🏫 ☘️ πŸ’• “The Maid of Ballymacool” (2023) πŸ’• ☘️ 🏫 – Book Review


 

MY REVIEW

 


Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Revell (March 7, 2023)

Language: English

ISBN: 0764237381

ISBN-13: 978-0764237386

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information  

 

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.

 

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary review copy through the author’s launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.



Right off, I want to apologize to both the author and publisher for my LATE review. I had a lot going on in becoming a full-time caregiver to my mother. This late review is in no way a reflection of the book, author, or the publisher.

 

While still a relatively “new” author, Deibel has become a favorite and a “must-read” author. As soon as I see a cover reveal and read the blurb – it’s a given, I’m going to want to and will end up reading the book.

 

This is no different.

 

In fact, I have to admit – this was actually better than The Lady of Galway Manor. Probably because it takes some of us readers back to Donegal, unlike the second book which had NO mention of the previous book. And, I have to admit – I love a good “mystery” with a romance, as well as a “rags to riches” or “riches to rags” kind of story.


 

Yes, some characters from A Dance in Donegal appear (and are mentioned) in this one. It is about the 62% mark. So, those thinking about reading this – READ A Dance in Donegal first to avoid spoilers, and no, The Lady of Galway Manor is NOT connected in any way.

 

That said …

 

I cannot get over how GORGEOUS this cover is! It’s probably the combination of pinks and purples – two of my favorite colors – mixed together. And, this also gives us a face front picture of our female protagonist. Then there are the GORGEOUS Celtic symbols. I am a SUCKER for Celtic symbols and jewelry.  

 

And, speaking of Celtic, Diebel is definitely authentic with the Gaelic language, and includes a glossary in the back for readers, though, I was so engrossed in the story, I really didn’t even look at it. She also offers “translations” in the story as well.

 

I won’t – to keep the surprise – reveal who returns from the first book, but this cast of characters is just as dynamic and interesting:

 

🧹 Brianna

☘️ Michael

🏫 Mistress Magee

🏫 Adeline

🐎 Batty

πŸ›– Finnuala

πŸ₯˜ Cook

 

For those who’ve either read A Little Princess (1905, Frances Hodgson Burnett) or seen The Little Princess (particularly the 1939 Shirley Temple version) this definitely has that vibe to it. Where Sara Crewe had been rich, then poor and forced to become a scullery maid; Brianna is one due to being an “abandoned orphan”. We also learn that Magee is her guardian and thus Brianna is unable to leave.

 

There will be some triggers such as the Irish/English “war” and a moment when Brianna is physically assaulted.

 

In fact, it is with a slap that the story begins. It is clear that Headmistress Magee has SOMETHING against the girl. And, it is clear the girl is not there as a student or as willing employee.

 

Yet, Brianna feels she is destined for better things, but doesn’t know much beyond that how to accomplish that or leave. The only thing Brianna has is a pendant that was left with her – a pendant that is BARELY hanging on, but one that is a connection to parents she never knew.

 

Michael is called in to assist with his niece, Adeline, and is instantly taken with Brianna. While he thinks he’s only there for about two (2) weeks [fortnight], it seems “foreseeable future” is the key word.  

 

Brianna ends up losing her necklace, which Michael finds. This sets off a story in itself as well as Magee’s true nature. And, it’s clear she holds a past transgression against Brianna, though it will not be discovered or revealed until nearly the end.

 

It seems Magee has her own secrets, especially involving a Richard Boyd and a perceived betrayal.

 

Michael soon sees the “pecking” order of Ballymacool. It becomes clear there is a mystery about the Boyds and Ballymacool.

 

It is after a storm, and Brianna getting injured, that the two become close. He cares for her despite Magee’s lack of concern for the girl. And, it is a platter that Brianna has found that begins to bring the past of Ballymacool to the present along with her pendant.

 

But, Finnuala who knows Brianna’s true past, and also knows who Magee really is, as well as what the woman did.

 

When Michael’s parents come to visit, secrets are unraveled and unrevealed, and some that include Brianna’s true identity.

 

That truth also tests Brianna’s friendship with Finnuala and Brianna’s relationship with Michael in a story that keeps the reader’s attention until the very end.

 

To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement.

 

I was immediately drawn in, and couldn’t stop reading. Then again, that’s what happens with short chapters – it’s as I said with her first book – “one more chapter, just one more chapter, eh another chapter” … and then the book’s been read and done. And, as a reader clichΓ© goes, “I read past my bedtime”. I ended up staying up late to finish this. It was just before 2 am, and I had less than 45 pages to go, so I stayed up to finish it. I ended up reading it in less than 24 hours.

 

The pacing was perfection – not too slow that it felt sluggish, and not so fast it looked like the author was trying to get it over with. I will say I felt that the Adeline plot arc had a bit of an abrupt end to it – perhaps, given her age and when this ended – might we get a story about her?

 

And, despite the Donegal connection – there was still no revelation about Moira’s father. (I’m SO hoping that Deibel can give us SOMETHING!)

 

I deeply loved the connection Michael and Brianna had. And, once the history is revealed – it definitely worked to their favor. Michael truly stepped up and took a hold of the situation. While he was there for his cousin, it seemed he also served as an “aggravation” to Magee.

 

This, like the first book, is definitely going to be one of those “stays with you after you read it” books. It is moving, poignant, rich with emotion, heart-breaking, and inspiring.

 

Being that Revell is a primarily Christian publisher – this is a clean read with some tones of the Christian faith. They are not too overwhelming and are restricted to the characters and not plot centric.

 

To say I’m eager to see what Deibel has planned next is an understatement. While I know books take time … it is almost maddening to have to wait almost another year.

 

I do want to see if she returns to Donegal or Galway, or does something different.

 

Those who have enjoyed the author’s previous two books are sure to enjoy this one!

 

 

 

RATING:

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads 

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub 

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update) https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)




Recommended Reading: 


Paperback: 352 pages 

Publisher: Revell (February 2, 2021)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800738411

ISBN-13: 978-0800738419

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

All her life, Boston-born Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of the Emerald Isle. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira is compelled to fulfill her dying wish--that she become the teacher in Ballymann, the beloved village in Donegal, Ireland, she's heard so much about.

 After an arduous voyage, Moira begins a challenging new job in an unfamiliar and ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends--and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced--as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

 

Jennifer Deibel is the award-winning author of A Dance in Donegal and The Lady of Galway Manor. 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.




You can also find her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferDeibelAuthor

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferdeibel_author/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThisGalsJourney

 

  

 

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