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Tales from Ivy Hill #3
The Bride of Ivy Green
Much has happened in idyllic Ivy Hill in recent months, and while several villagers have found new love and purpose, questions remain--and a few dearly held dreams have yet to be fulfilled.
Jane Bell is torn. Gabriel Locke is back and has made his intentions clear. But Jane is reluctant to give up her inn and destine another man to a childless marriage. Then someone she never expected to see again returns to Ivy Hill. . . .
Mercy Grove has lost her school and is resigned to life as a spinster, especially as the man she admires seems out of reach. Should she uproot herself from Ivy Cottage to become a governess for a former pupil? Her decision will change more lives than her own.
A secretive new dressmaker arrives in the village, but the ladies soon suspect she isn't who she claims to be. Will they oust the imposter, or help rescue her from a dangerous predicament?
In the meantime, everyone expects Miss Brockwell to marry a titled gentleman, even though her heart is drawn to another. While the people of Ivy Hill anticipate one wedding, an unexpected bride may surprise them all.
Don't miss this romantic, stirring conclusion to Tales from Ivy Hill.
Jane Bell is torn. Gabriel Locke is back and has made his intentions clear. But Jane is reluctant to give up her inn and destine another man to a childless marriage. Then someone she never expected to see again returns to Ivy Hill. . . .
Mercy Grove has lost her school and is resigned to life as a spinster, especially as the man she admires seems out of reach. Should she uproot herself from Ivy Cottage to become a governess for a former pupil? Her decision will change more lives than her own.
A secretive new dressmaker arrives in the village, but the ladies soon suspect she isn't who she claims to be. Will they oust the imposter, or help rescue her from a dangerous predicament?
In the meantime, everyone expects Miss Brockwell to marry a titled gentleman, even though her heart is drawn to another. While the people of Ivy Hill anticipate one wedding, an unexpected bride may surprise them all.
Don't miss this romantic, stirring conclusion to Tales from Ivy Hill.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2018
676 people are currently reading
4528 people want to read
About the author
Julie Klassen
32 books6,157 followersJulie 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 Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Midwest Book Award, the Minnesota Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award, and been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards and ACFW’s Carol Awards. She blogs at http://www.inspiredbylifeandfiction.com.
Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 573 reviews
May 18, 2020
I'm so glad this series is going to have another short novel because I am really not ready to leave Ivy Hill. I think I could listen to at least a dozen of these nice chunky novels and still not get tired of this quiet English town. I loved returning to the stories of Rachel, Mercy, Jane, and their friends.
It was fun seeing the number of brides in this story (there isn't just one!...that title should have been plural...) and the villagers who reunite or reconcile with family. A circus comes to town and a new seamstress. There's a small boy named Jack Avi, fresh from India, who quickly stole my interest and who soon plays a role in Jane's life.
The audiobook is well narrated and I enjoyed every minute of the listen.
Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required. However, I listened to a final copy via my library's audiobook collection.
It was fun seeing the number of brides in this story (there isn't just one!...that title should have been plural...) and the villagers who reunite or reconcile with family. A circus comes to town and a new seamstress. There's a small boy named Jack Avi, fresh from India, who quickly stole my interest and who soon plays a role in Jane's life.
The audiobook is well narrated and I enjoyed every minute of the listen.
Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required. However, I listened to a final copy via my library's audiobook collection.
December 15, 2018
It was lovely to visit Ivy Hill again. The second book of the series left relationships unresolved and I really wanted an HEA for more than one character in the series conclusion.
While I adore Jane, it was Mercy's story line that pulled me in the most in this third novel. Her cold and rude sister-in-law Helena is one of those characters that was beautifully penned. I didn't like her at all but loved the way Klassen described and used her in the novel.
I would have liked a little more page time for Justina and less on newcomer Victorine. Overall, the novel was charming and the ending deeply satisfying.
The entire series was a gift for this fan of Regency novels.
While I adore Jane, it was Mercy's story line that pulled me in the most in this third novel. Her cold and rude sister-in-law Helena is one of those characters that was beautifully penned. I didn't like her at all but loved the way Klassen described and used her in the novel.
I would have liked a little more page time for Justina and less on newcomer Victorine. Overall, the novel was charming and the ending deeply satisfying.
The entire series was a gift for this fan of Regency novels.
February 5, 2020
Algo más flojo que los dos anteriores. Han aparecido nuevos personajes que han acabado de cerrar historias abiertas hasta el momento. Han habido varios momentos muy bonitos, aunque me ha faltado romance en general y se ha olvidado de algunas parejas de las que hablaban en los otros libros y se ha centrado en otras. Lo que más me ha gustado ha sido cómo ha cerrado todo lo que iba arrastrando de las otras parte y que lo ha hecho de manera realista.
December 10, 2020
Updated Notes, December 2020:
I'm editing my original review slightly but mostly leaving it as-is. I find I quite agree with myself, as per normal.
Original Review, January 2019:
I'll post my official review later, but for now, this rant will have to do. :P (There will be no spoilers; I'll just rant without meaning. I realize it's not launched yet.)
Now, I hate, hate, HATE those readers who are like, "I KNOW HOW THE BOOK SHOULD HAVE ENDED AND THE AUTHOR WHO SLAVED ENDLESS HOURS OVER THIS BOOK DOESN'T SO LET ME TELL YOU HOW I HATED THE ENDING."
I don't want to be that person! And yet the author, to me, left such major things out of the ending, and furthermore wrote the final novel in the series in a way that ... that just ruined the whole thing for me??? So. I guess I'm going to rant EVEN THOUGH I don't think it's my right to do so! And I dislike myself for doing so.
Let me explain (without spoilers so vaguely):
-BASICALLY, Jane didn't get what I wanted her to. I have specific expectations for Jane, you see. She's, well, she's special to me. And I love her. But everything about her story was anticlimactic. It might have been REALISTIC, yes, but I don't care about that???
She has a story that appeals to me and hits on some of my deepest fears (I am mortally afraid that I'll never have children, even though I actually don't have any strong feelings about getting married ... like, I don't want to have kids without getting married, obv., but if I could I would ... kids are the main thing for me, essentially).
ANYWAYS ... yeah. I was just dissatisfied with her story. It was boring in this book; not a lot happened that I care about. (Yeah, stuff happened, but I ... didn't care. That was not the "stuff happening" that I care about, lolll)
-NEXT, Mercy. I actually feel like ... ugh. I know he wasn't good for her, exactly, but ... I wanted her to end up with someone different. I thought she SHOULD fall in love with and marry someone and she didn't. And I hate, hate, HATE that I was bothered by this, but I was, and you know what? I'm going to list it even though, as I said, it is the author's choice not mine ... I just am frustrated. My ship did not sail. I am furious. Also, Alice is my sweetheart, and ... uggghadjfklaj;galksdf. I'm mad. Sorry.
-Madame Victorine. Uninteresting sideplot that I cared nothing for. I just ... didn't care? Wanted her to go away? I'm sorry, but I needed more Jane, more Mercy, even more Justina ... and less Victorine. Who, again, I don't care about.
-I WAS SO MAD WHEN [THAT COACH DUDE WHOSE NAME I COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT] MADE MADAME VICTORINE TELL HIM [SECRET STUFF]. HE HAD NO RIGHT. NOONNNNEEE. He comes running into her life like he OWNS it when she's never seen him before and he's never really met her and just ... ugalkdjg;alkgjasd. I could kill him. If I had been M.Victorine, I would have pulled out my sheers, cut him into a million little pieces, and buried them at every coach stop between here and Yorkshire. I'm serious.
NOBODY, and I mean nobody, pries into my business like that! He. Had. No. RIGHT. He doesn't even know her! I am just ... wow. He is awful. I hate his soul. (I can do that since he's fictional.)
HER. LIFE. IS. NOT. YOUR. BUSINESS. DUDE. She has every right to lie to everyone in the whole dang universe. SHE DOES. She can lie and lie and lie ... and it is not your business UNLESS she's hurting someone. Her past is not your business. Her name is not your business. What she does is not your business. JUST. BUTT. OUT. MAN.
And in the next couple chapters she's (mild spoiler) That was just ... horrid to an extreme degree.
-Justina. Needed. More. Page. Time. I'm sorry, but she did.
That said, there's nothing wrong with this book but the disappointed expectations of a moody teen. :P So ... you will probably adore it. Any sane person would! xP But ... I just ... I can't do that. I'm giving it three stars when it deserves 4 or 5.
Ugh, just when I thought I'd thrown out my emotions and replaced them with cogs and wheels ... I should be able to accept it. *smh*
This was a well-written book, it was fairly well-structured (with just the M. Victorina/that random coach guy thing making no sense), and like ... kadjl;adjg. I don't know. I just couldn't do it. I couldn't.
Another thing: I kind of hated ... what's his face? I've already forgotten. #somememorable The carpenter dude.
Good things:
-I love JD. Just love him. Drake for the win. <3
-I love Alice. <3 <3 <3 I want to hug her and wrap her in bubble wrap so nothing can ever hurt her.
-Mercy is always cool except she made the wrong choices. #burntheships
-Jane my baby. <3
-Actually, Gabriel is like goals. (p.s. I'm still waiting for my handsome horse owner to come sweep me off my feet. *ahem* Okay, not really, I'm not interested now ... but he needs to come around in 5 or so years when I'm old enough and ready for a serious relationship. And be Gabriel Locke.)
I'm editing my original review slightly but mostly leaving it as-is. I find I quite agree with myself, as per normal.
Original Review, January 2019:
I'll post my official review later, but for now, this rant will have to do. :P (There will be no spoilers; I'll just rant without meaning. I realize it's not launched yet.)
Now, I hate, hate, HATE those readers who are like, "I KNOW HOW THE BOOK SHOULD HAVE ENDED AND THE AUTHOR WHO SLAVED ENDLESS HOURS OVER THIS BOOK DOESN'T SO LET ME TELL YOU HOW I HATED THE ENDING."
I don't want to be that person! And yet the author, to me, left such major things out of the ending, and furthermore wrote the final novel in the series in a way that ... that just ruined the whole thing for me??? So. I guess I'm going to rant EVEN THOUGH I don't think it's my right to do so! And I dislike myself for doing so.
Let me explain (without spoilers so vaguely):
-BASICALLY, Jane didn't get what I wanted her to. I have specific expectations for Jane, you see. She's, well, she's special to me. And I love her. But everything about her story was anticlimactic. It might have been REALISTIC, yes, but I don't care about that???
She has a story that appeals to me and hits on some of my deepest fears (I am mortally afraid that I'll never have children, even though I actually don't have any strong feelings about getting married ... like, I don't want to have kids without getting married, obv., but if I could I would ... kids are the main thing for me, essentially).
ANYWAYS ... yeah. I was just dissatisfied with her story. It was boring in this book; not a lot happened that I care about. (Yeah, stuff happened, but I ... didn't care. That was not the "stuff happening" that I care about, lolll)
-NEXT, Mercy. I actually feel like ... ugh. I know he wasn't good for her, exactly, but ... I wanted her to end up with someone different. I thought she SHOULD fall in love with and marry someone and she didn't. And I hate, hate, HATE that I was bothered by this, but I was, and you know what? I'm going to list it even though, as I said, it is the author's choice not mine ... I just am frustrated. My ship did not sail. I am furious. Also, Alice is my sweetheart, and ... uggghadjfklaj;galksdf. I'm mad. Sorry.
-Madame Victorine. Uninteresting sideplot that I cared nothing for. I just ... didn't care? Wanted her to go away? I'm sorry, but I needed more Jane, more Mercy, even more Justina ... and less Victorine. Who, again, I don't care about.
-I WAS SO MAD WHEN [THAT COACH DUDE WHOSE NAME I COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT] MADE MADAME VICTORINE TELL HIM [SECRET STUFF]. HE HAD NO RIGHT. NOONNNNEEE. He comes running into her life like he OWNS it when she's never seen him before and he's never really met her and just ... ugalkdjg;alkgjasd. I could kill him. If I had been M.Victorine, I would have pulled out my sheers, cut him into a million little pieces, and buried them at every coach stop between here and Yorkshire. I'm serious.
NOBODY, and I mean nobody, pries into my business like that! He. Had. No. RIGHT. He doesn't even know her! I am just ... wow. He is awful. I hate his soul. (I can do that since he's fictional.)
HER. LIFE. IS. NOT. YOUR. BUSINESS. DUDE. She has every right to lie to everyone in the whole dang universe. SHE DOES. She can lie and lie and lie ... and it is not your business UNLESS she's hurting someone. Her past is not your business. Her name is not your business. What she does is not your business. JUST. BUTT. OUT. MAN.
And in the next couple chapters she's (mild spoiler) That was just ... horrid to an extreme degree.
-Justina. Needed. More. Page. Time. I'm sorry, but she did.
That said, there's nothing wrong with this book but the disappointed expectations of a moody teen. :P So ... you will probably adore it. Any sane person would! xP But ... I just ... I can't do that. I'm giving it three stars when it deserves 4 or 5.
Ugh, just when I thought I'd thrown out my emotions and replaced them with cogs and wheels ... I should be able to accept it. *smh*
This was a well-written book, it was fairly well-structured (with just the M. Victorina/that random coach guy thing making no sense), and like ... kadjl;adjg. I don't know. I just couldn't do it. I couldn't.
Another thing: I kind of hated ... what's his face? I've already forgotten. #somememorable The carpenter dude.
Good things:
-I love JD. Just love him. Drake for the win. <3
-I love Alice. <3 <3 <3 I want to hug her and wrap her in bubble wrap so nothing can ever hurt her.
-Mercy is always cool except she made the wrong choices. #burntheships
-Jane my baby. <3
-Actually, Gabriel is like goals. (p.s. I'm still waiting for my handsome horse owner to come sweep me off my feet. *ahem* Okay, not really, I'm not interested now ... but he needs to come around in 5 or so years when I'm old enough and ready for a serious relationship. And be Gabriel Locke.)
June 19, 2022
Happy sigh. I really enjoyed listening to this series. I wish that certain characters got more airtime though. There are so many characters & subplots that some relationships I was excited about felt almost half baked— not all though. 😊
I ended up loving Mercy & enjoyed every aspect of her storyline. 💗
I’m glad I can revisit Ivy Hill by reading the novella now!
I ended up loving Mercy & enjoyed every aspect of her storyline. 💗
I’m glad I can revisit Ivy Hill by reading the novella now!
February 12, 2019
This conclusion to the Tales from Ivy Hill once again returns us to the English town of Ivy HIll and the ladies of this town. Jane and Rachel are happily married. Mercy and Aunt Matty are stuck living with Mercy's brother and his new bride who isn't fond of the situation at all. And Madam Victorine has come to town to open a dress shop and brings a hint of mystery with her.
I loved that the focus was on Mercy in this book. She has lost her school for girls as well as her sweet student Alice, and she definitely feels at loose ends. When James Drake offers her a position as governess, Mercy knows she doesn't have much of a choice. But she does have a choice to finally have a husband and a family when two different men begin to show her attention. The thread of second chances that flowed throughout this final book in so many different situations the ladies found themselves was really well written.
Excellent historical romance series from Julie Klassen.
I loved that the focus was on Mercy in this book. She has lost her school for girls as well as her sweet student Alice, and she definitely feels at loose ends. When James Drake offers her a position as governess, Mercy knows she doesn't have much of a choice. But she does have a choice to finally have a husband and a family when two different men begin to show her attention. The thread of second chances that flowed throughout this final book in so many different situations the ladies found themselves was really well written.
Excellent historical romance series from Julie Klassen.
April 30, 2019
This was a charming, sweet and chaste conclusion to the 3 volume "Tales From Ivy Hill" series. Author Julie Klassen has tied each of the primary characters' stories up with a pretty bow. It continues with the lives of three close friends - Mercy, Jane and Rachel. Rachel had married the love of her life in book two of the series (The Ladies of Ivy Cottage). Will love find Jane again after the passing of her husband and will Mercy find it at all as she is painfully aware of her spinsterhood at the age of 31?
This book is fraught with a myriad of emotion. There's loss, confusion, mistaken identity, love, reconciliation, forgiveness, redemption and joyous discovery. In its slice of charming rural English life, one can settle in and relax with the story of the Ladies of Ivy Hill as they ready themselves for a do with The Bride of Ivy Green.
This book is fraught with a myriad of emotion. There's loss, confusion, mistaken identity, love, reconciliation, forgiveness, redemption and joyous discovery. In its slice of charming rural English life, one can settle in and relax with the story of the Ladies of Ivy Hill as they ready themselves for a do with The Bride of Ivy Green.
November 10, 2022
I so enjoyed each of the books in Tales from Ivy Hill. The Bride of Ivy Green brings resolution to all the characters I've grown to know and love along the way.
December 15, 2018
This is a beautiful, satisfying conclusion to the Ivy Hill series, one that I both dreaded ending yet couldn't read fast enough to see what happened to my friends. While I am very attached to Jane and loved seeing her story continue here, I was thrilled to see Mercy, who I consider to be the other main character, get so much page time here. Her story is just so lovely and endearing, and after a lot of heartache, it was good to see her happiness. Although there were a few times that I wondered how it would come about, and it left me wishing more for another character, all in all, Mercy's story culminates in just the way it needs to.
Jane's story has several new discoveries that kept it feeling fresh and entertaining. I also appreciated that life's stings are still present, as to make everything work out perfectly would have felt a bit unrealistic. It very much has the feeling of taking the bitter with the sweet and appreciating what you're given.
I wasn't quite as enamored as the third story line of Victorine, but in the end, it's neat to see where she fits in and solves a significant mystery that harkens back to the first book. I was pleased - more like thrilled - to find out that there will be a Christmas novella. I know who I'd like it to be about, but of course, will be happy just to be back in Ivy Hill again.
I have loved this series and am definitely sad to see its end. I do strongly recommend reading this one from the beginning, as so much builds with each book. It's a series that I could read again one day. Now to begin the long wait until another novel by Julie Klassen.
Also, if you need a refresher on the characters, there is a list on the Ivy Hills website.
Jane's story has several new discoveries that kept it feeling fresh and entertaining. I also appreciated that life's stings are still present, as to make everything work out perfectly would have felt a bit unrealistic. It very much has the feeling of taking the bitter with the sweet and appreciating what you're given.
I wasn't quite as enamored as the third story line of Victorine, but in the end, it's neat to see where she fits in and solves a significant mystery that harkens back to the first book. I was pleased - more like thrilled - to find out that there will be a Christmas novella. I know who I'd like it to be about, but of course, will be happy just to be back in Ivy Hill again.
I have loved this series and am definitely sad to see its end. I do strongly recommend reading this one from the beginning, as so much builds with each book. It's a series that I could read again one day. Now to begin the long wait until another novel by Julie Klassen.
Also, if you need a refresher on the characters, there is a list on the Ivy Hills website.
March 7, 2019
This is a series I would recommend to read in order, and also close together, due to certain aspects continuing from one book to the other and all the various characters involved.
This was a beautiful and heartwarming conclusion to the series. I really loved that the main focus of this story was on Mercy. She found herself quite in an uneasy situation with her horribly nose-in-the-air sister-in-law coming to town. I enjoyed where her journey took her and loved her happy ending.
I also loved seeing Jane's happy ending and there was quite a few surprises in store for Jane. Gabriel was the perfect fit for her.
Rachel did not play that big a part in this story, but I enjoyed catching up with her. I'm glad she was there for Justina, who I was proud off when she stood up to her mother. For a moment there I was afraid she would go a different route. I would have loved an epilogue with her ending. It was quite shocking how women were forced to make decisions based on positions in the community and what their choices can mean for their family.
Narrator: Elizabeth Jasicki again added to my overall enjoyment of this story.
This was a beautiful and heartwarming conclusion to the series. I really loved that the main focus of this story was on Mercy. She found herself quite in an uneasy situation with her horribly nose-in-the-air sister-in-law coming to town. I enjoyed where her journey took her and loved her happy ending.
I also loved seeing Jane's happy ending and there was quite a few surprises in store for Jane. Gabriel was the perfect fit for her.
Rachel did not play that big a part in this story, but I enjoyed catching up with her. I'm glad she was there for Justina, who I was proud off when she stood up to her mother. For a moment there I was afraid she would go a different route. I would have loved an epilogue with her ending. It was quite shocking how women were forced to make decisions based on positions in the community and what their choices can mean for their family.
Narrator: Elizabeth Jasicki again added to my overall enjoyment of this story.
July 15, 2023
You know when a good week has gone by after finishing a book and you keep thinking about it and realize you miss the characters, and you ask yourself why you only rated it 3.5 stars? I mean, I wasn't an absolute fan of everything in this book, but I keep thinking about the characters. I keep wanting to come back to Ivy Hill and just spend another day with Jane, Rachel, Mercy, Gabriel, Timothy, Mr. Drake, etc etc... So the rating is officially bumped up to 4.25/5. It's just such a good conclusion to the trilogy. I wish a few things were done differently, but I mean, the characters have my heart.
June 5, 2022
Return with me to sprawling green and characters that melt your heart in a slow stirring series, that makes sure to tug on every heart string.
This final and third book hit a very nice conclusion. The beginning brought back memories of reading previous books. Mercy, Jane, and Rachel each went on new journeys, and we even met some new people. But Mercy was the character I felt most invested in. I connected with her and loved her journey. (Even if for some reason I was disappointed in her choice at the end for some reason*wink, I'm not spoiling!) And the new woman we met, Victorine, was fine but I felt I connected with our three from the previous books best.
And many story lines were brought to a head in this final installment. Yay, yay, yay.
Tales from Ivy Hill has been a wonderful series, full of life and regency flare mixed with small tablet drama. Can't wait to grab the novella.
Reviewed on BookBub
This final and third book hit a very nice conclusion. The beginning brought back memories of reading previous books. Mercy, Jane, and Rachel each went on new journeys, and we even met some new people. But Mercy was the character I felt most invested in. I connected with her and loved her journey. (Even if for some reason I was disappointed in her choice at the end for some reason*wink, I'm not spoiling!) And the new woman we met, Victorine, was fine but I felt I connected with our three from the previous books best.
And many story lines were brought to a head in this final installment. Yay, yay, yay.
Tales from Ivy Hill has been a wonderful series, full of life and regency flare mixed with small tablet drama. Can't wait to grab the novella.
Reviewed on BookBub
February 6, 2019
Too slow at time, picked up in the middle, then too much detail and too sentimental at the end. A little disappointed because I had been looking forward to this book for a year. Klassen's books don't usually drag so much.
June 7, 2019
The Bride of Ivy Green (book 3) by: Julie Klassen
Format: Kindle
Genre: Christian Fiction, romance
Timeframe: 1820s
Location: Ivy Hill, Wiltshire, England
Characters:
Jane Bell: Owner of The Bell, a coaching inn
Rachel Ashford: Jane’s friend, married to Sir Timothy
Sir Timothy Brockwell: Magistrate of Ivy Hill, married to Rachel
Mercy Grove: Teacher/governess. Rachel and Jane’s childhood friend
Nicholas Ashford: Inherited Rachel’s family estate, in love with Justina
Justina Brockwell: Sir Timothy’s younger sister, Rachel’s childhood friend
James Drake: Owner of Fairmont Inn, adopted his own daughter, Grace
Thora Bell Talbot: Jane’s mother-in-law
Patrick Bell: Thora’s son
Matilda Grove: Mercy’s spinster aunt
Gabriel Locke: Owner of horse farm
Victorine: Newest to Ivy Hill, a seamstress
With each book in this series the guess is who will get married, and to whom. It’s not always readily apparent. After all, it seemed certain Jane would marry James in book one. Pffft. That never happened. Now in book three, there are several possibilities and the reader is not disappointed.
As you see above, there are a number of important characters, and this isn’t exhaustive. Nearly all of them are in each book, so to get the history for each, it would be beneficial to read the prior book(s). For me, with 9 months in between the next in the series, I would forget who was who, and who they are related to or associated with. So if they can be digested one after the other, it would help.
Finally in this final book the gentle, affable Mercy Grove has two men interested in her after over 30 years of wishing to be a wife and mother, and never believing she would. This was a sweet romance.
I enjoyed each storyline, save one that seemed added for bulk. But it turned out okay in the end.
Clean and well written, recommended for most ages.
Format: Kindle
Genre: Christian Fiction, romance
Timeframe: 1820s
Location: Ivy Hill, Wiltshire, England
Characters:
Jane Bell: Owner of The Bell, a coaching inn
Rachel Ashford: Jane’s friend, married to Sir Timothy
Sir Timothy Brockwell: Magistrate of Ivy Hill, married to Rachel
Mercy Grove: Teacher/governess. Rachel and Jane’s childhood friend
Nicholas Ashford: Inherited Rachel’s family estate, in love with Justina
Justina Brockwell: Sir Timothy’s younger sister, Rachel’s childhood friend
James Drake: Owner of Fairmont Inn, adopted his own daughter, Grace
Thora Bell Talbot: Jane’s mother-in-law
Patrick Bell: Thora’s son
Matilda Grove: Mercy’s spinster aunt
Gabriel Locke: Owner of horse farm
Victorine: Newest to Ivy Hill, a seamstress
With each book in this series the guess is who will get married, and to whom. It’s not always readily apparent. After all, it seemed certain Jane would marry James in book one. Pffft. That never happened. Now in book three, there are several possibilities and the reader is not disappointed.
As you see above, there are a number of important characters, and this isn’t exhaustive. Nearly all of them are in each book, so to get the history for each, it would be beneficial to read the prior book(s). For me, with 9 months in between the next in the series, I would forget who was who, and who they are related to or associated with. So if they can be digested one after the other, it would help.
Finally in this final book the gentle, affable Mercy Grove has two men interested in her after over 30 years of wishing to be a wife and mother, and never believing she would. This was a sweet romance.
I enjoyed each storyline, save one that seemed added for bulk. But it turned out okay in the end.
Clean and well written, recommended for most ages.
September 20, 2020
I know some people are put off by inspirational stories, and I do understand. There is a lot of praying, church going and god thanking in this trilogy, with some preaching thrown in for good measure. While too much of this usually makes me cringe, I found it tolerable in this context. The way the people in Ivy Hill live their religion makes them better people and a better community. The god they believe in is a loving, forgiving and tolerant one.
I have only listened to the second and the third book in this trilogy, and feel no need to go back to the first. It is the story of three women finding love in the village of Ivy Hill. I enjoyed the portrayal of female friendships, the way the women of Ivy Hill come together and find solutions, how they support and help each other.
The author touches on a myriad of subjects and conflicts, there are family secrets, misunderstandings, difficult decisions, there is tragedy, humor and lots of love.
The setting is historical and felt accurate to me. It was lovely to see people with very diverse backgrounds playing important roles in the story. While some are part of the landed gentry, there are no Dukes to be found, and the only Earl is a fake one. We meet several female business owners, and root for them to succeed. And even those who marry keep their profession or become equal partners in their husbands business.
At the end of book two, Mercy loses her school. This was the main reason for me to continue reading, as I needed to see her finally get her happy ending. And it was worth it!
The narration was excellent. It is an enormous task to portray such a huge cast of characters in a convincing way.
I have only listened to the second and the third book in this trilogy, and feel no need to go back to the first. It is the story of three women finding love in the village of Ivy Hill. I enjoyed the portrayal of female friendships, the way the women of Ivy Hill come together and find solutions, how they support and help each other.
The author touches on a myriad of subjects and conflicts, there are family secrets, misunderstandings, difficult decisions, there is tragedy, humor and lots of love.
The setting is historical and felt accurate to me. It was lovely to see people with very diverse backgrounds playing important roles in the story. While some are part of the landed gentry, there are no Dukes to be found, and the only Earl is a fake one. We meet several female business owners, and root for them to succeed. And even those who marry keep their profession or become equal partners in their husbands business.
At the end of book two, Mercy loses her school. This was the main reason for me to continue reading, as I needed to see her finally get her happy ending. And it was worth it!
The narration was excellent. It is an enormous task to portray such a huge cast of characters in a convincing way.
December 30, 2018
I'm really not much of a series reader, but I love Julie Klassen's writing style. I have loved every minute I have spent in Ivy Hill. The characters and setting are charming. This series is the ultimate comfort reading for me. This entry wrapped everything up nicely. I would love to spend more time with these characters. I'm really sad to see them go. I would recommend this series to lovers of quiet, cozy novels and Regency era fiction. Make sure you start with the first book, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill.
I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley.
I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley.
December 1, 2018
The third and final installment in the Tales From Ivy Hill bring things to a head for Mercy, Jane, and other residents of Ivy Hill Village. I've been with this story since the beginning and was eager to see how things wrapped up for several favorite characters. So much was going on that it got off to a sluggish start, but by the end I was flipping pages quickly to a satisfying end.
The Bride of Ivy Green is the conclusion of a gently-paced ongoing saga that stretched out over three books so it does not make a good place to jump in. I'm pretty sure new readers would be dreadfully lost because a continuing reader like myself struggled at times to remember who was was who and where things were left off with certain plot threads.
The focus of the book was on three ladies with a few other side plots as well. Mercy Grove seems to have hit rock bottom, but then a few surprising twists bring interesting prospects for her with a new chance at love and her dreams of teaching. Jane Bell can't let fear and bitterness rule and has to take the gamble of her life while dealing with a bitter past once and for all. A newcomer makes the biggest gamble of all when she sets up a dressmaking shop in the village and fends off questions about her past while desperate to make a go at a new life.
This was a bulky story. It had a big job to do wrapping up not one, but a handful of story threads. And, if that wasn't enough, the author introduced a few new ones for good measure. I'm conflicted about this. I loved those new threads- the surprise from Jane's past and the new mysterious dressmaker and her past ties to Ivy Hill life. The side romance for the losing rival to Rachel's affections from the last book and James Drake's family. That said, I wish there had been a fourth book. There was so much going on in this one that its pace was ponderous at times and all the viewpoint shifts leaving off one thread to pick up another could get distracting. A few spots felt under-developed as a result. Nothing about the book felt into dislike for me whether characters or their stories.
I don't wish to give the impression that I didn't enjoy this book. I did and was deeply vested in the outcome for all my favorite Ivy Hill residents and the new ones. I confess that I've been impatient with Jane over Gabriel for some time so I was glad circumstances pushed her along and got her off the fence in spite of her fear. I found the confrontation Jane finally had to have with her past was an interesting and realistic layer to add to her life. Mercy's situation was rather complicated and I felt so badly for her. She gives up her school and refuses probably her last big opportunity to marry well in her parents' eyes because she couldn't countenance a marriage of convenience. She is choosing the life of a poor, spinster sister living in her brother's home and at the mercy of his social-climbing, avaricious wife who makes it difficult for Mercy and Aunt Matty so they are not welcome in their own home (ala Fanny Dashwood of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility). She wants to marry for love, but the man she is interested in has given her no sign and seems to put her on a pedestal out of his own reach because she is scholarly and he works with his hands. I happily appreciated seeing couples I was rooting for find their way to happiness.
But, this wasn't just a good historical romance. This book also addresses historical stigmas about illegitimacy, class differences, and views on mixed marriages which I enjoyed seeing teased out in thought-provoking ways. Then, there is the religious themes running through the book of God's goodness through times of trial, people who made mistakes and seek forgiveness, and people overcoming their pasts and changing for the better.
All in all, it was a satisfying- if bulky- wrap up to a great series. I can see where there is room left for more at a future date while still bringing all major storylines to a fabulous finish. I am sad to be leaving Ivy Hill for the last time and loved how the author made me fall in love with the setting and people there. Fans of sweet historical romance and inspirational romances should definitely give this series a try.
I rec'd this book from Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
The Bride of Ivy Green is the conclusion of a gently-paced ongoing saga that stretched out over three books so it does not make a good place to jump in. I'm pretty sure new readers would be dreadfully lost because a continuing reader like myself struggled at times to remember who was was who and where things were left off with certain plot threads.
The focus of the book was on three ladies with a few other side plots as well. Mercy Grove seems to have hit rock bottom, but then a few surprising twists bring interesting prospects for her with a new chance at love and her dreams of teaching. Jane Bell can't let fear and bitterness rule and has to take the gamble of her life while dealing with a bitter past once and for all. A newcomer makes the biggest gamble of all when she sets up a dressmaking shop in the village and fends off questions about her past while desperate to make a go at a new life.
This was a bulky story. It had a big job to do wrapping up not one, but a handful of story threads. And, if that wasn't enough, the author introduced a few new ones for good measure. I'm conflicted about this. I loved those new threads- the surprise from Jane's past and the new mysterious dressmaker and her past ties to Ivy Hill life. The side romance for the losing rival to Rachel's affections from the last book and James Drake's family. That said, I wish there had been a fourth book. There was so much going on in this one that its pace was ponderous at times and all the viewpoint shifts leaving off one thread to pick up another could get distracting. A few spots felt under-developed as a result. Nothing about the book felt into dislike for me whether characters or their stories.
I don't wish to give the impression that I didn't enjoy this book. I did and was deeply vested in the outcome for all my favorite Ivy Hill residents and the new ones. I confess that I've been impatient with Jane over Gabriel for some time so I was glad circumstances pushed her along and got her off the fence in spite of her fear. I found the confrontation Jane finally had to have with her past was an interesting and realistic layer to add to her life. Mercy's situation was rather complicated and I felt so badly for her. She gives up her school and refuses probably her last big opportunity to marry well in her parents' eyes because she couldn't countenance a marriage of convenience. She is choosing the life of a poor, spinster sister living in her brother's home and at the mercy of his social-climbing, avaricious wife who makes it difficult for Mercy and Aunt Matty so they are not welcome in their own home (ala Fanny Dashwood of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility). She wants to marry for love, but the man she is interested in has given her no sign and seems to put her on a pedestal out of his own reach because she is scholarly and he works with his hands. I happily appreciated seeing couples I was rooting for find their way to happiness.
But, this wasn't just a good historical romance. This book also addresses historical stigmas about illegitimacy, class differences, and views on mixed marriages which I enjoyed seeing teased out in thought-provoking ways. Then, there is the religious themes running through the book of God's goodness through times of trial, people who made mistakes and seek forgiveness, and people overcoming their pasts and changing for the better.
All in all, it was a satisfying- if bulky- wrap up to a great series. I can see where there is room left for more at a future date while still bringing all major storylines to a fabulous finish. I am sad to be leaving Ivy Hill for the last time and loved how the author made me fall in love with the setting and people there. Fans of sweet historical romance and inspirational romances should definitely give this series a try.
I rec'd this book from Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2019
This was a very fitting end to the Tales from Ivy Hill. I really enjoyed how we got to see what happened next for Jane, Rachel, and Mercy. Though, there were some surprising new additions to Ivy Hill as well. At one point, it seemed as if there were going to be far too many loose ends to wrap up in just one book. But, Klassen worked her magic, and I finished the last pages quite satisfied with what was happening (or shortly to happen).
July 19, 2022
This last installment was probably my favorite. Satisfactory conclusions to all of the major character arcs, and lots of interesting side stories. I'm sad to finish this wonderful trilogy and leave the world of Ivy Hill.
November 28, 2020
A worthy conclusion, that sometimes felt a bit longish, but I dearly love how all the stories that cane together. Some may not like Mercy's decision but I was happy with it. There's a beautiful feeling to this series that shows people's lives from several POVs and makes you feel that the every day aspects of life truly are important. I can't wait to read the Christmas novella, which I believe will give me a bit more lingering effects of this series.
April 18, 2020
Un cierre bastante acertado para una serie que siempre voy a recordar con mucho cariño.
Me ha encantado la historia de Mercy y el protagonismo que se le ha dado en este libro.
En algunos momentos, a la mitad del libro, parecía que la historia entraba un poco en bucle, pero después mejoró.
Reseña: http://rincondemarlau.blogspot.com/20...
Me ha encantado la historia de Mercy y el protagonismo que se le ha dado en este libro.
En algunos momentos, a la mitad del libro, parecía que la historia entraba un poco en bucle, pero después mejoró.
Reseña: http://rincondemarlau.blogspot.com/20...
December 1, 2018
Much has happened in idyllic Ivy Hill in recent months, and while several villagers have found new love and purpose, questions remain--and a few dearly held dreams have yet to be fulfilled.
This is the last book in the Tales From Ivy Hill trilogy and I was looking forward to reading it all year. I didn't like this one quite as much as the two previous books in the trilogy. It seemed like there was less time spent on each character which was probably due to the fact that there were so many to cover in this book. I still enjoyed reading about them all though, especially Mercy and Jane. I think the real drawback of this book was that everything was tied up too neatly for me. It would have been more relatable if some characters would have been allowed to not have a happily ever after.
One thing I really enjoyed was the author's note at the end of the book where she reveals that the inspiration for Ivy Hill was the town of Lacock in England. It was nice to read her perspective of the town and look at her photos (you can find them here) since I had also been there and loved it. I'll miss this series a lot, but I'm looking forward to reading whatever Julie Klassen writes next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an review.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
This is the last book in the Tales From Ivy Hill trilogy and I was looking forward to reading it all year. I didn't like this one quite as much as the two previous books in the trilogy. It seemed like there was less time spent on each character which was probably due to the fact that there were so many to cover in this book. I still enjoyed reading about them all though, especially Mercy and Jane. I think the real drawback of this book was that everything was tied up too neatly for me. It would have been more relatable if some characters would have been allowed to not have a happily ever after.
One thing I really enjoyed was the author's note at the end of the book where she reveals that the inspiration for Ivy Hill was the town of Lacock in England. It was nice to read her perspective of the town and look at her photos (you can find them here) since I had also been there and loved it. I'll miss this series a lot, but I'm looking forward to reading whatever Julie Klassen writes next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an review.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
January 29, 2019
This was a very satisfying conclusion to the "Tales from Ivy Hill" series. I was happy to dive back into the lives of the characters. The book ended up just as I hoped it would.
There is not one but two brides in this story. Jane and Mercy finally have their lives come together and find love and happiness. Both women at different points in the series faced uncertainty with their livelihood as well as personal issues.
There are a few new faces that came to town in this story. Jane had an unexpected surprise visit from someone from her past who brought love and happiness into her life. A new dressmaker came to town and became a mystery for the residents to uncover.
Mercy's story is sweet. She had many options but found the one that would give her the greatest satisfaction and happiness. This book was everything that I hoped it would be.
This book is a clean work of Christian fiction. It does contain kissing.
Source: I requested a review copy from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
There is not one but two brides in this story. Jane and Mercy finally have their lives come together and find love and happiness. Both women at different points in the series faced uncertainty with their livelihood as well as personal issues.
There are a few new faces that came to town in this story. Jane had an unexpected surprise visit from someone from her past who brought love and happiness into her life. A new dressmaker came to town and became a mystery for the residents to uncover.
Mercy's story is sweet. She had many options but found the one that would give her the greatest satisfaction and happiness. This book was everything that I hoped it would be.
This book is a clean work of Christian fiction. It does contain kissing.
Source: I requested a review copy from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
May 22, 2019
I enjoyed reading about the Ladies of Ivy Hill again. It was delightful to see how things turned out for Mercy and many other characters.
July 7, 2023
3,5 stars rounded down, because I just did not see the point of introducing the new character of the seamstress, it was both useless and boring. On the other hand, I really liked how Jane's father and co. were brought in, as that brought some novelty and a good promise and real resolve for a difficult situation.
Otherwise the story of the small Regency town of Ivy Hill and it inhabitants just flows on in the sedately and leisurely fashion it did in books 1 & 2, though finally all main story threads are resolved and to satisfaction at that.
Once again, I appreciated the fact that the audiobook was available for free in my Audible subscription. Narrator Elizabeth Jasicki did a good job of it, though her style is as slow as the book itself, so adjusting the speed button may be required, if you are going for the audio. :)
Otherwise the story of the small Regency town of Ivy Hill and it inhabitants just flows on in the sedately and leisurely fashion it did in books 1 & 2, though finally all main story threads are resolved and to satisfaction at that.
Once again, I appreciated the fact that the audiobook was available for free in my Audible subscription. Narrator Elizabeth Jasicki did a good job of it, though her style is as slow as the book itself, so adjusting the speed button may be required, if you are going for the audio. :)
January 15, 2019
This entire series moved at a very gentle pace, sometimes a little too gentle. But at the same time, each book was filled with many varied story threads, all woven together seamlessly. There's drama, intrigue, and excitement, but it's always very genteel and elegant, just like the era in which it is set.
If I had any complaint, it would be that I would really like to have a little more insight into the individuals' thoughts and emotions. The books are written with a sense of detachment that keeps you at a distance from the characters. I suppose even that helps to set the scene, but there were times I would loved a more intimate look into certain characters' lives.
If I had any complaint, it would be that I would really like to have a little more insight into the individuals' thoughts and emotions. The books are written with a sense of detachment that keeps you at a distance from the characters. I suppose even that helps to set the scene, but there were times I would loved a more intimate look into certain characters' lives.
February 13, 2019
This is book three in Tales of Ivy Hill and you should read them in order so you are familiar with the characters and events. In this conclusion to my ladies of Ivy Hill I was surprised by some of the twists that didn’t turn out as expected but were done in Klassen style. I loved Joseph Kingsley and his acts of love towards Mercy. Words are easy to speak but gifts from the heart and acts of kindness speak volumes louder than the spoken word. At times I felt it went a little long and wanted it to move faster, but then I realized I was reading Regency Romance and it always moves at a slower pace. Julie Klassen novels are always classy and well written even if we may not always agree with the outcome. Isn’t that what life is, not always getting our way. Which makes it real and identifiable. I’m sad that this became lost in my TBR pile and that I didn’t get to it sooner.
I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
March 15, 2019
I loved this third book in the Ivy Hill series. Although I suspect this may be the final book in the series, I sincerely hope that Julie Klassen will revisit Ivy Hill in the future. She has created a wonderful cast of characters that I would be happy to see again and again.
I was glad I had read the last two books in succession, and wished I had read all three within a shorter amount of time. It took a little while to recall all the characters' stories when I started the second book. I would recommend reading all three of these books in a short time frame.
Julie Klassen is a great writer. I have enjoyed every story I've read by her, and I think was the best of them all, so far. Looking forward to enjoying more from this author!
I was glad I had read the last two books in succession, and wished I had read all three within a shorter amount of time. It took a little while to recall all the characters' stories when I started the second book. I would recommend reading all three of these books in a short time frame.
Julie Klassen is a great writer. I have enjoyed every story I've read by her, and I think was the best of them all, so far. Looking forward to enjoying more from this author!
October 10, 2024
A very enjoyable book. I loved all the different characters and reading about them made me want to go and visit Ivy Hill. There are a some characters I wish we could continue to follow and find out more about their lives beyond the series.
January 23, 2019
I am a frazzled mess of euphoric bliss and abject misery because, while this was a spectacular conclusion to the Tales of Ivy Hill series, it is also the last book! Gulp. Ever. Like in never getting to armchair travel there again. And though this delectable, multi-romanced story charmed me into a flummox of heart-palpitating delight there's a niggling pain deep down inside my heart because it's really and truly over! Forever! Did I say that already? Sorry. I'm truly gutted...in a way that only true literary aficionados who have been forcibly ejected out of a fictional setting can understand.
I love Ivy Hill! I love all the villagers and especially the businesswomen who pull together and support one another no matter what the need! They came together magnificently in this last (sob) installment. And this book does read like an installment -- or third season in a spectacular BBC period drama. Think Cranford or Larkrise to Candleford. Because of that, I think it's best to read this series in order. You'll miss out on so many nuances in relationships and plot if you don't...and, honestly, why would you want to deprive yourself of starting at the very beginning anyway?
There is so much romance in this book that I'm still all aflutter. From married couples to courting couples to desperate-longing-but-slow-to-act-on-it couples, to the sweet-fresh-beginnings couples. Oh, this reader's anguish over the wicked twists and turns to their happily ever afters! Sensitive readers might require smelling salts and copious amount of chocolate to make their way safely through to the end.
A stunning conclusion to an exceptional series and I guarantee I'll reread it more than once over the coming years because I don't think I can go Ivy Hilless for very long!
I love Ivy Hill! I love all the villagers and especially the businesswomen who pull together and support one another no matter what the need! They came together magnificently in this last (sob) installment. And this book does read like an installment -- or third season in a spectacular BBC period drama. Think Cranford or Larkrise to Candleford. Because of that, I think it's best to read this series in order. You'll miss out on so many nuances in relationships and plot if you don't...and, honestly, why would you want to deprive yourself of starting at the very beginning anyway?
There is so much romance in this book that I'm still all aflutter. From married couples to courting couples to desperate-longing-but-slow-to-act-on-it couples, to the sweet-fresh-beginnings couples. Oh, this reader's anguish over the wicked twists and turns to their happily ever afters! Sensitive readers might require smelling salts and copious amount of chocolate to make their way safely through to the end.
A stunning conclusion to an exceptional series and I guarantee I'll reread it more than once over the coming years because I don't think I can go Ivy Hilless for very long!
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