The Maid of Ballymacool in Clearly Christian Readathon

Jan 09, 2025 Lovely Day rated it liked it

3.5⭐️

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Mar 16, 2023 Melmo2610 rated it it was amazing

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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 en ...more

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Jan 25, 2023 DevotedToHope rated it it was amazing

Shelves: completed

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 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 ...more

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Mar 08, 2023 Kelly-Ann ~ Sassy Bookish Mama rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed-on-my-blog, on-my-shelves

I love how Jennifer Deibel transports me to the Emerald Isle in her books. This one took me to Ballymacool house in a very Cinderella-esque storyline. The entire story takes place in Ballymacool. It was intriguing to find out more. The characters were lovely and I wanted to know how Brianna arrived to the situation she is in.

Brianna, our main character, is easy to love. She has overcome so much in her young life and you want to cheer her on to get the best in life. The hatred that the head mist ...more

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Mar 14, 2023 Becky of Becky's Bookshelves rated it it was amazing

The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel is a fantastic romance set in Ireland in 1935. Brianna Kelly has worked at Ballymacool House and Boarding school tirelessly since she was little. She has little hope of change in her circumstance. Michael Ray is part of the local gentry who comes to visit Ballymacool to help with his cousin.

“Oh, child. 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.”

This was such a beauti ...more

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Feb 12, 2023 Patsy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: hard-copy, author-deal

With a location set near her first novel (A Dance in Donegal), lightly seasoned with a cameo update appearance from a few of my favorite Donegal characters, Jennifer Deibel’s storytelling has again mesmerized me with a most enjoyable read.

Deibel possesses such a lovely gift of describing people and places in a way that I can picture them vividly in my mind. Her stories move along at a pace that leaves me reading long past my bedtime until the current tale reaches its conclusion.

One of my favor ...more

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Apr 18, 2024 Elaine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2023-releases

Jennifer Deibel is such a talented author and this is my favorite of her four books. I had a hard time putting this one down. It’s basically a Cinderella story.

Brianna grows up as an orphan living as basically an indentured servant at Ballymacool school in Donegal Co Ireland. She’s horribly mistreated by Mistress Magee, a perfect villain, who really should have been like an adopted mother for her since she was left on her doorstep. But while Magee took her in, she made her life miserable.

Micha ...more

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Feb 26, 2023 Anna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, christian-fiction, romance, mystery, books-i-own, 2023

The Maid of Ballymcool by Jennifer Deibel is a wonderful Irish historical fiction, set in the 1930’s. It is a Cinderella retelling, and definitely one of the best I’ve ever read. It fit very well with the class struggles in Ireland of this time. I really enjoyed the mystery of the platter in this story. The romance built slowly, but it was all the more worth it, and it made sense for Michael and Brianna’s situations. Michael made a great hero, and though he didn’t experience as much growth as Br ...more

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Apr 25, 2023 Linda Hoover rated it it was amazing

The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel was gripping read. The author does a wonderful job of putting the reader in Ireland. I was immersed in the setting and the dialogue with the language and accents left no doubt about where and when I was. This is a sort of Cinderella story. The end was very satisfying. I recommend this book

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Jan 01, 2023 Jeanette Durkin rated it it was amazing

What a fantastic book! I loved the story line and the setting! The imagery in the book really brings each place to life. Brianna really touched me. She dealt with such loss and hardship yet she never gave up. I really liked Michael too. He was a true knight in shining armor! A definite must read!

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