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Mary Balogh’s Ravenswood series continues with Philippa’s story in Remember Me.
With an expected release date of June 20, 2023, I am grateful to Mary Balogh and her publicist for sending me an advance copy of Remember Me for review. And what a joy to dive deeper into the Ware family. Keep reading to learn more about Mary’s newest romance.
Official Remember Me Description
Can Lady Philippa Ware forgive the man who once shattered all her youthful dreams? Discover the passionate and heartwarming new novel on the redemptive power of love from New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh.
Philippa, elder daughter of the Earl of Stratton, grew up eagerly anticipating a glittering debut and a brilliant marriage. Then her brother caught their father out in a clandestine affair and denounced him publicly. The whole family was disgraced, and Philippa’s hopes grew dim, then were fully shattered when she overheard the dashing, handsome Marquess of Roath viciously insult her upon learning of her father’s identity.
Only years later does Philippa find the courage to go to London at last to meet the ton. She is an instant success and enjoys a close friendship with the granddaughter of a duke. Only one man can spoil everything for her, but surely he will not be in London this year.
The Duke of Wilby is nearing death and has tasked his grandson and heir, Lucas Arden, Marquess of Roath, with marrying and producing a son before it is too late. Lucas, who usually shuns London, goes there early in the Season in the hope of finding an eligible bride before his grandparents come and find one for him.
He is instantly attracted to his sister’s new friend, until that young lady asks a simple question: “Remember me?” And suddenly he does remember her, as well as the reason why the daughter of the Earl of Stratton is the one woman he can never marry—even if his heart tells him she is the only woman he wants.
Unfortunately for Philippa and Lucas, the autocratic duke and his duchess have other ideas and believe them to be perfect for each other. They will simply not take no for an answer. Telling Philippa the full truth is the hardest thing Lucas has ever faced, and the discovery of it will change them both before they discover the healing power of love.
The Best Reasons to Read Remember Me
It is hard to top Mary Balogh‘s beautiful artistry in developing complex and believable characters and love stories. Philippa and Lucas’ story interested me from book #1 – Remember Love – when Philippa told her brother, the Earl of Stratton, that Lucas had called her “soiled goods”. However, to be honest I was not convinced that Lucas would make a repeat appearance in a future novel but as a minor antagonist. So I was pleasantly surprised when chapter one began from Lucas’ perspective and thus began a great slow burn romance between the two protagonists.
A great slow burn romance between the two protagonists.
-The Joyous Living
It is probably one of the most slow burn romances in Mary Balogh’s catalogue of romances. There is perhaps one kiss prior to the bride and groom saying “I do” and the bride is a virgin prior to her marriage bed, unlike most of Mary’s heroines. While some reviewers have been critical about the pacing of the story, I believed it was more realistic and gave me more time to get to know the hero and heroine.
But the best part of the story? Mary Balogh is known for incorporating beautifully fleshed out secondary characters and she did not disappoint here with not one but three great supporting characters who catches the reader’s attention each time they were written into the scene.
Lucas’ sister, Jenny, steals the limelight from Philippa during any and all moments she appears on the page. She is wheelchair bound (reminding this reviewer of Clara from Dancing with Clara) due to a childhood illness and while she is no dazzling debutante on the scene, she is radiant with independence, charm, kindness, and warmth. And while she [slight spoiler alert] does not get her happily ever after in this story, I am hoping that we will see more of her in future Ravenswood novels, perhaps as a romantic interest for Ben or Nicholas?
The surprising secondary love story involves Lucas’ grandparents, The Duke and Duchess of Wilby. The duke is stubborn and yet extremely lovable, capable of bringing Philippa’s guard down at each and every time they meet during her Season in London. He is often accompanied by his regal duchess who stands “half a head taller than the duke” (page 15).
They have a beautiful love story that is written throughout the novel and makes this the first Mary Balogh novel since Unforgiven (1998) that actually made me shed some genuine tears. While I don’t think it is likely that we will get a prequel novel telling their story, I would be the first to buy a copy if it is ever written.
They have a beautiful love story that is written throughout the novel and makes this the first Mary Balogh novel since Unforgiven (1998) that actually made me shed some genuine tears.
– The Joyous Living
Favorite Mary Balogh Regency Romances to Read
If you are a fan of second chance romances, check out:
- A Chance Encounter
- Constant Heart
- Christmas Belle
- Dancing with Clara (a terrific story featuring a disabled heroine)
- Unforgiven
Thanks to Mary Balogh and Berkley Publishing Group for providing the preview copy. All opinions are my own.
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