The Bride of Ivy Green

The Bride of Ivy Green by Julie Klassen takes us back to February 1821 in Ivy Hill, Wiltshire, England. Mercy Grove and her aunt, Matilda are preparing for the arrival of hew newly married brother, George and his society bride, Helena. Mercy was forced to close her school and have the lending library move to a new location in anticipation of the new occupants. She misses Alice who she wished to adopt until her biological father and hotelier, James Drake arrived on the scene. When Helena makes living in the home uncomfortable, Mercy contemplates becoming a governess. Jane Bell has a big decision to make. Gabriel Locke has proposed to Jane and, while she loves him, it would mean giving up her inn. Plus, she is unable to have children and Jane does not want Gabriel to make such a sacrifice. Then someone Jane never expected to see again returns to Ivy Hill. The dressmakers’ shop is let by a new woman to town who answers to the name of Madame Victorine. She doesn’t share many details of her past and Jane feels she looks familiar. Victorine has beautiful dresses on display, but her sewing skills are not on the same caliber. Will the Ladies Tea and Knitting Society help Victorine or help her new venture fail? Justine, Lady Brockwell, has a matchmaking mother who is intent on her daughter marrying well. Justine’s mother has her sights set on Sir Cyril, but Justine has eyes for a local gentleman. Will Justine give into pressure from her demanding mother? Wedding bells are ringing, but which woman in Ivy Hill will be walking down the aisle?

I have enjoyed my visits to Ivy Hill with Tales from Ivy Hill series. I could not wait to get ahold of The Bride of Ivy Green to see what would happen with Mercy, Jane, Matty, and Justine. I was especially looking forward to Mercy’s story because I wanted her to get a happy ending. Tales from Ivy Hill is one series that you need to read in order. Each book in the series builds upon the previous one. The Bride of Ivy Green is a well-written story with a leisurely pace (sometimes a little too leisurely). The setting is quaint with cozy shops and lovely homes (I picture stone homes with thatched roofs). The characters are developed, and their personalities suit the time period. They are all genteel and refined ladies with good manners. I like that the women are close friends who look out for each other. All the characters are friendly and likeable except Helena, George’s wife. Her coldness and arrogance plus her indifference to Mercy’s feelings perfectly suit this unlikeable character. I did not understand why the author decided to introduce Victorine to the story (it seemed too late in the series for this addition). That time could have devoted to Justine’s or Matty’s story. While the storylines did not play out how I would have liked them to (we all have expectations), I was happy with the outcome. Julie Klassen captured the time period with the clothing, books, pastimes, and attitudes. I am giving The Bride of Ivy Green 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The Bride of Ivy Green is a satisfying conclusion to the Tales of Ivy Hill series. I will miss visiting Ivy Hill and the charming ladies who inhabit it.

Finally we find out who will marry whom and for what reasons. This book is an excellent conclusion to the first two books in the series. Read them in order. You’ll miss too much if you don’t.

Mercy Grove had contented herself to a life teaching, but now she has lost her school with the arrival of her brother and his new wife. The man she is attracted to seems out of reach and she must decide what she is going to do. Should she leave her brother’s house and be a governess? Or is there love waiting for her still?

This was a sweet conclusion to the Ivy Hill trilogy. There are many threads that find their conclusion, chief among them is happiness for Mercy Grove. Her sister-in-law is not pleased to have two spinsters in her house, and Mercy feels unwanted. Though she hesitates at first, she becomes governess to Mr. Drake and is happy to be close to her favorite pupil, Alice.

Jane must make up her mind. Gabrielle Locke has made his intentions clear, but she still hesitates, unwilling to risk heartbreak again. When tragedy occurs, she knows she must follow her heart come what may.

The arrival of a mysterious dressmaker, Jane’s father, and a circus make this a lively conclusion. The plot moves at a good pace, though at times it has a stronger Christian message than the previous two books.

For anyone looking for a sweet and calm Regency read, I would recommend this trilogy.

The series, Tales from Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen, is one of my top favorite series of all times. The third in the series, The Bride of Ivy Green, kept me glued to its pages, waiting and wondering with baited breath, as read of the lives of the peoples of Ivy Hill.

From story regulars Mercy Grove, Jane Bell, Gabriel Locke to the new, and mysterious, French dressmaker in town, the storyline and its well-developed characters enchant the reader in this Regency Era novel.

Love and laughter; fears and tears; joys and sorrows; weddings and funerals; births and deaths, the Tales of Ivy Hill has it all. With the culmination of the series, The Bride of Ivy Green, the author Julie Klassen has risen in this reader’s favorites list to the top five for Regency Romance novels.

This is book three in Tales of Ivy Hill and you should read them in order so you are familiar with the characters and events. In this conclusion to my ladies of Ivy Hill I was surprised by some of the twists that didn’t turn out as expected but were done in Klassen style. I loved Joseph Kingsley and his acts of love towards Mercy. Words are easy to speak but gifts from the heart and acts of kindness speak volumes louder than the spoken word. At times I felt it went a little long and wanted it to move faster, but then I realized I was reading Regency Romance and it always moves at a slower pace. Julie Klassen novels are always classy and well written even if we may not always agree with the outcome. Isn’t that what life is, not always getting our way. Which makes it real and identifiable. I’m sad that this became lost in my TBR pile and that I didn’t get to it sooner.
I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

Best Selling author Julie Klassen has the gift of transporting her readers to that special village called Ivy Hill. On the surface, life in the village carries on as it does every day; the mail coach arrives on time, the inn greets its visitors and life is as it should be. That it, until a mysterious new modiste lets Mrs. Shabner’s old dressmaking shop and things begin to change around the village. Life, as they knew it, took a turn with no going back. Speculation can damage any newcomer to small villages and it was diverting compared to every day living.

For the reader, the experience is a pleasant reminder of Jane Austen’s beloved books. Indeed, one can’t miss a nod to Jane with dialogue such as “Do have compassion on my nerves,” or “You are all generosity my dear,” and you know that you are in good company. Award winning author Julie Klassen’s writing is just the thing to warm up a cold winter night while sipping a cup of Earl Gray tea.

The characters unfold well into a story of people who care for their neighbors. While a stranger in their midst may unsettle their well ordered lives and rank, they will pull together when needed most. They are, after all, part of their town, and become, in due course, their own.

Wow! I totally loved this saga!
Julie Klassen was an instant favorite when I first read her book The Silent Governess. I love her Austen style and her characters are always deep and endearing. I always find myself related to the heroine in many ways.
I was curious how a series from her would turn out and I loved these stories! She has a way that inmerse you in the time and place. Ivy Hill Inn is a charming little town and its characters vivid and realistic. I like that not all is perfect in her stories. The characters struggle and have flaws, and things are not perfect, but the happily ever after is satisfying and realistic at the same time.
I fell in love with more than one character: Jane, Mercy, Rachel. I’m so glad Mercy finally found her HEA! I loved her story.
And James, Gabriel, and Joseph. So different but endearing too!
It was a story that has everything: sweet romance, mystery and intrigue, even banter and humor. The perfect mix!
I would totally recommend this series to anyone who loves historical romances, especially to Jane Austen’s fans!
I guess the books could be read as standalone but it is so much more worthwhile reading in order all the background for each character.
A must read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers via Netgalley and this is my honest and unbiased review

This is a beautiful, satisfying conclusion to the Ivy Hill series, one that I both dreaded ending yet couldn’t read fast enough to see what happened to my friends. While I am very attached to Jane and loved seeing her story continue here, I was thrilled to see Mercy, who I consider to be the other main character, get so much page time here. Her story is just so lovely and endearing, and after a lot of heartache, it was good to see her happiness. Although there were a few times that I wondered how it would come about, and it left me wishing more for another character, all in all, Mercy’s story culminates in just the way it needs to.

Jane’s story has several new discoveries that kept it feeling fresh and entertaining. I also appreciated that life’s stings are still present, as to make everything work out perfectly would have felt a bit unrealistic. It very much has the feeling of taking the bitter with the sweet and appreciating what you’re given.

I wasn’t quite as enamored as the third story line of Victorine, but in the end, it’s neat to see where she fits in and solves a significant mystery that harkens back to the first book. I was pleased – more like thrilled – to find out that there will be a Christmas novella. I know who I’d like it to be about, but of course, will be happy just to be back in Ivy Hill again.

I have loved this series and am definitely sad to see its end. I do strongly recommend reading this one from the beginning, as so much builds with each book. It’s a series that I could read again one day. Now to begin the long wait until another novel by Julie Klassen.

Also, if you need a refresher on the characters, there is a list on the Ivy Hills website.

‘Mercy reminded herself that God did not promise ease and happiness in this life. But He did promise peace and joy, and she was determined to hold on to both, somehow.’

I have sincerely looked forward to Julie Klassen’s final of her Tales from Ivy Hill series. I certainly have thoroughly enjoyed reading each book. In fact, I have read all her books, not just this series, and have never been disappointed in one of them.

Mercy Grove has lost her precious girls’ school and has simply resigned herself to life as a spinster dependent on the kindnesses of her family. When her brother returns to Ivy Cottage with his new wife, things just don’t seem like they will guarantee a pleasant future. And Jane Bell is also facing some challenges in her own life. Can she give up her inn if it means marrying Gabriel Locke? Can she doom him to a childless marriage? In the midst of all this, a new seamstress comes to town and all it not as it seems with this lady.

Surprises lie in store for many here and dreams are on their way to coming true. I laughed and wept during the reading of this book. Julie Klassen has brought this series to an end in a most admirable, satisfying and delightful way. I enjoyed it tremendously. Highly recommended.

*My thanks to Bethany House and the author for a copy of this book. All opinions stated are entirely my own.