Good Morning Friends :)
I pray today finds you all doing well, and I want to thank you all for joining me for another book review here on The Preppy Book Princess.
A few months ago, I ended up reading a Christmas themed novella by Julie Klassen, and at the time, didn't realize it was actually the last book in a series. I enjoyed it so much that I ended up wanting to go back and read the rest of the series, and I ended up loving the first book in the series as well.
If you'd like to check out my reviews from those two books, go ahead and use the links below:
I recently had the chance to read the second book in the series, and oh my goodness I enjoyed it so much I could barely bring myself to put it down.
Keep reading for my full review.
The Ladies of Ivy Cottage by Julie Klassen:
Source: Libby App
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: December 5th, 2017
Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction
Series: Tales From Ivy Hill
Synopsis:
New from the Top Author of Inspirational Regency Romance
Return to Ivy Hill in The Ladies of Ivy Cottage as friendships deepen, romances blossom, and mysteries unfold.
Living with the two Miss Groves in Ivy Cottage, impoverished gentlewoman Rachel Ashford is determined to earn her own livelihood . . . somehow. When the village women encourage her to open a subscription library with the many books she has inherited or acquired through donations, Rachel discovers two mysteries hidden among them. A man who once broke her heart helps her search for clues, but will both find more than they bargained for?
Rachel's friend and hostess, Mercy Grove, has given up thoughts of suitors and fills her days 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 who--has captured each man's attention? The truth may surprise them all.
Meanwhile, life has improved at the coaching inn and Jane Bell is ready to put grief behind her. Now if only the man she misses would return--but where is he?
As the women of Ivy Hill search for answers about the past and hope for the future, might they find love along the way?
(synopsis from goodreads)
My Review:
It was such a pleasure to get to return once again to the fictional town of Ivy Hill, and I can honestly say that this series is quickly becoming a new favorite for me. As much as I adored the first book, I ended up loving this one even more, and I can't stress enough how amazing I think it is just how vividly Julie Klassen is able to bring this village and it's many charming characters alive on the page.
I thought I had a pretty good idea where this story was going to go by how book one ended, and instead I ended up being pleasantly surprised with the many differing directions the characters end up choosing to go, and it honestly kept me guessing throughout the majority of the story. Each of the characters is charming and endearing in their own right, and I don't think I could have picked a favorite. Rachel ends up starting a circulating library in her never ending quest to try and support herself financially, and I loved all the interesting details the reader is treated to about these type of libraries in the process. Mercy has to come to terms with the fact that her future may not be what she's come to rely on, and has to trust the Lord for His guidance now more than ever. Jane's story has come a long way since the first book, but a return visit will throw the Bell family into a situation they weren't prepared for or expecting, and she's forced to finally come to terms with her long suffering infertility struggles and what this may mean for her future.
With heartfelt moments, charming characters, idyllic settings, and slight mysteries woven throughout, The Ladies of Ivy Cottage is a true literary delight, and one I could see myself wanting to read over and over again.
I truly love how romance doesn't really play the main portion of each individual story, and in the process, the reader really learns to appreciate each individual romance as they are developed much more in depth than the average romance book tends to have them. The only things I would mention as cautions where this story is concerned is that I don't recommend reading the books out of order, as I think that would cause unnecessary confusion. And also, this book deals with an affair, and discussions of children born out of wedlock, all of which are handled beautifully, but just a forewarning if you don't care to read about such things in your historical Christian fiction.
Final Rating: 5/5.
All in all, I completely loved this one and I can't wait to continue on with the series in the very near future.
Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day :)
This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The photo does not belong to me, and all rights to the respective owners.
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