Someone to Wed (Westcott #3) by Mary Balogh

Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh

Blurb:
  

A very practical marriage makes Alexander Westcott question his heart in the latest Regency romance from the New York Times bestselling 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 twenty 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 only agree 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...

I really enjoyed reading "Someone to Love", the first book in the Westcott series, even though I was a bit frustrated with its hero.
"Someone to Wed", the third book, once again has characters that don't seem to fit and, honestly, Wren Heyden, the heroine, was a bit cold and standoffish at first but you could always feel that there was more and that she was able to be, well, more.

I really liked that even though both, Alexander Westcott, the new Earl of Riverdale, our hero and our heroine are very open and realistic, at least to themselves, about the nature of their relations, the reader can always feel that there is something between them. Some feelings that are slowly but steadily growing and that might even surprise those two.

Wren is a wonderful character, somewhat tragic in her fear to expose herself to others but capable and strong nonetheless. Her wish to wed that leads to their challenging courtship and draws her out of her shell - and her veil - makes her propose marriage to Alexander who desperately needs money for the impoverished Earldom that he inherited a couple of months ago. (If you have read "Someone to Love" you will remember the events and their impact on Alexander's family.)
Due to circumstances, Alexander has resigned himself to a marriage of convenience even though that was the last thing he ever wanted. When those two embark on the journey to find out whether they could come to care for each other, you feel with them, you roll your eyes, you despair with them, your heart will break - and you will just hope that somehow everything will be alright in the end.

I loved to see those two find happiness and love. This is one of those books that I'll definitely read and reread - and I can't wait to read the next books in this series!

 ★★★★★