" 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." From the book's Amazon sales page.

The bulk of my review is in the "further comments" section near the bottom.

People who like sweet historical romance with a lot of detail, or family drama / intrigue / mysteries and are open to a Christian dynamic.

The sisters, and most of their guests and supporting characters, and the hard working folk from town.

The unlikeable characters, especially Mrs. Elton and the nasty surgeon.

Start something different.

Different things at different times. More detail in the "further comments" section near the bottom.

About the Author: "Julie Klassen

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. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit www.julieklassen.com and talesfromivyhill.com for more information." from the book's Amazon sales page.

I borrowed this book from my local library. This book was really engaging for me... from about 75% of the way into it until the end, and at some points before that. It took a while to get into it. And some of the very detailed scenes... well, I'll just say that hou have to really be into details to read every word of this book. I had to skim parts. Particularly the history of lace and the cricket match. But the interpersonal parts and big action scene near the end were definitely engaging.

I do plan to read the next book. I want to know Emily's story and hope Sarah's is furthered. I really expected at least two of the sisters to have settled down by the end of this book but only one did. I was very happy for her and her growth arc though, as well as for her romantic partner's.

The area sounds lovely and I think it'd be a great place to visit.

Some of the medical treatments back then are shocking and I think I cried when reading about what all Viola went through as a child.

I was very happy that their mother started to do better near the end of the book.

Overall, the book felt long but good. It might not have felt so long if I hadn't just finished a fast-paced novel before starting it, but I think it might have. It was 455 pages long too. I think it could have been shortened and split into two books and been better for it, but I guess she only plans one romance per book and this one set the stage for the others. Perhaps the others won't be so long.

There were a lot of loose ends, which is fairly normal for book one in a series.

I was looking for a strong Christian book and about 15% into the book I was surprised to feel like that element was missing. However, it did appear strongly at times and was a theme throughout the rest of the book once it started. Not in an overly preachy way, but in a how they live their lives kind of way.

As of the afternoon of January 9, 2026, when I wrote this review, the book's Amazon sales standings are as follows:
"Best Sellers Rank: #142,345 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)

#135 in Christian Historical Fiction (Books)
#258 in Christian Historical Romance
#441 in Christian Historical Fiction (Kindle Store)"

That's a pretty good showing for some big categories, especially as the book was published a few years ago (in 2022). Though a new volume was recently released, so people like me, who like to start with volume one, and just noticed the series, are reading it now.

It has an average 4.6 star rating on Amazon. I still haven't decided what stars to give it. I guess I'll figure it out as I click the drop down selections.

Interested in buying this? Support Writing.Com by making your purchase of The Sisters of Sea View (On Devonshire Shores Book #1): (A Forced Proximity Historical Regency Romance Novel)   from Amazon.Com!

Created Jan 09, 2026 at 3:47pm • Submit your own review...