4.5 Stars
How does Mary Balogh get me to invest more of my emotions in a ten chapter novella than many authors do in a full novel? She’s a magician, and the pen (or keyboard) is her wand. I’m sure of it. Mary Balogh novels are always chalked full of characters. SO many characters that I am never sure if I’ll be able to get into the book. Then the romance heats up, and I’m sold.
SOMEONE TO REMEMBER is a profoundly romantic second chance romance between two adults in their mid-fifties, how awesome is that? Matilda is a confirmed spinster who dotes on her ungrateful mother. Charles Sawyer, Viscount Dirkson is a widower, father to grown children, and the man Matilda fell in love with more than 30 years prior. When they’re brought together by the Westcott brood, their fascination with each other is immediately rekindled.
As in all Mary Balogh’s books, the writing is quite and exquisitely romantic. There are passages in this novella that made my heart squeeze and put tears in my eyes from the pure romance of Ms. Balogh’s prose. I loved that Matilda is a 50 something spinster, looks, and acts her age, yet Charles still sees the woman she is under all the starch. Their deep fascination and respect for each other are apparent in every word, and I simply loved it.
I do think the novella is a little hard to read, especially at the beginning, because there are just SO many characters. I also felt the ending was a tad rushed. But that didn’t take away from my obsession with this novella in any way.
Overall, I think that Mary Balogh is one of the most underrated historical romance authors currently, and she deserves all the accolades for this beautiful story. Her stories are quieter than many books being published today, but are simply incredible reads. I feel a backlist binge read coming on.
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
Romance Reader 