I really enjoyed this novel. The historical setting was wonderfully described and the tension between the Irish vs British citizens was palpable throughout. The main characters had to overcome both their ethnic differences and class differences as the story progressed. The ultimate discovery of what it truly means to love someone the way Christ loves us was the climax of the romance. The romance here was slow burn, enemies to lovers, totally clean and beautiful to watch grow. Highly recommend if you enjoy historical fiction and clean romance!

Set in 1920's Ireland a romance forms between the daughter of a titled landlord and a local jewelry maker.

A quick read, this one is kind of in between for me, because there wasn't anything that I absolutely didn't like. But I found the plot to be pretty predictable from the start, and Annabeth's apprenticeship seemed like a stretch for me. I liked Stephen's father, Seamus, who was a kind and optimistic man, seeing the good and looking on the bright side.

I liked that Annabeth was willing and excited to learn from the Jennings. Her sister is a very sweet young woman, and I admired her for offering multiple times to bear the burdens that faced Annabeth.

In the end this is a pleasant read, with a unique setting, and a likable heroine. I admired Annabeth for not shying away from getting her hands dirty and working alongside the tenants.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Journey to 1920s Ireland in Jennifer Deibel’s The Lady of Galway Manor. This historical fiction romance has something for all readers with elements of family drama, mystery, and action. Deibel draws the reader in to Annabeth’s story immediately. I eagerly read to discover more about her experiences as a female apprentice and the history of the Cladddagh.
If you enjoy historical romances with Christian themes, don’t miss The Lady of Galway Manor. You won’t be disappointed, particularly if you enjoy stories with an Irish setting. Deibel has become a must read author for me, and I eagerly await new books. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, the publisher for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The Lady of Galway Manor is a well crafted captivating story set against the backdrop of 1920’s Galway, a time of unrest as the Irish strove to establish and maintain an independent Irish Republic, and the British Government sought to suppress the revolution to keep Ireland within the United Kingdom.

Beautifully written with vivid descriptions, I was seamlessly transported to another place and time. The lush imagery of the setting had me longing to go back to Ireland, the characters were beautifully drawn and brilliantly nuanced and I loved how the the history and traditions of the claddagh were woven into major themes throughout the story. The attraction between Stephen and Annabeth captured my heart and I loved watching their romance bloom.

Thoroughly enjoyable, I found myself lost within a story that I simply couldn’t put down.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of this title. This is my honest review and the opinions expressed are my own.

The Lady of Galway Manor is the follow up to A Dance in Donegal by the same author (although I am not sure if they are part of a series). They are part of a series of novels set in early 20th century Ireland.
I think I enjoyed this more than the last book, which just seemed a bit twee in places. It was an interesting representation of Ireland at the beginning of the period we call "the troubles" (the period after the Easter Rising of 1916) from the perspective of people on both sides.

The themes of not judging people by nationality or the stereotypes we have been raised with is one which resonates today without feeling like one is being hit over the head with modern political ideology.
Overcoming such prejudice by treating people in a way that is consistent with Christian teaching without an agenda was also a good takeaway. Apparently, some Protestant missionaries open Soup Kitchens during the Potato Famine but only allowed people to be fed on the condition they converted. The kind of conditional charity and kindness should never be a thing.

I also liked the historical background and the tradition around Claddagh Rings, which are sold all over Ireland today, and jewellery making. Also, everyone should have a friend like Shamus, Stephen’s father. He’s amazing: insightful, wise, and outspoken, but also with a massive heart and accepts everyone including people that everyone else shuns.
This novel was technically a romance, and so the ending was probably a bit predictable and contrived, but I liked how it got there.

Thanks to Revell for approving my request for this title on Netgalley. This did not influence my review and all opinions expressed are my own.

This was a nice, sweet, very chaste romance story with some religious themes. I really enjoyed the weaving of Irish history into the story, and the complexity of the main character.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A beautiful cover. Great Christian historical romance novel. Highly recommend

This was such a charming historical fiction! I loved the setting, and I was transported back in a time that I know not much about, but now will be researching more! The characters were great, and the storyline kept my attention. I would recommend this to any historical fiction lover!

In The Lady of Galway Manor by Jennifer Deibel, we meet two people from two entirely different worlds. Stephen is a working man from Galway, Ireland. He works hard in his father’s shop designing Claddagh jewelry. Anna is Lady Annabeth De Lacy the daughter of the new British landlord for Galaway parish. All their differences, political, religious, status, even work ethics, differ. But over the course of time and through Anna’s kindness, she manages to bring Stephen, regardless of his stubbornness, to an understanding of each other. They rise above the trials and troubles of the world around them to find true love and happiness even when most, if not all, of the odds appear to be against them. The sacrifices that Stephen and Anna make for each gives the book an almost O’Henry feel. I enjoyed this book. Beautiful love story plus the novel gives the reader a look into the political troubles between Ireland and England in the 1920’s.

#theladyofgalwaymanor #netgalley

This was a great story to read. I loved the storyline and the characters, definitely recommend this book!

The Lady of Galway Manor by Jennifer Deible

Set in Ireland during tensions between England and Ireland, this is a very interesting story about life in Ireland during this era.

Annabeth De Lacy and her family are sent to Ireland as the landlord. Her father must gain "control" of the Irish and their rebellious tendencies. With a wrong view of the people they must live among, they are in for a shock.

Annabeth is apprenticed to a jewelry shop run by Stephen Jennings and his father. She learns the history of the Claddagh ring and the Irish in general. She comes to realize how wrong the English view of the Irish really is.

Stephen Jennings is wary of having this English girl in his shop and doesn't trust her at first. Soon, he begins to have feelings for her. And she for him. But their stations and separate upbringings make their feelings difficult.

By the end many of the characters lead drastically different lives.

I really enjoyed this book. I was so fascinated by the interesting historical detail. The story was captivating and attention grabbing. I would definitely reread this book.

What an adorable love story. Annabeth and Stephen's story had it's ups and downs but the ending was just perfect. I loved reading about the story of the Claddagh ring. Now I want to go out and get my own. Thank you Jennifer for my review copy on NetGalley.

I had read many good reviews about the Lady of Galaway Manor, so I was excited to receive a copy from NetGalley. Plus, the cover is beautiful!

But I was disappointed. No offense to the author, Jennifer Deibel. I just couldn't get into it. I found the main characters a bit boring and the plot slow. Perhaps it's my fault for reading too much suspense lately.

I wouldn't have finished it except that I needed to write a review. I hope her next book is better.

okay. i'm gonna be honest with you. this book was not it for me. i really wanted to like this book, but it did not work out for me. i'm so sad about it. but thank you to netgalley for letting me read this one early!!

It may be the 1920’s, but the rulers of England still see themselves as superior to the people of Ireland. Annabeth’s father is sent to Ireland to oversee things there.
Away from society and all of its rules, Annabeth is able to work as an apprentice in a jewelry shop known for its beautiful Claddagh rings.
Stephen is ready to leave Ireland, the shop that his father owns, and the legend of the Claddagh ring. He knows love isn’t real anyway. Before he is able to leave his father surprises him with a new apprentice that he expects Stephen to train.
Annabeth is thrown into a whole new culture, one that decidedly does not care for the presence of the English elite. Stephen has some prejudices of his own.
I loved the slow burn relationship between Stephen and Annabeth. There were some really great supporting characters. Some that I started out not liking, but loved them by the end. (No names, I don’t want to give any spoilers!)
I have seen Claddagh rings before, but I never knew the story behind them!
Lots of great historical tidbits as well as insight into the jewelry making processes during that time. I love Ms. Deibel’s descriptions of the landscape. I was able to envision myself right there in Ireland!
Another great historical romance full of rich Irish history by Jennifer Deibel!

*** Enjoyable Irish Tale ***
Galway City, Ireland, 1920
Claddagh rings, an Irish village, the War for Independence between the Irish and the British, finding common ground, several cups of Irish tea, some danger and romance are all beautifully woven together.
“She never dreamed Galway would be so endearing and exciting. A city teeming with music, architecture, and art – the very last thing she’d expected. And it seemed God had created the moment as a gift to her very soul.”
“On the surface, he seemed unbothered by the strange visit. But the fact that he’d downed three cups of tea in less than twenty minutes told otherwise. Some men turned to the bottle. Seamus Jennings turned to the cuppa.”
I was gifted this book for my honest opinion without expectation or compensation.

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The history of Ireland is so heartbreaking. This story brings the struggle to life reminding us that we can’t just lump everyone together and make broad statements about entire people groups. By bringing curiosity and compasion to the foreground Deibel tells a story of wounds, of love, of priorities rearranged and of hope. Beautiful and difficult the relationship between Stephen and Anna, the Irish and the English, challenges us to open our hearts and see past the hurt to the person standing right in front of us.

I received a free digital galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Not only did I fall in love with Annabeth and Stephen but I fell in love with the setting of Galway Parish, Ireland. I felt like I was swept back to 1920 and for one beautiful afternoon I became immersed in this sweet love story between an Irish boy and an English girl. Of course there were struggles right off the bat between them because of that difference, but it was so heartening to watch them overcome all that came their way. I will definitely be reading more by Jennifer Deibel in the future!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Published 1 February 2022.

I enjoyed the chance to visit this historical setting. The author does a wonderful job of writing a vivid account of Ireland!

This was such a lovely story, filled with Irish history, cultural tidbits, and wondrous examples of sacrificial love, why it’s important to not judge others, and how even the lowliest of us is deserving of grace and forgiveness. Set in Ireland in 1920 during the war for Irish independence, Anna is the daughter of an English nobleman who gets sent to Ireland as the landlord for the parish, in a slight bit of disgrace for his intemperance, gambling, and lousy investments. I loved the beautiful relationship between sisters Anna and Emmaline was so precious, and their willingness to sacrifice their own happiness for the other was just flat out inspiring. Seamus was just a hoot, but Anna’s parents annoyed me until they had their day of reckoning. I truly loved the budding relationship between Anna and Stephen, but wish there had been just a wee more romance in that department—the basis was there, they just didn’t capitalize on those moments as much as I would have liked. And the epilogue was just precious! Overall it was a beautiful story, and a delight to read!