The Westcott Series by Mary Balogh / Historical Romance Book Series

Someone to Love by Mary Balogh (2016)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Westcott series. The entire Westcott family is turned upside down when the Earl of Riverdale passes away. Leaving no will behind, his widow seeks to make a settlement on a young woman that the earl had been financially supporting so that the woman would never interfere with their lives in the future. The solicitor uncovers critical information that requires the gathering of a huge family tree of people as well as the orphaned schoolteacher Anna who has traveled to London from Bath to hear the news. All are gathered at the Avery, Duke of Netherby’s house, where his stepmother was sister to the recently deceased earl. It turns out that the earl (who was a viscount at the time) legally married Anna’s mother, and before Anna’s mother passed away, bigamously married the supposed countess, making that second marriage invalid and the children from that union (one son and two daughter) illegitimate. Knowing this, the earldom does not go to his son, but passes to a second cousin who had never any intention of becoming earl. This book is critical for introducing all the people in the Westcott family, how they are related, and what we might expect in terms of future books in the series. Since Anna’s discovery that she is the legitimate daughter of an earl and therefore a proper lady, her relatives have banded together to polish her up for her debut into society. Avery, who is tied to the family, but not actually related to the Westcotts is always present in these interactions and finds himself drawn to Anna despite her apparent plainness. The romance is soft and slow-burn and oh so delightful as you learn more about this world. Excellent start to this series.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

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Someone to Hold by Mary Balogh (2017)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Westcott series. Camille Westcott has been the perfect proper snooty earl’s daughter and probably suffered the biggest shock when she found out that her parents were not legally married and that she is now illegitimate. In the previous book, she’d suffered a broken betrothal, fled London, and very loudly expressed her distaste for her new half sister Anna. In an effort to learn more about herself and to put herself in her half sister’s shoes, she starts teaching at the orphanage where Anna grew up. Joel is a portrait painter who grew up with Anna, was her best friend, and had proposed marriage to her many years ago. He dislikes Camille on sight because of her pettiness towards Anna and her severe and haughty appearance. However, as the two spend more time together at the orphanage and as he is commissioned by her grandmother to paint her portrait, they start to understand each other and confide in each other. It’s a total opposites attract situation with Camille being the one who needs to adapt to her new station in life and open her heart to the possibility of love and affection.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh (2017)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of the Westcott series. The ever dutiful and honorable Alexander Westcott is not happy with becoming the earl. Just when he has recently made his own estate profitable and considered finally looking for a wife, he inherits a run-down estate with the earldom and none of the money. He now has to change course and seek a wealthy wife to support his new estate. Wren is out of mourning for her aunt and uncle who raised her, has been a recluse all her life, and is now looking for a husband. She thinks that the birthmark on her face will prevent any eligible gentleman from marrying her, so she approaches her offer as a business proposal, offering Alex the money to fix his estate in exchange for marriage. Alex is much too noble to just take the money and he tries to get to know Wren and determine if they’ll suit. Her demeanor is guarded and severe and Alex does not think it’ll work; she’s also a recluse and has difficulty meeting people in social settings. It seems to be a total mismatch from the get-go. However, Alex cannot seem to stop thinking about her and she somehow feels challenged by him (and his family) to confront her fears and slowly venture into society. It’s a delightful slow burn and amazing to see how the Westcotts welcome Wren into their fold and rally around her. Another great story in this series.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Someone to Care by Mary Balogh (2018)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 4 of the Westcotts series. This one is not easy to describe by mere trope and that is the beauty of Mary Balogh’s creativity. Viola and her family found out after her husband’s death that their marriage was not legitimate, causing all sorts of calamity as the earl’s title passes to a cousin instead of her son, and her daughters cast out of society. Viola herself chooses to distance herself from her family and her in-laws since she is no longer (and has never been) a Westcott. Over the past three books, we’ve seen the Westcott family rally together and provide love and support for all its members, including Viola. But sometimes all this love and support can be smothering, and Viola decides to retreat on her own back home, taking a hired carriage with no servants or companions. When her carriage needs repair, she stays at a local inn, where she re-meets Marcel, a recently inherited marquess – though he doesn’t tell her that. Marcel has been a renowned rake and Viola had rejected his advances 14 years prior when her supposed husband was still alive. Marcel has not forgotten Viola and purposely strands himself at the inn to spend more time with her. He’s got his own tragic backstory with a wife who died many years ago and his nearly 18 year old children who he’s left in the care of their aunt and uncle, plus that whole rake and libertine reputation. These two end up spending their day (and night) together and escape from their reality for a bit. Things get more complicated once both of their families get involved, making for all sorts of angst and emotional revelations.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh (2018)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 5 of the Westcott series. This book starts at the same Christmas family gathering that ends the previous book. By this point, it makes the most sense to have read this series in order to keep all of the Westcott family members straight, even though a family tree is printed in the beginning of each book. Colin is the younger brother of Wren (from Book 3) and joining in on the Westcott holiday celebrations; while he is enjoying the celebrations, he’s a bit wistful that his own family does not have this sort of affection for each other and considers searching for a bride next Season and taking responsibility for his estate, where his mother currently resides with her entourage. While he is considering the young eligible ladies in attendance as potential brides, he’s mostly enamoured of Elizabeth, who is the older sister of Alex (Wren’s husband) and nine years older than Colin. Elizabeth is widowed to a man who turned violent with drink and has not been interested in remarriage; however, seeing all the happy couples around her has made her lonely and she may actually consider marriage this upcoming Season. Colin and Elizabeth form a bit of a connection, with good conversation, light flirting, and even a kiss, but Elizabeth feels too old for Colin and Colin feels too immature for Elizabeth. They do eventually agree to a dance together at every ball they both attend during the Season. When we get to London a few months later, they fulfill the promise of the dance, but are actively courting other people, while Colin contends with his mother’s machinations. It’s interesting to see how these two people end up having honest conversations about their traumatic pasts and somehow end up together to everyone’s surprise. And as always, I love the ever-supportive Westcott family.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh (2019)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 6 of the Westcotts series. There are so many meddling family members in this series, it will make the most sense if you read it in order. We’re up to book 6 here and it’s about 6 years after the instigating events of the series where an earl was married bigamously, invalidating the marriage and rendering three of his children to be illegitimate. The son of that union, Harry, is traveling back home from war after sustaining many injuries. He’s being escorted by his friend and commanding officer, Gil, who was raised by his unwed washerwoman mother who was cast out of her family, though was purchased a commission from his father many years later. Gil is glad to be back in England, but is facing a custody battle over his young daughter, who was sent to live with her maternal grandparents before Gil’s wife died at a house party. He’s got a whole lot of struggle ahead of him and is slightly apprehensive of meeting and interacting with Harry’s well-meaning but smothering family. When Harry’s younger sister Abigail arrives to see Harry, she and Gil have terrible first impressions of each other, but slowly start to develop a polite acquaintance over time, eventually leading to their marriage for practical reasons. It’s the slowest of slow burns in this book, but somehow totally believable. And we get to see the Westcotts rally (which is one of the best features of this series), this time, in support of Gil and his court case for his daughter’s custody.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Someone to Remember by Mary Balogh (2019)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 6.5 of the Westcotts series. If you’re usually an audiobook reader, I recommend picking up the ebook or print copy of this to read the author’s note on why she wrote Matilda’s story. Not part of the initial plan for the Westcotts series, Matilda’s personality and love story came about as Balogh was writing about the younger members of the family. Lady Matilda Westcott is the oldest sister of all the meddlesome aunts, spinster, and caretaker of the dowager countess. We learn in the previous book that she had a prior acquaintance with Charles, Viscount Dirkson, a friend of her younger brother, and the natural father of Gil (the main character of Book 6). We find out in this book that Matilda and Charles had a brief romance thirty-six years ago, but Charles’ offer for Matilda was rejected by her father. In response to the rejection, Charles drowned his sorrows in women, adding to his scandalous reputation. Meanwhile, Matilda never married and stayed with her mother this whole time. In this novella, we see Matilda and Charles interact with each other again after all these years, now fully grown and matured. It was so interesting to read about their history and see Matilda’s personality shine in this book. The support that she has from all of her nieces and nephews is absolutely delightful. This second chance romance was just so much fun to read and I loved seeing Matilda finally getting her own happily ever after.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Someone to Romance by Mary Balogh (2020)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 7 of the Westcotts series. Jessica, the sister of a duke, has finally decided that she will marry this year (in her sixth or seventh season). While she typically has a court of interested suitors, she’s looking forward to meeting newcomers to the ton. Gabriel has spent the past thirteen years in America after fleeing England due to some scandal and is back now to claim his rightful title and care for those living on the estate. Upon meeting Jessica, he arrogantly decides that he will marry her, since the sister of a duke will fulfill all of the practical criteria he has for a wife. However, Jessica is angry and insulted by his presumption, challenging him to do better if he wants to win her hand. This book was yet another really interesting story in the series with the unraveling of Gabriel’s mysteries and the support that Jessica provides through his ordeal. And while the women of Jessica’s family do not quite understand the pairing, the men are as quick as Jessica is to guess at Gabriel’s true identity.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Someone to Cherish by Mary Balogh (2021)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 8 of the Westcotts series. Ten years after Harry had lost the position of earl due to the discovery of his parents’ illegitimate marriage, he is now somewhat of a recluse at his childhood home after surviving his war injuries. The meddlesome Westcott family is concerned for Harry and want to see him happily settled, tying up the loose ends of the disastrous revelations all those years ago. Nearby, the vicar’s widow Lydia who lives alone in the village is content with her independence, but also desires companionship. When Lydia and Harry are thrown together for a walk one evening, they start a conversation and somewhat form a friendship, with the hesitant possibility of an affair. Lydia’s previous marriage was not as happy as it appeared and it was nice to see Lydia assert her own identity and preferences in this story. This book is another slow-burn to add to the series, with a quiet romance, and the boisterous Westcott family.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Someone Perfect by Mary Balogh (2021)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 9 of the Westcotts series. Last and final book of the series and pivots a bit away from the Westcott family itself though it takes places shortly after the events of Book 8. Here we focus on Estelle, honorary Westcott, and stepsister to Harry, Camille, and Abigail. We first meet Estelle in Book 4, when her father marries the former countess. In this book, she and her twin Bertrand have been living quietly for two years in the country and recently returned home from the events of Book 8. Estelle has an awkward first meeting with Justin, an earl who has come to retrieve his estranged younger sister and bring her home to his estate. These two have a slightly antagonistic beginning, but it’s clear that Justin wants to put his sister at ease, inviting Estelle and Bertrand to come to the estate for a few weeks to help their friend settle in. While we know a lot about Estelle’s backstory from former books, this one delves deeper into Justin’s history and the cause of his estrangement from his family and his sister. We get to learn the depth of Justin’s character along with Estelle and see her slowly falling in love with him. This one was another book in the series that I really enjoyed reading, even though I could almost predict the reason why Justin was banished by his father. From a series perspective, this book didn’t necessarily need to be included, since the last book featuring Harry would already be a strong ending to the series. It was still nice to see Estelle get her love story, especially as we’ve gotten to know her through many of the other books, and actively seen her during the London season. It’s curious that Bertrand did not also get a story in this series, but I have a feeling that we may see him at a later time in another series.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.