Julie Klassen has done it again. She has created an entire village in the 1820 English countryside. The Bell a Royal Mail coaching inn is the heart of the village. A place to work, grab a quick meal or find romance, The Bell has belonged to the Bell family for over 100 years. Jane Fairmont is a member of the gentry, used to the finer things in life. She shocks everyone by marrying John Bell, an innkeeper. Upon his death, he wills the Bell to her in a time when women don't own anything. I loved the way Jane goes from being a clueless flower, to learn her own worth and strength. All of the characters are delightful and I wasn't sure who to root for. I can't wait for the next installment in The Tales From Ivy Hill saga.
From Amazon:
First Series from Bestselling Author Julie Klassen!
The lifeblood of the Wiltshire village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. But when the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant owner. Jane has no notion of how to run a business. However, with the town's livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must find a way to bring new life to 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 find her place in the world. As she and Jane work together, they form a measure of trust, and Thora's wounded heart begins to heal. When she encounters two men from her past, she sees them--and her future--in a different light.
With pressure mounting from the bank, Jane employs innovative methods to turn the inn around, and puzzles over the intentions of several men who seem to have a vested interest in the place. Will her efforts be enough to save The Bell? And will Thora embrace the possibility of a second chance at love?
About the author from Amazon:
Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. Her book, The Silent Governess, was also a finalist in the Minnesota Book Awards, ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Awards, and Romance Writers of America's RITA Awards. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit www.julieklassen.com for more information.
I was given this book by Netgalley.com for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.
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