Susan's Review of Mary Balogh's Someone to Trust

During a rare white Christmas at Brambledean Court, the widow Elizabeth, Lady Overfield, defies convention by falling in love with a younger man in the latest 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. .

I am loving Mary Balogh’s Westcott series. The characters, their relationships and the settings intrigue me. I finished Someone to Care and was thrilled that Someone to Trust took place at Brambledean Court immediately after Viola and Marcel’s Christmas Eve wedding. Loved the holiday setting, the houseful of relatives and the Westcott family’s Christmas celebrations. Elizabeth and Colin’s love story is beautifully written. The couple enjoys each other’s company and they form a close friendship during the holiday festivities at Brambledean. Elizabeth is attracted to the handsome, charming Colin but more importantly is at ease with him. Colin admires Elizabeth’s beauty but appreciates her calm and giving personality. The couple spend Christmas day outside enjoying the snow. Their sled tips over, lands in a snowbank and Colin kisses Elizabeth. The kiss and the sexual attraction between the couple changes the course of their friendship.

Elizabeth was a widow and nine years older than Colin and polite society frowned upon a marriage of an older woman to a younger man. It just wasn’t done – and the couple decides to remain friends. I loved that the author incorporated the waltz into the storyline. Colin and Elizabeth share a very romantic waltz at Brambledean and agree to share the first waltz at every function they attend.

Elizabeth’s story unfolds with each chapter. I admired her strength of character; she has endured heartache and loneliness and kept her experiences to herself. She accepts Sir Geoffrey Codaire’s proposal and this changes the course of the novel as his jealous, petty character is revealed. Elizabeth fears she can’t trust anyone and breaks her bethrothal and in doing so causes a huge scandal. Loved that Elizabeth’s family and Colin supported her during this time.

There were three anti-heroes in this novel and the author wove each one of them into the story perfectly. The most obvious villian is the veiled, creepy Lady Hodges—and I was thrilled that Elizabeth stood up to her. Elizabeth’s relationships with her first husband Desmond Overfield and Geoffrey Codaire speak to the social expectations of the time. A wife was her husband’s possession. I was surprised that Elizabeth suffered during her marriage and it was accepted.

Colin and Elizabeth's romance has all the feels; it's romantic, emotional and sensuous --think dancing the waltz! The ending was a pleasure to read-it contained several amusing surprises! Elizabeth’s decision to ignore society’s expectations of her and choose love was inspiring. Colin’s faith in their relationship and love for Elizabeth was the heart of their romance—he believed in them. He followed his heart’s desire.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book purchased at Walmart