Review: Someone to Wed

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Someone to Wed Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Two of my favorite tropes--Beauty and the Beast and Marriage of Convenience are combined in a moving, warm story that's "adult" in the best meaning of the word. Best of all, this is a reverse B&tB--the heroine, Wren, has a massive port wine birthmark covering her face. Her perceived disfigurement is so severe that the very few times she goes out in public, she goes out heavily veiled.

She has no friends. Now that her aunt and uncle are dead, she has no family. She has no social contacts at all, but Wren is a successful businesswoman, so she decides to fill at least one void in her life--she's going to buy a husband.

Alexander Westcott, Earl of Riverdale, has responsibilities he never wanted and not enough money to make things right on his inherited estates. To Wren's dismay, he may be cash-strapped, but he's also drop-dead gorgeous. Westcott knows his looks contribute to his being an asset on the marriage mart, just as it makes a difference for young debutantes. I love the role-reversal here!

Best of all, in finest Balogh fashion, Alexander and Wren act like grown-ups in their decision making, in their conversations, in their interaction with others. Their choices make sense and are made with a real feel for how they affect others in their sphere--family, friends, employees.

All of Balogh's books are an autobuy for me, and she's an author I always recommend to budding Regency romance writers as someone to study. Her writing is masterful and evocative, and this latest installment in the Westcott series is sure to please her legion of fans.

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