Carly

Women of Ivy Manor #4

by Lyn Cote

Award-winning author Lyn Cote delivers the final installment in her emotive series with Carly, a young woman facing war and its outcomes in the 20th century.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 2006

About the author

Lyn grew up loving books. Her favorite night of the week was Friday night, when the Bookmobile came to her neighborhood in Illinois. She’d spend those two hours chatting with the driver of the Bookmobile and the librarian and making the big decision of the week — which books to check out! In those distant days, children were limited in how many books they could check out. Lyn could only take home six a week — and there were so many to choose from. Her favorites were Cotton in my Sack by Lois Lenski, The Little House series and the One of a Kind Family series. Later, she discovered Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances!
This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category.
Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the "Women of Ivy Manor" series, and I enjoyed all of them. The ending of "Carly" wraps everything up very nicely, but since the book only covers about a year in Carly's life, I would have been interested in learning more about her future. There is more conflict in this story than some of the others, and that bothered me a little bit. I kept wanting everyone to "grow up" and think of others for a change during parts of the story. Those who enjoy historical fiction should read this book, and also the others in this series. Lyn Cote really does her homework to make her stories seem very realistic in relation to the time they are set in.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Carly Sinclair was raised by her single mother, Leigh. But Carly always felt stifled by Leigh's controlling influence. Eager to test her independence, Carly enlists in the army in May of 1990. Although Leigh is adamant that Carly not take this rash step, Carly's stepfather Nate reminds Leigh that she too had been independent. Leigh is hiding the identity of Carly's biological father and will go to any lengths to keep her daughter from knowing the truth.

Carly does join the military, and must learn how to cope in a world that isn't quite used to female soldiers. She deals with sexual harassment and even issues with other women who resent her privileged life. Then the United States becomes involved in Operation Desert Shield, and Carly must test the boundaries of her inner strength when she goes to Kuwait.

This is the fourth book in The Women of Ivy Manor series. Although, in my opinion, Carly improves on Leigh, it still falls short of an ideal read. Carly herself is an admirable young woman. The steps she takes to achieve independence from the controlling influence of her mother will resonate with readers who have had the same issues. The plot is interesting and moves quickly. The wealth of situations Carly finds herself in and resolves will keep the reader engaged.

However, the dialogue doesn't ring true. Many conversations feel forced and read like highly dramatic acting. This pulls the reader's attention from the story. And the ending - which brings together the main characters from the previous novels to air all of their hidden secrets and get things out in the open - also seems contrived. Readers should read all the series episodes to fully understand the interplay of characters. There is a light Christian message, but it is never preachy or overpowering.

If you enjoy sweeping family sagas, The Women of Ivy Manor may hit the right spot with its coverage of history and attention to detail. Carly brings the whole thing to a pleasant conclusion and wraps up the series nicely.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the summer, I read the first three books in this series. I fell in love with the author’s style of writing and each of the fierce, strong, independent women she portrayed in each novel. When I got my hands on this book, I couldn’t wait to dive in and discover Carly’s journey! This book didn’t let me down. I was quickly drawn back into the world the author created in this series.
Carly was every bit as fierce, brave, strong, passionate, and human as the other woman in her family. She fought her way through her journey to self-discovery. In the end, she found who she was and what mattered more than pride and ego. I was caught up in her story as it unfolded. I just wish there was more of it. With the other woman in this series, I felt I got to see them grow and change over the course of many years. That was not the case with this book. While the end was fitting and beautiful, it also felt like a new beginning for Carly. I hate that her story felt unfinished.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Carly the best but again, a lot of tragedy and loss in this book. Did every woman in each generation have to dramatically lose a man?? Also got tired of the dysfunctional mothers and ridiculous secrets. That said, 4 stars for the writing and it still kept me entertained! Satisfying ending just keep in mind this isn't a romance and there isn't a romantic happily ever after for Carly :/

[rjp316 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading all four of the Women of Ivy Manor – Chloe, Bette, Leigh and Carly – and would recommend them to anyone. Each book pulled me into the story of this family and I could not wait to see what would happen next. I loved how you see how each family member matures overtime and the next generation steps into Ivy Manor. I especially liked the historical references in the books – everything from how different people heard about war, the depression, segregation, JFK being shot and even what books or songs they were listening to at the time – from the 1917 to 1991. I found it interesting that all of these women had issues with their mothers as they turned 18 and were moving out of the house – freedom and how each rebelled / disobeyed their mother. But interesting that they all had great relationships with their grandmother and the older generation. Thankfully most of the mother /daughter conflicts were resolved after the period of rebellion or at least by the end of the series. I was sad that in each book the women’s first true love died but thankfully they each found love again – the heart can be healed after heartache. I loved the Christian morals that were woven into the book (must more in the last book Carly, than any of the other books). Several themes throughout all the books: how one event in someone’s life can change them forever and how secrets within a family can destroy relationships.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't expect to like this book so much - I thought it would be my least favorite of the three. However, I really enjoyed reading about a woman in the Army during Desert Storm. The book did a good job tying up lose ends of the entire series. I highly recommend these books, and actually already recommended that three of my co-workers read them.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

All four of these books were awesome. I love how the characters stayed together. Great ending for a series!!!!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

follows her into Desert Storm...but more about her relationship with her mom, granmother, great-grandmother.

[Teniya · Rating 1 out of 5]

How the heck did I get into CHRISTIAN LIT???? I gotta learn how to work ibooks better! ha ha ..... I had to skip all the "Its God's will" crap! Not my thing....

[Erica]

Amazing amazing book. the authour is just too fabulouse with the way she keeps the suspense and leaves the reader wanting for more.
you can't put it down once u start reading the book

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book, but didn't enjoy it as much as the first three in the series.

[Mary Bronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good book. I thought it was a great way to end the series. Carly was such a great character. I'm very pleased with Lyn Cote for making a series.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Nothing much happened.

[Netanya · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a very up and down back and forth book for me. I really liked the insight into the First Gulf War, as it was a few years before I was born, and as the author said in the back, there isn’t much written about it yet, so it was interesting to read about the events leading up to it and through it. However, I REALLY disliked the character of Leigh in this one. I liked her a little more in her own book, but she was a real piece of work in this book. I know the author wanted to depict how a life without Christ can go south so fast, and how you can spiral when rooted in selfishness, but nevertheless, she annoyed me so badly I almost didn’t want to keep reading. The character development throughout was fun though, showing growth in all 4 generations. I’m glad I read this, and never want to read it again.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the past I have not read a lot of Lyn Cote's novels. This series was recommended and I could not wait to give it a try. I soon remembered how much I enjoyed this authors writing voice. I was so anxious to read it, I didn't realize I did not request # one Chloe from my library. When I had finished three of the four books, I went back and started over with the audio version. I believe it was even better than the first time. I finished them all in two days. Originally I was getting the ladies and generations mixed up. Since. I was present for all but one of the wars and these time periods it was a look at my past as well. I must say this was my favorite of the series and loved the way it wrapped up any lose ends.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly an interesting and entertaining series of books to read. Four generations of strong women in the same family who cared and loved for each other, each with their own flaws, accepted, respected, and supported.

This book was about Carly. She enlists in the Army and ends up in the middle of Iraq during the Gulf War, thousands of miles away from almost everyone she knows and loves, trying to do her best to serve her country and make her family and friends proud of her, as well as herself.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well written, but I don't care for the plot or Carly's attitude at all.

[Louise]

Great series!!!