It’s been a long wait, but the second novel in Julie Klassen’s delightfully charming “Tales From Ivy Hill” series has finally been released from Bethany House! “The Ladies of Ivy Cottage” begins right where “The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill” left off, and will be followed later this year with the conclusion to the trilogy, entitled “The Bride of Ivy Green”.

I adore historical novels set in small villages, where the interwoven stories of various townspeople create a rich tapestry that draws you in and touches your heart in so many different ways. When that story is also set in Regency England, well, it’s even better! “The Ladies of Ivy Cottage” continues the personal stories we first encountered in the previous novel, while also introducing some new characters and shining the spotlight on a new collection of secrets and surprises.

I love how this novel contains so many inspiring themes including surrendering to God and trusting him with your future (while allowing him to write your story), as well as the importance of developing the character traits of truth, humility, and grace in our lives. While this book also contains a few storylines of obvious “moral deficiency”, the author handles them with (what I consider to be) the discretion and propriety called for.

Overall, “The Ladies of Ivy Cottage” was an absolute delight to read, and I eagerly anticipate the conclusion to the series (which should definitely be read in sequence). If you enjoy Christian Historical Fiction with a small-town setting and multiple character viewpoints, you will NOT want to miss out on a visit to Ivy Hill, “Where friendships thrive, romance blossoms, and mysteries await. . .”

I received a copy of this book free of charge, courtesy of Bethany House Publishers, in exchange for an honest review.