MY REVIEW:
“The Ladies of Ivy Cottage”, Klassen’s second book in her Ivy Hill series continues where “The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill” ends. Readers will enjoy this heartwarming tale featuring Rachel Ashford who needs to find a way to support herself after her father’s death. Friends offer the perfect solution that when introduced is welcomed by most of the small town’s residents.
A wonderful story of friendship this tale contains enough drama, a touch of mystery, and several potential romances to satisfy most readers, particularly those who love Jane Austen style novels. It was fun to reconnect with favorite characters from the first book and to speculate about how more than one relationship might play out.
I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to finding out how all the loose ends are tied up in the final installment.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Return to Ivy Hill as friendships deepen, romances blossom, and mysteries unfold . . .
A gentlewoman in reduced circumstances, Miss Rachel Ashford lives as a guest in Ivy Cottage. With her meager funds rapidly depleting, she is determined to earn her own livelihood . . . somehow. Her friend Jane Bell and the other village women encourage her to open a circulating library with the many books she’s inherited from her father. As villagers donate additional books and Rachel begins sorting through the volumes, she discovers mysteries hidden among them. A man who once broke her heart helps her search for clues, but both find more than they bargained for.
Rachel’s hostess, Mercy Grove, has given up thoughts of suitors and finds fulfillment in managing her girls school. So when several men take an interest in Ivy Cottage, she assumes pretty Miss Ashford is the cause. Exactly what–or whom–has captured each man’s attention? The truth may surprise them all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane–Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for genre fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award, and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards and ACFW’s Carol Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.
