Book Review: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen
This page may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and buy something, I receive a commission for the sale. This does not cost you anything. But if you do use my links, I appreciate your support.
What is this book about?
The lifeblood of the village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. When the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant landlady. Jane has no idea how to manage a business, but with the town’s livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must quickly find a way to save 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 overcome her losses and find purpose for the future. As she works with Jane, two men from her past vie for her attention, but Thora has promised herself never to marry again. Will one of them convince her to embrace a second chance at love?
As pressure mounts from the bank, Jane employs new methods, and puzzles over the intentions of several men who seem to have a vested interest in the place, including a mysterious newcomer with secret plans of his own. With the help of friends old and new, can Jane restore life to the inn, and to her empty heart as well?
My review:
This was a cozy historical read. Even though Jane is a main character, the story was more about the little town and its people with a particular focus on the town’s inn. While this did take me some time to settle in, especially with multiple POV characters, once I got used to its gentle pace and the people, I enjoyed it. There is some romance but it is secondary. The story ends well but there are some threads not tied up, making it important for me to read the next book in the series to find out what happens.
What I enjoyed most about this book:
Small town dynamics with interesting people
What I didn’t like about this book:
Took some time for me to get invested in the story
Would I recommend this book to others? Yes. Historical fiction with light romance, interesting characters, and small town dynamics. This is the first book in the series and, while not a cliffhanger, does have some story threads open for book two.
Where can I learn more about this author and their books?
-Loraine Nunley
The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen (4 out of 5 stars) #amreading #BookReview Share on XHave you read anything by Julie Klassen? What is your favorite story by her?
