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. ( )

Caaaaaandy candy candy. I do love this series, in all its romantic glory. Love the way the Westcotts rally around family, am a little distraught that there are only a few left in the family who haven't found a partner. ( )

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. ( )

It has been 6 years since the Westcott children learned the awful truth of their father's bigamy and their illegitimacy. Harry, wounded in the war, has suffered complications but survived and is returning home. In spite of his return to the country estate for quiet convalescence, the whole clan, of course feels it must come from London and assure themselves that he is fine. Traveling with Harry is Lt. Col Gilbert Bennington. As a commoner, Gil finds the family hordes overwhelming and not a little intimidating, though the children find they love his homely but love dog Beauty.
As everyone returns to London, Abigail chooses to stay with Harry much to GIl's consternation. Yet, the three find companionship that leads mutual respect and ultimately a quick marriage. However, the family is less certain of Gil's new role until a crisis rallies everyone to his side.

This is really a 2.5 because it felt a little tiresome, but I'm rounding up to 3. Romantic feelings surfaced quite late in the book actually, and even then they seemed pretty mild. Not a whole lot happens in the story, and it too me a while to work through. And I didn't all the way enjoy the hero. He was kind of a hot-head, and prideful, had a chip on his shoulder, argumentative... I guess it's good he found someone so patient who will love him anyway, lol. It wasn't awful, but I have no interest in ever re-reading it. ( )

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. ( )

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 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 ( )

Finding Home
Six years ago, Abigail Wescott’s world was upended. Thanks to her family, she’s been given time and opportunity to accept the new reality.
Gil Bennington grew up poor and illegitimate. After gaining the rank of Sargent on his own merit, his father purchased his commission -- his only contact with the man. Rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel during the wars, he stayed aware of his origins.
Once again Ms. Balogh takes us inside the large, complicated Westcott family. Life’s not all balls and parties as family members rally around one of their own in pursuit of justice. ( )

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. ( )

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Abigail Westcott, her siblings and their mother, were all displaced with her father died. It was only then that it was discovered that parents were not legally married. They lost everything, their money, respect and dignity. It is now six years later and Abigail is finally enjoying her independence. When she visits family when her injured brother returns home from the war to recuperate, she happens upon a man chopping wood. He is without his shirt, and Abigail feels that, as a servant, he is taking liberties with his appearance.

The man is Gilbert Bennington, and has accompanied her brother home while he heals. Gil is a lieutenant colonel, a superior officer and friend to her brother Harry, and is a man determined to see Harry to better health. Gil is no servant, but is also not of the gentry.

Along with Gil coming home to help Harry, he had his wonderful dog, who was a fine addition to this story. As in each story in this series by Mary Balogh, readers are reintroduced to the large Westcott family, their significant others, and their respective children. Even so, this story would do well as a standalone if readers are invested in watching Gil and Abigail form a close relationship while dealing with misunderstanding that eventually become clearer.

This wasn't one of my favorite stories in the series, because I sensed a bit of repetition from time-to-time. What I did enjoy was watching Gil fight for custody for his daughter Matilda. That was a very warm addition to a story that I was able to enjoy. I look forward to the series continuing, and really hope that we get Harry's story next. ( )

This was a pretty good book and I wished it had more at the end about Gil and Abby's life in Rose Cottage. ( )

In this next book in the Westcott series, we find Abigail Wescott's story being told. Her brother Harry has finally come home two years after Waterloo accompanied by his friend and fellow officer Gil Bennington. Abby and Gil do not hit it off at first, but it's more in the style of the young boy who pulls the braid of the girl he likes. Abby is still avoiding her relatives who are trying to enmesh her in a social life, something she no longer wants after finding out she's illegitimate. Gil is trying to retrieve his young daughter from her maternal grandparents after his wife (now dead) left the child with them.
In some ways like Camille and Joel's story, this one also explores relationships between the classes. It also looks at illegitimacy; both Abby and Gil are illegitimate though for different reasons. As always, Ms. Balogh weaves a fine tale. It's a slow-burning romance built first upon practicality. I give it 4 1/2 stars. ( )

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 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 ( )

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 – 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. ( )