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Ravenswood #5
Remember That Day: Nicholas' Story
A soldier and a pacifist make the unlikeliest of pairs, but when attraction sparks, there’s nothing that can prevent their love from igniting.
Winifred Cunningham, the adopted daughter of a portrait painter, hopes that her new close friend, Owen Ware, will soon ask for her hand in marriage. But when Owen introduces Winifred to his elder brother Nicholas, the late Earl of Stratton’s second son, the slow burn of attraction between them begins.
Nicholas is a cavalry colonel—a hardened soldier whom Winifred at first despises. She finds him intimidating and cruel-looking, while he finds her strange and startlingly forthright. During a summer at Ravenswood, however, Nicholas and Winifred are unwillingly thrown together on several occasions, until they realize the passion that drives their disagreements is not due to dislike—it is because of attraction.
Winifred still awaits Owen’s proposal, and Nicholas has made his intention to marry his commanding officer’s daughter quite clear. With allegiances to other marriage prospects and brotherly bonds at risk, not to mention the age difference between them, Nicholas and Winifred know it would be wholly improper to pursue a romance...
And yet, romance is irresistible. Perhaps even inevitable.
Winifred Cunningham, the adopted daughter of a portrait painter, hopes that her new close friend, Owen Ware, will soon ask for her hand in marriage. But when Owen introduces Winifred to his elder brother Nicholas, the late Earl of Stratton’s second son, the slow burn of attraction between them begins.
Nicholas is a cavalry colonel—a hardened soldier whom Winifred at first despises. She finds him intimidating and cruel-looking, while he finds her strange and startlingly forthright. During a summer at Ravenswood, however, Nicholas and Winifred are unwillingly thrown together on several occasions, until they realize the passion that drives their disagreements is not due to dislike—it is because of attraction.
Winifred still awaits Owen’s proposal, and Nicholas has made his intention to marry his commanding officer’s daughter quite clear. With allegiances to other marriage prospects and brotherly bonds at risk, not to mention the age difference between them, Nicholas and Winifred know it would be wholly improper to pursue a romance...
And yet, romance is irresistible. Perhaps even inevitable.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2026
About the author
Mary Balogh
194 books6,495 followersMary 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.
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
February 28, 2026
I liked the first part of Remember That Day. I think Balogh handled the trope well at the start. Two people who are supposed to be courting other people end up falling for each other instead. That’s just messy and I'm all for it. Unfortunately, the story quickly becomes repetitive and, before long, a bit boring.
I really love the heroine, Winnifred. She is plain, an adopted daughter, and according to the standards of the time has absolutely nothing to recommend her. And yet she loves herself exactly as she is and wouldn’t change a thing. There was something quietly beautiful and inspiring about reading a heroine who refuses to apologise for existing.
Anyone familiar with Balogh knows she writes clean romance, but this one was cleaner than a nun’s diary. It felt almost sterile. And I do not just mean the lack of spice. The whole atmosphere felt oddly clinical. The characters themselves seemed emotionally muted.
I really love the heroine, Winnifred. She is plain, an adopted daughter, and according to the standards of the time has absolutely nothing to recommend her. And yet she loves herself exactly as she is and wouldn’t change a thing. There was something quietly beautiful and inspiring about reading a heroine who refuses to apologise for existing.
Anyone familiar with Balogh knows she writes clean romance, but this one was cleaner than a nun’s diary. It felt almost sterile. And I do not just mean the lack of spice. The whole atmosphere felt oddly clinical. The characters themselves seemed emotionally muted.
August 16, 2025
Less repetitive than the last book, and it is very nice to have the Westcotts around. I struggle to understand what Balogh is trying to do with this Ravenswood series -- it feels like an attempt to really lean into cozy romance? Is that a thing? There is some angst, but most of that is characters tepidly contemplating the honorable steps they will take, regardless of their changing personal realities, and then when the solutions to their problems occur, the book becomes a full-on celebration of the tiny everyday moments, the yearly festival, the family members, and the love that suffuses both the Wares and the Westcotts. It's like a meditation on not taking life or love for granted. In that sense, I find it very soothing. It also just lacks spark, for want of a better word. There is still a great deal of repetition and rehashing of previous storylines, so if you are looking for a return to Balogh's previous writing style, this is not it. If you're looking to spend some time with beloved characters from the past, pull up a chair.
Advanced Readers' Copy provided by Edelweiss.
Advanced Readers' Copy provided by Edelweiss.
July 13, 2026
If this were historical fiction, I would rate it four stars. Mary Balogh’s writing is full of exquisite observations and descriptions. Her characters live and breathe and I always leave her novels feeling that I’ve met real people, with all their strengths and foibles and insecurities. Even as historical fiction, though, a couple of incidents in this book struck me as unusual and false for the characters Balogh created: first, Winifred’s incredibly rude remark to Colonel The Honorable Nicholas Ware in the receiving line as she greets him at her come out ball, a remark which even someone raised by wolves would never utter to a stranger and especially not in a receiving line:
”You do not look so massive out of the saddle and without the scarlet uniform and the beaver helmet,” she said, surprising him. “Your face, now that I can see it all, does not look so formidable or so—” She stopped abruptly.
He raised his eyebrows and waited for her to complete the thought.
“So cruel,” she said. “I beg your pardon. That is too stark a word.”
Stark? More like unacceptably rude, as was her later remark that the soldiers she had seen on parade the week before, who included Nicholas, were killers, one and all.
Later, the author has another female character, Stephanie Ware, be unaccountably and aggressively rude to Bertrand Lamarr, a former crush of hers who is walking her home from an event. Would genteel young ladies act this way? Why is Mary Balogh suddenly making her FMC’s mean?
Then there are the usual interminable lists of family members for every event, which always bogs down the plot. So, as historical fiction, four stars.
As a historical romance, however, two stars.
Winifred was hoping for an offer of marriage from Nicholas’s younger brother, Owen. Nicholas was planning to offer marriage to his commanding general’s daughter, whom he’d been courting but didn’t love. Over 60% of the novel put the spotlight on those relationships instead of the one between Nicholas and Winifred.
”You do not look so massive out of the saddle and without the scarlet uniform and the beaver helmet,” she said, surprising him. “Your face, now that I can see it all, does not look so formidable or so—” She stopped abruptly.
He raised his eyebrows and waited for her to complete the thought.
“So cruel,” she said. “I beg your pardon. That is too stark a word.”
Stark? More like unacceptably rude, as was her later remark that the soldiers she had seen on parade the week before, who included Nicholas, were killers, one and all.
Later, the author has another female character, Stephanie Ware, be unaccountably and aggressively rude to Bertrand Lamarr, a former crush of hers who is walking her home from an event. Would genteel young ladies act this way? Why is Mary Balogh suddenly making her FMC’s mean?
Then there are the usual interminable lists of family members for every event, which always bogs down the plot. So, as historical fiction, four stars.
As a historical romance, however, two stars.
Winifred was hoping for an offer of marriage from Nicholas’s younger brother, Owen. Nicholas was planning to offer marriage to his commanding general’s daughter, whom he’d been courting but didn’t love. Over 60% of the novel put the spotlight on those relationships instead of the one between Nicholas and Winifred.
January 17, 2026
What a snooze fest. Hard to believe this is the same author who wrote Slightly Dangerous and The Secret Pearl.
January 8, 2026
4.5 Stars
Twenty-one-year-old Winnifred Cunningham, adopted daughter of Lady Camille and portrait painter Joel Cunningham, knows how lucky she is to have been taken into such a warm, boisterous family. She’s never believed marriage was necessary for her happiness, until her easy friendship with Owen Ware, the Earl’s youngest son, makes her wonder if marriage could be a happy possibility.
Colonel Nicholas Ware, Owen’s older brother, is preparing to propose to Grace Haviland. At thirty-four, he’s ready for a settled life filled with love and children. Grace is beautiful, poised, and perfectly suitable, yet Nicholas can’t seem to imagine true happiness with her. Something essential is missing.
When Winnifred and Nicholas meet, the spark between them is immediate and undeniable. They’re hardly an obvious match, both are on the cusp of commitments to others, and their age difference, but fate keeps placing them in each other’s path. With every encounter, their connection deepens.
Remember That Day was an absolute delight! This is the fifth book in the Ravenswood series, and I think you could get by reading this as a standalone, but you’d get more reading them in order because there’s a history with the Ware’s, a devastating event that made a huge impact in their lives.
Mary Balogh’s writing shines as she breathes life into her characters, their hopes, fears, longings, and quiet moments of vulnerability. Both Winnifred and Nicholas dealt with internal struggles, yet their bond became a source of comfort and clarity. The secondary cast, especially the many children with their charming side stories, added warmth and joy to every chapter.
Winnifred and Nicholas’ journey to love was tender, thoughtful, and deeply satisfying. Their story touched my heart from beginning to end!
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Twenty-one-year-old Winnifred Cunningham, adopted daughter of Lady Camille and portrait painter Joel Cunningham, knows how lucky she is to have been taken into such a warm, boisterous family. She’s never believed marriage was necessary for her happiness, until her easy friendship with Owen Ware, the Earl’s youngest son, makes her wonder if marriage could be a happy possibility.
Colonel Nicholas Ware, Owen’s older brother, is preparing to propose to Grace Haviland. At thirty-four, he’s ready for a settled life filled with love and children. Grace is beautiful, poised, and perfectly suitable, yet Nicholas can’t seem to imagine true happiness with her. Something essential is missing.
When Winnifred and Nicholas meet, the spark between them is immediate and undeniable. They’re hardly an obvious match, both are on the cusp of commitments to others, and their age difference, but fate keeps placing them in each other’s path. With every encounter, their connection deepens.
Remember That Day was an absolute delight! This is the fifth book in the Ravenswood series, and I think you could get by reading this as a standalone, but you’d get more reading them in order because there’s a history with the Ware’s, a devastating event that made a huge impact in their lives.
Mary Balogh’s writing shines as she breathes life into her characters, their hopes, fears, longings, and quiet moments of vulnerability. Both Winnifred and Nicholas dealt with internal struggles, yet their bond became a source of comfort and clarity. The secondary cast, especially the many children with their charming side stories, added warmth and joy to every chapter.
Winnifred and Nicholas’ journey to love was tender, thoughtful, and deeply satisfying. Their story touched my heart from beginning to end!
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
January 27, 2026
Living right now seems hard, with the world seemingly full of endless cruelty, horror and pain so I needed to get lost in Balogh's familiar slow writing and guaranteed happily every after endings. Is there far too many characters in this book to keep track of? Absolutely? Did I care? Nope.
Winifred and Nicholas were cute and I really enjoyed the way they both fell for each other. Having the majority of this book take place during two weeks at Ravenswood, in which all the family and friends were there as well was a smart idea as it made it easy to see how both Winnie and Nicholas grew comfortable with each other other in such a short amount of time. They both saw how they were with their loved ones and friends. Yes, Winifred thought she was going to marry Nicholas' brother, her bff Owen, for like half of the book and Nicholas thought he was going to marry the prim and proper Miss Haviland so there is a bit of a quartet a times but it's really not that distracting. Nicholas and Winnie fall into a friendship, and later romance, quite easily and naturally.
It was nice to see all the couples of the previous books (I swear, everyone is somehow related to everyone else in this universe every time I open a new book of Balogh's), very happy and in love with each and their multitude of children. Is it a little too on the nose and perfect? Probably. But once again I did not care because the world feels incredibly hard right now and romance novels are keeping me sane. So bring on the cliches!
(But if Balogh could write Stephanie's and Bertrand's story next, I would really appreciate it. She's been teasing it out over the last few books and now that Steph is 25 and not the shy, 14 year-old utterly besotted with him, I think their story could be next. They had one interaction in this book that did not end well. So I am already hooked.
Winifred and Nicholas were cute and I really enjoyed the way they both fell for each other. Having the majority of this book take place during two weeks at Ravenswood, in which all the family and friends were there as well was a smart idea as it made it easy to see how both Winnie and Nicholas grew comfortable with each other other in such a short amount of time. They both saw how they were with their loved ones and friends. Yes, Winifred thought she was going to marry Nicholas' brother, her bff Owen, for like half of the book and Nicholas thought he was going to marry the prim and proper Miss Haviland so there is a bit of a quartet a times but it's really not that distracting. Nicholas and Winnie fall into a friendship, and later romance, quite easily and naturally.
It was nice to see all the couples of the previous books (I swear, everyone is somehow related to everyone else in this universe every time I open a new book of Balogh's), very happy and in love with each and their multitude of children. Is it a little too on the nose and perfect? Probably. But once again I did not care because the world feels incredibly hard right now and romance novels are keeping me sane. So bring on the cliches!
(But if Balogh could write Stephanie's and Bertrand's story next, I would really appreciate it. She's been teasing it out over the last few books and now that Steph is 25 and not the shy, 14 year-old utterly besotted with him, I think their story could be next. They had one interaction in this book that did not end well. So I am already hooked.
January 16, 2026
3 stars
I love Mary Balogh. I really do. But this is repetitive even by her standards, and devolves into just listing couples from previous books for a full chapter at the end.
Win and Nicholas had some cute moments (rowing to the island and exploring there), but overall, it didn’t feel like there was much to them.
I love Mary Balogh. I really do. But this is repetitive even by her standards, and devolves into just listing couples from previous books for a full chapter at the end.
Win and Nicholas had some cute moments (rowing to the island and exploring there), but overall, it didn’t feel like there was much to them.
June 11, 2026
i was pleasantly surprised to see a new mary balogh book in a series that has one of my favorite books by her (remember me is my regency comfort read for absolutely no reason) but i had a few issues with this book that distracted me from enjoying the story.
loved the mash up of having winifred (adopted daughter of camille and joel from someone to hold) in this series but the ugly duckling trope was too much. it is constantly stated that winifred is plain and nothing special by her own family, her friends, the mmc’s family, and the mmc himself!! meanwhile nicholas is soooo attractive and charming in comparison. mary balogh has done this in the past but never to this degree and it was just very distracting.
obviously nicholas finds himself attracted to winifred eventually bc he is a saint apparently but the romance and chemistry was already ruined for me by then. i hope stephanie’s book is way better in this regard bc they’ve already set her up as having little prospects due to her weight.
loved the mash up of having winifred (adopted daughter of camille and joel from someone to hold) in this series but the ugly duckling trope was too much. it is constantly stated that winifred is plain and nothing special by her own family, her friends, the mmc’s family, and the mmc himself!! meanwhile nicholas is soooo attractive and charming in comparison. mary balogh has done this in the past but never to this degree and it was just very distracting.
obviously nicholas finds himself attracted to winifred eventually bc he is a saint apparently but the romance and chemistry was already ruined for me by then. i hope stephanie’s book is way better in this regard bc they’ve already set her up as having little prospects due to her weight.
July 6, 2026
Somewhere between 3,5 and 4 stars.
This is a good summer read and has one of my favourite tropes, but all things considered it wasn't exactly groundbreaking and living rent free in my mind. I think more could have been done with the opposites attract theme, but overall the hurdle was overcome with just calmly stepping over it. No need to even break a sweat.
Also the main characters have a 13 year age gap and they make much of this, which can only be for the benefit of today's readers because that is not the attitude people would have had in 1820s where such an age gap would have been extremely common. It was over 50 years after this before people started to say they might be better off if husband and wife were closer in age. Before that an age gap of over 20 years was not uncommon.
My thoughts about this book could just be me being too familiar with the genre and actual history of the period so if you start out in these types of books you may be thinking this is excellent.
So with that in mind I decided on this rating.
This is a good summer read and has one of my favourite tropes, but all things considered it wasn't exactly groundbreaking and living rent free in my mind. I think more could have been done with the opposites attract theme, but overall the hurdle was overcome with just calmly stepping over it. No need to even break a sweat.
Also the main characters have a 13 year age gap and they make much of this, which can only be for the benefit of today's readers because that is not the attitude people would have had in 1820s where such an age gap would have been extremely common. It was over 50 years after this before people started to say they might be better off if husband and wife were closer in age. Before that an age gap of over 20 years was not uncommon.
My thoughts about this book could just be me being too familiar with the genre and actual history of the period so if you start out in these types of books you may be thinking this is excellent.
So with that in mind I decided on this rating.
January 8, 2026
DNF. This series has been a steady downward trend. The first two books were good. The rest have lacked any sizzle or intrigue. This is not the same quality as the Bedwin, Survivor, and Westcott series. It’s unfortunate. I wanted to like it, especially with the cross over characters. It just lacked any spark.
January 17, 2026
I think the author was aiming for a cozy romance, but instead it was tedious, boring, and bland. The last third of the book was mostly a list of characters from the other books in the series. Skip this one.
December 26, 2025
4.0 ⭐
[4:34pm — 27/12/2025]
𐙚⋆°🌼⋆♡ 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
⤷ regency romance
⤷ friends to lovers
⤷ class difference
⤷ slow burn
⤷ adopted daughter fmc
𐙚⋆°🌼⋆♡ 𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸
❛❛𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥.❜❜
⤷ 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 by 𝗯𝗮𝘇𝘇𝗶
-`♡´- 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 -`♡´-
First of all, I want to say this book couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Genuinely couldn’t have. I want to thank LBBG, yourswithlovex, and the author for sending me a physical ARC of this book. I’m truly grateful!
Like I said, this book literally couldn’t have come at a more perfect time because I had no idea what regency book to read next. Genuinely thank goodness, because I lowkey might have stressed out a little too much on not finding a good regency book.
Despite this being the fifth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone (as I did) and I’ll probably go read the other books at some point.
Winifred. Oh my darling. Her backstory made me sob a little. She has the heart of an angel and is so chaotic in the best way possible. She reminded me a lot of Eloise & Billie Bridgerton in a good way, so if you were a fan of To Sir Phillip with Love & Because of Miss Bridgerton, this is a book you would enjoy!
Win’s personality is amazing. The stress of being the eldest daughter with young twin siblings, a defensive brother (justifiable) and a deaf brother? I understand her baggage. But the relationship she had with her siblings especially Andrew, (the deaf brother) warms my heart truly.
And I love how Nicolas was around Win’s siblings. He had the kindest, sweetest soul, I can’t. Nicolas had me in a trance. I love him. Wowzers. He was amazing, better than I expected. Truly. He had an incredible personality, which fitted perfectly with Win’s.
Nicolas and Winifred are stupid as hell though. Just a little. They kept dancing around the fire, pursuing two different people. Nick with Grace and Win with Owen (Nick’s brother) only for the guy’s to propose and get declined.
I feel like there were moments where it could have been more angsty. I’d love Nick moving away from Grace (mutually) and yearn a little from a distance watching Owen and Winnie, despite them not being in love romantically at all. That would have been entertaining.
My fav scene was when they were sat together and Nicolas telling Winnie to remember that day (perfect use of the book title) because it was genuinely so heartwarming. The vulnerability they shared together meant everything to me.
Overall, I genuinely loved this and it was my first Mary Balogh book. It was fun, sweet, interesting. Loved the characters and the plot. It felt quite cosy, but then again angst in this book would have been lovely.
[4:55pm — 27/12/2025]
[4:34pm — 27/12/2025]
𐙚⋆°🌼⋆♡ 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
⤷ regency romance
⤷ friends to lovers
⤷ class difference
⤷ slow burn
⤷ adopted daughter fmc
𐙚⋆°🌼⋆♡ 𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸
❛❛𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥.❜❜
⤷ 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 by 𝗯𝗮𝘇𝘇𝗶
-`♡´- 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 -`♡´-
First of all, I want to say this book couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Genuinely couldn’t have. I want to thank LBBG, yourswithlovex, and the author for sending me a physical ARC of this book. I’m truly grateful!
Like I said, this book literally couldn’t have come at a more perfect time because I had no idea what regency book to read next. Genuinely thank goodness, because I lowkey might have stressed out a little too much on not finding a good regency book.
Despite this being the fifth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone (as I did) and I’ll probably go read the other books at some point.
Winifred. Oh my darling. Her backstory made me sob a little. She has the heart of an angel and is so chaotic in the best way possible. She reminded me a lot of Eloise & Billie Bridgerton in a good way, so if you were a fan of To Sir Phillip with Love & Because of Miss Bridgerton, this is a book you would enjoy!
Win’s personality is amazing. The stress of being the eldest daughter with young twin siblings, a defensive brother (justifiable) and a deaf brother? I understand her baggage. But the relationship she had with her siblings especially Andrew, (the deaf brother) warms my heart truly.
And I love how Nicolas was around Win’s siblings. He had the kindest, sweetest soul, I can’t. Nicolas had me in a trance. I love him. Wowzers. He was amazing, better than I expected. Truly. He had an incredible personality, which fitted perfectly with Win’s.
Nicolas and Winifred are stupid as hell though. Just a little. They kept dancing around the fire, pursuing two different people. Nick with Grace and Win with Owen (Nick’s brother) only for the guy’s to propose and get declined.
I feel like there were moments where it could have been more angsty. I’d love Nick moving away from Grace (mutually) and yearn a little from a distance watching Owen and Winnie, despite them not being in love romantically at all. That would have been entertaining.
My fav scene was when they were sat together and Nicolas telling Winnie to remember that day (perfect use of the book title) because it was genuinely so heartwarming. The vulnerability they shared together meant everything to me.
Overall, I genuinely loved this and it was my first Mary Balogh book. It was fun, sweet, interesting. Loved the characters and the plot. It felt quite cosy, but then again angst in this book would have been lovely.
[4:55pm — 27/12/2025]
February 17, 2026
I was so excited about this book because the FMC is Winifred from the second wescott book but honestly it was once again a cozy romance with not much plot (how much of the Ravenswood series has been)
Like I don’t need all the details of what everyone is doing at the Fate! So much of this book could’ve been cut out. The book rehashed what happened in book 1 several times. I get it! Nicholas is wounded.
I thought there might be an interesting conflict because Nicholas is in the military and Winifred is a pacifist but Mary Balogh unfortunately glazed over the resolution since “they love each other” which was very disappointing to me.
Where was the editing?! Mary Balogh has forgotten how to leap over unnecessary details. Her earlier books are much tighter.
And there was no bad sex! Ugh I love her bad sex scenes. Booooooooooooo
If you’re new to Mary Balogh do not start here. Read her earlier books.
Also for some reason the age gap icked me out. (13 years. She is 21 and he is 34).
Like I don’t need all the details of what everyone is doing at the Fate! So much of this book could’ve been cut out. The book rehashed what happened in book 1 several times. I get it! Nicholas is wounded.
I thought there might be an interesting conflict because Nicholas is in the military and Winifred is a pacifist but Mary Balogh unfortunately glazed over the resolution since “they love each other” which was very disappointing to me.
Where was the editing?! Mary Balogh has forgotten how to leap over unnecessary details. Her earlier books are much tighter.
And there was no bad sex! Ugh I love her bad sex scenes. Booooooooooooo
If you’re new to Mary Balogh do not start here. Read her earlier books.
Also for some reason the age gap icked me out. (13 years. She is 21 and he is 34).
January 10, 2026
I was thrilled to start the year with this wonderful story publishing! It was an amazing treat to have Westcotts and Wares come together to witness and then celebrate Nicholas’s and Winifred’s falling in love. They are both amazing original MCs. Nicholas is (true to the form) another honorable noble Ware, who is all but betrothed to a woman he does not quite want and who does not quite want him. Meanwhile Winifred is hoping for a proposal from Nick’s younger brother Owen. All is resolved and hea arrives before you know it, in this heartwarming story full of love, laughter, children and happy couples we have all read about previously and adore. Also how about that Bertrand and Stephanie set up? Now I cannot wait for that installment!
Read
June 3, 2026Certainly not her best (a lot of it could be fixed with a line edit and introducing 1/2 of all the characters) but I cried! Camille and Joel are just my absolute favorites and seeing them in love and running around with all the kids and so so loving towards Winfred was worth the price of admission.
This is my version of that scene in Devil’s Daughter where St. Vincent takes a bath for no reason.
This is my version of that scene in Devil’s Daughter where St. Vincent takes a bath for no reason.
January 12, 2026
Loved it!!!
January 13, 2026
I consider Mary Balogh as one of my favourite authors of all time, that's why I keep reaching for her books, she always writes complex and loveable characters but Since Ben's book I just think they are just not great.
I did not liked been told so many times Winnie was plan looking.
This book particularly was hard for me to finish and although I wish I would have liked this, it was not the case.
At the end she asks How many people have you killed? -to a military man in the Napolean wars-. That's just straight down silly.
I do not ask for historical acuracy, In fact I read to get off my mind so many horrible things happening right now, but there were parts that just made want to Drop this.
I don't know if I'll keep reading Mary's books and I am so sorry for it.
Sorry if I misspell anything, I speak spanish.
I did not liked been told so many times Winnie was plan looking.
This book particularly was hard for me to finish and although I wish I would have liked this, it was not the case.
At the end she asks How many people have you killed? -to a military man in the Napolean wars-. That's just straight down silly.
I do not ask for historical acuracy, In fact I read to get off my mind so many horrible things happening right now, but there were parts that just made want to Drop this.
I don't know if I'll keep reading Mary's books and I am so sorry for it.
Sorry if I misspell anything, I speak spanish.
January 18, 2026
I think Remember that Day had some good moments, but overall I was not that engaged. While I love introspection, I needed a lot more romance. There were some thoughtful moments (the scenes with Andrew and Robbie and Grace), but Nicholas and Winifred needed more page time to develop their romantic relationship. I found that I was also irritated with Nicholas about not telling Winnifred about the house and his justification was that he didn't not say...
September 20, 2026
3.5 Stars rounded up
So our little Winnifred Cunningham is all grown up and on the market for a husband. She's come a long way from the insecure, overly pious little orphan girl that we met earlier in the series.
The two Ware brothers Owen and Nicholas are potential candidates and both charming suitors, although there is a bit of a love quadrangle in this story. It was interesting to see how all this would untangle.
I enjoyed seeing a coming together of the two clans at the summer fete at Ravenswood as well as at the wedding, the Westcotts and the Owens'. It's always fun seeing characters from previous storylines make cameo appearances.
I will say that overall the romance in this story felt a little tepid, and I honestly think that Owen would have been a better match for Winnifred than Nicolas, but alas that was not to be.
In the end the Bath Abbey wedding was super sweet and I think Mary Balogh made a good call not to have Winnifred in a spicy explicit sex scene since we've known her as a 9 year old little girl. It would have just felt so wrong lol.
So our little Winnifred Cunningham is all grown up and on the market for a husband. She's come a long way from the insecure, overly pious little orphan girl that we met earlier in the series.
The two Ware brothers Owen and Nicholas are potential candidates and both charming suitors, although there is a bit of a love quadrangle in this story. It was interesting to see how all this would untangle.
I enjoyed seeing a coming together of the two clans at the summer fete at Ravenswood as well as at the wedding, the Westcotts and the Owens'. It's always fun seeing characters from previous storylines make cameo appearances.
I will say that overall the romance in this story felt a little tepid, and I honestly think that Owen would have been a better match for Winnifred than Nicolas, but alas that was not to be.
In the end the Bath Abbey wedding was super sweet and I think Mary Balogh made a good call not to have Winnifred in a spicy explicit sex scene since we've known her as a 9 year old little girl. It would have just felt so wrong lol.
July 8, 2026
4.5 stars (rounded up) Nicholas is 34, the brother of an earl, handsome and charming, and a career soldier. Winifred is 21, a foundling, plain, and a pacifist. Nicholas is all but engaged to the daughter of his commanding officer. Winifred harbors hopes of a betrothal to her good friend Owen—Nicholas's younger brother. Marriage between them is obviously impossible. Isn't it?
Normally, I'm not comfortable with romances between people who are already involved with someone else, unless they are well-written, don't involve actual cheating, and the prior relationships are resolved appropriately before the main couple get together. I trust Mary Balogh, though, to handle such a situation sensitively and well, and she does just that in Remember That Day.
Full review to come.
Normally, I'm not comfortable with romances between people who are already involved with someone else, unless they are well-written, don't involve actual cheating, and the prior relationships are resolved appropriately before the main couple get together. I trust Mary Balogh, though, to handle such a situation sensitively and well, and she does just that in Remember That Day.
Full review to come.
October 2, 2026
What in the world was that. I thought this was a romance about two people. But the 50 other characters in this book took over the love story. We heard more about all the rest of the family then we did about The Love story. The love story doesn't even start for forever. They're both trying to deal with the other relationships they're in. This was just a lot of fluff and nonsense and it really irritated me. I really like her old stuff better.
November 27, 2025
Reviewed for Dear Author.
Link to come.
Link to come.
February 28, 2026
This was a book without a plot without likable characters, and if the repetition of names and events had been taken out, there wouldn’t have even been a novella left. I was so bored. I begin skimming the pages that repeated over and over the same memories. Then I began, skimming all the names of all the people who were there; every one of them was mentioned at least five times in the book. If you took everything away, that was repetitious there was no story even left that couldn’t have been written as an inadequate short story. Since I have read everything this author has written, it is very disappointing to me to write this review. As a special ed teacher for 30 years, why wasn’t some effort made amongst all of these intelligent people to give the child a method of communication. I realize there was no ASL at the time, but he could have been taught to do basic reading which would have given him the ability to communicate. It could have been done with just pictures. Having worked with children who were deaf and could not learn to read, they could use pictures to communicate. The whole family was so accepting of his hearing impairment and delighted in his silent world, and how wonderful it must be that they did not attempt to make him a method of communication. This might have been excusable with a different family, but the fact that his parents were both teachers, I found it totally unacceptable.
January 28, 2026
Sweet Story With Very Little Romance
I love Mary Balogh’s stories. However, this sweet story wasn’t up to her usual heartwarming romances. There was very little actual romance. I enjoyed the characters but didn’t really feel like I knew them or felt their love growing. For the majority of the book, they were with other people. The story was so bogged down with descriptions and names of other characters that I often skipped ahead. I’m so sad to even write this. It was actually a 3 star book for me but I added another star because I enjoy Mary Balogh’s writing. Overall, it was just a sweet story describing everything and everyone in tedious detail with the last few chapters throwing in a tepid romance. Even the epilogue was unsatisfactory. It was definitely not one of her best romances. Nickolas Ware was such a dynamic character in prior books that he deserved a more passionate love story. But I’m a loyal Mary Balogh fan and will always buy and read her stories.
I love Mary Balogh’s stories. However, this sweet story wasn’t up to her usual heartwarming romances. There was very little actual romance. I enjoyed the characters but didn’t really feel like I knew them or felt their love growing. For the majority of the book, they were with other people. The story was so bogged down with descriptions and names of other characters that I often skipped ahead. I’m so sad to even write this. It was actually a 3 star book for me but I added another star because I enjoy Mary Balogh’s writing. Overall, it was just a sweet story describing everything and everyone in tedious detail with the last few chapters throwing in a tepid romance. Even the epilogue was unsatisfactory. It was definitely not one of her best romances. Nickolas Ware was such a dynamic character in prior books that he deserved a more passionate love story. But I’m a loyal Mary Balogh fan and will always buy and read her stories.
July 10, 2026
Lovely story about the unattractive h falls in love with handsome H. He is all ready to propose to to another woman but eventually he realises he can't resist the h. It was sweet story but not very romantic.
January 7, 2026
This was a 3.5 for me.
Problems for me-
1. Too many characters. I thought about printing the family trees to have them in front of me as I read but realised that was almost as distracting as not knowing who people were. This led me to skimming lengthy passages when the vast cast intruded.
2. I didn’t need to be told quite so many times how plain Winifred was.
3. I was not very happy with the fact that essentially the hero would have married the OW even though he didn’t love her.
4. I all happened a little too quickly.
Problems for me-
1. Too many characters. I thought about printing the family trees to have them in front of me as I read but realised that was almost as distracting as not knowing who people were. This led me to skimming lengthy passages when the vast cast intruded.
2. I didn’t need to be told quite so many times how plain Winifred was.
3. I was not very happy with the fact that essentially the hero would have married the OW even though he didn’t love her.
4. I all happened a little too quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2025
👒🐎👒🎩👒
Review:
She’s a pacifist; he’s a career soldier. They have established romance interests, but not with each other. A summer at Ravenswood will hold some surprises for them both.
Mary Balogh continues her Regency era Ravenswood series with a romance for second oldest son, Nicholas Ware. For fans of Mary Balogh’s Westcott series, we get a crossover because Winnifred Cunningham is the adopted daughter of the romance pair from Someone to Hold.
🌞In fact, Joel is hired by the Earl of Stratton (oldest Ware sibling) as a portrait artist which brings the Wares and Westcotts together for a time of summer ramblings and activities allowing Winnifred and Nicholas to enjoy the blushing confusion of attraction and connection while they are both determined to marry elsewhere – Nicholas to his general’s daughter and Winnifred to Nicholas’ younger brother, Owen.
💥I got a kick out of the bad first impressions set up and then the succeeding encounters that started changing their minds. I cheered them on as they individually came to terms with their pasts. The pace was gentle, the romance was tender, and the extended cast of family and friends gets equal time with the romance. My certificate in genealogy came in handy keeping all the relationships sorted out as I read. 😁 It didn’t hurt that I had previously read the Westcotts series and am caught up on the Ravenswood (Wares) series.
And, so, another comfy and relaxing low angst historical romance from a long-loved author. Not the place to start, but those who like gentle, less spicy romances with focus on slow-build relationships and family connections should slide Remember That Day (and the Ravenswood series) onto their reading stack.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I rec’d an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
👒🐎👒🎩👒
#RememberThatDay #MaryBalogh #Ravenswood #HistoricalRomance #BerkleyRomance #RegencyRomance
My full review will post on my Instagram Page, @sophiarose1816 on 1.19.26.
Review:
She’s a pacifist; he’s a career soldier. They have established romance interests, but not with each other. A summer at Ravenswood will hold some surprises for them both.
Mary Balogh continues her Regency era Ravenswood series with a romance for second oldest son, Nicholas Ware. For fans of Mary Balogh’s Westcott series, we get a crossover because Winnifred Cunningham is the adopted daughter of the romance pair from Someone to Hold.
🌞In fact, Joel is hired by the Earl of Stratton (oldest Ware sibling) as a portrait artist which brings the Wares and Westcotts together for a time of summer ramblings and activities allowing Winnifred and Nicholas to enjoy the blushing confusion of attraction and connection while they are both determined to marry elsewhere – Nicholas to his general’s daughter and Winnifred to Nicholas’ younger brother, Owen.
💥I got a kick out of the bad first impressions set up and then the succeeding encounters that started changing their minds. I cheered them on as they individually came to terms with their pasts. The pace was gentle, the romance was tender, and the extended cast of family and friends gets equal time with the romance. My certificate in genealogy came in handy keeping all the relationships sorted out as I read. 😁 It didn’t hurt that I had previously read the Westcotts series and am caught up on the Ravenswood (Wares) series.
And, so, another comfy and relaxing low angst historical romance from a long-loved author. Not the place to start, but those who like gentle, less spicy romances with focus on slow-build relationships and family connections should slide Remember That Day (and the Ravenswood series) onto their reading stack.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I rec’d an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
👒🐎👒🎩👒
#RememberThatDay #MaryBalogh #Ravenswood #HistoricalRomance #BerkleyRomance #RegencyRomance
My full review will post on my Instagram Page, @sophiarose1816 on 1.19.26.
January 6, 2026
I absolutely adored this story! Winifred was such a breath of fresh air - happy and lively, despite the trauma she'd been through early in life. Colonel The Honorable Nicholas Ware is the exact opposite of Winnie. He's a second son and born to be a military man. However, they find that they are slowly falling in love.
The only issue? (Well, not nearly the ONLY issue...) They are both spoken-for as they are falling for one another.
I will also mention that their is an author's note at the front of this novel noting that she is merging two families here. I have only read a few of Balogh's books here and there, so I was a bit intimidated going in once I read this, but I shouldn't have worried. The story was written in such a way that I had a good understanding of who fit where, at least for the most part. And it was so enjoyable overall that I wasn't worried about knowing each and every character, other than wanting to go and read some of their stories now!
This was one of those books that is just such a pleasant read that you want to sit in the sun and bask in the joy of it all afterward. It won't be long before I pick up another Balogh novel!
The only issue? (Well, not nearly the ONLY issue...) They are both spoken-for as they are falling for one another.
I will also mention that their is an author's note at the front of this novel noting that she is merging two families here. I have only read a few of Balogh's books here and there, so I was a bit intimidated going in once I read this, but I shouldn't have worried. The story was written in such a way that I had a good understanding of who fit where, at least for the most part. And it was so enjoyable overall that I wasn't worried about knowing each and every character, other than wanting to go and read some of their stories now!
This was one of those books that is just such a pleasant read that you want to sit in the sun and bask in the joy of it all afterward. It won't be long before I pick up another Balogh novel!
May 5, 2026
Nicholas Ware had such promise. Why did his book turn out to be page after page lists of who's who in the world of the Westcotts and Wares.
And I'm so tired of reading the same description of village fetes. Mary Balogh is one of my favourites. But this was a big disappointment.
And I'm so tired of reading the same description of village fetes. Mary Balogh is one of my favourites. But this was a big disappointment.
July 7, 2026
Una lindura. Con esta historia de una chica normalita y un galante oficial de caballería, remonta la serie. Nicholas Ware (34) ha decidido que es hora de casarse y tiene candidata ideal, pero por alguna razón piensa demasiado en Winifred Cunningham (21), chica muy vital pero sin especiales atractivos. Tampoco ella cree que tenga la menor posibilidad de enamorar a alguien tan destacado y tan diferente en sus ideas. Como todas las de Balogh, es más de personajes que se trama. Pero los protagonistas son de los que te caen bien, y mantienen diálogos que suenan muy naturales, con su encanto y su simpatía, aunque los dos hayan pasado sus momentos difíciles en la vida. Lo he pasado muy bien leyendo esta novela, la quinta de la serie Ravenswood.
Reseña algo más extensa, en mi blog.
Reseña algo más extensa, en mi blog.
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