3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. This couple reminded me just a bit of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, who are a classic couple of course. I liked them, and was happy for them to end up together. It's maybe a tiny bit plodding, mostly just conversations taking place during a house party, but kinda nice if you're looking for something low-key. ( )

Oh, so there will be friends of the Westcotts novels? Wonderful!

I have to admit, I didn't find this book quite as strong as the rest of the novels, but I'm not really sure why. A bit too much noble suffering from Justin? A bit too little enthusiasm from Estelle? However, it got stronger as it went along, and there is a lot of beauty in how Maria handles herself -- in her strong opinions, but also in her acknowledgment when she makes mistakes. Altogether, quite an enjoyable read.

Advanced Readers' Copy provided by Edelweiss. ( )

Another wonderful book from Mary Balogh.

Lady Estelle Lamarr, the daughter of Marcel Lamarr, the Marquess of Dorchester, who has married Viola Kingsley thereby becoming part of the Westcott clan.

This time. Justin Wiley, the Earl of Brandon, reclaims his live through the love of Estelle with an assist from her extended family.

So, the usual Balogh magic, and another family healed. ( )

Someone Perfect by Mary Balogh is a 2021 Berkley publication.

Justin was disowned by his father, and the reason for his banishment is a deep, dark secret. Sadly, his father died without any reconciliation.

But now that his stepmother has passed away, and a proper amount of mourning time as passed, he knows he must do his duty by his half-sister, Maria.

This will mean uprooting her from the home she loves and bringing her to Everleigh Park, where he resides, as the Earl of Brandon. Maria already despises him, and this forced move will not endear him to her at all.

As it happens, Maria is good friends with Lady Estelle Lamarr, a woman Justin had a brief encounter with on his way to visit Maria. Knowing that Maria didn’t want to come with him, that she was worried about being met by relatives she is sure will greet her with open hostility, he invites Estelle and her twin brother to come to Everleigh Park with Maria for a couple of weeks while she settles in.

Once they arrive, Estelle discovers that she is attracted to the dark, brooding Justin, a man who does not meet her criteria for the ideal perfect husband.

Meanwhile, Maria learns that her mother’s version of her marriage, does not seem to match the version her aunt tells everyone, which casts her mother in a very bad light, indeed. Which version is true?

As the story unfolds, the reader will be able to discern what may have transpired between Justin and his father, while an unlikely bond forms between Justin and Estelle.

There are some nice lessons woven into this story- such as- how hard it can be to accept a different version of events other than the one we’ve been conditioned to believe, especially if it is an unpleasant reality, we would rather deny than accept.

Other than that, this is not the strongest addition to this beloved series. The love story lacked chemistry and was out of step for most of the book, mainly due to too many threads and characters. Maria's adjustment to Everleigh, the truth about her mother, the story behind Justin's banishment, and a secondary thread about Justin's relationship a family of commoners, overwhelmed the romance.

I think this could be the last installment in this series, as I recently discovered that the author has a new book coming out soon, and that book will be the first in a new series.

If this is the end, I'm sad to see the series go out with a whimper, but maybe that's an indication that it has run its course and it is time to move on to new territory.

That said, I have loved this series, even though it was slow going at first. Balogh's work here has been a soothing balm and a great comfort to me during the past several years. The mature characters and gentle stories had a calming effect on me, and I was always rewarded with heartwarming HEAs!!

But, I'm really excited about the new series, though, and can't wait to meet Mary's new characters!

3 stars ( )

From the book description, I wasn't sure if I would like this one but of course I did. It's Mary Balogh and almost all of her regencies are excellent. And I always like seeing members of the Westcott family again. I did think the hero's father's action in this book were cockeyed and ridiculous but if they weren't, there wouldn't have been a plot or a book. ( )