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
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.
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