Always enjoy Mary Balogh and I have read 4 of the Westcott series novels. This one didn't touch me as much as the others.

The theme of an older woman (35) and a younger man (26) falling for each other and negotiating marriage, when she was considered a woman past the bloom of youth. Awful!

This is such a painful, difficult conundrum even today.

The age gap if the man or woman is older even has a formula - halve your age and add seven years. So with this formula a 35 year old should marry someone no younger than 24.5 years old. So a 35 year old can marry someone 10.5 years younger. Colin (Lord Hodges) and Elizabeth (Lady Overfilled) are 9 years apart.

Apparently, in very recent times, women have become a lot more willing to marry a younger man - but by that they mean 5 years, not 9 or 10.5 - however, perhaps for men, that is figure is different.

At any rate, in this novel, the issue gave me more to think about than the romance. I don't know why Mary Balogh underplayed it - I think she could have made a more interesting point if she'd allowed them to have the great love affair. ( )

It amuses me a very large amount that I am reviewing Rat Queens vol 2 and a Mary Balogh novel in the same sitting, and I really, really enjoyed both of them deeply. You could probably find more polar opposite books, but I bet you'd have to put some effort in.

Anyway, the wonderfully romantic and highly entertaining Westcott saga continues -- this time with a scandalous May-December (ok, really more like June-August) match, with our dear Elizabeth Overfield and Colin Handrich making a match of things. I really enjoy how Balogh explores the theme of family in these books -- evoking the nostalgia and the dream of great family, while being very clear about what crap family looks like and how to reject it. For whatever reason, I find that quite satisfying. ( )

Christmas is a loud and joyous affair as the Westcott family share it together at the work-in-progress estate of Brambledean Court. Elizabeth Overfield, the widowed sister of Alex, the new Earl of Riverdale, finds herself drawn to Colin Handrich, the brother of Alex's bride, Wren. However, being an older than Colin by 9 years means she must be more sensible and refuses his jocular offer of marriage. She has had suitors in the past and decides that she may accept any renewed offers in the coming season as she still longs for a family of her own. Colin too decides that it is time for him to assume responsibilities that he has long neglected including renewing his relationship with his estranged mother.
While both she and Colin enter the marriage mart at the same time, they do agree to save the first waltz at each ball to dance together. As the season progresses, they find this shared time something they both look forward to. However, when Lizzie does accept a proposal, her betrothal ball is ruined by this ritual when her intended makes a jealous scene leading Colin to propose again and Lizzie to again refuse.
However, as both parties continue to face gossip and machinations, they find that the solution to both of their problems is marriage to each other. As they agree to trust and help one another, they also find that their connection runs deeper into true love.

4.5 stars ( )

I haven't enjoyed the Westcott series as much as Balogh's others I've read, but this one was good. ( )