Kellyn Roth

Sigh. We now come to the end of this incredible series with book four: Beyond Her Calling. Ivy is so unique and memorable, and I’ve grown to love her and her sweet spirit. What an unforgettable and stirring character.

In this book, we visit Scotland. Yay! I’ve visited in real life and feel the author capture the beauty and essence quite well. And that accent. Another sigh.

I didn’t want this story to end. I didn’t want the series to end. But it did and I leave it feeling edified and show more inspired. I rarely read an entire series one after the other, and what an experience that is. I’ve spent so much time with these characters that I now consider them friends.

Ivy’s search for meaning and God’s plan for her life are touching. Though the pacing isn’t brisk, I enjoyed spending time sorting through her journey. I also enjoyed the friends to romance—one of my favorite tropes. This series is Christian fiction, but it certainly doesn’t avoid difficult subjects and realities of everyday life. Yet all of it is written tastefully and meaningfully.

I’ve enjoyed spending time with Ivy, Jordy, and (sometimes) Violet, and really sank into the themes of finding one’s calling and overcoming our pasts. Ivy is truly inspirational and they way she embraces friendship and family warms my heart. This book (and series) gives me all the feels and will stay with me.

Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. show less

In At Her Fingertips, Alice is now 18 years old and is looking for a suitor. Although the mention of debutante season in a story usually makes me cringe a bit on the inside, I enjoyed this one tremendously. Especially since Alice wants a ‘sensible’ marriage and doesn’t really have faith in romantic love. Alice shows wonderful growth throughout the story—and I say that after wanting to shake her a time or two, or at least giving her a few nudges.

I experienced a myriad of emotions show more reading this book. I was infuriated as much as I was captivated, and might I say a bit infatuated. It’s a little difficult for me to say too much about this story because it’d be too easy to spill something I shouldn’t. But I will say, this story contains depth, emotion, a wonderful setting, and many characters to love (and some you’ll want to shake senselessly…kidding, but just barely.)

This third book of the series (which also works as a standalone) delivers a story wrapped in Christian elements, sweet romance, and witty dialogue. It’s especially inspiring and enjoyable and I can’t wait to get started on the next!

Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. show less

The Dressmaker’s secret is a delightful historical fiction book with strong faith themes, wonderful characters and a dash of romance. It’s the first installment of the Chronicles of Ivy and Alice.

I listened to the audio version narrated by Alexandra Ralph and she did a fantastic job!

The plot was really intriguing. There is never a dull moment and I was actually really surprised by what was revealed near the end - and I am usually quite good at predicting plot twists and secrets.

This show more book deals with a lot of heartbreak and disappointment, but also with hope and healing.
I loved the characters, especially Alice and Nettie for completely different reasons.
The friendship and loyalty between Claire and Nettie is beautiful and I loved Claire’s faith arc.

This book is really amazing, there is so much happening, there are so many emotions, so many hard topics addressed, so many secrets revealed, that it’s hard to write a review without going into too many specifics. But I absolutely loved it, it gave me all the feels and I appreciated how unapologetic Christian it was. Can’t wait to dive into the next installment - Ivy Introspective!

* Thank you to the author for giving me access to this audiobook. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own. show less

I’m loving this series! This second book focuses on Alice’s sister, Ivy, who I barely got a glimpse of in the first book (The Dressmaker’s Secret.) This makes me happy, for I knew something was ‘different’ about her but wasn’t truly disclosed until now.

Ivy Introspective is so easy to delve into. I enjoyed Ivy’s perspective and sinking into her world. I got a good feel for her once she began opening up. I also appreciate how mental illness was portrayed at McCale show more House—especially during the time period. (We’ve come a long way, baby.)

There were many surprises in this story, wonderful characters, and elements of faith are so well crafted. One of the biggest surprises for me was how much I adored Jordy. What a great character! I wish Nettie (who I grew to love in book 1) was a bigger part of this story, but I’m hoping she takes a larger role later in the series. There’s so much more I want to know about her…

I’m happy I’m reading each of these books in order, and one after the other (although they work wonderfully as standalones) because I don’t have to experience a lull between books and can keep these characters close for much longer.

Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. show less