Someone to Love by Mary Balogh – a Review

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Description:
Humphrey Wescott, Earl of Riverdale, has died, leaving behind a fortune that will forever alter the lives of everyone in his family—including the daughter no one knew he had…
 
Anna Snow grew up in an orphanage in Bath knowing nothing of the family she came from. Now she discovers that the late Earl of Riverdale was her father and that she has inherited his fortune. She is also overjoyed to learn she has siblings. However, they want nothing to do with her or her attempts to share her new wealth. But the new earl’s guardian is interested in Anna…
 
Avery Archer, Duke of Netherby, keeps others at a distance. Yet something prompts him to aid Anna in her transition from orphan to lady. As London society and her newfound relatives threaten to overwhelm Anna, Avery steps in to rescue her and finds himself vulnerable to feelings and desires he has hidden so well and for so long.

Review:

Someone to Love by Mary Balogh is the 1^st book in her new Westcott series.   This was a very well written Historical romance by Balogh, with a great premise.  Anna Snow is our heroine, whom we meet early on.  Anna is an orphan, who has spent all of her life at the orphanage, and is now a teacher.  She receives a letter summoning her to attend a meeting, and discovers that she is has inherited the fortune of the Earl of Riverdale, who was her father and the man who dropped her off at the orphanage.  Anna finally has siblings, which she always wanted, but they want nothing to do with her; but she is welcomed by her family (grandmother, aunts, cousins, etc) who feel the need to train our Anna, how to act and dress as a titled lady of society.

Avery Archer, our hero, is the Duke of Netherby and the guardian of the now disposed heir to the Earl of Riverdale.  Avery has always been the person whom both families relied on to oversee everything.  He is not only gorgeous, but he in his own right is wealthy and an aristocrat. 

What follows is an amazing story of how Anna must change her life style, learn all about her relatives and become part of what she is expected to be; she also must attend balls for her coming out. Avery finds himself interested in everything Anna does, and slowly discovers that is beginning to have feelings for her.   Anna from the start found Avery attractive, but his standoffish demeanor kept her at a distance.   She soon began to rely on Avery’s assistance, and slowly their romance was inevitable. 

I really liked many of the secondary characters, whom I am sure will be featured in future stories of this series. I hope to find out more about Elizabeth, Alex, and even her siblings, who want nothing to do with Anna.   I did enjoy this book, but I also felt that some parts were a bit tedious, giving us too much details.  Overall it was a great story, with wonderful characters.  I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher