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Top positive review

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen - 5 Stars - a Christian Regency romance - delightful, simply delightful!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 26, 2011

Original review: I have loved every Julie Klassen book, and this one is no exception. A very fun read with lots of fabulous characters.

Updated review:

The Girl in the Gatehouse

"'It is you,' he began foolishly. 'I almost did not recognize you. Without the cap, I mean, and. . . well you were dressed so. . . That is, I thought you were . . . '"

"'A maidservant?' she said easily."

"'He winced. 'Forgive me.'"

"'There is nothing to forgive. You came upon me in my jam-making attire.' She smiled. 'Yet I recognize you out of uniform, Captain Bryant.'"

"The Girl in the Gatehouse" (2010, Bethany House) is a standalone Christian Regency romance by Julie Klassen set near the village of Whitmore in Staffordshire, England in 1814. I chose to reread this book because I have enjoyed every Klassen book I've ever read. I loved this book just as much the second time around! It's really excellent, and it's pretty telling that out of all the books she has written, it is Julie Klassen's favorite book - at least as of when she answered a reader's question on Goodreads, which was between the publication of "The Secret of Pembrooke Park" and her "Ivy Hill" series.

Rating: 5 stars without question!
Narration: 5 stars

The heroine: Mariah Aubrey, 24, has been banished from her family's home and relegated to the gatehouse on the estate of a relative. She soon finds that she has need of funds and decides to turn to her talent for writing, hoping it can become a means of support.

The hero: Captain Matthew Bryant meets Mariah when he has a mishap while traveling alone on a horse. She helps him out, which was reminiscent of Jane Eyre meeting Mr. Rochester for the first time. This might be coincidental, but either way, I thought it was fun.

Christian elements:

*Before chapter one, we have, "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. --Jesus Christ (NIV)"

*Late in the book: "Mariah prayed, contritely asking God to forgive not only her offenses, but for wavering in her devotion."

Is it clean/chaste? Yes! However, I'd say this book is not for middle school students.

What I liked:

*The cover of this book may possibly be my favorite cover of all time. Not only is it gorgeous, but it's a perfect representation of the story!

*I loved the number of elements from Jane Austen books, especially Mansfield Park, which were used in this story. The beginning of each chapter has a quote, and it's frequently an Austen quote.

*****SPOILER*****

According to Ms. Klassen's author's note in the back of the book - which I don't remember hearing in the audio version - Austen's Maria (pronounced Mariah) Bertram's situation partly inspired the creation of Klassen's Mariah Aubrey. (Don't worry - Klassen's very caring Mariah is unlike the very selfish Maria created by Austen!) And Captain Bryant was partly inspired by Austen's Captain Wentworth

.*****END SPOILER*****

*The secondary characters in this story were absolutely stupendous. Loved, loved, loved them all. And there's many of them!

*The setting, the setting! So rich, rich, rich! A manor house, a gatehouse, and a poorhouse! These were so very well drawn, and I loved it all!

*Historical details are always fun, especially when they're lesser-known ones. Klassen includes Kissing Friday in the story, when "boys were allowed, under a tradition of indeterminate origin, to kiss them [girls] without fear of getting a slap or being chased by an angry parent. Under the rules of Kissing Friday, falling two days after Ash Wednesday, the tradition supposedly said that no girl was allowed to say no." (Quote from BBC dot com)

*Another atypical historical detail was the inclusion of the poorhouse. It's something that is occasionally mentioned in Regency novels as something to be avoided, but I've never read another Regency that includes a poorhouse and its people as an important part of the setting.

What I didn’t like: The antagonist! But the reader isn't supposed to. And kudos to Ms. Klassen for showing a hint of redeeming qualities in the antagonist.

Audiobook: The narration by Elizabeth Jasicki was most excellent.

***********

The bottom line: This was an ideal Christian Regency romance. I recommend this book to all fans of Jane Austen or Regency romance, regardless of whether they're readers of Christian novels. I think that aspect was organically portrayed. I will be reading more by this author, whether it's a reread (via Audible) or one of the few I haven't read yet.

I'm adding Klassen to my list of top 5 authors. I have long suspected she belongs on that list, but it had been so long since I had read one of her books that I wanted to do a reread to be certain. It's going to be a top 6 list now, because I really don't feel like eliminating any of the others.

3 people found this helpful

Top critical review

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Marissa Hope

Sweet Story but Slow-Going

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 13, 2013

Star Rating:
3.5 stars (I liked it pretty well.)

Content Rating:
PG (recommended to 13&up)

My Opinions:
What I liked/loved - Don't get me wrong, this book was great. There was a good bit of mystery and questions that needed answered to pull you along through its pages. Julie Klassen also happens to be one of my favorite authors, having read four of her books that are this sort of fiction.

The regency era (historical fiction, really) with some romance mixed in is one of my favorite genres. Her two books The Apothecary's Daughter and The Silent Governess are on my favorite books' list.

The relationship between Mariah and Captian Bryant is not anything to worry about. Thankfully there are some sweet, charismatic moments for those romantics at heart. What historical romance would be complete without them?

There is just something about when a relationship unfolds slowly, and I get to have those times when I hold my breath or sigh happily.

What I didn't like/hated - However, this book did fall a bit short of my hopeful expectations. I knew some other reviewers had found it to be a bit slow and not one of her best works, but I tried to maintain a bright outlook as I read it. This book took me forever to finish though, and it was not until about halfway through that it finally started to really grab my attention.

I found it too easy to set it aside, and took a break or two to finish/read other books in between finishing this one (something I usually try to avoid). The conclusion was satisfying, and I did not regret spending my time on it, but I have to agree that this was not her best work- though still a good one. Maybe because it was confined to such a small area (no traveling really), it did not give my mind enough places to wander.

This book is still worth reading, especially if you love historical romances with a bit more story to them... or if you would like to see what life for a female writer in the 1800s might be like... or if you love Jane Austen's book Persuasion. Sadly, it won't be going on my "favorite books' list" though.

Content (For Those Who Wonder):
Language - None.

Sensuality - Some. There are some kissing scenes, and talk about a shady past (a girl was taken advantage of when she was younger as well as Mariah's fall, is made clear, but there aren't any disturbing or inappropriate details). There are a few "sensual" moments in referencing to Mariah's past, her feelings towards a man, and when a man embarrasses her in front of a small party. Though nothing is really inappropriate, and is suitable for most ages.

Violence - Hardly any, Captain Bryant suffers from nightmares and guilt from his time at war, and we also hear the story of another captain's experiences. Nothing very gruesome or gory though.

Other - No other content to note or worry about. But I will mention this is a Christian book, so mention of God, faith, etc. do make some appearances for any of those wondering.

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From the United States

Marlene H.

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen - 5 Stars - a Christian Regency romance - delightful, simply delightful!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 26, 2011

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3 people found this helpful

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Romance, Friendship, and Mystery!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 4, 2011

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Okay, so I just finished The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen. I'm very happy to say it was quite an enjoyable story that ended well. The main character was someone I could relate to, the minor characters were given their dues in the story, there were enough antagonists to keep the story realistic and the pace wasn't rushed but it wasn't dull either. I liked the romance as well. Women tend to have unrealistic expectations when it comes to romance and this issue was addressed in the story. The hero in the story was flawed and faced insecurities just as the main character did. He was superior in status and money, but he lacked certain wisdom and discernment until the end. It's important to see that with heroic characters. Just because someone is rich and handsome does not mean they are thoughtful or intelligent and without those characteristics the hero falls flat both on the page and in real life.

Mariah Aubrey has been placed in hiding because of a scandal that has embarrassed her father. I assumed the scandal was sexual because in the 1800s that was the worst thing an unmarried woman could do, but the book doesn't go into those details until halfway through the story. While she is in hiding, she is filled with shame and is very discreet to everyone she comes in contact with. That was frustrating because it caused several misunderstandings throughout the book, but it kept the plot interesting. I wanted to see how every issue dealt with was resolved and I was very satisfied in how Klassen brings closure. Aubrey runs out of money quickly while in hiding so to support herself and her nanny she turns to writing under an alias to make money. She meets many interesting characters that live nearby and a new tenant moves into the property named Captain Matthew Bryant who instantly befriends Mariah. I enjoyed watching these two characters fall in love despite different obstacles they face along the way. Each of them is forced to leave their comfort zones, face their pasts, and confront their fears...all of this before getting into a serious fling. I also loved how the author includes quotes from past writers in the beginning of each chapter. The Jane Austen quotes were incredible and showed the research done to create this book.

One of my favorite lines in the story is at the end, but I felt like cheering once I read it. "I am the scoundrel. Me. Not her! But that is not how polite society works, is it? The man can do as he pleases as long as he does not commit the unpardonable sin of breaking an engagement. Dashed unfair if you ask me, but nobody has. You were all too busy condemning her." I realized that no matter what happened with Mariah Aubrey that she didn't need a man to find her happiness and redemption. She found herself while in hiding, but once she did she was finally free.

I definitely recommend this story to those who enjoy historical settings, but this charming book will appeal to all types of readers no matter what genre they prefer.

2 people found this helpful

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Elizabeth L. Moore

Loved Julie Klassen's fourth book 'The Girl in the Gatehouse'

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 31, 2010

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I first came across Julie Klassen's first book called 'Lady of Milkweed Manor',I liked the way the description sounded, so I bought the book and read it. I am always ready to give a new author a try. The first line in the prologue got me, "When first I knew her, I thought her an amusing scrap of girl, silly and a bit grubby from her mornings spent in the gardens". Me being a flower lover and gardner was sucked right in. I loved it and recommended it to be read by my book club, which we did and everyone loved it. I was hooked! Her being a new author, I fell in love with her writing style immediately. Me being an avid reader, knew I had just come across a very new and exciting author. I couldn't wait for her second book to come out. When 'The Apothecary's Daughter' came out. I bought it as soon as I could and again was not disappointed in the book. I loved learning all the history and research that Julie put into this book. This is when I started recommending her books to friends and family to read. When her third book came out, 'The Silent Governess', I just automatically recommended that we read this book as a book club without even knowing anything about it. The book club loved it! Again, I was right there in the middle of the story and not disappointed with this new author. She put so much time and energy in her research that not only was I reading a really good story but I was learning some history also. So naturally, when I learned that her fourth book was coming out in December of 2010, I couldn't wait. "The Girl in the Gatehouse" was already on my list of 'must reads'. I got the book as soon as Amazon had it for sale. I fell in love with the main character immediately, feeling her heartache from the first line of the book which read, "The end of the only life I've know, thought Mariah Aubrey, looking back through the carriage window at the shrinking figures of her mother and sister". I was in that carriage with Mariah and so went on the journey with Mariah through the entire book. I loved all the characters in this book and couldn't put it down. I read the book in two days and when it was over, I wanted more. If you have not read any of her books, please do. You will be taken away into another time where life does not always turn out as planned, but you find out that God is there in the mist of the troubles even if you may not see Him. Thank you Julie for all your research of history and your ability to write such interesting stories. Can't wait for the next!

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An Author's Testament to Writing and a Reader's Delight

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 17, 2010

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September 1813. Take one abandoned gatehouse on an English estate adjacent to the village poorhouse. Insert one banished woman. Season with fascinating secondary characters, a shipwreck, and a manservant with a hook instead of a hand. Sprinkle in some 18th century home-produced plays and an old man with a spyglass pacing a rooftop. Sear with the heady longings of the hero and heroine along with an unexpectedly sweet courtship between two mature characters. Add echoes of Jane Austen. Simmer in exhaustive research about a hierarchical culture with liberal spoonfuls of social commentary, intrigue, and unlikely love. Toss in some unpredictable plot twists at the very end and a gate yearning to be unlocked. Result? A delicious, noteworthy historical romance novel well worth your time.

Chapter 18 of The Girl in the Gatehouse begins with an Austen quote, "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything else than of a book!"

It is a happy thing to write a book review for Jane Austen devotee, Julie Klassen, on this, the 235th anniversary of Miss Austen's birth. Unlike Miss Austen, who received little notoriety or respect for her writing during her lifetime, Julie Klassen is a RITA and Christy Award finalist. Ms. Klassen returns a third time to expertly write about the Regency period in English history. I have great respect for her work. In her author's note, she states that the novel is peppered with Austen-like characters. Julie Klassen's love of writing and authors pervade The Girl in the Gatehouse. Women who aren't supposed to write publish anonymously. Letters are written, read and re-read. Closeted writers abound, male and female alike, producing journals, stories, "theatricals" and novels. Ms. Klassen pens an engrossing read.

Well-paced and styled, The Girl in the Gatehouse introduces us to characters we care about even when our everyday tasks force us to lay the book aside for a time. Matthew Bryant, a successful navy captain recently returned from the Napoleonic wars, leases the estate, determined to piece together his fractured past. Mariah Aubrey has a safely-guarded secret and a predilection for helping others despite being tossed out on her ear by her father. We read only hints of her indiscretion until she bravely writes her own experience into her third novel. Mariah, however, seems a bit bland and placid through most of the book and then suddenly overwrought at the end. I found it curious that she waited so long to open her aunt's chest.

Helpful discussion questions are included in the back of the book. Beautiful motifs embellish new chapter pages as well as quotes from various 18th and 19th century poets and authors, particularly women. Literature is revered in this inspirational historical fiction novel, bookended, ironically, with the phrases "the end" and "the beginning."

Highly recommended to historical fiction and literature lovers or those simply looking for an enticing read.

Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont

66 people found this helpful

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Kathleen

Wraps you like a blanket

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 20, 2022

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There are no holes in this book. No tears or rents in the fabric of words. Klassen again writes a solid story that wraps itself like a blanket around you, dense with subplots and emotions; woven with words like her heroine that are weighed and measured; and real life issues that warm and chill you, and then reminds each of us, along with Amy, that “Whoever said life was fair?” Just as the book begins its climax, Klassen gives us the truth of the whole story: “God is far more forgiving than people are, or than we are to ourselves. Society may never forgive and certainly never lets anyone forget. But God will forgive you if you ask Him. Better yet, He will forget it ever happened.” That’s a blanket with keeping.

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Mary Jean Adams

Great read - even if you're not a fan of "all things Jane"

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 30, 2016

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I picked up The Girl in the Gatehouse because I was looking for a clean historical romance. I thought it looked interesting, though, for the record, I'm not a fan of "all things Jane" as is Julie Klassen. Sure, I've watched Pride and Prejudice a few times, but that's more because I'm a fan of (almost) all things Colin Firth, if you know what I mean. I've never even read Jane Eyre. (Sacrilege for a romance writer to admit, right?)

I soon realized this was not the first novel I had read by Ms. Klassen. I also read The Painter's Daughter several months ago. There was something about the style and cadence that felt familiar.

Both books are exceptionally well written and very enjoyable. Both also start with a heroine who is a "fallen woman," not because of extreme moral failings on her part, but because of her willingness to believe the promises of others. However, the novels do not follow the same script, so it was not like reading the same book over again in a different setting. (Don't you just hate that?)

In a time when the consequences of such an indiscretion fall almost completely on the woman, Mariah has had to come to grips with a new reality quickly. She's a very mature heroine, something I really like. But, while she's wary, she doesn't close herself off from all relationships with the world.

Her kind-heartedness draws a wonderful secondary cast of characters about her, and they are one of the true delights of the story. I found myself rooting for her companion's blossoming romance(s), and felt Miss Dixon's pain when she had to choose between two worthy men. The other characters who fill her life feel as though they were placed there by a divine hand to provide her just the right insight and guidance. I loved them all. (OK, with the exception of Hugh, who was pretty much a villain.)

The hero, Captain Matthew Bryant, is almost the perfect hero. The reason I say almost is because I never quite understood his desire to impress the woman who threw him over. He seems too level-headed to have been attracted to someone so shallow, but who can fathom the ways of men, eh? His interactions with Mariah are every bit as sweet as one would expect from this type of romance.

6 people found this helpful

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Marissa Hope

Sweet Story but Slow-Going

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 13, 2013

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7 people found this helpful

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K. L. Haschke

A beautiful story.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 9, 2011

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The Girl in the Gatehouse tells the story of Mariah Aubrey, a young woman who is sent in disgrace to live in an abandoned gatehouse on the estate of a distant relative. Ms. Aubrey and her companion, Miss Dixon (her former nanny), are forced to set up a household in the long-unused gatehouse. Ms. Aubrey is secretly a writer. She publishes her books under a pseudonym, as many ladies in that day did, fearing it would bring even more disgrace on her, especially from her family, if her identity were discovered. She struggles with feelings of unworthiness because of the mistake she made that led to her exile.

As the two ladies settle in at the gatehouse, they become acquainted with Captain Matthew Bryant, who has rented the estate for six months, and a friendship begins to develop. Captain Bryant is determined to prove himself to his disapproving father and to a certain lady who rejected him several years earlier because he is socially "beneath" her.

There's plenty of mystery too: an eccentric servant named Jeremiah Martin, a mysterious trunk left to Mariah by her aunt, plus several other intriguing questions. Why on earth was the gate locked and gatehouse abandoned in the first place? Why is a poorhouse located right across the road, so close to the estate, and who is the man who walks around on it's roof at all hours of the night?

I really enjoyed the book. Ms. Klassen does a great job of weaving multiple elements...mystery, romance, adventure, along with themes of worth, acceptance, and forgiveness...together into a wonderful tale. I really appreciated how she didn't come right out and tell either Mariah or Matthew's "back story" up front. Instead their backgrounds are revealed in bits and pieces throughout the book. This, along with the several threads of mystery about the gatehouse, poorhouse, and trunk, really kept my interest level high and kept me reading to figure out what was going on!

The characters are well-developed and believable...I feel like I know them now! I especially enjoyed unusual Mr. Martin and the variety of characters who lived at the poorhouse: the Merryweather sisters, little Maggie, Lizzie, and of course Captain Prince! I loved the way all the various threads of the different characters' pasts intertwined as the pieces fell into place throughout the story.

The Girl in the Gatehouse was a touching, intriguing, and incredibly enjoyable read! This was my first Julie Klassen novel, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her titles now.

4 people found this helpful

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Rachel

better than expected

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 27, 2013

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This regency romance was better written and more interesting than your average free regency romance and much better edited. The romance story more or less ended where one would expect, but the book was made so much better by the elements that were not strictly romance novel elements. I was particularly impressed with the way the author effortlessly wove historical information and details into the story without seeming contrived. I never felt like one character was boring another by feeding the reader important backstory or historical details. I almost didn't notice the depth of detail and historical information because it was so well integrated. I was struck with the idea while reading a section in which neither main character played a prominent role but I found myself interested in what the author was telling me about the setting and the lives of the servants and the poor.

I must also say, as someone who zooms through regency romance on my kindle because I can get it for free, this book was eleventy-seven times better edited and coherent than some of the stuff that shows up for free. During the reading I was never once annoyed by some stupid error that interrupted my reading.

The story was probably better than average, but I wouldn't list it as the motivation for me getting around to writing a review. The author included some mystery but, as I said, the main characters did more or less what one expected them to do from the start. The character strengths and story -telling strengths in this book were seen more clearly in the supporting characters who were flushed out and made much more appealing and interesting than we often see in a "simple" love story arc like this one.

I would love to see more from this author (I should probably go look) especially if she continues to develop and describe her interesting settings and the lives of the whole cast of her characters.

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Ruth A. Rothschnelle

I liked it it's different

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 13, 2022

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I liked the story and the characters. There were a lot of characters and their stories were interesting to follow. I liked the snippets from Jane Austen. A lot of things happened in the book and there are some things that apply well in lives of today. It is not your standard romance novel. It is definitely worth reading.

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