Someone to Honor

Such a pleasurable read!

And now it's Abby Westcott's story!
Although a different take, the trope was familiar. The Waterloo and Peninsula Campaign veteran, a hero with a past. The emotionally wounded young woman who's at last coming to grips with who she is. A problem or two to be solved and a rather startling solution.
Both leading characters are making momentous decisions that will come around but the getting there is tricky. Of course there's a problem or two to be solved! Somehow!
Some quite delightful scenes, Abigail Westcott mistaking her wounded brother Harry's friend, Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert Bennington, for a servant chopping wood and displaying a scarred but splendid torso, the rambunctious but endearing dog 'beauty', the show more amazingly secretive meeting of Aunt Matilda (Lady Matilda Westcott) with someone she has previously known (therein lies a story!), the solid beauty of Abigail inside and out, the Westcott clan en mass, and of course Avery always lurking in a corner with something decisive if not slightly cynical to say.
I loved this story. All pure Balogh with its overtones of Georgette Heyer and a smattering of Grace Burrowes.
A solid Regency romance that's delightful in its execution with just the right amount of tension.

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley show less

I thought perhaps this had been written 20 or 30 years ago, but just 3 years ago in 2019! The story was good, and the heroes Gil and Abigail - who are seeking custody of Gil's baby daughter Katie - are quite strong.

However, it seemed a very conservative story, likewise the romance was touching but otherwise lacklustre. I remember thinking the same of the first book in the series too. A shame, because there is potential there.

I've read other Mary Balogh novels and they had more pep!

I nevertheless would like to know the stories and characters I've missed in between the first and the sixth novels.

Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh is a 2019 Berkley publication.

Another lovely romance from Mary Balogh!



This sixth installment in the Westcott series is centered around Abigail Westcott, who, six years after her life was forever altered, has accepted her lot in life and is now enjoying her independence.

However, because her brother Harry is returning home from the war, with a long recovery ahead of him, she decides to stay with him for at least a little while. What she did not expect, was Harry’s traveling companion, Gil Bennington, to also remain for an extended period.

Abigail and Gil take an almost instant dislike to one another, but temper their feelings for Harry’s sake. But as the get to know one another, they discover what show more true honor- and true love is all about.

This series is filled with wonderful, inspiring stories as each featured character gets an important, but missing part of their life, or something they thought was unattainable because of their unique circumstances. Gil is a most interesting character; with a tragic background and an emotional dilemma he’s determined to solve. Abigail, despite her determination not to marry finds herself presented with an opportunity to do so. Should she jump at the chance, even though love is not the prominent reason- if it is for a good cause?

An interesting set-up, and I liked both the main characters. Balogh takes them from individuals with singular ambitions and gradually brings them together, first as companionable friends, then as a couple working towards a common goal, eventually leading to love everlasting.

While I do agree with the slow progression of feelings, in this case the chemistry between the couple seemed a bit off kilter to me. The initial dislike between the couple didn’t carry enough tension or the sexual attraction was too subdued or maybe the deeper feelings of love didn’t materialize until the very tail end of the book- or a combination of these- made the romance seem too bland and predictable. ,

That said, the story is still very nice, pleasurable and gentle, and was a wonderful escape from present day realities. Balogh is one of the very few historical romance authors I make a concerted effort to read these days and once again, she delivers the type of story I find appealing, and one that left me with warm and happy feelings.

3.5 stars show less

Another lovely read, and it was wonderful to finally get Abby’s story. This was a marriage of convenience but immediately more, and the HEA was just a start for their life to come. The way the Westcotts show up for each other is how it should always be; they're my dream extended family.

Series: Westcott #6
Publication Date: 7/2/19
Number of Pages: 400

OMGoodness – I cannot believe I’m giving this author 3-stars. It is a pleasant enough story, well written, etc. but so very bland. I have not read any of the other books in this series, but I understand they have all been great – and I do intend to read the earlier books, because I’m sure I’ll like them. Many – if not all – of the characters from the earlier books make appearances in this story.

Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert (Gil) Bennington is not a gentleman by birth or breeding. He is he illegitimate son of the village washerwoman who joined the Army at the age of fifteen by lying to the recruiting sergeant and hasn’t been back home. Why would he go there – show more his mother is dead and everyone treated him abominably. Since he left, he’s become a hero several times over, gained a fortune, married, became a father and a widower. Yet, he still feels like that bastard boy who was always looked down upon.

Gil is now locked in a battle with his former in-laws for the custody of his small daughter, Katy. I absolutely LOVED how much Gil loved Katy and that he’d go to any lengths to get her back from his powerful in-laws. With all of that turmoil in his life, he still took the time to escort his friend, Major Harry Westcott, home from the continent because Harry had been gravely wounded. Gil will escort Harry to his home and remain with him until he recovers to the point that he doesn’t need Gil anymore. What Gil hasn’t counted on was having Harry’s entire family descend on them. Solitary, aloof, self-contained Gil is surrounded by ‘them’ – aristocrats – Harry’s family.

Abigail (Abby) Westcott used to be a Lady, but that ended six years ago when it was discovered that her father had married her mother bigamously. Abby isn’t sorry that it happened because – well – actually it sort of set her free. Free to be who and what she wants to be. She doesn’t have to be on the marriage mart and marry some titled gentleman just because that is what is expected of Ladies. She can marry – or not – just because it is what she wants. I really liked Abby – she is a warm and caring young woman who has finally come to know herself.

Frankly, I didn’t buy the love story. It just all seemed like a business transaction between to people who had come to like and respect each other, but nothing more. I told my friend, just after I had read the ‘consummation’ scene, that I had just read the absolute dullest love scene that there ever was. It would have been much better for it to have been left ‘clean’ so you could at least use your imagination. I did think that they could grow to love each other, but all I saw in the book was affection.

I can recommend this book if you enjoy a slower paced, steady, step-by-step read with a lovely HEA.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

Someone to Honor - Balogh
Audio performance by Rosalyn Landors
3 stars

Westcott # 6. Abigail Westcott is defiantly on the shelf. She would like to marry, but she wants control over her choice. The romantic setup steals a bit from Lady Chatterley’s Lover with the virginal Abigail exposed to the manly physique of a house guest chopping wood ‘half naked’ with his shirt off. Not to worry. Virtue triumphs with a somewhat hasty marriage. There’s a custody battle for an adorable toddler, a mischievous dog, and a satisfying HEA. Predictable plot, likable characters, and a great audio performance. Easy listening for stressful driving.

Another amazing book in the Westcott series. Balogh outdoes herself in telling Abigail's story, her journey from privileged member of the ton to illegitimate child of a bigamist to her own life, not the one she expected.

Gil, the male protagonist, is a treat to see develop, from a distant acquaintance to a warm and caring man, as the reader watches his story unfold.

Mary Balogh writes the most heartfelt touching Regency romances, plausible and believable, and the characters feel like someone I might meet if I lived in the early 1800s.

A nice hint near the end of which Westcott is next.