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Do you have an auto-read
author? An author that as soon as they
publish something new, you have to read it right away? Julie Klassen is just such an author for me. I was happy to be invited to be a part of the
Austenprose PR Book Tour and to be able to post my review on the release day of
The Sisters of Sea view.
The Summers Sisters and
their Mother are left without a sufficient income at the death of their
father. Luckily for them, while their
father’s estate was entailed away, he did manage to buy a house on the shores
of Devonshire in Sidmouth, Sea View. Sarah,
the eldest, is determined to keep the family together and comes up with a plan. Can they open their home to guests in order
to stay together and make a living?
Viola and Emily are
twins. While Emily loves the spotlight,
Viola remains in the shadows wearing a veil.
She was born with a harelip which was fixed surgically. She does not want to help with hosting visitors,
so she starts to read to invalids for money.
Her first client is gruff man in his thirties who has returned with
wounds from India. Will she be able to
see past his exterior to the man inside?
Georgina is the youngest
sister and full of fun. She wonders what
happened to her eldest sister, Claire.
Claire suddenly left to become a companion to an elderly aunt in
Scotland. Why have they never heard from
her again?
I loved, loved, loved
this novel. I couldn’t put it down and
it was pure joy to read it. The setting
was intriguing, and the characters were wonderful and fully developed. I loved the sisters, their servants, and
getting to know the people that stayed at Sea View. The sweet romances that were started were
also very romantic. I can’t see what
happens next. This is the first novel in
a planned series.
One of my favorite parts
of reading this were all of the fun call-backs to Jane Austen. At first when Mr. and Mrs. Elton showed up as
guests, I thought they shared the names of Austen characters. Then I was pleasantly surprised to discover
they were the characters from Emma by Jane Austen. You can read the novel not knowing this and
be fine, but it makes it extra delightful for fans of Jane Austen. The theme of five sisters and their mother
trying to find their way after the estate is entailed is straight from Pride
and Prejudice. It felt like the Bennet
sisters and their invalid mother, except they were in a better place with owning
Sea View. This story also shared a “ruined”
sister. The characters were completely
different than Pride and Prejudice, but I loved the call backs.
I highly recommend The
Sisters of Sea View if you love Jane Austen, regency romance, great character
driven stories, or just a great book overall.
Review Copy from Bethany House
as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour.
Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed
in this review are completely my own.
QUICK FACTS
·
Title: The Sisters of Sea View
·
Series: On Devonshire Shores
(Book 1)
·
Author: Julie
Klassen
·
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational
Fiction
·
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
(December 6, 2022)
·
Length: (448) pages
· Format: hardcover,
trade paperback, & eBook
· ISBN: 978-0764234262
·
Tour Dates: November 28 – December 12,
2022
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Some
guests have come for a holiday, others for hidden reasons of their own
. . .
When their father's death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers and her
genteel sisters fear they will be forced to sell the house and separate to earn
livelihoods as governesses or companions. Determined to stay together, Sarah
convinces them to open their seaside home to guests to make ends meet and
provide for their ailing mother. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect to
receive, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is
soon torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and
duty to her family.
Viola Summers wears a veil to cover her scar. When forced to choose between
helping in her family's new guest house and earning money to hire a maid to do
her share, she chooses the latter. She reluctantly agrees to read to some of
Sidmouth's many invalids, preferring the company of a few elders with failing
eyesight to the fashionable guests staying in their home. But when her first
client turns out to be a wounded officer in his thirties, Viola soon wishes she
had chosen differently. Her new situation exposes her scars--both visible and
those hidden deep within--and her cloistered heart will never be the same.
Join the Summers sisters on the Devonshire coast, where they discover the power
of friendship, loyalty, love, and new beginnings.
VIDEO INTRODUCTION TO THE SISTERS OF SEA VIEW BY
JULIE KLASSEN
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JULIE KLASSEN
ADVANCE PRAISE
· “Jane Austen fans will delight in this
nimble series launch…Klassen excels at weaving her various story lines, each
emphasizing the colorful qualities of her characters and allowing them the
space to shine. Readers will be eager for the next installment.” —Publisher’s
Weekly (starred review)
PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF JULIE KLASSEN
- “Julie Klassen delights with a winsome
love story…” —Publisher’s Weekly, on A Castaway in
Cornwall
- “I couldn’t put it down! It you are a
historical fiction fan you need this one on your radar! It was a spooky
delight full of heart. ”—Anne Mendez, The Lit Bitch,
on Shadows of Swanford Abbey
- “…a wonderfully engaging novel full of
intriguing characters and storylines. I highly recommend it and can’t
wait for more in the series.” —Laura Gerold, Laura’s Reviews,
on The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON | BARNES
& NOBLE | BOOK
DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS
AUTHOR BIO
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS
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