With lush details that drop you right into historical Ireland, Jennifer Deibel’s The Maid of Ballymacool is a sweet historical romance perfect for when you want to travel without leaving your favorite chair.
Book Blurb
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.
My Thoughts
Jennifer Deibel is a recent discovery, and I find myself enjoying her novels. The Maid of Ballymacool was no different.
Brianna immediately struck me as a strong heroine, though she isn’t aware of her self-worth. I loved seeing her trying to stand up to her demanding guardian while also remaining respectful. Michael was also a character I found myself easily rooting for.
I loved the kind and respectful way Michael treats Brianna as he fights against the injustice he sees at the school, as well as the surprising way his cousin begins to change her attitude. The romance was sweet and endearing, and I loved the spin on Cinderella.
The setting just about stole the show, though. I loved the bits of dialect Deibel includes. She has a glossary, which was good, but she worked the words in so seamlessly that a lot of times I was able to figure out what the words meant through context.
As for the spiritual thread, it was a bit subtle but there nonetheless, as by the end of the novel, God is clearly as the ultimate judge of our worth. That’s a timely reminder we could all use.
Overall, The Maid of Ballymacool is a sweet story historical romance fans will love. Especially those who love Irish characters.
(Note: I received a complimentary copy for review. All opinions expressed are my own.)
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