Someone to Hold

By: Mary Balogh

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best-selling author Mary Balogh's new Wescott series continues as a young woman deals with her father's death and a reversal of fortune.

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.

©2017 Mary Balogh (P)2017 Recorded Books

Liked it a lot.

This is the second story in MB's Westcott series and it's Camille Westcott's story. She is Anna’s (the heroine from book one) half-sister, so when Anna inherited a fortune from a father she never knew, Camille and her family found themselves on the out with society and the ton.

The book, as usual is well written and plotted but it's this heroine that bugged me to no end. It took all my patience to try and understand her and her actions. Almost as much as it took our hero. I mean, the man was a saint for trying to excuse and explain her behavior.

I also enjoyed Rosalyn Landor's narration. She has a way of bringing MB's books to life with a wonderful portrayal of a vast cast of characters.

I'm really enjoying the unique concept and the characters in this series.

Melanie for b2b

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable

I will start by saying that I did not think I could like Camille. She was cold, haughty and more than a little aloof. I agree with some of the other reviewers that her path to self discovery was a bit weird. Nevertheless, I like the way Ms. Balogh helped the reader understand the hurt and the pain beneath all that steel. I don't agree that one could not see the love Joel had for her. I think it was subtle but definitely there. One must allow for some embellishments... yes it is not likely that an orphan would become instantly wealthy BUT it is a romance and fiction.

As usual Rosalyn Landon's narration was excellent. Her voice is just right for MB's stories.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Amazing

Would you consider the audio edition of Someone to Hold to be better than the print version?

Only have the audio

Who was your favorite character and why?

Camille her transformation from a shattered brittle person to a resourceful full loving woman was beautiful to watch

Which scene was your favorite?

The wedding scene at the end had me in tears something I as a veteran of romance reader rarely do anymore. I found the early awareness scenes between Camille and Joel really intriguing.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I love how Camille and the little girl she decides to adopt was done...it would have been very easy for the orphans to be left as background characters but i loved how they gave the unlikable girl love.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Camille is spot on

Mary Balogh knows how to develop true-to-life characters. For all her flaws, Camille resonates with me. Her motivations so clearly drive her actions and I feel for her as she attempts to earn love by being perfect, while not seeing that she’s surrounded by it. The story gives me hope that I too can accept the love I’m surrounded by.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Loved it

Can't Wait to see which character is the main focus in the next book. This one was great.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Once again, Balogh provides quiet contentment

The second novel in Ms. Balogh's Westcott series, Someone to Hold also works fine as a stand-alone. Like many of Mary Balogh's books, it is a quiet story in that there are no dramatic conflicts at the end of each chapter or breathtaking moments when one fears all is lost. Instead it has the old-fashioned appeal of two people unexpectedly intrigued and captivated by each other who nonetheless have hard issues to confront and vanquish before they can find their happily-ever-after. Camille must come to terms with her demotion in upper crust society after the revelation of her illegitimacy, and Joel must determine who he is in a world governed by titles, last names, and the stiffness of one's cravat. Rosalyn Landor provides a perfect narration, as always, and the story ends satisfactorily while nevertheless leaving the listener eager to spend more time with the Westcotts.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Lovely

Absolutely delightful story. Sad, happy, loving and all the emotions for a very warm story.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Annoying lead character, but good story

I had great difficulty getting into this book because Camille was so hateful. But in true romance style, she made a turnaround. Joel was a perfect foil for Camille. Thank goodness. As usual Roz Landor performed in her usual style.....and saved the day.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Finding yourself

Another wonderfully written story! Camille still not accepting what has happened to her and her family! Learning that her mother was not legally married to their father who has passed recently. She can’t accept her new 1/2 sister who is know a Duchess. She and her sister move to bath to live with their material grandmama.
She goes to the orphanage where her 1/2 sister Anna grew up in and asks Ms. Ford about the open teaching position. She is given a fortnight to prove herself.
Joel Cunningham also great up in the orphanage with Anna and has made a name for himself as a portrait painter. He wants to hate Camille but as he gets to know her he realizes she just wants to be loved.
Joel is given a shock when he is summoned to a big house outside of Bath as he is informed that the old man is his great uncle! Another eventful read with another Blow to Lord Oxburry!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Another winning story with excellent narration

"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 copy of this story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

good book

loved this book and all the wescot series . beautifuly read and a dream to listen to.

wonderful

I at first couldn't believe I could like listening to audio, because I rather like sinking in my own thought and explore the words but Rosalyn's voice could really make someone want to listening to it over and over again. The story itself somehow pretty much like a replica of main characters but Mary Balogh did manage it well enough to make one curious and cannot let go by setting the book aside.

Second installment not nearly as good as the first

What did you like best about Someone to Hold? What did you like least?

Easy and relaxing listen, but the characters not as likeable and interesting as the first installment.

What could Mary Balogh have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Let the old man live longer. And the butcher shop not only be mentioned in passing.

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The joy to liste to her voice.

If this book were a film would you go see it?

No, it would be too boring for a film.

Any additional comments?

The third book is due to come out autumn 2017 and I will probably give is a go because I like the planned main character. And I have to say that I am not particullarily fond of painting, so I can not judge, if the process of painting a portrait has been described in interesting detail for somebody more interested in that. For me it was rather boring.