Showing posts with label Mary Balogh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mary Balogh. Show all posts

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Always Remember by Mary Balogh

Ben Ellis and Lady Jennifer Arden both know what it is to be on the outside. He was born a bastard and she has a twisted leg which means she will never walk. Both are stalwarts of their families in different ways and the families have gathered at Ravenswood for the summer. 
The two don't actually come together because they are outsiders but because Ben tries to help Jennifer and Jennifer falls in love with his daughter. At first, Jennifer is resistant to Ben's help but she really would like to walk, at least some form of it. Or find any way she can to get some freedom (he also shows her how to drive a gig.)
It's a quiet story with a LOT of characters from previous stories and it got rather confusing there for awhile even though I have read the previous books in the series. I'm not entirely convince that the two are in love but I do see how their personalities would mesh well together. 

Three and a half stars
This book comes out January 16, 2024
Follows Remember Me
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group
Opinions are my own

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Remember Me by Mary Balogh

When she was eighteen, Lady Philippa "Pippa" Ware was getting ready to come out. She had just found out that her father was a bit of a disappointment and, when she overheard the Marquess of Roath make an uncouth comment about her. This led her to believe that all of London was talking about her family. 
Four years later, she is finally ready to head out into the world. She immediately makes a friend in Jenny, the granddaughter of the Duke of Wilby. Unfortunately, Jenny's brother is none other than Lucas, the odious marquess. He is being forced into town because his grandfather is in ill health and wants to ensure that Lucas has an heir. 
Lucas and Pippa are able to clear up old misunderstandings but they also both agree that, though they seem to rub along well together, there should be no offer of marriage. Too bad everyone else in their life disagrees.
I wish we had seen more of the two of them together but it was, as always with Balogh, a gentle, lovely book. 

Four stars
This book comes out June 20, 2023
Follows Remember Love
Followed by Always Remember
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own



Monday, March 27, 2023

Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh

My favorite of the Bewcastle series. Wulfric, the Duke, has always been emotionally unavailable. He had to take over as head of the family at twelve-years-old and has had to bottle up his emotions since then. Now his brothers and sisters are all married and he is content. When Wulfric accepts an invitation to what he thinks is an intellectual gathering, he is shocked to find out it is a gathering of young people. He is distracted when Christine Derrick drops a speck of lemonade in his eye. She is a widow who is scorned by her ex-husband's family, not because of her background of being a vicar's daughter, but because they think that she contributed to his death. 
Christine things that Wulf is too rigid, he thinks she is too free-spirited, but they are attracted and can't help but fall in love. Neither is willing to admit it though and series of misunderstandings occur. Finally Bewcastle invites his family as well as hers to a house party to convince her that he might just have a heart after all.

Five stars
This book came out June 1, 2004
Follows Slightly Sinful
Borrowed as hard copy from the library
Opinions are my own

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

It Happened One Night -- Anthology

The Fall of Rogue Gerrard by Stephanie Laurens
Rogue "Ro" Gerrard is on his way to London when a storm sends him off track. At the inn he stops at, he discovers Lydia Makepeace, a woman he has known since childhood. It seems that she is about to break into a house party in order to retrieve some indiscreet letters that her sister has written. Unfortunately, Ro knows the host and knows it's not the kind of party that Lydia should be attending. They go to retrieve the letter and, inexplicably, have sexy-times in the middle of the heist. Of course, they realize it's Twu Lurv and the story ends with marriage.

Three and a half stars

Spellbound by Mary Balogh
When Nora Ryder was hired by Mrs. Witherspoon, she didn't expect to have so much trouble getting paid. And she didn't expect to be stranded at an inn when the stagecoach is broken. She most certainly didn't expect to see the man she had married ten years ago. 
Richard Kemp, Lord Bourne, was just a secretary when he ran away with Nora. And her family caught up to them quickly and beat the tar out of him. But his fortunes have since changed and so has he. Is this a second chance at true love?

Three stars

Only You by Jacquie D'Alessandro
Cassandra Heywood is a duchess. But a lonely one. Her late husband's family has dismissed her and she's not looking forward to going back to her father's house. So she makes a stop on the way to visit an old friend, Ethan Baxter, a childhood friend who is now the proprietor of a roadside inn. The two sit and talk, have some sexy-times, but then she leaves to go home. Of course, there is an HEA but it's nice to see the journey for both of them.

Three stars

From This Moment On by Candice Hern
A lovely story about an older couple who were young lovers torn apart by circumstance. When her youthful lover disappeared, Willie was thrown out of her mother's home. She became an artist's model/lover, a famous courtesan, and then a duchess. Her erstwhile lover, Sam, is now a Captain in the navy on half-pay (not quite retired but not active duty). This is a sweet story with exposition through discussion and a wonderful example of two people <i>actually talking to each other</i>. 

Three stars

Sunday, July 10, 2022

Remember Love by Mary Balogh

While growing up together, everyone thought that Gwyneth Rhys would grow up to marry her next-door neighbor. What no one realized was that she was in love with his older brother, Devlin Ware. One magical night they kissed and promised to be together. That was the same night that Devlin discovered a secret about his family that led to his banishment. 
Six years later, after a lifetime of being in the army, Devlin is back and is now the Earl of Stratton. Everything has changed and Gwyn is on the cusp of being engaged. But can old love be rekindled? Or did it never die?
The first part of this book was So Slow. Even slower than most Balogh novels. But in the second part, it picked up and was a better Balogh flow. 

Four stars
This book comes out July 12, 2022
Followed by Remember Me
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Sunday, November 28, 2021

Someone Perfect by Mary Balogh

Bertrand and Estelle are the twin children of Marcel Lamarr, Marquess of Dorchester , the hero of Someone to Care. Their father, griefstricken when their mother died, left them in the care of their aunt and uncle for seventeen years. Their aunt and uncle were rather strict and pious but they loved Estelle and Bertrand and gave them a good life. She is enjoying a perfect summer day (and straying a bit out of the bounds of propriety by wading in a stream) when a dog comes leaping in her direction only belatedly called off by the owner who doesn't even acknowledge Estelle's fright.
It turns out the owner is the brother of Estelle's friend, Maria, and he ends up inviting them both to join Maria in London. He hasn't been in Maria's life for a long time but he seems to be trying to make amends for the past and up for lost time.
His back story is a little melodramatic but I did enjoy seeing he and Estelle fall in love and I look forward to Bertrand's story.

Four half stars
This book comes out November 30th, 2021
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own


Friday, June 21, 2019

Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh

Someone to Honor by Mary BaloghSix years ago, Abigail Westcott's life fell apart when she and her sibling discovered that her father had been married before; in fact, he was still married when he married their mother and they are all illegitimate. Abigail's sister Camille is now happily married, her brother Harry is in the army, and her family is really anxious that Abigail should make a good match. But Abigail wants to be married for herself rather than in spite of who she is. She's not sure what that will mean but she knows that finding someone from among the ton is not what she wants.
Gilbert Bennington has been married before. He is a lieutenant colonel and Harry's superior officer. Traveling back to England with Harry, Gil is bemused to find himself swept up into the Westcott family. His introduction? When he is trying to calm himself by chopping wood shirtless. Abigail reprimands him, not realizing that he is not a servant.
The two don't get to spend a lot of time together but a lot of it is spent in divulging secrets. Both are bastards but Gil keeps saying that they are different because Abby was raised to be a lady but he was not. I'm not entirely sure that I believe the HEA but Balogh's gentle story somehow conveys that they may be able to get past the obstacles ahead, including getting Gil's daughter back from her grandparents. I also wish we had seen more of that. Maybe if Matilda and Gil's father get together in a subsequent book, we'll see more of them.

Four stars
This book comes out July 2
ARC kindly provided by Kensington and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Friday, November 30, 2018

Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh

Someone to Trust by Mary BaloghElizabeth, Lady Overfield had a horrible marriage. Her husband abused her to the point that her family actually not only took her in, they kept her. Something unheard of in their time. But she's relatively happy where she is. In her mid-thirties, she can't ask for much more.
Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, is twenty-six. And he decides to use the holiday house party to start looking for a wife. He's known Elizabeth from previous parties and has always been inspired by her quite confidence. She may not be a raging beauty but she is striking and has a pull. When circumstances make it so that they are sort of forced into marriage, he's not upset.
In most Balogh stories, I feel like there is so much character development, which we do see here, and so much romance building, which I missed.

Three stars
This book came out November 27
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley; Opinions are my own

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Someone to Care by Mary Balogh

Viola Kingsley's world came crashing down when, after her husband's death, she found out that she wasn't actually his wife and her children were now considered illegitimate. It turned her world upside down. And now in her forties, she's trying to put her life back together. Hard at any time but especially in Victorian England when many people look down on her even though none of what happened was her fault. It's no wonder that one day, she feels like she needs to get away.
Someone to Care by Mary BaloghMany years ago, Marcel Lamarr, Earl of Riverdale, had tried to seduce Viola. Being a good wife, she had rebuffed his efforts. He was married once and has twins that are being raised by a very stodgy relative. His life is... boring. So when he runs into Viola at a country inn (her carriage broke down), he takes the opportunity to spend more time with her. Even if that only means spending the day at the local fair and then saying their goodbyes and parting for the evening. When Viola decides to take him up on his offer for a very good night, Marcel is shocked but still behaves honorably, giving her the space to change her mind. She doesn't. And it sets them down the road to eventually being discovered... and engaged.
Another book that Balogh lovers will enjoy.

Four stars
This book comes out May 1
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Monday, November 6, 2017

Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh

Someone to Wed by Mary BaloghPrevious stories in this series had three siblings being proven illegitimate and their cousin coming into the title. Alexander Westcott never wanted to be the Earl of Riverdale. He likes his cousins and he liked his life. But now he's inherited not only the title but land, a crumbling house, and a mountain of debt.
Wren Heyden knows about the debt and she is offering up a solution; marry her and get her inheritance. Alexander is taken aback, especially when he discovers why she's been a recluse for most of her life. They decide that it won't work... until Wren comes to London.
Regular Balogh readers will recognize themes that she's played with before -- long-lost family, a slow build to love, etc. There is a nice balance between bringing back previous characters in the series and setting up for the next book. Regular readers will enjoy this book.

Four stars
This book comes out November 7
ARC provided by NetGalley
Follows Someone to Hold

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Someone to Hold by Mary Balogh

In the first book of this series, Camille Westcott discovered that, while she was pampered and haughty lady of the ton, all that could be taken away, and it was, when it was discovered that her father was a bigamist and Camille is a bastard. Of course, at this time, that meant that she immediately became an Untouchable. Okay, not that bad. But she's pushed out of the ton and the lord who had been circling her for marriage very publicly repudiates her. Camille soon learns she's stronger than she thinks and regroups, going to work in the very same orphanage that her newly-discovered half-sister grew up in. Of course, that means that she is in close contact with her sister's friend, Joel Cunningham.
Joel isn't impressed by Camille. Not at first. But as he gets to know her, through their teaching together and through her grandmother paying for him to paint both Camille and her sister. And he learns that this new Camille might be someone he could love.
I feel bad because Mary Balogh can usually hit me pretty hard in the feels. And this happened again... but... Balogh's books are usually romances. And this isn't different except that this book concentrates so much on the (amazing and heartfelt) evolution of Camille, that the romance is somewhat put in the shade. It was hard to see really why Joel's feelings changed to love. And, oh dear god, if there can ever be too much "happy" in an HEA, this book is a prime example.

Three stars
This book came out February 7
Follows Someone to Love
Followed by Someone to Wed

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Someone To Love by Mary Balogh

Someone To Love by Mary BaloghAvery Archer, Duke of Netherby, is not very excited to have been named the guardian of the new Earl of Riverdale. And he is less excited to learn, from the Countess, that the old Earl had been supporting a byblow, a girl. Everyone is shocked to learn that the girl, known as Anna Snow, was actually a legitimate child while the supposed new earl, Harry, and his two sisters, the managing Camille and the pretty-but-bland Abigail, are products of bigamy. Everyone's world is turned upside down. Even Anna who has to leave the only home she's ever known and suddenly step into the world of the haut ton.
As he helps Anna work through her new life, Avery is shocked to learn that he might be falling in love...
I usually like Mary Balogh's books for their gentle pace and love stories. Unfortunately, while this one is in her normal vein, I just didn't see any connection between the two of them. It was a good start to a series, with plenty of sequel bait (Camille and Anna's friend from the orphanage?). It just suffered from the problem of too much setup, not enough story.

Three stars
This book comes out November 1
Followed by Someone to Hold

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Only a Promise by Mary Balogh

The Duke's Disaster (True Gentlemen #.5)Chloe Muirhead is twenty-seven years old. At eighteen, her grandmother died and her debut into society was postponed. When she finally came out at twenty-one, her seventeen-year-old sister caused a scandal by running away with a married man. Her brother compounded the scandal by participating in a mockery of a duel. When the man's wife died and Chloe's sister married him, Chloe ventured out again. Only to be inundated by another shock of rumors when the daughter of the man who had courted Chloe's mother (only to marry another when he found out he was in need of funds) debuts and looks shockingly similar to Chloe. Rumors abound and the man who had publicly spurned her at twenty-one is one of the people rushing to spread rumors of her bastardy. Chloe decides to retire from society and asks her mother's godmother, a duchess, if she can perhaps become her companion. Instead, she is invited to their house as a guest, but she can't help but feel obliged.
Ralph meets Chloe when he visits his grandparents, the duke and duchess. He has felt massive amounts of guilt since he talked his three friends into going to war with him and they all died. Everyone except him, and even he was left with visible scars to remind him of what happened. Now, at twenty-six, he is being pressured to find a wife, since he is the last heir in the direct line. He is somewhat shocked when Chloe suggests they marry. She wants nothing except children and part of his reluctance in marrying is that he feels he has nothing to give.
Another lovely book in the Survivors' Club series and I can NOT wait for the next book and Imogen's story.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Only Enchanting by Mary Balogh

Image linked from Goodreds
Balogh just keeps hitting it out of the park with this series. If you've enjoyed this series so far, I can guarantee that this one will be a good pick.
We've met Flavian, Viscount Ponsonby, in other books. He was broken both physically and mentally during the war. When he got home, his fiancee married his best friend. Now that that friend is dead, his family (and hers) seem to expect that they will marry. But Flavian doesn't want to do that. He's not sure why, but his upcoming meeting with the Survivor's Club should help him relax.
Their meeting also brings him back in touch with Agatha Deering who he met on a previous visit. All of their meetings are just sweet and wonderful in ways that only Balogh can paint.
The character development is wonderful and the way the relationship builds between Agatha and Flavian is wonderful. They don't communicate completely from beginning to end but there aren't any Big Misunderstandings and it's wonderful.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

The Escape by Mary Balogh

Image linked from Goodreads
If you have enjoyed the rest of the Survivor's Club (or, really, any of Balogh's books), you will quite enjoy this book as well. Do you need to have read the first two books in the series? Not at all. 
Major Sir Benedict Harper nearly lost both his legs as well as his life after the Napoleonic wars. After struggling for six years to get healthy enough to live his own life, he is stymied by the fact that his younger brother already runs his estate and the brother's family is quite entrenched there. Benedict really has nothing to do and is at loose ends. Until he visits his sister who is convalescing after an illness. He nearly tramples a haughty widow and her dog when he leaps over a hedge on his horse.
Samantha McKay is escaping her house. Her husband convalesced for a long time after being injured in the war. Since his death, his sister has been keeping Samantha under a tight rein, telling her that she has to behave as befits a lady. See, Samantha has gypsy blood in her veins and her husband's family has always looked down on her as being "not quite." 
But the end comes when Samantha's father-in-law wants to throw her out of the house where she's been living for so long and sends men to take her back to London. She knows that she'll be stifled there for the rest of her life and she just can't do it. So she enlists Benedict to help her get to Wales where she's been left a small cottage. The journey, of course, is a time for them to get to know one another. And when they get to Wales, there's a whole lot of Samantha's history that she is ready to discover.
This is all told in such a gentle voice. It's like floating down a slow-moving stream. You don't really need to think, just look around and enjoy the scenery. Told in alternating points-of-view, each side overlaps the other, picking up just before the last ended. After reading so many hard and fast contemporaries, this is a wonderful read and delightful palate cleanser. Can't wait for the rest of the books in the series (especially the Duke, though I assume he is being saved for last. Le sigh.)
Imagine my delight when I got to the end of the book and there were still dozens of pages left and it turned out to be the story of Julian and Phillipa, the erstwhile fiancee of Vincent from "The Arrangement." Normally, I don't like short stories but this was a sweet one of two young lovers who were star-crossed but who have worked hard for two years to find their HEAs.