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The Toymaker
He was a duke who wanted to be a toymaker. She fell in love with a toymaker but her parents wanted her to marry a duke.
Lady Ivy Plumthorne, elder daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Wythorpe, is a worry to her parents. Desiring only that she be as happily wed as her younger sister, they've spent the past year parading prospective suitors in front of her. When she finds none of the suitors… suitable, her parents despair she will ever find the perfect husband. With Christmas approaching, they find one more prospective suitor, the Duke of Greenbriar. Only problem is, Ivy's already met the man of her dreams… and he's a toymaker.
Noel Phillip Vincent Greenstone, the Twelfth Duke of Greenbriar, wasn't cut out to be a duke. He preferred crafting toys that made children happy. So that's just what he did. And as Phillip Green, he traveled freely about, visiting shops and orphanages, and making certain no child went without a toy of his or her own. But a few chance meetings with Lady Ivy and he knows he wants to spend the rest of his life with her. The problem is, she needs to marry a nobleman and she only knows him as Phillip the Toymaker. He needs a plan, and fast. The world needs to meet the reclusive Duke of Greenbriar, so Phillip plans his own coming out. But how will Ivy react when she learns the truth?
Lady Ivy Plumthorne, elder daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Wythorpe, is a worry to her parents. Desiring only that she be as happily wed as her younger sister, they've spent the past year parading prospective suitors in front of her. When she finds none of the suitors… suitable, her parents despair she will ever find the perfect husband. With Christmas approaching, they find one more prospective suitor, the Duke of Greenbriar. Only problem is, Ivy's already met the man of her dreams… and he's a toymaker.
Noel Phillip Vincent Greenstone, the Twelfth Duke of Greenbriar, wasn't cut out to be a duke. He preferred crafting toys that made children happy. So that's just what he did. And as Phillip Green, he traveled freely about, visiting shops and orphanages, and making certain no child went without a toy of his or her own. But a few chance meetings with Lady Ivy and he knows he wants to spend the rest of his life with her. The problem is, she needs to marry a nobleman and she only knows him as Phillip the Toymaker. He needs a plan, and fast. The world needs to meet the reclusive Duke of Greenbriar, so Phillip plans his own coming out. But how will Ivy react when she learns the truth?
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 19, 2012
When I read the synopsis for The Toymaker, I was hooked and instantly wanted to read it. I need say no more, so I’m just going to get into what I thought of the story.
The Toymaker is the story of Lady Ivy Plumthorne and her parents eternal search for a suitor that she’ll show some interest in. She’s had a parade of suitors in previous months is beginning to get bored with her family’s insistance that she marry and is going off the idea all together. A chance meeting with a toymaker in a dress shop changes all that. She’s charmed by his toys and her attention is drawn by his nature; but he’s not what her parents would consider a good match; they already have her next choice in mind – the Duke of Greenbriar. Phillip Green has only ever wanted to make toys, and is enchanted by Lady Ivy instantly, wanting to spend as much time with her as possible. However, he has a secret: he’s the Duke of Greenbriar. He knows that Ivy has to marry someone noble and he knows that he’s able to provide that for her, as well as a lifetime of love and happiness. The problem is that she only knows his as a toymaker, and assumes he is just a commoner, so will his secret be the answer to their problems or prove to be the one thing that separates them forever?
This story was brilliant; it was wonderfully written and the characters were instantly accessible. I was drawn to Ivy within a few pages, feeling sorry for her because of the pressure that her family was putting on her, but also loving her spirit. I adored the fact that she was willing to stand up for what she thought was right – waiting for a partner that meant she would be able to marry for love. She was shown to be strong-willed, feisty, charitable and vulnerable throughout the novel, and that is a potent mix of characteristics to combine in one person – almost irresistible to a reader.
It took me a bit longer to come to terms with Philip as a character. His deception was a little hard to take sometimes, as it seemed somehow selfish to shy away from a fortune and a title when the novel was littered with characters who were less than well off. However, before the half way point in the story, I’d come around to Philip and his ways – I’d been provided with a little more understanding of what it was that bothered him and the fact that his passion for toy-making was the most important thing to him. He was a charming hero, and his lack of stubbornness when it came to showing his feelings and dealing with vulnerability was endearing.
The interactions between the two main characters were fantastic to read, with sparks practically flying off the pages at times. They made for a great couple, and that made me want them to reach their happy ending even more than normal. The depth of their relationship was added to by the surrounding characters; the author created a very complete world around the two main protagonists with an efficient but effective use of characters. Elise and James were particular favourites of mine.
As a final point on how great I thought this book was, I really enjoyed the author’s prologue and epilogue. The use of a modern day family coming across a box of toys in an antique shop was a unique way to introduce the main bulk of the story; at first I wasn’t sure how it tied in to the plot description that I’d read when choosing the book, but in the end it turned out to be very clever. Coming back to these characters at the end of the story not only provided a sense of a finality and a lovely ending, but also provided the author with a chance to give closure to some of the surrounding characters from the story.
Loved it. One of my new favourites.
The Toymaker is the story of Lady Ivy Plumthorne and her parents eternal search for a suitor that she’ll show some interest in. She’s had a parade of suitors in previous months is beginning to get bored with her family’s insistance that she marry and is going off the idea all together. A chance meeting with a toymaker in a dress shop changes all that. She’s charmed by his toys and her attention is drawn by his nature; but he’s not what her parents would consider a good match; they already have her next choice in mind – the Duke of Greenbriar. Phillip Green has only ever wanted to make toys, and is enchanted by Lady Ivy instantly, wanting to spend as much time with her as possible. However, he has a secret: he’s the Duke of Greenbriar. He knows that Ivy has to marry someone noble and he knows that he’s able to provide that for her, as well as a lifetime of love and happiness. The problem is that she only knows his as a toymaker, and assumes he is just a commoner, so will his secret be the answer to their problems or prove to be the one thing that separates them forever?
This story was brilliant; it was wonderfully written and the characters were instantly accessible. I was drawn to Ivy within a few pages, feeling sorry for her because of the pressure that her family was putting on her, but also loving her spirit. I adored the fact that she was willing to stand up for what she thought was right – waiting for a partner that meant she would be able to marry for love. She was shown to be strong-willed, feisty, charitable and vulnerable throughout the novel, and that is a potent mix of characteristics to combine in one person – almost irresistible to a reader.
It took me a bit longer to come to terms with Philip as a character. His deception was a little hard to take sometimes, as it seemed somehow selfish to shy away from a fortune and a title when the novel was littered with characters who were less than well off. However, before the half way point in the story, I’d come around to Philip and his ways – I’d been provided with a little more understanding of what it was that bothered him and the fact that his passion for toy-making was the most important thing to him. He was a charming hero, and his lack of stubbornness when it came to showing his feelings and dealing with vulnerability was endearing.
The interactions between the two main characters were fantastic to read, with sparks practically flying off the pages at times. They made for a great couple, and that made me want them to reach their happy ending even more than normal. The depth of their relationship was added to by the surrounding characters; the author created a very complete world around the two main protagonists with an efficient but effective use of characters. Elise and James were particular favourites of mine.
As a final point on how great I thought this book was, I really enjoyed the author’s prologue and epilogue. The use of a modern day family coming across a box of toys in an antique shop was a unique way to introduce the main bulk of the story; at first I wasn’t sure how it tied in to the plot description that I’d read when choosing the book, but in the end it turned out to be very clever. Coming back to these characters at the end of the story not only provided a sense of a finality and a lovely ending, but also provided the author with a chance to give closure to some of the surrounding characters from the story.
Loved it. One of my new favourites.
March 22, 2017
In 2012, Angela and her children are driving along the country roads in Virginia headed to the mall so Kailie, Angela's 12-year-old daughter can hang at the mall with her friends. Along the way they stop at an estate junk shop. Angela can't resist seeing what was left behind after an estate has been sold. Her kids roll their eyes but are secretly delighted with the box of antique toys they found. Angela is enchanted by the wooden doll with her faded paint and scraps of once exquisite clothes. After paying for the box, the family discovers a diary written 200 years ago. In 1812, Lady Ivy Plumthorne is trying to avoid the suitors her loving parents, the Duke and Duchess of Wythorpe are thrusting upon her. Ivy wants only to marry for love. When she meets woodcutter and toymaker Philip Green, she is attracted to his kind and generous nature. Her parents would never approve of her attraction to an impoverished commoner! How can she find the courage to tell them what she wants before she's married to the elderly and reclusive Duke of Greenbriar? Lord Noel Philip Greenstone, the Twelfth Duke of Greenbriar, hates the title and estate he has inherited from his uncle. Hiding from Society, he wants nothing more than to make toys for children. It fills his heart with joy to see the happy children when they receive one of his toys. Then he meets Ivy and his feelings are in turmoil. He grows to care for the outspoken gentlewoman but she only knows him in his guise as a woodworker. Can he tell her the truth that he is the man who belongs to the estate she hates so much? If so, will she ever forgive him?
This Regency romance is fundamentally a heartwarming Christmas story, which is mainly why I liked it. I have mixed feelings about the story. On one hand, I'm not fond of the modern narrative. It relies on too many coincidences. That sort of thing NEVER happens in real life. It also raises some questions at the end about what happened. On the other hand, the archivist and historian in me loved it. That box is the kind of puzzle we live for and dream of finding. I loved that the toys were cherished and passed down through the generations. I also really liked how the romance builds, especially in the first half of the book as Ivy and Phillip get to know each other. They're attracted to each other's personality and values. The second half of the story is more about physical attraction but that's OK because the relationship builds over time and it is not solely based on physical attraction. I love love loved Phillip. Who doesn't love Santa Claus? It's not a spoiler to say the spirit of Santa Claus is in Phillip and he learned from the very best. I should hate him because of the deception but I can't because- hello - he's Santa!
What I didn't like about the story is.... everything else. I liked how forthright Ivy was and how she worked to help the less fortunate in the village. I did not like her constant giggling. I didn't at all like how she dealt with Phillip's deception. She behaved badly and unrealistically. He didn't deal with heartbreak any better and it seemed out of character for him.
I have to give this book a better rating than the plot would ordinarily get from me because it was such a heartwarming Christmas story.
Content warning:
Mild sensuality (Kissing with tongues, frisson of physical attraction between h and h) but no touching beyond that.
Kindle freebie on Valentine's Day as part of Nine Ladies Dancing: A Boxed Set of Ten Sweet and Clean Regency Romances
This Regency romance is fundamentally a heartwarming Christmas story, which is mainly why I liked it. I have mixed feelings about the story. On one hand, I'm not fond of the modern narrative. It relies on too many coincidences. That sort of thing NEVER happens in real life. It also raises some questions at the end about what happened. On the other hand, the archivist and historian in me loved it. That box is the kind of puzzle we live for and dream of finding. I loved that the toys were cherished and passed down through the generations. I also really liked how the romance builds, especially in the first half of the book as Ivy and Phillip get to know each other. They're attracted to each other's personality and values. The second half of the story is more about physical attraction but that's OK because the relationship builds over time and it is not solely based on physical attraction. I love love loved Phillip. Who doesn't love Santa Claus? It's not a spoiler to say the spirit of Santa Claus is in Phillip and he learned from the very best. I should hate him because of the deception but I can't because- hello - he's Santa!
What I didn't like about the story is.... everything else. I liked how forthright Ivy was and how she worked to help the less fortunate in the village. I did not like her constant giggling. I didn't at all like how she dealt with Phillip's deception. She behaved badly and unrealistically. He didn't deal with heartbreak any better and it seemed out of character for him.
I have to give this book a better rating than the plot would ordinarily get from me because it was such a heartwarming Christmas story.
Content warning:
Mild sensuality (Kissing with tongues, frisson of physical attraction between h and h) but no touching beyond that.
Kindle freebie on Valentine's Day as part of Nine Ladies Dancing: A Boxed Set of Ten Sweet and Clean Regency Romances
May 6, 2013
Ivy is so tired of her parents trying to match make for her. She doesn’t want to marry for money; she wants to marry for love. After all, her sister found love and enjoys her marriage. She’d rather be an old maid than marry a man she can’t stand, especially not one three times her age!
The author does a nice job of setting this story in the Christmas season. She has created independent, stubborn characters who are determined to make their own choices and she throws them together by chance. I found it amusing to watch Ivy and Phillip blush when they meet and then accidently meet several more times while helping needy children have a special Christmas. The interaction between the two is sweet and they act more like young teens than adults.
While activities and festivities abound that both must attend, they find themselves thinking about their chance acquaintance. My favorite part of the story is the fact that Ivy doesn’t want to even meet the Duke of Greenbriar. Why should she, she’s already met the man she loves. It’s unfortunate that he’s a toymaker. On the hand, Phillip, the toymaker is actually now the Dean of Greenbriar because his Uncle died. Since he hasn’t admitted that to Ivy, he’s in a real pickle.
Watching the two characters dance around each and make mistakes in courtship is fun. Ivy even insinuates more has happened between them has. When he admits he is a Duke, things go downhill from there. The author does a very nice job with development of the relationship and demonstrates how easily it is to mess one up if you don’t communicate well.
Mr. Springsteen’s novel reads well and she adds a nice little surprise at the end of the story. You feel like you’re living in that time period, and you certainly care about the characters. I really enjoyed this read. Why don’t you grab a copy and see what you think?
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...
The author does a nice job of setting this story in the Christmas season. She has created independent, stubborn characters who are determined to make their own choices and she throws them together by chance. I found it amusing to watch Ivy and Phillip blush when they meet and then accidently meet several more times while helping needy children have a special Christmas. The interaction between the two is sweet and they act more like young teens than adults.
While activities and festivities abound that both must attend, they find themselves thinking about their chance acquaintance. My favorite part of the story is the fact that Ivy doesn’t want to even meet the Duke of Greenbriar. Why should she, she’s already met the man she loves. It’s unfortunate that he’s a toymaker. On the hand, Phillip, the toymaker is actually now the Dean of Greenbriar because his Uncle died. Since he hasn’t admitted that to Ivy, he’s in a real pickle.
Watching the two characters dance around each and make mistakes in courtship is fun. Ivy even insinuates more has happened between them has. When he admits he is a Duke, things go downhill from there. The author does a very nice job with development of the relationship and demonstrates how easily it is to mess one up if you don’t communicate well.
Mr. Springsteen’s novel reads well and she adds a nice little surprise at the end of the story. You feel like you’re living in that time period, and you certainly care about the characters. I really enjoyed this read. Why don’t you grab a copy and see what you think?
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...
August 24, 2016
Writing style?
Pretty good. Loved that we had two timelines: the Regency period and the present day. The whole storytelling aspect was done really well.
Characters?
Well, we've got a toymaker who doesn't want to be a duke and a lady who is intent on not letting anyone suffer - at least not near the place she lives.
I liked the characters - a lot. They were kind, helpful, thought about others a lot, and they just were those kind of people who just had to end up with each other. Liked that.
Plot?
I cried.
You need more info?
Well, sorry, I'm still a mess so I can't really tell you more...
This book was quite emotional - probably because it's really well written.
Pretty good. Loved that we had two timelines: the Regency period and the present day. The whole storytelling aspect was done really well.
Characters?
Well, we've got a toymaker who doesn't want to be a duke and a lady who is intent on not letting anyone suffer - at least not near the place she lives.
I liked the characters - a lot. They were kind, helpful, thought about others a lot, and they just were those kind of people who just had to end up with each other. Liked that.
Plot?
I cried.
You need more info?
Well, sorry, I'm still a mess so I can't really tell you more...
This book was quite emotional - probably because it's really well written.
January 12, 2023
The story itself was a very good one. I enjoyed the story. The characters were a little dramatic, but worked. The problem for me was that there was a lot of words. Lots of description and unnecessary paragraphs about a lot of things. It was just a wordy book. Once you got to the middle and the meat of the book it was really good. But then the end was really silly. So probably not an author I would look into. I did really like the way she wrote the romance and how they were attracted to each other.
This is a clean romance with some kisses. Loosely holds to regency standards. They are alone a lot.
This is a clean romance with some kisses. Loosely holds to regency standards. They are alone a lot.
September 22, 2015
Even though I was tempted to abuse my ereader every now and then while reading the book because the protagonists never listened to me and my complains this is most definitely a book that I haven't read the last time.
Of course, on the whole it is a classical love story with all the complications and all the trials and tribulations that one would expect to be there but it is also a story with the certain something that you don't find in every love story.
Some historical details are not correct bu on the whole it is a beautiful story with very sympathetic characters. Those characters are a bit different and a bit out of the ordinary and I'd love to meet them in reality. They have very lovable and warm personalities and captured my heart right from the moment I „met“ them. Especially the way they interact with all children they're coming across is remarquable and makes them special.
I also love the way the story about Phillip and Ivy is imbedded in a frame tale situated in our time. At the end of the book I just wanted to go find the next antiquities shop and search for a simliar crate with a similar moving story behind it just like it happened to Angela, Kalie and Sam in this book.
Well written, historically not always correct but nevertheless a warm and charming story that will appeal to everybody who loves children, toys, history and romantic as much as I do!
-----------------------------
Zwar hätte ich zwischendurch einmal gerne meinen Reader frustriert aus dem Fenster geworfen, weil die Protagonisten leider so gar nicht auf mein Schimpfen gehört haben, aber dies ist definitiv ein Buch, das ich nicht zum letzten Mal gelesen habe.
Natürlich ist es die klassische Liebesgeschichte mit Verwicklungen und allem, was so dazugehört, aber es ist auch eine Geschichte mit dem gewissen Etwas, das sich nicht überall findet.
Manches ist historisch mit Sicherheit nicht ganz korrekt, aber alles in allem ist es eine wunderschöne Geschichte mit ausgesprochen sympathischen Charakteren, die ein wenig aus dem Rahmen fallen und die ich gerne einmal in echt kennenlernen würde. Es sind sehr liebenswerte und warme Persönlichkeiten, die mich gleich im Sturm eroberten. Insbesondere der Umgang der Protagonisten mit allen Kindern, die ihren Weg kreuzen, ist einfach schön und macht diese Personen selbst zu etwas besonderem.
Auch die Art und Weise, wie die Geschichte von Ivy und Phillip eingebettet ist in eine Rahmenerzählung, die in unserer Zeit angesiedelt ist, gefällt mir sehr. Am Ende des Buches hofft man, dass man beim nächsten Besuch eines Antiquitätenhandels vielleicht selbst über eine Kiste mit spannenden Spielsachen und einer Geschichte dahinter stolpert, wie es Angela, Kalie und Sam hier im Buch passiert.
Gut geschrieben, historisch nicht immer ganz korrekt, aber eine warme und gut zu lesende Geschichte, die jeden, der Kinder, Spielsachen und ein wenig Romantik liebt, vermutlich genauso begeistern wird wie mich!
Of course, on the whole it is a classical love story with all the complications and all the trials and tribulations that one would expect to be there but it is also a story with the certain something that you don't find in every love story.
Some historical details are not correct bu on the whole it is a beautiful story with very sympathetic characters. Those characters are a bit different and a bit out of the ordinary and I'd love to meet them in reality. They have very lovable and warm personalities and captured my heart right from the moment I „met“ them. Especially the way they interact with all children they're coming across is remarquable and makes them special.
I also love the way the story about Phillip and Ivy is imbedded in a frame tale situated in our time. At the end of the book I just wanted to go find the next antiquities shop and search for a simliar crate with a similar moving story behind it just like it happened to Angela, Kalie and Sam in this book.
Well written, historically not always correct but nevertheless a warm and charming story that will appeal to everybody who loves children, toys, history and romantic as much as I do!
-----------------------------
Zwar hätte ich zwischendurch einmal gerne meinen Reader frustriert aus dem Fenster geworfen, weil die Protagonisten leider so gar nicht auf mein Schimpfen gehört haben, aber dies ist definitiv ein Buch, das ich nicht zum letzten Mal gelesen habe.
Natürlich ist es die klassische Liebesgeschichte mit Verwicklungen und allem, was so dazugehört, aber es ist auch eine Geschichte mit dem gewissen Etwas, das sich nicht überall findet.
Manches ist historisch mit Sicherheit nicht ganz korrekt, aber alles in allem ist es eine wunderschöne Geschichte mit ausgesprochen sympathischen Charakteren, die ein wenig aus dem Rahmen fallen und die ich gerne einmal in echt kennenlernen würde. Es sind sehr liebenswerte und warme Persönlichkeiten, die mich gleich im Sturm eroberten. Insbesondere der Umgang der Protagonisten mit allen Kindern, die ihren Weg kreuzen, ist einfach schön und macht diese Personen selbst zu etwas besonderem.
Auch die Art und Weise, wie die Geschichte von Ivy und Phillip eingebettet ist in eine Rahmenerzählung, die in unserer Zeit angesiedelt ist, gefällt mir sehr. Am Ende des Buches hofft man, dass man beim nächsten Besuch eines Antiquitätenhandels vielleicht selbst über eine Kiste mit spannenden Spielsachen und einer Geschichte dahinter stolpert, wie es Angela, Kalie und Sam hier im Buch passiert.
Gut geschrieben, historisch nicht immer ganz korrekt, aber eine warme und gut zu lesende Geschichte, die jeden, der Kinder, Spielsachen und ein wenig Romantik liebt, vermutlich genauso begeistern wird wie mich!
October 6, 2014
Reviewed by Allison
Book purchased by reviewer
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
The Toymaker is a very sweet Historical Romance by Kay Springsteen. I was drawn in from the beginning which actually opens in the present day, just before Christmas. Angela and her two children wander into an antique store and stumble over a box of treasures: toys and a diary from 1812. My own heart beat as quick as Angela’s at her find – just the thought of finding treasures such as those! When they set out to read the diary, the author jumps back into 1812, and we live the story of Lady Ivy and how she meets a man she falls for, Phillip Green.
Ivy’s parents are desperate to see their eldest daughter settled with a husband – after all, their younger daughter met and married a wonderful man. But Ivy doesn’t want to settle for anyone, especially the lechers and doddering fools who have been introduced to her so far. She meets Phillip Green, a man she believes to be a simple toymaker. But he’s really the Duke of Greenbriar, a man her parents are determined to have her meet. Phillip recently inherited the title, but Ivy doesn’t know the old duke passed away and left his dukedom to the handsome young man. Phillip is just as fascinated by Ivy as she is of him – but he hides his identity from her in order to get to know her better. And as readers, we all know what happens to best laid plans…they go awry when she discovers who he really is.
I very much enjoyed this holiday story. I love how the author wove in the legend of Santa Claus into this story. Phillip learned the craft of toymaking from Jani Klaus, an older gentleman with white hair and beard. Phillip’s best friend/butler is of short stature and foreign descent (hello, elf!). And Phillip crafts his beautiful creations to give away to children who would not otherwise have toys to play with.
Ivy herself is a kind and generous person. Her parents are titled and moneyed, and she makes sure to help those in need. But she makes sure to help in ways that those who need it are left with pride intact, and not objects of outright charity. This is one of the many things that draws her to Phillip. The one thing about her that I didn’t care for was her giggling. While she is the older sibling, and almost on the shelf, the giggling made her seem flighty and too young.
But all in all, this was a lovely read. I’d not read any of Kay Springsteen’s books yet, and this was a wonderful introduction to her writing. I liked how she opened and closed this story in the present day, and leaving a hint of mystery as to how an English diary and toys winds up in Virginia. The author is writing a sequel to this story, one that focuses on Eduard, the friend/butler to Phillip, and Elise, Lady Ivy’s ex-governess and friend. I’m looking forward to a continuation!
Book purchased by reviewer
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
The Toymaker is a very sweet Historical Romance by Kay Springsteen. I was drawn in from the beginning which actually opens in the present day, just before Christmas. Angela and her two children wander into an antique store and stumble over a box of treasures: toys and a diary from 1812. My own heart beat as quick as Angela’s at her find – just the thought of finding treasures such as those! When they set out to read the diary, the author jumps back into 1812, and we live the story of Lady Ivy and how she meets a man she falls for, Phillip Green.
Ivy’s parents are desperate to see their eldest daughter settled with a husband – after all, their younger daughter met and married a wonderful man. But Ivy doesn’t want to settle for anyone, especially the lechers and doddering fools who have been introduced to her so far. She meets Phillip Green, a man she believes to be a simple toymaker. But he’s really the Duke of Greenbriar, a man her parents are determined to have her meet. Phillip recently inherited the title, but Ivy doesn’t know the old duke passed away and left his dukedom to the handsome young man. Phillip is just as fascinated by Ivy as she is of him – but he hides his identity from her in order to get to know her better. And as readers, we all know what happens to best laid plans…they go awry when she discovers who he really is.
I very much enjoyed this holiday story. I love how the author wove in the legend of Santa Claus into this story. Phillip learned the craft of toymaking from Jani Klaus, an older gentleman with white hair and beard. Phillip’s best friend/butler is of short stature and foreign descent (hello, elf!). And Phillip crafts his beautiful creations to give away to children who would not otherwise have toys to play with.
Ivy herself is a kind and generous person. Her parents are titled and moneyed, and she makes sure to help those in need. But she makes sure to help in ways that those who need it are left with pride intact, and not objects of outright charity. This is one of the many things that draws her to Phillip. The one thing about her that I didn’t care for was her giggling. While she is the older sibling, and almost on the shelf, the giggling made her seem flighty and too young.
But all in all, this was a lovely read. I’d not read any of Kay Springsteen’s books yet, and this was a wonderful introduction to her writing. I liked how she opened and closed this story in the present day, and leaving a hint of mystery as to how an English diary and toys winds up in Virginia. The author is writing a sequel to this story, one that focuses on Eduard, the friend/butler to Phillip, and Elise, Lady Ivy’s ex-governess and friend. I’m looking forward to a continuation!
January 10, 2018
A book that had great potential that was killed by predictable writing and some really awful "cutesy" naming after the first 25% mark. I kept reading it hoping for it to regain some shine but after the 60% mark it just became a hot mess.
Ivy Plumthorne is the eldest and only unmarried daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Wythorpe. Her parents want her married and off their hands asap. Ivy has rejected the 11 previous suitors and is already throwing a tantrum about meeting number 12 at Lord and Lady Kringle's Christmas Eve Ball. Through a low-key meet cute she meets Phillip Green; unbeknownst to most in Hampstead, he is the new 12th Duke of Greenbriar after inheriting the estate and title from his uncle. Phillip's hobby is toy maker, a trade he learned from Jani Klaus, a man who mentored him when he was a teen. Ivy and Phillip fall in love, although Ivy thinks she is in love with a simple tradesman rather than the old duke. When she finds out the truth, she throws a GIGANTIC tantrum and vows never to see Phillip again. She then says and does stupid, impulsive things and gets herself in deep trouble with society at the ball, Phillip comes to her rescue.
Ivy is a brat and a stupid, reckless, thoughtless spoiled girl. Phillip was a decent hero but the writing at the end of the story made him too perfect for my taste. I didn't care for any of the side characters and the prologue and epilogue with the characters in present day rang so false I had to roll my eyes hard. The present day kids were not realistic at all and the mom was annoyingly smug. All the shoe-horned Christmas details were superficial and were really amateurish. Read this for a square on the 16 tasks challenge.
Ivy Plumthorne is the eldest and only unmarried daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Wythorpe. Her parents want her married and off their hands asap. Ivy has rejected the 11 previous suitors and is already throwing a tantrum about meeting number 12 at Lord and Lady Kringle's Christmas Eve Ball. Through a low-key meet cute she meets Phillip Green; unbeknownst to most in Hampstead, he is the new 12th Duke of Greenbriar after inheriting the estate and title from his uncle. Phillip's hobby is toy maker, a trade he learned from Jani Klaus, a man who mentored him when he was a teen. Ivy and Phillip fall in love, although Ivy thinks she is in love with a simple tradesman rather than the old duke. When she finds out the truth, she throws a GIGANTIC tantrum and vows never to see Phillip again. She then says and does stupid, impulsive things and gets herself in deep trouble with society at the ball, Phillip comes to her rescue.
Ivy is a brat and a stupid, reckless, thoughtless spoiled girl. Phillip was a decent hero but the writing at the end of the story made him too perfect for my taste. I didn't care for any of the side characters and the prologue and epilogue with the characters in present day rang so false I had to roll my eyes hard. The present day kids were not realistic at all and the mom was annoyingly smug. All the shoe-horned Christmas details were superficial and were really amateurish. Read this for a square on the 16 tasks challenge.
December 7, 2013
Seldom have I ever been so totally immersed into the lives of the characters as I have in this superlative Christmas story.
This is a 'past meets present' story which opens up with a contemporary mother and her two children discovering a box of 200 year old wooden toys at an antique shop. Fascinated by the quality and workmanship, they buy the whole box and discover a diary hidden in a secret compartment at the bottom of the box that opens up the whole romantic history that takes place between Lord Phillip and Lady Ivy. Here's a short synopsis of the plot
Enter Phillip Greenstone, who inherits the title of the 12th Duke of Greenbriar, upon the death of his aged reclusive uncle. It is nothing he had ever wanted having been orphaned as a young man and brought up by Jani, a master wood worker and toymaker. Lady Ivy Plumthorn is fast approaching spinsterhood as she refuses suitor after suitor, finding no one to her liking. Our toymaker Duke, "Mr. Green," meets Lady Ivy and the attraction is instantaneous. But Lady Ivy and her parents insist she must marry into the peerage and Mr. Green is assumed to be just a craftsman commoner. But, they have so much in common with their kind and generous hearts and their love of children. Our toymaker Duke must devise a plan to reveal his true identity to gently excuse his deception to Lady Ivy.
This is the almost perfect Christmas story and it is impossible to read it straight through with dry eyes. It is just so heart-warming and poignant as the old box of toys, diary, and history enchant the mother and her children once again.
This is a 'past meets present' story which opens up with a contemporary mother and her two children discovering a box of 200 year old wooden toys at an antique shop. Fascinated by the quality and workmanship, they buy the whole box and discover a diary hidden in a secret compartment at the bottom of the box that opens up the whole romantic history that takes place between Lord Phillip and Lady Ivy. Here's a short synopsis of the plot
Enter Phillip Greenstone, who inherits the title of the 12th Duke of Greenbriar, upon the death of his aged reclusive uncle. It is nothing he had ever wanted having been orphaned as a young man and brought up by Jani, a master wood worker and toymaker. Lady Ivy Plumthorn is fast approaching spinsterhood as she refuses suitor after suitor, finding no one to her liking. Our toymaker Duke, "Mr. Green," meets Lady Ivy and the attraction is instantaneous. But Lady Ivy and her parents insist she must marry into the peerage and Mr. Green is assumed to be just a craftsman commoner. But, they have so much in common with their kind and generous hearts and their love of children. Our toymaker Duke must devise a plan to reveal his true identity to gently excuse his deception to Lady Ivy.
This is the almost perfect Christmas story and it is impossible to read it straight through with dry eyes. It is just so heart-warming and poignant as the old box of toys, diary, and history enchant the mother and her children once again.
December 21, 2015
For me, the premise of this book sounded so great, but it ultimately fell flat. The only thing that kept this from a 1 star rating was how it tied into modern times. I could actually see something like that happening to my own family!
I didn't like all the deception between the historical hero and heroine, and they often felt flat and unemotional as I was reading about them. More often than not, I was bored reading the story of their lives, and I had to force myself to keep reading. The Christmas angle felt forced and not entirely celebratory as it should have been.
Ultimately, this book wasn't for me, but it was short enough to be good for the busy holidays.
I didn't like all the deception between the historical hero and heroine, and they often felt flat and unemotional as I was reading about them. More often than not, I was bored reading the story of their lives, and I had to force myself to keep reading. The Christmas angle felt forced and not entirely celebratory as it should have been.
Ultimately, this book wasn't for me, but it was short enough to be good for the busy holidays.
November 25, 2012
This full-length novel is a clever and subtle retelling of the Father Christmas story with a Regency twist, and it’s a leisurely, comfortable read that formed lovely word-pictures in my mind. Lady Ivy is entertaining, with her outspoken manners and yearning to marry for love, and Phillip Green the toymaker, a/k/a the 12th Duke of Greenbriar, is engaging and intriguing in the classic role of a man who is perfect for one career but is forced through circumstances to adopt another. With luck, this will become another continuing series from this talented author.
October 27, 2013
I loved the beginning of the book. Others seem not to. It begins in modern times when a family buys a box of old toys then moves to the 1800's and tells the story of the man who made the toys. I liked all the characters in the book. I didn't like the way Ivey acted at the dance at the end but I did like everything else about the book. I loved the ending when it went back to modern times. It makes me want to go buy some antique toys. It was a nice Christmas book without being totally about Christmas. A nice first book of the season.
October 14, 2014
The Regency period was a "manners and mores" time where the barest hint could cause gossip and ruin a lady's reputation -- and the author does a wonderful job here with a heroine who faces spinsterhood. Both Ivy and the hero, Philip, are given in-depth backgrounds to their motives and behavior in this story, and skillful emotional interplay between them. Lush descriptions of clothing, setting and food added to this well-written novella. Highly recommend this if you love the Regency era.
January 29, 2013
Not only did I really like this book, I loved it!! It was clean reading, extremely sweet and beautifully written. I picked it up because the description intrigued me and it turned out to be a beautiful, super romantic Christmas love story. I don't give it the 5 stars because I don't want to mislead anyone into a super amazing book. This is a simple story that, should you chose to read it, will definitely touch your heart.
August 16, 2014
3.5/5.0
"The Toymaker" is a heartwarming holiday Regency romance about Ivy, a duke’s daughter, who wearies of her family’s constant matchmaking attempts.
Full review in March 2013 issue of InD'tale Magazine.
"The Toymaker" is a heartwarming holiday Regency romance about Ivy, a duke’s daughter, who wearies of her family’s constant matchmaking attempts.
Full review in March 2013 issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 18, 2017
4.50 stars - rated heavy pg13?
December 10, 2016
This was a good book.
September 21, 2013
This feels like something for young adults instead of adults. Character development is almost non-existent, neither is there any plot development.
The story is flat out, in your face, contrived with Christmas references. If you want something very simple, absolutely no surprises, this is perfect.
The story is flat out, in your face, contrived with Christmas references. If you want something very simple, absolutely no surprises, this is perfect.
January 12, 2013
Sweet, simple romance story. One thing that bothered me was her attitude after finding out the man she loved was really a Duke. I understand being upset and shocked.. but she kind of really flipped out. I didn't think it was THAT upsetting, but otherwise, this was a really great book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2014
I loved this romance. I enjoyed the characters and the way this book became in todays' time period and then went back 200 years...coming back to present day to tie it up. Nice twist on typical romances, which made it great to read.
November 26, 2012
A Christmas regency romance, that was a quick read. Lady Ivy is a one who knows what she wants-she wants to marry for love and she keeps turning away those her parents sets her up with.
December 18, 2012
This was a delightful book!
December 27, 2012
A very sweet holiday regency tale... definitely recommend!
December 29, 2012
3 and a half stars
December 27, 2012
Something different.
March 15, 2013
It is a cute story, there is a mistaken identity and it is different because it starts in our time. I was a little confused when the story didn't start with the main character.
June 1, 2013
I've recommended this book to everyone I know
July 10, 2013
Very sweet. A Kris Kringle character in the background. A fun romance and as always clean! Such fun!
October 25, 2013
"There is wisdom in choosing honesty."
January 7, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It is an innocent rennaisance cosy romance,very predictable but addictive non the less. Great to read between heavier more complex storylines.
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