Someone to Care is a truly unique offering from an already accomplished author. With this latest novel, Balogh brings insight, innovation and maturity to a genre that can often feel repetitive ... Romance novels often focus on young, bright-eyed heroines or dashing, boyish rogues, but Someone to Care dares to delve into what the world looks like after decades of chasing empty dreams ... The narrative shows sensitivity and refinement, but for all her elegance of language, Balogh nonetheless gives her love story a delectably sexy streak, crafting pictures of intimacy that leave the reader longing for just one or two more gorgeous details ... Someone to Care is fresh, uplifting and absorbing.
Be still my heart ... the notion that in the prescribed world of most aristocrats, running away from the ton is a prerequisite for untrammeled, pastoral, passionate romance. Marcus and Viola’s initial relationship is wildly reckless and enchanting – and their journey after their private bubble bursts is equally absorbing. If ever a pair deserved their happily-ever-after, these two do.
Few authors create powerful love stories between mature lovers like Balogh ... Under Balogh’s pen, a marvelous romance unfolds; one that is beautifully crafted, heartwarming and the kind of love that is filled with hope.
I enjoyed the first 79% of this novel tremendously and was thinking this was the best new Mary Balogh book I had read in ages. Then, at the 80% mark, something was revealed that threw me for a loop. It involves a spoiler (one I have hidden), a potentially triggering one that disturbed me ... As I said before, I loved a big chunk of this novel to bits. A lot of this is due to Viola’s character. It was wonderful to read about a forty-two year old heroine ... I would have been able to give it an A- grade without reservations.
Balogh gives the 40-something lovers refreshing complexity, not sugarcoating their character flaws, and these nods to reality will make Viola and Marcel all the more endearing to readers. Newcomers will find this a satisfying entry point to the series, and fans will be delighted to see Viola achieve happiness at last.
