What do you think?
Rate this book
English Ivy #1
English Ivy
On the eve of her 21st birthday, Ivy Bowden has much to anticipate. Engaged to be married to the man her father has chosen for her, Ivy dreams of a secure, contented future. But when she finds herself in the arms of her roguish neighbor, her world is thrown into complete disarray. Ivy must choose to submit to her family's choice, follow the leading of her willful heart--or obey her Father's will.
336 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2002
6 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Palmer
83 books287 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. Cathy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published over 50 novels, many of them national best sellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. In 2004, she was given the Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Romance by "Romantic Times" magazine. More than 2 million copies of Catherine's novels are currently in print. The Author's Work With her compelling characters and strong message of Christian faith, Catherine is known for writing fiction that "touches the hearts and souls of readers." Her many collections include A Town Called Hope, Treasures of the Heart, Finders Keepers, English Ivy, and the Miss Pickworth series. Catherine also recently coauthored the Four Seasons fiction series with Gary Chapman, the "New York Times" best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages."
Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. Cathy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published over 50 novels, many of them national best sellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. In 2004, she was given the Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Romance by "Romantic Times" magazine. More than 2 million copies of Catherine's novels are currently in print. The Author's Work With her compelling characters and strong message of Christian faith, Catherine is known for writing fiction that "touches the hearts and souls of readers." Her many collections include A Town Called Hope, Treasures of the Heart, Finders Keepers, English Ivy, and the Miss Pickworth series. Catherine also recently coauthored the Four Seasons fiction series with Gary Chapman, the "New York Times" best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 6, 2011
I loved this book! I found myself desiring to pick it up at times I did not have the time to sit and read. I am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Palmer's books! Set in England, Ivy finds her self in a precarious situation as she must choose between the will of those in authority over her, her own will...or the will of the Father.
An excellent example of when we choose to follow the will of our Heavenly Father, He will often give us the desires of our heart.
An excellent example of when we choose to follow the will of our Heavenly Father, He will often give us the desires of our heart.
June 17, 2011
I think this book could have been shorter. It seemed to go on and on and on. The plot was well established in the beginning, and not until the VERY end did everything work itself out. It seemed a bit repetitive, because there was a constant review of Ivy's situation. She was torn between what she felt she should do, and what she felt her heart wanted her to do. Then she would decide to let it all go and give it to God and do God's will. Except, she never really did let it all go. She continued to worry and not until the very end, after God had revealed to her what he had planned for her did she stop worrying. Which, I guess, is human nature, it just got a little annoying to read.
I liked the love story. I loved how Mr. Richmond (which, by the way, I kept reading as Mr. Rochester because of Jane Eyre) had no qualms about pouring his feelings out to Ivy, even if it was a bit unfair to her. But the one thing I kept looking forward to, was that same outpouring of feelings on her part. We had the internal thoughts, but even right up until the very end she never actual told him how much she loved him in return. The most he had to go on at the end was her turning her head to kiss his hand. Until that point she never really gave much of an indication as to how she felt. I was really disappointed when I turned the last page and realized that I wasn't going to get that from her.
But despite all the negative things I have said, I still enjoyed the book enough to give this 4 stars. :)
I liked the love story. I loved how Mr. Richmond (which, by the way, I kept reading as Mr. Rochester because of Jane Eyre) had no qualms about pouring his feelings out to Ivy, even if it was a bit unfair to her. But the one thing I kept looking forward to, was that same outpouring of feelings on her part. We had the internal thoughts, but even right up until the very end she never actual told him how much she loved him in return. The most he had to go on at the end was her turning her head to kiss his hand. Until that point she never really gave much of an indication as to how she felt. I was really disappointed when I turned the last page and realized that I wasn't going to get that from her.
But despite all the negative things I have said, I still enjoyed the book enough to give this 4 stars. :)
January 28, 2016
First let me say that I was raised in a Christian home and went to Christian school but this is one of the dumbest books I have ever read. The main character Ivy consulted her God about every single thing she did. If she thought God told her to jump in a river and drown she would have done it. This book had more preaching in it than the bible. There was potential in the original plot that Palmer came up with but Palmer got lost when she climbed into her pulpit. She is clearly more interested in preaching than she is about writing a good story line.
February 27, 2019
3.5 stars
A very easy to get into Christian Regency romance. Ivy Bowden's life is turned upside down when an accident lands her in the home of Colin Richmond, recently returned from India. He has come for the express purpose of delivering news to her, the kind that is literally life-changing. Ivy relies on her faith in God for direction and purpose, as her previous foundations of home and family are shaken and fall short of the help she needs in determining her future. I enjoyed this story and its reminder to lean on God in all areas of life, even when His ways seem confusing.
Favorite quotes: "Romance has rarely done anybody any good, Clemma. It is very upsetting and a great worry, and the best thing to do is never let it into your life for a moment." - Ivy Bowden
"Any man who could not serve a decent cup of tea was not fit to be a husband. And that was all there was to it!"
A very easy to get into Christian Regency romance. Ivy Bowden's life is turned upside down when an accident lands her in the home of Colin Richmond, recently returned from India. He has come for the express purpose of delivering news to her, the kind that is literally life-changing. Ivy relies on her faith in God for direction and purpose, as her previous foundations of home and family are shaken and fall short of the help she needs in determining her future. I enjoyed this story and its reminder to lean on God in all areas of life, even when His ways seem confusing.
Favorite quotes: "Romance has rarely done anybody any good, Clemma. It is very upsetting and a great worry, and the best thing to do is never let it into your life for a moment." - Ivy Bowden
"Any man who could not serve a decent cup of tea was not fit to be a husband. And that was all there was to it!"
October 6, 2010
"English Ivy" is a historical romance set in 1815 England. The romance was a "sweet" romance, and the story mainly focused on the romance. Historical details were woven into the story, but there weren't a great deal of them--mostly setting, but some speech, manners, and clothing. The characters were engaging, and the main characters were earnest and wanted to do what was right.
It was obvious how the story would end, but Ivy was so innocent and willing to sacrifice for the good of others that I wasn't sure how we'd get to that ending. The suspense was created by seeing how the legalities of the marriage tangle would turn out.
The main characters were Christians who wanted to do God's will and so struggled with figuring out what God's will was. I agreed with the conclusion they came to. The characters searched the Bible for answers, and some Bible verses were quoted during their study. I liked this.
There was a very minor amount of British mild bad language. There was no sex (though past unmarried sex was implied for several of the men). Overall, I would recommend this novel as enjoyable, clean reading.
It was obvious how the story would end, but Ivy was so innocent and willing to sacrifice for the good of others that I wasn't sure how we'd get to that ending. The suspense was created by seeing how the legalities of the marriage tangle would turn out.
The main characters were Christians who wanted to do God's will and so struggled with figuring out what God's will was. I agreed with the conclusion they came to. The characters searched the Bible for answers, and some Bible verses were quoted during their study. I liked this.
There was a very minor amount of British mild bad language. There was no sex (though past unmarried sex was implied for several of the men). Overall, I would recommend this novel as enjoyable, clean reading.
March 7, 2022
This Christian historical fiction novel by Catherine Palmer has echoes of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, perhaps even a little bit of A Secret Garden thrown in.
The last thing Ivy Bowden expects, as she walks along a wooded lane with her younger sisters on the way to mail her wedding invitations, is to be accosted by robbers. As she steps in to protect one of her sisters, she is clubbed on the back of the head and falls senseless on the road. While one sister rushes back toward home and another runs to the village for the doctor, her youngest sister hurries up the drive to the mysterious, decrepit, Longley manor house, whose owner has just returned from India.
Colin Richmond has returned to England on a mission. His mission will change everything Ivy has ever known or thought about herself. It will present her with a terrible dilemma - how can she obey her Father's will when it means the death of all her dreams, and even appears to present her with a horrible future, separated forever from the one man she loves with all her heart.
The last thing Ivy Bowden expects, as she walks along a wooded lane with her younger sisters on the way to mail her wedding invitations, is to be accosted by robbers. As she steps in to protect one of her sisters, she is clubbed on the back of the head and falls senseless on the road. While one sister rushes back toward home and another runs to the village for the doctor, her youngest sister hurries up the drive to the mysterious, decrepit, Longley manor house, whose owner has just returned from India.
Colin Richmond has returned to England on a mission. His mission will change everything Ivy has ever known or thought about herself. It will present her with a terrible dilemma - how can she obey her Father's will when it means the death of all her dreams, and even appears to present her with a horrible future, separated forever from the one man she loves with all her heart.
November 20, 2019
It starts of well as a comedy of manners in the style of Jane Austen and I enjoyed reading the first couple of chapters but then the author decides to interfere with the story and turns herself into a moral preacher. The only reason for not shelving it was because I had nothing else at home to read and had no time to go to a book shop.
September 30, 2019
The characters and setting give this novel a Jane Austen feel. Overall I did enjoy it, especially the hero. The heroine was weaker and confused. The concept of following God’s will was a very strong plot element that seemed overly unclear to the heroine in my opinion.
June 19, 2018
A sweet story, fun to read, if a bit mushy at times. Does anyone really think in such extravagant adjectives?
August 29, 2013
Well, to be honest, this is a read I will not be thinking about in five minutes, let alone a week from now. That being said, it is a quick, light read and entertaining in its way. I would not exactly actively recommend this book to someone (because, again, I will have forgotten it shortly after completing this review), but I can see its charm and I had that "pleasant diversion" reading experience that hovers rather mysteriously between "waste of time" and "what a fun book." I already have copies of the sequels at hand, thanks to cheap used books and some pocket change, so I will likely finish the series and shift them along to be read by the next person...hmmm, hopefully that won't be me picking them up again, having forgotten I read them. D'oh!
February 20, 2009
Promised to one...
Betrothed to another...
Swept away by the one man she can never have...
Ivy Bowden is the oldest daughter of 4 girls. Or at least that is what she was led to believe her whole life. When she finds herself in the arms of a stranger, her life and world as she knows it changes. She is then faced with unbelievable decisions and the consequences of her choice will not only effect her, but the very life of her family.
Will she follow the choice of her family, her heart, her stubborn nature or her Father's will?
I was definitely wondering how in the world this book was going to end. Palmer wraps it up very nicely.
Betrothed to another...
Swept away by the one man she can never have...
Ivy Bowden is the oldest daughter of 4 girls. Or at least that is what she was led to believe her whole life. When she finds herself in the arms of a stranger, her life and world as she knows it changes. She is then faced with unbelievable decisions and the consequences of her choice will not only effect her, but the very life of her family.
Will she follow the choice of her family, her heart, her stubborn nature or her Father's will?
I was definitely wondering how in the world this book was going to end. Palmer wraps it up very nicely.
June 6, 2015
Rebecca, North River patron, June 2015, 4 stars:
English Ivy is about a young lady approaching her 21st birthday. It seems that her future is all set - she is betrothed to a man she does not care for. When the shocking news comes that Ivy is actually an heiress - and she can only inherit her money if she marries a certain charming, handsome playboy - Ivy's life is turned upside down. Will she turn down her inheritance to marry the man she truly loves? A good Christian, historical fiction book.
English Ivy is about a young lady approaching her 21st birthday. It seems that her future is all set - she is betrothed to a man she does not care for. When the shocking news comes that Ivy is actually an heiress - and she can only inherit her money if she marries a certain charming, handsome playboy - Ivy's life is turned upside down. Will she turn down her inheritance to marry the man she truly loves? A good Christian, historical fiction book.
December 6, 2015
I really loved this book & am so glad I found it when I did! I was in such a book rut, nothing could spark my interest enough to keep reading after the first few chapters. English Ivy was the perfect book to pique my curiosity enough to see how the end turned out! I really enjoy the story telling of Catherine Palmer, the history she adds, the small details of what daily life was like in this time. Such an wonderful tale of love & hope & courage. :)
July 8, 2011
Ivy finds out in 1815 Yorkshire, England that she has roots in India, a new handsome neighbor, that she is promised to marry an angry man, a family anxious about change, and the specific requirements of a will--right before her 21st birthday. She wants to follow the will of God, but which way is it?
308 pg
308 pg
October 10, 2016
Oh how I adore Catherine Palmer. Her novels always have so much heart and soul in them. Great (real-feeling) characters, unique and page-turning plots, and inspiring spiritual themes that are woven naturally into the story, and never fail to encourage me, and -of course- a sweet romance that actually has depth and foundation and not just fluff and cupcakes.
Definitely a favourite.
Definitely a favourite.
September 29, 2017
A simple, clean Christian romance. As another reviewer said, it was reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice, with four daughters during the Regency era. I really liked the story line, though I thought all of the characters talked a little too grandly.
September 17, 2009
Kind of a juvenile silly book in some ways
July 13, 2009
Love story christan fiction really isn't my genre, I am trying to read all of the books on my self and this was one of the few I had not read. I thought it was okay.
January 4, 2010
This Book was my very first of Catherine Palmer's. Its a great love story for anyone who is looking for a romance novel. Its very well written and is worth your time reading. Enjoy!
July 28, 2014
Book 1 of 3
March 16, 2012
Amazing Christian-romance book!
September 2, 2014
Very interesting plot, fine characterizations. Romance novel language and Christian themes. Placed in Otley Yorkshire England as are several in the series.
September 9, 2012
it was like reading a monotone love story.
February 13, 2014
This book was awesome!! truly a love story. Oh Colin Richmond! lol
December 13, 2018
Wonderful, wonderful book!!! One of my absolute favorites! I've read this book two or three times already and always find myself wanting to pick it up again! Love this one!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews