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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
The Ladies of Ivy Cottage by Julie Klassen is the second edition in Tales from Ivy Hill. It is September in 1820 in Ivy Hill, Wiltshire, England. Rachel Ashford wants to discover a way for her to earn money to support herself. She appreciates Mercy allowing her to life at Ivy Cottage, but she wants to pay her own way. The women of the Ladies Tea and Knitting Society suggest that Rachel use what her father left her in his will—his library. Rachel can open a subscription library at Ivy Cottage. The townspeople rally behind Rachel and donate books to the library. Thanks to those donated books, Rachel has two mysteries to ponder. She must also make a decision regarding Nicholas Ashford’s proposal. Jane Bell is busy running The Bell, but she misses Gabriel Locke. Is Jane ready to move on with her life? If so, is there a chance of Gabriel returning? Mercy Groves has long given up hope of getting married. She is busy running the school and is hoping to expand it. Mr. Thomas asks Mercy to become young Alice’s guardian. Mercy is happy to take on the role, but then suitor starts paying attention to her. Ivy Cottage, though, may be lost to all its current inhabitants if Mercy’s mother has her way. To see what happens to the women, join them on their journey in The Ladies of Ivy Cottage.
The Ladies of Ivy Cottage is well-written with lovely characters. I do recommend reading The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill before embarking on The Ladies of Ivy Cottage. The first book introduces you to the characters, the village of Ivy Hill and their lives (it sets the stage for The Ladies of Ivy Cottage). The Ladies of Ivy Cottage picks up where the first book ended. The characters are well developed, and they continue to evolve. The pace of the story is gentle which suits the story (it is slower than The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill). I do feel, though, that the book is a little long (440 pages). Julie Klassen accurately portrayed the time-period with the clothing, the way people spoke (it was more formal), mannerisms, the shops, roles of men and women, locale, and customs. You can tell that the author did her research for the series. Through Ms. Klassen’s words you can imagine the village and its citizens. The Christian element is light and adds just the right touch. In addition to the main three ladies there are secondary characters that add drama and romance to the story. James Drake is working on his hotel, Sir Timothy Brockwell is interested in one of the ladies, Thora returns, Joseph Kingsley (the local carpenter) shows an interest in getting to know one of the women, and Mr. Carville is up to something. The Ladies of Ivy Cottage is a rich, historical novel and I am eager for the next installment in the Tales from Ivy Hill.
The Ladies of Ivy Cottage is well-written with lovely characters. I do recommend reading The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill before embarking on The Ladies of Ivy Cottage. The first book introduces you to the characters, the village of Ivy Hill and their lives (it sets the stage for The Ladies of Ivy Cottage). The Ladies of Ivy Cottage picks up where the first book ended. The characters are well developed, and they continue to evolve. The pace of the story is gentle which suits the story (it is slower than The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill). I do feel, though, that the book is a little long (440 pages). Julie Klassen accurately portrayed the time-period with the clothing, the way people spoke (it was more formal), mannerisms, the shops, roles of men and women, locale, and customs. You can tell that the author did her research for the series. Through Ms. Klassen’s words you can imagine the village and its citizens. The Christian element is light and adds just the right touch. In addition to the main three ladies there are secondary characters that add drama and romance to the story. James Drake is working on his hotel, Sir Timothy Brockwell is interested in one of the ladies, Thora returns, Joseph Kingsley (the local carpenter) shows an interest in getting to know one of the women, and Mr. Carville is up to something. The Ladies of Ivy Cottage is a rich, historical novel and I am eager for the next installment in the Tales from Ivy Hill.
english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
Its been nearly a year since I finished the last book in this series, and since I have read so much since then I’ve been rather remiss in remembering all the characters from the last book. It took a while and a read of my review to refresh my memory on the background of Rachel, one of the protagonists of this book (one of the Ladies of Ivy Cottage).
Leaving behind my lapses of memory though, I very much enjoyed this book with the detailed setting, prose, and colorful characters beloved of Klassen novels. Like the last one, this book was more character driven and could seem a little slow, but that was not an issue for me. The story picks up a few months after the last, with the unmarried ladies Mercy and Rachel starting a new venture with a school for village girls, and a lending library.
Characters old and new converge on the fictional Berkshire village, and it was good to see the story develop with the established ones. Romance is even in the air for Patrick, Rachel, and even Jayne still struggling to come to terms with past heartbreak. Nods to literary classics were provided with characters having to come to terms with the opposition of family, pride, arrogance, social expectations, and family secrets.
Even a faint hint of mystery reminiscent of Klassen’s former works. A few Americanisms were my only gripe, and some readers may want to note that there are some references to sexual activity outside of marriage (no actual sex scenes, just mentions of it), with a mention of a woman who was a mistress, and an illegitimate child.
I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and their UK distributors. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Leaving behind my lapses of memory though, I very much enjoyed this book with the detailed setting, prose, and colorful characters beloved of Klassen novels. Like the last one, this book was more character driven and could seem a little slow, but that was not an issue for me. The story picks up a few months after the last, with the unmarried ladies Mercy and Rachel starting a new venture with a school for village girls, and a lending library.
Characters old and new converge on the fictional Berkshire village, and it was good to see the story develop with the established ones. Romance is even in the air for Patrick, Rachel, and even Jayne still struggling to come to terms with past heartbreak. Nods to literary classics were provided with characters having to come to terms with the opposition of family, pride, arrogance, social expectations, and family secrets.
Even a faint hint of mystery reminiscent of Klassen’s former works. A few Americanisms were my only gripe, and some readers may want to note that there are some references to sexual activity outside of marriage (no actual sex scenes, just mentions of it), with a mention of a woman who was a mistress, and an illegitimate child.
I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and their UK distributors. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
misspippireads's review against another edition
5.0
The Ladies of Ivy Cottage is the second installment in Julie Klassen's series Tales from Ivy Hill. If you are picking up this book before reading book one, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, I would recommend setting it down and getting your hands on the first installment. The story's focus shifts from the The Bell Inn to Ivy Cottage. The characters of Ivy Hill appear in both books and it's a story worth savoring.
I took my time reading this book. I didn't want it to end and I wanted to follow all the characters and their lives in the book. The characters from book one appear in book two with new people appearing in Ivy Hill. Klassen kept the feel of an excellent BBC or PBS television show well. Every chapter felt like an episode. I want to re-read this book all ready and I cannot wait for book three, The Bride of Ivy Green, which is coming out in December 2018.
Time Period: 18oo's
Location: Ivy Hill, England
Reviewed from an author gift copy. Thank you, Julie Klassen!!
I took my time reading this book. I didn't want it to end and I wanted to follow all the characters and their lives in the book. The characters from book one appear in book two with new people appearing in Ivy Hill. Klassen kept the feel of an excellent BBC or PBS television show well. Every chapter felt like an episode. I want to re-read this book all ready and I cannot wait for book three, The Bride of Ivy Green, which is coming out in December 2018.
Time Period: 18oo's
Location: Ivy Hill, England
Reviewed from an author gift copy. Thank you, Julie Klassen!!
sallyavena's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one better than the first as the characters seemed a little more developed and the setting was more familiar.
knittyreader's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
This book is a little slow to read, in a good way. It oozes the slow pace of living of former times. On the other hand it shows social differences between men and women, and strong characters who do what they can to go their own way, be independent.
This book is a little slow to read, in a good way. It oozes the slow pace of living of former times. On the other hand it shows social differences between men and women, and strong characters who do what they can to go their own way, be independent.
rosannelortz's review against another edition
4.0
The Ladies of Ivy Cottage picks up the stories of Mercy Grove, Jane Bell, and Rachel Ashford from the previous book. Mercy continues teaching at her girls’ school and is even asked to become the guardian for one of her pupils. But when her matchmaking parents try to rectify her spinsterhood, her settled way of life and dreams of the future are threatened. The neighboring hotel owner James Drake continues a friendly flirtation with the widowed innkeeper Jane, but what is the secret reason behind his real interest in Ivy Hill?
Rachel receives the most “airtime” in this installment of the series. Courted by her cousin Nicholas Ashford, she still feels her heartstrings pulled by the neighboring landowner, Sir Timothy. And until she can make up her mind to marry, she must find a way to support herself. A goodly part of the novel is devoted to the circulating library that Rachel establishes in the drawing room of Mercy’s school. The neighboring village people begin to patronize the library, paying subscriptions that contribute to Rachel’s livelihood and donating books that contribute to the plot of the story.
Because of the library theme, the novels of Jane Austen figure prominently in the story. Several of the story lines reflect threads from Pride and Prejudice, and Persuasion’s second chance romance proves a prototype for one of the relationships.
The first half of the book rehashes a lot of the exposition and feelings from the original book of the series. The mysterious elements that trademark Klassen’s books are mostly absent until the middle of the story, and even when secrets began to tantalize and unfold, this book was not quite as page turning as her other novels.
Despite the lack of action in the first part of the novel, the second half resolves the romantic future of one of our heroines nicely. And, as is fitting for a series, the conclusion leaves the futures of the other two heroines suspended in perplexing dilemmas…which I am looking forward to seeing resolved in the next tale from Ivy Hill.
I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Rachel receives the most “airtime” in this installment of the series. Courted by her cousin Nicholas Ashford, she still feels her heartstrings pulled by the neighboring landowner, Sir Timothy. And until she can make up her mind to marry, she must find a way to support herself. A goodly part of the novel is devoted to the circulating library that Rachel establishes in the drawing room of Mercy’s school. The neighboring village people begin to patronize the library, paying subscriptions that contribute to Rachel’s livelihood and donating books that contribute to the plot of the story.
Because of the library theme, the novels of Jane Austen figure prominently in the story. Several of the story lines reflect threads from Pride and Prejudice, and Persuasion’s second chance romance proves a prototype for one of the relationships.
The first half of the book rehashes a lot of the exposition and feelings from the original book of the series. The mysterious elements that trademark Klassen’s books are mostly absent until the middle of the story, and even when secrets began to tantalize and unfold, this book was not quite as page turning as her other novels.
Despite the lack of action in the first part of the novel, the second half resolves the romantic future of one of our heroines nicely. And, as is fitting for a series, the conclusion leaves the futures of the other two heroines suspended in perplexing dilemmas…which I am looking forward to seeing resolved in the next tale from Ivy Hill.
I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
morgangiesbrecht's review against another edition
4.0
Sighs…I loved returning to Ivy Green. It has been a while since I read the first book in the series so it took me a few chapters to place everyone. Several plot lines and details of significance were slightly lost on me, however, this isn’t the fault of the author but rather due to the time that lapsed between my reading the books. Had I read them closer together, things would have been more seamless.
I’m not sure if I enjoyed this book as much as the first one for two reasons: (1) the love triangles, and (2) not enough Gabriel Locke.
Love triangles are my least favourite trope ever, and I feel very strongly about them, namely because of all the extra drama they cause. However, this is merely my personal preference.
As for Gabriel Locke, I sort of forgot he left town and therefore was disappointed not to see him until the last chapters of the book. Mercy is probably my favourite female character and Gabriel my favourite male character. He is just such a lovely man and perfect for Jane! Drake doesn’t hold a candle to him.
The threads of intrigue woven throughout the tale kept me reading; very well done!
Now I just need to get my hands on the last book!
I’m not sure if I enjoyed this book as much as the first one for two reasons: (1) the love triangles, and (2) not enough Gabriel Locke.
Love triangles are my least favourite trope ever, and I feel very strongly about them, namely because of all the extra drama they cause. However, this is merely my personal preference.
As for Gabriel Locke, I sort of forgot he left town and therefore was disappointed not to see him until the last chapters of the book. Mercy is probably my favourite female character and Gabriel my favourite male character. He is just such a lovely man and perfect for Jane! Drake doesn’t hold a candle to him.
The threads of intrigue woven throughout the tale kept me reading; very well done!
Now I just need to get my hands on the last book!