Reviews

Always Remember by Mary Balogh

whatselizabethreading's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? No

4.5

scribe391's review

funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Twenty-five year old Lady Jennifer Arden is disabled after a childhood illness.
Thirty-three year old Ben Ellis is a widower with a three year old daughter.
The two meet during a family gathering at Ravenswood Hall.

camille__reads's review

lighthearted reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

priyastoric's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

writer595's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

scaudfletcher's review against another edition

3.0

Libby

littlemisscass's review

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

ohladysamantha's review

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers - Berkeley for an ARC of this novel. All thoughts are my own. 

awishman's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

ekateclark's review against another edition

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