A reversal of fortune befalls a young woman in this charming Westcott novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Someone to Wed. Humphrey Wescott, Earl of Riverdale, has died, leaving behind a fortune and a scandalous secret that will forever alter the lives of his family—sending one daughter on a journey of self-discovery… With her parents’ marriage declared bigamous, Camille …
With her parents’ marriage declared bigamous, Camille Westcott is now illegitimate and without a title. Looking to eschew the trappings of her old life, she leaves London to teach at the Bath orphanage where her newly discovered half-sister lived. But even as she settles in, she must sit for a portrait commissioned by her grandmother and endure an artist who riles her every nerve.
An art teacher at the orphanage that was once his home, Joel Cunningham has been hired to paint the portrait of the haughty new teacher. But as Camille poses for Joel, their mutual contempt soon turns to desire. And it is only the bond between them that will allow them to weather the rough storm that lies ahead…
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Very well written
I listened to the audiobook version and am subsequently “reading” the series the same way, as I like the storyteller. It was a little odd at first, getting used to a woman reading the part of Joel, but after a time, I was able to concentrate on the character and it was fine. The quiet, thoughtful character of Joel, who asks the right questions, is a good hero. Camille Westcott is not the rigid unfeeling character she appears to be to people. I enjoyed reading her thought process and seeing her discover herself as she takes on the role of teacher that is totally new to her. She is a strong, independent character who has many layers. It didn’t take long for me to be reminded of Jane Eyre.
Camille has lost her standing in the ton and society as the story starts out with her and her siblings having had been told the awful news that her parents’ marriage was not legal, as her father was still married to another, a fact disclosed upon his death. Worse than being a “bastard”, she had a half sister who was the legal heir to the Earl of Riverdale’s fortune—never mind that she was generous enough to offer to share it, something that Camille and her siblings refused. Camille lost her title of “lady” and her “perfect” fiancé who expected her to sever their betrothal, but she would not lose her self-dignity. She was determined to make her own money, even when it meant taking on employment for the first time ever—something which she had never contemplated before. She was irritated by fellow teacher and artist Joel Cunningham, one of her annoyances being that this slightly disheveled man made her aware of virility, something to which she never gave a thought before. However, it was not easy to ignore Joel, especially since her grandmother commissioned him to paint Camille’s portrait. I especially loved the incorporation of loving orphans, plus the schoolroom setting.
Mary Balogh is a favorite I like to read any time.
I enjoy Mary Balogh’s books so much, so I decided to try Someone to Hold. I have read all her other books in this series thus far, but I had been dragging my feet about reading this one because I really did not care for Camille from what I had seen of her in the other books. I figured I would feel invested or sympathetic to her character enough to be rooting for her happiness in her own book. And while I would say Camille is still my least fvorite member of this massive family, I now have a greater understaning for her character and why she presents herself the way she does.
Camille is still a little too condesceding and proud for me to like her overly much, but I was happy for her that she was able to loosen up a bit and climb down off her high horse long enough to find some happiness and compassion. This book had a very real feel to it, if a bit improbable with Joel’s reversal of fortunes. I’m glad she decided to be a more active member of her family. I liked Joel and I’m glad that he was able to let go of Anna. So happy that Uxbury got what was coming to him.
Not my favorite in the series (because of my dislike for Camille’s character), but still good.
I loved this book (as is the case with almost all of Mary Balogh’s books) because the characters are so real and the story pulls you into the lives that have been created.
The book was good but not one of Mary Balogh’s better books. It really wasn’t that romantic.
LOVE this series. Love all of her books.
I liked Camille way more than expected.
Definitely 5 Stars. What a beautiful and sweet romance, filled with so many emotions. Absolutely loved Camille and Joel’s HEA. Such a talented author!
Good lord, who should have to deal with their parent’s marriage being ruled bigamous? And losing their fortune and standing in society? A heroine who once had the world at her feet now is at the bottom of the heap. And the way she deals with it is just fantastic. You can’t help but root for her, and want to walk with her on her journey to a new, better self. I honestly don’t know how Mary Balogh manages to come up with fresh, compelling stories that are unlike anyone else’s, but I sure am glad that she does! I loved it so much I hugged it to my chest when I was done. That doesn’t make me weird, does it?
I declared last fall that the first book, Someone to Love, was one of my best reads for the year and my top historical romance. Now, with Someone to Hold, I wanted to see how it held up against all that love I had for the first book. I gladly report that this one stood strong to the test and kept me riveted to see a proud, staunch young woman overcome much to find her place, to find love, but most of all, to find herself.
Someone to Hold is book two in The Westcotts series and works best read in order. In fact, the reader would miss a great deal if this one is picked up before the first book as all that comes in this book is based on what went on before.
The story opens with Camille Westcott making a decision. Up until now, she has hidden away licking her wounds after discovering that instead of being the eldest daughter of an earl and anticipating a high society marriage that she is in fact the illegitimate child of a bigamous marriage and a social pariah. She has been holding on by a hair and all she has left is her pride which made her hatefully blame her older half-sister, cut-off contact with her extended Westcott family, and hide away in her maternal grandmother’s home in Bath.
But now, she is ready to take her own life back and try to figure out who and what this new Miss Camille Westcott is like. First, she hires on as a teacher at the orphanage where her half-sister, Anastasia grew up. Camille hates her, unreasonably she knows- it was not Anna’s fault that she is legitimate and their father lied about so much. But Camille is curious about Anna’s life before being discovered and restored to her place in the family. Camille also wants to stand independently and this teaching position gives her that even as she feels woefully inadequate especially with Anna’s best friend looking on with his smiles and merriment.
Joel wants to hate and resent the stiff and prunish, Camille Westcott when she takes over Anna’s classroom and hurt his friend by not accepting her sisterly affections. He wants to despise her for her self-pity when at least she has a loving family and grew up knowing them and her place when he has been an orphan and made his own way left to wonder about his roots. He teaches his art classes and continues to make a name for himself as a portrait artist, but all the while, he slowly gains in respect and admiration, but also understanding for Camille. Surprising twists in his life and hers have them both aware that they might share more in common than they thought.
Alright, this was a stunning and deeply engaging story. This was quite the story of growth and triumph, of friendship and love, and even of restoration. The author returned to the historical elements of family, illegitimacy, abandonment, friendship, and unlikely love this time set in Bath and at the orphanage. Joel’s art and Camille’s teaching become added new elements.
I enjoyed the feeling that though the main pair are new that this is an ongoing story of a whole cast of characters- The Westcott family. The whole lot of them return for Camille and Joel’s story and are part of it as family is an issue for both Camille and Joel.
The story is told in alternating narrative voices of Camille and Joel. At first, I thought that the focus was to be on Camille rising up from her bitter ashes and triumphing, but then I saw that Joel was to have his own crisis moment of truth and need to face it and a new future. They are an interesting pair. They are so antagonistic at first and then so burdened that I thought a romance between was iffy. In fact, Camille was not a likeable person in the past book or the beginning of this one. She is not meant to be, but it is part of her recovery and the revelation that she is really someone quite different than even she knew when faced with these new circumstances.
In the end, I’m left once again clutching the book and swearing undying love for this series. This is historical romance with such depth and heart that I gladly push it at those who love this genre.
This wasn’t my favorite of Mary Balogh’s books, but it kept me reading til the end. The heroine undergoes a radical transformation (which she badly needed).
“Someone to Hold” A Westcott Novel, book 2 by Mary Balogh
I truly enjoyed my time with Camille and Joel… watching them grow into the people they were always meant to be. Rosalyn Landor once again did not let me down. I have always enjoyed listening to her read to me. One of the luxuries afforded to me in my corner of the world. Ever so glad I purchased my very own ‘Recorded Books’ copy of this story from audible.com.
The story was good. Good development of characters even though it took a while for Camille to become a likeable person which she definitely was not in book 1. It was a little harder for me to read because I do not care to read a narrative (a story told) because it doesn’t hold my interest. I prefer reading a story with a great deal of interaction and conversation among the characters and not someone telling me a story.
Too much sex
Mary Balogh’s books are well written and enjoyable to read! She never disappoints. Her characters are realistic and believable.
Mary Balogh makes the characters come alive and like family friends.
Unpredictable & Realistic- yes. So rather than write about how the book is, I will go on to say I read all of this series. And now I have a preorder of the next one.
Guess this means I really like her stories.
Disappointing book from an author I usually enjoy. I found the characters annoying. It’s hard to root for the hero and heroine when you just don’t like them.
This is an extraordinary love story. She is a superb romance author and I like all her books. I’m glad there are more for me to read!