Where Grandma and Grandpa Crack Me Up

Remember Me by Mary Balogh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a very good book. IMO. All five stars.

As a reader, coming from the Jane Austen universe, I've always liked a Regency setting, which makes this author and series a draw for me. I didn't understand any of it when I read Pride and Prejudice in college--but that was a while ago, and now it makes a lot more sense to me. I also like how these novels are clustered in "series," though they're more related than consecutive. (Which is fine, either way.) That means the reader already has an idea of characters and backgrounds going into the novel, making the early parts smoother and more entertaining. I feel the same way about big series, like Star Trek books, or Doc Savage, or popular characters like Sherlock Holmes, where you're familiar with the people and background so you can pick up the book and be into the story very quickly. It lowers barriers to enjoying the novel. And the way Mary Balogh writes several books about a single family, you have the same advantage here--many of the same characters show up in multiple books.

I especially find that a help when I'm trying to remember the names of the characters, who is related to whom, and where we know "Aunt Kitty" from. I have often made charts for myself (and taught students to do the same) because I am crap at names in books and real life. And TBH, the author OFTEN throws a whole paragraph of names at the reader in a way I can't absorb all at once--but spread across several books, I work it out. It's a brain saver.

Speaking of the book on its own--it's really good. This is a satisfying story with a lot of sympathetic characters and human moments. The FMC and MMC are likable from the start, but so are most of their relatives and extended families. The main characters are flawed, sure; they're damaged, for certain. But they're good people, and it's easy to root for them. What I found very curious is how the two had a genuine issue separating them, a moment in their past when Lucas accidentally insulted Philippa in her hearing. What he said was horrible, particularly for that era, but it was out of character for him, being spoken in anger, and we learn [spoiler of a general nature]....................... that he had good reason to be angry--just not at her. Anyway, it's a wall between them, when they should have been perfect for each other. The curious part is how his grandfather, acting like a matchmaker or fairy godfather, pushes at them to break down that wall. He's relentless, and kinda selfish because he wants his heir to marry and make another generation of heirs, but he's also sympathetic and pretty funny. His wife is cool, too. But the point is--still spoiling a bit--his meddling is an actual help.

(He's like the anti-Lady Catherine de Bourgh, whose opposition and meddling did more to drive Elizabeth and Darcy together than almost anything else. He meddles on the side of the angels.)

And the final ending (you see, there is a sort of ending, then a bigger ending, then a final ending...) is touching and sweet, and though the novel has its obligatory HEA, a very satisfying one, there is also a sad, sweet, lovely ending after that.

I found this both fun to read and emotionally satisfying--a love story as well as a family story. Recommended for just about any reader.

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