Helpful Score: 1
The Girl in the Gatehouse has a definite Jane Austen "feel" to it. Each chapter begins with a quote, and some of Jane's are included. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, eagerly going back to it each evening and staying up into the wee hours of the morning, to find out what happened next. I found myself daydreaming about the secrets a gatehouse can hide, and what life in a gatehouse might have been like. Mariah found herself, despite the secluded life that she might be living, surrounded by wonderful friends and loyal allies. Though the end was wrapped up a bit too neatly for my liking, this was another engrossing story from Julie Klassen.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book a lot. I found it well written and believable. If you like Jane Austen you will most likely enjoy this author.
Helpful Score: 1
Every book Klassen writes gets better and better! Her writing style is very much along the lines of Jane Austen. In this particular book she combines Jane Austens Persuasion with a touch Mansfield Park. The main character Mariah has been sent to live with her companion in an old abandoned Gatehouse on her aunts estate. There she meets many unique and interesting people including the gallant Captain Matthew Bryant who is renting out her recently deceased Aunts estate. The Captain is drawn to her but does not know why. Why does the "lady" in the gatehouse hide away from society? What is her secret?
This book is worth reading!
This book is worth reading!
Helpful Score: 1
I am a huge fan of Julie Klassen and she sure didn't disappoint in her newest novel! Miss Aubrey has been a disgrace to her family and even thought it's not appropriate for a young woman to be on her own, Mariah is sent to live with her Aunt Francesca Prin-Hallsley. She is only allowed to take her companion, Ms. Dixon with her.
Upon her arrival, Miss Aubrey and Ms. Dixon are assigned to live in the Gatehouse. It's not quite what they had intended on but it would make do! Shortly after getting settled in, Mariah is summoned to the "big house" where her Aunt resides. Her Aunt gives her a precious gift. One in which Hugh Prin-Hallsley (step-son of Aunt Francesca) wants...desperately.
This book is full of mystery, suspense, love, redemption, and comedic acting! We learn of Miss Aubrey's love for the theater and writing and of Captain Prince's adventures at sea. It's difficult for me to focus on a favorite part of this book because there were just so many!
I did learn a couple of things that I was not aware of from this time period: I did not know it was considered "inappropriate" to be a single woman beyond the teen years. I was also not aware that Jane Austen was not revealed as the author of her works until after her death since it was inappropriate for a woman to author books. The Author Note at the end of the book was very helpful to me in understanding this novel better.
Upon her arrival, Miss Aubrey and Ms. Dixon are assigned to live in the Gatehouse. It's not quite what they had intended on but it would make do! Shortly after getting settled in, Mariah is summoned to the "big house" where her Aunt resides. Her Aunt gives her a precious gift. One in which Hugh Prin-Hallsley (step-son of Aunt Francesca) wants...desperately.
This book is full of mystery, suspense, love, redemption, and comedic acting! We learn of Miss Aubrey's love for the theater and writing and of Captain Prince's adventures at sea. It's difficult for me to focus on a favorite part of this book because there were just so many!
I did learn a couple of things that I was not aware of from this time period: I did not know it was considered "inappropriate" to be a single woman beyond the teen years. I was also not aware that Jane Austen was not revealed as the author of her works until after her death since it was inappropriate for a woman to author books. The Author Note at the end of the book was very helpful to me in understanding this novel better.
