Where Ben And Lady Jennifer Get Their Courage Up

Always Remember: Ben's Story by Mary Balogh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There aren't very many surprises in the book, but it does everything you want it too, just the same.

You know going in that illegitimate son/brother Ben is going to find some way to end up with the high-born but disabled Lady Jennifer. He doesn't fit in anywhere because of his origins; she doesn't fit well because the marriage market was cruel; but they're both great people who deserve to ignore the rules.

What I love about Mary Balogh books is the way she weaves in subplots and interesting conflicts. For Lady Jenny, there is a subplot regarding everyone who helps take care of her, especially her aunt, who is patient and giving but would kinda like to remarry, but she won't do anything to abandon her niece. And for Ben, there's the issue often brought up but never resolved about who his mother was, who her family was, and when a half-brother finds him and reaches out to him by letter, he's not sure if he wants to try to meet a whole family who may not want to actually know him. There's also his own family's feelings about who he is to them and how he should live his life, and he has a young daughter to think about. She really wants a mother, and he's prepared to choose someone he doesn't love if there is no other option.

So the romance progresses in fits and starts, with both cautious about being anything more than friendly, but his kindness changes her feelings, and her lovableness makes him start to have the courage to break society's rules. Both of their families see what is happening and urge them to be careful, but they win them over as much as they win each other over. As usual, the author has the main characters growing and changing individually as much as she has them growing together, and I find that very satisfying. And entertaining, of course.

The first half moves a little slowly (still pretty good), but it picks up the rest of the way, and the second half especially is great. IMO.

Recommended.

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