Someone to Wed (Westcott, #3)

by Mary Balogh

The new Earl of Riverdale, Alexander Westcott, inherited a title and property without the money to support them, but he refuses to consider marrying an heiress merely for her bank account. When Wren Heyden, a wealthy young widow, shocks him with a marriage proposal, Alexander will only consider it if she consents to exploring their compatibility with a proper courtship. But Wren is a virtual recluse due to the purple birthmark covering half her face, and she resists opening herself up to potential ridicule from society. She only proposed in a desperate attempt to experience marriage and gain a family, not having considered the public duties expected of a countess. As Alexander gets to know Wren, he realizes that her physical veil is matched by the veil around her heart, hiding the pain of loneliness and shame. His efforts to convince her that love sees past appearance will appeal to series fans.

• ISBN10: 1432846345
• ISBN13: 9781432846343
• Publish Date: 6 December 2017 (first published 7 November 2017)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 20 December 2024
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Thorndike Press Large Print
• Edition: Large type / large print edition
• Format: Hardcover (Library Binding)
• Pages: 486
• Language: English

Reviews

[stacey_is_sassy]

More than just Someone to Wed

I am really enjoying the Westcott series and Someone to Wed was an excellent addition. We meet two very original characters in Alexander, Earl of Riverdale, and his someone to wed, Wren Heyden, a very rich woman looking for a husband.

Wren is a recluse who has spent nearly all of her life hiding behind her veil. When her beloved aunt and uncle passed away within days of each other, she decides that she wants her own family to love. Keeping close to home, she looks at the eligible men surrounding her property to find a prospective husband. Her first two options do not suit, but the third seems a little too good to be true. Wren knows that her money is the only thing that would attract a man as gorgeous as Alexander.

Alex has only just gained his title but unfortunately, there was no wealth attached to the estate. Being the upstanding and good man that he is, he's determined to bring his neglected property back to rights and give jobs to the people on his lands. Alex knows he must find a wealthy wife and has resigned himself to settle for a union that may or may not have love. When he meets his intriguing neighbour, he's surprised when she offers her fortune in exchange for marriage.

Will the gorgeous Earl be content with a marriage of convenience? Will Wren be willing to remove her veil and take a risk on exposing herself?

Mary Balogh creates realistic characters...warts and all. The characters inner thoughts do not always show them in a favourable light but that, to me, just makes them more endearing. I absolutely loved that we get to see Wren's fear and hesitations change to courage and determination. While at times I thought Alex was a little too like a martyr, he eventually grew on me.

I loved catching up with the Westcott's and again, I loved Rosalyn Landor's superb narration. I will definitely be coming back for more soon.

[wyvernfriend]

As I was growing up one of our neighbours had a port-wine stain on her skin and one of my class-mates had one too, I only found out about the classmate much later in my acquaintance, she had it almost always covered by makeup. I know how stressed she was if her makeup wasn't covering it. But my neighbour never covered hers, she was a shy woman and I don't believe she ever married, this story was what I wished could have happened to her, a nice marriage to a man who stopped seeing her difference and a lot of compassion shown by people to her. Wealth hath it's privelidges. I saw the stares and comments by people during the 20th Century, they were not good. Wren Hayden knows what it's like to be rejected by people. Her parents gave her to her aunt who provided her with a loving household to grow in. Her uncle gave her purpose in the glass-works and she now wants something more, she realises that her face will not induce anyone to propose, but her fortune might. She approaches Alexander Westcott with an idea, he marry her and she gives him the funds to help his failing country estate, but Alexander wants more than a business arrangement.
I liked the story and the characters and how he supported her. Charming and fun read.