The Bride of Ivy Green by Julie Klassen

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

I was hoping to start off 2019 with a great review but apparently that isn’t to be the case. I love the author of this series and have read all her works. She has rarely disappointed me with her writing but this story is, unfortunately, one of those times. Ms. Klassen has been writing about a group of ladies who reside in an English Village called Ivy Hill and thus far, the stories have been well written, good paced and enjoyable. But this conclusion story, while fairly well written seems to drag on forever before anything happens. I understand setting up tension and anticipation for readers but this was just a ridiculous amount. Ms. Klassen picked up the story where it was left off in Ladies of Ivy Cottage, with Mercy waiting for the arrival of her brother and his wife at Ivy Cottage. Having dissolved her school and made the house ready, she is hopeful of still finding a home in the house she has called home for several years. But her hopes are quickly dashed within the first few days, given her sister-in-law’s snobbish ways and superior bent. Finding a new situation quickly becomes Mercy’s priority and there are several to consider. She was hopeful of finding love at last with Joseph Kingsley, but thus far has gotten little more than a few kind words or conversations with him. When Mercy is offered the chance to become governess to a former beloved pupil, her slight hesitation becomes ready acceptance in view of the advantages it would give her. And her new position will put her right in the middle of a real chance at love, perhaps from more than one man. Mercy’s friend, Jane Bell, is contemplating her place and life. She has been the manager of her coaching inn ever since the passing of her husband and truly enjoys her work. But long-lost love Gabriel Locke, has declared his love for Jane and the desire for her to be his partner in work as well as life. He has purchased and renovated a nearby farm and intends to establish a reputable horse breeding business. Jane loves Gabriel but is not sure she is ready to place her heart on the line again after going through so much hurt when Patrick died. An accident forces Jane to reevaluate her heart and mind and really decide what is most important in her life. Victorine has come to Ivy Hill as a seamstress of purported French connections. She is determined to make a real go of her shop within three months and, hopefully, make a living for herself as well. But while Ivy Hill is a nice quiet village, there are few that will need the goods she will offer. The chance to make a wedding gown for a local miss of higher connections will test Victorine’s meddle as she is not exactly the well practiced seamstress she is emulating. And when her past comes riding into town, she will have to determine whether to tell the truth and risk her new position or keep quiet and fail alone. The final character of note in this story is a young woman named Justina Brockwell who is expected to marry well to keep up family connections. But her heart belongs to Nicholas Ashford, a man of little connections to the thinking of her parents. In an effort to please them, Justina consents to an engagement to Sir Cyril but quickly finds herself miserable rather than happy with her decision. Will she give up the chance for true love or put a stop to everything before it gets out of hand; that is her foremost decision. With all these wonderful parts and pieces of a story, one would think this book would be filled with excitement and intrigue. But while there were moments of each, every victory for each character was quickly overshadowed with failures. At one point I actually said, “Oh, come on! Get going already!” to the book, before remembering its an inanimate object (real smart.) I love the characters but it just seemed like the whole book was drug out until it met some page requirement before it all ended happily for everyone. Truly, it could have been managed very well in about 125-150 pages at the most and everyone would have been happier. I’m glad I got to read the ending of the series and that everyone was happy in the end. I loved that love found those most deserving and those who were hurtful got what they deserved too. I’m hopeful that Ms. Klassen’s next works will be more exciting and better paced as I have come to expect from her. I will recommend this book to others as a finisher to the series but with the warning that it can be a bit boring in places.

I received this E-book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

A lovely ending to this series (although I heard a Christmas novella is coming out next year). Not all the happy endings were dragged out until the end which was nice. There were sweet little moments for each of the characters through out the book and we had some new characters too. I liked how it all played out and how it tied all the loose strings together. You definitely need to read the first two books, though, before reading this one. These books are a bit slower paced but still very enjoyable. :-)

I've been waiting for this last installment in the Tales From Ivy Hill series. I wanted to know what happened with Jane, the innkeeper from a previous book. Things were heating up between her and Gabriel when the last book ended.

Oh, and I thought maybe Mercy and Mr. Kingsley might be the couple getting married in this book, but Mr. Drake was showing quite a bit of interest once his daughter was restored to him by Mercy.

This latest book in the series was everything I hoped it would be. I'm a little sad now that the series has come to and end. I have come to  love the people from Ivy Hill and the world that the author has created. They have come to feel like friends. You know an author has done a wonderful job if a reader can come away from a book feeling like I do right now.

The Bride of Ivy Green, the last book in Julie Klassen’s Ivy Hill series, picks up where (name of book) left off. Rachel and Sir Timothy have started their new life together. Rachel plans a house party to help her new sister-in-law choose a suitable husband (with disastrous results).

Jane Bell can’t decide whether or not she wants to marry the man she loves, and a freak accident helps her make up her mind. An unexpected visitor has her rethinking her long-held beliefs.

Mercy Grove has to deal with her brother and his bride installing themselves in Ivy Cottage.
As an unwed woman, Mercy and her maiden Aunt Matty must make way for the new mistress—who soon makes it clear what she thinks of the house’s former mistresses. Mercy feels compelled to consider James Drake’s offer of employment as his ward’s governess—even though doing so will surely bring about the censure of her family.

Meanwhile, mystery surrounds a new dressmaker in town—and the members of the Ladies Tea and Knitting Society can’t decide if they should embrace her or run her out of town.

Fans of Jan Karon will enjoy the Ivy Hills series. Klassen develops memorable characters and roots the scenes in meticulously researched Regency England. The series plays out like a soft summer rain—refreshing, contemplative, and real.

The Bride of Ivy Green
I'm really not much of a series reader, but I love Julie Klassen's writing style. I have loved every minute I have spent in Ivy Hill. The characters and setting are charming. This series is the ultimate comfort reading for me. This entry wrapped everything up nicely. I would love to spend more time with these characters. I'm really sad to see them go. I would recommend this series to lovers of quiet, cozy novels and Regency era fiction. Make sure you start with the first book, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill.

I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley.

Continuing to follow three childhood friends, this book picks up where the last one left off.



Jane is reluctant to chance her future to another marriage, knowing that it will be childless. Gabriel has made his ardent devotion clear, will Jane take a chance on love?



Meanwhile, Mercy has lost her school due to the marriage of her brother, and she takes up a governess position teaching her former pupil. Her new job has that advantage of putting her in a position to resume her friendship with Joseph.



Rachel is trying to help her sister-in-law get out from under her controlling mother, and help her prepare for her upcoming wedding.



There is also a new dressmaker in town, who may not be who she says that she is.



A satisfying conclusion to this engaging trilogy. A series that you truly should read in order to fully appreciate the growth of the characters and grasp what is going on. This book was especially satisfying because the previous books left me wanting more and left many loose ends that were all resolved in this final installment.



There is so much going on in this book, I loved coming back to Ivy Green and all the bustle and small town drama. There is a strong sense of community throughout this series, and while it does focus more on the three friends, there is a kind of feeling that you are reading about everyone in Ivy Green.



Mercy is my favorite character, her grave and faith in the face of hardship is always so inspiring and she makes the most of what she is dealt in life, putting her trust in God to see her through.



Overall, a vibrant read about a close knit community in Regency Era England, I loved reconnecting with all of my favorite characters, and seeing all of their stories come to a satisfying new chapter of life. Mystery, community, love, faith, and everyday drama bring Ivy Green to bustling life, a fitting ending to an enjoyable series.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Title: The Bride Of Ivy Green



Author: Julie Klassen



Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance, Series, Regency England



Plot: Mercy Groove has closed down her precious little school and anxiously awaits the arrival of her brother and his new wife from their honeymoon. Life soon settles into a new uncomfortable groove for them and Mercy decides to take the only option left open for her. So she moves to Fairmount House with Mr. Drake and his newly discovered little daughter as the governess. This position puts her closer to her handsome carpenter crush. Sadly, he doesn't seem to have much time for her right now and Mr. Drake does.



Meanwhile, Jane is torn between the man she loves and the inn she rebuilt and depends upon. But when a tragic accident occurs, Jane must make her decision before she waits too long and misses her one chance at happiness again.



With so much life crammed into one small village, not many secrets are left to spill. But one newcomer might just change all of that. The conclusion to the many intertwined adventures in Ivy Hill will have readers swooning.



Likes/Dislikes: I loved this book! It was so good to be back in Ivy Hill and I really hope more books set here will be forthcoming. I loved having Mercy as the main character more so than Rachel this time, and so pleased with her happy-ending. Jane was a touch annoying to me; she procrastinates her decision and then changes her mind so fast I'm surprised she didn't give everyone whiplash. Thankfully (as with all clever writings), her story ends beautifully. I liked Victorine but was confused by her arrival in the beginning and didn't care for the circus tie-in. I hate circus stories. All in all, a wonderful story!



Rating: PG-14 and up, mainly for reading level and content (some veiled discussion of pregnancy, miscarriages and a brutal assault on a minor character several years ago in the story's history but nothing graphic).



Date Review Written: December 22nd, 2018



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

I love everything by Julie Klassen, and this book was no exception. I have loved the entire series of Ivy Green women, and this one is just as good. The final book in the series, it wraps everything up nicely.

The Tales From Ivy Hill series concludes with this new release from Julie Klassen. Once upon a time we met Jane, a young widow who was stepping up to the challenge of being an innkeeper, and Mercy, a schoolteacher whose life took an unexpected turn. Will Jane and Mercy both find the happy endings their hearts long for?

Still trying to deal with her body's limitations, Jane hesitates to accept the offer of marriage that has been given to her. With the unexpected arrival of someone from her past, Jane ponders if it will change her future.

Now in reduced circumstances, Mercy considers becoming a governess in order to find a measure of freedom. She pines for the man who has caught her heart, but meanwhile she's caught the eye of a man who could give her every comfort.

Alongside the other Ivy Hill residents we've come to know and love, a new seamstress comes to town with the hope of making a fresh start. Her mysterious background becomes a source of much curiosity, and it turns out she may have more ties to the village than she even knows.

A wonderful wrap-up to a delightful series, The Bride of Ivy Green had me laughing, cheering, and crying by turns. If you enjoy stories reminiscent of Jane Austen or Elizabeth Gaskell, you'll want to add these to your reading list.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Once again, Julie Klassen delivers an engrossing tale from regency England. The Bride of Ivy Green is the third (and final?) installment of Tales of Ivy Hill, a small town in Wiltshire. This book follows the aftermath of Mercy Grove’s decision to decline an offer of marriage from a visiting professor whom her parents recommended. Her school is gone, her brother and new sister-in-law have moved into the cottage and Mercy finds herself feeling trapped. It’s no wonder she jumps at the chance to become governess to a former beloved pupil.
The story covers the continuing friendship of Jane, Mercy and Rachel though this is truly Mercy’s story. Interesting new characters are introduced that help tie up loose ends in other community members’ lives. The return of Jane’s estranged father, and half-brother brings an interesting light to cross-cultural marriages of the time.
The title is a bit misleading, there’s not just one bride in Ivy Hill in this book. But to be fair, there is only one that has her wedding on Ivy Green (the park in the middle of town).
This series is quite different from Julie Klassen’s stand alone titles in that suspense and mystery is conspicuously absent. That’s not to say the series isn’t as enjoyable, just not a typical novel one would expect from this author. The plot is character driven, and the story pacing is satisfactory.
If there is one complaint about this story (and it would be a first for any novel I’ve read by Ms. Klassen), it’s that I’m not entirely sure I’m satisfied with Mercy’s happily ever after. Throughout the novel a tug of war plays between two possible marriage prospects. The loser, who really isn’t a loser, was the one I was rooting for. I can see why she ended up with the other guy but my guy was sweet, honorable, and genuinely cared for Mercy. They had a solid friendship.
I think I’m still venting over that one…
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you enjoyed The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill and The Ladies of Ivy Cottage, you are definitely going to read the third book in the series, The Bride of ivy Green. The only complaint I have is that I think it should have been called the BRIDES of Ivy Hill instead.

This historical romance series by Julie Klassen is set in a small English village, Ivy Hill. The series follows the romantic adventures and misadventures of three women primarily: Jane, Rachel, and Mercy. Though really a dozen more characters are introduced and followed. One really gets a sense of time and place. (I believe this one is set in 1821; the others might be set a year or two earlier. The county is Wiltshire.)

Mercy Grove, the heroine, is a school teacher, or WAS a school teacher. Her brother returning with a wife has closed down--at least temporarily--her dreams and her means of independence. (The school was in her home.) She remains in his house, but make no mistake, she feels it is HIS house now. Her new sister-in-law soon has her living in the attic so that her former room can be a guest room. Mercy feels trapped--not trapped enough to regret turning down a loveless marriage offer--but trapped. So when Mr. James Drake mentions he's looking for a governess for his daughter, Alice, she volunteers for the job. (Alice was a former pupil, a beloved former pupil.)

Mercy, of course, is not the only woman adapting to big changes. Other women are as well. Rachel is loving getting to know her new sister-in-law, Justina. But her need to advocate for her may cause tension in her relationship with her mother-in-law. Justina is falling for someone....and her mother already has definite opinions on whom her daughter should marry. Jane is oh-so-close to getting her happily ever after. But someone from her past shows up, and difficult conversations must be had before she can be at peace with where she is in her life. There is also the matter of the brand new seamstress in town....there is something OFF about her. But what?!

I love, love, love this series. There is something COZY about this series. It is definitely character-driven. Don't expect much action or drama.

The Bride of Ivy Green, from Julie Klassen, brings her Tales from Ivy Hill series to a close. It is fun to be re-introduced to Jane Bell, Rachel Ashford, now Lady Brockwell and Mercy Grove. You will be surprised to see the direction God takes each of these lives!

You will also be interested to meet a mysterious new character, Madame Victorine, a dressmaker who sets up a shop in the sleepy town of Ivy Hill!

All of the unknown surrounding each character will come to a satisfying ending by the final page!

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Conclusion to the Tales from Ivy Green Series. This book brings a full contented wrap of the lives of three friends Jane, Rachel & Mercy. Each book has developed a little deeper and brought many characters into the mix. The entire village plays a part - and this unite clearly is written as if you could imagine any TV period drama series would play out.

As expected there are diversions along the way for each of the main characters, enough to pad out this series.

I would have preferred to read each of this directly in succession - reading over a hundred books in between them means recalling details as intricately as they are shared in this series is hard. I was at least 30% of the way through before I knew what was going on and who was who. I didn’t enjoy this as much as I did book 2, though the series definitely improved as time went on.

For those that haven’t read this series at all yet, you are lucky. You’ll be able to take on the 3 one after another.

I have visited Lacock - in which Julie Klassen based this location on. Gorgeous village for sure and so picturesque.

Thanks to Netgalley & Bethany House for the eARC. This is my honest review.

Julie Klassen brings the reader back to the beautiful village Ivy Hill in The Bride of Ivy Green. At the end of The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, I was eager to hear what would be next for Mercy and Jane. This one picks up those threads and creates a beautiful tapestry with them. We are introduced to several new characters including a new dressmaker and prospective grooms of Miss Brockwell.

I love village stories, full of delightful people and multiple storylines, and this is a prime example. To share more of the journey would be to give away the delight of experiencing it first hand but I can say it adventurous, interesting, moving and heartfelt. Life is never straightforward with easy decisions, Julie Klassen captures the tension of decision-making beautifully and brings God in lightly but wisely.

The ending is wonderful and I’m sad to say goodbye to this cast and am excited there may be a novella coming yet! If you haven’t tried this series, do! You don’t have to start at the beginning, but it’s worth going through all three! I highly recommend it, five out five on the en-JOY-ment.

I totally enjoyed this final conclusion to the series by Ms. Klassen. It had, as the others, a feel of the Austen type era. The story had several characters, and if you were not careful, you were lost for a second and had to refresh where you were.
I found myself rooting for one family, and then another when a new character was introduced. It was one of those winter evening type books that you just want to savor.
If you enjoy a good story, fairly accurate seeming to the time period, you should pick up this whole series. It is quite enjoyable!

I really enjoyed returning to Ivy Hill. As I read, the storylines from the prior books came flooding back because the characters are so memorable. I am glad that their stories continued in this book. Ivy Green is a charming village with people of various class levels. Love is definitely in the air but Cupid’s arrow doesn’t always fly straight and things get complicated.
Mercy’s sister-in-law, Helena, reminded me of Fanny from Sense and Sensibility. Mercy and her aunt showed remarkable grace when Helena and George moved into their family home. I especially like that everyone has a chance at love in this series. It isn’t just the fancy, rich people or young, beautiful women. It can be the older widow or the “athletic” woman who is interested in guns. I found it delightful.
There isn’t a lot of mystery or action, but it doesn’t matter. The writing draws you in and it feels like you become part of the village. I would highly recommend this book and this series.
Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Tales From Ivy Hill
Book 1: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill
Book 2: The Ladies of Ivy Cottage
Book 3: The Bride of Ivy Green

The Tales From Ivy Hill series has been my favorite offering from Julie Klassen. I love the small village setting and the cast of characters that are so reminiscent of Gaskell’s Cranford, one of my all-time favorite novels. And while this was the last book in the series and you got that feeling of the author tying up loose ends, there was still suspense that kept me guessing and introductions to some new faces.

I love that the story offers happy endings and some that come in unexpected ways. Jane was a lovely heroine and I was glad to see her happy and reconcile with her father. Rachel wasn’t as much a part of the story as in past novels, and rather her sister-in-law played a big role in her portions of the story. I really came to like Mercy in this novel and continually guessed at which suitor she would chose. And I loved Madame Victorine, the new seamstress in Ivy Hill. Her character and the bits of her past that are portrayed in the book added a whimsical element that added an extra layer to the charm of Ivy Hill.

All in all, The Bride of Ivy Green was a charming end to a lovely series. Fans of Regency fiction will enjoy a final trip to Ivy Hill to see the happily-ever-afters of endearing characters.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Thank you to Bethany House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this lovely finale to a charming series.

I have read several of Julie Klassen’s novels and this one did not disappoint. The Bride of Ivy Green is the third book in the Tales from Ivy Hill series. I have only read this book and the second book, The Ladies of Ivy Cottage. This book picks up where the second one left off. Mercy’s brother is moving into the cottage with his new wife, who makes it well known that Mercy is not welcome. Mercy has to make a decision regarding her future since she has to close her school. Jane is also reconnected with Gabriel Locke, he makes his intentions known but she can’t bear to disappoint him since she cannot have children. However, Ivy Hill goes through some changes as a new mysterious dressmaker comes to town. Will these ladies be able to overcome these obstacles and find the path they are destined for? And what about love?

I just love Julie Klassen’s writing. She has focus and even though the point of view changes often, it is always a smooth transition. I still feel like I am missing something though since I have not read the first book. That is the only problem with this series, they are not standalone novels. Each book has distinct information that carries over into the next book. I really hope there is another book in the series though!

I do love the characters. Every single character seems realistic despite the time period and their situation. The only character I did not like is Helena. (Mercy’s sister-in-law) However, it made Mercy that much more admirable. I also love the descriptions of Ivy Hill. Can I live there, please? It sounds like it is straight out of a dream. Overall, this book is a wonderful read and I hope that there will be more. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley, Bethany House Publishers and Julie Klassen for a copy of this book!

My Thoughts: The Bride of Ivy Green is the happy conclusion that fans of the series have been waiting for. We're back to the cozy Regency setting with the friends that we had made in the previous books. Klassen has several surprises and unexpected turns in store for the readers. The drama unfolds at a steady rate, but I couldn't help feeling like it was stretched thin compared to my favorite Klassen novels. But I appreciated the solid gospel message weaved into the storyline.
*This series is a continuation and should be read in order.

Rating and Recommendation: I'm giving The Bride of Ivy Green 4 stars and recommending it Christian Regency fans.

~ I received a copy from Bethany House through NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.

The Bride of Ivy Green is the third book in Julie Klassen's Tales from Ivy Hill series. The small village of Ivy Hill is filled with characters that will become dear to your heart. Most are selfless and each has their own very distinct skill set and interests, and even the most cantankerous ones have their lovable side. While having multiple story lines, this book focuses on Mercy Grove, a schoolteacher who has lost her school. Thirty-one-year-old Mercy had almost given up hope of marrying for love, but would she settle for a marriage of convenience? After so many years without a suitor, how would she now manage two? These questions will keep the reader turning pages along with the many questions about Ivy Hill's newest resident, Madame Victorine, the new dress-maker. She doesn't appear to be at all what she presents herself to be.

Julie Klassen places her readers right into the 1820s, feeling the jolting rides across the fields and the wet walks through the village. She helps them feel like they are a member of the Ladies Tea and Knitting Society, and causes them to root for love to win in many different circumstances. I highly recommend The Bride of Ivy Green.

I thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.