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A review by amandasbookreview
The Ladies of Ivy Cottage by Julie Klassen
4.0
*Thank you Bethany House for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for a review!*
This is not the first time I have read Julie Klassen. I have read several of her works including The Painter’s Daughter, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and Lady of Milkweed Manor. So when I received the email that I would get to review The Ladies of Ivy Cottage, I was ecstatic!
The Ladies of Ivy Cottage by Julie Klassen revolves around the community of Ivy Hill, specifically, Jane, Mercy, and Rachel. Jane is a young widow and runs an Inn called The Bell. Mercy lives at her parent’s cottage and runs a school for girls. Rachel lives with Mercy and at the beginning of the book is quite unsure of what to do. Rachel hates accepting help from others and is determined to pay for her keep at Ivy Cottage. Even though Rachel is a lady, her father had died amidst scandal and ruin. He did not leave her much, except for an entire library of books. Mercy and Jane and many in the community help Rachel start a circulating library. It becomes a success. However, there are mysteries among the books that affect not only their lives but others in the community.
It is safe to say that I adored this book. I loved the friendship between the main characters and their goodness. They are always the first to lend a helping hand instead of pass judgment. Despite enduring heartbreak, loss and societal rules they are determined to make their lives better and those around them. Although, there is one point at the beginning when Rachel declares that she has no appreciation for books and is not an avid reader. This was strange for me, but that is because I can’t live without books. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the book showed Rachel’s journey in becoming a book lover. What I thought was going to be a negative point turned out to be my favorite part of the novel!
Unfortunately, it did take awhile for me to pick up on the storyline because, it picks up where the first book, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, left off. I have not read the first book, so there were parts where I was confused about the storyline and the characters. The pieces do come together beautifully. If you want to read this book, I HIGHLY suggest that you read the first book. After reading this book, I plan to go read the first one. This book does slightly end on a cliffhanger as well. There is quite a setup for book three! Overall, it was a beautiful story filled with romance, charity, mystery, and friendship!
This is not the first time I have read Julie Klassen. I have read several of her works including The Painter’s Daughter, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and Lady of Milkweed Manor. So when I received the email that I would get to review The Ladies of Ivy Cottage, I was ecstatic!
The Ladies of Ivy Cottage by Julie Klassen revolves around the community of Ivy Hill, specifically, Jane, Mercy, and Rachel. Jane is a young widow and runs an Inn called The Bell. Mercy lives at her parent’s cottage and runs a school for girls. Rachel lives with Mercy and at the beginning of the book is quite unsure of what to do. Rachel hates accepting help from others and is determined to pay for her keep at Ivy Cottage. Even though Rachel is a lady, her father had died amidst scandal and ruin. He did not leave her much, except for an entire library of books. Mercy and Jane and many in the community help Rachel start a circulating library. It becomes a success. However, there are mysteries among the books that affect not only their lives but others in the community.
It is safe to say that I adored this book. I loved the friendship between the main characters and their goodness. They are always the first to lend a helping hand instead of pass judgment. Despite enduring heartbreak, loss and societal rules they are determined to make their lives better and those around them. Although, there is one point at the beginning when Rachel declares that she has no appreciation for books and is not an avid reader. This was strange for me, but that is because I can’t live without books. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the book showed Rachel’s journey in becoming a book lover. What I thought was going to be a negative point turned out to be my favorite part of the novel!
Unfortunately, it did take awhile for me to pick up on the storyline because, it picks up where the first book, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, left off. I have not read the first book, so there were parts where I was confused about the storyline and the characters. The pieces do come together beautifully. If you want to read this book, I HIGHLY suggest that you read the first book. After reading this book, I plan to go read the first one. This book does slightly end on a cliffhanger as well. There is quite a setup for book three! Overall, it was a beautiful story filled with romance, charity, mystery, and friendship!