Hostinec v Ivy Hille

Tales from Ivy Hill #1

by Julie Klassen, Zuzana Vengliková (translator)

Vitajte v anglickej dedinke Ivy Hill, kde ľudí spájajú pevné priateľstvá, kde láska kvitne a tajomstvá čakajú na svoje odhalenie…

Srdcom dedinky Ivy Hill je zájazdný hostinec The Bell. Po náhlej smrti majiteľa sa jeho vedenia zdráhavo ujíma mladá vdova Jane Bellová, ktorá o podnikaní nevie vôbec nič. Keďže v stávke je živobytie celej dediny a Jane má na krku veľkú pôžičku, musí nájsť spôsob, ako hostinec zachrániť.
Hoci má so svokrou Thorou, bývalou hostinskou, napätý vzťah, obracia sa s prosbou o pomoc práve na ňu. Thore, ktorá hľadá nový zmysel života, sa do cesty pripletú dvaja muž z jej minulosti. Ona sa už dávnejšie zaprisahala, že sa znova nevydá; podarí sa jednému z nich presvedčiť ju, aby láske ešte dala šancu?
Tlak z banky narastá a Jane sa pokúša odhaliť pohnútky niekoľkých mužov, vrátane záhadného cudzinca, ktorí o podnik prejavujú zvláštny záujem. Podarí sa Jane a jej priateľom prinavrátiť život hostincu i jej prázdnemu srdcu?

(zdroj: martinus.sk)

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Regency, Christian

424 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2016

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. She has also won the Midwest Book Award, the Minnesota Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award, and been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards and ACFW’s Carol Awards. She blogs at http://www.inspiredbylifeandfiction.com.
Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, more if you really like inspirational historical fiction; less if you're not particularly fond of the genre. Julie Klassen creates an ensemble set of characters in the fictional village of Ivy Hill, not too far from London, in the 1820s. Jane Bell is the innkeeper, a young widow who married down socially and now has no idea what to do with the inn that she's inherited. The story alternates between Jane, her widowed mother-in-law, and some other local characters.

It's all very reminiscent of The Widow of Larkspur Inn, so if you like that type of book you'll probably enjoy this. It's sweet at heart but a bit predictable (though a couple of plot twists surprised me). The spiritual/inspirational element is also there, but fairly low-key.

This novel is the first in a trilogy (I think? maybe more), and while it doesn't end on a cliffhanger, it definitely leaves several major plot threads not tied up. The second book was recently published, and the third is supposed to come later in 2018.

[Aerykah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow and steady. That may not sound like a compliment for a book, but I do mean it that way.

This isn't a fast-paced, gripping kind of story that you start reading and can't stand to put down until you've sat reading for hours and finally turned the last page with a sense of relieved satisfaction. However, neither is it the kind of slow story that just drags on and on until you simply can't bear to force yourself to read any more. It's... Well, it's kind of like hot chocolate. It's warm and comforting and enjoyable, but you have to sip it slowly, taking it in bit by bit to truly enjoy it to it's fullest.
Yeah... that's the best way I can think to describe this book. It's like hot chocolate. Which made it just the perfect kind of book to read on the cold days of late January and early February, eh? ;)

I did really enjoy this book. No, I wasn't entirely sure about it at first-- I worried that it might be a bit too slow for my taste, but that worry didn't last long. I was quickly pulled into the story and enjoyed it more and more as it went along.

Jane still isn't one of my favorite characters, but she's definitely growing on me. I've enjoyed seeing her character develop and grow as she's started taking possession and charge of the inn. I think she has a lot of potential and I'm hoping to see her grow even more. I really liked Thora a lot. She reminded me very much of Mrs. Thornton in the North & South mini-series. I haven't read that book yet, but I could seriously hear the voice of Mrs. Thornton (played by Sinéad Cusack) in my head as I read Thora's dialogue! They are quite a bit alike, I think... Thinking of that, I could sense hints of a few different classics throughout this book. I would just be reading along and suddenly something I'd read would conger and image in my mind from a classic I'd read or a film adaptation I had seen. I rather liked that. :)

But back to the characters... I must say I'm still not quite sure what I think of Patrick. I don't like him, I know that. But I just can't decide if I'm supposed to be starting to like him because he's going to turn out to be a truly likable bloke-- or if the author is going to try to make us readers like him just to confuse us and have him turn out to be quite the scoundrel after all. If I am supposed to like him, though, it's going to take a bit more time and effort to get me to that point. I do like Gabriel, though I'm sure we're all supposed to like him even while being slightly suspicious of him. I don't hesitate to say that I'm going to be very disappointed if he turns out to be the scoundrel and Patrick turns out to be....... Well, I've probably already said too much on that subject so I'll say no more. Suffice it to say, as I have already said, that I currently like Gabriel & dislike Patrick. I'll be interested to look back on this after the series has finished to see if I still agree with those statements.

By the end of this story, things are really up in the air as far as any romance for Jane is concerned. I mean, she has-- how many?-- at least 3 potential suitors. And, while there's no actual relationship between Jane and any of these men by the end of this book (sorry if I just spoiled anything for anyone!), that's okay. I will be interested to see how Rachel's and Mercy's stories turn out. Rachel's, at least, already seems to be taking an interesting turn. Thora's own personal story turned out to be a bigger part of this book than I anticipated. I do have a bit of a gripe in regards to that... her story seemed to move in leaps and bounds toward the end and I did feel like it was rushed a bit too much, though I suppose that could be explained away in one way or another (ways which I have considered, but won't mention due to potential spoilers).

To sum it up (because I'm afraid if I don't stop now, I'll just keep rambling on and on about this book...), I did really enjoy this book, and while it didn't quite make it to my favorites list, I do give it 4 1/2 stars and a recommendation. I think anyone who loves the old classics like Austen, Gaskell, and Brontë will enjoy this book (and any of Julie's book, really).


I received a free copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Review Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Melindam · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars rounded up to 4

A nice, cosy, character-driven Regency-story with a protracted narrative, which still works if you happen to be in the mood for it.

As mentioned, the plot is superslow and stretches over to the end of the book and beyond.
Quite a few storylines remain unresolved and you need to read books 2 and 3 to find out about them, but at the end I found myself caring about what was to happen to the characters and wanting to go on to book 2 right away.

It is also very easy on the "romance" side, if any of the relationships can be called that at all, but I did not mind. I found the realistic human approach and the absence of rakish aristocrats and heaving bosoms rather refreshing, though connecting to the characters was a bit hard at first as a result of the very slow-moving plot. It is tagged as Romance MPG, but I think women's fiction would be a much fitting term for it. As for "Christian Fiction", I think the religious aspect fits rather naturally into the Regency period, so it did not struck me as anything outstanding.

If you want a classic comparison (it is stretching it a bit, I know), I would say it is more Elizabeth Gaskell/Cranford - style than Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer. Or if it is Jane Austen, then it is Highbury without Emma and Mr Knightley around (although there is a Sir Timothy Brockton as lord of the manor, but with only slight appearances).

Currently all 3 books are included in my Audible subscription for free, so I am moving on to book 2 right away.

[Miriam Simut · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5
Well now I have some new literary friends! :) This is one of those gentle books that takes its sweet time getting where it's going but sweeps you along and makes you feel like you're there, smelling the flowers, walking through the quaint village... very Austen-esque in my opinion.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a confession. I called this book Ivyford for the majority of the time I spent reading it because it reminded me of a wonderful mix of Gaskell’s book Cranford and Jan Karon’s Mitford books. Can you imagine my delight and surprise, once I completed this charming gem, when I read Klassen’s author notes and she mentioned those very books!?!? Although I didn’t feel nearly as smart or witty once I realized that that information was already out there for everyone to know, I did feel slightly validated in my own reading analysis. Lol.

What I liked most about this story was the full cast of characters, and the strong atmospheric setting placed in 1820, Wiltshire, England. Personally, I love character driven novels. This one was delightfully written with just enough mystery to keep me turning the pages. This series is built upon girls that are dear friends. This novel is about Jane Fairmont Bell whose late husband left his Inn to her. This book hit all my happy notes. The small town charm, horses, flower gardens, handsome suitors, comical banter, and romantic threads all made me a grinning reader. I can already assume that this series would make such a charming mini series. Actually, I’m begging for a mini series. The world needs more happy places to get lost in. I’m thrilled that this is a book series though, and I can return to these characters and their sweet town.

I would recommend this to contemporary lovers of Jan Karon’s Mitford series, and to those who love classics like Gaskell’s Cranford or Wives and Daughters.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors, so of course, her first series was of great interest to me. And I'm not sure if the stars just aligned perfectly with my reading mood, but I adored this story. I typically don't prefer stories that focus on several different characters, and I knew this one did, but that didn't bother me in the least. I enjoyed each characters' story, and I liked their different perspectives. Sure, I didn't warm to one of them as much as the others, but that's also because her story wasn't the focus just yet, but will be the focus of book two.

Some readers described this story as slower moving, and perhaps that is somewhat true. The story is definitely character-driven, with very little immediate suspense, however, there are still a few mysterious threads. The pace and tone of the story match each other perfectly, adding a sense of realism to the story. The focus is on true-to-life issues, such as widowhood, saving a livelihood, stillbirth, prejudices between the classes, and more. Because the focus is on real issues, rather than unnecessary drama, the story has a heartfelt, genuine feel. For the most part, reading this book felt like a warm, cozy blanket, full of moments of both sweetness and sorrow.

The setting is just lovely and winsome. I especially enjoyed learning about the inner-workings of a coaching inn. The historical details about the inn and life in Ivy Hill are just enough without being overdone. The romantic thread is evident but not overwhelming, and while there are several potential suitors, I never felt misled about who I was supposed to be rooting for (like in Lady Maybe), nor did I feel that the either of the ladies were wishy-washy in the emotions (like in The Apothecary's Daughter). The character development is spot-on for both Thora and Jane, and while there is one happy ending, there are also several loose ends that I'm eager to see revealed, in fact, so eager that I've already started book two.

Though this story presents a different style than Klassen's previous novels, it is one that works for this reader. Highly recommended to fans of cozy historicals with sweet romances and a vibrant setting. Off to read book two!

[lydia ‧ ia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐

”Village life is like an ivy vine climbing a great oak. You cut off the vine at the root, and all the way up the tree, the leaves wither. We’re all connected.”

This book was very nice.

I’ve been trying to find a better way to describe it, but really, it was just very nice. The setting was nice, the characters were nice, the plot was nice, the romance was nice, the writing was nice.

All very nice 😊

Although, it was bit bland.

I wasn't a huge fan, but I know some people (like my mom, who recommended it to me) will enjoy it.

Happy reading! <3

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill is a cozy book to sink into and enjoy at an unrushed pace. Before reading it I had heard that it was different from Klassen's other books, and I agree- but definitely not in a bad way. There is less suspense, but still a good amount of intrigue. The story is told from the perspective of three main characters: Jane, the innkeeper; Thora, her mother-in-law; and Rachel, Jane's estranged childhood friend. There is a wide cast of community members that interact with the ladies, but not too many to keep track of, especially since they are introduced gradually and each is so individual. I loved the steady weaving in and out of the story and relationships and how each flawed character grew and progressed through the challenges they faced. The workings of the countryside inn reminded me of other favorite books with a similar setting (Doing No Harm by Carla Kelly and Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt) and it was so skillfully represented that I was fascinated by the historical details without being overwhelmed by them. The romance and potential for romance is subtle but definitely an undercurrent. I am so glad I gave this book a chance and am looking forward to continuing the series! Highly recommend!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Restart 2022: It took me a tad longer than normal to get into the book but once I got to know the characters of Ivy Hill I enjoyed it immensely! It really reads like you’re watching a BBC miniseries. 💕 I only wish there was more romance…although the stage is set for many romances to come 😍. I’m so glad there are two more books in the series to read!



2021: DNF. I started this in 2021 & it was too slow for me at the time. I love Klassen & have all the books in the series so I’m hoping to pick it up at a later date.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is a delightful, slow-moving, atmospheric read. You'll feel immersed in Jane and Thora's troubles and in the innkeeping story. By the time I finished reading, I felt ready to travel to the town of Ivy Hill because it felt so very real. Jane especially felt like a new friend.

Thora's story is the most resolved in this book; Jane's continues to the next.

[ꕥ Ange_Lives_To_Read ꕥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wast just lovely. A huge cast of characters inhabit the charming English village of Ivy Hill, around the time of Jane Austen (and there are several obvious nods to that wonderful author scattered throughout the story.) I felt like I just dropped in there from a time-travel portal, right in the middle of everything. These people and their stories and relationships have been going on all along, and I learned about them bit by bit, just as if I had really moved into the neighborhood.

The main setting is the Bell Inn, which has been left to Jane Bell by her recently deceased husband. She has had little to do with the running of this establishment, and now finds that it has been badly mismanaged and is in danger of foreclosure to the bank. Jane needs to find the strength to turn things around for her own sake, as well as all the townspeople who depend on The Bell for their livelihood.

A common theme in my reviews is "why does everything have to be a freaking trilogy?" But then occasionally I find one like this, where I loved it so much, I can't wait to read the other two books and I feel like a hypocrite for my vehement anti-trilogy stance. Oh well, we are none of us perfect.

The next two novels will round out the stories of Jane's friends, Mercy and Rachel. Like Jane, they are women who have not found the traditional route of marriage and children and need to make their own way in the world.

[Aimee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been struggling to get through this book for months now. It's almost embarrassing how long it's taken me. This book moves at a snail's pace- the forward momentum is so slow. I had a hard time sticking with it. I hate saying that because I've enjoyed other books by this author but this one was not the same as her others.

I didn't connect with the characters emotionally. It was all just a struggle for me.

I do love the cover and I also loved the setting. Visiting a place like Ivy Hill would be a dream!

I understand that this is the first book in a series and this book is definitely setting the groundwork for more to come. I probably won't be coming back to this series, but I will be keeping my eye out for books by this author in the future that are more like the previous books I have read.

- I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Bell is a young widow running the family inn of her late husband, John. Brought up as a gentlewoman, Jane was not raised to work, and struggles with maintaining a business. She gets help from her farrier, Gabriel Locke, but little to none from her brother-in-law Patrick. And Jane is beginning to learn that John was keeping secrets from her, financial and maybe worse.

As if Jane weren’t stressed out enough, she has to make room for her uptight, disapproving mother-in-law, Thora. Thora’s presence is not entirely unwelcome—she knows this inn better than anyone. But Thora only cares about the establishment. She never liked Jane, and the younger woman suspects that the elder Mrs. Bell wants her to fail.

There’s also a hotelier named Mr. James Drake, who just bought Jane’s childhood home and plans to rehabilitate it as a coaching inn to rival hers. But while he’s set up a competition between himself and Jane, James doesn’t want to be enemies…

Julie Klassen weaves an intricate web of friendships and courtships forged and sundered and sometimes healed in this novel, the first in a series. The characters and their relationships are very well-developed. Even though Thora garners two suitors and Jane gets three, everyone is so low-key and subtle and English about it that the story never feels like a soap opera.

No content advisory included because none is needed. YA and middle-grade readers might find the subject matter dull, but there’s nothing in here that would be inappropriate for them to read.

The Christian element of the novel is very discrete and well-integrated; the characters act consistently like Anglicans from Regency England. While marketed as Christian fiction, I can see non-Christian readers who enjoy the Regency genre enjoying it thoroughly.

There is an adorable, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bonus for Jane Austen fans in the last few chapters. Nothing shall induce me to give it away.

Are you looking for a cozy historical fiction free of violence, sex, and melodrama? Are you a fan of Cranford, Downton Abbey or Lark Rise to Candleford? Then I warmly recommend The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill is the first book in a new series by Julie Klassen. It centers on the Inn that is at the heart of a little coaching village in nineteenth century England. Jane Bell has been the new innkeeper for a year now, ever since her husband’s death, but she has been in too deep grief to take much care of it. Just as it falls deeper into disrepair, she becomes aware of a large loan that her late husband had taken out without her knowledge. Jane now has a mere three months to repay the debt or she will lose everything.

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill is the story of a village full of charming characters, rather than a tale centered one only one or two characters. In that way, it is like the TV shows Downton Abbey, Poldark, and Little House on the Prairie. Each character has their own story and part to play in Jane’s story, but it is not exclusively about Jane. They are all connected as inhabitants of the town and have some connection to either Jane or the inn that the entire town depends on to some degree. Several different romances and love triangles develop among the characters, friendships are created and mended, and discoveries are made. The book had a quaint, cozy feel to it, though it was interspersed with a little bit of drama and excitement. The characters and the setting had great development and truly portrayed the small town experience. I don’t usually choose to read book like this because they tend to be a little slow and I prefer for the focus to be on only one or two characters. Because this book is like that, I did not enjoy it as well as I had hoped, coming from an author I adore. However, it was very well written and I enjoyed it enough to look forward to the second installment and would gladly recommend it to people who do enjoy that kind of novel.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Bibiana In Bookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25⭐️
Me ha gustado mucho!!! No es la típica novela de época que se centra en un romance, ha tratado otros temas que me han gustado mucho. Se ha centrado en la superación de una mujer que hereda una posada y deberá luchar para mantenerla. Muchos personajes, mucha acción y algo de romance, pero confesaré que me ha faltado algo más! Tiene un final algo abierto que da a entender que seguiremos con todos los personajes en las siguientes novelas de esta serie de Ivy Hill.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill was a fine read, although I found it a bit slow. I liked the story and the characters, but wish it would have held my attention more. I found myself easily distracted from the novel and could set the book aside and forget about it easily...this made the read take much longer than it should have to finish.

I like that this is a series -- a first for the author -- and I am excited to continue on to the next book to see where things go.

All in all, I liked this book. It wasn't my favorite Klassen story, but I still enjoyed the read.

*I received a complimentary eBook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

[Melanie Kilsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, wow.
I am so impressed by Julie Klassen right now...
Her very first novel Series!

The setting of this beautiful country side village is so appealing with all the English charm you would expect from Mrs. Klassen's writing. Though not the pace you would expect, I love how Julie stays true to the time, allowing history to breathe through her stories and her characters.

Being Scottish by blood only, I loved Charlie's character. But I could'na say who was my favourite out of the lot. Even the sour characters--or so I thought were sour--I simply adored. Each distinct voice portrayed as real, poignant, determined, exuberant, kind, loving... just utterly attaching themselves to you through their wit, tender embraces, cunningness, depravities and intrigue.

Also, something I found tastefully and wonderfully done, was having an older main (side) character. This character we follow heavily and is 51 years of age. I found this to be so refreshing, as well as relatable!

The only negative I need to comment on in this book was the drinking. Though I understand this was acceptable at the time, in that era.

I can not wait to follow more of these characters in Julie's new series.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would describe this read as a warm family drama. Three women points of view are written in this novel and I was elated that the mans view was left out. My favorite to read about was Thora a fifty something plain spoken breath of fresh air. Jane came across a little dull for me. I wanted to see courage and fire and a touch of wisdom from her. There is plenty of romance in this book and actually a little more than what I wanted; but I do realize The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill is low romance for most Historical Fiction out there. I was hoping for a more village feel but instead the focus is a lot with Jane. I wanted more humor, wit and eccentrics to read about; instead I had these three women and their love interests at the helm of saving the Inn. This is the first Julie Klassen novel I have been able to actually finish and frankly I found it just too long. It was a nice read though with a slow and subtle romantic pace that I did appreciate. My favorite moment was when Jerome was spoken to. That was the kind of writing I wanted more of. Beautiful cover.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

About this book:

“Welcome to the English village of Ivy Hill, where friendships thrive, romance blossoms, and mysteries await. . . .
The lifeblood of the village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. When the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant landlady. Jane has no idea how to manage a business, but with the town's livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must quickly find a way to save the inn.
Despite their strained relationship, Jane turns to her resentful mother-in-law, Thora, for help. Formerly mistress of The Bell, Thora is struggling to overcome her losses and find purpose for the future. As she works with Jane, two men from her past vie for her attention, but Thora has promised herself never to marry again. Will one of them convince her to embrace a second chance at love?
As pressure mounts from the bank, Jane employs new methods, and puzzles over the intentions of several men who seem to have a vested interest in the place, including a mysterious newcomer with secret plans of his own. With the help of friends old and new, can Jane restore life to the inn, and to her empty heart as well?”


Series: Book #1 in the “Tales from Ivy Hill” series.


Spiritual Content- John 15:5 at the beginning; Prayers & a Blessing over food; Church going & services; Talks about God; Mentions of God, His creations & Praising/Thanking Him; Mentions of prayers; Mentions of clergymen, a church, church going & services; Mentions of Bibles & reading; Mentions of Heaven (some indirectly) & asking forgiveness from God; Mentions of angel figurines; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of blessings & being blessed; A couple mentions of miracles; A couple mentions of a man meeting his Maker & the rising on the last day; A mention of the second coming; A mention of a martyr;
*Note: A mention of superstitious people; A place is called devilish hot; A couple mentions of a devilishly charming man; Mentions of the/a devil.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blinkin’ (could be used as a replacement for other words), a ‘dashed’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘what the devil’, two ‘thunder and turf’, four ‘dash it’s, and four ‘stupid’s; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); A bit of sarcasm; Drinking champagne; Mentions of bodies, a coffin, pain & an accident (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of dying & illnesses; Mentions of a possible murder; Mentions of fighting & hitting (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of thieves, highway men & stealing; Mentions of embezzlement; Mentions of debts, cards, gambling & bets; Mentions of drinking, drunks, pints & spirituous drinks; Mentions of wine & wine cellars; Mentions of hunters & poachers; Mentions of meat needing to be plucked, skinned or gutted (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of lying, lies & manipulation; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of whips & whipped horses; A few mentions of bloodstains; A couple mentions of cigars; A mention of tobacco; A couple mentions of a dead mouse; A mention of murder; A mention of suicide; A mention of slaves; A mention of a horse going to a caddy butcher (doesn’t happen, more of a threat).


Sexual Content- a hand kiss, three cheek kisses, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses & a semi-detailed kiss; Touches & Embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); Some noticing & smelling; Thora believes marriage is misery in the majority of the book; Mentions of a man put a woman in a predicament [with child] (no details); Mentions of an assumed affair (which didn’t happen, she jumped to conclusions), prostitutes, prostitution, luring men in & a brothel; Mentions of kisses & wanting one; Mentions of a man reputation as a rake & a woman worried for females near him; Mentions of improperness, reputations & chaperones; Mentions of flirts & flirting; A few mentions of a buxom woman being ogled, turning heads & tempting men; A few mentions of young boys trying to watch an actress bath (all they saw was her ankle before being sent away); A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of ribald talk & a ribald party; A couple mentions of swooning ladies; A mention of seducing; A mention of a servant who ran off with another; A mention of a young man looking up a woman’s skirts; A mention of a young man’s dreamy grin about petticoats; Some love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of a young girl not wanting to have a big family for fear of the risk of dying in childbirth or spoiling her figure; A couple mentions of men being able to identify a woman by her backside; A couple mentions of women’s figures; A couple mentions of undergarments & unmentionables; Mentions of miscarriages, blood & pain (semi-detailed).

-Jane Bell, nearly age 30
-Thora Bell, age 51
P.O.V. switches between them & Rachel
Set in 1820
441 pages

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
Well, hmmm! Julie Klassen has always been a book-by-book author for me—I have to decide on each book of itself if I like it, I can’t just say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to her books. This felt like a very laid-back read, though it did have some faster-pace scenes. I’m quite pleased over how clean this novel was—especially because of the size. There were some love interest moments and some falling in love, but the romance thread still felt very light. I’m excited to see that the next book in the series has all the point of view ladies back along with Mercy (as I really liked her in this one and wanted to see more) coming out in December.


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this honest review.

[Marta Marlau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado bastante. La protagonista tiene una gran evolución y se muestra una sororidad maravillosa.
Me ha faltado más romance. El libro habla sobre la vida del pueblo y el trabajo en la posada, con pequeñas pinceladas románticas, pero poca cosa. Creo que se está reservando esa parte para los siguientes libros. Estoy deseando leerlos.
Reseña: http://rincondemarlau.blogspot.com/20...

[Jocelyn Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel. This series reminds me of the show #LarkrisetoCandleford in that there are definitely main characters, but lots of threads and subplots to enjoy along the way. Every character has a story. I especially loved the arc of Jane Bell's mother-in-law in this novel. I "read" the audiobook version, which is expertly performed.

[AnaBells · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 🌟♥️

Esperaba un libro romántico de época y me he encontrado con una delicia costumbrista. No es romántico para nada.
Un pueblo, Ivy Hill y un numeroso elenco de ciudadanos que nos cuentan su día a día, como conviven entre ellos, rencillas, amoríos, cotilleos y desavenencias 😁.
Me ha gustado mucho 🤗😊.

[Sarita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5 stars

This was my second book by Julie Klassen, the first being which I found a lot more fast paced and intriguing due to the mystery it had. That being said, I still enjoyed this story, which is the first of a series (a first series for this author) and being the first, had to take some time to introduce the settings and the various characters.

This series is ultimately about three friends, Jane, Mercy and Rachel, all introduced in this first book, but with the focus on Jane. Jane is described as a gentlewomen who married below her class and after her husband's death, had to step in and manage the family inn which her husband left to her. Jane grew from a lady overwhelmed with her won grief, to a business women who stepped up when it was needed, though she still has a lot to learn.

Some of the main supporting characters in this story, was Thora - mother-in-law who seems harsh and unaffectionate, mainly due to her own past, and Patrick - brother-in-law, which I did not trust through out the story, was thrown with a twist at the end which make me rethink his character, but still not 100% convinced about him. Thora had her own little love story which came to a conclusion and it was also refreshing to see how her heart changed toward a specific family and how her relationship with Jane developed.

There was still a lot of mysteries/stories not concluded which is expected for the kind of series this is (carried through each book) - which of the three suitors will be Jane's pick, what happened between Jane and Rachel which caused the trained relationship and the feeling that there is more to John's story/death.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and am expecting the pace to improve since most of the characters were already introduced and should be build upon in the next book.

Recommended to fans of Historical fiction.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

What could be better than a Julie Klassen Regency? A Julie Klassen Regency Series! The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill is book one of the Tales from Ivy Hill Series.

The novel is delightful and introduces the reader to many characters in the village. There is main character Jane, a widow who finds herself owner of an inn and it is not a profession she would have chosen. The supporting cast includes brother-in-law Patrick, mother-in-law Thora, childhood friends Mercy and Rachel and many more. Knowing the book is part of a series I expected that some of the potential romances would not be completed by the final page. Dear friends, you will have to read the novel to find out if my assumption was correct or not.

I highly recommend this novel to fans of Regency.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this 5 stars because it was a wonderful story. Julie Klassens books are so comforting to me. No one tells a story like her. I snuggled up with this book every morning in a cozy chair and latte and read and read. I loved all the characters and am so exciting that it is a trilogy. I can't wait to find out more about Ivy Hill and wished I could visit this place in real life.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to Klassen's new series. I found it a little slow at the beginning, but as more of the characters of the town of Ivy Hill were introduced, it got more interesting. The main characters were certainly a varied group of people. Jane, a widow, has been left an inn by her dead husband a descendent of the Bell family. She has never been involved with the inn so is clueless as to running it and it's needed upkeep. I liked how she was able to listen to others and consider their advice as she struggled to get the inn out of debt. By doing so, she grew in both strength and self-confidence. Thora, Jane's mother-in-law who had previously run the inn, is blunt but kind. She softens as she works with Jane and sees how hard she wants the inn to succeed. The male MC's were also a varied group. Beginning with Patrick, Jane's brother-in-law, whom it was difficult to decide if he was a help or hindrance. Talbot who had previously helped Thora run the inn was always there for both Jane and Thora while his eye was often on Thora. Drake, a hotelier, visiting the town was very good with suggestions for Jane. The secondary characters rounded out a good group of small English village cast.

My only complaint was the rather abrupt ending which brought Thora's story line to a close, but definitely left Jane's romantic interest hanging. So I guess I will have to read Book 2 to see what follows in Ivy Hill.

[Ruth Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually really historical fiction but completely enjoyed this story of a woman rebuilding her life. Delighted to see it is part of a series

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong Women with Mettle, Perseverance, and Resourcefulness

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

TYPE OF NOVEL: Regency Romance, Historical Fiction

SETTING: 1820 Wiltshire, England

MAIN CHARACTERS:

- Jane Fairmont Bell: A refined gentleman’s daughter who surprisingly married an innkeeper.
- Thora Bell: Jane’s no-nonsense mother-in-law who has lots of experience working as a landlady of an inn and doesn’t have the best of relationships with Jane.
- Patrick Bell: Jane’s charming brother-in-law, who at times seems self-serving and sneaky.
- Gabriel Locke: Quiet and helpful, Mr. Locke has been serving as the inn’s farrier for about a year, but his past is something of a mystery.

SYNOPSIS:

It’s been a year since she inherited her husband’s inn and Jane hasn’t done much to take assume the duties and responsibilities of landlady. But now she learns that payment on the large loan her husband took out is long overdue. And since the inn isn’t making much of a profit these days this financial situation is very dire. Jane must decide if she wants to try and save the inn from being foreclosed or free herself from a life of chaos and hard work and sell the inn for a loss…

NOTE: This is book one in Ms. Klassen’s Tales from Ivy Hill series. Book Two, The Ladies of Ivy Cottage, is scheduled to release December 2017.

WHAT I LOVED:

- A Charming English Village: This book introduces Ivy Hill, a picturesque English village, and the coaching inn, The Bell, which is of great importance to the village as it provides work and livelihood for many of its inhabitants. With descriptions of each street, building, and business and a helpful detailed picture map at the beginning the reader is really able to visualize and feel the authenticity of this bustling and charming village. I’m so very glad that there will be more books that take place in this little town.

- A Wonderful Host of Characters: Since this book is part of series, readers are introduced to an abundance of new characters with interesting personalities and pasts. Readers meet characters that work for the inn, are long-time residents of the area, and some that are newcomers to Ivy Hill. I loved learning about everyone’s past in this story, especially Jane and her friends – Rachel, Mercy, and Sir Timothy. And I loved all the distinct personalities we meet in this series – some of my favorites are the flirtatious and charming Charlie Frazer, the kind and compassionate Mercy Grove, and the crotchety Lord Winspear! And I loved the more complex characters like Gabriel Locke and Thora Bell.

- Intriguing Secrets and Unanswered Questions: One of things I love and appreciate most about Julie Klassen’s writing is how she never reveals all the information readers need and want. It is fun to be in the dark and dying to know all the answers! This story, more than any other I’ve read by Julie Klassen, has a lot of unanswered questions and secrets that are slowly revealed. I was dying to know: What happened to the loan money? What kind of mischief Patrick was scheming? What happened between Rachel and Sir Timothy? What was John Bell up to before his death? So much going on in this novel, so many questions swirling in my head!

- Unique Relationship Focus: I really enjoyed the unique focus on the relationship between Jane and her mother-in-law, Thora. Especially since it was a tense relationship filled with misjudgments and insecurity between two independent and discordant women. Both characters have their flaws and jumped to the wrong conclusions often, but I love how real their relationship felt. I know many women who have similar relationships with their mother-in-laws!

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

- It’s Hard Being Patient: Oh! This is the hard part of reading a multi-book series! Not all the questions were answered and not every conflict was resolved. I know there is the promise of these things happening in Book 2 of this series, but it will be hard to wait!! And with how one relationship looked like it was on the precipice become something more, it gutted me to see it end on a bit of a cliff! Must. Have. Patience.

CONCLUSION:

Filled with endearing characters, history, and intriguing developments, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill is a delightful and heartwarming introduction to the Tales from Ivy Hill series. I cannot wait to visit Ivy Hill again and follow the stories of these charming and likable characters!

Austenesque Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

After much deliberation I have settled on 3.5 stars for Innkeeper of Ivy Hill. I've followed Julie's books for some time, and read them all. After her last book, which took us to a rather risqué new level for her, I'd decided I was done. Then, it appeared she had returned to Bethany House & they had another book listed for her. The first in Julie's series 'Ivy Hill'. Purely due to the publishers sterling reputation, I figured it was worth one more try.

To begin with, I could not understand what was the intention of the rather confusing plot. Is this a book about the people of Ivy Hill? Or the Innkeeper, Jane? To be fair to the reader, Jane was not a solid single main character as is the usual case in a story. Rather, this book could have been more appropriately titled 'The Innkeepers of Ivy Hill' (plural), since this is as much about Thora, as it is Jane. The internal conflict between these two was well written, and added much to the depth of both of their relationship with each other and the daily running of The Bell Inn.

Why, then such an extension of other characters in the village? Rachel for one has a large chunk of first person narration. The writing is flat and bland for a large chunk of the first 60 % of the story, never seeming to gel correctly, and jumping around people and places. As I came to understand what the author was intending here, I could see the reasons for the overwhelming character intros and first person accounts. However, this would have been more enjoyable by focusing on just Jane (with Thora being a minor character) - and actually making this about the Innkeeper. Next we could have been taken to Thornvale, and Rachel's story could have been told etc. I would have found this more cohesive and more engaging into the series. That's just my feelings overall, and the reasons I held off a 4/5 rating.

Great mystery written within in regards to John, his character, Hetty & Johns death. That was well paced and thought out. Having Jane travel to Epsom and get to know Gabriel better was a needed development to the plot. I did wonder while reading that this felt very 'Far from the Madding Crowd', and had influenced Julie some.

I've visited Lacock, Salisbury & this area of England. It is very picturesque and steeped in historical charm. It was not hard to imagine any of these locations as described. Good research on location and writing about the era accurately. I will look for the next book, though I was hoping we'd get to focus on one main character at a time from now on. You need to be able to connect as a reader, and this style is just a struggle. By the looks of the summary of future books, it looks like we are going to be following several people at once. Is Julie hoping for a TV series here? As you can see, other reviewers gave up on this book early on. I may have done too except for the fact I make a point of finishing everything I request to review, out of courtesy. To those who did put this down or are tempted to, it does pick up and come clearer the further in you go, but don't be surprised if it takes 3/4 of the book to do so.

Thank you to Bethany House & Netgalley for the complimentary digital copy. This is my honest review.

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I rather enjoyed this book. Three very different women in the town of Ivy Hill have lost much recently.

Jane was raised a gentle woman of means, but fell madly for a working man who owned the family's coaching inn. But a year ago she lost her husband and sense of purpose, and now with a huge loan she didn't know about, no business sense because she was not allowed to work at the inn, she may go under.

Thora, Jane's mother-in-law, also lost her husband then most recently her son. After Jane inherited the inn, which had been in Thora's family for decades, Thora moved away to live with her sister. With the addition of her sister's new husband, the situation changed and Thora felt it would be prudent to leave the newlyweds to themselves and return to the family inn, hoping her daughter-in-law would let her live there. She arrived shocked at the run down condition of the inn, and lack of customers.

Rachel had been Jane's childhood friend, was raised with wealth as a gentle woman, but is suffering her father's financial loss and now his death, inheriting only her father’s books. By law the family home must be inherited by a distant male heir. To go from wealth to having nothing in the blink of an eye was a shock.

These three women must learn life's lessons the hard way. Jane must come out of her selfimposed exile and face the changes that the inn requires to survive. Thora must see Jane as a valuable member of this staff, as well as owner, and help her. And Rachel must take a position she never expected in order to earn her keep.

The many people, old friends and new acquaintances that come into their lives are the gem of this book. The characters are all so well done; we know them and we care for them. Gabriel Locke, the lodge's farrier and resident horse expert, turns out to be something way more than they all know. Mercy was Jane's kind understanding friend who went from wealth to starting a boarding school, has a heart of gold. Two men come back into Thora's life and surprise her with such strong suits. Meanwhile, it appeared three men cared for Jane all at once. She seems fairly oblivious to their attraction to her, but that makes it fun. Once she left her lodge and threw herself into the business of bettering the inn to get it out of debt, you can't help but like her. A generous lady of integrity and humility.

Many learned about how capable you can be if you don't give up. Difficult leaps can be made, and the hope on the other side is pretty wonderful.