I adored Jennifer and Ben's story!! Watching these two fall in love was pure pleasure!! I can't wait for the next one in the series to come out!

BOOK REVIEW: Always Remember by Mary Balogh
Series: A Ravenswood Novel Series | Book 3
2024 Publication Date: January 16

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐

Best Regency Romance Novels
T.I.M.E. Favorite Books To Read
T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Best Historical Romance Books
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CONNECT WITH A BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
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T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW:
A Heart Warming Tale That Defies The Odds...
Regency Romance novels have captured the hearts of readers worldwide because of the colorful characters, bubbling plot lines, and of course at the top of the list... The wonderful world of love set in the highly romantic time and setting via regency romances.

The timeless classics of the regency romance genre inspire page-turning, heartwarming historical romance stories that never seem to lose their enchanting touch. One such novel is Always Remember by Mary Balogh, the third book in the A Ravenswood Novel Series.

Are you looking for something to read that will wrap you in a warm, cozy embrace? If so, dive into the enchanting Regency Era world that our beloved author, Mary Balogh, has created.

Here’s my T.I.M.E. Best Book Review of Always Remember to help you decide whether this book is your right answer to “what book should I read next?”...

Plot Points
Always Remember tells the story of the Duke of Wilby’s sister, Lady Jennifer Arden. She has an outgoing and cheerful personality but is unable to walk without the aid of primitive crutches... And her life exists within challenging physical boundaries and the additional over-protective nature of her family.

Her fellow protagonist is Ben Ellis, the illegitimate brother and best friend of the Earl of Stratton (now head of the Ware Family which provides the interconnected romance continuum)... And though Ben has always been embraced by the Ware Family, his illegitimacy can still be a challenge to overcome mentally at times for Ben and others as well.

When Ben meets Lady Jennifer, he recognizes that she yearns for independence and motion. Despite the social stigmas and even the family concerns that come with it, the two begin to foster a deep connection.

Standout Features of Always Remember
• Extraordinary Depth of Characters
Mary Balogh has done an excellent job of exploring the depth of her characters in this novel and regency romance series. I find this is one of the elements I love most about Mary Balogh's books overall. The level of detail is extraordinary, expansive and does not shy away from melding modern issues within the historical context.

The aspects of the characters’ natures that she revealed in the first two books of the series only make them more intriguing in Always Remember. This factor supports my suggestion to begin any of her series' with Books 1 and continue forward... Or if you drop in with a later book, make it a point to circle back to read the ones you missed.

Lady Jennifer’s and Ben Ellis’ interactions are also unpredictable. You never know what witty comeback or romantic moment to expect next. Their story is a delightful tapestry of friendship, true love, and hope.

And I love reading love stories inclusive to all types of people and couples... Thank you, Mary Balogh, for continuing to use historical genres to enlighten our understanding of circumstances we still have much to learn about even today. By transporting us to another time and place, we often find the open door to "drop our guard" and gain an insight beyond the walls of our mind... Whether we realize we have even built those walls or not.

• Extraordinary Writing Style
Another characteristic that makes this regency romance novel enjoyable is Balogh’s writing style. Her style is super-detailed yet clean, precise, and tied perfectly to the time period. The emotions of the characters are displayed through their verbal expressions and body language.

Furthermore, the description of the English countryside setting is so vivid that you will feel as if you are experiencing a day in the life of Regency England.

• Extraordinary Overall Series
One of the great things about Always Remember is that even if you have not read the other regency romance novels in the A Ravenswood Novel Series, you can enjoy this one book as a standalone. However, having read the previous books enhances the nuances of the story and gives you a deeper understanding of the characters.

Similar to Jane Austen, Balogh does not take shortcuts in creating her characters or their relationships. It gives the novel its charm and uniqueness. So, choose your preference... But, make sure to not miss a single book, whether you choose to read in order or not!

EPILOGUE
Always Remember is a regency romance novel that is impossible to put down. Mary Balogh weaves in topics such as social class, morality, and acceptance to produce a love story that is engrossing and inspiring.

The book’s central theme of hope will brighten your day. The characters and story convey Balogh’s conviction that even in the darkest moments, life can bloom to reveal a better tomorrow.

Perfect for anyone in search of classic regency romance novels with fascinating characters, extraordinary writing, and a charming narrative filled with insightful treasures!... ✨😎✨

♡ T.I.M.E. TIP: Although it is a cumulative series, you can read this regency romance book series as standalone books since they are interconnected romance books… Meaning each book focuses on a different couple from the same "world" of the Ware family and Ravenswood Hall... But interconnected romance is still a cumulative series... As for me, I started with Book 1 and am always glad to get in on the ground floor of world-building to fully embrace the interconnected romance bonus element... ✨😎✨

Pages: 366
Genre: Historical Romance
Sub-Genre: Regency Romances | Forbidden Love Romance (Off Limits Romance) | Interconnected Romance | Steamy Romance
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ 🌶 (Mild Spicy)
Time Period: Early 1800s | Regency Era
Location: Hampshire | Southern England
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

IF YOU LIKE THIS SERIES THEN TRY…
Book Series: A Westcott Novel Series by Mary Balogh ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TV Series: Poldark ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A heartwarming tale that defies the odds... In Always Remember, the incomparable Lady Jennifer Arden and the resourceful Ben Ellis find themselves drawn to each other despite knowing a match is out of reach...

Lady Jennifer longs for love, marriage, and the ability to walk and dance freely.

Ben, known for his knack for problem-solving, is determined to help her achieve independence and happiness. But as the illegitimate son of an earl, Ben understands the challenges they face if they choose to pursue anything more than being acquaintances.

Will their connection be enough to overcome society's expectations?

In this delightful Regency romance from bestselling author Mary Balogh, sometimes love finds a way, even in the most unlikely circumstances.

BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION:
• The importance of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity, as shown through Ben's determination to help Lady Jennifer achieve her dreams despite societal stigmas... This can serve as inspiration for anyone facing challenges or obstacles in their own lives.
• The power of love to bring people together, regardless of societal expectations or background... This theme is present throughout the book and can serve as a reminder to not judge others based on superficial factors.
• The message of hope that runs throughout the book, reminding readers to never give up on their dreams and to always hold onto hope even in the darkest of times... This can be especially relevant for those going through difficult circumstances or struggling with their own personal challenges.

BOOK QUOTE:
"Sometimes what seems impossible reveals itself as the only real possibility..." — Always Remember by Mary Balogh (A Ravenswood Novel Series | Book 3)

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All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

I enjoyed this book my Mary Balogh. I liked how in this story Ben and Jennifer “saw” each other. I loved how they understood each other and helped each other to be the best people they could be. I loved how their love story progressed and that they were able to be vulnerable and honest with each other. I liked that they didn’t plan to fall in love but as they spent time together they discovered how right they were for each other.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

I know that Mary Balogh is a legend in the historical romance subgrenre. This was a well written book, but it is definitely more family focused and less steamy than I am used to. 3.5 stars for the writing and character work. If you love Austen or family focused literary fiction with a slow burn low-steam romance, this is the story for you. Jennifer is the sister of a Duke and disabled due to a childhood illness. She meets Ben, the illegitimate son of an earl at the fete being held at Ben's family's home/lands. Ben is a fixer and wants to help Jennifer dream beyond what she thought possible, helping her learn to drive a gig and even trying to get her better mobility aids. He is a widower who has a 3 year old child, Joy, who yearns for another "mama" and adores Lady Jennifer. Jennifer and Ben have a friendship that blossoms into romance. There is also a subplot with Ben's family of origin on his mother's side.. I appreciated how this Regency romance took place in Wales as I don't think I've read really any like that. There's also discussion of life during the Napoleonic Wars due to the fact that Ben and one of his brothers were enlisted men. In fact that's how Ben met his late wife, Marjorie as she was a washerwoman for the troops where they were stationed.

I cannot speak to the disability representation in this story but I did appreciate how Jennifer's disability was discussed and how Ben had to deal with his own ableism.

I found this book to be better than the 2nd book in this series. I enjoyed the story of Ben and Jennifer. They both dealt with their lives as mature adults. With that being set there is a lot of repetition and unnecessary dialogue from supporting characters that don't add anything to the story.

This is such a sweet book, I really liked Lady Jennifer and Ben Ellis. I recommend this book to anyone who likes Mary Balogh or historical fiction/romance. I loved that this book didn’t have a lot of drama, but still had enough going on that you never got bored. I liked seeing Lady Jennifer become stronger and learn to stick up for herself by letting people see how she feels more often and what she wants in life. This is a great read and I would highly recommend this book and this series. If you haven’t read the others in the series you will still enjoy this book, but i think you will enjoy it all the more if you start this series from the first in the series, Remember Love.

Ben Ellis and Lady Jennifer Arden both know what it is to be on the outside. He was born a bastard and she has a twisted leg which means she will never walk. Both are stalwarts of their families in different ways and the families have gathered at Ravenswood for the summer.
The two don't actually come together because they are outsiders but because Ben tries to help Jennifer and Jennifer falls in love with his daughter. At first, Jennifer is resistant to Ben's help but she really would like to walk, at least some form of it. Or find any way she can to get some freedom (he also shows her how to drive a gig.)
It's a quiet story with a LOT of characters from previous stories and it got rather confusing there for awhile even though I have read the previous books in the series. I'm not entirely convince that the two are in love but I do see how their personalities would mesh well together.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out January 16, 2024
Follows Remember Me
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group
Opinions are my own

I don’t know how the writer does it. My heart simply went out to the love and pure joy of the book. The story was so heartfelt and giving. Giving of self. Giving of heart. Giving of love. Ben I think is the character who gave the most of his heart. He saw something taking place and he reacted upon it with heart. He saw beauty that no one else saw. I loved that the book focused so much around Ben and Jennifer. Having joy come along was even better. Having the support of family and friends for Ben and Jennifer was wonderful. The house was filled with so much fun and excitement. I truly loved the story in itself.

Another wonderful and beautiful story in this series, Ben Ellis and Lady Jennifer Arden a match that should be out of the question but when they form a friendship that leads to more, will their hearts make it possible?

Lady Jennifer Arden is the sister of the Duke of Wilby and after a childhood illness leaves her unable to walk this does not deter her from being a beautiful and happy, caring and loving person, she is twenty five now and she yearns to walk, run, dance and fly and to fall in love, marry and have children, but that gets less likely each year, but then she arrives at Ravenswood and meets Ben Ellis and his beautiful daughter Joy, things just might change.

Ben Ellis is the illegitimate son of the late Earl of Stratton, although bought up with the Earl’s family and treated and loved as they are there will always be this stigma hanging over him, he is widowed with a three year old daughter he lives at Penallen and he dearly wants to remarry, but falling for a Duke’s daughter was not in the plan, but he cannot deny his heart.

A beautiful, heartwarming story, that had me cheering them on and shedding lots of happy tears, Ben and Jenny have a lot to overcome to get to their gorgeous HEA, it is a moving and emotional story with a cast of fabulous characters that add to the story this is one that I highly recommend, I truly loved it.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for mu digital copy to read and review.

Ben Ellis and Lady Jennifer Arden were raised in the same social circle, but both have always felt a little on the outside. Ben because he is still the illegitimate son of the late Earl of Stratton. Lady Jennifer is sister to a duke, with a large fortune, but a childhood illness crippled one of her legs leaving her mostly wheelchair bound.

Ben comes upon Jennifer trying to walk in crutches and while it’s awkward for a moment they end up confiding things they’d never say to anyone else. Ben would love to marry again, give his 3-year-old-daughter a mother and more siblings, but prospects are underwhelming. Not only that, but he’s also received a letter from his birth mother’s side of the family and isn’t sure what to do about it.

Jennifer dreams of getting around more independently and walking. Ben has practical ideas for her and makes it his mission to help her achieve them and Jennifer listens to his worries without judgement, giving a fresh perspective. I loved seeing Jennifer get a new lease on life with some changes and ingenuity! The relationship between Ben’s daughter and Jennifer was heartwarming! The little girl was adorable and some of the three-year-old moments cracked me up!

Ben and Jennifer’s romance was emotional and moving! Started as an unlikely friendship, having someone listen and get it, and turned into affection, attraction, and longing. However, their romance was not without obstacles with Ben being illegitimate and Jennifer a titled woman, and yet they couldn’t stay away from each other!

Oh, I just loved Always Remember! I yearned for Ben and Jennifer to find happiness after all they went through! The Ravenswood series is one of my favorites! While each book focuses on a different romantic couple there is a backstory and so the books should be read in order. A definite recommend!

Balogh’s latest release in the Ravenswood series hits different.

If I’ve said anything over my years of reading it’s this, very rarely do I read a book and cry. Maybe I’m getting older, maybe it’s the season of the year, but Mary Balogh and this book had me shedding ugly tears with a few sobs, late at night.

This series in general is this slice of life story where connections are forged, remade, or healed through the passage of time, change, and courage. Always remember is no exception, and tells the story of the eldest Ravenswood, Ben Ellis, the bastard son of the since-passed Earl. On the flip side our heroine is the sister of a duke, Lady Jennifer Arden.

Both Ben and Jennifer have lives filled with challenge. From Ben’s role as a widowed father, and not quite allowed to re-marry into the upper echelons due to the circumstances of his birth to Jennifer’s childhood illness that has left her unable to walk normally and mainly restricted to a wheelchair. These two, while familiar with each other due to their respective sibling’s marriage, have never really interacted one-on-one, until the summer of the Ravenswood fete. A month’s long gathering and stay that forces both Ben and Jennifer into each other’s paths, and forever changes them.

This is slice of life type story with lots of heart. Ben’s habit of being a fixer is heart-melting. He wants to help Jennifer have more freedom in her life and does so by trying to find ways to make her more mobile. In return she becomes the listening rock he needs, someone who will let him speak his mind about all the things bothering him and give good advice. These two actions start to form a closeness that neither can deny and the subsequent falling made this unable to put down by the time I hit chapter two.

Overall, if you want a historical romance that includes plenty of slow burn, family drama, and in general low-angst falling I highly recommend Always Remember.

~ Landra

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

Always Remember by Mary Balogh is the third book in the Ravenswood Series. This one is “Ben’s book.”

Ben Ellis is the oldest brother in the Ware family, but he is an illegitimate half-brother, the son of the old earl’s mistress. The earl brought him into the care of the countess when he was just three years old, after the death of his mother. Although he is loved by all as a brother, there is an underlying awareness of his status. And Ben is most aware of all. He has always tried to stay in the background.

After a family calamity several years before, Ben followed his brother, Devlin, into battle against Napoleon. There, he met a washerwoman, impregnated her, and married her. She died, and Benjamin now has a three-year-old daughter, Joy. Joy needs a mother. And Ben, who lives near the sea on his own estate, wants a wife. Indecisive about which of three potential “ordinary” women to ask, he goes back to Ravenswood (the Ware estate) for a summer festival, to think about his future. While he is there, he is reacquainted with Lady Jennifer, sister of the Duke of Wilby (from book two, Remember Me.)

Jennifer is recuperating from a romantic disappointment. She is twenty-five, beautiful, a duke’s daughter, etc. But she has a withered leg, the result of a childhood illness, and is confined to a chair. For this reason, she doubts she will ever know true love. Nevertheless, she is determinedly cheerful.

Ben and Jennifer are both beloved, but are outsiders. During the lead-up to the festival, in the midst of the family gathering, they spend a good deal of time with one another, talking. Ben is made aware of Jennifer’s secret desire for more autonomy. Being a problem-solver, he works on ways to help her increase her mobility. Before long, they have fallen in love.

But a duke’s sister cannot marry a man stigmatized by illegitimacy.

Always Remember is written with Mary Balogh’s usual aplomb, with a narrative voice that is calm, reasonable, and yet, deeply emotional. The families are huge, so there is plenty of room for more stories!

Dear Mary Balogh,

I’ve been reading your books for ages now. I read everything you release and some of your older books (many of them actually) are on my keeper shelf and are books I go back to again and again. Of course I was going to read Always Remember. I can’t say I wasn’t a bit nervous about it though. It features Lady Jennifer Arden (sister of Luc, the hero from the previous book, Remember Me), who is unable to walk as a result of (apparently) childhood polio*. As much as I love your books, there have been issues with disability representation in them before. This time, disability is front and centre to the story. There is no way to brush it aside.

(*According to the WHO “the first known clinical description of polio, by British doctor Michael Underwood, was not until 1789, and it was formally recognized as a condition in 1840 by German physician Jakob Heine” so I guess it’s possible it was regarded as a mystery at the time Jenny was ill in the early 1800s?)

Ben Ellis is the firstborn son of the Earl of Stratton. He is also illegitimate. He came to live with the Ware family when he was three years old after his mother had died. Devlin, the heir, was a newborn. The Countess of Stratton was presented with another child and evidence of her husband’s philandering almost immediately upon giving birth to her first child. It was a lot for her to take in. Nonetheless, Ben was loved and raised as a member of the family. Almost. He always knew he was not really one of them.

You are treated as an equal as long as you do not behave like one.

Ouch.

It is a somewhat strange situation to be in. I don’t know if there are actual historical analogues but I expect if there were, they were rare. (I know there were illegitimate offspring of royalty (“Fitz-insert-name-here’s) and they sometimes had something of a special status because even illegitimate they were still related to royalty. This is different I think.)

Devlin left Ravenswood following a public argument with his father in Remember Love. Devlin joined the military and went off to war on the Continent. Ben went with him as his batman. When Devlin returned home, Ben did too – carrying a baby in his greatcoat. Ben had been in a relationship with a washerwoman during the war. She fell pregnant, he promptly married her and they had a daughter together, Joy. Then Marjorie died, leaving Ben a widower with a very young baby.

In the two years since he and Devlin returned to England, Ben has purchased (from Devlin) a property by the sea – Penallen – and begun to make a home for him and his now-three-year-old daughter. He’s a man who enjoys being in a steady relationship. He misses it. He doesn’t expect hearts and flowers but he wants a companion and regular sex. He wants Joy to have a mother and he wants more children. His ponderings about who to court among his neighbours are interrupted by a visit to Ravenswood for the first summer fete held in eight years.

The whole extended family are at Ravenswood in the lead up to the fete, not just Ben and Joy. Lady Jennifer Arden is there too.

Ben and Jenny (OMG I have just realised – Ben & Jenny! LOL) have met before but Ben usually keeps himself somewhat apart, making an effort to be inconspicuous and ordinary as a result of his peculiar status within the family and within society. And for his part, Ben realises, he has been uncomfortable with Jenny because of her disability. Once he realises this, he feels awful and determines to do better. Ben is a practically-minded man; he sees a problem and sets his mind to finding options to solve it. When he sees Jenny struggling to walk in the courtyard one day with crutches and gets to talking with her about her dreams of being more mobile, he starts to think of ways he can help.

I did like that Jenny very firmly set him straight and told him she was not a “project”. Ben tried to step into the role of saviour but Jenny wrested that away and “saved” herself.

But, the first thing Ben does is teach Jenny how to drive a gig. Jenny is delighted. For the first time since her illness she is moving freely on her own volition (of course she has the cooperation of the horse).

I did wonder, given how much Jenny is loved, that no-one else in her life had ever tried to help her be more mobile. It was never really answered in the story. I suppose it was put down to her being smothered in love and Jenny being determinedly cheerful so she would not be a mopey bother due to her disability. There’s a scene later in the book where Ben wheels Jenny’s chair around the lake at a picnic. She’d been sitting in one spot before then. Sure people would come and talk to her and she wasn’t ignored but no-one else even thought she might want to move. That seemed weird to me.

In Ben, Jenny finds someone she can confide in; she does not feel the need to be ever-cheerful and is open with him about her hopes and dreams and her struggles. And Ben in return finds someone who understands being different and not quite belonging.

“But I went and had that talk with Cam Holland when I had no business doing so,” he said.

“Yes,” she said. “And I might have rebuked you—as I did. I might have sent word immediately to Mr. Holland that I would have no need of his services, now or ever, thank you kindly. I did not do it. I went instead to talk to him myself, and I took Pippa with me. That whole matter was an issue that became mine, Mr. Ellis. I am a grown woman, and a woman, moreover, with a mind and a voice. I used both. I am becoming increasingly annoyed to find that you and I—both of us—are treated differently from other people by our families. I am coddled, as though I were still the child I was when I fell ill and was quite incapable of managing my own affairs. You are treated as an equal as long as you do not behave like one. If we wish to be friends while we are both here at Ravenswood—which will not be for very much longer—then why should we not be? I do not need permission from my brother or my aunt. You do not need permission from anyone at all.”

When Ben arrived at Ravenswood a letter is waiting which opens the possibility of finding out more about his mother and her family – something he had almost no knowledge of before. He can talk to Jenny about this in a way he feels he can’t talk to the Wares.

As Ben and Jenny spend time together the rest of the family become “concerned” because Ben is illegitimate and something something social damage if they get together. I admit I didn’t quite understand this. Surely a Duke and an Earl can stare (almost) anyone down about such things if they choose? What social situations exactly would Jenny be unable to participate in if she were married to Ben? Would she care? Would it actually do any damage to the rest of the family? For as much as the Wares have always loved Ben and said they regarded him as their brother, there was a divide. It is not until the book ends (with a HEA because of course) that I felt that gap was mostly bridged and only really because of his (spoiler!) marriage to Jenny. Which, when you think about it is a bit sad really.

There was a scene I desperately wanted but which was not in the book. Luc is concerned and warns Ben off. He at least is not a Ware and so I could understand where he was coming from (mostly?). Luc and Devlin go to town to check on something and I really wanted to know what they talked about. Did Devlin (as he should have) tell Luc to pull his head in and that he’s be lucky to have Ben as a brother-in-law? Or did he agree with Luc’s concerns? What did they talk about?

I don’t quite know how to feel about the disability representation in Always Remember. It wasn’t all bad. But I don’t think it was exactly good either. I’m not qualified to make any definitive pronouncement but there were some things I liked and some things I didn’t. Whether that adds up at a passing grade or not is not my call to make.

In any event, Jenny decides to think about her disability differently – as her incapacity only affecting “one leg” and that it ought not affect her whole life. She knows she will never walk easily but she longs to be less reliant on others. She decides to be more active in her own life rather than being a passive observer.

Ben finds out things about his mother and addresses some complicated feelings about his father. The family realise that Ben knows he’s not really a Ware. (Like, this is a revelation?) I felt a little out of phase with this part of the story. As if I could only fathom it if I looked quickly but the more I stared the blurrier it got.

By the end of the book however, both Ben and Jenny were better off and happy together and Joy was delighted with her new “mama”. I enjoyed the book while I was reading (even though I think some of the social mores the family chose to adhere to were just stupid, especially the one at the end – hello romance reader here) but I don’t think it’s a book I’ll read again. I liked Ben very much. I’m glad he ended up with more than he thought he’d ever have. I liked Jenny too but for me the book was very much about Ben, his history, his place in the family and finding a place where he truly belonged. (Also, I’m a sucker for a single dad and Ben is an exceptional father.)

Grade: B-

Regards,
Kaetrin

This was an emotional regency romance. As a lady in this time period extracurriculars are meant to be for dancing at balls or strolling in the countryside but neither are possible for Lady Jennifer. She is unable to walk due to a childhood illness but it doesn’t quell her spirit.
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Ben Ellis sees Lady Jennifer trying to walk and he has never seen a problem he couldn’t fix but there is another problem…him and Jennifer begin to fall for each other but it shouldn’t be. He is the bastard son of an Earl. Love overcomes all in this one. This is book 3 in the series and had me going back wanting to read the rest!
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Huge thank you to @berkleypub and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Rating: 4.5 Stars

Always Remember is an emotional, captivating and sublimely romantic Regency tale from the queen of the genre: Mary Balogh.

Lady Jennifer Arden, sister of the Duke of Wilby, had been left unable to walk after a childhood illness. Rather than let herself be embittered by her circumstances, Jennifer has instead chosen to focus on the positives and has carved her own place in society. With a wide circle of friends and a busy social life, Jennifer might not be able to dance at balls or take a stroll in Hyde Park, but she opts to count her blessings and to take pleasure in the warmth and kindness of her beloved family. However, there is a part of Jennifer that will always yearn for marriage and children – and the ability to walk and dance…

Solving problems is Ben Ellis’s specialty and when he comes across Jennifer struggling to walk with the aid of very primitive crutches, he immediately resolves to do something about it and help give her the independence she so desperately craves. Ben teaches Jennifer things that had been previously off-limits for her. From swimming to driving a carriage, Ben is keen to show Jennifer that she can do anything she sets her mind to. However, the more time Ben spends in Jennifer’s company, the more he finds himself drawn to her…

As their friendship grows and develops into something far deeper than either one of them was expecting, Ben and Jennifer realize that they’ve fallen in love with one another. But with a vast social chasm dividing them, is a future for the two of them possible? Or is a relationship for Ben and Jennifer completely out of the question?

Regency romance fans have got another treat in store for them with Mary Balogh’s latest novel, Always Remember. A beautifully written, exquisitely rendered and wholly mesmerizing historical romance, Always Remember is a spellbinding tale of forbidden passion, love across the social divide and making one’s dreams a reality told with Mary Balogh’s trademark élan and flair.

A magical and enjoyable historical romance from a true virtuoso, Always Remember is another surefire hit for Mary Balogh.

One of my favorite childhood memories is sitting around a campfire on a warm summer's night listening to the melodic cadence and mellow voice of a storyteller weaving a captivating tale. That's the feeling Balogh brings to this newest book in her Ravenswood series. I snuggled under a warm blanket and lost myself in the feelings of a heartwarming journey of both romance and family featuring characters still living in my head more than three weeks after reading their story...the first time. ;-)

I love the emotional layers within both Ben and Jenny, how each of them evolves over the course of their journey. And, as family is a primary focus of this series, I also enjoyed their inter-connecting relationships within not only their own family but each other's. Ben is such a nurturer. I love what a good dad he is, how he's always looking for ways to help others. But he always puts himself last. It's heartwarming to watch him finally place importance on his own needs and happiness and how that impacts not only his gradually deepening friendship with Jenny but also his relationships with members of his family, especially his half-brother, Devlin (Remember Love). For her part, Jenny is finally breaking out of the protective cocoon in which she has lived since her childhood illness thanks to the encouragement of Ben and the love of his young daughter. It's satisfying to watch her spread her wings, embrace the freedom of enhanced independence, and take control of her own life while facing head on the changes - and challenges - that brings to the dynamics within her own family. And I haven't even touched on the challenges a cross-class, legitimate-illegitimate pairing causes among all the dukes, earls, lords, and ladies of the families.

One of the things I love about this book is the plethora of family and community members who are all highly visible and intrinsic to the story being told. They add a rich variety of texture, potential conflict, and heartwarming tenderness to Ben's and Jenny's journey. However, if you haven't read the first two books of the series, the sheer number of secondary characters and their inter-connecting relationships - and shared history - might be a bit overwhelming. For that reason, I would probably recommend reading the books in order. They are, in order: Remember Love, Remember Me, and Always Remember.

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley. Fair and unbiased review.

ALWAYS REMEMBER (A Ravenswood Novel Book #3) by Mary Balogh is a beautiful heartwarming historical romance featuring Ben’s story. This is the third romance in the series and while I really enjoyed the first two, this one was special. This series consists of complete HEAs in each book, but I feel they are best read in order because there is a continuously evolving family story.

Ben Ellis and his daughter, Joy, have returned to Ravenswood for the summer fete and to decide what he will do about a very personal situation. Ben accidentally observes Lady Jennifer Arden, who he believed only moved about in her wheeled chair attempting to take a few steps on crutches. Ben always needs to fix problems and sets about finding better and easier ways for Lady Jennifer to have more independence of movement.

Lady Jennifer is shocked and yet intrigued by Ben’s ideas. The two soon have a growing friendship and discuss personal intimacies and fears they share with no one else. Both families are alarmed by the growing friendship even though Jennifer and Ben are adults because they cannot see a happy ending with a duke’s sister marrying the bastard son of an earl. Can friendship grow into a love that can overcome societal barriers?

I love Ben, Jennifer, and Joy! Ben was such a fine man and brother that all the Wares relied on and yet also unknowingly treated differently. He always felt incomplete because of his lack of maternal family knowledge. Jennifer was the coddled invalid who always had a smile on her face but longed for more. Ben helped free her from her self-imposed cage and made her dream again. Joy was always just a bundle of joy. Put the three of them together and it is a wonderful story of hope and romance. There is one sex scene close to the end which is romantic and not explicit. It is great to catch up with the rest of the Ware family and all the new relatives, children, and friends from the previous books, also. This romance pulled all my emotional heartstrings and is my favorite of this series to date.

I highly recommend this uplifting and emotional Regency historical romance!

I am apparently very good at starting off a series not at the beginning lately! This is part of the Ravenswood series and technically book number three. If you are under the assumption that the previous two books don’t end in an HEA then spoiler alert they do. Other than seeing where the previous two couples are in their happily married lives, you can go ahead and read this one, but if you want the whole family saga then go back to Remember Love.

Lady Jennifer Arden and Ben Ellis grapple with the unattainable—a match deemed out of the question. Despite her inability to walk due to a childhood illness, Lady Jennifer dreams of marriage and children, yearning for the joy of dancing. Ben, known for solving practical problems, encounters Jennifer struggling with primitive crutches and is determined to help her discover independence, from driving carriages to swimming. However, as the bastard son of the late Earl of Stratton, he treads carefully in a world where he feels he doesn't truly belong. Shocked yet intrigued by Ben's ideas, Jennifer and Ben's growing friendship raises alarms within both families. The societal norms dictate that a duke's sister cannot marry the illegitimate son of an earl. Yet, as their connection deepens, they find that sometimes, love has the power to overcome even the most entrenched barriers.

The Ware family is lovely and even though Ben Ellis is not their “true” brother, he has always been treated as such within the family. He is also just a wonderful human being and just all around great guy. Jennifer has never let her disability weigh her down, but Ben helps her realize that she has been letting her family love her just a little too much, and that she can do so much more than she realized. This is a sweet story that allows you watch two people fall in love.

Thank you to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the free eARC of this book

This is such sweet regency romance! I loved Mary Balogh books for a long time and this book did not disappoint. This is perfect read for fans of Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer.

Mary Balogh returns us to the Ravenswood family as they gather together for the first summer since the one that destroyed the family as they knew it eight years ago.

Along with the revelers, my two family members that are both isolated from the family and their own unique way.

Ben maybe the eldest son of the Earl Ravenswood, but as an illegitimate son of the Earl he holds a precarious place in the family dynamic. Made to feel welcome and always part of the family, he’s always known that his illegitimacy does not place him at the same level as his brothers and sisters.

Lady Jennifer, related to the family through the marriage of her brother, has experienced life wrapped up in cotton wool. After an illness in her childhood leaves her with a deformed leg and unable to walk on her own, she has found herself permanently, thought of as lacking. Rightfully, the daughter/sister of a duke she should have her pick up suitors and be married with her own parcel of children. She can only hope to be an ant, and not too much of a burden for her family.

Sometimes you find talking to a stranger easier than your family and friends…

Both isolated Ben and Lady Jennifer find a connection they didn’t know they could have with the person they never thought they would with.

Another absolutely beautiful story full of love, family and hope as these two very deserving characters find love and the strength to fight past society expectations to reach for their own happiness.

I was full of emotions as I read through Ben and Lady Jennifer’s story - this was Mary Balogh at her best!

Thanks to Berkley Romance for my e-book review copy. Opinions are my own.