The lifeblood of the Wiltshire Village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell.  When the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genttel 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.

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 of the intentions of several men who seem to have a vested interest in the place.  Will her efforts be enough to save The Bell.  Will Thora embrace the possibility of a second chance at love?

My Thoughts:

Have you ever read a book, completely bored with it, but keep reading in hopes that something will change. Hoping there will be a twist or turn of events.  That's where I found myself with this book.  I have read previous books by Julie Klassen that I really liked, but this book didn't seem to have the same intrigue that I usually find within her books.  The romance was lacking.  The main character Jane seemed to take a backseat to Thora and the book ended rather abruptly.

I am assuming with the way it ended that the story will pick up where this one left off in the next book.  I think I'll pass on the next one though.  If it is anything like this one I would much rather spend my time reading something with a little more appeal.

***Thanks to Bethany House Publishing for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks for sending me an arc, I do appreciate it. I wasn't able to get into this one and haven't been able to get back to it so I won't be leaving an official review at this time.

I enjoyed getting to know the people of Ivy Hill and am so happy that there will be more books with them! The characters of Ivy Hill have become like friends that I care about, much like Jan Karon's Mitford series. I enjoyed the character development begun in this book and look forward to it continuing. Off to find book two!

Another great book!! You will not be disappointed in this novel! Julie Klassen is one of today's top authors that you will enjoy.

Historical fiction always pleases me and this is a good read.

I loved the setting it was very atmospheric and the characters that inhabited Ivy Hill were well portrayed. 

It is a twee little book but I enjoyed m reading time and it was an easy read.

Title: The Innkeeper at Ivy Hill

Author: Julie Klassen

Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance, Community, Drama,

Plot: The young widow Jane Bell spends her days in a solitary haze, overlooking her inn with mild interest, still wondering why her husband left it to her in the first place. She was born a gentlewoman and doesn't feel cut out for the hard work of landlady. She's nothing like her fierce mother-in-law Thora, whose unexpected arrival coincides with the announcement of bad news from the banker.

Now Jane and Thora must work through their differences and combine their strengths to save their beloved inn in three months or watch it - and their futures - crumble under the weight of secrets and debt.

Likes/dislikes: a wonderful book and an excellent start to a series, though I was a bit distracted by trying to figure out which minor characters will show up in following books. I really hope we learn more about Gabriel, he was intriguing, and Rachel seemed very interesting. All of the cleaning done by the characters was very inspiring and I felt so sorry for Jane when we learned the heartbreaking extent of her losses. Overall a great book.

Rating: PG-16 and up mainly for reading level and content (one bloody miscarriage scene and some suggestions but nothing graphic)

Date Review Written: Dec 23rd 2016

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publishers. I wasn't required a write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill was a fine read, although I found it a bit slow. I liked the story and the characters, but wish it would have held my attention more. I found myself easily distracted from the novel and could set the book aside and forget about it easily...this made the read take much longer than it should have to finish. 

I like that this is a series -- a first for the author -- and I am excited to continue on to the next book to see where things go. 

All in all, I liked this book. It wasn't my favorite Klassen story, but I still enjoyed the read.

*I received a complimentary eBook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

My Thoughts:

Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors. She could have her own sub category on this blog because of how many of her books I have read. This start of a series - a first for her. Unlike a majority of Christian writers seem to crank out trilogies like there is no tomorrow, capitalizing on their characters to keep us coming back for more - Klassen usually ties everything up in one book. I'm not complaining about this series approach. There are stories at in Ivy Hill and I'm excited to see how they fold out.



This approach also allows for the slow and steady pace which fits in perfectly with the setting. I didn't feel like it was dragging, it was merely taking its time and letting us enjoy the journey of Jane and Thora. The story unfolds gently, but with twists that I wasn't expecting, but with character growth that felt real. No one changed with a single revelation, they grow and change with minor set back the way we all do on our own little journeys.  (I hate it when books try to have someone change like a switch going off. Yes, I have those sparks of inspiration where I'm going to be a better person and make my bed every day, meal prep and go to the gym 3 times a week. But we all know that within a week I'm back to where I was but perhaps with the bed made 2 times a week) 



As usual, I fell in love with the characters - not all of them, I still don't know how I feel about Patrick and I don't think I would mind if he fell off the map. But Jane and Thora, Mercy and Rachel are all women I wanted to spend more time with. Each woman is strong in her own right and are all showing different facets of femininity. That perhaps is one of the greatest strengths of Klassen's characters I don't feel like these women are overly stereotyped or one dimensional. They are human and we get to see their strengths and weaknesses and grow closer to all of them.  



Overall if you like Christian Fiction that isn't too preachy, gentle stories that are reminiscent of Gaskell and Austen this is one I would recommend. I'm very excited to read the next book in the series.



Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Review:
I am sadly derelict in my reviewing this book. I will say that if you loved Cranford, Downton Abbey, or Wives and Daughters, this is a book you will enjoy. Don't pick it up looking for a lively romance. There are hints of romance, there throughout, but the the  main characters are widows that were not considered young, marrying age anymore. I loved the history of Inns. 

If you are looking for a book that you could read with your younger teenage daughter and both throughly enjoy it as fans of the regency era, this is the book. The sequel is coming out later this month, so it is a good time to pick up both for gifts. I can't wait for the sequel! 


This book was given to me for review. The opinions contained herein are my own. I also purchased my own copy since I know I love her books and wanted it in print. I encourage you to do the same.

This is the first in a series of books called Tales from Ivy Hill, a Christian historical fiction series.

While it’s not my favorite book by Julie Klassen, I enjoyed it. In my opinion it doesn’t have many peaks or twists in the storyline, and it’s a rather slow and steady read. But that’s not really a bad thing. I love any book that shows the strength of women in the midst of adversity. The story is mostly about the two main women, Thora and her daughter-in-law Jane, and how each has a role in helping run the coaching inn. At first Jane is very clueless and has no backbone, or even desire to learn to run the coaching in. But that’s alright because Thora has enough for both of them it seems. Eventually Jane does decide to step up the the plate and try to give it a go. I was definitely rooting for her to make it work.

This novel doesn’t have the same suspense or romance as past books by Julie Klassen. I’m hoping that those will come later in the series of books, and maybe the readers will be able to look back and have that “Ah ha!” moment. I was a little disappointed that there are some cliffhangers at the end. Not everything is wrapped up in a pretty bow and resolved by the time you’re finished. That does leave you wanting to read more in the next book, which I think is the point.

The Innkeeper Of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen is the most charming Christian historical novel and I adored it. Set in Wiltshire in 1820 the reader is indeed transported to another era with Julie Klassen's delightful descriptions. As an English woman, it was wonderful to read a novel set in England. I found it easy to picture the Bell Inn, farm and village - a little like a Constable painting in my head.
The village community was perfectly captured. I 'walked' through the novel, alongside the characters. It was a quintessential English village, with all the various characters one finds in there.
The inn is at the heart of the village. If that dies, the infrastructure around will crumble and the community perish. Old enmity must be put aside as people work together to revive the flagging inn.
The novel has the theme of education and taking care of the widows and orphans. "Every child... should be educated, regardless of family or financial circumstances." This is very forward thinking for 1820 as compulsory education did not come into force until the 1870's.
Life is not so much about what we can get out, as to what we can put in. Wealth should never be the focus. We should use the talents God has given us. "Discover that work worth doing is about more than profits and toil. It's about using the gifts and ability you have been given."
We all make snap judgments and have our prejudices. The novel shows that we need to put these aside and treat people fairly or we may act in ways we regret. "Shame and guilt washed over her suspicions and humiliating accusations."
The novel was reminiscent of Pride And Prejudice at times. I was reminded of Mr Darcy's first proposal to Elizabeth Bennett where he loved her inspite of her odious mother and lowly connections!
The Innkeeper Of Ivy Hill is a novel of a bygone era. It is charming. It is welcoming and it will sink into your soul as you read. 
A wonderful escape from modern life.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

I love Julie Klassen's books and think her writing style is second to none. However, I was not a major fan of this one. `It reminded me of the TV series Cranford, or Lark Rise to Candleford, and think that 'the Innkeeper of Ivy Hill', in my opinion, would make an excellent TV drama, but is not really the kind of book I like to read. I found myself less invested in the other characters, and skipping chunks of the book just to get to the main character's storyline. This is my personal preference though, and know that others will probably find the book simply delightful.  I will certainly be reading more of Klassen's novels, she still remains to be one of my favourite authors, although I may not read any more in this particular series.

Unable to read and review in a timely manner - my apologies.

I kept putting this book off out of fear I'd be disappointed by the comparison to my beloved Cranford, but I was wonderfully, wonderfully swept away by Julie Klassen in this perfectly engrossing novel.

And so begins Julie Klassen's first series. I've only known of her to write enriching stand-alone novels, so this -- this -- is a whole new animal. Inspired by English novelists such as Jane Austen or Elizabeth Gaskell, the reader is taken to a quaint village, Ivy Hill. Wherein we learn of its inhabitants, and whereupon the individual stories of the people who live there come to life.

Isn't the painted scene on the cover just refreshing? I would sooo love to visit Ivy Hill. What a delightful and decidedly British vacation from our modern world that would be.

I certainly enjoyed some of the subjects that the author reigned into the plot. I was rather fascinated with every mention of the Royal Mail, and most impressed with how much knowledge the author infused into the story about the hospitality of coaching inns (so many fine details are added to the story, it seems real!). I would certainly expect to visit The Bell if ever I were in the area.

Some of the topics that come up include healing from within, helping your neighbors, grief, faith, and even prejudice against business women. It covers a lot, and you learn to love each of the characters as you get to know them better.

If you're looking for the next, new series about a close-knit village, with a few secrets, some intrigue, some victories and misfortunes... and a dash of romance... then you should definitely try Tales from Ivy Hill. Even the church mice are charming.

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"Dash it, woman. You know how to confound a man."

"And you know how to astound a woman."

DNF @ 15%
I have loved every other Julie Klassen book, so I was so disappointed that this one did not work out for me.

I just could not get into this book.  I really tried to finish it.  I may go back and try to read it again.  I did like the setting and the back and forth.  I will not publish a review as I do not post negative reviews.  I am sure others will like it.

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill is the first book in a new series by Julie Klassen.  This is the first book I have read by her, and have seen rave reviews from other readers of her other novels.  This book is set in a quaint area, focused on a well-known inn that travelers have enjoyed for generations.  Jane is a newly widowed young woman, who has inherited the pleasure (and burden) of owning and operating this inn.

Jane and her mother-in-law have a strained relationship.  While her mother-in-law ran the inn successfully, Jane is caught off guard when she suddenly takes on this intimidating responsibility.

Some financial secrets of her husband's come to light when Jane received a visit from the bank, to collect payment on a significant loan he had taken out.  Jane was unaware of this transaction, and is stunned to learn she must turn things around quickly or lose this inn that had been in her husband's family.

This novel follows Jane and Thora, her mother-in-law, as they must join forces to save the inn.  There are other undertones to the story, which require Jane to face her own personal issues in the midst of this new crisis.

The ending does seem a bit abrupt, and interrupts the story line just when you expect to turn the page to read more.  It leaves you looking ahead to the release of the next book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was looking forward to this book. I usually love historical Christian fiction and when I saw this title and the premise, I was excited. However, for me, this book really dragged and it took me way too long to finish it. I thought the story had good potential, but I couldn't connect with any of the characters and I couldn't get engaged. However, I saw a few more people say the same thing and that they were surprised by this, because they loved other books by the same author. Also, I see that this book is a start of a series. I will not be reading the next one, but my experience will not deter me from looking into the author's other books.