3.5 Stars

Let me start by saying I have not read the previous Ivy Hill books, so I had no idea of the backstories for some of the supporting characters in Julie Klassen’s An Ivy Hill Christmas. And that’s the reason I believe kept me from fully connecting with Richard and Arabella in this novella.

The English country setting and the Christmas traditions are what interested me the most in this story. Richard and Arabella have some preconceived notions about each other but spending the holidays under the same roof reveals some truths.

A sweet and quick Christmas story that will sweep you away to another time and place, this novella is sure to be a favorite of those who have kept up with this series.



Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

After reading this one I am huge Julie Klassen fan. Love this one. It gave me all the Christmassy feel.
Writing stile is beautiful. 
Really enjoyed this one. 
Thanks to Netgalley foe this ARC.
4 stars for me.

This is a first for me by Julie. I see there are more books based in ivy hill, I will definitely be reading those! This book was wonderful. Made me feel really Christmassy. A real old fashioned, traditional feel. I loved every single character, some growing on me even more with every turn of a page. A great read this winter.

An Ivy Hill Christmas by Julie Klassen Brings us to Christmas in 1822 where the lead protagonist, Richard, a confirmed bachelor and playboy living in London, is summoned home to the family country estate called Brockwell Court. His mother, who has not seen him for years, requires his return home to greet family and guests for the Christmas holidays. Richard returns begrudgingly because he’s run out of money and needs to make a good impression on his mother. He is broke and needs funds to support his wayward lifestyle. However, his mother has also invited the beautiful Arabella, her older sister, and her mother to spend the holidays with them. Richard does everything he can to make it known that he is not interested in marriage or settling down with Arabella but he slowly realizes how lucky he is to have a wonderful family, the love of a beautiful woman, and a God who forgives his past mistakes. This is Christian historical fiction and it was great. So much fun and the story captured the essence of the fairytale setting of Christmas in the snowy  English countryside and a man looking for redemption. Just the right touch to share this lovely message in a sweet story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My thanks to NetGalley and Baker Publishing for a free ARC of this book although the thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias. This book will be released this week and I highly recommend it.

I loved this book!  It is the perfect Christmas read.  I have not read the previous books in the series but that did not hinder the story at all.  Anything that needed a little background was given seamlessly and worked in.  There is that romantic pull, bit of mystery and wonderful Christmas traditions.  There is even a recipe at the end!  I plan to make the cookies!  Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.  I loved it!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Christmastime in England and all of the traditions the reader gets to observe. I also enjoyed watching Richard change into more of a gentleman. However, I will say I found humor in his snarky remarks and even made me lol a couple of times.

This is also a quick read but with a lot of depth. I didn’t feel like the author was rushing through the story to make it shorter. It was very well done.

If you have read the other books in this series you will enjoy seeing some of the previous characters and what is going on in there lives as well. But if you haven’t read the other books you will not feel the least bit lost, I think I was easy to follow.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I've not read any of the Ivy Hill series but I enjoyed visiting these characters, learning about them and what life was like for them. It's hard to move on from who you were when the past seems to want to keep in in the same place for as long as it could and people seem to never forget.
The growth process of our hero throughout the story,the changes that occur in the book and the romance between him and our heroine, it was delightful to read about.
The idea that God cares, he forgives and gives us a clean slate even when man doesn't was beautiful.
It was truly a beautiful story. I loved every bit of it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit for a blog tour. All opinions expressed are solely mine

I have to admit that I am not generally a fan of this type of fiction since it doesn’t have a good merger or a mystery of some sort. But if I’m going to read something at Christmas, I do tend to choose books set in England. Ms. Klassen’s book it’s a very nice entry into that category. With the main character coming from London to Ivy he’ll,Under circumstances that he is fighting against all the way, there’s a little bit of suspense. But you know that he’s going to fall in love, that’s just the way it’s going to be. So you just prepare yourself for the way things are going to happen in the book of this nature, and enjoys the reading.

I would like to think net galley, the author and the publisher for providing me a copy of the book. The comments above are my own.

An Ivy Hill Christmas, Tales from Ivy Hill by author Julie Klassen is a wonderful holiday tale. This Christian historical Regency story should get readers in a Christmas spirit. I thought it was lovely beginning with the cover.

Set in 1822 London this is the tale of the youngest Brockwell son, Richard. He is an independent man and seems to need his family’s money more than he needs them. At the insistence of his mother he returns to their country home for Christmas with the family this year. The results are eye opening and heart warming.

Richard is a cad and has quite the reputation in London. When he comes home to Ivy Hill for a Christmas visit, he is surprised to meet childhood friend Arabella Awdry. She is familiar with his bad reputation and avoids him like the plague even though they are childhood friends.

Author Klassen has a captivating style of writing. I was immediately invested in her story. The way she writes always whisks me away from my comfortable loveseat in my study where I read to her setting. The characters were very relatable and realistic.

This story is filled with life and spiritual lessons. It is a tale of new beginnings and forgiveness. It is quirky and delightful. Expect some twists and turns in this sweet story. I was very surprised by the transformation of one character. At the end everything comes together and is neatly tied with a bow on top. This is definitely a very enjoyable read.

I highly recommend this especially for Regency lovers. This is the perfect novella for this time of year. I have rated it 4 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

As I read this Christmas story, I could see it as a movie.  I would love to visit Ivy Hill and have tea with the Brockwell Family.  



Richard Brockwell doesn't sound like someone I would want to spend Christmas with.  But people can change especially  at Christmas.

I loved reading this story.  It was a feel good book with great characters, a lovely location and set at the most perfect time of year.  

Julie Klassen has put me in the holiday spirit!!!!



I received this for free from Celebrate Lit to review

A wonderful, cozy tale for the holidays. A classic that will appeal to fans of Austen and Dickens, this novella is full of laughs, romance, mystery, friends, and family. A must-have for those winter nights by the fire.

Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy.

An Ivy Hill Christmas was a charming Christmas novella by Julie Klassen. It was fun to learn the many customs associated with Christmas, New Year, and Twelfth Night. The food, games, and snowy outdoor activities made me start wishing for a white Christmas! How fun it would be to celebrate the season with family and friends for several weeks.
Richard was as big of a Scrooge as one could be. And there might have been a time or two I wanted to slap him alongside Arabella for the cutting remarks that came from his mouth. But his journey of learning to look past self to love and forgive others was perfect for the Christmas season. After all, it is the beginning of the path to the redemptive work of the Cross.
Arabella’s generous and kind nature is the attitude we should all have toward each other whether it is around the holidays or not. She was an exceptional woman, and I loved how she stood up for herself and others. I think we could be good friends!
Overall, I enjoyed this Christmas novella, as I do all of Julie Klassen’s stories.  But Christmas stories are special, and I think An Ivy Hill Christmas conveyed the true meaning of the season perfectly. I would recommend this novella to any Regency romance fan.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I kicked off my Christmas reading list with An Ivy Hill Christmas and honestly it didn't disappoint. All that was missing was mulled wine and a mince pie! Imagine Scrooge meets a Jilly Cooper novel. While there isn't any s*x there are lots feisty warm and engaging characters mingled together with a gorgeous English wintry countryside backdrop. Our protagonist Richard Brockwell hasn't been home for years, instead leading a somewhat roué bachelor life in London. But his father has passed, his brother and lovely wife are now Lord and Lady of the manor and while his doting mother would love Richard to get hitched. Richard has other ideas. Even if it means insulting the line up of women his mother has laid on with him to meet over Christmas. But can a bachelor ever change his ways? Will his ex ever forgive him for a past disappointment? Has he met his match in the shape of  Arabella Awdry? An Ivy Hill Christmas does indeed see Mr Brockwell change his ways. I loved this novel so much! From Wally, Richard's dog who is attired the same as his master through to the most wonderful ending. Enjoy!

Even though I hadn't read any Ivy Hill books before this book was still a great read with lots of background given. The book had a real feelgood story in it and definitely put me into the Christmas mood. Its a great book to read in arm chair by a roaring fire with a cup of tea or something stronger. I will definitely be reading more Ivy Hill books in the future.

A charming Christmastime tale that brings the seasonal traditions of yesteryear to life. 

Richard Brockwell returns to Ivy Hill for Christmas, after living much his life away from his ancestral home, instead spending his time in London unencumbered by the familiarity of life in the country. This is a heartwarming Christmas time read, as we revisit familiar faces, and get to know many new ones as well. 

This is a heartwarming read with plenty of wonderfully interconnecting subplots and characters, Jamie and Wally are some of my favorites. I loved how Jamie doesn't complain even though he would have reason too, and yet brings joy wherever he goes. 

A cozy, heartwarming read, that feels like visiting friends and family for the holiday. I loved learning about the Christmas traditions of the Regency era, many of which were new to me. I loved how the characters grew over the course of the book finding a home for their hearts. Highly recommend. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis: This book is set in the Regency period at Ivy Hill. Richard is a determined bachelor with a heart of selfishness and a brain prone to excess. He is forced into accepting his mothers invitation home for Christmas due to her denial of funds until he returns. When he returns home, He crosses paths with new and old friends of his home town that serve to change his attitude and life. He must decide what he wants to do with his life, does he continue down the path of bachelorhood or except his future with another?
 
I enjoyed the almost kisses, fun service projects, and the quick change that Richard makes to becoming a better man. It was super fun to see that the lead female character, Arabella, was also allowed to choose her own path in life, and understand what her true purpose was prior to resolving to what she truly wanted. I did not love that the book ended with no clear resolution, and the epilogue was a rushed 1 year of time that gave a very quick and brief resolution. I would have preferred a resolution prior to the Epilogue. My favorite scene was when they went on a sleigh ride, and ended up sliding off the road. I loved seeing that Richard could be kind, caring, and see beyond his own temporal needs.
 
Overall this book was enjoyable, and definitely got me into the Christmas spirit. This is my first book to read by Julie Klaussen, and I would likely read another book by her in the future.
 
A special thank you to Bethany House Publishers and Julie Klaussen for the digital ARC provided by Netgalley. All opinions are my own and in no way biased.
 
Publisher: Bethany House Publishing
Author: Julie Klaussen
Rating: 3.5/5

He is small but ever so brave. - Richard when thinking of Jamie

What an incredible introduction to Ivy Hill! I most certainly will be looking for the rest of the story as they say. Richard Brockwell appears to be a self-centered, rather spoiled young man that has nothing positive to show, except that novel he has written that is regularly refused and returned by publishers. Since his return to Ivy Hill for Christmas is required, he decides long before to be less than amiable with the other guests. Interesting how things can change...

Is it fate or God that young Jamie has ties to a charity that Richard refuses to donate to? Can Richard change his ways and become a self-respecting person, one that others would seek to spend time with? The author uses rich detail to take the reader out into the snowy weather and on walks through the woods. You can almost smell the trees, hear the fire crackling and the snow squeaking as you read. I look forward to learning more about this family.

This ARC was received through Baker Publishing Group, Bethany House Publishers, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. The comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

What a delightful trip back to the little village of Ivy Hill! It was nice to catch up with the familiar characters and meet some new people as well. It's a novella so it's the perfect size for a cozy evening read.

Delightful!

A hero who is a bit of a Scrooge and a heroine who brings “freshness” to the spunky-heroine trope. How can this not be the perfect Christmas story?

Richard Brockwell is happy to never get married. Happy to be known as a rake. Happy to not be the heir. Most of all, happy to never set foot in his country estate again where his demons are sure to haunt him. But when his mother threatens to take away the money that secured his happiness, he makes the sacrifice to go home.

Unexpected does not begin to describe what this holiday season will turn out to be to Richard. Not considering all the feelings and, *gasp*, self-evaluation he will start making. Feelings not only related to a certain lovely lady, but also a tiny tickle called compassion — which is said to bite you and never let you be the same again 😉

Julie Klassen is a gifted storyteller, and it did not take many pages for me to be swept into the holiday cheer of Regency England in this novella.  I liked the characters a lot, especially Arabella, (and, yes, eventually even Richard) and was impressed with their development and growth in the short novella.  I enjoy stories where characters have a background as friends first and really enjoyed their interactions.  I like the historical aspect of the story and the descriptions of Regency-era Christmas traditions.  There is good integration of second chances and forgiveness as well.  You do not need to read the entire Ivy Hill series to enjoy this novella but you will definitely encounter familiar characters by reading the rest of the series.  I really liked reading this novella and highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from Celebrate Lit Tours.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.