Tuesday 23 January 2018

Book Review: The Ladies of Ivy Cottage

From The Back:

Return to Ivy Hill as friendships deepen, romances blossom, and mysteries unfold . . .
A gentlewoman in reduced circumstances, Miss Rachel Ashford lives as a guest in Ivy Cottage. With her meager funds rapidly depleting, she is determined to earn her own livelihood . . . somehow. Her friend Jane Bell and the other village women encourage her to open a circulating library with the many books she's inherited from her father. As villagers donate additional books and Rachel begins sorting through the volumes, she discovers mysteries hidden among them. A man who once broke her heart helps her search for clues, but both find more than they bargained for.

Rachel's hostess, Mercy Grove, has given up thoughts of suitors and finds fulfillment in managing her girls school. So when several men take an interest in Ivy Cottage, she assumes pretty Miss Ashford is the cause. Exactly what--or whom--has captured each man's attention? The truth may surprise them all.
My Reflections:

Welcome back to Ivy Hill and all the ladies of Ivy Cottage.
This second book, in my opinion, is even better than the first. All the key elements are hit with this one, romance blossoms, mysteries are unleashed and friendships are made stronger.

The storylines center around Rachel and Mercy, who both find themselves with love interests and both find themselves in challenging situations that present themselves in all sorts of creative manners. 

Rachel is cleaver and resourceful, her subscription library has the whole town talking. Will she be able to make it successful and in the process become more independent and self-assured? Will she get her second chance at romance, or will her fear and grief hold her back?

Mercy's heart yearns for a family of her own. Pouring her heart into the school for girls helps hone her passion and ease her pain, yet what awaits her? Will a secret foil her attempts to love and care for a wee one all her own?

This being the second book in the series and it following right along without much preamble, I would not categorize this as a stand-alone. I feel to get the most out of it you should read these in order starting with her first in the series. 
enjoyed all the many layers of this novel, it has much to offer. Although it takes a bit to get going once you adjust to the style and pace I am sure you will enjoy the ride. Expect some of the threads to be left unwound, I personally dislike cliffhangers, but I am sure Klassen's next book has everything neatly sewn together. Although I must admit it seems oh so far away at this very moment!
If you love Jane Eyre style reads you will most likely enjoy this authors style and pace. A great end of the day read!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Julie Klassen

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...
Continue reading about Julie Klassen

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