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The Maid of Ballymacool
Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.
When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything.
Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.
When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything.
Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2023
47 people are currently reading
5466 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Deibel
6 books660 followersJennifer Deibel is a middle school teacher and freelance writer. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic Magazine, and others. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona.
Debut novel, A Dance in Donegal, releases February 2, 2021 from Revell. Follow Moira Doherty to the wilds of rural Ireland in 1921. Available for preorder wherever books are sold.
Debut novel, A Dance in Donegal, releases February 2, 2021 from Revell. Follow Moira Doherty to the wilds of rural Ireland in 1921. Available for preorder wherever books are sold.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 374 reviews
February 19, 2023
3.5 stars, personally.
About this book:
“Brianna Kelly has worked at Ballymacool House and Boarding School since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.
When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar.
When Brianna unearths an intriguing silver platter in the woods, she commits to learning its origins. Could the handsome newcomer hold the key? If so, their discovery could change everything.”
Series: Mentions & features characters from the author’s other book, “A Dance in Donegal”.
Spiritual Content- A Scripture is mentioned; Prayers & Blessings over food; Thinking about God; Talks about God, His plans, seeking Him, prayers, & praying; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God (the Irish word ‘Tiarna Dia’ is used as well) & His plans; Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking God, & blessings over food; Mentions of church bells; A couple mentions of clergymen & nuns; A few mentions of an Easter gathering; A couple mentions of a woman crossing herself before and after praying; A couple mentions of a prayer for lost items (but the woman says it to Christ Himself instead of Saint Anthony); A couple mentions of being Blessed; A mention of the Good Book; A mention of hymns; A mention of Godspeed;
*Note: A few mentions of an old wives’ tale about a certain flower bringing evil wishes if brought inside a house; A couple mentions of superstitions & ghost stories;A mention of a “godforsaken” song; A mention of someone idolizing another; A mention of a place being hellacious; A mention of a rebel witch hunt.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blast it’, a ‘bleedin’’, a ‘confound it all’, a ‘dumb’, two forms of ‘shut up’, four ‘blasted’s, and four/five forms of ‘idiot’; Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Being slapped, being threatened, passing out, pain, & injuries (up to semi-detailed); The headmistress of the school is belittling to Brianna & slaps her (multiple times); When she’s having a hard time, Brianna thinks of her family (who she doesn’t remember), but doesn’t do that often because it’s too painful (there’s a couple more mentions of Brianna’s sadness over this and her imaging her family); Mentions of a war possibly coming (WWII); Mentions of uprisings, rebellions, rebels, traitors/treason, civil unrest within a country, deaths/killings, seeing beatings, fights/fighting, screams, threats, & someone fearing of retaliation (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of fighting, violence, & threats (including a girl causing trouble); Mentions of Brianna being slapped, pain, & injuries; Mentions of a teacher berating his students, calling them demeaning names, & rapping the knuckles of a student multiple times; Mentions of thieves, stealing, & stolen items; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; A few mentions of slavery/servitude; A couple mentions of a school having controversy over serve punishments and treatments of its students; A couple mentions of tobacco & cigars; A couple mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of dung; A mention of an unruly teen girl possibly needing a kick to her backside (to get her uncontrol); A mention of alcohol; A mention of the death of a beloved horse; A mention of hunting;
*Note: Mentions of an infant’s death from typhoid.
Sexual Content- Two fingers-to-lips touches, eight (barely-above-not-detailed) hand/palm kisses, five forehead/top-of-the-head kisses, an almost kiss, seven barely-above-not-detailed kisses, two border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kisses, and two semi-detailed kisses; Recalling kisses (barely-above-not-detailed); Wanting to kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Staring at lips; Recalling kisses, embraces, & nearness (in an affair, not our main characters, semi-detailed); *Spoiler* ; Lots of Touches, Embraces, Warmth, Electricity, Nearness, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Blushes, Butterflies, & Winks; Noticing (including muscles, barely-above-not-detailed); Michael’s young cousin is infatuated with him & other girls think he’s her heartthrob; Mentions of an affair & adultery; Mentions of kisses & wanting to kiss someone; A few mentions of some men being much too interested in women & the consequences they have; A few mentions of suggestions of a young woman possibly doing something “untoward”; A couple mentions of Brianna not acting on any impulse regarding Michael or a man; A mention of a man making a comment about most men being willing to visit with a woman in his bed; A mention of a man forcing his advances of a woman; A mention of a man (not) taking advantage of a young woman (Michael doesn’t want to give that impression to Brianna); A mention of Michael being unsure how his (young, female) cousin will take a simple kiss on the cheek; A mention of flirting; A mention of a whistle (from a girl at the school to Michael); Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Brianna Kelly, age 20
-Michael Wray
P.O.V. switches between them & Magee
Set in 1935 (Epilogue in 1939)
332 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
This was my first book by this author and it was pretty sweet. I was originally intrigued by it because of seeing somewhere that it was loosely inspired by Cinderella. A fairytale retelling in 1930s Ireland? Yes, I’m interested!
Because of the fairytale retelling plotline, it’s definitely a simpler story and you’re quickly able to pick up on hints and guess some of the details to come, but I was personally okay with it. I did struggle at the beginning keeping my interest in the story (mainly due to that awful headmistress!) but as the Cinderella concept continued, I followed along better. I was pretty positive I knew how this book was going to go early on, but that was okay with me because of the fairytale-style storyline.
I never really felt connected to Brianna or Michael, but liked both of them well enough. He was just a good guy and I felt so bad for her. Their romance was very sweet and decently clean (quite a bit of nearness and attraction, but it was more in the sweet way than sexual tension, in my opinion. The main thing I would note on content would be the mentions of an affair & a woman recalling kisses and embraces from said affair).
There’s a lot of Irish Gaelic which was interesting and I found myself looking up the meanings and pronunciations often. (I found the glossary after finishing this novel tucked between the acknowledgements & the preview of another book…oops.) I’m not familiar with Irish Gaelic or Irish history at all, so while I was a little lost at times, I found it interesting and paused to research different words and events.
This was a pleasant, simple read overall and I enjoyed it. I’m curious to read the author’s other books, especially after meeting a couple from her first book in this story.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.
About this book:
“Brianna Kelly has worked at Ballymacool House and Boarding School since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.
When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar.
When Brianna unearths an intriguing silver platter in the woods, she commits to learning its origins. Could the handsome newcomer hold the key? If so, their discovery could change everything.”
Series: Mentions & features characters from the author’s other book, “A Dance in Donegal”.
Spiritual Content- A Scripture is mentioned; Prayers & Blessings over food; Thinking about God; Talks about God, His plans, seeking Him, prayers, & praying; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God (the Irish word ‘Tiarna Dia’ is used as well) & His plans; Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking God, & blessings over food; Mentions of church bells; A couple mentions of clergymen & nuns; A few mentions of an Easter gathering; A couple mentions of a woman crossing herself before and after praying; A couple mentions of a prayer for lost items (but the woman says it to Christ Himself instead of Saint Anthony); A couple mentions of being Blessed; A mention of the Good Book; A mention of hymns; A mention of Godspeed;
*Note: A few mentions of an old wives’ tale about a certain flower bringing evil wishes if brought inside a house; A couple mentions of superstitions & ghost stories;A mention of a “godforsaken” song; A mention of someone idolizing another; A mention of a place being hellacious; A mention of a rebel witch hunt.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blast it’, a ‘bleedin’’, a ‘confound it all’, a ‘dumb’, two forms of ‘shut up’, four ‘blasted’s, and four/five forms of ‘idiot’; Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Being slapped, being threatened, passing out, pain, & injuries (up to semi-detailed); The headmistress of the school is belittling to Brianna & slaps her (multiple times); When she’s having a hard time, Brianna thinks of her family (who she doesn’t remember), but doesn’t do that often because it’s too painful (there’s a couple more mentions of Brianna’s sadness over this and her imaging her family); Mentions of a war possibly coming (WWII); Mentions of uprisings, rebellions, rebels, traitors/treason, civil unrest within a country, deaths/killings, seeing beatings, fights/fighting, screams, threats, & someone fearing of retaliation (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of fighting, violence, & threats (including a girl causing trouble); Mentions of Brianna being slapped, pain, & injuries; Mentions of a teacher berating his students, calling them demeaning names, & rapping the knuckles of a student multiple times; Mentions of thieves, stealing, & stolen items; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; A few mentions of slavery/servitude; A couple mentions of a school having controversy over serve punishments and treatments of its students; A couple mentions of tobacco & cigars; A couple mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of dung; A mention of an unruly teen girl possibly needing a kick to her backside (to get her uncontrol); A mention of alcohol; A mention of the death of a beloved horse; A mention of hunting;
*Note: Mentions of an infant’s death from typhoid.
Sexual Content- Two fingers-to-lips touches, eight (barely-above-not-detailed) hand/palm kisses, five forehead/top-of-the-head kisses, an almost kiss, seven barely-above-not-detailed kisses, two border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kisses, and two semi-detailed kisses; Recalling kisses (barely-above-not-detailed); Wanting to kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Staring at lips; Recalling kisses, embraces, & nearness (in an affair, not our main characters, semi-detailed); *Spoiler* ; Lots of Touches, Embraces, Warmth, Electricity, Nearness, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Blushes, Butterflies, & Winks; Noticing (including muscles, barely-above-not-detailed); Michael’s young cousin is infatuated with him & other girls think he’s her heartthrob; Mentions of an affair & adultery; Mentions of kisses & wanting to kiss someone; A few mentions of some men being much too interested in women & the consequences they have; A few mentions of suggestions of a young woman possibly doing something “untoward”; A couple mentions of Brianna not acting on any impulse regarding Michael or a man; A mention of a man making a comment about most men being willing to visit with a woman in his bed; A mention of a man forcing his advances of a woman; A mention of a man (not) taking advantage of a young woman (Michael doesn’t want to give that impression to Brianna); A mention of Michael being unsure how his (young, female) cousin will take a simple kiss on the cheek; A mention of flirting; A mention of a whistle (from a girl at the school to Michael); Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Brianna Kelly, age 20
-Michael Wray
P.O.V. switches between them & Magee
Set in 1935 (Epilogue in 1939)
332 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
This was my first book by this author and it was pretty sweet. I was originally intrigued by it because of seeing somewhere that it was loosely inspired by Cinderella. A fairytale retelling in 1930s Ireland? Yes, I’m interested!
Because of the fairytale retelling plotline, it’s definitely a simpler story and you’re quickly able to pick up on hints and guess some of the details to come, but I was personally okay with it. I did struggle at the beginning keeping my interest in the story (mainly due to that awful headmistress!) but as the Cinderella concept continued, I followed along better. I was pretty positive I knew how this book was going to go early on, but that was okay with me because of the fairytale-style storyline.
I never really felt connected to Brianna or Michael, but liked both of them well enough. He was just a good guy and I felt so bad for her. Their romance was very sweet and decently clean (quite a bit of nearness and attraction, but it was more in the sweet way than sexual tension, in my opinion. The main thing I would note on content would be the mentions of an affair & a woman recalling kisses and embraces from said affair).
There’s a lot of Irish Gaelic which was interesting and I found myself looking up the meanings and pronunciations often. (I found the glossary after finishing this novel tucked between the acknowledgements & the preview of another book…oops.) I’m not familiar with Irish Gaelic or Irish history at all, so while I was a little lost at times, I found it interesting and paused to research different words and events.
This was a pleasant, simple read overall and I enjoyed it. I’m curious to read the author’s other books, especially after meeting a couple from her first book in this story.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.
February 24, 2023
The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel is one of my favorite books of 2023 so far! Full of mystery, romance, history, emotions, faith, secrets, Cinderella vibes, a swoon-worthy male lead and a villainous headmistress -- this story has all the makings to be one of my favorite books of the year! 5 stars!
I have loved both of Jennifer’s books so far, A Dance in Donegal and The Lady of Galway Manor, but The Maid of Ballymacool is my favorite one yet! There was something about Michael and Brianna that just made them unforgettable and unique.
Set in the 1930s in Ireland, Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as a baby. She’s worked there her entire life and the Headmistress, Maureen Magee, runs the school and is a force to be reckoned with. Miss Magee also raised Brianna since she was a baby who was left on her doorstep. She is so cruel to Brianna and we are trying to figure out why she holds such a grudge against her – because it’s obvious there’s some internal turmoil secretly stored with Miss Magee about Brianna. Michael Wray comes to Ballymacool to oversee his unruly cousin and from the very beginning he stole my heart in this story. He meets Brianna, they connect immediately, and things take off from here as Michael shows his loyalty and heart throughout the story. He is truly the hero in this story and I LOVED it! What they discover together throughout this book changes so much in Ballymacool House and Boarding School.
The reason I loved Michael so much in this is he showed such love, loyalty, strength, commitment. He was not afraid to stand up for what is right, especially to the headmistress. Jennifer pulled Michael in the story at all the right moments when I, as a reader, would think “I hope Michael is about to show up!” and he did! He just has such a tender, loving heart and respect for others that I loved. He also had a good foundational faith that I really appreciated.
Brianna was such a complex character, and I was so intrigued from the very beginning. Her story really reminded me of Cinderella in many ways. She was passive because of all the hardship she had in her life and Michael helped her really open herself up to everyone else and be able to grow. Also loved the side characters, specifically Finnuala.
Overall, this is my favorite of Jennifer’s books so far and I highly recommend if you love Historical Romance! (Also, loved seeing a couple of characters from A Dance in Donegal here! 😊 )
Thank you to Baker Publishing, Revell and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy to honestly read and review.
I have loved both of Jennifer’s books so far, A Dance in Donegal and The Lady of Galway Manor, but The Maid of Ballymacool is my favorite one yet! There was something about Michael and Brianna that just made them unforgettable and unique.
Set in the 1930s in Ireland, Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as a baby. She’s worked there her entire life and the Headmistress, Maureen Magee, runs the school and is a force to be reckoned with. Miss Magee also raised Brianna since she was a baby who was left on her doorstep. She is so cruel to Brianna and we are trying to figure out why she holds such a grudge against her – because it’s obvious there’s some internal turmoil secretly stored with Miss Magee about Brianna. Michael Wray comes to Ballymacool to oversee his unruly cousin and from the very beginning he stole my heart in this story. He meets Brianna, they connect immediately, and things take off from here as Michael shows his loyalty and heart throughout the story. He is truly the hero in this story and I LOVED it! What they discover together throughout this book changes so much in Ballymacool House and Boarding School.
The reason I loved Michael so much in this is he showed such love, loyalty, strength, commitment. He was not afraid to stand up for what is right, especially to the headmistress. Jennifer pulled Michael in the story at all the right moments when I, as a reader, would think “I hope Michael is about to show up!” and he did! He just has such a tender, loving heart and respect for others that I loved. He also had a good foundational faith that I really appreciated.
Brianna was such a complex character, and I was so intrigued from the very beginning. Her story really reminded me of Cinderella in many ways. She was passive because of all the hardship she had in her life and Michael helped her really open herself up to everyone else and be able to grow. Also loved the side characters, specifically Finnuala.
Overall, this is my favorite of Jennifer’s books so far and I highly recommend if you love Historical Romance! (Also, loved seeing a couple of characters from A Dance in Donegal here! 😊 )
Thank you to Baker Publishing, Revell and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy to honestly read and review.
February 21, 2023
UPDATE 02/21/23: IT'S RELEASE DAY, SO I CAN FINALLY REQUEST THAT THE LIBRARY GET THIS BOOK!!!!!!! AND THEN I WILL MAKE MY SISTERS READ IT!!! *grins evilly*
This book is a beautiful retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale that is sure to keep readers up WAY too late trying to finish it!!!
Brianna was sweet, curious, and always able to maintain a positive attitude, despite the challenges in her life.
Michael was willing to stand up for what is right, while having the sense to know how to go about doing it. Although I thoroughly enjoyed his character, I felt like Michael's character would have been even better if he had to deal with more conflict throughout the story.
The villain's character was by far the most interesting. I loved the scenes that were from her point of view. They made it easier to understand her motivations and just made her into the most complex character in the book. I did wish the reader got to see her point of view at the very end of the book, since it would have nicely closed out her character arc.
I found the ending of the story a bit too predictable, but, otherwise, I really enjoyed the plot.
The bits of Gaelic (I think) sprinkled throughout the book added a nice touch of authenticity to the characters. And the author included enough context clues for all readers to be able to understand what the characters were saying at all times.
Overall, I loved this book. I would highly recommend it to fans of clean, Christian romance!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a beautiful retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale that is sure to keep readers up WAY too late trying to finish it!!!
Brianna was sweet, curious, and always able to maintain a positive attitude, despite the challenges in her life.
Michael was willing to stand up for what is right, while having the sense to know how to go about doing it. Although I thoroughly enjoyed his character, I felt like Michael's character would have been even better if he had to deal with more conflict throughout the story.
The villain's character was by far the most interesting. I loved the scenes that were from her point of view. They made it easier to understand her motivations and just made her into the most complex character in the book. I did wish the reader got to see her point of view at the very end of the book, since it would have nicely closed out her character arc.
I found the ending of the story a bit too predictable, but, otherwise, I really enjoyed the plot.
The bits of Gaelic (I think) sprinkled throughout the book added a nice touch of authenticity to the characters. And the author included enough context clues for all readers to be able to understand what the characters were saying at all times.
Overall, I loved this book. I would highly recommend it to fans of clean, Christian romance!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2023
This book will appeal to readers (especially younger ones!) who love Irish settings and anything Cinderella-esque.
Jennifer Deibel is a new-to-me author whose books I've seen many friends rave about so I finally decided it was time to test out the hype.
I think personally this book is not for me, but I do know younger readers will love this story. It's sweet, clean, and has just enough of the well-known fairytale in the mix to appeal to any teen girl's heart.
I did find the plot hard to get into, because it required much suspension of belief. I also found myself wondering several times how a male could go unchaperoned in such a school as Ballymacool. These two points are why the rating is lower for me, but I know not all readers are as deep of a reader as I tend to be, which is why I still highly recommend this book for younger readers. (And thank you, Jennifer, for that! It's so hard to find appropriate books for my younger sister, who constantly wants more 'adult' books to read because she's growing out of the middle grade stage.)
All in all, a lovely clean read with a healthy dose of Ireland. (Do yourself a favour and check out the glossary in the back of the book before reading.)
*I received a paperback copy of The Maid of Ballymacool for review by the publisher Revell. I was not required to leave a positive opinion, and all thoughts expressed are purely my own.
Jennifer Deibel is a new-to-me author whose books I've seen many friends rave about so I finally decided it was time to test out the hype.
I think personally this book is not for me, but I do know younger readers will love this story. It's sweet, clean, and has just enough of the well-known fairytale in the mix to appeal to any teen girl's heart.
I did find the plot hard to get into, because it required much suspension of belief. I also found myself wondering several times how a male could go unchaperoned in such a school as Ballymacool. These two points are why the rating is lower for me, but I know not all readers are as deep of a reader as I tend to be, which is why I still highly recommend this book for younger readers. (And thank you, Jennifer, for that! It's so hard to find appropriate books for my younger sister, who constantly wants more 'adult' books to read because she's growing out of the middle grade stage.)
All in all, a lovely clean read with a healthy dose of Ireland. (Do yourself a favour and check out the glossary in the back of the book before reading.)
*I received a paperback copy of The Maid of Ballymacool for review by the publisher Revell. I was not required to leave a positive opinion, and all thoughts expressed are purely my own.
February 22, 2023
4.5 stars
“I don’t pretend to know why His plan for ya included this road you’ve been led down, but I do know He doesna waste a single tear.”
Until I opened The Maid of Ballymacool, I had – to my regret – yet to read anything by Jennifer Deibel. As I quickly became immersed in 1935 Donegal, I realized I had definitely been missing out on a fresh new talent. And you are too if you haven’t discovered her charming writing style and heartfelt characters until now. So… read this review quickly (skim if you need to lol) and go grab The Maid of Ballymacool and the other two Ireland-set novels on her backlist, post haste! Especially if you’re a fan of Laura Frantz or Roseanna White, because even though all three authors write in different time periods & different settings, the way they capture the lilt and cadence of history and breathe life into their characters is very comparable.
Speaking of characters… can I just swoon over Michael Wray for a moment? From the very beginning, he claimed a piece of my heart & refused to give it back – which worked out well because as I became more acquainted with his character I didn’t want that part of my heart back after all. What first endeared him to me, you may ask? This description:
"But given his druthers, Michael would choose the quiet library – or a tree-canopied forst – and a familiar tome every time."
A bookish hero, y’all! Is there any better? And what kept me captivated by Michael Wray? Ohhhh where do I start? His gallant heart, his tender care of those he loves, his respect of people regardless of their class or appearance, and his championing of Brianna. Lines like this only served to strengthen my love of this gentle hero:
“…I will do everything in my power to show you that loyalty isn’t something that’s reserved for everyone else but you.”
Brianna is the Cinderellaesque heroine I’ve been searching for in my bookish wish list. Pure of heart and genuine of spirit, she navigates Maureen Magee’s hatred of her with more grace than I would have been able to muster on my own power. Magee, the headmistress of Ballymacool (and Brianna’s guardian), is chillingly convincing as the ‘wicked stepmother’ figure, and I adored Finnuala in the ‘fairy godmother’ role. Of course, these aren’t token caricatures of any of these three character types, but instead Deibel gives each woman the framework of the respective role and then fills in the outlines with layered brushstrokes of backstory. The end result is a story that holds up completely even without the Cinderella references but also made me (a collector of Cinderella stories) very bookishly happy.
Bottom Line: The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel had me at ‘fresh take on the Cinderella story’ and then drew me in to 1930s Ireland from word one. Vibrant characters and an equally vivid setting allow this slow-burn romance to unfold with delicious chemistry, and the dash of mystery around Brianna’s roots kept me turning the pages. And don’t get me started on how swoony & gallant Michael is! The faith thread is beautifully done, too. This is my first read by Jennifer Deibel but it definitely won’t be my last!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
“I don’t pretend to know why His plan for ya included this road you’ve been led down, but I do know He doesna waste a single tear.”
Until I opened The Maid of Ballymacool, I had – to my regret – yet to read anything by Jennifer Deibel. As I quickly became immersed in 1935 Donegal, I realized I had definitely been missing out on a fresh new talent. And you are too if you haven’t discovered her charming writing style and heartfelt characters until now. So… read this review quickly (skim if you need to lol) and go grab The Maid of Ballymacool and the other two Ireland-set novels on her backlist, post haste! Especially if you’re a fan of Laura Frantz or Roseanna White, because even though all three authors write in different time periods & different settings, the way they capture the lilt and cadence of history and breathe life into their characters is very comparable.
Speaking of characters… can I just swoon over Michael Wray for a moment? From the very beginning, he claimed a piece of my heart & refused to give it back – which worked out well because as I became more acquainted with his character I didn’t want that part of my heart back after all. What first endeared him to me, you may ask? This description:
"But given his druthers, Michael would choose the quiet library – or a tree-canopied forst – and a familiar tome every time."
A bookish hero, y’all! Is there any better? And what kept me captivated by Michael Wray? Ohhhh where do I start? His gallant heart, his tender care of those he loves, his respect of people regardless of their class or appearance, and his championing of Brianna. Lines like this only served to strengthen my love of this gentle hero:
“…I will do everything in my power to show you that loyalty isn’t something that’s reserved for everyone else but you.”
Brianna is the Cinderellaesque heroine I’ve been searching for in my bookish wish list. Pure of heart and genuine of spirit, she navigates Maureen Magee’s hatred of her with more grace than I would have been able to muster on my own power. Magee, the headmistress of Ballymacool (and Brianna’s guardian), is chillingly convincing as the ‘wicked stepmother’ figure, and I adored Finnuala in the ‘fairy godmother’ role. Of course, these aren’t token caricatures of any of these three character types, but instead Deibel gives each woman the framework of the respective role and then fills in the outlines with layered brushstrokes of backstory. The end result is a story that holds up completely even without the Cinderella references but also made me (a collector of Cinderella stories) very bookishly happy.
Bottom Line: The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel had me at ‘fresh take on the Cinderella story’ and then drew me in to 1930s Ireland from word one. Vibrant characters and an equally vivid setting allow this slow-burn romance to unfold with delicious chemistry, and the dash of mystery around Brianna’s roots kept me turning the pages. And don’t get me started on how swoony & gallant Michael is! The faith thread is beautifully done, too. This is my first read by Jennifer Deibel but it definitely won’t be my last!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
June 17, 2023
Downtown Abby meets Julia Klassen!
I absolutely adored this book. Having the audio version read by an Irish women only made it more beautiful and the novel truly came to life!
I felt the mystery of the main characters story a bit slow, but overall the pacing was alright and I appreciated the slow burn of the romance.
The characters themselves were the heart and magnetic pull of this novel!
I absolutely adored this book. Having the audio version read by an Irish women only made it more beautiful and the novel truly came to life!
I felt the mystery of the main characters story a bit slow, but overall the pacing was alright and I appreciated the slow burn of the romance.
The characters themselves were the heart and magnetic pull of this novel!
February 20, 2023
A Cinderella story that will pluck at your heartstrings and make you want to stay up until the wee hours to read.
Brianna is a maid at a girl's school who loves to search for hidden treasures in the forest. And Michael comes to the school to help corral his cousin to behave more ladylike. He meets Brianna and something about her draws him to her.
This book is everything that I love in a book: historical, romance, mystery, secret identities, villains. Might be my favorite book of the year.
The romance was sweet and slow building. Even though there might have been a little love at first sight I loved that they didn't fall head over heels right away.
The faith content in this story was beautiful, I loved the scenes of Brienna when she is in the forest and feels closer to the Lord. The writing was so beautiful.
I also loved the minor characters and how they brought the whole story together.
*thank you to Baker Publishing for a copy of this book to read and share my thoughts on.
Brianna is a maid at a girl's school who loves to search for hidden treasures in the forest. And Michael comes to the school to help corral his cousin to behave more ladylike. He meets Brianna and something about her draws him to her.
This book is everything that I love in a book: historical, romance, mystery, secret identities, villains. Might be my favorite book of the year.
The romance was sweet and slow building. Even though there might have been a little love at first sight I loved that they didn't fall head over heels right away.
The faith content in this story was beautiful, I loved the scenes of Brienna when she is in the forest and feels closer to the Lord. The writing was so beautiful.
I also loved the minor characters and how they brought the whole story together.
*thank you to Baker Publishing for a copy of this book to read and share my thoughts on.
January 18, 2023
The Maid of Ballymacool is a retelling of Cinderella. It is done in a very creative way. As soon as I started reading it I knew this would be a great read. And it is. I enjoyed the landscape of Ireland and the wonderful way the author described it. The characters are so likeable and you just have to love Brianna and her sweet spirit. The hero, well he is just that. He is smitten with Brianna from the beginning and quickly became her advocate. This is a lovely read with a sweet and satisfying ending. The author is new to me and I am so impressed with her writing that I will be reading her back list.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
February 21, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. Well written with good characters and a very interesting plot, it kept my attention through out.
Brianna works so hard at Ballymacool House, rarely getting time off and hated by the headmistress. She can’t understand why the woman is so antagonistic toward her. I couldn’t wait to find out what all the mystery was about. I was not disappointed at all. Very nice indeed.
My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. The opinion here is my own.
Brianna works so hard at Ballymacool House, rarely getting time off and hated by the headmistress. She can’t understand why the woman is so antagonistic toward her. I couldn’t wait to find out what all the mystery was about. I was not disappointed at all. Very nice indeed.
My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. The opinion here is my own.
March 3, 2023
“I often will have a person or situation that won’t leave my mind, no matter what I do.” She hung her dirty apron on the hook and put on her serving one. “And I’ve found that if I use those as reminders to pray for that person, I learn later that there was a reason for it. An illness, an accident, an important item that had been misplaced and needed finding. That sort o’ thing.”
I have found a new historical fiction author to love and enjoy and in the setting of Ireland I have not yet read much about.
This was the first book I have read by this author, but I immediately placed her other two published books on my 2023 TBR priority list.
Michael was a hero who will steal readers’ heart – he sure did mine. Even though he came from the higher society, he was not scared to step in for those weaker and who can’t fight for themselves. The small changes he implemented made huge differences. There were quite a few instances where I was thinking, “Yes Michael, you tell her!” Brianna was the perfect female lead, with her soft heart and gentleness which creeped into your heart softly and left an impact.
Perhaps that’s why the Good Book speaks of faith as being a mystery. Brianna realized that at any given moment, she might be connected to countless others in faith through prayer, perhaps even united in their requests. And that was a great comfort to her tired and lonesome heart.
I also loved the strong spiritual messages included in the story and the continuous focus on God.
“Brianna Kelly, don’ let anyone tell ya that who ya are doesn’t matter. Everything ya do, shows His glory to the world. At least, it can if ye’ll let it. You are a daughter of the King, and it’s high time ya treat yerself as such.”
The mystery around where Brianna came from was also intriguing and even though I figured it out early on, I was kept on edge with wondering how everything will come to light.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
I have found a new historical fiction author to love and enjoy and in the setting of Ireland I have not yet read much about.
This was the first book I have read by this author, but I immediately placed her other two published books on my 2023 TBR priority list.
Michael was a hero who will steal readers’ heart – he sure did mine. Even though he came from the higher society, he was not scared to step in for those weaker and who can’t fight for themselves. The small changes he implemented made huge differences. There were quite a few instances where I was thinking, “Yes Michael, you tell her!” Brianna was the perfect female lead, with her soft heart and gentleness which creeped into your heart softly and left an impact.
Perhaps that’s why the Good Book speaks of faith as being a mystery. Brianna realized that at any given moment, she might be connected to countless others in faith through prayer, perhaps even united in their requests. And that was a great comfort to her tired and lonesome heart.
I also loved the strong spiritual messages included in the story and the continuous focus on God.
“Brianna Kelly, don’ let anyone tell ya that who ya are doesn’t matter. Everything ya do, shows His glory to the world. At least, it can if ye’ll let it. You are a daughter of the King, and it’s high time ya treat yerself as such.”
The mystery around where Brianna came from was also intriguing and even though I figured it out early on, I was kept on edge with wondering how everything will come to light.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
May 14, 2023
Doesn't this book have a lovely cover? I thought the setting sounded dreamy as well. I enjoyed the basics of the story, and the characters were easy to like. I enjoyed the development we see in Michael as he begrudgingly takes on the inconvenient task, yet grows to care for the well-being of the girls at the school. He definitely shifts naturally into the protector-defender role. Brianna feels stuck in her job, and it was frustrating that she never tried to think of a way out. There is a hint of mystery alluded to, especially when we begin to have scenes from the perspective of the villainous headmistress. It's a sweet story but simple, and I struggled to connect with the characters on a deeper level.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
August 9, 2023
3.5 stars
The Maid of Ballymacool was a good read from a new-to-me author. I enjoyed the mystery of trying to figure out Brianna's past and lineage. I was able to guess it, for the most part, and that was nice. The story had some tragic elements and I really felt for the characters.
Magee was a character that I did not like from the get-go, which was probably the point. She treated Brianna terribly and was just terrible.
All in all, I liked the book and can see myself reading other books by this author.
The Maid of Ballymacool was a good read from a new-to-me author. I enjoyed the mystery of trying to figure out Brianna's past and lineage. I was able to guess it, for the most part, and that was nice. The story had some tragic elements and I really felt for the characters.
Magee was a character that I did not like from the get-go, which was probably the point. She treated Brianna terribly and was just terrible.
All in all, I liked the book and can see myself reading other books by this author.
February 23, 2023
The Maid of Ballymacool swept me away to another era with striking ease. The feelings were conveyed so naturally and the descriptions of time and place came across as such accessible and seemingly effortless prose that I was no longer just reading the story, I was fully immersed and became a part of it!
This book was amazing! I loved Brianna and the whole host of lovable and quirky characters that brought this story to life. The storyline of an overworked and under-appreciated maid, who still boasts a cheerful and thankful spirit, has got to be one of my absolute favorites!
I am SO enamored with this book and the truly stunning talent that I’ve discovered in Author Jennifer Deibel! Though this was my first book by her, I am already a huge fan of her style and will be looking to read the rest of what she has available, along with keeping an eye out for what comes next from her!
This book was amazing! I loved Brianna and the whole host of lovable and quirky characters that brought this story to life. The storyline of an overworked and under-appreciated maid, who still boasts a cheerful and thankful spirit, has got to be one of my absolute favorites!
I am SO enamored with this book and the truly stunning talent that I’ve discovered in Author Jennifer Deibel! Though this was my first book by her, I am already a huge fan of her style and will be looking to read the rest of what she has available, along with keeping an eye out for what comes next from her!
Read
June 1, 2023Jennifer Deibel just gets better and better with every book! I thoroughly enjoyed this character-driven story and of course, the lush Irish setting. I listened to the audiobook, which was expertly done. If you're a fan of historical romance, don't miss it. Can't wait to see what this author writes next!
February 11, 2023
The Maid of Ballymacool is a Cinderella story set in Ireland in 1930s. Ireland at this time was still a very class orientated society and the upper class rarely mixed with the people who were below them on the economic scale. In this story, love was more important than class or occupation and after many problems, the two main characters got their happily ever after ending.
Brianna was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School when she was an infant. The head of the school treated her terribly and made sure that she worked long hours. In her small amount of free time, she liked to walk in the woods and look for small treasures to add to her collection hidden in her small room. Michael is sent to the boarding school to help his niece who is being bullied - or is she bullying other students? He's from the upper crust of society but was a nice person who cared about people at all levels. He soon finds out that he has a strong attraction to Brianna and was appalled at the way she was treated. Will the two of them be able to be together or will the constraints of society keep them apart? What is the secret about Brianna's real family that several people in her life are trying to keep hidden from her? One of the most complex characters was Mistress Magee. She ran the school with an iron first and kept the students days totally regimented. She's also the person who makes Brianna work such long hours. There are several chapters from her point of view which are crucial to the plot as the mystery surrounding Brianna slowly unravels.
This was a light read and both of the main characters were well written. I don't know that I could really believe that a couple this far apart in society could become a couple but once I quit questioning that aspect, I really enjoyed the book. My other problem with the book was the use of Gaelic language in some conversations. The author did include a list of Gaelic words at the end of the book that I wasn't aware of until I finished reading it. As a plus, there are fantastic descriptions of Ireland that help add to the beauty of the story.
Brianna was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School when she was an infant. The head of the school treated her terribly and made sure that she worked long hours. In her small amount of free time, she liked to walk in the woods and look for small treasures to add to her collection hidden in her small room. Michael is sent to the boarding school to help his niece who is being bullied - or is she bullying other students? He's from the upper crust of society but was a nice person who cared about people at all levels. He soon finds out that he has a strong attraction to Brianna and was appalled at the way she was treated. Will the two of them be able to be together or will the constraints of society keep them apart? What is the secret about Brianna's real family that several people in her life are trying to keep hidden from her? One of the most complex characters was Mistress Magee. She ran the school with an iron first and kept the students days totally regimented. She's also the person who makes Brianna work such long hours. There are several chapters from her point of view which are crucial to the plot as the mystery surrounding Brianna slowly unravels.
This was a light read and both of the main characters were well written. I don't know that I could really believe that a couple this far apart in society could become a couple but once I quit questioning that aspect, I really enjoyed the book. My other problem with the book was the use of Gaelic language in some conversations. The author did include a list of Gaelic words at the end of the book that I wasn't aware of until I finished reading it. As a plus, there are fantastic descriptions of Ireland that help add to the beauty of the story.
March 6, 2023
4.5 stars!
Once again Deibel has penned a novel that not only touches your heart, it takes you on a journey back in time to a place you never want to leave. Ballymacool is full of secrets, mystery, intrigue, fantastic characters (primary and secondary), and so much more.
Let’s start with the romance. I love the scenes with Michael and Brianna. I felt they had such wonderful chemistry, even better than Prince Charming the Cinderella (Brianna reminds me of Cinderella, but more on that later). Michael sees Brianna as a person, not a maid, and I love that about him. Of course, there needs to be a slightly slower build of their romance, and Deibel penned it perfectly. When we finally get to the kiss – phew! I loved it. The thing is that Michael made Brianna feel seen, loved, appreciated, and like she was a person. Girls – this is what you want in a man.
I couldn’t help but giggle everytime we have Michael conversing with who I call Miss Trunchbull, even though her name in the book was Mistress Magee. I mean, she is the epitome of the evil step-mother vibe in a wicked character (she’s not Brianna’s step mother, I’m just using that as a reference). I couldn’t stand her character! But what I appreciated was how Deibel gives you little glimpses into her story with her POV. At first I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not, but it grew on me, and I found myself understanding her character the more I learned about her. And it added such an interesting layer to the story!
And Brianna. Oh make my princess loving heart grow! Life had certainly not been fair to her, with her Cinderella-esque back story. I kind of wanted there to be mice that she talked to. Ha! Anyways, she was so sweet. Put up with so much from Mistress Magee – much more than our Cinderella every thought of. And yet, she still had a glimmer of hope inside of her that seemed to come to the forefront once Michael arrived on the scene. I enjoyed watching her character blossom, as well as solving the mystery surrounding her parents (I figured it out pretty early on, however that didn’t stop me from loving the process that it took her to figure it out). And, though I can’t say specifics because of spoilers, I LOVED the ending her character got.
With everything going on in this book, Deibel also weaves a gorgeous faith thread. Most of the quotes I highlighted back that up. The gospel truly does shine, encourages, and speaks straight to your heart. I can’t tell you the number of times I stopped while I was reading to ponder a quote or conversation about faith. To put it simply – it was exquisite.
The Maid of Ballymacool is a book that will take you back to historic Ireland, with beauty and charm. The characters will inspire you, and welcome you like a warm hug. Trust me when I say you want to carve out a big chunk of reading time so you don’t have to close the pages until you reach the end!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Once again Deibel has penned a novel that not only touches your heart, it takes you on a journey back in time to a place you never want to leave. Ballymacool is full of secrets, mystery, intrigue, fantastic characters (primary and secondary), and so much more.
Let’s start with the romance. I love the scenes with Michael and Brianna. I felt they had such wonderful chemistry, even better than Prince Charming the Cinderella (Brianna reminds me of Cinderella, but more on that later). Michael sees Brianna as a person, not a maid, and I love that about him. Of course, there needs to be a slightly slower build of their romance, and Deibel penned it perfectly. When we finally get to the kiss – phew! I loved it. The thing is that Michael made Brianna feel seen, loved, appreciated, and like she was a person. Girls – this is what you want in a man.
I couldn’t help but giggle everytime we have Michael conversing with who I call Miss Trunchbull, even though her name in the book was Mistress Magee. I mean, she is the epitome of the evil step-mother vibe in a wicked character (she’s not Brianna’s step mother, I’m just using that as a reference). I couldn’t stand her character! But what I appreciated was how Deibel gives you little glimpses into her story with her POV. At first I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not, but it grew on me, and I found myself understanding her character the more I learned about her. And it added such an interesting layer to the story!
And Brianna. Oh make my princess loving heart grow! Life had certainly not been fair to her, with her Cinderella-esque back story. I kind of wanted there to be mice that she talked to. Ha! Anyways, she was so sweet. Put up with so much from Mistress Magee – much more than our Cinderella every thought of. And yet, she still had a glimmer of hope inside of her that seemed to come to the forefront once Michael arrived on the scene. I enjoyed watching her character blossom, as well as solving the mystery surrounding her parents (I figured it out pretty early on, however that didn’t stop me from loving the process that it took her to figure it out). And, though I can’t say specifics because of spoilers, I LOVED the ending her character got.
With everything going on in this book, Deibel also weaves a gorgeous faith thread. Most of the quotes I highlighted back that up. The gospel truly does shine, encourages, and speaks straight to your heart. I can’t tell you the number of times I stopped while I was reading to ponder a quote or conversation about faith. To put it simply – it was exquisite.
The Maid of Ballymacool is a book that will take you back to historic Ireland, with beauty and charm. The characters will inspire you, and welcome you like a warm hug. Trust me when I say you want to carve out a big chunk of reading time so you don’t have to close the pages until you reach the end!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 18, 2023
Absolutely adored this intriguing, mysterious, Cinderella like story! The Maid of Ballymacool really has something for everyone: a heartfelt, beautiful romance, an evil villainess, a compelling mystery, and Irish history all rolled into one. Set in 1930’s Ireland, the tale begins at a girl’s boarding school at Ballymacool. Brianna Kelly who’s been a servant there since she was a tiny girl is abused and mistreated by the headmistress. She longs to do and be more but feels trapped by her circumstances. Not knowing who her parents were or having any memory of her past save a locket she wears, she tries to accept her fate with cheerfulness.
When a handsome young man is sent to the school to look after his troublemaking cousin, he’s immediately drawn to Brianna. Michael Wray is intrigued by her story and wants to try to help her, especially when she becomes his cousin’s target. When Brianna finds a platter in the woods, they try to discover the mystery behind it. Could it hold a key to her past?
I absolutely loved the romance and mystery. Told from three different perspectives, we get Michael’s, Brianna’s and the diabolical headmistresses’ points of view. Each one sheds a little more light on the mystery of the story. The romance between Michael and Brianna is a lovely friends to more romance. Despite their differing social statuses, Michael treats her as an equal and values her. He really comes into his own as he stands up for and works to free Brianna from an untenable situation. I loved the storm rescue, him helping her in the kitchen, and their first waltz together.
Brianna is a delightful character who accepts her circumstances with a positive attitude despite feeling she was meant for something more. She has a kind, loving nature and enjoys roaming the grounds of Ballymacool. She can’t help falling for Michael, but worries about their differing classes.
Mistress Magee is a villain you love to hate. She’s absolutely evil! Her hatred and cruelty towards Brianna is unfathomable. She treats her just awfully and when the extent of her machinations are known, you really have very little sympathy for her.
The side characters are endearing and add to the richness of the story. I loved all of the Irish phrases and customs mentioned throughout. There’s a helpful glossary included at the back of the book which aids in understanding the Irish words and phrases.
This story completely drew me in from the first and was difficult to put down!I loved the messages of faith, and understanding one’s true worth. It’s a must read for historical mystery and romance fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
When a handsome young man is sent to the school to look after his troublemaking cousin, he’s immediately drawn to Brianna. Michael Wray is intrigued by her story and wants to try to help her, especially when she becomes his cousin’s target. When Brianna finds a platter in the woods, they try to discover the mystery behind it. Could it hold a key to her past?
I absolutely loved the romance and mystery. Told from three different perspectives, we get Michael’s, Brianna’s and the diabolical headmistresses’ points of view. Each one sheds a little more light on the mystery of the story. The romance between Michael and Brianna is a lovely friends to more romance. Despite their differing social statuses, Michael treats her as an equal and values her. He really comes into his own as he stands up for and works to free Brianna from an untenable situation. I loved the storm rescue, him helping her in the kitchen, and their first waltz together.
Brianna is a delightful character who accepts her circumstances with a positive attitude despite feeling she was meant for something more. She has a kind, loving nature and enjoys roaming the grounds of Ballymacool. She can’t help falling for Michael, but worries about their differing classes.
Mistress Magee is a villain you love to hate. She’s absolutely evil! Her hatred and cruelty towards Brianna is unfathomable. She treats her just awfully and when the extent of her machinations are known, you really have very little sympathy for her.
The side characters are endearing and add to the richness of the story. I loved all of the Irish phrases and customs mentioned throughout. There’s a helpful glossary included at the back of the book which aids in understanding the Irish words and phrases.
This story completely drew me in from the first and was difficult to put down!I loved the messages of faith, and understanding one’s true worth. It’s a must read for historical mystery and romance fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
February 20, 2023
Welcome back to county Donegal, Ireland. This time Ms. Deible has set her story in a boarding school in an old family manor of Ballymacool.
I really got wrapped up in this story of an orphaned Brianna. She is a virtual slave to Mistress Magee who is a cruel taskmaster. Brianna has no idea why Magee is so antagonist toward her, but she tries to do her chores to the best of her ability. Maureen Magee’s attitude stems from long held secrets.
Michael Wray has come to the boarding school to supervise his cousin Adeline, who cannot seem to keep out of trouble. As Michael observes the goings on at Ballymacool, he gets to know Brianna and tries to ease her burdens. This hero is a kind and steadying force.
Ms. Deible paints a slice of life in 1935 Ireland and peoples her story with strong characters. One of the most interesting is Finnuola, a seemingly crazy old lady who lives in the woods. But she is crafty and wiser than she lets on. “Child, there is more to yer story than ye could ever know. And there are things the good Laird has for ye to do that no one else can do. Everything ye do, shows His glory to the world.”
Secrets are revealed, lessons are learned and faith is strengthened.
Be sure to read this beautiful story steeped in history.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
I really got wrapped up in this story of an orphaned Brianna. She is a virtual slave to Mistress Magee who is a cruel taskmaster. Brianna has no idea why Magee is so antagonist toward her, but she tries to do her chores to the best of her ability. Maureen Magee’s attitude stems from long held secrets.
Michael Wray has come to the boarding school to supervise his cousin Adeline, who cannot seem to keep out of trouble. As Michael observes the goings on at Ballymacool, he gets to know Brianna and tries to ease her burdens. This hero is a kind and steadying force.
Ms. Deible paints a slice of life in 1935 Ireland and peoples her story with strong characters. One of the most interesting is Finnuola, a seemingly crazy old lady who lives in the woods. But she is crafty and wiser than she lets on. “Child, there is more to yer story than ye could ever know. And there are things the good Laird has for ye to do that no one else can do. Everything ye do, shows His glory to the world.”
Secrets are revealed, lessons are learned and faith is strengthened.
Be sure to read this beautiful story steeped in history.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
March 17, 2023
This is easily my favorite story by Jennifer. I'd heard lots of good things about this story before reading and it did not disappoint. I had trouble putting this one down as I desperately wanted to know why Magee was the way she was and what secrets she was hiding about Brianna's past. I also loved the Cinderella elements to the story, as well as seeing Sean(from A Dance in Donnegal) make a cameo. This was a fantastic read for me! The story was definitely a fun read, and the audio copy was an enjoyable listen. This one is headed straight for my keeper shelf.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and also purchased my own Audible copy and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and also purchased my own Audible copy and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
August 10, 2023
It was interesting to see the Cinderella story within the parameters of 1930s Ireland. For me, it was a sweet story but didn't leave any lasting impressions or have much of an emotional impact.
It was a predictable story due to the Cinderella plot line, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I liked the two main characters but didn't feel especially connected to them.
There was mention of scripture and discussion about how a person's worth and identity is found in Christ, which is appreciated in a Christian fiction book.
The ending felt a bit abrupt to me, like some conflict was left out in order to finish the story (i.e. the antagonist's final response to receiving some news and Adeline's character development saw in interesting change from the beginning to the middle of the book but the last part she's barely mentioned until the epilogue--just would have liked her story more fleshed out.)
Christian fiction rating: 2/3
It was a predictable story due to the Cinderella plot line, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I liked the two main characters but didn't feel especially connected to them.
There was mention of scripture and discussion about how a person's worth and identity is found in Christ, which is appreciated in a Christian fiction book.
The ending felt a bit abrupt to me, like some conflict was left out in order to finish the story (i.e. the antagonist's final response to receiving some news and Adeline's character development saw in interesting change from the beginning to the middle of the book but the last part she's barely mentioned until the epilogue--just would have liked her story more fleshed out.)
Christian fiction rating: 2/3
January 27, 2023
The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel
Release Date: February 21, 2023 by Revell
Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance
5 Stars
Description: Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room. When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything. Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.
Malice, solitude, antics, mystery, several heart wrenching moments, special treasure expeditions, suspense, sweet and tender romance, and so much more are all captured in this fantastic novel, The Maid of Ballymacool, by Jennifer Deibel! I highly recommend this book to everyone -- especially those who enjoy historical fiction and/or romance.
The Maid of Ballymacool exquisitely captures faith, family, and culture in a beautiful and memorable way. Each character is well developed, and every scene is remarkably described in this emotionally engaging, multi-faceted story of finding one’s identity.
The main character of The Maid of Ballymacool is Brianna. She certainly exemplifies Philippians 1:4-9 and to be content in every circumstance (Philippians 4:11b). This well-written, fictional character has inspired me to be more Christ-like and be more obedient to Him and His commands -- no matter what my circumstances are. Additionally, another impactful character, Finnuala, tell us that our purpose in the world has precious little to do with what job we hold -- it is to do with the way we impact the people around us. When we focus on God, His ways, and being obedient to Him, everything is meaningful and the impact we have on others will inspire them to follow Him, too. As with Brianna, each one of us are meant for something more -- something meaningful.
I am already missing the characters, the engaging dialogue, and the beautiful setting; I must re-read this outstanding novel soon!
As soon as possible, I will be reading Jennifer Deibel’s other two books, A Dance in Donegal and The Lady of Galway Manor.
I appreciate the eArc of The Maid of Ballymacool I received from Revell through NetGalley.com. I was not required to write a review or paid to do so. The words above are my honest review.
#TheMaidofBallymacool #JenniferDeibel #Revell
Release Date: February 21, 2023 by Revell
Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance
5 Stars
Description: Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room. When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything. Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.
Malice, solitude, antics, mystery, several heart wrenching moments, special treasure expeditions, suspense, sweet and tender romance, and so much more are all captured in this fantastic novel, The Maid of Ballymacool, by Jennifer Deibel! I highly recommend this book to everyone -- especially those who enjoy historical fiction and/or romance.
The Maid of Ballymacool exquisitely captures faith, family, and culture in a beautiful and memorable way. Each character is well developed, and every scene is remarkably described in this emotionally engaging, multi-faceted story of finding one’s identity.
The main character of The Maid of Ballymacool is Brianna. She certainly exemplifies Philippians 1:4-9 and to be content in every circumstance (Philippians 4:11b). This well-written, fictional character has inspired me to be more Christ-like and be more obedient to Him and His commands -- no matter what my circumstances are. Additionally, another impactful character, Finnuala, tell us that our purpose in the world has precious little to do with what job we hold -- it is to do with the way we impact the people around us. When we focus on God, His ways, and being obedient to Him, everything is meaningful and the impact we have on others will inspire them to follow Him, too. As with Brianna, each one of us are meant for something more -- something meaningful.
I am already missing the characters, the engaging dialogue, and the beautiful setting; I must re-read this outstanding novel soon!
As soon as possible, I will be reading Jennifer Deibel’s other two books, A Dance in Donegal and The Lady of Galway Manor.
I appreciate the eArc of The Maid of Ballymacool I received from Revell through NetGalley.com. I was not required to write a review or paid to do so. The words above are my honest review.
#TheMaidofBallymacool #JenniferDeibel #Revell
January 23, 2023
I'm so thankful that I chose to pick up Jennifer Deibel's debut novel a few years back, as I discovered a new favorite author along the way. Her beautiful prose just gets better with each new title she releases, and I find myself wanting the real world to come to a halt each time I pick one up, as I just want to lose myself in the wonderful book worlds she creates.
Her upcoming release, The Maid of Ballymacool, was one of my most anticipated 2023 releases, and it definitely did not disappoint. A beautiful, historical fiction retelling of Cinderella, I could barely bring myself to put it down, and I loved the complex story woven around an atmospheric setting in Ireland.
Brianna Kelly's earliest memories are of being put to work at Ballymacool, and her life has changed very little since. She constantly faces the wrath of her guardian, an older woman who runs Ballymacool's boarding school, and has had to come to terms with her life being the challenge it is, with no hope of that fact ever changing. When Michael Wray is sent to the school to deal with his unruly cousin attending the boarding school, there's an instant spark between the two. Michael can't stand to watch the abuse that Brianna faces on a daily basis by the one who is supposed to be her caregiver, and he's determined to help her out of her situation. However, how could Brianna ever act on the feelings she's developed for Michael, when their situations in life couldn't be more different?
Jennifer Deibel's mastery of the written word shines through to readers on each and every page, and I think this may just be my favorite by her yet. The central them focuses around identity, and remembering whose you are amongst all of life's challenges, and I appreciated that the faith element was at the front and center. The romance is sweet, swoon worthy, and slightly slow burn which I loved, and I thought she did a wonderful job of adding an original element to the Cinderella storyline.
The mystery is well plotted and paced, and even though I thought I'd had it all figured out, the final reveal still ended up leaving me quite surprised. One of my favorite parts of all is that one of the POV's is from the villain of the story, and I think it added an even stronger element to the story, as the reader got to learn the quirks and reasonings behind her treatment of Brianna.
All in all, this one was even more than I was hoping for, and I love how much more this author hones her craft with each and every title she writes.
I can't possibly recommend this one enough, and I can't wait to see what this author has in store for her reader's in the future.
Final Rating: 5/5.
Thanks so much to Revell for allowing me to advance read and review this one!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Revell) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.
Her upcoming release, The Maid of Ballymacool, was one of my most anticipated 2023 releases, and it definitely did not disappoint. A beautiful, historical fiction retelling of Cinderella, I could barely bring myself to put it down, and I loved the complex story woven around an atmospheric setting in Ireland.
Brianna Kelly's earliest memories are of being put to work at Ballymacool, and her life has changed very little since. She constantly faces the wrath of her guardian, an older woman who runs Ballymacool's boarding school, and has had to come to terms with her life being the challenge it is, with no hope of that fact ever changing. When Michael Wray is sent to the school to deal with his unruly cousin attending the boarding school, there's an instant spark between the two. Michael can't stand to watch the abuse that Brianna faces on a daily basis by the one who is supposed to be her caregiver, and he's determined to help her out of her situation. However, how could Brianna ever act on the feelings she's developed for Michael, when their situations in life couldn't be more different?
Jennifer Deibel's mastery of the written word shines through to readers on each and every page, and I think this may just be my favorite by her yet. The central them focuses around identity, and remembering whose you are amongst all of life's challenges, and I appreciated that the faith element was at the front and center. The romance is sweet, swoon worthy, and slightly slow burn which I loved, and I thought she did a wonderful job of adding an original element to the Cinderella storyline.
The mystery is well plotted and paced, and even though I thought I'd had it all figured out, the final reveal still ended up leaving me quite surprised. One of my favorite parts of all is that one of the POV's is from the villain of the story, and I think it added an even stronger element to the story, as the reader got to learn the quirks and reasonings behind her treatment of Brianna.
All in all, this one was even more than I was hoping for, and I love how much more this author hones her craft with each and every title she writes.
I can't possibly recommend this one enough, and I can't wait to see what this author has in store for her reader's in the future.
Final Rating: 5/5.
Thanks so much to Revell for allowing me to advance read and review this one!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Revell) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.
January 8, 2024
What an incredibly beautiful and well written story. This book had my full attention and all of my emotions within the first few pages. Set in Ireland in 1935, the descriptive writing style paints a picture of each scene rich with details that make the story come alive, and made me feel like I was there, experiencing the culture of Ireland in that day and time. It focuses on three main characters, Mistress Magee, Brianna and Michael.
Mistress Magee runs Ballymacool, a well know boarding school for young women. She's one of the most wretched villains! And treats Brianna, the scullery maid, like she's the scum of the earth. Mistrees Magee and Brianna have been tied together since Briannas birth, but Mistree Magee holds no maternal compassion or nurturing feelings for Brianna. Despite the way she's treated, Brianna remains a humble and kind soul, who is empty and depleted of all hope for a better life, but feels deep down in her soul like she was made for something more than a life of loneliness and nothingness.
Enter one of society's most wealthy but humble and kind young men. He see's whats happening with Mistress Magees treatment of Brianna as well as the other girls at the boarding school, but he has no idea that what he see's barely scratches the surface of the deeper secrets that lie beneath what meets the eye.
You will not be able to put this book down! I'm not a huge fan of romance. But this is one of the very sweetest romance novels I've read. The mysteries of Brianna and Magees story will keep you turning the pages. And the power of what having one person who cares can change, will grip your heart. Highly, highly recommend this one!
Mistress Magee runs Ballymacool, a well know boarding school for young women. She's one of the most wretched villains! And treats Brianna, the scullery maid, like she's the scum of the earth. Mistrees Magee and Brianna have been tied together since Briannas birth, but Mistree Magee holds no maternal compassion or nurturing feelings for Brianna. Despite the way she's treated, Brianna remains a humble and kind soul, who is empty and depleted of all hope for a better life, but feels deep down in her soul like she was made for something more than a life of loneliness and nothingness.
Enter one of society's most wealthy but humble and kind young men. He see's whats happening with Mistress Magees treatment of Brianna as well as the other girls at the boarding school, but he has no idea that what he see's barely scratches the surface of the deeper secrets that lie beneath what meets the eye.
You will not be able to put this book down! I'm not a huge fan of romance. But this is one of the very sweetest romance novels I've read. The mysteries of Brianna and Magees story will keep you turning the pages. And the power of what having one person who cares can change, will grip your heart. Highly, highly recommend this one!
April 20, 2023
Loosely a Cinderella retelling, The Maid of Ballymacool is a sweet romance with an air of mystery. I enjoyed reading this; however, I did find it rather predictable and fairly obvious what happened and who Brianna actually is. Maybe that was the point?
Overall, it was good. I liked the cast of characters though I would’ve liked to learn more about some of the supporting characters like Cook. Simple story with a happy ending!
Overall, it was good. I liked the cast of characters though I would’ve liked to learn more about some of the supporting characters like Cook. Simple story with a happy ending!
June 14, 2023
Brianna has been a servant at the boarding school of Ballymacool for as long as she can remember. She knows she is an orphan, left on the doorstep and her guardian is the headmistress of the school. What she doesn't know is why the woman seems to hate her. While the other workers are treated as staff, Brianna is mistreated in every way possible - almost like a Cinderella. Until the day a son of the local gentry turns up to keep an eye on his unruly niece, who is a student. The first time Michael sees Brianna, he is drawn to her and she to him. But he's an aristocrat and she's a nobody. Is there any future for them? Perhaps things are not as they seem...
A wonderful story, but I had a little problem with the son of an aristocratic house being willing to help in the kitchen, let alone knowing what to do there. And please "alright" is not really correct usage. It should be "all right." And this author used it over and over and over, and offended me every time. Sorry, I'm a linguistic purist.
A wonderful story, but I had a little problem with the son of an aristocratic house being willing to help in the kitchen, let alone knowing what to do there. And please "alright" is not really correct usage. It should be "all right." And this author used it over and over and over, and offended me every time. Sorry, I'm a linguistic purist.
March 4, 2023
I really enjoyed this sweet slow burn romance that is akin to a Cinderella story. jennifer Deibel books are comfort reads to me and gladly, these cold winter storms kept my heart warm with this beautiful story with main characters Brianna and Michael in 1930’s Donegal. I was immersed into the story that grabbed my heart - what an enjoyable story that took me to a wonderful time in the past in Ireland.
I highly recommend this faith filled, feel good, formidable story.
I highly recommend this faith filled, feel good, formidable story.
February 21, 2023
The Maid of Ballymacool was yet another delightful read set in the beautiful countryside of Ireland by the talented Author Jennifer Deibel.
Will the shadow of her past fade enough to reveal light in her future…
A page-turner from the beginning, I found Brianna to be a well-written and likeable MC.
I loved that Author Jennifer Deibel combined a Cinderella retelling of sorts with a hint of mystery and all the historical details present that one hopes to read in historical fiction.
The ending was sweet and I really liked how everything came together.
Overall, I definitely recommend!
Additionally, if you read and enjoyed A Dance In Donegal - then you definitely do not want to miss this book.
***Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. A review was not required. The views and opinions expressed in this review are my own honest thoughts on it.***
Will the shadow of her past fade enough to reveal light in her future…
A page-turner from the beginning, I found Brianna to be a well-written and likeable MC.
I loved that Author Jennifer Deibel combined a Cinderella retelling of sorts with a hint of mystery and all the historical details present that one hopes to read in historical fiction.
The ending was sweet and I really liked how everything came together.
Overall, I definitely recommend!
Additionally, if you read and enjoyed A Dance In Donegal - then you definitely do not want to miss this book.
***Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. A review was not required. The views and opinions expressed in this review are my own honest thoughts on it.***
March 17, 2023
“Ballymacool was believed to be one of the finest boarding schools in the county, if not the whole of Ireland. But what he was seeing stood in stark contrast to that.”
Most of us Americans would say we have a decent grasp on US history. But, alas, how many of us know much about other country’s historical struggles? Jennifer Deibel returns us to Donegal County, Ireland, to learn of Irish War of Independence in 1919, and the preceding years.
What better way to learn history than through a story, complete with a beautifully recounted love tale reminiscent of Cinderella. Deibel is a wordsmith, putting the reader in the forest to smell the musty earth, see the majestic trees, and hear their whispering in the wind. This makes meeting a secondary character, Finnuala, all the more mysterious and slightly spooky.
Do you love to have an antagonist that you can take out all your negative emotions on? If so, Deibel provides the perfect scapegoat. Oh, how I enjoyed the negative emotions that that person evoked, making my anger feel righteously justified!
The occasional Irish phrases, words, and slang, never exactly interpreted, but given great contextual clues; allgive great authenticity and local color to the novel.
Perhaps what I appreciate most, though, was that Deibel shows that there are evil and righteous people on both sides of the conflict. This is a truth our own country would do well to remember.
If you read only one foreign-set novel this year, consider The Maid of Ballymacool. If you are a fan of faith that produces growth, fairy-tale-like love stories, historical fiction of foreign countries, this is a book you won’t want to miss! I highly recommend anything Jennifer Deibel pens!
I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads,and NetGalley, plus I bought my own copy. Keep shelf material! No positive opinion was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“All she needed were her walks in the woods, her treasures, and the good Lord.”
“She had never really had minded the cold. It was all she had known in many ways.”
“No, he was dangerous because he awakened something far more treacherous in her. Something she couldn’t afford to cultivate. Something deadlier than any poison or illness. Hope.”
“We were not blessed with our position in the community in order to lord it over others. On the contrary. We must use our authority to stand up for those who cannot do so for themselves.”
“Yer purpose in this world has precious little to do with what job ya hold. It’s to do wi’ the way ya impact the people around ye.”
“tis only One who knows the whole truth, and it’s not our job to take that mantle upon ourselves. We’d crumble under the weight of it.”
Most of us Americans would say we have a decent grasp on US history. But, alas, how many of us know much about other country’s historical struggles? Jennifer Deibel returns us to Donegal County, Ireland, to learn of Irish War of Independence in 1919, and the preceding years.
What better way to learn history than through a story, complete with a beautifully recounted love tale reminiscent of Cinderella. Deibel is a wordsmith, putting the reader in the forest to smell the musty earth, see the majestic trees, and hear their whispering in the wind. This makes meeting a secondary character, Finnuala, all the more mysterious and slightly spooky.
Do you love to have an antagonist that you can take out all your negative emotions on? If so, Deibel provides the perfect scapegoat. Oh, how I enjoyed the negative emotions that that person evoked, making my anger feel righteously justified!
The occasional Irish phrases, words, and slang, never exactly interpreted, but given great contextual clues; allgive great authenticity and local color to the novel.
Perhaps what I appreciate most, though, was that Deibel shows that there are evil and righteous people on both sides of the conflict. This is a truth our own country would do well to remember.
If you read only one foreign-set novel this year, consider The Maid of Ballymacool. If you are a fan of faith that produces growth, fairy-tale-like love stories, historical fiction of foreign countries, this is a book you won’t want to miss! I highly recommend anything Jennifer Deibel pens!
I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads,and NetGalley, plus I bought my own copy. Keep shelf material! No positive opinion was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“All she needed were her walks in the woods, her treasures, and the good Lord.”
“She had never really had minded the cold. It was all she had known in many ways.”
“No, he was dangerous because he awakened something far more treacherous in her. Something she couldn’t afford to cultivate. Something deadlier than any poison or illness. Hope.”
“We were not blessed with our position in the community in order to lord it over others. On the contrary. We must use our authority to stand up for those who cannot do so for themselves.”
“Yer purpose in this world has precious little to do with what job ya hold. It’s to do wi’ the way ya impact the people around ye.”
“tis only One who knows the whole truth, and it’s not our job to take that mantle upon ourselves. We’d crumble under the weight of it.”
February 28, 2023
I really enjoyed this sweet and cozy Cinderella inspired story! I love fairytale retellings so I really enjoyed this one, especially since it was set in Ireland!
Brianna Kelly was much like Cinderella while also being her own unique character too. She was kind and hardworking, brightening the lives of those around her. I loved how much she loved nature! I could definitely relate to her in that way.
Michael was a wonderful hero. I knew from the first few chapters I was going to like him. I loved how sweet he was to Brianna. Their romance was really sweet and I enjoyed reading their story!🥰
I also liked Finnuala’s character. She was interesting and fun!
One of my favorite things about this book was the setting. A fairytale retelling set in Ireland is just perfect.😍 I also just loved how cozy this book felt! The cottages, the fairytale vibe, the mystery, the 1930s in Ireland… many things gave this book a cozy feel and I loved that.
I really enjoyed the faith content present throughout the book! I also really appreciate how clean this book was! I could recommend it to teens and up.
Overall, I really enjoyed this sweet story! I loved the coziness, the mystery, the sweet romance, and, the setting. If you enjoy historical fairytale retellings similar to Melanie Dickerson’s books, or sweet historical romances in general, I think you will really enjoy this one!
*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy to review! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Brianna Kelly was much like Cinderella while also being her own unique character too. She was kind and hardworking, brightening the lives of those around her. I loved how much she loved nature! I could definitely relate to her in that way.
Michael was a wonderful hero. I knew from the first few chapters I was going to like him. I loved how sweet he was to Brianna. Their romance was really sweet and I enjoyed reading their story!🥰
I also liked Finnuala’s character. She was interesting and fun!
One of my favorite things about this book was the setting. A fairytale retelling set in Ireland is just perfect.😍 I also just loved how cozy this book felt! The cottages, the fairytale vibe, the mystery, the 1930s in Ireland… many things gave this book a cozy feel and I loved that.
I really enjoyed the faith content present throughout the book! I also really appreciate how clean this book was! I could recommend it to teens and up.
Overall, I really enjoyed this sweet story! I loved the coziness, the mystery, the sweet romance, and, the setting. If you enjoy historical fairytale retellings similar to Melanie Dickerson’s books, or sweet historical romances in general, I think you will really enjoy this one!
*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy to review! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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