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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
The Bride of Ivy Green by Julie Klassen takes us back to February 1821 in Ivy Hill, Wiltshire, England. Mercy Grove and her aunt, Matilda are preparing for the arrival of hew newly married brother, George and his society bride, Helena. Mercy was forced to close her school and have the lending library move to a new location in anticipation of the new occupants. She misses Alice who she wished to adopt until her biological father and hotelier, James Drake arrived on the scene. When Helena makes living in the home uncomfortable, Mercy contemplates becoming a governess. Jane Bell has a big decision to make. Gabriel Locke has proposed to Jane and, while she loves him, it would mean giving up her inn. Plus, she is unable to have children and Jane does not want Gabriel to make such a sacrifice. Then someone Jane never expected to see again returns to Ivy Hill. The dressmakers shop is let by a new woman to town who answers to the name of Madame Victorine. She doesn’t share many details of her past and Jane feels she looks familiar. Victorine has beautiful dresses on display, but her sewing skills are not on the same caliber. Will the Ladies Tea and Knitting Society help Victorine or help her new venture fail? Justine, Lady Brockwell, has a matchmaking mother who is intent on her daughter marrying well. Justine’s mother has her sights set on Sir Cyril, but Justine has eyes for a local gentleman. Will Justine give into pressure from her demanding mother? Wedding bells are ringing, but which woman in Ivy Hill will be walking down the aisle?
I have enjoyed my visits to Ivy Hill with Tales from Ivy Hill series. I could not wait to get ahold of The Bride of Ivy Green to see what would happen with Mercy, Jane, Matty, and Justine. I was especially looking forward to Mercy’s story because I wanted her to get a happy ending. Tales from Ivy Hill is one series that you need to read in order. Each book in the series builds upon the previous one. The Bride of Ivy Green is a well-written story with a leisurely pace (sometimes a little too leisurely). The setting is quaint with cozy shops and lovely homes (I picture stone homes with thatched roofs). The characters are developed, and their personalities suit the time period. They are all genteel and refined ladies with good manners. I like that the women are close friends who look out for each other. All the characters are friendly and likeable except Helena, George’s wife. Her coldness and arrogance plus her indifference to Mercy’s feelings perfectly suit this unlikeable character. I did not understand why the author decided to introduce Victorine to the story (it seemed too late in the series for this addition). That time could have devoted to Justine’s or Matty’s story. While the storylines did not play out how I would have liked them to (we all have expectations), I was happy with the outcome. Julie Klassen captured the time period with the clothing, books, pastimes, and attitudes. I am giving The Bride of Ivy Green 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The Bride of Ivy Green is a satisfying conclusion to the Tales of Ivy Hill series. I will miss visiting Ivy Hill and the charming ladies who inhabit it.
I have enjoyed my visits to Ivy Hill with Tales from Ivy Hill series. I could not wait to get ahold of The Bride of Ivy Green to see what would happen with Mercy, Jane, Matty, and Justine. I was especially looking forward to Mercy’s story because I wanted her to get a happy ending. Tales from Ivy Hill is one series that you need to read in order. Each book in the series builds upon the previous one. The Bride of Ivy Green is a well-written story with a leisurely pace (sometimes a little too leisurely). The setting is quaint with cozy shops and lovely homes (I picture stone homes with thatched roofs). The characters are developed, and their personalities suit the time period. They are all genteel and refined ladies with good manners. I like that the women are close friends who look out for each other. All the characters are friendly and likeable except Helena, George’s wife. Her coldness and arrogance plus her indifference to Mercy’s feelings perfectly suit this unlikeable character. I did not understand why the author decided to introduce Victorine to the story (it seemed too late in the series for this addition). That time could have devoted to Justine’s or Matty’s story. While the storylines did not play out how I would have liked them to (we all have expectations), I was happy with the outcome. Julie Klassen captured the time period with the clothing, books, pastimes, and attitudes. I am giving The Bride of Ivy Green 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The Bride of Ivy Green is a satisfying conclusion to the Tales of Ivy Hill series. I will miss visiting Ivy Hill and the charming ladies who inhabit it.
english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
What a satisfying conclusion the the series, especially for the leading ladies.
This was, admittedly, not as compelling as the previous books in the series or others by this author and there is no real mystery or intrigue.
This series is not really meant to be like that though. Its more reminiscent of Cranford, and the trilogy has focused on the lives of three female friends in a small Berkshire village Jane Bell, Mercy Grove and Rachel, as their neighbours.
Its much more a light read with a gentle pace, which focuses a lot more on relationships between families and friends, as well as the village community. Mercy Grove, the former schoolteacher apparently destined to be a lifelong spinster is the focus of this story, although the other characters come into it as well.
Really its just a very gentle and heartwarming story with themes about love, forgiveness and the important of family, especially reconnecting with unknown or long lost family. The faith elements are not preachy or overwhelming, but instead inform the character's attitudes and ideas in a way that's realistic for the time. 1821 to be precise.
I will say that its not advisable to jump straight in with this story. Its the third in a trilogy, and there is a lot of backstory that underpins the interactions and relationships between the characters. Its easy to get lost otherwise.
Others have remarked that some situations felt a little forced towards the end to bring about a happy ending. That was the case, and a couple of things came across as predictable, but that was true to the spirit of the story (this is not meant to be a thriller after all), and its very satisfying for the reader.
I will say that I loved the way Mrs Klassen worked some real and unusual historical events into the story. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction at times. She also uses details about everyday lives and events that might traditionally be considered mundane to weave a realistic and historically authentic story.
No wonder she's my favourite author of Regency fiction. Or one of them anyway.
This was, admittedly, not as compelling as the previous books in the series or others by this author and there is no real mystery or intrigue.
This series is not really meant to be like that though. Its more reminiscent of Cranford, and the trilogy has focused on the lives of three female friends in a small Berkshire village Jane Bell, Mercy Grove and Rachel, as their neighbours.
Its much more a light read with a gentle pace, which focuses a lot more on relationships between families and friends, as well as the village community. Mercy Grove, the former schoolteacher apparently destined to be a lifelong spinster is the focus of this story, although the other characters come into it as well.
Really its just a very gentle and heartwarming story with themes about love, forgiveness and the important of family, especially reconnecting with unknown or long lost family. The faith elements are not preachy or overwhelming, but instead inform the character's attitudes and ideas in a way that's realistic for the time. 1821 to be precise.
I will say that its not advisable to jump straight in with this story. Its the third in a trilogy, and there is a lot of backstory that underpins the interactions and relationships between the characters. Its easy to get lost otherwise.
Others have remarked that some situations felt a little forced towards the end to bring about a happy ending. That was the case, and a couple of things came across as predictable, but that was true to the spirit of the story (this is not meant to be a thriller after all), and its very satisfying for the reader.
I will say that I loved the way Mrs Klassen worked some real and unusual historical events into the story. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction at times. She also uses details about everyday lives and events that might traditionally be considered mundane to weave a realistic and historically authentic story.
No wonder she's my favourite author of Regency fiction. Or one of them anyway.
euneunn_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
a_kira's review against another edition
4.0
Stories continue with some small twists. Kinda jumps a lot between the characters as the tales unfold.
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this third book in the series! I'm hoping that there is another book to explain what happens in the future to a certain character who didn't get a HEA.
rosannelortz's review against another edition
4.0
In this third and final book of the Tales from Ivy Hill series, both Jane and Mercy will find their happily ever afters.
Gabriel Locke is determined to wait as long as it takes to make Jane see reason. Despite her love for him, her fears of enduring more miscarriages are preventing her from accepting his proposal. When her long-absent father returns from India to Ivy Hill, Jane realizes she must let go of her bitterness toward him. In the end, she finds out that he may have just the gift she needs to bless her marriage with Gabriel.
Mercy, long thought to be a hopeless spinster, now has the prospect of two suitors at once. The carpenter, Joseph Kingsley, continues to spend as much time as he can in her company--but when she sights him on familiar terms with a blond beauty, she wonders if there is really any interest in that quarter? Mercy's former pupil Alice is now living with her father, James Drake. When he asks Mercy to become Alice's governess, Mercy must evaluate just what interest Mr. Drake has in her and decide whether to leave her family home to continue her career in education.
Along with concluding the stories of Jane and Mercy, the story also introduces a new character, a French dressmaker, who is not quite as experienced in her trade as she purports to be. The business-women of the town must decide whether to distance themselves from her or to give her a chance at becoming one of them. The book also throws a new romance into the mix as Miss Brockwell (Rachel's sister-in-law) must decide whether to wed Sir Cyril, her mother's choice, or to follow her heart with Nicholas Ashford.
This book had a complexity of intermingling plots and was a wholesome village romance. The characters themselves had much less complexity, no doubt due to the fact that there were so many of them. The book introduces the concept of racism and the right response to it as the very English villagers deal with the new faces that accompany Jane's father on his return from India.
While book one of the series focused on Jane, and book two on Rachel, this third book is clearly Mercy's story. The delightful ending shows how much all the villagers treasure the kindnesses that Mercy has bestowed on them over the years, and they "rise up to call her blessed." Although I prefer Julie Klassen's standalone novels (probably because of the element of suspense they usually contain which is absent in this series), this light-and-bright story is a fitting finale for the Ivy Hill series.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Gabriel Locke is determined to wait as long as it takes to make Jane see reason. Despite her love for him, her fears of enduring more miscarriages are preventing her from accepting his proposal. When her long-absent father returns from India to Ivy Hill, Jane realizes she must let go of her bitterness toward him. In the end, she finds out that he may have just the gift she needs to bless her marriage with Gabriel.
Mercy, long thought to be a hopeless spinster, now has the prospect of two suitors at once. The carpenter, Joseph Kingsley, continues to spend as much time as he can in her company--but when she sights him on familiar terms with a blond beauty, she wonders if there is really any interest in that quarter? Mercy's former pupil Alice is now living with her father, James Drake. When he asks Mercy to become Alice's governess, Mercy must evaluate just what interest Mr. Drake has in her and decide whether to leave her family home to continue her career in education.
Along with concluding the stories of Jane and Mercy, the story also introduces a new character, a French dressmaker, who is not quite as experienced in her trade as she purports to be. The business-women of the town must decide whether to distance themselves from her or to give her a chance at becoming one of them. The book also throws a new romance into the mix as Miss Brockwell (Rachel's sister-in-law) must decide whether to wed Sir Cyril, her mother's choice, or to follow her heart with Nicholas Ashford.
This book had a complexity of intermingling plots and was a wholesome village romance. The characters themselves had much less complexity, no doubt due to the fact that there were so many of them. The book introduces the concept of racism and the right response to it as the very English villagers deal with the new faces that accompany Jane's father on his return from India.
While book one of the series focused on Jane, and book two on Rachel, this third book is clearly Mercy's story. The delightful ending shows how much all the villagers treasure the kindnesses that Mercy has bestowed on them over the years, and they "rise up to call her blessed." Although I prefer Julie Klassen's standalone novels (probably because of the element of suspense they usually contain which is absent in this series), this light-and-bright story is a fitting finale for the Ivy Hill series.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
morgangiesbrecht's review against another edition
4.0
For so long, I had never gotten past the kindle sample chapters and was so excited when I got the email notification this book was available at my library.
What a lovely end to the trilogy! The loose ends all tied up rather nicely.
I love the simplicity and the neighbourliness that pervades the pages. A simpler time when neighbours came together and you knew your friends had your back no matter what. Very touching!
All the HEAs were lovely and long overdo.
What a lovely end to the trilogy! The loose ends all tied up rather nicely.
I love the simplicity and the neighbourliness that pervades the pages. A simpler time when neighbours came together and you knew your friends had your back no matter what. Very touching!
All the HEAs were lovely and long overdo.
elisabethd8a's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Ivy Hill series has the best love triangles, as there are no obviously bad choices offered to the characters. There is a wide cast, but the book is written well enough that I didn't forget who some of the characters were. Also, it isn't just about acquiring a relationship where the author has the characters kiss and then immediately stops writing, but is about building both friendships and love interests. Finally, I sometimes wasn't sure who was the main love interests in a book since the stories were rich enough to bring some couples together and leave others apart.
In this installment, I liked how family was defined and redefined.
In this installment, I liked how family was defined and redefined.