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jasmyn9's review against another edition
No rating for this one - I just couldn't figure out who was saying and doing anything listening to the audiobook. Also, I think I need to start in the first book because it seems I should already know who all of the characters are.
thislemonreads's review against another edition
4.0
So - I’m not sure how I feel reading a book that deliberately uses scenes out of other novels...like, if the author says she is a devoted Jane Austen fan and notes that she’s included nods to Austen in her book...does that make it OK? I don’t have an answer to that question, I honestly don’t know. I enjoyed reading the book, but instantly recognized when scenes were borrowing heavily from Austen and it kinda felt like cheating and I didn’t feel the additions were necessary. The author is a talented writer in her own right who created characters that were interesting and endearing. I’m interested to read more of her work to understand if this practice was something she attempted especially for this work. Is this just a “thing” that people do now? I’m sure there’s a market for it...
nipomuki's review against another edition
4.0
I got this audio book on a sale and did not know much about it when I started. Halfway through I realised that is is part two in a trilogy, and had my suspicion confirmed that it is classified as „inspirational“.
It was no problem that I had not started with the first book, as the story stands on its own. But I got to like Jane and Thora very much, which makes me want to go back and read „their“ book.
The „inspirational“ part felt very natural to me, as I imagine people at the time were much more devout, religion a normal part of everyday life. I did not feel preached at, and people were shown in all their imperfect humanness.
The story felt very realistic to me, slow moving, giving me time to really know the characters. The narration was excellent and helped with knowing who was who. Female and male voices were convincingly portrayed, and all distinctive from each other. Which is impressive, as the whole village seems to take part in the story ;-)
I usually enjoy the slow and ritualised way romances develop in old fashioned historical romances like this one, but even I got a bit impatient with the communication issues between everybody. And there is always someone barging in just when things get interesting ;-)
The story is very female centered, and relationships between women get more space than do the actual romances. I loved how the women gathered round when it was needed, pooled their resources and supported each other.
The book shines a light on the way women were dependent on (male) relations, and how difficult life becomes for them when they have to manage on their own. It is heartbreaking to see the harsh realities some of the main characters are confronted with, and it is beautiful to see them rally with the help of the „sisterhood“.
I enjoyed watching Rachel grow from a pretty but insipid girl into a women with opinions and the courage to stand up for what she believes in, even daring to push back against her former admirer and his mama. I started out not liking her very much, but she certainly grew on me. And it is great how it all comes to pass because of her trying to run a circulating library. Books as a way to more independence!
Quite to my surprise my favorite character is Mercy. How I hated her mother! Several of the mother figures in the book are being quite horrible, and she is the worst. The author does give some insights into the motivations of some of the less sympathetic female characters, but she will have a hard time convincing me of being understanding in this case.
Mercy and Jane do not get their HEA in this book. Also: the school!?!?! So I will have to read the next on.
It was no problem that I had not started with the first book, as the story stands on its own. But I got to like Jane and Thora very much, which makes me want to go back and read „their“ book.
The „inspirational“ part felt very natural to me, as I imagine people at the time were much more devout, religion a normal part of everyday life. I did not feel preached at, and people were shown in all their imperfect humanness.
The story felt very realistic to me, slow moving, giving me time to really know the characters. The narration was excellent and helped with knowing who was who. Female and male voices were convincingly portrayed, and all distinctive from each other. Which is impressive, as the whole village seems to take part in the story ;-)
I usually enjoy the slow and ritualised way romances develop in old fashioned historical romances like this one, but even I got a bit impatient with the communication issues between everybody. And there is always someone barging in just when things get interesting ;-)
The story is very female centered, and relationships between women get more space than do the actual romances. I loved how the women gathered round when it was needed, pooled their resources and supported each other.
The book shines a light on the way women were dependent on (male) relations, and how difficult life becomes for them when they have to manage on their own. It is heartbreaking to see the harsh realities some of the main characters are confronted with, and it is beautiful to see them rally with the help of the „sisterhood“.
I enjoyed watching Rachel grow from a pretty but insipid girl into a women with opinions and the courage to stand up for what she believes in, even daring to push back against her former admirer and his mama. I started out not liking her very much, but she certainly grew on me. And it is great how it all comes to pass because of her trying to run a circulating library. Books as a way to more independence!
Quite to my surprise my favorite character is Mercy. How I hated her mother! Several of the mother figures in the book are being quite horrible, and she is the worst. The author does give some insights into the motivations of some of the less sympathetic female characters, but she will have a hard time convincing me of being understanding in this case.
Mercy and Jane do not get their HEA in this book. Also: the school!?!?! So I will have to read the next on.
bandnerd77's review against another edition
4.0
I liked diving a little deeper into Mercy’s story. This book was a cozy read. This one wasn’t as great as the first one, in my opinion. I wasn’t a fan of the scandals that seemed to show up out of the blue.
BRIEF CONTENT GUIDE
BRIEF CONTENT GUIDE
beckethm's review against another edition
3.0
The Tales from Ivy Hill series is pure candy for Jane Austen fans. Julie Klassen has created a wonderful fictional village, where neighbors help each other and where even if they sometimes make mistakes, people find their better natures in the end. They also feature delightful, if slightly predictable, love stories, with a light dose of inspirational material.
Much as I enjoy these stories, they suffer in places from clunky dialogue and workmanlike prose. Character's emotions are too often explained for the reader. I also find the central female characters a little too good to be true; one wishes they could be allowed to make the wrong choice now and then. This installment further suffered from overuse of certain plot devices (must all the heroes have unpleasant mothers?).
Nevertheless, a fun, light read. I look forward to the final book in December.
Much as I enjoy these stories, they suffer in places from clunky dialogue and workmanlike prose. Character's emotions are too often explained for the reader. I also find the central female characters a little too good to be true; one wishes they could be allowed to make the wrong choice now and then. This installment further suffered from overuse of certain plot devices (must all the heroes have unpleasant mothers?).
Nevertheless, a fun, light read. I look forward to the final book in December.
shammons's review against another edition
4.0
I was happy to return to the quaint village of Ivy Hill in the 1820’s. (Note: These books are charming and very reminiscent of Ms Klassen's favorite author, Jane Austen, and even includes references and quotes from her books). The first book centered around the “coaching inn” and its owner/proprietor, though we met most of the main characters. The focus of this book, while still encompassing the village and all of the main characters, shifts to the girls school at Ivy Cottage. The Miss Groves (elderly aunt Matilda, or Matty and younger Miss Grove, Mercy) are running a school for girls, but looking to expand. In the last book, Rachel Ashford, formerly of Thornvale, had to move in with them as her father passed away and his estate (such as it was) was entailed to a distant male relative, Nicholas Ashford. The only thing that Rachel received from her father was his vast collection of books. So in order to be able to contribute to her upkeep at the school, Rachel decides to open a circulating library. This was fun for me to read about, and to learn that people paid a small yearly fee to be able to borrow books from the circulating library. It made me appreciate my free public libraries with all of their modern day resources, LOL!! We had a lovely progression for some of the main characters, a wedding at the end, and the next one is entitled The Bride of Ivy Green, so I am very excited to return to Ivy Hill soon!! Then I’ll only have one more, the Christmas one. :)
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this second book in the Ivy Hill series better than the first! I'm excited to read the third book in the series. The characters are much more fleshed out and the mysteries and romances are more compelling and developed.
anke_books's review against another edition
3.0
Dit deel boeide me meer dan deel 1. Wel jammer dat er zoveel buitenechtelijke relaties en kinderen in het boek voorkwamen. Buitensporig veel.
Ik heb genoten van de romantische ontwikkelingen, die in dit boek meer aanwezig waren dan in boek 1. Benieuwd naar deel 3!
Ik heb genoten van de romantische ontwikkelingen, die in dit boek meer aanwezig waren dan in boek 1. Benieuwd naar deel 3!
thehobbitkhaleesi's review against another edition
5.0
I giggled, I teared up a bit, I was reminded again why Julie Klassen is one of my top auto-buy authors! I absolutely LOVE this series, and I can't wait to return to Ivy Hill again! Because Gabriel. 😍
brokelibrary's review against another edition
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0