REMEMBER WHEN, the fourth book in Author Mary Balogh's Ravenswood Series, highlights two characters facing midlife crisis's while deciding what to do with their remaining years. It's a book about self-discovery, second chances and choices. It's a sweet love story.

The Dowager Countess of Stratton, Clarissa Ware Greenfield, has returned home to Ravenswood after the last of her children left the nest, launching happy lives of their own. Clarissa seeks solitude in which to contemplate her life choices, both good and bad, and decide what to do as a soon-to-be fifty-year-old widow on her own for the first time in many years. Who is she now that she's no longer a wife and her children don't need her? Her thoughts turn to her childhood friend, Matthew Taylor, and what might have been if she'd made different choices all those years ago. Matthew left the country for ten long years after the death of his wife and newborn child, eventually returning to become the town's carpenter even though he's a gentleman's son. He's content with his low-key life and has no desire to claim his heritage. Clarissa hopes to resume a friendship of sorts with Matthew and uses the excuse of commissioning him to build a crib for her grandchild in order to speak with him. As talks about the crib turn to long walks around Ravenswood, a reconnection of hearts, souls and desires occurs leaving the two with a big decision. Neither knows what the future holds, but self-reflection reveals the answer...if they're brave enough to embrace it.

Author Mary Balogh has rendered another heartfelt love story that tugs on readers' hearts with REMEMBER WHEN. As always, characters are well-developed and worthy of our empathy. The self-reflection/discovery journey traveled by both Matthew and Claire allows readers a front row seat to the turmoil and need for resolution felt by both characters. Strong support characters round out a cast filled with family and friends. Balogh honors the traditions and setting of the small-town time period, and I love that the main characters refuse to be cowered by expectations any longer. Fans of second chance, mature relationship, heartfelt historical romance will enjoy this one!

Remember When is the fourth book in the Ravenswood series. This was my first book by the author and was able to read it as a standalone. The story makes references to earlier stories and I enjoyed this one and was intrigued by them enough that I want to go back and read the others now.

This one was an exception to what I normally enjoy. It’s a slower pace and slow burn but I instantly connected with both the MC and had me hooked from the beginning. They hadn’t begun to explore any feelings beyond friendship and both recognize at the time that Clarissa choosing to marry the Earl is not a betrayal.

I’ve read lots of second chance stories where they meet again ten or so years later but there’s several parts of the story that makes it stand out from others. They both recognize at the time and when they renew their friendship thirty years later that they wouldn’t have made one another happy if they’d chosen to be together at that point of their lives. They expressed it early on and were open with their conversations. The way they not only rebuilt their friendship but also made something that was new and I found it beautiful.

There’s a lot of self reflection and honesty from both MC that shapes their decisions each step of the way. Clarissa and Matthew both go through growing pains with their respective families and is the conflict they both navigate as they discover what comes next in life.

Hands down I loved this book, I loved the thoughtfulness that surrounded every choice and a love story that’s rooted in enduring affection and companionship.

It’s a slow burn with several kisses and one encounter that is brief, sensual, and not explicit.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

CW: There are several references to the loss of Matthew’s wife and stillborn daughter.

Mary Balogh knocked it out of the park again. This series is an emotional roller coaster and I love every minute of it. Clarrisa and Matthew's journey pulled at my heartstrings and never had a dry eye while reading.

I love how the story shows that people never stop growing, dreaming, and desiring, no matter their age. Clarissa and Matthew have never lived the life truly for themselves. They each have buried their true feelings and desires for societal expectations. Meeting each other again after decades and rekindling their friendship opens the door to personal discovery for both of them. As their relationship begins to grow and deepen, society begins to rear its ugly head.

They will need to fight friends, family, and their fears to finally capture a love that has eluded them for far too long.

Remember When is the fourth book in the Ravenswood series and it’s Clarissa’s story. Clarissa is the matriarch of the family who is about to turn 50, and she’s wondering what the next chapter in her life going to be after being a dutiful daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. For the first time she is free from familial obligations and is going to spend the summer figuring out her next move. First, she would like to renew a friendship with a man from her youth who was a neighbor, a friend and her first love.

Matthew Taylor was a troubled child and couldn’t do much right in the eyes of his puritanical parents and older sibling. Growing up as childhood neighbors, he took solace in Clarissa’s friendship and the easy camaraderie they had together. She listened to him and he knew she was sympathetic to his situation. He fell in love hard but knew their love couldn’t be because she was meant for someone else, someone more than the second son. Years later he now lives comfortably as the village carpenter and is surprised when Clarissa initiates contact with him. He’s loved and lost a great deal and lives a very quiet, small compartmentalized life for his well-being. Now she wants to be friends again and he wonders what might be if he allows himself to hope.

I love it when authors explores love for older characters who want a second chance at love, or in some cases, for the first time. She explored this type of relationship in her previous story, Always Remember (Ben’s story), of forbidden pairings because of status, but it feels different with an older character. The characters buck the system because it feels right together and knows that this is different from their first marriages. There is very little conflict but more special moments they have together, of wishful thinking of a simpler life for one another. Clarissa and Matthew love bloomed like a new young love and it was very sweet to see them learn about the other and fall in love again. Remember When is a second chance love story and of healing from your past hurts and an enjoyable read.

This was and enjoyable fourth book in the series, second chance romance for an older couple, if you have been reading the series then you will know The Dowager Countess of Stratton, Clarissa Ware, nee Greenfield widowed for six years, mother, grandmother and she has just presented her youngest daughter to the ton, and now it is time for herself, Clarissa wants nothing more than to go home to Ravenswood and re-discover herself will that mean re-opening a friendship from years past and maybe finding love again?

Matthew Taylor is the village carpenter in Boscombe, although born a gentleman Matthew’s life changed when his best friend, Clarissa left to marry an Earl, he knew at the time that it was probably for the best but still his heart took a beating, he moved on travelled and became the wood carver and carpenter he is today never catching up with his family. Living in the village next to Ravenswood he did see Clarissa and her family through the years but now thirty three years later Clarissa has arrived at his home to request a crib.

This was at times a very soul searching story that dug deep into their emotions, and could be slow and a bit repetitive here and there, but overall a beautiful romance that saw an older couple find their way to a HEA, not without some opposition from family, friends and neighbours, I am looking forward to more in this series after all there are still three Ware children to find their HEA.

My thanks to the publisher Berkley and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

Regaining love!

Eighteen year old Matthew Taylor is shocked when his best friend Clarissa Greenfield, all of seventeen, tells him she’s going to marry Caleb Ware, Earl of Stratton.
Matthew’s always felt rejected by his family and now his secret love and friend will be out of his life. Clarissa words cut.
Fast forward thirty years. Clarissa Ware is now fifty and Dowager Duchess of Stratton. Some years ago the family was dealt a stunning blow when the Duke brought his mistress to the village installing her in the Inn as a widow looking for somewhere to settle down. Prior to this Caleb had kept his parliamentary life and country life separate. His son Devlin confronted him in front of the villagers at the local ball.
Clarissa has now been a widow for six years. Having done her duty she decides to retreat to Ravenswood to think about her future.
It is here she is reacquainted with Matthew after thirty three years. In the interim Matthew has travelled to far off lands, found his passion, and peace.
He is a talented wood carver. His descriptions about discovering the beauty of sculpture as he gazed at Michelangelo’s Pietà in Rome is quite beautiful.
Naturally Clarissa’s family send various members to visit her, trying to determine what’s going on with their mother.
A heart felt story of loss, of acceptance, of searching for a future; of families reacquainted, and of finding love and forgiveness in later years. The tale has a gentle quality, although it’s unashamedly confronting. It is like floating down a river becoming occasionally entangled or foundering for a while on the shoals but being drawn inextricably on.
I really enjoyed it.

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This series follows the Ware family, and this book was I believe supposed to give us the background on Clarissa, the mother, who in book 1 had been embarassed by her son outing her husband for having had affairs during their marriage. The husband is now dead and Clarissa is at a crossroads in her life.

I wouldn't necessarily call this book a "romance", at the very least it is extremely, extremely slow burn. It is mostly "women's fiction" or something like that. The entire book is both main characters analyzing their lives up to that point.

When she was 17, Clairissa had a best friend, Matthew, who was in love with her. She was "half in love with him" but surprisingly to him, expected and enjoyed a proposal from Caleb Ware. After she got married, Matthew married a local woman, and she and her baby died in childbirth. He then left the area for a number of years and traveled, finally settling back in Ravenswood as the local carpenter.

I felt Clarissa for at least some of the book was really entitled, and then when they finally have their "moment" all of a sudden she's always loved him? I generally love second chance books, and this book clearly tried to be Jane Austen's Persuasion, but in my opinion failed miserably.

I received and advanced copy and am giving an honest review.

Once upon a time Clarissa Greenfield and Matthew Taylor were the best of friends and in the throughs of first love, but at that time in their lives, love was not enough to ensure their happily ever after. Clarissa learns that Caleb Ware the Earl of Stratton plans to offer for her and she is going to accept, despite her feelings for Matthew, she knows a match with Caleb is the best choice for her and she is attracted to him, but her heart longs for Matthew. She tells him of her choice and effectively ends their friendship. Now many years later, Clarissa is the dowager Countess of Stratton, her children are grown and settled with children of their own, and now that her youngest daughter has been launched into society, Clarissa longs for solitude. She returns to Ravenswood Hall, insisting on going alone, despite her family’s pleas for her to join them for the summer. When she returns home, she seeks out Matthew and renews their friendship. She is happy, but her friendship with Matthew is turning heads and setting tongues wagging. Once again, she has a choice to make, does she do what is expected of the dowager Countess of Stratton or does she finally follow her heart?

Matthew Taylor was a troubled young man, a second son with no prospects of his own and a contentious relationship with his family. When Clarissa tells him that she will marry the Earl of Stratton, he is heartbroken and acts rashly. Within months of her marriage to Caleb, Matthew also marries against his family’s wishes and is widowed less than a year later. Adrift and angry, Matthew leaves England and for over ten years stays away. When he returns, he is a changed man and turns his back on his genteel upbringing, settling in the village of Boscombe and in the shadow of Ravenswood Hall as the village carpenter. His feelings for Clarissa have never changed, but he keeps his distance from her and makes a new solitary life for himself. When Clarissa returns to Ravenwood Hall alone and reaches out to him, he is helpless to resist. Reconnecting with Clarissa sets off a chain reaction and soon his ordered life is anything but, will he risk the peace he has finally attained or throw caution to the wind and follow his heart?

Clarissa and Matthew are clearly soulmates, and prior to her marriage, they were of similar social standing, but expectations of society kept them apart, and now, over twenty years later they have a second chance at love if they are brave enough to take it. This installment of the Ravenswood series is a “gentle read” and while it is well written, it moves slowly and there is not really a lot going on, it is a sweet, gentle read with a lot of emotion, mature characters, second chances, familial bonds, self-forgiveness, cameos of all the Ware children and finally a long overdue HEA for Clarissa and Matthew. This is the fourth book in the series and could be read as a standalone title with no problems, but I would recommend reading the books in order for the best reading experience. Overall, I would happily recommend this book and was delighted that Clarissa finally found a man who loved her the way she deserved to be loved, but I did find it a bit bland, and it is not a book I would read a second time.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

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

Remember When by Mary Balogh is the latest novel in The Ravenswood series. This warm, lovely Regency Romance is told in the signature Balogh style.

Clarissa Ware is the Dowager Countess of Stratton (met before in books 1-3). She has been a dutiful loving mother and had been a supportive wife up until her husband’s demise a few years earlier. She loved her husband despite his faults—which included serial infidelity. Now, at fifty, with her children grown, and for the most part, married off or otherwise settled, she wants time alone to rediscover herself. Who is she, besides a widow and mother?

She returns alone to Ravenwood, the estate where she was once the countess, a title that now belongs to her beloved daughter-in-law. She intends to enjoy her solitude. But one thing she is determined to do is to visit her old and once very dear friend, Matthew Taylor. They were children together and the most devoted of friends. They were both the offspring of respectable gentry, though Clarissa’s connections and expectations were somewhat better than Matthew’s, particularly since he was a second son. When she was 17, and Matthew 18, as the first sparks of possible romance were appearing between them, Clarissa had an offer of marriage from the Earl of Stratton. Excited by the possibilities and awed by the earl, she said yes.

Matthew Taylor was a difficult child, understood only by Clarissa. When she wed the earl, he lost not just a woman he had begun to love, but also his only true friend. In quick fashion, he married another, but she died in childbirth. Matthew took himself away from the village and wandered (readers will discover where and why) for a decade, before returning to the village near Ravenswood to make his living as a carpenter and artist in wood.

Clarissa and Matthew renew their friendship. And despite their advanced ages (50! 51!) they discover their feelings go beyond platonic friendship. The problem is, now as it always was, Clarissa is socially above him. And much more so now. Moreover, they both value the lives they are leading, and aren’t sure what they are willing to risk.

The love story develops at a slow but steady pace, although it gets rather repetitive at times. There are no villains in this story, and in fact, little conflict, as everyone involved truly just wants what is best for the pair. It’s a soothing and angst free tale. The two deserve their happily ever after.

It is so nice to have a story about an older woman for a change. The main character was badly wronged as an unfailingly faithful wife, but this story shows her stalwart dignity and in the end she is given the gift of love that is much deserved. It is a wonderful story of unrequited love finding a happy ending. For all of those that love Mary Balogh, this is a another great story within the Ravenswood series.

Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own.

Remember When is a heartwarming tale of second chances at love and life. Clarissa and Matthew’s story is beautifully written, showcasing the journey of two people rediscovering themselves and each other after decades apart. I loved how the book delved into the complexities of life layers when you’re not in your 20’s anymore —Clarissa seeking her own path after raising a family, and Matthew embracing contentment while still yearning for a deeper connection.
Their romance is slow and thoughtful, filled with genuine moments of tenderness and understanding. The small-town setting and societal pressures added depth, though some parts felt repetitive, especially about their ages and family concerns.
Overall, this book is a gentle, comforting read that celebrates mature love and personal growth. The rekindling of a long-lost friendship blossoming into love is both touching and a reminder that love has no age limit.
Fans of second-chance romances will enjoy this sweet, reflective story.

I love that Clarissa wants to redefine herself. She has been a wife and mother, but now that the children are grown and they don't need her so much, she doesn't know what her roll in life is anymore. She has been a widow for six years and it is time for her to find out what she wants to do. Matthew and Clarissa have been friends since they were children. When she left to get married, Matthew was devastated. He loved Clarissa, but knew their stations in life were not equal and she could do so much better. He went on the marry only to have his wife die in childbirth. Now that they are older, Matthew has come to terms with so many things in his life, and just maybe he and Clarissa can be friends again. The people in their little town are not sure they should be spending time together because of their unequal places in society. Will they find a way to be together once they figure out if they do want to have a life together?

The Dowager Countess of Stratton, Clarissa Ware, née Greenfield, has just presented her younger daughter to the ton, and the rest of her life belongs only to herself. She returns to Ravenswood, intending to spend the summer alone there. But the summer has other plans for her. Born a gentleman, Matthew Taylor has chosen to spend his life as the village carpenter. Growing up, he and Clarissa were close but Clarissa married Caleb Ware, the Earl of Stratton, so Matthew married another, though he was widowed soon after.
As their summer friendship deepens into romance, they stand together on the precipice of change.
The fourth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. Another very well written book with strong characters & a story that is more like an afternoon stroll than a mad dash. I loved both Matthew & Clarissa & loved their second chance romance. They are an older couple, which I love & I loved how they rekindled their feelings from more than a quarter of a century earlier. There were a couple of misunderstandings but this was just a gentle delightful romance which I loved
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

I enjoy the overall stories in this series but the writing is really not for me . I find it quite repetitive ( I should have counted how many times Clarissa said/thought she was just about to turn 50 🤦‍♀️ )and slow moving. This particular story could prob just been a novella as very little actually happened the first two thirds of the book . I will continue reading because yes I still want to know what happens to the remaining siblings !

Mary Balogh is my favorite historical romance author and with good reason. She writes characters that are relatable in their imperfections and who aren't always what you expect to find within the pages of a romance book. And that is very much the case in Remember When.

Clarissa is nearing 50 and uncertain about what the next stage of her life will bring. Matthew is just past 50 and content with where he is at. Their romance is borne of a long-neglected friendship and the need to find out what who they are now that the first blush of young is in the past. It's not a fast-paced, flirty jaunt, nor is it an sexy, steamy laugh-out-loud romp. Rather, Remember When is a thoughtful look at what happens when everything changes around you and the comfort you once experienced is no longer to be found. The relationship between hero and heroine faces obstacles big and small—not the least of which is the constant well-meaning meddling they encounter—but the inexorable growth of their feelings for one another is underscored by the discovery that beyond youth is a life made all the richer by having experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows life has to offer.

Beautifully written and with some genuinely heartfelt moments, Remember When leaves behind it a hopeful warmth; one that says all is not over because a milestone age is reached or a mistake has seemingly been left too long to right, but that life is just beginning if only you are brave enough to look for it.

Remember When
by Mary Balogh
Pub Date: Jan 07 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Dowager Countess of Stratton, Clarissa Ware, née Greenfield, has just presented her younger daughter to the ton, and the rest of her life belongs only to herself. She returns to Ravenswood, intending to spend the summer alone there. But the summer has other plans for her.

Born a gentleman, Matthew Taylor has chosen to spend his life as the village carpenter. Growing up, he and Clarissa were close—dangerously so, considering his family’s modest fortune. As a young man, he never would have been a suitable match for the daughter of the wealthy Greenfields. Clarissa married Caleb Ware, the Earl of Stratton, so Matthew married another, though he was widowed soon after.

Now everything is different—Clarissa has already lived the life expected of her by society. And Matthew is as attractive and intriguing as he was when they were young. As their summer friendship deepens into romance, they stand together on the precipice of change—essentially the same man and woman they remember being back then, but with renewed passion and the potential to take their lives in an entirely new direction.

Remember When by Mary Balogh is a heartwarming second chance romance that had me rooting for both the hero and heroine. As both characters embark on a journey of self-discovery, the emotional depth of Matthew's transformation is particularly moving. Fans of Mary Balogh will be delighted by this latest installment, as it delivers a satisfying and captivating story.

Rekindling friendship with the one who got away, so to speak, is a wonderful plot and story in this particular book. They’re both in a transitional age and at a point in their life where they are ready to value their personal life as family members are raising their own family.

There are some wonderful pieces and points within the story that I can definitely relate to since the main characters are turning 50. It brings to mind how those around that age point want to look back in the past, slow down a bit, and find their peace. I loved that whole portion of the story.

I also love the rekindling of the friendship and the growing carefree love. Both of the characters were so sweet and I love their interactions and the love story between them. It was something that had never gone away. I am a sucker for a second chance at romance.

But there were some parts that really got to me in terms of a lot of repetition. Age was pounded into our heads. Family drama over the fact that the main female lead wanted to find her own space was a major part of the story. The number of characters tended to be close to overwhelming, especially since I had not read prior stories.

There was some family drama with Matthew and misunderstandings that need to be corrected and I simply loved the ending where everything came together. Balogh is a genius in the slow, comfortable romance growth, full of sweetness and caring.

If you read this series, you’re probably going to love this ending story. Remember When will spark that “what if” internal dialogue and that can be a good thing.

I love the way Balogh brings her characters together to remind us of past books, and manages to make each story fresh.
The book begins with Clarissa, age 17 (who will become the mother of the characters in previous books) meeting for the last Matthew Taylor, 18. They have been best friends throughout childhood and are a little in love, but Clarissa tells him she will be married to the Earl of Stratten.
30 years pass and we have seen the in many of the books. We learn Matthew's 'fascinating backstory.
Clarissa has been a widow for 6 years, and all her children are grown. She comes back to her estate to find herself as she turns 50. This is the second or third older couple book in the series, and as an older woman I appreciate these stories.
Clarissa is trying to be alone, but her children keep visiting, not quite believing her. Once rumors of her growing relationship with Matthew get back to her children, they try to convince her even more to come visit.
Mathew and Clarissa have always understood each other and this understanding is needed for both of them, as it seems they are at a crossroads in their lives.
Balogh is always a slow, comfortable read full of love. I have been reading her for years and truly appreciate her thoughtful writing.
I highly recommend this series.
I received an EARC from Netgalley and the publisher, and this is my honest review.

I love a good second chance romance and I wish I could say I love this book more, but l just didn’t. This was way too slow paced, there wasn’t much of a point of conflict, the angst level was low, and the steam level was low. I think it’s nice that it featured older characters in their 50s, but I wish there was more meat to this, no matter how true to life it may be. This might have been better as a novella but 269 pages was alot. Nice for those who want closure on the Ravenswood saga.