The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

November 14, 2016
The financial future of the English village of Ivy Hill rests largely upon the success of The Bell, the coaching inn formerly run by innkeeper John Bell, but now by his widow, the reluctant and inexperienced Jane. When she discovers a large loan is imminently due, Jane turns to her resentful mother-in-law, Thora, the former mistress of The Bell who knows the business. Together they must face and overcome old hurts while assessing new methods to turn the business around. The appearance of several men, old friends and new, showing interest in both the inn and the women add mystery and emotional depth to the Jane and Thora’s struggle to save their heritage. Readers are left to wonder which of Thora’s suitors can convince her to chance love again, and if Jane can embrace or deny her new role as innkeeper. With her signature insight into the human heart, Klassen (The Painter’s Daughter) draws readers into the deceptively quiet English countryside of Austen’s day, a world of complicated yet joyful, messy yet faithful, lives of regular people who choose to truly live despite their difficult circumstances. Readers will rejoice that this is only the beginning of her new Tales from Ivy Hill series. Agent: Wendy Lawton, Books & Such

Set in Regency England, Klassen's audiobook features a richly detailed country village that is dependent on its coaching inn for its continued existence. Young widow Jane Bell is now the owner of The Bell--but a reluctant one as the inn is heavily in debt to the bank. Joined by her grim mother-in-law, a questionable brother-in-law, and others, can she make The Bell thrive? Klassen's writing captures the essence of the period; however, narrator Elizabeth Jasicki has trouble distinguishing between the younger Jane and the older Thora. And sometimes it's difficult to know if it's a male or a female speaking. At times, the story bogs down, and the ending leaves one wanting a happier happy resolution, which is what one expect in a historical romance. K.M. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine