I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After their siblings marry, Lady Jennifer Arden and Ben Ellis are always thrown into company at Ravenswood, and form a strong friendship. The disparity in their stations makes it clear that they can never be together, but even though in their heads they understand this, their hearts want something very different. As Ben helps Jennifer practice walking and driving in secret, the time they spend together shows them just how alike they are, and how suited they would be to marriage. But the widowed bastard son of an earl can't marry a duke's sister, right?

I feel like I read this book with a permanent grin on my face. Both Jennifer and Ben have been important characters in the previous books, and it was fantastic to see how they could get their happy ending, and together nonetheless. Ben was the eldest child of the late Earl of Stratton, and though he was raised with his siblings, he was illegitimate and that stain would always be on his character. Following his brother to war, he found solace in a wife, but who later died leaving him a single parent to their daughter, Joy. Returned from war, Ben struggles to find his place in his family, and is an outsider. So meeting Jennifer, also a fellow outsider, they were kindred spirits, and had found someone who understood them more than any family member could. Jennifer's childhood illness had left her unable to walk, and she struggled to be a part of society in the way that she wants. In her heart, she wants to run, dance, and love, and more than anything, marry and have children. Her brother, the Duke of Wilby, has always done everything he can for her, but he still sees her as an ill child, not a woman who dreams and needs. Ben does, and he helps her with her walking, and carriage driving. Seeing the pair and Joy get into a carriage, with Jennifer at the reins, as a family, was utter perfection, and finally the kick that the rest of their families needed to help them be together. This book was such a wonderful conclusion to the Ravenswood series, and the whole Ware clan were able to find happiness after so long!

I really loved these two characters in the previous books and was really looking forward to the chemistry between them.... I'm still looking. This is a friends-to-lovers/lovers from different worlds trope that is sooo slow and uninspiring it took me months to get through it. I both read an ARC and listened to the audiobook from my local library to plow through.
At the 50% mark, I didn't think it was possible for these two to be more dull or have less chemistry. I wanted to give up. The hashing and rehashing of Jennifer's handicapped leg was so frustrating. Ditto with Ben's parentage/first marriage. The characters are so one dimensional. He's a bastard. She's a cripple. Yeah, so what? How is this STILL the only thing I know about them? But did I quit on this book? No! Like Jennifer, I kept trying to limp through it.
There could've been a plot, ANY plot involved that would make this more engaging. The entire story takes place during the most boring family visit ever. The characters don’t really get together until 90% in, and by then it feels forced. Especially, the one uninspiring love scene… that I guess would be considered open-door?
Then she made the characters wait EIGHT months to get married due to… mourning? Mourning?! They are flouting society’s conventions to marry each other at all and we suddenly care about the conventions of mourning?
I just feel like the two characters that I really wanted to find happiness (the rest of the family can hang) deserved a spicy, joyful romp and drew the short stick instead.
Balogh is such a hit or miss author for me. While I LOVED the Bedwyn Saga, every book/series I've sampled from her since then has disappointed me.

Mary Balogh delivers another delightful romance in the Ravenswood series and I thought it was a heartwarming story. Always Remember is the third book in the series and it nicely deals with overcoming societal restrictions and the family. Ben Ellis is a widower and the illegitimate son of the late Earl of Stratton. Ben is looking for a new wife and a mother for his young daughter Joy and finds himself at a loss. He heads home to Ravenswood to attend the summer fete, and puts his search on hold. Lady Jennifer Arden, sister of the Duke of Wilby, was introduced in the previous book, is a young woman that is wheelchair-bound by a childhood illness and is also going to Ravenswood for the fete. She is caught by surprise by Ben while she was walking on crutches in the garden. Ben wants to help Jennifer better her situation and figure out a way for her to become more mobile. Knowing that nothing more should develop between these two individuals doesn’t stop them from becoming friends. Their hearts didn’t get the message that what they were embarking on wasn’t allowed.

The author did a fine job of creating friction and building a slow burn between the main characters. Jennifer is one of my favorite characters because she is optimistic and a realist. What Ben does for her is open her eyes to the possibilities and yearns for more. Ben is slowly being recognized and not blending into the background and finally finding his roots. He thought it would be opening a Pandora’s box but in actuality, he got his father back. These two were meant to be together because they lifted each other up. With both their families in the story, it was engaging to see the many relationships grow and how they influenced both Ben and Jennifer in their decisions to be together. Society might have deemed Ben’s status as illegitimate, but it was his family that enveloped him into the fold and told him he belonged. Mary Balogh is a master at Regency romance storytelling and Always Remember is quite the masterpiece.

I have mixed feelings about this one, and I'm not really sure how to review it.

Is the disability rep good? I could see it going a lot of ways; I'd be very curious to read some own voice reviews from wheelchair users about the way Jennifer's disability is portrayed and how she and Ben's relationship develops around the disability.

Sometimes it felt like Ben wanted to fix Jenny, almost like he didn't accept her. I bristle at that.

On the other hand, he does go out of his way to make things accessible to her. (This is a very low bar for 2024 but this is a historical, so what do we make of that?)

2.5 stars

I think I need to take a break from Mary Balogh's books for a while, because I've had issues with her past few books--and for Always Remember, I desperately struggled to finish the book despite liking the characters.

I liked Jennifer's struggle of having a loving family but also feeling like they were coddling her and holding her back from a life lived more fully. Ben is a good guy and a great dad! But there's a difference between a slowly-paced novel and a deliberately-paced one, and Always Remember is slow as molasses. Balogh's shtick of showing you a scene, and then having the characters ruminate on the scene afterwards (and then sometimes internally monologue more than once!) slows down the story like crazy.

I also wish that the story wasn't confined to the days leading up to the Ravenswood fete and then the fete itself. The pairing of the illegitimate son of an earl + the granddaughter of a duke is really unusual for the time period, but we never saw Ben and Jennifer outside of this friendly family environment.

Mary Balogh brings the second story of the Ware family of Ravenswood in Always Remember, the love story of the illegitimate brother Ben in his search for a second wife. At a family gathering he develops a friendship with Jennifer, the disabled sister of the Duke of Wilby who is married to Ben's legitimate sister.. Ben has always stayed in the background in the Ware family although accepted as part of the family. Ben finds ways to give Jennifer more independence and also discovers that he has respectable relatives of his long dead mother, the mistress of the deceased Earl of Stratton. Wonderful regency romance.

Every now and then I enjoy a good Regency Romance and when I'm in the mood for that I grab a book by Mary Balogh. I have not read the previous two books in this series but I definitely plan to. Always Remember is such a sweet love story between Ben and Jennifer. Both have obstacles to overcome in their lives but it's such a joy to watch them do so together.

The narrator, Rosalyn Landor, as always does an amazing job on this type of book.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 16 January 2024

Remember Love introduced a shocking, heartbreaking situation that nearly destroyed the Ware family and then tells the story of them picking up the pieces and putting themselves back together as they find love. Remember Me continues with the Wares and introduces the Arden family into the mix for that romance. Now, Always Remember continues with that theme, but adds a few complications to make the romance less than easy. For, this pair is nearly as unequal and surprising as it gets for that time and place- an illegitimate brother to the Wares and a duke’s daughter with a physical challenge.

Always Remember, the third of the Ravenswood Regency era historical romances, is a romance set against the ongoing story of the Ware family so works best read in order.

Ben Ellis was reared with the legitimate family of his father and was allowed to call the generous hearted countess as mother and his half-siblings, his brothers and sisters. But, for all that, he has always been conscious of the difference and how society at large views him. He was well provided for and owns his own smaller estate, but now, he’s ready to move on from grieving his deceased wife and find a woman who will mother his little girl and partner him.

Now, there is the mysterious letter from a man claiming to be his mother’s legitimate son with a shocking story to fill in the blank page that was his mother’s history. Is the man’s story true? And, if so, why is he contacting Ben? Lady Jennifer is the surprising person he turns to with his inner turmoil and she is also the woman who dominates his thoughts. Why is he the only one to see her needs and wants behind that cheerful smile she shows the world? Why must he feel the attraction to a woman far above him in birth and status? It can never be.

Lady Jennifer has been unable to walk since a childhood illness wrecked havoc on her body so that her leg twisted and stopped growing. She nearly died and her loving family had to carefully care for her to bring her back to health. Now, as a woman of twenty-five, she is growing impatient with loving coddling and wants to show her independence. Ben is the first person to take her dreams and make them a reality with his practical solutions and clear-eyed view of her. He strives to hide behind the façade of ‘normal’ and yet he’s extraordinary. He sees her as capable, but can he see her as an attractive woman, too? How could it ever work out if they were to act on their attraction?

I loved Ben and Jennifer and I liked how the author brought them slowly along from friendship to romance pair. The mystery element of Ben’s situation with a would-be brother and maternal side of the family also had me intrigued. But, sigh… I was not utterly captivated. In fact, I set the book down a few times to read or listen to others because I would get bored waiting for the pace to pick up. Part of the reason is because the Ware and Arden family country house party gathering would push in and take over so the plot would stall out for a bit. I love them all, but was more interested in Ben and Jennifer’s romance and the situation with his brother. It does get there, but doddles along the way.

Side note, I loved seeing a crossover figure from the Westcott series in Bertrand Lamarr. Dare I hope for a certain romance to be blossoming for him and a certain young lady Ware?

So, I loved the story, but found it had lag spots. Ben and Jennifer were fabulous and I’m reveling in their swoony romance. For those who enjoy an old-style historical romance with careful attention to character and romance development, I recommend this book/series (and any of Mary Balogh’s books, really).

Two carriages roll towards Ravenswood, the estate of the Earl of Stratton, for an extended family gathering. One carries Ben Ellis and his three-year-old daughter, the other Lady Jennifer Arden and her aunt; he is the earl’s illegitimate stepbrother, she is the sister of a duke; aware that his daughter needs a mother, he is contemplating marriage, but to a partner of modest social status who might be readier to overlook the stigma of illegitimacy; she is wealthy and well connected, but she is crippled. Gradually they fall in love, but the social barriers are formidable. How these are overcome is the focus of this absorbing story.
In the process the novel sensitively explores a whole range of issues which arise from the misuse of power within a patriarchal system, not only physical and psychological abuse, but also over-protectiveness, however well-intentioned.
Highly recommended.

Always Remember by Mary Balogh. This was just a wonderful book!! Loved it and I hope to read more from this author soon! Highly Recommend this book and this author's writing.

Eight years have passed since the fateful events of the last festival at Ravenswood that led Ben Ellis to follow his younger brother, now the Earl of Stratton, as his batman. Widowed during the Napoleanic wars, he now cares for his three year old daughter and is considering re-marrying. The question is, which of the single women in the village would be the wisest choice?

I’ve been waiting for Ben’s story, wondering how Mary Balogh would find him a match when his illegitimacy would preclude a match with someone of his family’s standing in Regency England. I never suspected that it would be Lady Jennifer Arden, after she was introduced in the previous outing in the Ravenswood series. Any previous doubts I had about the portrayal of her character were put to rest in Always Remember, as her personality and disability were further fleshed out and critical thinking gave way to simply enjoying her as a character and in particular enjoying her interactions with Ben and his daughter Joy immensely.

It seems ages since I read Remember Love and Remember Me, so I was glad to see that the beginning of the book was crafted as a lovely refresher and that all of Ben’s siblings, two with growing families, were included throughout.

Remember Me is a gently paced story of a budding friendship that soon turns to love, despite the resistance of the two parties and against the advice of family. It is a delightful story and my favorite of the series so far.
Please note that this is a Regency Romance written for the general market. If you are a reader who prefers a chaste or closed door romance, do skip the final scene in Chapter 24.

This review refers to a temporary digital galley that I voluntarily read through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

I loved the connection between the characters but the book was just hard to finish. It was innocent which I understood but wanted more of a romance vibe. Ben was just trying to be nice. And it felt like that was overtaken into more of an innocent love interest turned love story instead of a widow befriending a family friend. Definitely felt the friends to lovers but it was a side note to the story. I would have been so much more interested if it was just a historical fiction based on the Jennifer’s point of view. The love felt like it was an afterthought instead of the main point.

"Always Remember" is a captivating love tale between two people who, within a short span, forge a profound friendship that blossoms into love. The portrayal of disability in the narrative is particularly striking, a rarity within the realm of regency romance, adding a unique and commendable layer to the story.

This series overall offers a captivating narrative with compelling main characters, and engaging storylines across each novel. However, I find the excessive introduction of irrelevant characters and unnecessary details quite frustrating. While I enjoy reading about the main characters and their adventures, the inclusion of distant relatives and trivial social interactions tends to elongate the books unnecessarily, making them more confusing than enjoyable for me 🤷🏼‍♀️

A lovely slow building story of friendship to love between two characters, (seeing themselves as less than), determined to make the best life for themselves.

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
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2024

CONNECT WITH A BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
Being a good listener may be the best quality you can bring to any relationship...

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.