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Ivy Lane #4
Winter
Hope thrives at Ivy Lane . . .
As winter descends on Ivy Lane, the frost sparkles and icy winds flurry - but Tilly is still reeling from the events of the Hallowe'en party. Only the die-hard plot holders brave the cold weather, and Tilly fears the loneliness that gripped her a year ago will return.
Resolute to stay cheerful, she throws herself into organizing both the inaugural Ivy Lane Great Cake Competition and the Christmas Party, and even squeezes in a little match-making along the way.
Surrounded by her friends at the Christmas Party, Tilly has come a long way in a year. She can feel her own heart slowly melting, but who will be waiting under the mistletoe?
Ivy Lane is a serialized novel told in four parts - taking you through a year in the life of Tilly Parker - ending with Winter.
Each part of Ivy Lane is approx. 10 chapters.
- GenresChick Lit
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2014
28 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Bramley
66 books1,137 followersCathy Bramley is the author of the best-selling romantic comedies Ivy Lane, Appleby Farm, Wickham Hall, Conditional Love and The Plumberry School of Comfort Food. She lives in a Nottinghamshire village with her family and a dog.
Her recent career as a full-time writer of light-hearted, romantic fiction has come as somewhat of a lovely surprise after spending eighteen years running her own marketing agency. However, she has been always an avid reader, never without a book on the go and now thinks she may have found her dream job!
Cathy loves to hear from her readers. You can get in touch via her website www.CathyBramley.co.uk Facebook page Facebook.com/CathyBramleyAuthor or on Twitter twitter.com/CathyBramley
Her recent career as a full-time writer of light-hearted, romantic fiction has come as somewhat of a lovely surprise after spending eighteen years running her own marketing agency. However, she has been always an avid reader, never without a book on the go and now thinks she may have found her dream job!
Cathy loves to hear from her readers. You can get in touch via her website www.CathyBramley.co.uk Facebook page Facebook.com/CathyBramleyAuthor or on Twitter twitter.com/CathyBramley
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 25, 2015
Posted originally http://www.reviewedthebook.co.uk/2015...
I put off reading the final Ivy Lane instalment because I have loved every single thing about this series and did not want it to end. Sad, I know. Thankfully, the wonderful Cathy Bramley has written another serialised novel, Appleby Farm, of which the first part is out this week so it was just the push I needed to finally read Ivy Lane: Winter. Within less than a minute of reading it, I’d managed to ease my way right back into the lovely Ivy Lane community and this was a delightful, fitting way to end a series which has brought me so many smiles, laughs and tears and a new-to-me author whose books I now always look forward to. I can’t wait to re-read the whole of Ivy Lane in its full paperback release later this month.
It felt like being back with old friends meeting Tilly and the rest of the Ivy Lane community again. I wasn’t sure how life would be for Tilly following that ending to the Autumn instalment but we get to see how her character has progressed throughout the series when, rather than hiding away like she might have done previously, she’s ready to throw herself right into the social events at the allotments and help make sure her friends are as happy as possible, with a little bit of match-making to go with. Tilly is such a likeable character and her infectious spirit is gorgeous to read – she’s a fighter and always thinking of others, even when her own life is suffering. I have to admit though that in Winter, I loved her best friend Gemma’s involvement the most. What with her being well into her pregnancy and very close to her due date, you can just sense that a bit of chaos is about to ensue and Gemma effortlessly makes me laugh, at her attitude to everything. She’s a great character and the kind of mad, but loyal, best friend you’d love to have yourself.
With a lot but not all of the Ivy Lane residents’ secrets having been revealed over the course of the series, Winter had to provide something a little different to keep the interest going until the very last page. This was achieved with ease as it approaches Christmas time, and the need to raise some money in order for the Ivy Lane Christmas Party to go ahead. There were still some final secrets to be revealed but mostly I just thought Winter was a lot of fun. I loved the cake baking competition and all the categories that could be entered, allowing everyone to take part regardless of how completely disastrous their baking ability was. I liked the introduction to a new character in Freya, who came across as a bubbly character and whose story I can’t wait to read about in Appleby Farm. With Winter being the ending part to Ivy Lane, it meant no more of those torturous (yet brilliantly delivered) cliffhangers the author is so good at and the final part could have easily tapered off into a mass happy ending for every character involved. Instead, we’re brought plenty of entertainment and twists to keep us guessing the future of the much-loved characters and it was a beautifully written end to an uplifting, inspiring series.
December 16, 2022
I listened to this on audiobook.
Book 4 of a 4 part book series. Note to readers, you can either read/listen to this as a 4 part book series like I’m going to or there is a full length novel which includes all of the 4 parts should you prefer to read it in that format.
Well this part 4 sure did bring the series to a lovely satisfying conclusion, a nice feel good finish. Tilly eventually got her happy after which is good considering all that she had been through. There were happy endings for the other characters that played a part within the series too. So all in all it was a very enjoyable series, which was well written.
The narrator did a lovely job of telling the story, using different voices for each of the characters, making the story flow nicely.
Book 4 of a 4 part book series. Note to readers, you can either read/listen to this as a 4 part book series like I’m going to or there is a full length novel which includes all of the 4 parts should you prefer to read it in that format.
Well this part 4 sure did bring the series to a lovely satisfying conclusion, a nice feel good finish. Tilly eventually got her happy after which is good considering all that she had been through. There were happy endings for the other characters that played a part within the series too. So all in all it was a very enjoyable series, which was well written.
The narrator did a lovely job of telling the story, using different voices for each of the characters, making the story flow nicely.
August 3, 2025
De vier korte boeken over Ivy Lane zijn eigenlijk tezamen één feelgoodroman. Bijzonder dat het niet meteen op die manier is uitgegeven.
Ik vond het heerlijk om te lezen. Natuurlijk hier en daar wat voorspelbaar. Doordat er bepaalde vragen open bleven staan, zoals de vraag wat er gebeurd is met James, bleef ik door lezen. De volkstuinsetting, de leuke personages en de algehele warmte die het boek uitstraalt heeft me laten genieten van dit verhaal.
Ik vond het heerlijk om te lezen. Natuurlijk hier en daar wat voorspelbaar. Doordat er bepaalde vragen open bleven staan, zoals de vraag wat er gebeurd is met James, bleef ik door lezen. De volkstuinsetting, de leuke personages en de algehele warmte die het boek uitstraalt heeft me laten genieten van dit verhaal.
November 4, 2014
After waiting with baited breath for the last two months it was fantastic to catch up with Tilly and the gang again. If you have read part three (autumn), you will know that it ended with a massive cliffhanger. I was dying to know what happened and if all was ok and couldn't get started soon enough. As soon as it had finished downloading to my Kindle I was stuck straight in,
This fourth and final installment does not disappoint! It is so beautifully written, I defy you not to fall in love with Ivy Lane and it's residents. As winter descends upon the allotment things wind down, and it almost feels like it's time to hibernate until the spring.
When we last saw the residents in Autumn there was alot happening. Tilly was slowly starting to emerge from her chrysalis and coming back to life after the devastating accident that tore her life apart. Her friends also have much going on for them. Gemma's pregnancy is progressing and her due date is looming ever closer. Charlie is still reeling from Tilly rejecting his advances, and decides he wants to take a step back from their friendship
There has been word from TV Producer Aidan and Tilly is devastated, as she realises how much she likes him.
However, in good old Tilly fashion, rather than curl up and feel sorry of herself she throws herself full force with the allotment committee. When the roof is blown off and needs repairs the costs threaten to empty the already depleted allotment coffers and leave them with no Christmas party, Tilly jumps to the rescue and organises a cake baking competition at the allotment. The thought of all the cakes had me drooling!! She then goes on to be master organiser by taking on the Christmas party.
Will Gemma's baby arrive safely? Will Charlie get over his disappointment and become friends with Tilly? Will Aidan ride back into Tilly's life and bring her happiness? You will just have to read it and find out for yourselves!!!!
I have absolutely adored reading this series and will miss Tilly and the characters now that the series has ended. Cathy has written this is such a way that I felt connected with the characters right from the start. I love Tilly. She is a strong, resilient woman, with a massive heart. Her past is tragic, but we don't find out why until quite late into the series. Despite not knowing what has happened, Cathy's skill at writing enabled me to empathise with her and get totally drawn into just knowing that she was heartbroken, and needed nurturing and the chance to blossom once more. I was willing her to find happiness and contentment all the way through.
I also loved every other one of the characters in their own way. Gemma is a great friend who helps Tilly to learn to trust again and to smile. I am lucky to have a Gemma in my life too. I of course love a bit of romance and I spent alot of the series torn between Charlie and Aidan. I won't ruin the surprise but I wasn't devastated at the end!
The series is currently available on kindle in 4 parts, but will also be released in its entirety in spring next year, and will be available in paperback. I will be re-reading it again then I am sure. It has been torture only getting part of the story at a time, but in other ways I have also enjoyed the suspense that went with it. I think I have said it before but this series made Cathy Bramley into the queen of cliffhangers. Each season ending with another!
You may have realised by now just how much I have enjoyed Ivy Lane. It has made me laugh, made me cry, feel frustration but never fails to make me smile. It is perfect and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
It has also bought out the gardener in me. I finished ready the summer part and got planting my first ever seeds. They are pansies, the flower of remembrance and were given out at my boyfriends fathers funeral earlier this year, so are very special to me. Thanks to Tilly and the gang I planted them and look, they have grown. I am shocked and delighted. I now really really want an allotment of my own and have started looking in my local area.
A massive thank you to Cathy Bramley for giving me such reading enjoyment and for finding my inner gardener. I will miss the Ivy Lane gang, but am counting down until 5th February and the new Appleby Farm series.
This fourth and final installment does not disappoint! It is so beautifully written, I defy you not to fall in love with Ivy Lane and it's residents. As winter descends upon the allotment things wind down, and it almost feels like it's time to hibernate until the spring.
When we last saw the residents in Autumn there was alot happening. Tilly was slowly starting to emerge from her chrysalis and coming back to life after the devastating accident that tore her life apart. Her friends also have much going on for them. Gemma's pregnancy is progressing and her due date is looming ever closer. Charlie is still reeling from Tilly rejecting his advances, and decides he wants to take a step back from their friendship
There has been word from TV Producer Aidan and Tilly is devastated, as she realises how much she likes him.
However, in good old Tilly fashion, rather than curl up and feel sorry of herself she throws herself full force with the allotment committee. When the roof is blown off and needs repairs the costs threaten to empty the already depleted allotment coffers and leave them with no Christmas party, Tilly jumps to the rescue and organises a cake baking competition at the allotment. The thought of all the cakes had me drooling!! She then goes on to be master organiser by taking on the Christmas party.
Will Gemma's baby arrive safely? Will Charlie get over his disappointment and become friends with Tilly? Will Aidan ride back into Tilly's life and bring her happiness? You will just have to read it and find out for yourselves!!!!
I have absolutely adored reading this series and will miss Tilly and the characters now that the series has ended. Cathy has written this is such a way that I felt connected with the characters right from the start. I love Tilly. She is a strong, resilient woman, with a massive heart. Her past is tragic, but we don't find out why until quite late into the series. Despite not knowing what has happened, Cathy's skill at writing enabled me to empathise with her and get totally drawn into just knowing that she was heartbroken, and needed nurturing and the chance to blossom once more. I was willing her to find happiness and contentment all the way through.
I also loved every other one of the characters in their own way. Gemma is a great friend who helps Tilly to learn to trust again and to smile. I am lucky to have a Gemma in my life too. I of course love a bit of romance and I spent alot of the series torn between Charlie and Aidan. I won't ruin the surprise but I wasn't devastated at the end!
The series is currently available on kindle in 4 parts, but will also be released in its entirety in spring next year, and will be available in paperback. I will be re-reading it again then I am sure. It has been torture only getting part of the story at a time, but in other ways I have also enjoyed the suspense that went with it. I think I have said it before but this series made Cathy Bramley into the queen of cliffhangers. Each season ending with another!
You may have realised by now just how much I have enjoyed Ivy Lane. It has made me laugh, made me cry, feel frustration but never fails to make me smile. It is perfect and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
It has also bought out the gardener in me. I finished ready the summer part and got planting my first ever seeds. They are pansies, the flower of remembrance and were given out at my boyfriends fathers funeral earlier this year, so are very special to me. Thanks to Tilly and the gang I planted them and look, they have grown. I am shocked and delighted. I now really really want an allotment of my own and have started looking in my local area.
A massive thank you to Cathy Bramley for giving me such reading enjoyment and for finding my inner gardener. I will miss the Ivy Lane gang, but am counting down until 5th February and the new Appleby Farm series.
January 5, 2023
Green shoots.New life.A plot of gardening allotment at Ivy Lane and the protagonist Tilly Parker who's going to try her hand at gardening there.When I picked this book,I never guessed I would end up loving it.Before I knew it,I was swept up in Tilly's story and was speculating what her secret might be.
I loved how Tilly Parker changed gradually.From the beginning it is evident that she has lost someone very close to her.She is a closed book.In fact,her friend Gemma compares her to an onion,with layers and secrets as yet still unrevealed.But as Tilly starts spending more time with the Ivy Lane community,she prefers to see herself as a flower unfurling under the nurturing care of the community.
Ivy Lane is certainly a roller coaster ride.I laughed with Tilly and cried with her.Tilly definitely took a long time to come to terms with the way life works and even longer time to find the silver lining in her life.But she will stay in my mind for a long time and remind me to look on the bright side.If you love gardening and heartwarming stories,this book is for you.
I loved how Tilly Parker changed gradually.From the beginning it is evident that she has lost someone very close to her.She is a closed book.In fact,her friend Gemma compares her to an onion,with layers and secrets as yet still unrevealed.But as Tilly starts spending more time with the Ivy Lane community,she prefers to see herself as a flower unfurling under the nurturing care of the community.
Ivy Lane is certainly a roller coaster ride.I laughed with Tilly and cried with her.Tilly definitely took a long time to come to terms with the way life works and even longer time to find the silver lining in her life.But she will stay in my mind for a long time and remind me to look on the bright side.If you love gardening and heartwarming stories,this book is for you.
December 19, 2014
A delightful series of books and a completely new author for me. We follow the year at Ivy Lane and this is the conclusion to our journey with the familiar characters. It was really wonderful to catch up with Tilly and the other characters again.
What is going to happen in this one- you'll just have to read and see. I can't wait to catch up with her new series now.
Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
What is going to happen in this one- you'll just have to read and see. I can't wait to catch up with her new series now.
Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
May 6, 2017
This is the final episode of the Ivy Lane series. Autumn has moved into Winter and Tilly has a decision to make regarding her job. Does she stay as a job share or does she take on the role as full time teacher, but this will restrict her activities on the allotment.
Following a fire and then the roof of the allotment pavillion blowing off, there is little left in the funds to hold the annual Christmas party so Tilly throws herself into organising a cake sale to raise funds. Meanwhile, Gemma her best friend and plot neighbour has found out that she is pregnant which spoils her plans for the future.
The story culminates at the Christmas party and the Secret Santa, where Charlie comes up trumps, making amendments for his part in Aidan and Tilly not getting together.
I really enjoyed these four installments, reading them back to back within a few days and I will feel bereft without them.
Following a fire and then the roof of the allotment pavillion blowing off, there is little left in the funds to hold the annual Christmas party so Tilly throws herself into organising a cake sale to raise funds. Meanwhile, Gemma her best friend and plot neighbour has found out that she is pregnant which spoils her plans for the future.
The story culminates at the Christmas party and the Secret Santa, where Charlie comes up trumps, making amendments for his part in Aidan and Tilly not getting together.
I really enjoyed these four installments, reading them back to back within a few days and I will feel bereft without them.
May 25, 2019
Fantastic
I binged read all 4 of the Ivy lane stories and enjoyed every one, meeting all the characters that came into Tilly's life and changed it for the better, I cried at Alf's passing and Tilly's heartbreaking past..and enjoyed other happenings unfolding throughout the stories..thank you Cathy
I binged read all 4 of the Ivy lane stories and enjoyed every one, meeting all the characters that came into Tilly's life and changed it for the better, I cried at Alf's passing and Tilly's heartbreaking past..and enjoyed other happenings unfolding throughout the stories..thank you Cathy
December 6, 2017
Ended
I loved every page of these stories , would like to carry on reading about the allotments residents, there must be more stories.
I loved every page of these stories , would like to carry on reading about the allotments residents, there must be more stories.
September 4, 2020
Lovely Romance
Throughly enjoyed this romance, family story , good father,and a
Good story of how plants and nature make for a good working force between two loving people
Throughly enjoyed this romance, family story , good father,and a
Good story of how plants and nature make for a good working force between two loving people
April 4, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this little series of books. Not my usual type of book to read so it made a pleasant change. I shall definitely be looking at Cathy Bramley's other series.
June 8, 2023
3 ⭐️ stars.
May 24, 2024
Heerlijke feelgood, prima te luisteren.
November 6, 2014
Who has read "Ivy Lane: Autumn" knows that it has ended with a big cliffhanger, as always actually, because every part ended with an open question. This time it was about Gemma's baby and I couldn't wait for "Ivy Lane: Winter" to know what happened! Cathy is absolutely the best teaser in the world, period.
I am totally torn apart right now because on one hand I am so happy to read the whole series, to know what's happened, and on the other hand I'm really sad that the adventure with this friendly allotment just came to an end and that there won't be any more from Tilly and Co... The only thing that is going to keep me going is the fact, that Cathy's next series, "Appleby Farm", starts in February.
But back to Ivy Lane. It was brilliant to meet and greet all the characters that I already grown to love. And it was great to see Tilly, full in her element organizing, organizing and organizing, not only at the allotment, but also at school. Tilly back to life. She was such a good soul, she has really not deserved the life that she had, not this bitter fate and I rooted for her and wanted everything to be okay for her.
It may sound unbelievable, but there are some new secrets revealed in this part as well, especially the one about Charlie. I had very mixed feelings towards Charlie through the whole series and wasn't really sure what to think about him, he seemed to be so fascinated, charmed by Tilly, he wanted her to love him but all the time there was something wrong in him for me. But to be totally honest, also Aidan is not my idea of the Boyfriend of the Year, so actually for me it didn't matter which guy Tilly was going to choose, I was not going to be a happy cookie. Ha, no, I'm not going to tell you which one is this, oh no. I guess my problem is that there was no romance in the book, or at least not enough romance, I haven't seen it coming (remember: no matter if it was Charlie or Aidan :) ) and I personally would gifted Tilly with a third party. There.
You could think, what could happen in winter on an allotment? In winter, when nothing grows, blossoms, when everything sleeps...? Oh, on Ivy Lane a LOT can happen, those people just know how to party:) I loved the very spontaneously organised cake baking competition party to rise money for... Christmas Party. Ha! Isn't it great? The ideas of the many categories people could enter their cakes were brilliant, especially the one "tasting better than looking".
As all the previous parts, Winter is written in this brilliant, subtle, smooth Cathy's way. It's light, easy to follow, humorous and full of feelings. Cathy has an incredible way with the words and while reading, you feel as if you were a part of this whole story, as if you were in the characters' world, and it make you root for them. I am sure that as soon as the series is out as paperback, I will be re - reading it, there is no other option!
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
I am totally torn apart right now because on one hand I am so happy to read the whole series, to know what's happened, and on the other hand I'm really sad that the adventure with this friendly allotment just came to an end and that there won't be any more from Tilly and Co... The only thing that is going to keep me going is the fact, that Cathy's next series, "Appleby Farm", starts in February.
But back to Ivy Lane. It was brilliant to meet and greet all the characters that I already grown to love. And it was great to see Tilly, full in her element organizing, organizing and organizing, not only at the allotment, but also at school. Tilly back to life. She was such a good soul, she has really not deserved the life that she had, not this bitter fate and I rooted for her and wanted everything to be okay for her.
It may sound unbelievable, but there are some new secrets revealed in this part as well, especially the one about Charlie. I had very mixed feelings towards Charlie through the whole series and wasn't really sure what to think about him, he seemed to be so fascinated, charmed by Tilly, he wanted her to love him but all the time there was something wrong in him for me. But to be totally honest, also Aidan is not my idea of the Boyfriend of the Year, so actually for me it didn't matter which guy Tilly was going to choose, I was not going to be a happy cookie. Ha, no, I'm not going to tell you which one is this, oh no. I guess my problem is that there was no romance in the book, or at least not enough romance, I haven't seen it coming (remember: no matter if it was Charlie or Aidan :) ) and I personally would gifted Tilly with a third party. There.
You could think, what could happen in winter on an allotment? In winter, when nothing grows, blossoms, when everything sleeps...? Oh, on Ivy Lane a LOT can happen, those people just know how to party:) I loved the very spontaneously organised cake baking competition party to rise money for... Christmas Party. Ha! Isn't it great? The ideas of the many categories people could enter their cakes were brilliant, especially the one "tasting better than looking".
As all the previous parts, Winter is written in this brilliant, subtle, smooth Cathy's way. It's light, easy to follow, humorous and full of feelings. Cathy has an incredible way with the words and while reading, you feel as if you were a part of this whole story, as if you were in the characters' world, and it make you root for them. I am sure that as soon as the series is out as paperback, I will be re - reading it, there is no other option!
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
November 9, 2014
Oh how I waited for 6th November to meet my friends at Ivy Lane allotments and to find out what had happened and how Cathy Bramley had helped make my heart happy by sorting things out the way my head had wanted it to all work. Cathy as in previous books left us wanting more and boy did she deliver it.
We start with Tilly dwelling how the oh so hopeful Halloween date should have gone so well but as things occurred didn't go to plan. Tilly has now found strength from her allotment friends and puts love on the back boiler while she is there 100% for her best friend Gemma, whose baby is due shortly. Tilly inside *fizz* has been awoken by tv producer Aidan and if she can't have him, well for the time being, she throws herself into her committee duties.
Vegetables and flowers might not be time consuming during winter but organising a cake baking competition, not just for allotment people but the whole village, draws in more people not only for us reading now but maybe introducing some future faces for Cathy's next series of books which start early next February, The Appleby Farm series?
If things aren't busy enough for a teacher at Christmas, Tilly gets her arm twisted to organise the allotment Christmas Party, after such a roaring success after the cake baking competition. I would have loved to have known how much money Tilly had managed to make with the cake competition but either that wasn't written or I missed it, only because she had put so much hard work into it and funds for the allotment where in dire straights. Again the Christmas Party is a roaring success, obviously there would be no good Christmas party without a baby, thank you Gemma and other single allotment holders have gotten together, which was nicely thrown in, thanks to some good ideas that Cathy had thought about when writing this episode.
The book does end in a happy ever after fashion for Tilly and Aidan, thanks to Charlie who finally accepts that Tilly does really only want to be friends. He gets his act together and makes it a party to remember for Tilly.
From a readers perspective I love that Cathy wrote a *four months later* part, personally as a reader, I find this just finishes things off neatly. Ivy Lane has been a great 5 star series for me.
Roll on February 2015 with The Appleby Farm series, again this will be written in the same format.
We start with Tilly dwelling how the oh so hopeful Halloween date should have gone so well but as things occurred didn't go to plan. Tilly has now found strength from her allotment friends and puts love on the back boiler while she is there 100% for her best friend Gemma, whose baby is due shortly. Tilly inside *fizz* has been awoken by tv producer Aidan and if she can't have him, well for the time being, she throws herself into her committee duties.
Vegetables and flowers might not be time consuming during winter but organising a cake baking competition, not just for allotment people but the whole village, draws in more people not only for us reading now but maybe introducing some future faces for Cathy's next series of books which start early next February, The Appleby Farm series?
If things aren't busy enough for a teacher at Christmas, Tilly gets her arm twisted to organise the allotment Christmas Party, after such a roaring success after the cake baking competition. I would have loved to have known how much money Tilly had managed to make with the cake competition but either that wasn't written or I missed it, only because she had put so much hard work into it and funds for the allotment where in dire straights. Again the Christmas Party is a roaring success, obviously there would be no good Christmas party without a baby, thank you Gemma and other single allotment holders have gotten together, which was nicely thrown in, thanks to some good ideas that Cathy had thought about when writing this episode.
The book does end in a happy ever after fashion for Tilly and Aidan, thanks to Charlie who finally accepts that Tilly does really only want to be friends. He gets his act together and makes it a party to remember for Tilly.
From a readers perspective I love that Cathy wrote a *four months later* part, personally as a reader, I find this just finishes things off neatly. Ivy Lane has been a great 5 star series for me.
Roll on February 2015 with The Appleby Farm series, again this will be written in the same format.
January 20, 2015
So its over, and this final instalment does not disappoint.
In this final season at Ivy Lane, the allotment itself is very quiet, but all things are leading up to Christmas and the annual party. And as Tilly faces the prospect of Christmas alone, she throws herself into the social life of Ivy Lane to distract her from the festive period. But as the year closes off, her prospects are very different, and the dilemma that has faced her for most of the year resolves itself and she begins the New Year with a very different outlook.
The same can be said for this final part of the novel as for all the previous parts. The characters are fully developed and rounded off in this part. We have seen Tilly come full circle from lonely grieving widow to young woman starting to embrace life again. As a reader, we are taken on this journey of rediscovery with her and I certainly wanted her to have a happy outcome due to the engagement I felt through the novel. I also loved the characters she interacts with. I found Gemma a really funny character and the other gardeners were a great mix of people and added both humour and realism to the novel. It was also interesting to see the comparison of the love interests in the novel, and Bramley managed to keep it a bit vague as to which would be victorious. I was a little disappointed in the final outcome (I was plumping for the other guy!) but it was a very well written love story.
As a gardener, I loved that the whole book was written based around a gardening year, and that Bramley included lots of detail of the work at the allotment and this formed a central part of the plot. I found these parts of the novel really good and a great distraction from the story line. But the plot itself was really good and I found the merger of humour and tragedy a really good balance and something that was really enjoyable. I also loved having a single novel broken up into smaller sections and these mirroring the seasons of the year. Its a really clever way of writing a novel and giving it context.
I know Bramley is writing another novel in this way to be released shortly and I look forward to reading this as soon as I can.
In this final season at Ivy Lane, the allotment itself is very quiet, but all things are leading up to Christmas and the annual party. And as Tilly faces the prospect of Christmas alone, she throws herself into the social life of Ivy Lane to distract her from the festive period. But as the year closes off, her prospects are very different, and the dilemma that has faced her for most of the year resolves itself and she begins the New Year with a very different outlook.
The same can be said for this final part of the novel as for all the previous parts. The characters are fully developed and rounded off in this part. We have seen Tilly come full circle from lonely grieving widow to young woman starting to embrace life again. As a reader, we are taken on this journey of rediscovery with her and I certainly wanted her to have a happy outcome due to the engagement I felt through the novel. I also loved the characters she interacts with. I found Gemma a really funny character and the other gardeners were a great mix of people and added both humour and realism to the novel. It was also interesting to see the comparison of the love interests in the novel, and Bramley managed to keep it a bit vague as to which would be victorious. I was a little disappointed in the final outcome (I was plumping for the other guy!) but it was a very well written love story.
As a gardener, I loved that the whole book was written based around a gardening year, and that Bramley included lots of detail of the work at the allotment and this formed a central part of the plot. I found these parts of the novel really good and a great distraction from the story line. But the plot itself was really good and I found the merger of humour and tragedy a really good balance and something that was really enjoyable. I also loved having a single novel broken up into smaller sections and these mirroring the seasons of the year. Its a really clever way of writing a novel and giving it context.
I know Bramley is writing another novel in this way to be released shortly and I look forward to reading this as soon as I can.
March 8, 2015
I actually read this when it first came out and have never got round to writing my review, I felt it was appropriate to post it today as the full book is out in paperback.
After finishing Ivy Lane Autumn, I couldn't wait to read this as Cathy is such a tease and left it with a big cliff-hanger, I won’t say what and spoil it for anyone who is intending on reading the full book.
When I picked this up and stepped back into the world of Ivy Lane it really felt like meeting old friends again. Again Cathy provides lots of action, not least, who would Tilly pick, Aiden or Charlie.
Cathy introduced some new characters that I am looking forward to reading more about in Appleby Farm, but also old characters who were both touched and changed by meeting Tilly. Again Gemma is one of the stars of the story.
Cathy provides an action packed ending to what is a brilliant subtle and funny story, who would have thought there could be so much action going on in an allotment in winter.
After finishing Ivy Lane Autumn, I couldn't wait to read this as Cathy is such a tease and left it with a big cliff-hanger, I won’t say what and spoil it for anyone who is intending on reading the full book.
When I picked this up and stepped back into the world of Ivy Lane it really felt like meeting old friends again. Again Cathy provides lots of action, not least, who would Tilly pick, Aiden or Charlie.
Cathy introduced some new characters that I am looking forward to reading more about in Appleby Farm, but also old characters who were both touched and changed by meeting Tilly. Again Gemma is one of the stars of the story.
Cathy provides an action packed ending to what is a brilliant subtle and funny story, who would have thought there could be so much action going on in an allotment in winter.
July 9, 2015
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And we get to the her conclusion in "Winter," and I have to admit I shed a few tears here. When, at the Christmas party, Tilly gets an award for all her contributions to the allotment, I just saw tears in my eyes - nice to see her in the best palce after everything she has gone through) and I feel like I went through all of it with her) And we also get the epilogue on the romantic status - and I admit I was a little bit shocked to find who she ends up with, although all signs pointed there, I thought her alternate choice could have worked out as well. But all is well that ends well, and I really enjoyed this series of books, and look forward to future offerings from Ms. Bramley.
February 26, 2015
Final part of the ivy lane books and was wonderful to get back to hearing how Tilly is getting on after finishing the last book on a cliff hanger. It's coming up to Christmas and Tilly is still single and isn't looking forward to being alone at christmas. She throws herself into organising a cake competition with the ivy lane allotments and community and it it is a great success and they can then throw the usual Christmas party and Tilly's best friend goes in to labour and will Tilly be alone or not but her secret Santa present changes her life forever. A must read a wonderful author and a book that is very difficult to put down.
November 8, 2014
So sad that I have now come to the end of the year at Ivy Lane allotments!
The changes Tilly has gone through from Spring to Winter have been lovely to share, and the whole focus of life at the allotment has been magical.
Cathy Bramley captures the characters well and makes you want to get a plot so you can get to know them even more!
The changes Tilly has gone through from Spring to Winter have been lovely to share, and the whole focus of life at the allotment has been magical.
Cathy Bramley captures the characters well and makes you want to get a plot so you can get to know them even more!
February 8, 2015
fab follow up
February 5, 2016
Sad to say goodbye to Tilly in this final installment of Ivy Lane but happy that she finally got her man. Looking forward to Appleby Farm now.
January 25, 2015
good book
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July 1, 2015Just finished the 4th book - a lovely easy read with great characters. Loved this series and getting to know the characters.
August 10, 2016
This was the final part of the book and I enjoyed every minute of it. Can't wait to read more by this author.
January 9, 2016
Finished the last book in the series and it brought it altogether. Fabulous and easy read and you feel part of Tilly's life and part of the allotment community.
April 4, 2024
Really enjoyed this set of books, first time i have read any of Cathy's books but i shall be looking for more. A great easy read .
July 20, 2015
Sorry not going to give a review but what I will say is read these books like me you may surprised
October 3, 2015
Applies to all 4 parts: the serial format works WONDERFULLY for Cathy Bramley.
February 2, 2016
Loved loved loved this mini series!!
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