Ben Ellis is the illegitimate son of the late Earl of Stratton and his mistress, but when his mother died, the Earl brought Ben to Ravenswood and raised him with his other children. Ben was accepted into the family and even called the Earl’s Countess mother, but despite the love they gave him, he never felt like he quite fit in. So when he returned from the peninsular Wars, widowed and with a young daughter, he decided not to live at Ravenswood Hall and bought his own home, Penallen. And now he has finished renovating his home, he has decided that it is time to find a wife. He has three perfectly acceptable ladies in mind, all of whom would suit him and would be a good stepmother to his young daughter Joy, but for some reason, his usual decisiveness has eluded him and he just can’t seem to decide which woman to pursue. Adding to this dilemma is the letter he receives from a man he has never met which offers some unexpected news that will require Ben to decide whether he wants to learn more, or if he should just ignore it. Bothered by his sudden inability to make a decision, he decides to put off these decisions until he returns from the fete at Ravenswood. This will be the first fete since that awful day eight years ago when he learned that his father, the late Earl of Stratton was not the man Ben always believed him to be, causing Ben to leave Ravenswood with his brother Devlin, and not return for six long years. Once at Ravenswood, he once again feels out of place and out of sorts, but a chance encounter with Lady Jennifer gives him a purpose, and soon the two form an unlikely friendship, one that quickly escalates to something more…and something impossible.
Lady Jennifer Arden, the sister of Lucas, the Duke of Wilby, is at Ravenswood for the fete too. Though they are in mourning, Lucas’ wife, Philippa, is part of the Ware family, giving them leave to attend the gathering. Jennifer is delighted to be at Ravenswood and to spend time with the Ware family, but seeing everyone with their families is a stark reminder to her of what she will never have. Jennifer was left crippled by a childhood fever and is confined to a wheelchair, but that doesn’t stop her from trying to walk, and with the aid of crutches, she is somewhat successful. It is during one of these attempts that she meets Ben, well they have seen each other before, but they have never interacted, due mainly to their uncomfortable awareness of each other’s perceived deficiencies, his illegitimacy and her physical limitations. They both feel awkward, but they share a meaningful conversation that leads Ben to try and help her move beyond her current limitations, she in turn offers him suggestions on how to handle his letter. Their friendship is frowned upon by their friends and families, but they can’t seem to let it go and when feelings grow deeper, it seems likely that hearts will be left broken. But even the threat of a broken heart isn’t enough to keep them apart or from wishing things could be different.
As usual, Mary Balogh delivers a well-written story of imperfect people finding their perfect someone. This book is what my mother calls a “gentle read”, meaning it isn’t overly dramatic, it isn’t filled with angst, it is not overly passionate yet is it not devoid of these elements, they just don’t overwhelm you. This story is a sort of opposites attract / class difference / best friend’s brother, all rolled into one touching love story. It is a sweet romance filled with wonderful characters, revelations, warm love scenes, lots of secondary characters, loving family members, acceptance, cute children, a bit of humor, a dash of heartache, and finally a HEA that didn’t seem possible until it was. I liked this story and would happily recommend it to my fellow HR readers, but in all honestly, I did feel that at times Ben and Jennifer’s romance got overshadowed by all the other things/characters in the book – there are A LOT of characters in this book and a lot going on, most of which is not related to their romance, causing the story to seemingly wander off the road to HEA. This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title. I finished the book delighted for Ben, Jennifer, and Joy and looking forward to the next installment.
4 stars
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
Release Day For Mary Balogh’s Remember Me, Book 2 of the Ravenswood Series
About the Book
Philippa, elder daughter of the Earl of Stratton, grew up eagerly anticipating a glittering debut and a brilliant marriage. Then her brother caught their father out in a clandestine affair and denounced him publicly. The whole family was disgraced, and Philippa’s hopes grew dim, then were fully shattered when she overheard the dashing, handsome Marquess of Roath viciously insult her upon learning of her father’s identity. Only years later does Philippa find the courage to go to London at last to meet the ton. She is an instant success and enjoys a close friendship with the granddaughter of a duke. Only one man can spoil everything for her, but surely he will not be in London this year.
The Duke of Wilby is nearing death and has tasked his grandson and heir, Lucas Arden, Marquess of Roath, with marrying and producing a son before it is too late. Lucas, who usually shuns London, goes there early in the Season in the hope of finding an eligible bride before his grandparents come and find one for him. He is instantly attracted to his sister’s new friend, until that young lady asks a simple question: “Remember me?” And suddenly he does remember her, as well as the reason why the daughter of the Earl of Stratton is the one woman he can never marry—even if his heart tells him she is the only woman he wants.
Unfortunately for Philippa and Lucas, the autocratic duke and his duchess have other ideas and believe them to be perfect for each other. They will simply not take no for an answer. Telling Philippa the full truth is the hardest thing Lucas has ever faced, and the discovery of it will change them both before they discover the healing power of love.
Photo Credit to Sharon Pelletier
About the Author
Mary Balogh has written more than one hundred historical novels and novellas, more than forty of which have been New York Times bestsellers. They include the Bedwyn saga, the Simply quartet, the Huxtable quintet, the seven-part Survivors’ Club series, and the Westcott series. Learn more online at www.marybalogh.com.
Lady Philippa “Pippa” Ware, the eldest daughter of the late Earl of Stratton and sister of the current earl, is preparing for her first season at the grand old age of twenty-two. She was set to make her debut at eighteen, but she decided not to go at the last minute, after overhearing Lord Roath, a handsome guest of a neighbor, learn she was the daughter of the Earl of Stratton, refused to dance with her and called her “soiled goods”. Pippa believed that it was all related to the scandal surrounding her father a few years earlier and was convinced everyone in London thought the same as Lord Roath. Her father’s death further delayed her debut which was followed by the death of her grandmother. When her brother Devlin, finally returns to take up his position as Earl, Philippa shares why she hasn’t had a season with him and he convinces her to go. It becomes clear that her fears were unfounded, she is accepted and even considered the catch of the season, she is also making friends, one who is especially dear is Lady Jennifer “Jenny” Arden, the granddaughter of the Duke of Wilby, who is unable to walk thanks to a childhood illness. Everything seems perfect until HE, Lucas Arden, Marquess of Roath, shows up and turns out to be Jenny’s brother and the duke’s heir, and he doesn’t seem to remember her or his insults. Once she sets him straight, he is mortified that she overheard his careless word, he apologizes and assures her that he was angry at her father, yet refuses to say why. Unwilling to forgive him, she vows to stay away from him. Too bad the Duke has decided that Philippa is the perfect wife for Lucas!
Lucas Arden, Marquess of Roath, hates London, and at twenty-six is in no rush to marry, but when his grandfather’s health begins to decline, he is told that he must find a bride and produce an heir as soon as possible. With no good reason to refuse, he agrees to participate in the season and find a wife. As luck would have it, he arrives at the family townhouse to find a tea party underway and his sister in conversation with one of the most beautiful women he has ever seen. Thinking that his search is over before it began, he gains an introduction to Lady Philippa Ware, but it isn’t until they are left alone that he learns who she is – the very last woman he should want to marry. And so begins a battle of wills, inconvenient attraction, and the promise of either HEA or heartbreak.
After being a tad bit disappointed by the previous book, I didn’t have high hopes for this book and almost passed on requesting a review copy – Thank goodness I decided to give it a go! This book was classic Mary Balogh and even had a cameo with Lady Morgan Bedwyn. It is a slow-burn romance between two people who have a good reason to stay apart but still find themselves drawn together. The book has secrets, cameos from former characters, a Duke used to getting his way, friendships, a bit of heartache, mild love scenes, a sweet ending, and an epilogue that brought me to tears. For me, the story moved a bit too slowly and was a solid four-star read until I read the epilogue – OMG – have your tissues ready! This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title without any problem. I am happy to recommend this book and am already looking forward to the next installment.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
EXCERPT
Voices hummed all around them and glass and china clinked as the other guests feasted upon the sumptuous tea set out before them. Spoons scraped upon dishes of fruit trifle. Philippa glanced down at her plate and was surprised to see that the cucumber sandwich had disappeared. She even had the taste of it in her mouth.
But would this tea, to which she had looked forward with such eager anticipation, never be over? She felt as though she were suffocating. The room seemed unnaturally stuffy.
“I have just realized to my shame that I have not yet spoken with at least one third of our guests,” Jenny said as she set her napkin down on the table. “I was so absorbed in my conversation with Pippa before you arrived, Luc, that I neglected everyone else. And I kept you from mingling too, Pippa, though I know you have very few acquaintances in London and came here to make some. I do apologize.”
“We can put your first concern to rest without further delay, Jenny,” Sir Gerald said, getting to his feet. “I see your wheeled chair in the corner here beside the mantel. Let me get you into it, and we will move about together from table to table, greeting people we have not already spoken with.”
He was fetching the chair as he spoke. He bent over his cousin and, with what was obviously practiced ease, lifted her into it.
“That is kind of you, Gerald,” Jenny said. “But now I am abandoning Pippa after begging her to stay with me. Luc, will you be so good as to give her your company until everyone begins to move about again?”
“It will be my pleasure,” he said while Philippa smiled and her heart thumped uncomfortably and she felt robbed of breath.
The Marquess of Roath was on his feet, moving his chair out of the way so the wheeled chair could pass behind it, and bending to tuck the hem of his sister’s dress about her ankles so it would not catch beneath a wheel.
When he sat down again, he did not move his chair back to where it had been. It was now closer to Philippa than before. She was aware again of the voices around them, seeming to enclose them in a cocoon of silence, which neither of them broke for a few moments. Their eyes met. His were brown, but not very dark. There were hints of green in them. He opened his mouth to speak, but she forestalled him. She had learned something in the last seven or eight months, since Devlin’s return home from the wars. She had learned the importance of speaking truth rather than suppressing it and living with the illusion that all would be well in her world if only she kept quiet about what was not well.
“Remember me?” she said.
* * * * *
The sound of many voices talking at once had grown louder as more of the guests finished eating. A few had risen from their places and were moving about to talk with fellow guests at other tables. Lady Philippa Ware had spoken quietly. Lucas was not quite sure he had heard her correctly.
But all through tea, while the four of them had chatted amiably and shared family anecdotes and laughed over them—his and Jenny’s and Gerald’s on the one hand, Lady Philippa’s on the other—he had been dragging up a distant memory from that place in the mind where one stuffs away gaffes one would dearly love to obliterate altogether if only it were possible. It was a memory from four or five years ago of going to spend Easter with James Rutledge, a friend from his Oxford years. James lived with his parents and siblings somewhere close to the village of…Boscombe? Lucas thought that was the name. It was in Hampshire anyway. When he had accepted the invitation, he had had no idea that the Earl of Stratton lived at Ravenswood Hall, a mere stone’s throw from the village. He had discovered it within a day or two of his arrival, however. James had taken him—because he had thought it would amuse Lucas—to watch a crowd of his neighbors practice maypole dancing in someone’s large barn, or what was supposedly a barn. It had clearly not seen either animals or hay for many a year, if ever.
Lady Philippa was not going to speak again, it seemed, until he did. But her eyes—those large, very blue eyes—did not waver from his own. And though she had spoken quietly, she had also spoken quite distinctly. He did not need to have her repeat the words.
Remember me?
“Have we met before, Lady Philippa?” he asked. But he had the ghastly feeling that they had.
Always Remember: Ben’s Story by Mary Balogh
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