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The Ladies of Ivy Cottage (Tales from Ivy Hill)
by Julie Klassen - Although this works perfectly well as a stand-alone novel, it is the follow-up to The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, and centers around characters already introduced. Miss Rachel Ashford is a gentlewoman, but her prospects of marriage went down considerably when her father's poor financial decisions some years ago cost her everything. When her father passed away, he left his large collection of books to her, but not much else. Without a dowry or prospects, Rachel moves in with the Misses Grove at Ivy Cottage where she tries to assist them with the girls school. The collection of books does give her the opportunity to earn her own way, as she decides to open a circulating library with the help of many of the village women.
The relative who inherited the Ashford estate has asked Rachel to marry him, but since she still carries a torch for Sir Timothy Brockwell, she is reluctant. She and Timothy have renewed their friendship, and she hopes perhaps their courtship as well, but the revelation of some old secrets dashes her hopes.
Rachel's friend, Miss Mercy Grove, knows that she is not pretty and attractive and has all but given up on marriage. Instead she pours herself into teaching and guiding the girls in her school. She is already considering becoming guardian to one of the little girls in her charge when her parents show up with a prospective suitor for her. But in the meantime, is it possible that one of the men from the village has an interest in her? Oh, and did I mention old secrets? Some of those in this character's story as well.
As always, Klassen provides an excellent read with well-developed characters in complex situations that aren't resolved with a simple declaration of love. I found that this one was a much slower start though, and I didn't get truly pulled into the story emotionally until around the halfway point. That's when things got really complicated for the characters, with hard decisions and dwindling options. And once I reached that point, I was genuinely intrigued and eagerly turned pages (or swiped them, since I read on my Kindle!) until the end.
From the publisher:
Return to Ivy Hill as friendships deepen, romances blossom, and mysteries unfold . . .
A gentlewoman in reduced circumstances, Miss Rachel Ashford lives as a guest in Ivy Cottage. With her meager funds rapidly depleting, she is determined to earn her own livelihood . . . somehow. Her friend Jane Bell and the other village women encourage her to open a circulating library with the many books she's inherited from her father. As villagers donate additional books and Rachel begins sorting through the volumes, she discovers mysteries hidden among them. A man who once broke her heart helps her search for clues, but both find more than they bargained for.
Rachel's hostess, Mercy Grove, has given up thoughts of suitors and finds fulfillment in managing her girls school. So when several men take an interest in Ivy Cottage, she assumes pretty Miss Ashford is the cause. Exactly what--or whom--has captured each man's attention? The truth may surprise them all.
by Julie Klassen - Although this works perfectly well as a stand-alone novel, it is the follow-up to The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, and centers around characters already introduced. Miss Rachel Ashford is a gentlewoman, but her prospects of marriage went down considerably when her father's poor financial decisions some years ago cost her everything. When her father passed away, he left his large collection of books to her, but not much else. Without a dowry or prospects, Rachel moves in with the Misses Grove at Ivy Cottage where she tries to assist them with the girls school. The collection of books does give her the opportunity to earn her own way, as she decides to open a circulating library with the help of many of the village women.The relative who inherited the Ashford estate has asked Rachel to marry him, but since she still carries a torch for Sir Timothy Brockwell, she is reluctant. She and Timothy have renewed their friendship, and she hopes perhaps their courtship as well, but the revelation of some old secrets dashes her hopes.
Rachel's friend, Miss Mercy Grove, knows that she is not pretty and attractive and has all but given up on marriage. Instead she pours herself into teaching and guiding the girls in her school. She is already considering becoming guardian to one of the little girls in her charge when her parents show up with a prospective suitor for her. But in the meantime, is it possible that one of the men from the village has an interest in her? Oh, and did I mention old secrets? Some of those in this character's story as well.
As always, Klassen provides an excellent read with well-developed characters in complex situations that aren't resolved with a simple declaration of love. I found that this one was a much slower start though, and I didn't get truly pulled into the story emotionally until around the halfway point. That's when things got really complicated for the characters, with hard decisions and dwindling options. And once I reached that point, I was genuinely intrigued and eagerly turned pages (or swiped them, since I read on my Kindle!) until the end.
From the publisher:
Return to Ivy Hill as friendships deepen, romances blossom, and mysteries unfold . . .
A gentlewoman in reduced circumstances, Miss Rachel Ashford lives as a guest in Ivy Cottage. With her meager funds rapidly depleting, she is determined to earn her own livelihood . . . somehow. Her friend Jane Bell and the other village women encourage her to open a circulating library with the many books she's inherited from her father. As villagers donate additional books and Rachel begins sorting through the volumes, she discovers mysteries hidden among them. A man who once broke her heart helps her search for clues, but both find more than they bargained for.
Rachel's hostess, Mercy Grove, has given up thoughts of suitors and finds fulfillment in managing her girls school. So when several men take an interest in Ivy Cottage, she assumes pretty Miss Ashford is the cause. Exactly what--or whom--has captured each man's attention? The truth may surprise them all.
By the same author: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, The Painter's Daughter, Lady Maybe, The Secret of Pembrooke Park, The Tutor's Daughter, The Dancing Master
Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.
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