First sentence: Walking past a linen draper’s, Richard Brockwell surveyed his reflection in the shop windows with approval. He cut a fine figure, although he said it himself.

An Ivy Hill Christmas revisits some of the families first introduced in Klassen's earlier Ivy Hill series. Richard Brockwell, the hero of this particular title, is going home for Christmas. Not particularly because he's family-oriented and loves Christmas, but, because he's not on good standing with his family and his 'freedom' to live a life of leisure is being threatened. (He lives in London and not near Ivy Hill). There is a house party going on--gathering single men and women together in hopes that matches will be made. Richard is bringing with him a publisher friend, David Murray, and a dog, Wally. 

The heroine, Arabella Awdry, is one of the guests at the house party. She knows one thing: Richard Brockwell is TROUBLE, TROUBLE, TROUBLE. She's not going to be tempted--not even a little bit--to socialize with him and become friendly. But how well does she really know him? 

I enjoyed this historical romance. I haven't reread the Ivy Hill books. It did take me a few chapters to reorient myself to the neighborhood. I am sure there are still things I missed because it's been a while since I read the earlier books. But. I enjoyed this one. I liked the characters and the setting. It was a good read.

We all need a break during the busy holidays and this novella taking place in nineteenth century England is a wonderful way to relax with your spot of tea.
I have previously visited Ivy Hill in the other books in this series but even if you haven't I think you'll enjoy reading this.
I loved the infusion of the British words and mannerisms and traditions.
Starting out a bit scrooge like simply thinking of himself our main character has a drastic change of heart which is so heart warming to see.
Very well researched and presented, I enjoyed An Ivy Hill Christmas and how it warmed my heart and left me feeling uplifted.

Pub Date 01 Sep 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a really sweet Regency Christmas romance, just what is needed at this time of year! We meet Richard, a confirmed bachelor and second son of a prominent family just as he runs out of money and has to return to his family home for Christmas in order to request more. Fearing his mother’s match-making attempts, he invites his best friend along with him and makes his way back to Ivy Hill for the festive season.

Staying with the family that Christmas are a few different characters, including the eligible Anabelle, whom Richard is determined not to encourage at all costs… although, finding her more beautiful and accomplished than he remembers, he quickly realises that this won’t be as easy as he anticipated. 

This is a really lovely tale, and the characters are all charming. The plot is not hugely intricate, but it doesn’t need to be. The setting is wonderfully colourful and festive, and the author is very skilled at filling the scenes with Christmas cheer as well as some hardships that must be overcome. It is a rather redemptive story, which is always fitting in a Christmas tale, and there is more than one nod to Jane Austen along the way. This results in an uplifting, enjoyable story that can be enjoyed with a mug of hot chocolate and a mince pie or two.

I haven’t visited the world of Ivy Hill before, but this is no way hampered my enjoyment of the book, and I would be happy to read the other titles in the series.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

I haven’t read any of the other books in this series but as (at the time of writing) it is nearly Christmas, I was excited to read a festive themed book.

While it is a very easy read, it was suitably Christmassy and there are lots of nods to Jane Austen and her works which I enjoyed, I found the language a bit forced and too descriptive. I think instead of being a unique tribute to the works of Austen and others like her, it tries too hard to fit in with her language and stories.

Having said that, as an easy read, it was enjoyable, if predictable - but sometimes that’s just what you want out of a book at this time of year.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This wasn't my first Julie Klassen book. Like her novel I'd read a long time ago, this one was sweet, clean, and full of undercurrents of faith and redemption. It's Christian fiction, but not "preachy." I haven't read the other Ivy Hill books, but I still caught on to the characters pretty well. It was a nice short story that is perfect for this festive season. Thanks, Netgalley, for this arc!

An Ivy Hill Christmas
MY REVIEW
Firstly, what an absolutely gorgeous front cover! So Christmassy and Dickensian, which immediately made me want to pick it up and start reading.
The layout of this book is so pretty, I love the holly and ivy chapter headers. Other nice touches include the Ivy Hill Map and the recipe for Honeycroft honey-spice biscuits (I’ll be making some of those, yum!)
I really enjoyed Richards story, learning about the events that took place that shaped the lifestyle he chose for himself and how Christmas with his family aids him to start questioning what he really wants and needs to live a happy and fulfilled life.
‘Something in his chest cracked, then loosened,  and a tendril of joy sprouted in his heart.’
All the characters are well written, I especially adored the relationships between Richard and :- his sister, Jamie the orphan and the stray mongrel Wally. 
The parlour games, decoration of the house, Christmas carolling and the food served up all made up a faultless vision of regency festivities, the author obviously spent a lot of time researching!
This book has everything you’d want from a Christmas read, perfection! 
The first ivy hill/Julie Klassen book I’ve read but definitely want to read more, I’ve been dropping hints out so hopefully father Christmas will bring me some more!

I've not read the rest of Julie Klassen's Ivy Hill series but I enjoyed this Regency novella a good deal. Set during the festive season in a country town outside of London, we follow the main protagonist, Richard, as he navigates a family Christmas for the first time in many years, having cemented his reputation as a dandy and a scoundrel in the city. In a story that is as much to do with forgiveness and coming to terms with past mistakes as it is about romance, Richard meets old friends and makes some new ones, learns about himself and meets someone special who could turn things around for him. But is she willing to change her own ambitions to be with him? This was a really charming story to read in the run up to Christmas, perfect for fans of Jane Austen (who gets a number of nods in here) and dramas like Downton Abbey. Thank you Netgalley and Bethany House for providing me with a copy.

Thank you netgalley for sending me this festive read. I hadn’t realised that it was part of the Ivy Hill Novella but it works perfectly well as a stand-alone read.
I thoroughly enjoyed following Richard Brockwell home to Ivy Hill to be with his family at Christmas and reading about the christmas traditions in the nineteenth century.

A typical, sweet story of the genre with a Christmas twist. I enjoyed the inclusion of old Christmas traditions.

What a wonderful Christmas romance novel! I love everything about An Ivy Hill Christmas so eloquently by author Julie Klassen. I thought this story was going in one direction, but was delighted to see that it went in a new direction. Themes of hope, redemption, forgiveness and of course love are woven so wonderfully into this Christmas tale that I could easily see it as a sweet movie. The writing is what does it for me, Julie Klassen truly has what it takes to show the reader...and that is huge.. I mean HUGE for me!

An Ivy Hill Christmas is a lovely festive tale which is perfect for the time of year. It is not the genre I would normally read but I still enjoyed it as something a bit different.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy.

This is the perfect Christmas book to fill you with festive spirit, especially if you are a fan of authors like Jane Austen and programmes like Downtown Abbey, Larkrise to Candleford etc.  This had all the feels of a great period drama should it ever be adapted for TV.  The Gentleman are gentleman even if they are be a bit of a rogue and the women are ladylike and proper.   It's very traditional and set back in the times where people went carolling and celebrated twelfth night.  I didn't notice that the author wasn't British until I noticed the word colour was spelt the American way and then checked

My favourite character was Wally the dog who gets dressed up in outfits by his owner Richard and looks very natty in posh waistcoats etc.  I do like a book that describes clothing and scenery well and this book definitely does that.  

This was the first book I've read from the Ivy Hill series and by this author but I'm sure to go back and read the others now I've discovered how wonderful they are.  Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this festive treat in exchange for an honest review

The gorgeous cover of Julie Klassen's new novel An Ivy Hill Christmas matches the beautiful story inside. 

This novel kept catching my eye whenever I went to the Netgalley website because of the wonderful cover. But I kept skipping over it because it is set in 1822 - not really a time period I read. Resistance was futile and I finally gave in to the call of the cover. Since it is a Christmas story I figured that I would at least enjoy some aspects of the novel.

I'm so glad I picked up An Ivy Hill Christmas as it turned out to be one of my favorite Christmas books this year. I haven't read any of the other books in the Tales from Ivy Hill, but that's okay as I understand the entire series contains stand-alone novels. Now that I've read this book, though, I would like to read more in the series. 

When it started out I thought perhaps it was going to be a bit of A Christmas Carol (though that novel wasn't even written yet - it published in 1843). But the opening scene is reminiscent of that Christmas classic with Richard Brockwell being accosted by a charity woman but refuses to contribute, preferring to spend his money on himself at the coffee house and bookstore. However, when Richard gives into his family's plea to come home to their country estate for Christmas glimmers of another classic Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice emerged. In the author's note at the end, Klassen acknowledges that there are several nods to that novel as well as Emma (I haven't read Emma but as the whole novel had a Jane Austen feel I'm sure Austen fans will recognize those bits as well). 

I must admit I'm not an Austen fan. An Ivy Hill Christmas is similar in themes but thankfully for me not in writing. I loved Klassen's writing: her ability to bring to life the characters and the time period. It is really a fantastic read. 

While it is technically a romance, there is much more to this story. It is about family, charity, community, and the forgiveness that entered the world on Christmas Day. I liked how the themes of forgiveness, helping your fellow man, the true meaning of Christmas was interwoven into the story. It felt natural and never preachy. It's a definite must-read for fans of Christmas stories.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Wednesday, Dec. 23 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2020/12/An-Ivy-Hill-Christams-Julie-Klassen.html

A sweet tale of redemption and hope.  I loved revisiting Ivy Hill and its residents, especially at Christmas time!

Two important concepts come to mind when I reflect on this book. The first is that things are not necessarily as they appear, and second that it is possible to change and become a better person.

I enjoyed this novella and its message of Christmas.

I received a copy from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

It’s nearly Christmas and I’ve found the perfect holiday book! This tale of past regrets, family secrets, growing romance, and redemption in the British countryside filled me with hope. AN IVY HILL CHRISTMAS lifts spirits during dark times — like sipping hot chocolate in your jammies while a wintry storm rages outside. Reminded me: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”

5 of 5 Stars

Thanks to the author, Bethany House, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

Pub Date 01 Sep 2020
#AnIvyHillChristmas #NetGalley

Two and a half stars.

This Christmas novella is clearly part of an ongoing series, I haven't read any of the preceding novels and whilst I happily read it as a standalone I wonder whether I would have derived more enjoyment if I had met the characters previously.

Richard Brockwell is a satirical writer and secret novelist, he lives the happy life of a bachelor in London until his mother forces him home to Ivy Hill for Christmas with the threat of cutting off his income. Richard only has bad memories of Ivy Hill, memories which have made him determined not to marry.

Of course when he arrives it transpires that his mama has been matchmaking and has invited Arabella Awdry and family to stay for Christmas. Richard is determined to thwart his mother's plans, but finds himself attracted to Arabella despite himself.

For her part, Arabella is a bit of a prig, wanting to do good and work for charity yadda, yadda. An old family friend, she overheard a conversation involving Richard years ago which painted him in a very poor light, she has never spoken of it to anyone but has thought the worse of Richard ever since. Then she has no sooner arrived than she overhears him being insufferably pompous and rude about her sister (as an aside, she overhears a lot of things, I suspect she is an eavesdropper!).

As the festivities progress Richard finds himself being drawn into more charitable behaviour, and reconciles with the family of his childhood friend, but there are misunderstandings to overcome before he can find his way to love.

What spoilt this for me was the vaguely sanctimonious air, a bit like some of those Victorian novels where only belief in god and a pious life will save you. Although the religion was light there were a few too many references to god for my liking. (view spoiler)

Overall, it was a slog to finish this book and although not badly written I don't think I would choose to read another book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is a beautiful Christmas book! 3.5 stars

The story takes place in 1800’s England and explores the life of the Brockwell family, specially the one of the bachelor son, Richard Brockwell. Richard is returning home from London to keep the holidays with his family and in in this time he will learn to appreciate his family, his hometown, friends and the spirit of Christmas in a new way.

It gave me a lot of Jane Austen feel with the characters and romantic story, but also I found it to be a romantic new version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, as the main character comes to the realization of how important is looking out for their neighbor and is also confronted with forgetting and forgiveness.

As a Christian fiction novel about Christmas I liked it touches topics as giving and helping the ones in need, forgiveness and redemption, however I thought the author could have explored deeper the gospel and salvation message.

Ivy Hill Christmas brings Julie Klassen's Tales from Ivy Hill series to a close.  Richard Brockwell's mother has insisted that he come home for the holiday.  Richard has been living in London since he graduated from school.  Bad family relationships has made it easier to stay far from home.  So everyone is shocked when Richard appears at the front door just in time to celebrate the Christmas holiday!
As this tale moves along, you will be re-introduced to several characters from previous tales in this series.   You will also see Richard grow in his relationships with friends and family, but most importantly his relationship with God!

It is interesting to see how Richard's place in his world will change by the end of this tale!

A very enjoyable and engaging Christmas story from the writer of the Ivy Hill series. Its not actually a "novella" at 200 pages long. There true novels at similar length, but it packs a lot in. 

Love, misunderstandings, loss and the return of a few characters that we know and have grown to root for. Which is why, although you don't have to have read the main series to read this novel, it pays to at least familiarize yourself with some of the characters. 

Overall, a heartwarming read for the Christmas season. I purchased a copy of this title, and was not required to write a positive review.