The Girl in the Gatehouse

By: Julie Klassen

Narrated by: Elizabeth Jasicki

Length: 14 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

RITA Award finalist and Christy Award winner Julie Klassen delivers historical romances brimming with the eloquence and intensity of Jane Austen. In an abandoned gatehouse on an old estate, Mariah Aubrey lives in seclusion. She supports herself by writing novels in secret—at a time when such writing is considered improper and unladylike. Soon the wealthy and ambitious Captain Bryant leases the estate and is intrigued by the beautiful girl in the gatehouse. But will he risk his plans—and his heart—for a woman shadowed by scandal?

©2010 Julie Klassen (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Amazing and Fresh Story and Characters

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

I have listened to all of Julie Klassen's audiobooks available as downloads through audible.com. She doesn't write like anyone else that I know. I love that she gives us fresh writing that is not constrained by formulas and rule-following despite her having been an editor herself! Her main characters and minor are vibrant and memorable. The romance was realistic and full of great tension.

Many of the other Regencies I have read all sound alike. But Klassen's fresh voice shines throughout the story telling. The narrator was a great choice for this audiobook.

Mariah Aubry is hiding in her relative’s gatehouse, with a view of a building nearby that houses a number of needy souls. And she has a secret – she’s a novelist (which I love because I write fiction!) Captain Matthew Bryant is too good for the conniving beauty who threw him aside for another wealthier man. But he has to struggle with his own demons as he charts a new course for his life. Within the gatehouse is something that will change their lives if they can keep it from her deceased aunt’s wicked stepson. Ms. Klassen does a great job of keeping the reader wondering about the hero and the antagonist and provides a wonderfully satisfying ending to the story.

The only complaint I have with this audiobook is that I like to listen while I am doing other activities such as cleaning. And I wanted to hear every word. The great thing is I can play this over and over again!

I highly recommend this book. The reader should understand that this is an inspirational historical romance. The publisher, Bethany House, produces outstanding Christian fiction by top authors. There is a strong spiritual arc embedded within the story. Purchase now!

Great Listen

Different, out of the box characters, no bad language, uplifting, not preachy. Will listen to this one again.

Enjoyable

Where does The Girl in the Gatehouse rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a great one to read while sitting outside taking in the sun on a beautiful spring/summer day, I will listen to this again.

What does Elizabeth Jasicki bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It was a pleasure to listen to her.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Wonderful!!

I don't believe I have read anything by this author before and now she is a favorite. The story was wonderful. If looking for an absolutely pure christian novel you may dislike the inferred fall of the main character. However, it didn't seem to spoil the book or the mood at all. It was a nice, clean and interesting story that I couldn't put down. It is rare to have a book that I want to listen to even when home because I save my audiobooks for the car. This book made me want to keep listening all the time. It is lengthy but never slows or dulls.
One of the other pros, and a big one...the narrator! I recognized her from my favorite books by Jasper Fforde and was immediately estatic to know she was the narrator for this book. I'm moving on to the next novel by Julie Klassen that is also narrated by Elizabeth Jasicky.
Well Done!!!

The Girl in the Gatehouse

I loved the characters and the story line. Love and forgiveness abounding. Maggie's. Plight and two wonderful people who loved, cherished her, and adopting her as their own brought healing to my own heart. I now know how God Almighty loves me, He rescued me from a terrible family and He became my Father!

great listen!

I loved this book! Although a predictable ending, it was filled with plot twists and turns throughout which kept me captivated. It took me about 4 or 5 chapters to get to know the characters but once I did, I loved the style and dialogue - the author certainly did her homework and the book sounded authentic and true to its time period. A very heart warming story with likable characters and a wholesome message. I definitely recommend it if you are into period dramas and classic literature 😊.

I was hesitant!

I hesitated a long time before finally listening to this book. I am glad I read it! The story was pure and uplifting and I loved how the characters created their own family of misfits.

Enjoyed every moment!

Julie Klassen is has become one of my favorite in this genre of Historical Fiction. Very reminiscent of Austen and Bronte, with smart modern writing techniques, and wonderfully engrossing plots.

Excellent Historical Novel!

This starts out a little slow, in keeping with the genre as there are multiple story lines to set up for this rather intriguing story. It has a lot of depth and detail, and some twists and turns. I kept returning to it and as time went on, did not want it to end. This is one to take the time to enjoy. Perhaps there will be a sequel, as there could be a few directions in which this could story line could be developed. I sure hope so.

Dumb

This was not what I expected in a category of historical fiction. It is more accurate to describe it as romantic chick-lit set in the past. It is super-corny and overly dramatic. The story itself is far-fetched and dependent on a multitude of coincidences . It is fiction, yes, but fiction should be remotely feasible, and this is not. It's what I imagine romance novels sold in a grocery store to be like.

Religious

I find it excessively irritating that Audible does not advise that books are religious in the summary.