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The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy #6
After Our Castle
And they lived … well, happily ever after.
A year into a blissfully happy marriage, Violet Angel admits to a dose of skepticism. She’s not married, granted—but as the closest friend of the bride and groom, she feels she has a perspective no one but the people directly involved could have. There’s no such thing as a happy ending, and it’s only a matter of time before the castle in the sky plummets to earth.
If only Violet were always wrong instead of just mostly wrong. Ivy McAllen doesn’t believe she and her new husband are out of the honeymoon period—if they are, she isn’t going to admit it to herself—but there are certainly areas of adjustment that she hadn’t expected.
Changes at the village of Keefmore and in Ivy’s life lead to complications, and Violet spirals further and further from reality. When a castle in the sky turns out to be more cloud than stronghold, finding a foothold proves more than a little difficult.
A year into a blissfully happy marriage, Violet Angel admits to a dose of skepticism. She’s not married, granted—but as the closest friend of the bride and groom, she feels she has a perspective no one but the people directly involved could have. There’s no such thing as a happy ending, and it’s only a matter of time before the castle in the sky plummets to earth.
If only Violet were always wrong instead of just mostly wrong. Ivy McAllen doesn’t believe she and her new husband are out of the honeymoon period—if they are, she isn’t going to admit it to herself—but there are certainly areas of adjustment that she hadn’t expected.
Changes at the village of Keefmore and in Ivy’s life lead to complications, and Violet spirals further and further from reality. When a castle in the sky turns out to be more cloud than stronghold, finding a foothold proves more than a little difficult.
263 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2022
3 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Kellyn Roth
28 books1,127 followersKellyn Roth is the author of historical romance novels with strong Christian themes, a touch of humor, and messy situations that put the main characters through the wringer and force them to face hard questions. Her stories include The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, a Christian Victorian family saga.
Kell is the founder and owner of Wild Blue Wonder Press, a small press with the mission of sharing fictional stories full of grace and truth. Their goal is to create stories that matter, to delve into the deepest and sometimes the saddest parts of life, and to return from the darkest valleys resplendent in the light of hope and the fullness of joy.
When not building her author career, Kellyn is likely drinking iced coffee with her husband, getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, or watching period dramas and facetious comedies with her border collie.
Find out more at https://kellynrothauthor.com/
Kell is the founder and owner of Wild Blue Wonder Press, a small press with the mission of sharing fictional stories full of grace and truth. Their goal is to create stories that matter, to delve into the deepest and sometimes the saddest parts of life, and to return from the darkest valleys resplendent in the light of hope and the fullness of joy.
When not building her author career, Kellyn is likely drinking iced coffee with her husband, getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, or watching period dramas and facetious comedies with her border collie.
Find out more at https://kellynrothauthor.com/
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August 16, 2025Dear reader,
I hope you enjoy my novel! This is a work of Christian historical women's fiction.
Concerned about the content? Read my official content guide here.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!
TTFN!
~Kell~
I hope you enjoy my novel! This is a work of Christian historical women's fiction.
Concerned about the content? Read my official content guide here.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!
TTFN!
~Kell~
October 24, 2022
3.5 stars
Books set in Scotland tend to have an extra allure, so it was wonderful that this sixth book in The Chronicles of Alice & Ivy would be in Scotland with Ivy and Jordy. And we get to see Ivy and Jordy in their first few years of marriage ... with an addition of Violet as a side character!
Characters: Ivy has been one of my favorite characters in this series since I first began reading it, and I still like her a lot. She is just such a sweetheart and angel. It was good to see her grow throughout the book and watch her march on through life even though it was far different from her upbringing. I wished she had played the piano, more, though! But that's just coming from a music lover. And Jordy ... hmm. Since he wasn't in there very much, I didn't feel super connected to him. He also went through a lot of growth, and I would've love to see more of him. However, there was a super touching scene near the back of the novel that was so sweet between Ivy and Jordy - quite excellent! And then there was Violet. Poor Violet. She has so many problems, and I really just need to see her have some sort of healing. She can definitely be hard to read, though, so beware if you're sensitive to depression/suicidal thoughts.
Setting/Plot/Writing Style: Of course, the setting in Scotland was a great addition to the book! It didn't feel extremely Scottish, but that could also be because all of the people had been in Scotland for a fair amount of time and wouldn't necessarily be thinking about how different it is from England. The writing style was lovely - very fitting for the book and well edited. As for the plot ... I found it a bit slow throughout (mostly because I think more in the suspense world of fiction). A lot of the plot focused on Ivy and Jordy's early marriage, disappointments, and miscommunications (more on that in a bit.) However, if you're a fan of historical fiction, this pacing probably won't bother you! Violet's arc was a bit more difficult to read, though, and it was just very sad. That final twist was also ... yeah, interesting. (You'll know if you read it.)
Moral/Theme: A big facet of this book was the use of birth control and whether certain people should have kids. While this is definitely a very important topic for married couples or people planning to marry soon, I'm not in that stage of life, so it wasn't super pertinent to me. I also wished Ivy would have just stated outright what she thought and then discussed it in depth with Jordy, but then again, people always fail to communicate in everyday life, and she wasn't sure what the respectful course was. I did really enjoy the part where Ivy and Jordy talk about Jordy's fears and reservations about having kids - that was the really sweet scene near the end of the book that I mentioned.
Overall, this is a well-written historical fiction starring familiar characters, and fans of British historical fiction will probably enjoy very much!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Books set in Scotland tend to have an extra allure, so it was wonderful that this sixth book in The Chronicles of Alice & Ivy would be in Scotland with Ivy and Jordy. And we get to see Ivy and Jordy in their first few years of marriage ... with an addition of Violet as a side character!
Characters: Ivy has been one of my favorite characters in this series since I first began reading it, and I still like her a lot. She is just such a sweetheart and angel. It was good to see her grow throughout the book and watch her march on through life even though it was far different from her upbringing. I wished she had played the piano, more, though! But that's just coming from a music lover. And Jordy ... hmm. Since he wasn't in there very much, I didn't feel super connected to him. He also went through a lot of growth, and I would've love to see more of him. However, there was a super touching scene near the back of the novel that was so sweet between Ivy and Jordy - quite excellent! And then there was Violet. Poor Violet. She has so many problems, and I really just need to see her have some sort of healing. She can definitely be hard to read, though, so beware if you're sensitive to depression/suicidal thoughts.
Setting/Plot/Writing Style: Of course, the setting in Scotland was a great addition to the book! It didn't feel extremely Scottish, but that could also be because all of the people had been in Scotland for a fair amount of time and wouldn't necessarily be thinking about how different it is from England. The writing style was lovely - very fitting for the book and well edited. As for the plot ... I found it a bit slow throughout (mostly because I think more in the suspense world of fiction). A lot of the plot focused on Ivy and Jordy's early marriage, disappointments, and miscommunications (more on that in a bit.) However, if you're a fan of historical fiction, this pacing probably won't bother you! Violet's arc was a bit more difficult to read, though, and it was just very sad. That final twist was also ... yeah, interesting. (You'll know if you read it.)
Moral/Theme: A big facet of this book was the use of birth control and whether certain people should have kids. While this is definitely a very important topic for married couples or people planning to marry soon, I'm not in that stage of life, so it wasn't super pertinent to me. I also wished Ivy would have just stated outright what she thought and then discussed it in depth with Jordy, but then again, people always fail to communicate in everyday life, and she wasn't sure what the respectful course was. I did really enjoy the part where Ivy and Jordy talk about Jordy's fears and reservations about having kids - that was the really sweet scene near the end of the book that I mentioned.
Overall, this is a well-written historical fiction starring familiar characters, and fans of British historical fiction will probably enjoy very much!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
November 14, 2025
I’ve learned that you never know what to expect with Kellyn Roth, except that it will be deep and carry a good, thoughtful message. This book wasn’t what I expected, and I ended up a little shellshocked, but I still loved it.
The Keefmore setting was delightful, although less detailed than Beyond Her Calling. (Which I missed a little bit!) The writing style was very pleasant—so humorous! I loved seeing Ivy so much more happy and confident than in the earlier books. Jordy, well… he had issues to deal with and wasn’t my fav for 9/10ths of the book. ;P But I loved him for his adoration of Ivy and his honest struggle to care for her. Violet… well, I expected great things of Violet, perhaps a bit too much, but although I am a little disappointed, I think she needed it. And Alice—oh, Alice was splendid and ever so much better than before. <3 And Peter was a doll, as always and forever he shall be. Also, Aunt Daphne—it was fun to run into her again a couple times. ;)
The plot and messages were not what I expected, although that’s on me for forgetting the warnings the author gave. (Sorry… I have the memory capacity of a fly.) Being about a married couple, a depressed woman, and babies, there’s some adult content in this book, although well handled. See the author’s review [https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...] for full content warning, but I quote a few here: “A few kisses between married couples, not described. Opaque references to a married couples’ private life, including a scene where it's hinted that something happened. A few references to birth control (in the context of the historical era) and/or family planning. Mentions of and discussions about adultery/lusting after a married person/lust vs. love (nothing happens though). Mentions of periods/monthly cycles. A scene in which a woman gives birth and it is viewed through the eyes of someone who's not really paying attention to the details. Mentions of related blood, sweat, crying, moaning, etc.” I personally wouldn’t have read this normally, but I trusted the author and couldn’t abandon the series. My trust was justified, in that nothing was over the top, but I was personally a little bit uncomfortable, and I may not reread this particular book until I’m older/married.
I appreciated how the book tackled birth control, something few talk about, as well as the whole submitting to one’s husband but still communicating thing, and about loving and listening to each other “even after the honeymoon stage,” as they say… or maybe handling that stage properly… I don’t know, I'm not married. But what I'm trying to say is, Kellyn Roth has great marriage advice. And I expect it would be good for people about to be married to think about this stuff too.
Anyways, I also loved the message about God-given dreams and Him being in control. (Ivy got way ahead of me, folks. She’s seriously so inspirational in her sweet faith and absolute love!) The plot definitely kept me hooked and I just couldn’t put the book down, wanting to see what happened. I was so happy to see Violet again and she has made so much progress and I am just so excited to see her journey continue. The ending was pretty perfect—even if I wanted to scream at an unfinished arc, but I KNOW it will be finished soon—and hopefully after all this the characters can now begin healing! (Also, Jordy needs to lighten up a little? please?? I miss him too, Ivy!!)
In short, this book was definitely aimed at a mature or married/about to be married audience, but it was still very good, and I was so happy to meet the characters again (and they’re epic). 4.5 stars for personal enjoyment, and I look forwards to book 7…
A Favourite Quote: “Oh, Ivy. I think most women do. But ye ken ... there’s nae rushin’ such things. They take time, an’ some women ... They take time for all women, but for some women, th’ time is longer, or it never happens, an’ tha’ is just another way for God tae grow an’ use ye. It’s also Him sayin’ yer callin’ may be elsewhere. So live in th’ moment, but ye must be patient, tae. He’ll bring ye a bairn when He’s a mind tae—an’ if no’, you will have used all th’ time ye have wisely, for His good purposes.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: She called, “Come in!” without looking up, confident that anyone who would come to see her at this time of day was a friend. Then, immediately, fear seized her as she realized she could’ve just told some sort of robber or, worse yet, a stranger to enter her home. Hairs on the back of her neck rose, and she hunched her shoulders.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
The Keefmore setting was delightful, although less detailed than Beyond Her Calling. (Which I missed a little bit!) The writing style was very pleasant—so humorous! I loved seeing Ivy so much more happy and confident than in the earlier books. Jordy, well… he had issues to deal with and wasn’t my fav for 9/10ths of the book. ;P But I loved him for his adoration of Ivy and his honest struggle to care for her. Violet… well, I expected great things of Violet, perhaps a bit too much, but although I am a little disappointed, I think she needed it. And Alice—oh, Alice was splendid and ever so much better than before. <3 And Peter was a doll, as always and forever he shall be. Also, Aunt Daphne—it was fun to run into her again a couple times. ;)
The plot and messages were not what I expected, although that’s on me for forgetting the warnings the author gave. (Sorry… I have the memory capacity of a fly.) Being about a married couple, a depressed woman, and babies, there’s some adult content in this book, although well handled. See the author’s review [https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...] for full content warning, but I quote a few here: “A few kisses between married couples, not described. Opaque references to a married couples’ private life, including a scene where it's hinted that something happened. A few references to birth control (in the context of the historical era) and/or family planning. Mentions of and discussions about adultery/lusting after a married person/lust vs. love (nothing happens though). Mentions of periods/monthly cycles. A scene in which a woman gives birth and it is viewed through the eyes of someone who's not really paying attention to the details. Mentions of related blood, sweat, crying, moaning, etc.” I personally wouldn’t have read this normally, but I trusted the author and couldn’t abandon the series. My trust was justified, in that nothing was over the top, but I was personally a little bit uncomfortable, and I may not reread this particular book until I’m older/married.
I appreciated how the book tackled birth control, something few talk about, as well as the whole submitting to one’s husband but still communicating thing, and about loving and listening to each other “even after the honeymoon stage,” as they say… or maybe handling that stage properly… I don’t know, I'm not married. But what I'm trying to say is, Kellyn Roth has great marriage advice. And I expect it would be good for people about to be married to think about this stuff too.
Anyways, I also loved the message about God-given dreams and Him being in control. (Ivy got way ahead of me, folks. She’s seriously so inspirational in her sweet faith and absolute love!) The plot definitely kept me hooked and I just couldn’t put the book down, wanting to see what happened. I was so happy to see Violet again and she has made so much progress and I am just so excited to see her journey continue. The ending was pretty perfect—even if I wanted to scream at an unfinished arc, but I KNOW it will be finished soon—and hopefully after all this the characters can now begin healing! (Also, Jordy needs to lighten up a little? please?? I miss him too, Ivy!!)
In short, this book was definitely aimed at a mature or married/about to be married audience, but it was still very good, and I was so happy to meet the characters again (and they’re epic). 4.5 stars for personal enjoyment, and I look forwards to book 7…
A Favourite Quote: “Oh, Ivy. I think most women do. But ye ken ... there’s nae rushin’ such things. They take time, an’ some women ... They take time for all women, but for some women, th’ time is longer, or it never happens, an’ tha’ is just another way for God tae grow an’ use ye. It’s also Him sayin’ yer callin’ may be elsewhere. So live in th’ moment, but ye must be patient, tae. He’ll bring ye a bairn when He’s a mind tae—an’ if no’, you will have used all th’ time ye have wisely, for His good purposes.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: She called, “Come in!” without looking up, confident that anyone who would come to see her at this time of day was a friend. Then, immediately, fear seized her as she realized she could’ve just told some sort of robber or, worse yet, a stranger to enter her home. Hairs on the back of her neck rose, and she hunched her shoulders.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
September 13, 2022
AFTER OUR CASTLE is essentially the Ivy equivalent of A PRAYER UNANSWERED, following Ivy and Jordy a year into their married life, as both deal with general life adjustment struggles.
I enjoyed returning to Keefmore and seeing how much the characters from BEYOND HER CALLING had grown and developed. Despite the plot of this book being a bit slow, I was much too invested in the characters to mind. Much.
I did appreciate the author's honest portrayal of marriage and the struggles that come with it. I felt I was able to get a grasp on the drama the story portrayed despite, y'know, being not married myself. I think one of the biggest reasons I enjoy Kell's books, despite them being romance, is the honesty she uses in portraying the romantic relationships without overly romanticizing or sugarcoating them.
It was also nice to get a peek into Violet's thoughts and struggles, though I'll be the first to say she messed up big time. (iykyk)
Overall, a thought-provoking, refreshing read!
I enjoyed returning to Keefmore and seeing how much the characters from BEYOND HER CALLING had grown and developed. Despite the plot of this book being a bit slow, I was much too invested in the characters to mind. Much.
I did appreciate the author's honest portrayal of marriage and the struggles that come with it. I felt I was able to get a grasp on the drama the story portrayed despite, y'know, being not married myself. I think one of the biggest reasons I enjoy Kell's books, despite them being romance, is the honesty she uses in portraying the romantic relationships without overly romanticizing or sugarcoating them.
It was also nice to get a peek into Violet's thoughts and struggles, though I'll be the first to say she messed up big time. (iykyk)
Overall, a thought-provoking, refreshing read!
March 29, 2024
The TL;DR version of my review:
- I really don't like Violet in this book.
- How did they get married and not talk about this beforehand??? I know it's a different time, but still...
- Jordy needs to learn to shut up and listen to Ivy
- Can't believe I'm actually caught up on this series now?!
Okay, now to flesh that out more. We pick up a year into Jordy and Ivy's marriage, and it is clear from the beginning that this is what the primary focus of the book is going to be. While their relationship at first seems fine, it is clear that there are still some rough edges that need to be taken care of. The biggest is their disagreement over children. In his desire to protect Ivy, Jordy intends to prevent her from becoming pregnant - which is something she desperately wants. As mentioned in my bullet points above, I really struggle with how they didn't talk about whether they wanted to have children or anything related to it before they got married. Even with related topics being much more taboo in the time that this book is set, Ivy and Jordy's courtship seemed to be the kind where they would be open with one another about personal things and I just can't not be shocked that they never discussed it.
But, we're to believe that they did not. And so we watch Ivy struggle in the role she finds herself, of keeping house and getting to know the community while battling thoughts that she still might not be enough. When they finally discuss children directly, Jordy is insistent that although Ivy is wonderful, they couldn't handle children. He's dealing with his own insecurities but doesn't initially share those with her. Even after this comes to light the pair remain at odds. Nothing seems able to convince Jordy, and nothing can sway Ivy. Somehow they manage not to wallow in anger with one another, but the issue never felt resolved to me. When Violet comes to visit, she needles Ivy and battles her own destructive thoughts. We see flashbacks and learn how her own relationship with Jordy grew over the years. She has occasional moments of being a good friend, but they are few and far between. Ivy seems to appreciate her company more than I could ever imagine. Jordy is more discerning in some ways but not in others - Violet manages to catch him off guard, too, and doesn't help the situation at all.
Eventually, despite Jordy's reservations, Ivy does become pregnant. However, rather than rejoicing with her Jordy continues to struggle with the thought of being a father and Ivy being a mother. The cycle continues. It looks like Ivy has her happy ending, but her twins birth is only another beginning. I was left feeling rather off-balance; they didn't come to an agreement as a couple or seem to truly work through some of their disagreements and issues. They just accepted that God decided otherwise. This is part of a healthy response, but doesn't bring them any closer together and makes me concerned about future disagreements. Violet, too, feels unresolved at the end of this book. Perhaps this is justified by the knowledge that there will be more books in this series, but as I said before, it left me feeling off-balance.
The Verdict:
Overall, I enjoyed this book as I have the previous ones in the series, and because of being in a similar phase of life this book got even more attention and perhaps criticism from me. Ivy demonstrates a faith that is both at times admirable and at others difficult to understand. I wish that Ivy and Jordy would talk about things straight-on earlier rather than getting so wrapped up in their own heads but I also understand how this can happen. I gave this book four stars when I finished reading it and after thinking it through it's going to stand. I enjoyed this book even though the characters could be frustrating. I'm glad that I read this when I did, and continue to recommend the series to historical and Christian fiction readers.
This review and more bookish content originally posted on my blog, Reviews From the Stacks.
- I really don't like Violet in this book.
- How did they get married and not talk about this beforehand??? I know it's a different time, but still...
- Jordy needs to learn to shut up and listen to Ivy
- Can't believe I'm actually caught up on this series now?!
Okay, now to flesh that out more. We pick up a year into Jordy and Ivy's marriage, and it is clear from the beginning that this is what the primary focus of the book is going to be. While their relationship at first seems fine, it is clear that there are still some rough edges that need to be taken care of. The biggest is their disagreement over children. In his desire to protect Ivy, Jordy intends to prevent her from becoming pregnant - which is something she desperately wants. As mentioned in my bullet points above, I really struggle with how they didn't talk about whether they wanted to have children or anything related to it before they got married. Even with related topics being much more taboo in the time that this book is set, Ivy and Jordy's courtship seemed to be the kind where they would be open with one another about personal things and I just can't not be shocked that they never discussed it.
But, we're to believe that they did not. And so we watch Ivy struggle in the role she finds herself, of keeping house and getting to know the community while battling thoughts that she still might not be enough. When they finally discuss children directly, Jordy is insistent that although Ivy is wonderful, they couldn't handle children. He's dealing with his own insecurities but doesn't initially share those with her. Even after this comes to light the pair remain at odds. Nothing seems able to convince Jordy, and nothing can sway Ivy. Somehow they manage not to wallow in anger with one another, but the issue never felt resolved to me. When Violet comes to visit, she needles Ivy and battles her own destructive thoughts. We see flashbacks and learn how her own relationship with Jordy grew over the years. She has occasional moments of being a good friend, but they are few and far between. Ivy seems to appreciate her company more than I could ever imagine. Jordy is more discerning in some ways but not in others - Violet manages to catch him off guard, too, and doesn't help the situation at all.
Eventually, despite Jordy's reservations, Ivy does become pregnant. However, rather than rejoicing with her Jordy continues to struggle with the thought of being a father and Ivy being a mother. The cycle continues. It looks like Ivy has her happy ending, but her twins birth is only another beginning. I was left feeling rather off-balance; they didn't come to an agreement as a couple or seem to truly work through some of their disagreements and issues. They just accepted that God decided otherwise. This is part of a healthy response, but doesn't bring them any closer together and makes me concerned about future disagreements. Violet, too, feels unresolved at the end of this book. Perhaps this is justified by the knowledge that there will be more books in this series, but as I said before, it left me feeling off-balance.
The Verdict:
Overall, I enjoyed this book as I have the previous ones in the series, and because of being in a similar phase of life this book got even more attention and perhaps criticism from me. Ivy demonstrates a faith that is both at times admirable and at others difficult to understand. I wish that Ivy and Jordy would talk about things straight-on earlier rather than getting so wrapped up in their own heads but I also understand how this can happen. I gave this book four stars when I finished reading it and after thinking it through it's going to stand. I enjoyed this book even though the characters could be frustrating. I'm glad that I read this when I did, and continue to recommend the series to historical and Christian fiction readers.
This review and more bookish content originally posted on my blog, Reviews From the Stacks.
September 20, 2022
4.5⭐️
Once again, Kellyn’s stories never disappoint, and I was so happy to return to charming Scotland and the world of Jordy and Ivy!
Jordy and Ivy are adorable, and yet both have their struggles. This story was heavy and, in a way, an Ivy-version of “A Prayer Unanswered.” The content covered some hard (and mature) subjects, but as always Kellyn handled it with grace and tact. (For details, check out her content review.)
And the characters! I shall always stand by the wonderful Aunt Daphne. The reunion and reconciliation between Alice and Ivy was beautiful. Violet… dear, confused Violet. She messed up majorly, but I’m really holding out for her redemption arc. I’ve always love Jordy, but this time he was… well, in his own words, an idiot for a good part of the story. However, he needed his chance to grow, work through his past, and expose his fears, which I did love in the end. And precious Ivy grew by leaps and bounds, retaining her sweetness but also being able to stand up for herself.
Again, the marriage aspect is something I greatly admire in Kellyn’s writing; she blends real authenticity with along side the tender moments.
The themes of this story were some of my favourites, hitting close to home, including trusting God and relinquishing hopes and dreams.
Beautifully done!
*I received an ARC copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Once again, Kellyn’s stories never disappoint, and I was so happy to return to charming Scotland and the world of Jordy and Ivy!
Jordy and Ivy are adorable, and yet both have their struggles. This story was heavy and, in a way, an Ivy-version of “A Prayer Unanswered.” The content covered some hard (and mature) subjects, but as always Kellyn handled it with grace and tact. (For details, check out her content review.)
And the characters! I shall always stand by the wonderful Aunt Daphne. The reunion and reconciliation between Alice and Ivy was beautiful. Violet… dear, confused Violet. She messed up majorly, but I’m really holding out for her redemption arc. I’ve always love Jordy, but this time he was… well, in his own words, an idiot for a good part of the story. However, he needed his chance to grow, work through his past, and expose his fears, which I did love in the end. And precious Ivy grew by leaps and bounds, retaining her sweetness but also being able to stand up for herself.
Again, the marriage aspect is something I greatly admire in Kellyn’s writing; she blends real authenticity with along side the tender moments.
The themes of this story were some of my favourites, hitting close to home, including trusting God and relinquishing hopes and dreams.
Beautifully done!
*I received an ARC copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
August 8, 2024
This book y’all. I’ve been where Ivy is, not because my husband didn’t want kids but because of my own lack of communication/needing to not get pregnant for a time because of physical issues. Blessed to say both have found resolution! God is so good to be so patient with His craziest creatures 🤪😂
I highly recommend this book to anyone who longs for children, feels unworthy, or has a struggling friend.
There are mentions of sex, but they are not on screen and are tastefully handled. There is also one character who struggles with lust. While some may find her parts uncomfortable, i do believe it’s a needed message for people on this day and age.
I do suggest you be a mature adult, but if you’re an older teen and mom says it’s cool, I wouldn’t have a problem with that.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who longs for children, feels unworthy, or has a struggling friend.
There are mentions of sex, but they are not on screen and are tastefully handled. There is also one character who struggles with lust. While some may find her parts uncomfortable, i do believe it’s a needed message for people on this day and age.
I do suggest you be a mature adult, but if you’re an older teen and mom says it’s cool, I wouldn’t have a problem with that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2022
Earlier this year I read and enjoyed the first four books in the Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series by Kellyn Roth, so I was fairly certain I’d enjoy After our Castle. (And I did.) The characters are familiar, and I enjoy the author’s writing style.
I really enjoyed Ivy and Jordy in the previous books of the series, but especially now as they adjust to marriage and desire to be parents. It was fun to become reacquainted with them and the Scotland setting. And Violet has claimed a section of my heart as well and hope to see more of her.
I love the elements of faith in this book and appreciate how difficult and personal subjects are dealt with graciously and modestly. This is perhaps the most mature book in the series and reveals the most character growth. It shares themes of faith, grace, and the importance of communication.
First Lines: “Happy Birthday, Vee.”
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Page Count: 280
Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
October 23, 2022
After Our Castle is the third Kellyn Roth story I've read, if I remember correctly. Obviously, I enjoy her storytelling style—it's not quite like anything else I've read. Crafting complex characters so real that you feel you must have met them somewhere—unless you are them—is her greatest strength.
In the latest book, After Our Castle, she told a compelling, sometimes frustrating, story almost entirely through the internal thoughts of her various characters. There's little plot, almost no description—not even a ton of dialogue, now that I think about it—but somehow, the story works. Ivy, Alice, Violet, Jordy...their struggles and little victories all come alive.
Though sometimes I had the feeling I'd stepped into a theater about halfway through the first act of the play, and for some reason had to leave again before it was over, I enjoyed the glimpse I got into their world.
In the latest book, After Our Castle, she told a compelling, sometimes frustrating, story almost entirely through the internal thoughts of her various characters. There's little plot, almost no description—not even a ton of dialogue, now that I think about it—but somehow, the story works. Ivy, Alice, Violet, Jordy...their struggles and little victories all come alive.
Though sometimes I had the feeling I'd stepped into a theater about halfway through the first act of the play, and for some reason had to leave again before it was over, I enjoyed the glimpse I got into their world.
September 16, 2022
I have enjoyed the previous books from Kellyn Roth’s The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series and was excited to have the opportunity to read the latest addition, After Our Castle. It is becoming apparent that her writing just keeps better and better with every new release. I adored this story so much and loved catching up with Ivy once again. I thought it was such a sweet, delightful and fantastic read. One that I could not put down until I had it read in one sitting.
I am giving After Our Castle five plus stars. Readers who enjoy reading clean historical fiction would enjoy this one, as well. I am curious to see what other plans Kellyn Roth has in store for her characters in the future.
I received a copy of After Our Castle from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
I am giving After Our Castle five plus stars. Readers who enjoy reading clean historical fiction would enjoy this one, as well. I am curious to see what other plans Kellyn Roth has in store for her characters in the future.
I received a copy of After Our Castle from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
October 13, 2022
This was the first book in this series that I read, but it didn’t matter. I was immediately swept into the storyline and was easily able to get caught up into the action without feeling like I was missing out. I now want to go back and read the others in the series just to get the full effect of the Thanksgiving meal instead of only savoring one side dish. I think the part of the book that stuck with me the most was the dream that Ivy had and how even when things looked like the dream wasn’t true, she held fast despite what people around her told her. I loved that. I think that is so true in our relationships with God and that is the kind of faith I want to have. Since then, I’ve been having some specific conversations with God, waiting to see what His answers are. This is a great series and I would highly recommend it to everyone. This author’s style of writing really speaks to me.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.
October 19, 2022
I just can't get enough of Kellyn's writing, specifically this series. I own books 1-4, but now I so want to buy 5+6... but I'm a slightly broke college student so. Maybe for Christmas.
5 stars
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Characters:
Guys I don't know if I hate Jordy or if I love him. I just don't know anymore. And Violet???? Kellyn effortlessly creates complicated characters with conflicting motives and has me loving them one chapter and hating them the next. (Except Ivy. I always love Ivy.) I can't say much because spoilers but MAN. The characterization in this is just amazing. Also the development from the previous books. And it was so fun to see Alice + Peter actually happy after their last book was so depressing.
Plot:
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Jordy, why??? Communication guys??? I just wanted to scream in frustration the whole time.
That being said, it was the kind of frustration that kept me on the edge of my seat and made me want to read the book in one sitting. Also, the Violet plot was very interesting to me and I can't wait to see where that goes. I am ready for a Violet book like now.
Romance:
Well, I mean, they are married already. Honestly, that made the book so much better though because there was none of that silly 'do they like me' 'don't they like me?' stuff. Although they may not have had the best communication, they did know that they loved each other and that was good.
Also Violet. I feel bad, but also not. I have so many mixed feelings about Violet.
Overall:
This was an excellent continuation of the series! I loved getting to see more of Violet's actual thoughts, and I loved Ivy, as usual. This series has not failed to disappoint yet!
Content:
Just like the book prior to it, this one is for a more mature audience. For one, Ivy and Jordy are married already. I would definitely say at least 16+ There are some mentions of suicide, mentions of forms of birth control (very well-handled), mentions of married couples ... you know, and mentions of kissing. Also talk of adultery, kind of? Portrayed as very wrong and even the character herself knows she's in the wrong. Nothing actually HAPPENS, it's all just in thoughts and conversations.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
5 stars
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Characters:
Guys I don't know if I hate Jordy or if I love him. I just don't know anymore. And Violet???? Kellyn effortlessly creates complicated characters with conflicting motives and has me loving them one chapter and hating them the next. (Except Ivy. I always love Ivy.) I can't say much because spoilers but MAN. The characterization in this is just amazing. Also the development from the previous books. And it was so fun to see Alice + Peter actually happy after their last book was so depressing.
Plot:
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Jordy, why??? Communication guys??? I just wanted to scream in frustration the whole time.
That being said, it was the kind of frustration that kept me on the edge of my seat and made me want to read the book in one sitting. Also, the Violet plot was very interesting to me and I can't wait to see where that goes. I am ready for a Violet book like now.
Romance:
Well, I mean, they are married already. Honestly, that made the book so much better though because there was none of that silly 'do they like me' 'don't they like me?' stuff. Although they may not have had the best communication, they did know that they loved each other and that was good.
Also Violet. I feel bad, but also not. I have so many mixed feelings about Violet.
Overall:
This was an excellent continuation of the series! I loved getting to see more of Violet's actual thoughts, and I loved Ivy, as usual. This series has not failed to disappoint yet!
Content:
Just like the book prior to it, this one is for a more mature audience. For one, Ivy and Jordy are married already. I would definitely say at least 16+ There are some mentions of suicide, mentions of forms of birth control (very well-handled), mentions of married couples ... you know, and mentions of kissing. Also talk of adultery, kind of? Portrayed as very wrong and even the character herself knows she's in the wrong. Nothing actually HAPPENS, it's all just in thoughts and conversations.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 9, 2022
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
After our Castle it a little different from the first five books in the series. Which, by the way is book 6 of an at least the 10 book Alice and Ivy series from Kellyn Roth. I did enjoy this series very much. Roth covers some pretty touchy subjects that some people may not appreciate but I understand why as I continued to read this book. I think these edgy issues is important to the book. Roth does a marvelous job writing this book, and creating characters that were so realistic. I enjoyed
Ivy and Jordy’s story. Roth takes their marriage and shows the ups and downs, but also their faith running throughout the book. The ending leaves you a little bit lost, but is Kellyn’s extras, it seems there will be a book to make this ending work for everyone. I encourage you to check out this book by Kellyn Roth. And while you are checking, checkout the other books in this series. This is a wonderful series to read and I highly recommend them. This book is getting Five Stars from me.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
After our Castle it a little different from the first five books in the series. Which, by the way is book 6 of an at least the 10 book Alice and Ivy series from Kellyn Roth. I did enjoy this series very much. Roth covers some pretty touchy subjects that some people may not appreciate but I understand why as I continued to read this book. I think these edgy issues is important to the book. Roth does a marvelous job writing this book, and creating characters that were so realistic. I enjoyed
Ivy and Jordy’s story. Roth takes their marriage and shows the ups and downs, but also their faith running throughout the book. The ending leaves you a little bit lost, but is Kellyn’s extras, it seems there will be a book to make this ending work for everyone. I encourage you to check out this book by Kellyn Roth. And while you are checking, checkout the other books in this series. This is a wonderful series to read and I highly recommend them. This book is getting Five Stars from me.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
February 16, 2023
This is probably my new favorite Ivy book! I love how much Ivy has grown and how strong she has become.
I won't say much, but that ending is just absolutely beautiful! I'm so happy for Ivy. Also, the way Ivy cares for everyone else when she's the one who needs to be cared for is so sweet and everything you'd expect from Ivy.
Can I please get an Aunt Daphne in my life? I love Aunt Daphne and her little sermons to Ivy and Violet. She always has the best wisdom.
Jordy! Jordy has always been a favorite of mine (that accent!), but I really wanted to smack him (although that's true in every book) for the way he acted with sweet little Ivy and poor Violet.
Violet. *shakes head* such a broken woman, but I still love her. I'm so glad about what Ivy did for Violet but at the same time poor Violet.
I won't say much, but that ending is just absolutely beautiful! I'm so happy for Ivy. Also, the way Ivy cares for everyone else when she's the one who needs to be cared for is so sweet and everything you'd expect from Ivy.
Can I please get an Aunt Daphne in my life? I love Aunt Daphne and her little sermons to Ivy and Violet. She always has the best wisdom.
Jordy! Jordy has always been a favorite of mine (that accent!), but I really wanted to smack him (although that's true in every book) for the way he acted with sweet little Ivy and poor Violet.
Violet. *shakes head* such a broken woman, but I still love her. I'm so glad about what Ivy did for Violet but at the same time poor Violet.
February 28, 2023
*deep breath*
Where do I start?
This book was... not what I expected at all. But it's beautiful, and I love it with all my heart!! Be prepared with tissues though... And maybe a pillow to scream into now and then *clears throat*
It was lovely joining these characters again. It was wonderful seeing how they had grown and developed since BEYOND HER CALLING. I enjoying being in Keefmore once again and seeing Jordy's family too. Violet's point of view was nice too, and it was good to see some of her thoughts and struggles, BUT if you know, you know. Yeah, that's all I'll say...
The themes were on point, and all the problems were dealt with graciously, especially the more mature topics. The characters dealt with very human struggles, making them easy to relate to. I loved all the internal thoughts of the characters, and they really showcased every victory and struggle.
This is definitely the most mature book of the series, but it's also one of the best in my opinion. I cannot wait to join these characters again as the series continues
Note: I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review
Where do I start?
This book was... not what I expected at all. But it's beautiful, and I love it with all my heart!! Be prepared with tissues though... And maybe a pillow to scream into now and then *clears throat*
It was lovely joining these characters again. It was wonderful seeing how they had grown and developed since BEYOND HER CALLING. I enjoying being in Keefmore once again and seeing Jordy's family too. Violet's point of view was nice too, and it was good to see some of her thoughts and struggles, BUT if you know, you know. Yeah, that's all I'll say...
The themes were on point, and all the problems were dealt with graciously, especially the more mature topics. The characters dealt with very human struggles, making them easy to relate to. I loved all the internal thoughts of the characters, and they really showcased every victory and struggle.
This is definitely the most mature book of the series, but it's also one of the best in my opinion. I cannot wait to join these characters again as the series continues
Note: I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review
October 17, 2022
Throughout The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy readers have watched Alice and Ivy grow up. In this sixth book in Kellyn Roth’s series we watch as Ivy and Jordy navigate the waters of a newly married couple. They have a lot to learn about communication, knowledge which will help readers as well.
Their biggest struggle centers on Ivy’s desire to have children and Jordy’s insistence that he prevent a pregnancy. Ivy grows closer to God through this struggle. She seeks counsel from Godly women who help her down this path. She also learns how to better communicate with Jordy.
Sister Alice and Peter come for a visit. Alice has changed due to the circumstances in her early marriage to Peter. Because of these changes, Alice and Ivy are able to grow closer.
Ivy’s best friend Violet also comes for a visit. Violet struggles with reality continue. She tries to balance her friendship with Ivy with her feelings for Jordy.
Roth has done well in covering all of the relationships in this book. I’m not sure if another book is planned in the series, but I would love to read more about Violet. Roth does leave an opening at the close of book 6 for the possibility of more books.
After Our Castle is a great adult novel, however I do not think I would place it in a K-12 Christian school library due to conversations on the topic of sex and having children. The conversations are tastefully done, just not appropriate for teen readers.
I received a complimentary copy of After Our Castle. This is my honest review.
Their biggest struggle centers on Ivy’s desire to have children and Jordy’s insistence that he prevent a pregnancy. Ivy grows closer to God through this struggle. She seeks counsel from Godly women who help her down this path. She also learns how to better communicate with Jordy.
Sister Alice and Peter come for a visit. Alice has changed due to the circumstances in her early marriage to Peter. Because of these changes, Alice and Ivy are able to grow closer.
Ivy’s best friend Violet also comes for a visit. Violet struggles with reality continue. She tries to balance her friendship with Ivy with her feelings for Jordy.
Roth has done well in covering all of the relationships in this book. I’m not sure if another book is planned in the series, but I would love to read more about Violet. Roth does leave an opening at the close of book 6 for the possibility of more books.
After Our Castle is a great adult novel, however I do not think I would place it in a K-12 Christian school library due to conversations on the topic of sex and having children. The conversations are tastefully done, just not appropriate for teen readers.
I received a complimentary copy of After Our Castle. This is my honest review.
May 18, 2024
Ivy really shines in this installment. I won’t spoil it for anyone:)
Jordy made me mad a lot.
And Violet. Whew, she’s something else.
Jordy made me mad a lot.
And Violet. Whew, she’s something else.
October 19, 2022
tw // child loss/miscarriage/infertility/conception, a mention of a suicide attempt
This is the third book from the perspective of Ivy and I really liked it! I don’t think this book was my favorite overall, but it kept me engaged and I looked forward to seeing how the story would progress.
Like always, this book deals with a lot of gritty topics: a lot of hard hitting, real life, adult topics. In particular, this book navigates the first few years of marriage, and the adjustment between courting and marriage. It deals with a lot about wanting/waiting for children, so if that is a topic that you are sensitive towards, this may be a book to skip.
In addition, this book seemed more preachy than the previous ones. There were a lot of takes that I really didn’t agree with, including discussions about children before marriage may lead to “temptation,” anything less than 100% transparency between a married couple is fully adultery, and the “it takes a village” adage is unreliable and that a family unit should be self sufficient (which is not only just bad advice, it’s actively unbiblical). Characters would occasionally go into monologues about their beliefs and what to do to live a Christian life, some of which I agreed with, and some of which I didn’t, but they happened a little too frequently in my opinion.
I did like seeing the inclusion of more of Violet Angel in this book: while she isn’t exactly a reliable narrator, it was cool to see her growth and development as she navigates the world. Her character arc was really cool to see, and I also liked seeing flashbacks to her experience at the McHale house where she and Ivy met. I also liked Alice a lot more in this book than previously: she seems to have mellowed and matured ad lot since the previous book. She provides a lot of wisdom and comfort to Ivy that I really liked seeing, especially with all that happened to her in the previous book.
This book was very slice-of-life, where it narrated a lot of Ivy’s day to day and her life living in the village, which was really fun to read. Overall though, I think this book was weaker than some of the previous books in the series, and while I did enjoy it, it got a little too preachy at points for me to truly enjoy it.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion; I was not required to write a positive review.
This review first appeared on: https://losingthebusyness.wordpress.c...
This is the third book from the perspective of Ivy and I really liked it! I don’t think this book was my favorite overall, but it kept me engaged and I looked forward to seeing how the story would progress.
Like always, this book deals with a lot of gritty topics: a lot of hard hitting, real life, adult topics. In particular, this book navigates the first few years of marriage, and the adjustment between courting and marriage. It deals with a lot about wanting/waiting for children, so if that is a topic that you are sensitive towards, this may be a book to skip.
In addition, this book seemed more preachy than the previous ones. There were a lot of takes that I really didn’t agree with, including discussions about children before marriage may lead to “temptation,” anything less than 100% transparency between a married couple is fully adultery, and the “it takes a village” adage is unreliable and that a family unit should be self sufficient (which is not only just bad advice, it’s actively unbiblical). Characters would occasionally go into monologues about their beliefs and what to do to live a Christian life, some of which I agreed with, and some of which I didn’t, but they happened a little too frequently in my opinion.
I did like seeing the inclusion of more of Violet Angel in this book: while she isn’t exactly a reliable narrator, it was cool to see her growth and development as she navigates the world. Her character arc was really cool to see, and I also liked seeing flashbacks to her experience at the McHale house where she and Ivy met. I also liked Alice a lot more in this book than previously: she seems to have mellowed and matured ad lot since the previous book. She provides a lot of wisdom and comfort to Ivy that I really liked seeing, especially with all that happened to her in the previous book.
This book was very slice-of-life, where it narrated a lot of Ivy’s day to day and her life living in the village, which was really fun to read. Overall though, I think this book was weaker than some of the previous books in the series, and while I did enjoy it, it got a little too preachy at points for me to truly enjoy it.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion; I was not required to write a positive review.
This review first appeared on: https://losingthebusyness.wordpress.c...
October 21, 2022
This is a book that may not be for everyone. There are subjects such as mental illness and sex before marriage in the story that could trigger some people. I can appreciate how the author wrote this not to condemn people but to show how God can restore even those who think they are not worthy.
Ivy is newly married and all seems good until the subject of babies come up. Her husband is not in agreement with having a child which has Ivy upset. I could tell she thought being a mother was part of being married, but sometimes God has a reason that a child doesn’t happen. She does have this almost clingy personality to her husband which bothered me. Slowly Ivy is guided to Godly women who help her in her struggles.
Jordy is dedicated to his wife and work. He is so busy at times he doesn’t come home til late. This is probably not a good thing to do when you are newlyweds. Perhaps something is keeping Jordy from being more attentive with his wife? I liked Jordy but I sensed he was holding back something that he needs to share with Ivy.
Violet is losing control and slowly others start to see her not quite so stable. As we read her thoughts we hear how she is jealous of Ivy and Jordy’s marriage. They have been friends for awhile but that closeness Violet once felt with Jordy is slipping away. It starts to cause Violet to lose herself mentally and others start to notice it as well.
I like how the author gives us an insight into Ivy and Jordy’s marriage. Ivy struggles with finding things to keep her busy, while Jordy buries himself in work. Maybe God is giving them this time to come together as a couple and grow closer to each other. Communication is the key to their relationship and they need to take this time to share their dreams and concerns with each other. With a suggestion from her sister to pray with her husband, Ivy sees the need to finally share her desire and pray about it with her husband.
It was hard to read the end as Violet and Ivy have a falling out. Violet tries to tell Ivy what she feels but Ivy continues to deny what may be the truth. I loved how Ivy told her she was forgiven and that God was there to help her. In her mind Violet doesn’t think anyone understands what she is going thru but there is hope for her. We are left wondering what happens to Violet and I hope the author will give us a story that follows Violet on her journey.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Ivy is newly married and all seems good until the subject of babies come up. Her husband is not in agreement with having a child which has Ivy upset. I could tell she thought being a mother was part of being married, but sometimes God has a reason that a child doesn’t happen. She does have this almost clingy personality to her husband which bothered me. Slowly Ivy is guided to Godly women who help her in her struggles.
Jordy is dedicated to his wife and work. He is so busy at times he doesn’t come home til late. This is probably not a good thing to do when you are newlyweds. Perhaps something is keeping Jordy from being more attentive with his wife? I liked Jordy but I sensed he was holding back something that he needs to share with Ivy.
Violet is losing control and slowly others start to see her not quite so stable. As we read her thoughts we hear how she is jealous of Ivy and Jordy’s marriage. They have been friends for awhile but that closeness Violet once felt with Jordy is slipping away. It starts to cause Violet to lose herself mentally and others start to notice it as well.
I like how the author gives us an insight into Ivy and Jordy’s marriage. Ivy struggles with finding things to keep her busy, while Jordy buries himself in work. Maybe God is giving them this time to come together as a couple and grow closer to each other. Communication is the key to their relationship and they need to take this time to share their dreams and concerns with each other. With a suggestion from her sister to pray with her husband, Ivy sees the need to finally share her desire and pray about it with her husband.
It was hard to read the end as Violet and Ivy have a falling out. Violet tries to tell Ivy what she feels but Ivy continues to deny what may be the truth. I loved how Ivy told her she was forgiven and that God was there to help her. In her mind Violet doesn’t think anyone understands what she is going thru but there is hope for her. We are left wondering what happens to Violet and I hope the author will give us a story that follows Violet on her journey.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
November 1, 2022
After Our Castle continues the family saga of sisters Alice and Ivy this story focusing on Ivy and her husband Jordy. They have been married for a year and still getting used to one another, when Ivy begins to feel a bit out of sorts. She is a new wife, with not a lot to do and she desperately wants to have a baby. Jordy is quite happy with the way things are. He wants to make life easier for Ivy treating her well, and he is not interested in children, for many reasons as we go through the story.
I have not had a chance to read this whole series, I wish that I had, but the character I have read about the most is Ivy. She is a lot of times in her head and the fact she had such a hard time talking to Jordy about this problem made me just want to hug her. She begins to really rely on the Lord on this and asking that He intercede for her.
We get some of this story through Jordy's perspective and though I tried to understand him, it was a bit harder. I felt the author did a great job on getting inside the head of a male, his fears and his reasoning for his choices that so obviously hurt his wife, yet he was oblivious to.
Then there was Violet. She loves Ivy so much, but she also loves Jordy and wants him. Her head was a bit of a mess. I am really hoping that she gets a happily ever after. I want someone to sweep her off of her feet and make her forget her unhappiness and to know her. She needs her own story.
I look forward to reading the back stories of this family drama and the future ones. This is a series that is quite riveting.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
http://pausefortales.blogspot.com/202...
I have not had a chance to read this whole series, I wish that I had, but the character I have read about the most is Ivy. She is a lot of times in her head and the fact she had such a hard time talking to Jordy about this problem made me just want to hug her. She begins to really rely on the Lord on this and asking that He intercede for her.
We get some of this story through Jordy's perspective and though I tried to understand him, it was a bit harder. I felt the author did a great job on getting inside the head of a male, his fears and his reasoning for his choices that so obviously hurt his wife, yet he was oblivious to.
Then there was Violet. She loves Ivy so much, but she also loves Jordy and wants him. Her head was a bit of a mess. I am really hoping that she gets a happily ever after. I want someone to sweep her off of her feet and make her forget her unhappiness and to know her. She needs her own story.
I look forward to reading the back stories of this family drama and the future ones. This is a series that is quite riveting.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
http://pausefortales.blogspot.com/202...
October 27, 2022
After Our Castle is written by Kellyn Roth. This is part of the Alice & Ivy series. If you have not read any of the series, you are missing out. The author always has a way of bringing the past to life with her words. I have read most of the books in the series and I have enjoyed them all so much. I have enjoyed getting to know all of the characters.
In this book, the author does touch on premarital sex and mental illness. She does it with the great and powerful reminder that God can restore and he will forgive. I wanted to mention this just in case anyone may be sensitive to this topic.
Ivy is recently married. She thinks that the next logical thing after getting married is to have a child. Jordy, her husband, loves his wife and also his work. This causes him to work late. However, we find out that there are some secrets and things he is holding back that he needs to share with his wife. If they both would communicate with each other, there may not be as much tension.
Violet is back - and she is starting to lose it, literally. This causes others around her to notice. Violet seems to be jealous of the marriage that Ivy and Jordy have. I appreciate the author presenting us with a character like this, because we may know someone who struggles with similar issues.
The book is well written, the characters are well developed. The author has done a great job with this story.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.
In this book, the author does touch on premarital sex and mental illness. She does it with the great and powerful reminder that God can restore and he will forgive. I wanted to mention this just in case anyone may be sensitive to this topic.
Ivy is recently married. She thinks that the next logical thing after getting married is to have a child. Jordy, her husband, loves his wife and also his work. This causes him to work late. However, we find out that there are some secrets and things he is holding back that he needs to share with his wife. If they both would communicate with each other, there may not be as much tension.
Violet is back - and she is starting to lose it, literally. This causes others around her to notice. Violet seems to be jealous of the marriage that Ivy and Jordy have. I appreciate the author presenting us with a character like this, because we may know someone who struggles with similar issues.
The book is well written, the characters are well developed. The author has done a great job with this story.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.
October 22, 2022
This is an Alice and Ivy novel. I read and adored the first book in this series. Now having read this sixth book I need to go back and read the rest of the books between the two as I’ve missed out on so much! Because I feel I’ve missed so much and I had read book one I highly recommend you read this series in order.
Ivy had been one of my favorite characters. Book one was amazing and I loved learning about Ivy and getting to know her. And now I’m back in her world as she’s an adult. Stepping back into her world felt like chatting with an old friend and trying to catch up on all that I had missed. I missed a lot skipping all the books in between.
Ivy is now married and Violet is a new character that I’ve enjoyed getting to know. She’s quite different. As we journey along know that this book chats about whether certain people should have children or not. I found this an interesting concept within the novel. I can’t really say more about it without giving away too much.
Communication is key in a marriage and you’ll see some of that within the marriage of Ivy and Jordy.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Ivy had been one of my favorite characters. Book one was amazing and I loved learning about Ivy and getting to know her. And now I’m back in her world as she’s an adult. Stepping back into her world felt like chatting with an old friend and trying to catch up on all that I had missed. I missed a lot skipping all the books in between.
Ivy is now married and Violet is a new character that I’ve enjoyed getting to know. She’s quite different. As we journey along know that this book chats about whether certain people should have children or not. I found this an interesting concept within the novel. I can’t really say more about it without giving away too much.
Communication is key in a marriage and you’ll see some of that within the marriage of Ivy and Jordy.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
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October 24, 2022After our Castle by author Kellyn Roth is a Christian historical novel. This is Book 6 in the Chronicles of Alice and Ivy Series. Even though it is Book 6, it could easily be read as a stand alone.
I have read the other books in this series and can say with certainty that each one only gets better. The author has a wonderful style of writing that touches me and has me invested easily in the characters and their stories. In my opinion this book is geared more toward mature and perhaps married readers due to subject matter.
Ivy seemed more confident than in the earlier books. Violet struggled with mental issues. Alice was wonderful, and Jordy was a mess. The characters are eccentric, quaint, and like old friends. The author writes them into readers’ hearts.
I was surprised by the subject matter and messages. The author did warn that the book had adult content concerning a married couple, a depressed woman, and babies. I thought it was all very well handled. Issues such as family planning and birth control were a surprise for me but handled nicely. Christian messages were sprinkled throughout the story. Hearing from God was one of my favorite parts of this book.
I highly recommend this book to mature readers. It would be great for a Women’s Reading Group. In fact, I recommend the entire series. This novel gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.
I have read the other books in this series and can say with certainty that each one only gets better. The author has a wonderful style of writing that touches me and has me invested easily in the characters and their stories. In my opinion this book is geared more toward mature and perhaps married readers due to subject matter.
Ivy seemed more confident than in the earlier books. Violet struggled with mental issues. Alice was wonderful, and Jordy was a mess. The characters are eccentric, quaint, and like old friends. The author writes them into readers’ hearts.
I was surprised by the subject matter and messages. The author did warn that the book had adult content concerning a married couple, a depressed woman, and babies. I thought it was all very well handled. Issues such as family planning and birth control were a surprise for me but handled nicely. Christian messages were sprinkled throughout the story. Hearing from God was one of my favorite parts of this book.
I highly recommend this book to mature readers. It would be great for a Women’s Reading Group. In fact, I recommend the entire series. This novel gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.
October 28, 2022
Historical Fiction is an interesting genre to read. After Our Castle by Kellyn Roth is Book 6 The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series. I have read a couple of the books in this series and each one seems to do well as a Stand Alone book. I prefer to read books in order in a series, but if you are unable to, you won't be lost.
Violet Angel has a bit of skepticism about her friends Ivy's marriage. She feels Ivy and her husband, Jordy, make a good couple, yet she feels their marriage is not solid, even after a year. Ivy doesn't see it the way her friend Violet does. Ivy is excited about growing their family one day, although her husband doesn't feel the same. Ivy feels her husband is too immersed in his work and she also thinks he might be hiding something. Violet begins to feel jealous of her friend Ivy and her marriage and it is causing Mental Health issues for her. Will Ivy and Jordy begin to grow closer in their marriage? Will Jordy or Violet reveal some truths to Ivy?
I have to say I continue to enjoy this series and each book seems to get better and better! The storyline captivated me from the first chapter. My favorite character in the book was Ivy. She seemed to be so sweet and loving. The Historical content and especially the Christian values in the book were fantastic. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of Christian Historical Fiction! WONDERFUL BOOK!
Violet Angel has a bit of skepticism about her friends Ivy's marriage. She feels Ivy and her husband, Jordy, make a good couple, yet she feels their marriage is not solid, even after a year. Ivy doesn't see it the way her friend Violet does. Ivy is excited about growing their family one day, although her husband doesn't feel the same. Ivy feels her husband is too immersed in his work and she also thinks he might be hiding something. Violet begins to feel jealous of her friend Ivy and her marriage and it is causing Mental Health issues for her. Will Ivy and Jordy begin to grow closer in their marriage? Will Jordy or Violet reveal some truths to Ivy?
I have to say I continue to enjoy this series and each book seems to get better and better! The storyline captivated me from the first chapter. My favorite character in the book was Ivy. She seemed to be so sweet and loving. The Historical content and especially the Christian values in the book were fantastic. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of Christian Historical Fiction! WONDERFUL BOOK!
October 31, 2022
After our Castle is the sixth book in the Alice and Ivy series. Containing adult themes such as premarital sex and mental illness, this book may not be for everyone. Having not read the earlier books in this series, I definitely recommend reading these books in order. At times, I found this book difficult to read because of the topics covered. Also, as far as I remember, I have not read any other books in this series, so that also proved to be difficult in the long run.
Ivy and Jordy, married less than a year, work to settle into married life. Add in an unexpected event, and changes come that add to the story. I found myself wanting to read more about them.
Violet provides an interesting addition to the story. Suffering from mental illness and finding herself infatuated with the wrong man, she struggles to find her place in the village of Keefmore. The relationship between Violet and Ivy definitely adds to the story. At the same time, I felt the ending of this book left room for improvement. I felt like it ended well for some characters, but basically abruptly stopped for other characters. So if you enjoy Historical works of fiction, check out this book for yourself.
Ivy and Jordy, married less than a year, work to settle into married life. Add in an unexpected event, and changes come that add to the story. I found myself wanting to read more about them.
Violet provides an interesting addition to the story. Suffering from mental illness and finding herself infatuated with the wrong man, she struggles to find her place in the village of Keefmore. The relationship between Violet and Ivy definitely adds to the story. At the same time, I felt the ending of this book left room for improvement. I felt like it ended well for some characters, but basically abruptly stopped for other characters. So if you enjoy Historical works of fiction, check out this book for yourself.
October 3, 2022
This book really takes a deep-dive into not only Ivy's growth as a character, but also Violet's spiral from reality. I loved the themes involving the importance of open and honest conversation, of handling difficult topics even if doing so is painful; and also the give-and-take struggle of friends drifting apart (when to hold on and when to let go). In some respects, this did struggle to keep my attention for the first 30% or so, but after that I really enjoyed it and the pace picked up. As always, the representation of mental struggles as well as Violet's descent into madness were interesting and accurate (and after this, I'd kind of like to see a Violet-centric story about her eventual redemption OR final decline, I mean...anyone read "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman...?) I did really enjoy the scene where God grants Ivy an answer to what she's looking for -- I can't go into detail, you'll just have to read it -- as well as the strength Ivy had to possess in the end of the story; I found those to be particularly moving and impactful.
October 19, 2022
After our Castle, by Kellyn Roth is book six in The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series. To get the most from this series, is it best to read them in order. Having only read the first couple stories in this series, I was a little lost in the beginning of the story. This is a well written story that deals with the issue of mental illness. It was enjoyable to see how the author wrote of such a delicate topic and how Ivy stayed friends with Violet, no matter what she said or did.
This is a good, realistic story that showed the struggles Jordy and Ivy had during their first year of marriage and how good communication helped them grow as husband and wife. It was also enjoyable to see the sisters coming together and sharing their struggles. I sympathize with Ivy with her struggles of not having things to do and not knowing when Jordy would be home for the evening meal.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.
This is a good, realistic story that showed the struggles Jordy and Ivy had during their first year of marriage and how good communication helped them grow as husband and wife. It was also enjoyable to see the sisters coming together and sharing their struggles. I sympathize with Ivy with her struggles of not having things to do and not knowing when Jordy would be home for the evening meal.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.
October 28, 2022
This book deals with some hard issues like mental illness and communication issues in marriage. This book is the 6th book in Alice and Ivy series. Although I thought this book was good, I would recommend reading the other books in the series. Since I haven’t read the other books, I was a little confused at times by who the people were. I think reading the other books would give me more understanding of the characters and their motivations. I did think that how the author dealt with her characters problems was well done. I liked that Ivy and Jordy were able to work through their issues and able to have a better relationship.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
November 5, 2022
This book is well written and has an honest outlook on marriage and issues that can easily come from lack of or miscommunication. The characters were realistic and I truly liked that. The fact that it was set in Scotland was a major plus.
This story does move very slow and has a lot of internal dialog from the characters. It wasn’t hard to follow but I do generally enjoy a bit of a faster pace. I think the characters were good and the story overall was a good read.
3/5
Thank be you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
This story does move very slow and has a lot of internal dialog from the characters. It wasn’t hard to follow but I do generally enjoy a bit of a faster pace. I think the characters were good and the story overall was a good read.
3/5
Thank be you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
September 4, 2022
This charming story was such a wonderful addition to The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy. It was fun that we finally got a Violet POV! I’ve been eagerly awaiting that, and it certainly didn’t let me down. My favorite thing was seeing Ivy all grown up and figuring out how to spread her wings and claim her spot in the world.
I was the copy editor on this book, but that did not remove or influence my enjoyment of it.
I was the copy editor on this book, but that did not remove or influence my enjoyment of it.
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