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.
About the Author:
Jennifer Deibel is the author of A Dance in Donegal (winner of the Kipp Award for Historical Romance) and The Lady of Galway Manor (a Parable Group bestseller). Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and in other publications. 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 with her husband and their three children. You can find her online at www.jenniferdeibel.com.
My Thoughts:
I had the pleasure of reading Ms. Deibel’s prior novel, “The Lady of Galway Manor” and so enjoyed it. So, when I saw she had a new book, I didn’t even think twice about grabbing it. I’m not entirely sure, but I may have enjoyed this one even more than the former!
Ms. Deibel does a beautiful job of bringing Ireland in 1935 to vivid life. Her descriptions paint pictures so vibrant,I often felt as though I was walking the halls of Ballymacool or wandering the woods alongside the characters. It’s apparent from the beginning how much the author loves the people, history, and culture of Ireland. I loved “seeing” it through a lens of understanding and love.
As always, the characters are what makes or breaks a story for me, and I adored Brianna, Michael, Batty, and Finnuala. Brianna and Michael both have such kind hearts, and the contrast between how Michael cares for Brianna versus how she’s treated by the mistress of Ballymacool broke my heart for her. I loved getting to see her from Michael’s perspective and how he slowly fell in love with the young woman who was so often overlooked. Their relationship builds slowly and is so sweet. And who doesn’t love someone named “Batty” or the supposedly “crazy” woman from the woods (Finnuala)? I also really appreciated how the dialogue is written as it would be heard/said - as opposed to proper English. I could almost “hear” the lovely accent as I read.
I also really appreciated the message of belonging and hope, especially for those who may find themselves feeling isolated or alone. This story sought to offer hope, something the world often seems to be sorely lacking. My only mildly negative comment is that I thought the ending was a little rushed. Brianna spends a few pages trying to understand and accept things (I don’t want to spoil anything), but within a paragraph or two, everything is mostly okay, again. But maybe that’s just me.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book! I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and is looking for a trip to Ireland, lived vicariously.
*My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book! I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
If you couldn't tell from my review, I greatly enjoyed this trip to Ireland! What is your favorite place to "visit" via stories? Please leave a comment and let me know!
As always, links are below!
Have a ducky day!
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