Someone to Wed

By: Mary Balogh

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

A very practical marriage makes Alexander Westcott question his heart in the latest Regency romance from the New York Times best-selling author of Someone to Hold.

When Alexander Westcott becomes the new Earl of Riverdale, he inherits a title he never wanted and a failing country estate he can't afford. But he fully intends to do everything in his power to undo years of neglect and give the people who depend on him a better life....

A recluse for more than 20 years, Wren Heyden wants one thing out of life: marriage. With her vast fortune, she sets her sights on buying a husband. But when she makes the desperate and oh-so-dashing earl a startlingly unexpected proposal, Alex will agree only to a proper courtship, hoping for at least friendship and respect to develop between them. He is totally unprepared for the desire that overwhelms him when Wren finally lifts the veils that hide the secrets of her past....

©2017 Mary Balogh (P)2017 Recorded Books

Nice change of pace

This book is not overly sexual. Yes, you can actually focus on the developing the relationship between the main characters. The narration was good. It was worth the credit.
Update: I listen to this book several times this summer. It has gotten better and better. "Why can't I be a woman and a person?" what a wonderful question issued by the main character. Love it!

Someone to Wed

Another wonderful story by Mary Balogh. I love the characters and the struggle they have to over come to find love and acceptance.

A favorite for sure!

I have binge listened to all of Mary Balogh’s books.. she tells a perfect story and her series all draw you deep into the families involved... so much so that I am always feeling like I’m missing news of good friends when I am done. Rosalyn Landor is my favorite narrator for MB books and a favorite narrator overall. Her voice is warm and breathes life into every story she tells!

Late bloomer

I love Mary Balogh. I think I’ve read or listened to most of her books. Some of her books grab you from page one. Some take some time. This book, although excellent, is one of the latter. The start was a bit drawn out. To the point that I almost gave up. The best part of this book are the last eight or nine chapters. I’m glad I plowed through because there is payoff. Rosalyn Landor is superb!

Loved it!

Her best one yet! She is a superb writer! She gives characters you sigh over and cheer for!

someone to wed

Typical Mary Balogh story. life is rose garden. people are wealthy, kind and understanding. and find perfect love right away. The author should kiss Roslyn Landor 's hand. because her brilliant narration was the reason I listened to this dreamy story.

Great

This is a great continuation of the series. Though it can be listened as a stand alone it’s better to have at least listened/read to someone to love. The performance is great and the characters are easy to care for and want the best for.

standing ovation

The story was an amazing one it tied up the series nicely and it could also stand alone. this book was not boring and it was not over dramatic. The characters had very human qualities. I just wish there was another book after this one. The entire series was amazing but this book was the best.

Could not keep my interest

I ended up stopping the read 3.5 hours before completion. Story had promise but it all fizzled out as the story drug on. The forced courtship was painful and the hero a nice man who tried to do anything to keep his estate by marrying a wealthy woman. She was hard to like as a heroine.

Definitely not Mary Balogh's Best

Rosalyn Landor does her usual excellent job with narrating, but even she can't save lackluster writing. There is no real conflict. The heroine has had a body image issue for almost thirty years, but the hero has her overcoming it in three months.

A bit slow, great narration.

The narration was as good as expected.

The story was slow. it was pleasant, the characters nice, but somehow I did not engage quite as much as I could have hoped for.

Also I am wondering why the subject of face paint never came up.

Nearly Perfection

Rosalyn Landor is my favourite narrator, she's warm, funny and carries the emotional scenes well.

Mary Balogh is fast becoming one of my favourite authors, though I do have a bone to pick with this specific series. She has a habit of dropping in dramatic hints to set up what you expect to be a finale of epic proportions but there is no pay off. I'm not saying I want the epic finale but it feels like you are being prepared for a dramatic confrontation between the main character and the villain of the piece that never happens, this means that the ending of the book always feels anticlimactic. It would be better not to have the set ups for this when there is no pay off.

An example of this would be: (CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM HERE ON IN though I shall not name the villain to avoid people accidentally seeing spoilers)

Wren's brother is insistent of how dangerous the villain is and how Wren should stay away from them. After Wren's visit it is clear that the villain of the piece means to discredit Wren, do we believe that the two goons her husband physically overpowered the only members of this person's circle? No of course not, the villain has been built up as a monster too much for us to expect her to stop there. So during Wren's final ball you wait for the climactic event - the public showdown - to happen but it doesn't and so the ending takes you by surprise. It feels unfinished. Now I'm not a huge fan of melodramatic endings, far from it, I love the way Mary Balogh never descends into melodrama but I wish she wouldn't build up to dramatic events that never happen. That said, I'm still going to try and read everything she's written, I just need to make sure that expectations of dramatic endings aren't raised in me!

Another gem

Mary Balogh writes such lovely stories with well developed characters and gentle good humour. This is another such book. Rosalyn landor’s wonderful narration brings the story to life making it a real joy to listen to. I’d highly recommend this series.