A review by ohladysamantha
Always Remember by Mary Balogh

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.