First Series from Bestselling Author Julie Klassen! The lifeblood of the Wiltshire village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. But when the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant owner. Jane has no notion of how to run a business. However, with the town’s livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must find a way to bring new life to the inn. … to the inn.
Despite their strained relationship, Jane turns to her resentful mother-in-law, Thora, for help. Formerly mistress of The Bell, Thora is struggling to find her place in the world. As she and Jane work together, they form a measure of trust, and Thora’s wounded heart begins to heal. When she encounters two men from her past, she sees them–and her future–in a different light.
With pressure mounting from the bank, Jane employs innovative methods to turn the inn around, and puzzles over the intentions of several men who seem to have a vested interest in the place. Will her efforts be enough to save The Bell? And will Thora embrace the possibility of a second chance at love?
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I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
It’s been a year since Jane Bell’s husband died and left her his coaching inn, but Jane isn’t any more prepared to end her mourning period than she was a year ago. The inn has gone on without her direct involvement during that year, but she’s finding out that it hasn’t necessarily gone on well. A large loan from the bank is about to come due, but the inn isn’t nearly as prosperous as it used to be, and now it’s in danger of being taken away. Jane’s mother-in-law, Thora, will do anything she can to help save her family’s inn, even while feeling displaced by the new mistress of The Bell. There are others who might be able to help as well, but Jane isn’t completely sure how to proceed…or who to trust.
This is the type of book where the story may focus on one main character for now, but this first book also introduces several other characters who will have more of a spotlight in future books, and gives us a decent set-up to those future stories. So a good amount of characters overall were introduced, but it didn’t take me long to get invested in their lives. I thought the set-up was giving us more of a mystery than there turned out to be, and I seriously anticipated the revelation of a conspiracy that never happened. But that was my own fault, not necessarily the book’s. I think I read more into certain people’s behavior than was intended (or maybe the author did want us to suspect that person).
Jane was a very dynamic character, in that she changed fairly drastically from the beginning of the book, where she spent her days languishing in her small home and ignoring the inn, to the end of the book, by which point she’d at least attempted to take the reigns of the inn firmly in hand. I liked the way the story and characters come together by the end, and that there is no sudden, miraculous save. Hard work and diligence are required, and a perfect ending is not guaranteed.
In some places this book is billed as a romance, and there is some romance involved. However, it is nowhere near a focal point, and (spoiler alert) the main character doesn’t end up with a beau by the end of the book. I believe that is another storyline that will continue on throughout the trilogy, and I’m quite okay with that. If you’re a fan of historical Christian fiction, keep that in mind when considering this book. I do recommend it, and am looking forward to continuing the series.
I’ve never read anything by Julie Klassen. I was not disappointed. The book was a wonderful read. Once I stopped I couldn’t put it down
Klassen weaves an intriguing tale as she begins this three-book series. The story meanders a bit but I believe the author wanted us to feel as if we belonged to a unique community of neighbors. The characters will appear again in the next two installments.
A bustling small English village of Ivy Hill and it’s iconic coaching inn are the setting for this first in the Tales of Ivy Hill series. New colorful characters, complex relationships, and a troublesome situation that brings everyone together. In the spirit of Austen, Gaskell, and Hardy, the author weaves a heartwarming story that gently pulls the reader into the Ivy Hill world and had the reader cheering soundly for Jane and her friends to win against the odds and keep the inn from closing.
The story begins with widow, Jane Bell, confronted with troubles that finally pull her out of the fugue she has been in since the death of her husband the year before. Jane was reared as a gentleman’s daughter on a nearby estate and she shocked many when she married the local innkeeper’s son and then inherited the family inn when he died.
The local banker brings shocking news that Jane’s husband took out a large loan and never paid it back and now the bank is set to call in the debt and will take the inn. Jane wavers at first with the possibility of just letting the inn go and trying to live on a pittance, but then the yard and horse handler, Gabriel Locke, opens her eyes to how many depend on the inn for their livelihood and that extends to many other businesses in the village. Jane owes it to everyone to try even though John kept her separate from the actual running of the inn and she has little concept of what it will take to turn things around and make a profit.
Jane’s mother in law, Thora, returns and Jane swallows her pride and partners with the stern and exacting, but hardworking Thora along with John’s brother, Patrick, and former manager, Talbot, to turn things around in the three months they have left before they must report back to the bank on the status of the inn.
Thora has her own peace to make with her decision to leave, her relationship with Jane, with Talbot, and with her former home, the Bell Inn. She is pursued by two men who see past her hard exterior to the woman inside. Will she take a chance on love with one of them or hold to her decision to avoid losing her independence?
As the series title indicates this is more than the story of a person, but a whole village of people. This first book focuses on Jane Bell and her mother in law, Thora Bell, but also introduces several other characters and the set up for the series. There are some complicated relationship histories between Jane and the other Bells and other members of the village and for Thora Bell. I enjoyed how the author wrote these two ladies with strengths and flaws, that they heal as they are faced with challenges, and they both must face a life after losing a husband.
Jane had the struggle to straddle the line between her former class as a gentleman’s daughter and now being a working class woman as the widow of an innkeeper. She has her private sorrows, personal pride, and struggles now with her own ignorance and assumptions along with other’s assumptions about her.
Thora grew up an innkeeper’s daughter and then was an innkeeper’s wife and an innkeeper’s mother. The inn is all she knows then she must give pride of place to a woman who has remained aloof and hasn’t impressed her with being deserving of her son or the inn. Returning and making amends with Jane is difficult, but then Jane desperately needs her help and Thora realizes she has another chance to be involved in the life of the inn.
This is a gently-paced blend of historical, sweet romance, and mystery in the tale. I liked seeing the strong nods to scenes and characters that harked back to more than one classic writer. Those little Easter eggs were fun to encounter along the way.
The inspirational elements were suited to the story of growth and renewal- pride overcome, forgiveness and understanding of the past, compassion for others, and generosity to those hurting or in need.
The historical aspect was obviously well researched and the details are fascinating throughout the story though there are times when they slow things down somewhat. I personally didn’t mind this balance with the character and action side of the plot. I loved the focus on the coaching inn, the coaching industry at the time, women in business, village life and the upper working class of the day.
In the background of Jane and Thora’s story is also the story of Rachel, Mercy, Patrick and Timothy who all grew up together. The mysterious Gabriel Locke and the newcomer Nicholas Ashford also have their parts to play. The story tied up Thora’s story, but left Jane’s and these others open and on-going looking forward to more in the series. It doesn’t feel like a cliffhanger since the main conflict was resolved just an ongoing story with installments.
All in all, this was a grand start to a new series. I love the small village setting and the intro to the characters and series plot. I enjoy stories of the underdog and second chances and family and friends like this. I would recommend it to those who enjoy sweet historical romance, light historical fiction and inspirational fiction.
A year has passed since Jane Bell’s husband was killed and inherited the inn he owned. In that time, she has allowed matters to run as they always had. But her husband took out a loan and it is coming due. Can she turn The Bell into a prosperous business or will she fail to live up to her mother-in-law’s standards?
This was a relaxing read. As a reader, I was sympathetic to Jane’s feelings. She has an inn with no experience in to what goes into running it. Her relationship with her mother has been shaky from the start and with Thora Bell back, when things are not at their best, would make any young lady hesitate.
There are multiple story threads that are begun. Rachel Ashford, once close friend to Jane, has lost her father and her home. Mercy Grove is content in her school. Thora herself has a romance in the making. There is plenty to follow into book two. The pace is a little slow at times, but it is well written.
For readers looking for a peaceful, sweet Regency book, I would definitely recommend this.
great read, wonderful author.
I loved all of the citizens of Ivy Hill! The characters were realistic and the story moved at the perfect pace. I can’t wait to read the rest of the Tales from Ivy Hill!
Loved the characters!!
Loved the characters in this story.
I couldn’t get interested.
The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill is the first book in Julie Klassen’s Tales from Ivy Hill series. When the story first started, I thought, “Oh no, another helpless, clueless female that has no idea what is going on around her!” But Jane Bell didn’t stay downtrodden. She rallied and became aware that life wasn’t just about her losses. She had to save the inn, not just for herself, but for her husband’s legacy and the good of the town. Of course, there’s a villain who wants to see the inn close. So, Jane must race to save her inheritance with help from some old and new friends. Can she make it before she loses everything? That’s the final question. I can’t wait for the next installment! If you like Regency Romance with history throw into the mix, then this story is for you. Ms. Klassen did a great job.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
This book is written so “real “ that you must shake yourself at the end of every chapter and remind yourself you are sitting in your own living room, not the innkeeper’s lodge, or Miss Ashford’s circulating library, or the schoolroom of Ivy Cottage, or the Ladies Traand Knitting Society. A simply lovely story (series)!
This was a lovely little visit to English village life in the Regency England. It felt a bit more like Victorian England to me, but I trusted the author’s research and I went with it .The lovely characters – women trying to make it alone in a society that does not support this – and their inevitable loves and misunderstandings were really good company.It is the first in a series and is a gentle and comfortable walk with old friends.
Great book! Interesting characters and delightful story set in England.
I can’t wait to read the sequel to see what happens in the charming lives of those who live in Ivy Hill!
Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors, so of course, her first series was of great interest to me. And I’m not sure if the stars just aligned perfectly with my reading mood, but I adored this story. I typically don’t prefer stories that focus on several different characters, and I knew this one did, but that didn’t bother me in the least. I enjoyed each characters’ story, and I liked their different perspectives. Sure, I didn’t warm to one of them as much as the others, but that’s also because her story wasn’t the focus just yet, but will be the focus of book two.
Some readers described this story as slower moving, and perhaps that is somewhat true. The story is definitely character-driven, with very little immediate suspense, however, there are still a few mysterious threads. The pace and tone of the story match each other perfectly, adding a sense of realism to the story. The focus is on true-to-life issues, such as widowhood, saving a livelihood, stillbirth, prejudices between the classes, and more. Because the focus is on real issues, rather than unnecessary drama, the story has a heartfelt, genuine feel. For the most part, reading this book felt like a warm, cozy blanket, full of moments of both sweetness and sorrow.
The setting is just lovely and winsome. I especially enjoyed learning about the inner-workings of a coaching inn. The historical details about the inn and life in Ivy Hill are just enough without being overdone. The romantic thread is evident but not overwhelming, and while there are several potential suitors, I never felt misled about who I was supposed to be rooting for (like in Lady Maybe), nor did I feel that the either of the ladies were wishy-washy in the emotions (like in The Apothecary’s Daughter). The character development is spot-on for both Thora and Jane, and while there is one happy ending, there are also several loose ends that I’m eager to see revealed, in fact, so eager that I’ve already started book two.
Though this story presents a different style than Klassen’s previous novels, it is one that works for this reader. Highly recommended to fans of cozy historicals with sweet romances and a vibrant setting. Off to read book two!
Moved a bit slow, but kept my attention enough to finish it!
Enjoyed the pace of the story. How the women learned about themselves and were able to move on in their lives.
Being a woman business owner was a novelty in this time & age. Watch these strong women strive to save their Inn.