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English Ivy
A Victorian Rose
This romantic story will sweep readers back in time to Victorian Yorkshire, England. Against her better judgment, young widow Clemma Laird finds herself connected to Dr. Paul Baine, a man shunned by the community. As she is drawn into Dr. Baine's lifework, she discovers the truth of his past and the pain that drives him to seek atonement. Palmer's fans will love this tender story.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published August 23, 2002
1 person is currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Palmer
83 books287 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. Cathy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published over 50 novels, many of them national best sellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. In 2004, she was given the Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Romance by "Romantic Times" magazine. More than 2 million copies of Catherine's novels are currently in print. The Author's Work With her compelling characters and strong message of Christian faith, Catherine is known for writing fiction that "touches the hearts and souls of readers." Her many collections include A Town Called Hope, Treasures of the Heart, Finders Keepers, English Ivy, and the Miss Pickworth series. Catherine also recently coauthored the Four Seasons fiction series with Gary Chapman, the "New York Times" best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages."
Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. Cathy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published over 50 novels, many of them national best sellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. In 2004, she was given the Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Romance by "Romantic Times" magazine. More than 2 million copies of Catherine's novels are currently in print. The Author's Work With her compelling characters and strong message of Christian faith, Catherine is known for writing fiction that "touches the hearts and souls of readers." Her many collections include A Town Called Hope, Treasures of the Heart, Finders Keepers, English Ivy, and the Miss Pickworth series. Catherine also recently coauthored the Four Seasons fiction series with Gary Chapman, the "New York Times" best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages."
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 25, 2025
I had no idea what I was in for when I ordered this tiny gem, but I will read it again and again. This was pure delight, it was a cup of tea shared with a friend, it was a poem of delectable beauty, it was rich with the Christian message!
My review will probably wind up being as long as the book itself, so forgive me. I don't even know where to start.
The writing style? Gorgeous! Breathtaking! As lovely as the flower itself that was the underlying premise of the book. Both descriptives and words were so beautiful, I was taken aback several times, thinking "I wish I could write like that!"
I'm a florist in real life, who loves flowers and all things beautiful, so of course this book would win me over. I didn't realize it was a Christmas book. Darn. That must mean I'll have to read it again at Christmastime! (Not that I mind!)
The character development was splendidly satisfying. I hated Clemma at first. Then, by chapter 2 I started to like her. Then, by chapter 6, I was in love with both her and Baine.
The book contains several lessons that are so rich and deep in our Christian walk and so important. The first? Forgiveness, showing the love of Christ and, above all, not judging someone by the rumors you've heard of them.
I got worried about halfway through when Baine started talking about how he was earning his way to Heaven. I was thinking, "Oh, no. Is this wonderful book going to take the direction that we must earn our way to Heaven by good works in addition to Jesus' sacrifice?" And then when the author (through another character) clearly stated, "You can't do anything to get to Heaven, it's all about what Jesus did, you can't save yourself!" (I paraphrase and not quote exact,) I leaped for joy.
The ending chapter...let's just say there's something that ends the book, a secret revealed and the way the other character reacts to it that was just...I couldn't breathe. It was so beautiful and so utterly romantic...I wanted to read it again and again. Wow.
I haven't read anything by Catherine Palmer before, but my goodness, this will not be the only book I read. To say I loved it would be an understatement. I highly recommend this amazing little gem. It is going on my "favorites" shelf, which is a privilege.
Oh! One other thing! Can I just say... Icy blue eyes?! If anyone knows me, they understand that icy blue eyes are the end-all for me. So, yeah, this book was earning points long before the 5th page. Carry on! *fangirl gushes*
My review will probably wind up being as long as the book itself, so forgive me. I don't even know where to start.
The writing style? Gorgeous! Breathtaking! As lovely as the flower itself that was the underlying premise of the book. Both descriptives and words were so beautiful, I was taken aback several times, thinking "I wish I could write like that!"
I'm a florist in real life, who loves flowers and all things beautiful, so of course this book would win me over. I didn't realize it was a Christmas book. Darn. That must mean I'll have to read it again at Christmastime! (Not that I mind!)
The character development was splendidly satisfying. I hated Clemma at first. Then, by chapter 2 I started to like her. Then, by chapter 6, I was in love with both her and Baine.
The book contains several lessons that are so rich and deep in our Christian walk and so important. The first? Forgiveness, showing the love of Christ and, above all, not judging someone by the rumors you've heard of them.
I got worried about halfway through when Baine started talking about how he was earning his way to Heaven. I was thinking, "Oh, no. Is this wonderful book going to take the direction that we must earn our way to Heaven by good works in addition to Jesus' sacrifice?" And then when the author (through another character) clearly stated, "You can't do anything to get to Heaven, it's all about what Jesus did, you can't save yourself!" (I paraphrase and not quote exact,) I leaped for joy.
The ending chapter...let's just say there's something that ends the book, a secret revealed and the way the other character reacts to it that was just...I couldn't breathe. It was so beautiful and so utterly romantic...I wanted to read it again and again. Wow.
I haven't read anything by Catherine Palmer before, but my goodness, this will not be the only book I read. To say I loved it would be an understatement. I highly recommend this amazing little gem. It is going on my "favorites" shelf, which is a privilege.
Oh! One other thing! Can I just say... Icy blue eyes?! If anyone knows me, they understand that icy blue eyes are the end-all for me. So, yeah, this book was earning points long before the 5th page. Carry on! *fangirl gushes*
December 24, 2021
This was definitely a very quick read but I didn’t really love it.
What I did like about this book was how it showcased that true Christianity is not about being judgmental, hypocritical and hateful towards other people. Jesus sat down with sinners, not to join them in their sin but to offer them salvation and redemption.
What I didn’t like was how rushed everything seemed. That could be because this book is a short book but I still think that the romance was very sudden.
I will read another book from this new to me author in the future and hopefully I will enjoy that book more.
What I did like about this book was how it showcased that true Christianity is not about being judgmental, hypocritical and hateful towards other people. Jesus sat down with sinners, not to join them in their sin but to offer them salvation and redemption.
What I didn’t like was how rushed everything seemed. That could be because this book is a short book but I still think that the romance was very sudden.
I will read another book from this new to me author in the future and hopefully I will enjoy that book more.
July 18, 2022
A delightful little novella that I first read a few years ago and now enjoyed just as much as the first time. It’s set in 1830s Yorkshire and is a little romance between a doctor and a widow just before Christmas.
December 28, 2025
Wow! I read this book as a buddy read, and I will say thank you to that buddy for directing me to this book. I could have consumed this book in one setting, but it is good to be forced to slow down and absorb and reflect upon what I read. I will be looking for every title I can find by this author.
I have become poor at writing book reviews, but let me give this one a shot.
Writing style - Excellent
Story line - Excellent and refreshingly different.
Normally I am not drawn to short books, but let me say that this book had more depth to it than many of the books with 500 plus pages that I have read. This book really packed a lot of wonderful messages into its short pages. The characters are real. The truths in this little book are so wonderful. The gospel message is presented in a direct and accurate way. Further Biblical truths are accurately and unapologetically spoken without being preachy. The message directs you to the Scripture and the direction of our Savior.
There is a sweet specialness to the main female character and there is such a vulnerability and tenderness to the main male character.
Hypocrisy is exposed in the side characters, but they are forced to confront it through an event that laid it bare to all.
I look forward to reading this book again, and I am in search for the other titles from this author. Her writing style is exquisite. Her message is genuine and sincere. I really am finding it difficult to say enough good things about this little book.
I have become poor at writing book reviews, but let me give this one a shot.
Writing style - Excellent
Story line - Excellent and refreshingly different.
Normally I am not drawn to short books, but let me say that this book had more depth to it than many of the books with 500 plus pages that I have read. This book really packed a lot of wonderful messages into its short pages. The characters are real. The truths in this little book are so wonderful. The gospel message is presented in a direct and accurate way. Further Biblical truths are accurately and unapologetically spoken without being preachy. The message directs you to the Scripture and the direction of our Savior.
There is a sweet specialness to the main female character and there is such a vulnerability and tenderness to the main male character.
Hypocrisy is exposed in the side characters, but they are forced to confront it through an event that laid it bare to all.
I look forward to reading this book again, and I am in search for the other titles from this author. Her writing style is exquisite. Her message is genuine and sincere. I really am finding it difficult to say enough good things about this little book.
April 11, 2024
All good books will either give you that warm fuzzy feeling, or tears, or contentedness inside of you.
This book gave me all three.
There is Christianity in it, but it is not preachy. It is almost like a retelling of Beauty and The Beast, but the only transformations that take place is in the hearts of the two people the book revolves around. It does talk about fornication, but there is no explicit content in here whatsoever. It describes the tension between the different classes in Victorian England society, and how the Church judged and condemned those who Christ Himself said not to judge or condemn.
I think it is a good book for those around 14 and up. I say that because one of the protagonist is 32, and the other main character is quite a few years older. Younger girls seem to want to read about people their own age, but there are some who just read books for the story, not the character's age. I am certainly one of these latter kinds. All I wanted was a good story with believable characters and that is what I got in this book.
This book gave me all three.
There is Christianity in it, but it is not preachy. It is almost like a retelling of Beauty and The Beast, but the only transformations that take place is in the hearts of the two people the book revolves around. It does talk about fornication, but there is no explicit content in here whatsoever. It describes the tension between the different classes in Victorian England society, and how the Church judged and condemned those who Christ Himself said not to judge or condemn.
I think it is a good book for those around 14 and up. I say that because one of the protagonist is 32, and the other main character is quite a few years older. Younger girls seem to want to read about people their own age, but there are some who just read books for the story, not the character's age. I am certainly one of these latter kinds. All I wanted was a good story with believable characters and that is what I got in this book.
January 28, 2017
I did not enjoy this book at all. Beginning in chapter one you knew these characters and plot were not going to develop and grow. I went ahead and read the entire book, as it was a small book, and I was correct. It was a book that had no vulgarity, which I do not like to read vulgar books, so I appreciate this author for that. But you could have read the first and last chapter and been done with it.
May 10, 2019
A brief but sweet story featuring Clementine (Clemma) from the first book in the series. Is God's redemptive love truly for anyone? No matter what they have done in their past? And how are Christians to respond to those who, as Paul might say, are "the worst of sinners"? I thought this book powerfully addressed these questions and issues while also delivering a gentle but firm reminder to not judge others. Most of the time, we have not allowed ourselves to hear their full story.
November 9, 2025
When I checked this out from the library, I had no idea what a short little novel this would be. But it is chock full of inspiration and plot and drama. A lovely story of 2 scarred people with no hope who find hope in something unexpected.
June 4, 2017
What a wonderful quick read!! I loved the drama and the romance. Totally recommend.
October 13, 2019
This was a very sweet story. I loved the growth of the characters. If your looking for a quick, uplifting read this is the book for you!
April 22, 2022
What a sweet romantic Christian novella. Must read if you like short stories.
December 12, 2025
Beautiful little book. It is slow at first but it marvelously comes together. Highly recommend this older gem.
July 1, 2014
Yet another surprising story! I wasn't quite sure where the story was going when one of the characters talked about earning his way to heaven; I felt like Catherine could have expounded a little bit more on how he changed his thinking and finally accepted God's free gift of grace. It's a cute little story- has some humor and suspense to it and is well written. If you like Christian fiction, you will not be disappointed with this story.
May 27, 2024
I enjoyed this book today just as much as I enjoyed it as a young adult. I always enjoyed a good Catheine Palmer novel. It is too bad that she doesn't write any more, but I hope that God blesses her ministry to the immigrant community in Atlanta.
I don't usually enjoy novellas, but this one is an exception. I'm sure I'll pick it up in a few years and read it again.
I don't usually enjoy novellas, but this one is an exception. I'm sure I'll pick it up in a few years and read it again.
September 5, 2014
In the village of Otley Yorkshire we visit the Bowden family again with the story of the youngest sister Clemma who is a widow and a victim of a fire that killed her husband and burned down their home. An enjoyable romance with a twist.
February 6, 2010
A sweet little tale.
June 7, 2010
Great frinish to the series. Could not put it down.
March 28, 2011
Didn't know what to expect with this short book. It was okay. Thought it could have been longer, with more detail to the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2012
Book 4 of 4
May 14, 2012
A lovely Victorian Christmas Story!
I give this book 3.5 stars!
I liked the telling of the Christmas Rose and its legend.
I give this book 3.5 stars!
I liked the telling of the Christmas Rose and its legend.
August 9, 2013
just a little novella set in Victorian times, two people with a secret meet and find common ground.
February 26, 2014
Easy to read. Read it in one day. :)
January 24, 2013
Short story, expected more of a story.
Read
January 16, 2018Excellent message of forgiveness and redemption
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews