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ekateclark's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
taisie22's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Mary Balogh always delivers. I'm enjoying the Ravenswood series very much, and I've been waiting for Ben's story. He's the illegitimate older brother who is widowed with a small child, Joy. He's always been able to fade into the woodwork while ensuring that only the best happens for his family. Jennifer is the granddaughter and sister of a Duke and is far above his station. She was stricken with, I'm guessing, polio as a child and can barely walk.
Ben is a solutions guy who wants to open Jennifer's world for her. She's always been content with her life but stifled. As the two get to know each other, they gradually fall in love, but society's strictures stand in their way. It's a slow-burn love story that incorporates all the Ravenswood crew and even some characters from previous series. I enjoyed it very much and can't wait for the next book in the series.
Ben is a solutions guy who wants to open Jennifer's world for her. She's always been content with her life but stifled. As the two get to know each other, they gradually fall in love, but society's strictures stand in their way. It's a slow-burn love story that incorporates all the Ravenswood crew and even some characters from previous series. I enjoyed it very much and can't wait for the next book in the series.
excel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stephshoff88's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
juliannerose99's review
5.0
Absolutely classic Mary Balogh. A beautiful, touching book about Ben and Jennifer overcoming various social stigmas (illegitimacy and disability) to fall in love and claim their HEA. I had reservations on this book because Jennifer was introduced in the second book in this series and I found the constant “she’s handicapped, but still so cheerful!!” Descriptions of her grating and borderline offensive. But this book peels back these layers and you realize that this was largely because the second book was from the perspective of her overly protective but, a bit “of a slow top” to quote Balogh, brother. What was wonderful about this book was how Ben grew to see a full person in Jennifer, someone who desperately wants some independence from her loving but coddling family. At the same time, Jennifer also sees Ben’s delicate balance of being an illegitimate son of an Earl who’s legitimate family embraced him as their own- he was loved, but coddled in a different way and deliberately kept himself in the background to navigate this challenge.
reading_historical_romance's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“We can become obsessed with a part of ourselves we consider imperfect,” Jennifer said. “In our minds it becomes the whole of ourselves, and we believe that it is the only thing people see when they look at us.”
Ben Ellis should be one of the most desirable gentlemen in England, as he is a wealthy farm owner, widower, and doting father of precocious three year old Joy. But he is also the bastard son of the late Earl of Stratton. Although he grew up surrounded by the love of his father, stepmother, and half-siblings on the Earl’s vast country estate of Ravenswood, and was never treated as less than equal, Ben has lived with the stigma of illegitimacy all of his life. His struggle to make peace with his identity and his place within his family is only complicated further when he meets Lady Jennifer Arden, daughter and sister of a Duke. The same Duke who married Ben’s sister Philippa, who also happens to be Lady Jennifer’s best friend.
I love everything about this book, a true Mary Balogh novel in all of the best ways that her novels can be. The quiet, peaceful vibe, the wistful angst running throughout the narrative. The large, loving, real family with multiple generations all playing an important part in each other’s lives. The fated romance that you’re rooting for from page one between the strong, gentle, and devoted single father Ben, and the equally strong and gentle Jennifer. The dreams they inspire in one another, and how they bring out the very best in their families. The lush English countryside, and the luxurious park, gardens, and interior of the Ravenswood estate. The way that all of the characterizations and dialogue are so genuine and true to life that you can see and hear every scene in your mind like you’re watching it unfold before your eyes. The many interwoven themes, like the development of self-worth and identity, the many forms and facets of love, what really makes a family, finding true happiness, and the healing power of forgiveness.
Some specific highlights for me were the first kiss between Ben and Jennifer; the moments that Devlin has with Ben, and the way this book shows us the manner of man he has become since marrying Gwyneth; the sensuality of the scene in the summerhouse; and the scenes with Nicholas and Owen so we get to know them better. I'm most intrigued by Nicholas!
Honestly, this novel is simply beautiful, and so soft and flowing that the words wrap around you and suspend you in that otherworldly place that can only be found within a Mary Balogh book. Her storytelling is pure magic.
Tropes: Regency romance, forbidden love, single dad, slow burn, hurt/comfort
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Ableism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy
vlaniganfoffimreading's review against another edition
4.0
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.
.
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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pinkcowlandreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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.
ssejig's review against another edition
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
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.