return to London the following Season, both committed to finding other, more suitable matches. Still they agree to share one waltz at each ball they attend. This innocuous agreement proves to be one that will topple their worlds, as each dance steadily ensnares them in a romance that forces the two to question what they are willing to sacrifice for love. . . .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Balogh's emotionally rich fifth Westcott Regency (after Someone to Care) is the best installment yet. Colin Handrich, Baron Hodges, joins the Westcott family for Christmas, where he renews his friendship with Elizabeth, the widowed Lady Overfield. Caught up in the magic that only an unexpected Christmas snowfall can create, both begin to realize that their affection for each other has deepened into attraction and even love. But Elizabeth is 35 years old and Colin is a mere 26. Acknowledging the societal double standard that sees women marry much older men but scorns the reverse, Elizabeth nonetheless refuses Colin's proposal, and they seek other partners. But their agreement to dance one waltz at any ball they attend allows their feelings to grow and eventually precipitates a challenging choice. Amid the battle between love and social convention, Balogh addresses family tensions and trauma: Colin's bizarre, semi-estranged mother provides both comic relief and a hint of darkness, while Elizabeth must deal with painful memories of her alcoholic, abusive late husband. The balance between sweet and bitter produces a complex and winning love story.
Customer Reviews
Mary Balogh’s Someone To Trust
Family Christmas festivities are taking place at
Brambledean Court after the wedding of Viola
and Marcel. The author mixes the past and present
effortlessly so any reader new the series will be
able to catch up with all the characters and happenings.
Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges is a twenty-six year old,
very eligible bachelor. He is attending since his sister,
Wren is holding the festivities.
Elizabeth Overfield, Alexander’s Sister and Wren’s
sister-in-Law is a widowed woman who is thirty-five
years old.
Colin and Elizabeth develop an undeniable chemistry
between them. But the ton frowns upon a relationship
between an older woman and younger man.
This is a very lovely story of what it means to truly love
plus the sacrifices we make for those we love. It shows
how a true love can transcend the gossip of lathers.
Written beautifully and packed with a lot of emotion.
I volunteered to read Someone to Trust. Thanks to
Penguin’s First-to-Read Program for the opportunity.
My opinion is my own.
Disappointing
All the other books in this series were great. This one was boring! The two main characters hardly ever interacted with each other and had no chemistry. The theme of the book was “age doesn’t matter” but then Colin complains about how he couldn’t relate to his brother because he was 10 years older! Read the other books in this series but skip this one.
Good
Believe in yourself and trust your gut feelings is the theme and it ran true throughout the book. Love does not know age and there’s a difference between beautiful and true beauty. I liked the story line and all the characters but this book moved a bit slow for me.
Colin Handrich, Baron Hodges knows it is time to fully embrace his title and find a bride. Spending Christmas with his sister and her huge extended family has opened his eyes to what he wants a true and loving family of his own. His feelings for the widow Lady Elizabeth Overfield start to come to the surface and he’s drawn to her like no other. Elizabeth is nine years his senior she know well what life can bring and bad decisions lead to heartbreak. She has feelings for Colin but she wants the best for him, he deserves someone young and beautiful. He begrudgingly agrees even when he still returns to Elizabeth as being the one.
When bad decisions and underhanded family take hold Colin and Elizabeth must learn that trust and true feelings is what will being happiness or all will be lost.