The Ladies of Ivy Cottage

By: Julie Klassen

Narrated by: Elizabeth Jasicki

Length: 16 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Return to Ivy Hill in The Ladies of Ivy Cottage as friendships deepen, romances blossom, and mysteries unfold.

Living with the two Miss Groves in Ivy Cottage, impoverished gentlewoman Rachel Ashford is determined to earn her own livelihood...somehow. When the village women encourage her to open a subscription library with the many books she has inherited or acquired through donations, Rachel discovers two mysteries hidden among them. A man who once broke her heart helps her search for clues, but will both find more than they bargained for?

Rachel's friend and hostess, Mercy Grove, has given up thoughts of suitors and fills her days managing her girls' school. So when several men take an interest in Ivy Cottage, she assumes pretty Miss Ashford is the cause. Exactly what - or who - has captured each man's attention? The truth may surprise them all.

Meanwhile, life has improved at the coaching inn, and Jane Bell is ready to put grief behind her. Now if only the man she misses would return - but where is he?

As the women of Ivy Hill search for answers about the past and hope for the future, might they find love along the way?

©2017 Julie Klassen (P)2017 Recorded Books

Delightful

Such a delightful book. Perfect for this season in my life when I was looking for something to take my mind off of heavy things. Great story lines. Switched back and forth between characters beautifully.

Wonderful Story with Lovable Characters

This is a compelling sequence to the tale of Ivy Hill and the people who fill it's homes and heritage. As always, Julie draws us into to a deep friendship and love for the characters. The twists and turns of their journey are true to life and draw us constantly forward to the next chapter and the next book.

Outstanding!

Another enchanting novel by Julie Klassen and outstanding narrative performance by Elizabeth Jasicki!! I especially loved how Klassen deftly interwove one of Jane Austen's novels into one of the sub-plots -- so heart-warming!!

Love this sequel!!!

I totally love anything that Julie Klassen writes! She is amazing! I am so addicted to this series!I can not hardly wait for the next book!

Keep on writing Julie and I’ll keep on reading!

Better than book 1!

This story has so much more fluidity to it than the first. The narrator nails it every time. Simple but sweet story great for relaxing or a long commute. Enjoyable characters.

Meat for the Bone

There wasn't as much forward motion or depth of storyline in this one. became more of a romance novel. not much meat on the bone. I won't buy the next one.

Pleasurable Read

Take a chance on this series. If you like getting lost in a book, as goldie would say, this one is juuuust right. Wish there was a third in the line up.

enjoyable

There was great character building. There were so many story beings at times it felt like 4stories goking on at once but non the less enjoyable.

I love, love, loved it!

But now the wait for the next one, uuugh. And Jane needs to get. it. together. in the next one. Seriously.

Slowly Unfolding Character Tale

This is the interwoven story of three early nineteenth century friends, each having lost a former position in society and now struggling to find their new places.

I liked the main characters and the gradual development of both their backstories and their new opportunities. I liked less the very slow pace at which everything unfolded. I think the book would have been better with about a quarter cut out for a tighter plot. On the other hand, it will be enjoyable for readers who enjoy a leisurely pace.

I also struggled with the numerous supporting and minor characters that became a little hard to follow at times. (Now who is Mr. X or Miss Y again?) And the sheer volume of Jane Austen allusions in plot points and even actual Austen dialogue seemed after a while less like honor toward a favored author and more like an exercise in making the plot fit a list of desired inclusions, or even near plagiarism. I only hope the author intended the honor.

Several plot points were left unfinished at the end. That's more like real life than the usual neat endings but also felt a little like the author keeping open the door for a sequel at the expense of the reader of this volume.

My complaints sound as if I liked the book less than I did. It was an enjoyable listen that I would recommend to someone who enjoys a leisurely Austen-type story of period characters and societal mores. Probably not for other readers.

The narrator is excellent, though her pace of speech is a bit slow. Then again, that suits both the plot and the time period.

Overall, a fairly good read. But not one of the best.