Sophie Reads YA: Mary Balogh

A Matter of Class

Waiting On Wednesday: A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh

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4 Stars

ARC Review: Always Remember (Ravenswood #3) by Mary Balogh

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Always Remember

Waiting On Wednesday: Always Remember (Ravenswood #3) by Mary Balogh

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2023 New Release challenge

Blog Tour & ARC Review: Remember Me (Ravenswood #2) by Mary Balogh

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Remember Me
Series: Ravenswood #2
Author: Mary Balogh
Published June 20th 2023 by Berkley

Goodreads Synopsis
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.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

After her father's affair was made public, and her favourite brother was exiled, Lady Phillipa Ware's life changed forever. Where she had expected to have a glistening season, and find a fantastic match, she eschews society, particularly after she heard the handsome Marquess of Roath insult her and her family. Years later, she and Lucas, Marquess of Roath, meet again, and Lucas is immediately drawn to his sister's new friend. He is in town to find a bride, as he knows his grandfather, Duke of Wilby, is growing older, and as his heir, he needs to do his duty. The beautiful Lady Philippa would be perfect, wouldn't she? But when she utters the words 'remember me', he is immediately thrown back to that country dance, and knows that though she may be the only woman he would ever want, he can't face marrying the Earl of Stratton's eldest daughter.

Wow, just wow! I love Mary's books, and had such high hopes for Remember Me, and I was not disappointed! Philippa's life changed so much after her father's infidelity was revealed, but it never affected her so much as the day when she was insulted by Lucas at a local assembly. Luckily only her friend overheard him, and would never tell, but it caused Philippa to put off her debut year after year, until her brother refuses to let her squander her life any longer. Devlin is ready to fight for his family, even if he has to be cruel to be kind. I loved seeing Philippa break out of her shell, and enjoy herself in London, though seeing Lucas again, especially as they were thrown together time and time again was hard. Saying those crucial words to him reopened a whole can of worms for them both, and it was breath taking to see the way they explored their past, and overcame the challenges dragging them apart. Everyone expected they would be married as soon as, as anyone with eyes could see they were made for each other, but the history only they knew needed to be overcome first. It was great to see that Mary didn't sugar coat the difficulties in their relationship, and she allowed the characters to fall in love properly, and wholly. Remember Me was a fantastic book about reconnecting and finding love when it all seemed to be lost! I can't wait for book 3!

Dates Read:
July 6-9, 2023

Rating
4 Stars

About Mary Balogh:
Mary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curling.

Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
LINKS: Website | Facebook | Goodreads

Mary Balogh

Waiting On Wednesday: Remember Me (Ravenswood #2) by Mary Balogh

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is:

Remember Me
Series: Ravenswood #2
Author: Mary Balogh
Published June 20th 2023 by Berkley

Goodreads Summary

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.

Goodreads

Why I'm waiting:

The revelations of Remember Love rocked the whole family, and Philippa suffered greatly. I hope her story gets the happy ending she deserves.

Are you waiting for this book? Have you already read it? Let me know :)

2022 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Remember Love (Ravenswood #1) by Mary Balogh

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Remember Love
Series: Ravenswood #1
Author: Mary Balogh
Published July 12th 2022 by Berkley

Goodreads Synopsis
The undisputed queen of Regency romance is back with a brand-new story perfect for fans of Bridgerton.

The handsome and charismatic Earl of Stratton, Caleb Ware, has been exposed to the ton for his clandestine affairs—by his own son.

As a child, Devlin Ware thought his family stood for all that was right and good in the world. They were kind, gracious, and shared the beauty of Ravenwood, their grand country estate, by hosting lavish parties for the entire countryside. But at twenty-two, he discovered his whole world was an elaborate illusion, and when Devlin publicly called his family to account for it, he was exiled as a traitor.

So be it. He enlisted in the fight against Napoleon and didn’t look back for six years. But now his father is dead, the Ware family is broken, and as the heir he is being called home. It’s only when Gwyneth Rhys—the woman he loved and then lost after his family banished him—holds out her hand to help him that he is able make the difficult journey and try to piece together his fractured family.

It is Gwyneth’s loyalty, patience, and love that he needs. But is Devlin’s war-hardened heart even capable of offering her love in return?
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

Devlin Ware, heir to the Earl of Stratton, thought his family was perfect. The entire clan adore parties, and the Countess of Stratton is famed for hosting. But when Dev comes across his father and his mistress in the summer house, during a party, and reveals all, he's shocked to find that he is exiled from all those he loves and cares about, including neighbour Gwyneth Rhys, who he has just revealed his heart to. Now 6 years later, Devlin is heir, and has been hardened by war. He returns to Ravenswood to find the family broken, and Gwyneth nearly engaged to a Welsh musician. Will he be able to remember what it was to love others, or has Devlin been irrevocably changed?

When I first heard about this book, I couldn't wait to read it. I love Mary's books, and the synopsis to Remember Love sounded perfect to me. Devlin was a character I really felt for. His whole world was shattered when he found his father in the arm's of his mistress, and learnt that the perfect image he had of his family was a lie. And to top it all off, he's exiled from home, and has to give up on the love he was just opening himself to. I hated how hard and changed he became before his return home, and was desperate to see him come into his true self again - though it wasn't easy. Gwyneth was perfect for him. She had loved him since a young age, and though people expected that she would one day marry Nicholas, Dev's younger brother and her best friend, it was always Devlin in her eyes. Even after he left, she couldn't bring herself to marry anyone else, though it was becoming a very close this with Alec Morgan. Alec was alright, but he was wrong for her, and she would've hated being his wife, always playing second fiddle to his music. There are some quiet moments in the book, where we get to see the Ware family in a little more detail, as they start to repair their relationships after the 6 long years. I really enjoyed how this book brought together Gwyneth and Devlin, and set the stage for the sequels to a new series!

Dates Read:
June 28-July 2, 2022

Rating
4 Stars

Mary Balogh

Waiting on Wednesday: Remember Love (Ravenswood #1) by Mary Balogh

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2021 Beat the Backlist challenge