The Lady of Galway Manor
by Jennifer Deibel
Pub Date 01 Feb 2022
Revell
Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance


I am reviewing a copy of Galway Manor through Revell and Netgalley:



Get ready for a journey back into to 1920 Ireland, where Annabeth De Lacy's father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family- descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.


Stephen Jennings however longs to do anything but Annabeth De Lacy's father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family--descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.


But as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the "other side" isn't quite as barbaric and uncultured as they'd been led to believe--and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner's fire.


If you are looking for a poignant tale of romance I highly recommend The Lady of Galway Manor!


I give the Lady of Galway Manor five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Although this isn't a genre I typically gravitate toward (historical romance fiction), I really enjoyed this book! Without spoiling anything, this is a beautifully told story of conflict, heartache, love, and redemption. I loved the Ireland setting, Anna's views of the world around her, and the growing relationships between Anna, Seamus, and Stephen. The characters are well developed and easy to become invested in. Seamus is definitely my favorite character—I’d love to have him as a father-in-law! I'm now interested in reading more books by this author.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from its publisher, for which I am extremely grateful, and these are my honest thoughts.

#BookReview: THE LADY OF GALWAY MANOR by Jennifer Deibel

Do you know about Claddagh rings? My husband showed me a photo of the ring last year. It looks interesting and I am so glad I got the chance to read the book. The meaning and story behind the ring was good.

I liked Anna’s character. She liked to learn new things and was willing to offer her help. There was no doubt that Stephen was attracted to Anna even if he disliked her presence. He tried to resist. It was a slow burn and predictable romance but sweet nonetheless. The day of the waltz sounded fun. I liked Seamus too. He was so jovial and wise.

Galway sounds beautiful based on the descriptions in the book. Ireland is on my bucket list and I want to visit it more after this book. Aside from the beauty of Ireland, I also enjoyed the Irish culture, history and dialect. I highlighted a lot of Irish words to do more research. It was fascinating. I felt like I was in Galway myself based on the narrative. There were some unexpected twist in the story but I was delighted with how everything panned out.

If you like historical fiction, jewellery and Irish traditions, this one’s for you.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pub date: 01 Feb 2022

Thank you Revell and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This story was pretty charming.

I thought I wouldn’t like Paddy McGinnty, but he ended up growing on me so that he became one of my favorite characters. I really never did like Annabeth’s father, but his personality clashed completely with mine, so that was understandable and I didn’t hold that against him. Annabeth was great when she wasn’t insisting that people call her Anna—seriously, she spent a lot of time in the first third of the book making a big deal about how she wished everyone would just call her Anna. It’s no wonder the first third of the book felt sluggish to me. Seamus was amazing. I wish I could say more, but there aren’t really any words. He was just the sort of man I’d adore having as a father-in-law. Stephen was moody and unpredictable. I was never really sure if I liked that or not. At times, he felt bi-polar, but that wasn’t a part of his character, so it might have only been my perception of him. However, I came to adore him despite his hot-cold temperament.

I was disappointed to see that a key plot point had been bumped up two months, to take place in mid-July, compared to when it really happened back in September of 1920. Must history constantly be rewritten incorrectly? Why can’t we make our fictional timelines fit with the real timelines? This is a big pet peeve for me, as history is important to accurately learn from so that past mistakes mightn’t be repeated.

The theme of accepting people of different ethnic backgrounds was well written. It’s clear the author has a heart for healing humanity through her stories. I was very glad to see how Annabeth and Stephen learned life skills from one another and to appreciate each other even though they were from rival countries. This story can go a long way to patching up hurt feelings, if readers are open to its encouragements and advice.

The Irish dialect was used inconsistently. At times it was nonexistent, while sometimes it was too thick. More balance and consistency were needed. It also felt wasteful to repeat in English (especially within bits of dialogue) the meaning of the Irish words used, particularly since there was an Irish “dictionary” in the back, though some words in the story were omitted there.

A bit of feminism slipped in, but it ended up being a moot point. That made me wonder if it was simply tossed in for inclusion’s sake or if it was supposed to be part of the plot but was forgotten.

The Claddagh region was amazing to get a glimpse of, but I do wish that there had been another one or two scenes that took place there, to further develop Annabeth’s changing sensibilities.

Speaking of the Claddagh, the ring bearing the same name was used in spectacular fashion. This was absolutely my favorite thing about this story. I especially admired Annabeth’s take on it and the ways in which that was incorporated into the tale. So special!

Overall, this was an enjoyable, engaging story that prodded emotion from me, particularly in the waning chapters. Yep, that means I wept straight through them.

Content: tobacco, pubs, replacement profanity, replacement expletives, alcohol, gambling, one profane phrase

Annabeth and Stephen meet as she takes on an internship with his family. They are in the jewelry business and not only sell jewelry, but also the idea that goes with it . Stephen is not convinced of the legend of the Claddagh ring, but as Annabeth and Stephen get to know each other, opinions can be changed. They also find themselves in some life changing situations as the war for Irish independence is going on and have to learn to lean on each other even more.

I received a book to read, the review is mine.

With the ongoing disputes between the Irish and British, the people of Galway Parish are less than happy when the De Lacy family move from England to take the place of landlord. Bored of her life at court, Annabeth is desperate for something different to do and manages to convince her father to allow her to apprentice for the Jennings at their jewellery shop.

Stephen Jennings is fed up with working at the shop, a broken heart having turned him cold to love and the legend of the Claddagh Ring that he must recount to nearly every customer. He has plans to leave, to move away and take on an ironworks apprenticeship in Spain, but his plans are delayed when his father introduces Lady Annabeth De Lacy as his new apprentice and tells him that he must teach her their craft.

While Anna is desperate to earn Stephen’s friendship, she begins to realise things she had never thought about before, about the Irish and the relationship between her country and the new one she is discovering. She had been led to believe the Irish needed English intervention, that the Irish couldn’t get by alone, but the place she arrives in is in no need of saving. So, she begins to question what her family is doing there, and why the English are so intent on ‘saving’ the Irish. Why, for the Irish seem to hate everything the English do? Perhaps all her lessons have only told her one side of the story...

Stephen acts incredibly distant towards Anna, and from his perspective, he has good reason to. She is an Englishwoman, who has come into his country in a position of power over him and his friends, and demanded to learn the craft that has been in his family for generations. But, as he finds himself showing her the real Ireland, and realises she is not the person he thought she would be, but someone who is capable of understanding when she was wrong about something, and willing to switch out her skirts for a pair of trousers and get her hands dirty, he finds himself growing worried. He has had his heart broken before, and he hasn’t believed in true love since. But how can he keep his heart safe while she is around? Throughout the entire novel, Stephen is incredibly back and forth with his emotions and moods, as he tries to figure out whether he can put his heart on the line again, frequently drawing back into himself to guard his emotions against whatever might be happening with Anna.

There is a big theme of the differences in social class in this novel. Anna is a lady, and yet, sometimes she wishes she weren’t, that she didn’t have the responsibilities that came with a title, and that she could do what she wanted. While Stephen is of a much lower social class than Anna, he at least has a house, a business, and enough money to keep food on the table. As Anna learns, there are those much worse off than she ever believed. Anna’s desire to help in whatever way she can is admirable, although often rebuked once she speaks and her accent gives her away as an English Lady.

The relationship between Stephen and Anna grows painfully slowly, it is not at the front of this novel at all. To begin with, Stephen dislikes even being around Anna, and all she wants is something to do with her time. But, as they get to know each other, they start to realise they enjoy each other's company and grow more comfortable together. With talk of revolution in the air, there is enough drama to stir the pot and keep things moving, especially to push Stephen and Anna towards each other. With Stephen being Irish, Anna’s family think themselves greatly above him and Anna has a secret that means she already has no chance to ever be with Stephen.

The setting of the novel is beautiful, you can almost see the streets, hear the sound of people going about their lives, and smell the sea air as you read. This book does not go deeply into some of the heavier topics, such as Anna’s social commitment to her family, and things she may be forced to give up for the sake of her father’s title, but focuses more on Anna and Stephen as they slowly begin to like each other. It is a sweet read, one that you might read on a quiet afternoon of relaxing. If you are after a gentler read, but one still set in a turbulent time, with social issues, revolution, and love, this is the one you should get.

The Lady of Galway Manor is a joy to read for so many reasons. First there is the lush descriptions of Ireland and its people and customs. Then there are the characters who seem to want to pop right off the page. The plot is steady with interwoven elements that grabbed my attention. Then of course a seemingly unsuitable romance rife with misunderstandings and a strong thread of faith and forgiveness rounds out the story.

The hero and heroine of this tale are perfection. Lady Annabeth defies the expectations of her heritage by apprenticing at a jewelry shop where she meets the aloof Stephen and his father Seamus. Stephen and Annabeth do not get off to a good start and it takes awhile for Stephen to believe that this daughter of the English Lord of Galway Parish is as genuine as she appears to be. Her giving nature and willingness to sacrifice for the good of others goes a long way to endearing her to everyone she meets, even those suspicious of her motives.

No good book should be without a conflict or two and The Lady of Galway Manor has its share of action and danger as well as a few surprises. I thoroughly enjoyed another visit to Ireland with the author and eagerly look forward to her next novel.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

I enjoyed getting to know the shop owner Seamus Jennings, he made me laugh, as I could imagine the sparkle in his eyes. I liked that this story that took place in the 1920s and that the author had us see the countryside through Annabeth’s insightful eyes. It was fun learning about the legend behind the Irish Claddagh jewelry and why it was popular. I could imagine this lovely jewelry and the shop owned by Seamus and Stephen. It was fun to experience the Irish culture, from its fish and chips, brown bread, and the lively music and dancing.

The author’s love and passion for Ireland shines through her characters and this story. I also enjoyed her natural spiritual thread that deals with discovering true love, second chances, forgiveness and a sweet budding romance. This book is a delightful getaway.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

I had a very hard time getting into this book, which was disappointing. I read and enjoyed Deibel's first book, Dance in Donegal, and was expecting this to be similar. While the plot follows the classic boy-meets-girl format, it was very predictable, and the characters just didn't resonate with me.

I have long been enamored with Ireland, as it is part of my heritage. I loved the descriptive portions of her first book, and the quirky cultural elements sprinkled throughout. However, this book just didn't have the same feel. I didn't walk away with the 'must-read' feeling when I finally put it down.

Though it is set during the Irish fight for independence, that topic is not discussed in depth. It would have been interesting to learn more about that. There are some valuable lessons in this story, and that is a redeeming quality, but they were not explored enough for me to recommend it to someone else. If anything, one can get it from their local library rather than purchasing a copy.

The Lady of Galway Manor” by Jennifer Deibel is a poignant, heartmoving tale from the Emerald Isle. In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy’s father is the landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the royal trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family, prestigious descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring. Stephen Jennings does not want to run his family’s jewelry shop. Heartbroken, he does not believe in love anymore, weary of peddling the lies the legend of the Claddagh Ring promises. As the war for Irish independence gains full strength, the local residents bitterly resent the De Lacys and show their profound displeasure, as events take a disastrously dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family. Perhaps the “other side” isn’t quite as notoriously barbaric and pitifully uncultured as Annabeth and Stephen had originally believed. They finally learn that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty only become stronger when purified in the refiner’s fire. Authentic characters spring to life in this poignant tale. The Lady of Galway Manor showcases a fascinating piece of Irish history. The novel also features the internal struggles of the two main characters, Annabeth and Stephen, destined to be enemies by the inevitable twists and
turns of fate, but who finally become a remarkable source of strength and healing for each other. This is an immersive read that abounds in rich folklore, brimming with conflicts, while love blooms in the air like a delicately fragile flower. This gem of a novel transports you to a world of differing loyalties, fascinating histories, and highly passionate expectations. With fires of danger burning, and immersed in a soul-satisfying romance, the two main characters, Annabeth and Stephen are drawn together through a strong faith, forged in the refiner’s fire and tested amid the devastating backdrop of a highly volatile war. This stunning Emerald Isle novel, from the enchanted pen of Jennifer Deibel, is so captivating that I highly recommend it to all readers.

This historical fiction title is set in Ireland in 1920. Lady Annabeth's father is the new landlord for the area. Anna becomes an interns at Stephen Jennings jewelry shop where Stephen teaches her about Irish heritage and Anna falls in love with the land and the people. I especially enjoyed the first half of the book where Anna spends a lot of time learning about the Irish way of life. The romance between Stephen and Anna isn't my favorite, Stephen goes back and forth on his opinions on love and Anna is less than truthful about her situation but overall I really enjoyed the book, especially the author's note where she shared how much of the book was based on true historical places and events. This is a great read if you would like to learn more about Ireland's history and the tense relationship between it and England.

With the beautiful setting of Galway in the early 1920s, The Lady of Galway Manor was a lovely captivating read!

Lady Annabeth De Lacy arrives in Galway, Ireland with her father, mother, and younger sister, as her father has become landlord of Galway Parish--much to the chagrin of the Irish who live there.

Set during the war for Irish independence, there are clashing loyalties and goals in this story--as each character has to learn a little more about the other.

Anna, comes to Ireland with a youthful aspiration of the often stifled ladies of her day--wanting no more than to learn, explore, and grow. So she talks her way into becoming an apprentice under the Jennings family--makers of the famous Claddagh ring.

Stephen Jennings, who is more and more disillusioned and bitter towards the English, isn't all too keen on Anna's presence. Though, slowly, he sees her for who she really is and has a hand in teaching her that what she's previously been told of the Irish, isn't at all true.

This was a lovely romance; clean, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying in the end. Deibel's tales in Ireland are all quickly becoming an addiction for me!

The Lady of Galway Manor
by Jennifer Deibel
Rating: 4/5

Who doesn't want to fall in love in Ireland? Get ready to be swept away back to 1920s Ireland. The De Lacy family has just moved to Ireland and Lady Annabeth is the new apprentice for the famous Claddagh Ring jewelers, the Jennings family. Stephen Jennings must train the English lady, but will his feelings toward Britain's rule of Ireland keep him from admitting his growing attraction to the lovely Annabeth?

The chemistry between Stephen and Annabeth is palpable and oh so swoon worthy! Their back stories are well developed and their authenticity makes them relatable.

“Hate is fueled by ignorance, son. The first step toward peace is the genuine desire to understand your so-called enemy. Don’t punish her for the sins of her fathers. Let her learn."

Highly recommend this book about the choices we make and taking risks for love.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

This is a sweet Irish love story. I especially liked learning about the Claddagh rings and their history. Overall an enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Life in Ireland was not always easy and this book gives the reader a glimpse into what life was like a long time ago.

Stephen is a stubborn man who definitely did not want to give Anna a chance. But her kindness easily shines through and he can’t deny it.

I kept wondering as read how would they find their way to each other. Her being a courtier and him being basically a peasant. Of course I’m not going to tell you how that happens, you will have to pick up the book and read it for yourself.

Overall, a good and satisifying read.

A copy of this book was given to me through the publisher. All opinions are my own .

This is the second book by Jennifer Deibel. I loved this book so much. The story and the characters were so well constructed. I also loved that it was set in Ireland. It's fun to read about a place I've never been to.

Lady Annabeth De Lacy moves from being part of the British Court to a small town in Ireland, where her father has been stationed. Bored with the life of the nobility, she begins working with Stephen and Seamus Jennings learning to design jewelry in their family business as well as relating personally to local citizens, which changes her mindset. Both Annabeth and Stephen have secrets that affect their life and future. As the conflict between the independent-minded Irish and the imperialist British escalates, it endangers Annabeth and her family. This thought-provoking book offers a realistic picture of life there in the 1920s and the emotions and prejudices of both sides. The well-developed characters enrich the novel and bring the plot to life so it feels like you are an eyewitness to the unfolding action. Conflict is a part of life no matter when or where you live, so this historical tale is easy to relate to. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own. #TheLadyofGalwayManor #NetGalley

We are first introduced to Stephen Jennings who appears to be working in a jewellery shop. It’s clear to see how much he detests love as he encounters couples. Shortly after we meet Lady Annabeth who seems to be of a different religion. Back in the older days before the troubles and such occurred in Ireland this would have been an incredible deal. I’m not too sure of our country’s history but I presume a lot has happened in the early 1920’s before real change occurred.

It’s interesting to see how Anna a British person of that day and age interact with the Irish as her parents told her their assumptions of Irish based on one type of people. As with any country, there are your stereotypes. I just cannot believe that people of a particular level of smartness would presume people of religions must all behave a certain way. That there is only one fixed personality for countries and people and so forth.

Anyway, Anna and Stephen’s relationship develops as she begins to learn new but simple things such as what fish n’ chips are like. She wants to see the Real Ireland and Stephen cannot quite believe her to be real. He’s very guarded with any English people whilst she feels as if she’s been stuck in a box and not having seen or known anything else and wants to explore.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two and the other characters both good and bad and how it intertwined by the end. I loved getting to explore Galway through the author’s descriptions of things in the 1900’s. As a person from this country but in a different element and setting I can say that it is a good warming read to explore Ireland within a novel. Also, what a beautiful cover this novel has it honestly is so pretty.

Thank you for the book in exchange for an honest review to the publishers.

Even though it's been years since I was there, I felt like I was in Galway all over again! That's how endearing I found Jennifer Deibel's latest book, The Lady of Galway Manor, I could easily picture the Spanish Arch and the high street. Of course the story of Anna (Lady Annabeth) and Stephen tugs at the heart, too. Angry at the world, Stephen closes his heart to love while Anna falls in love with the people and charm of Ireland, in spite of her very British colonial upbringing. With the Irish struggle for independence as the backdrop for the story, Deibel helps readers understand the varying viewpoints during the Irish struggle for independence--that of the British, that of the Irish, and those somewhere in between. I thoroughly enjoyed The Lady of Galway Manor and had trouble putting it down. I admit I was a little sad when it ended. Can't wait for the next installment in this series set in beloved Ireland.
Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this review; however, the opinions expressed are my own.

The Lady of Galway Manor by Jennifer Deibel is a tale about a father and son silversmith’s who create claddagh rings and an English lady who wishes to learn the craft. The author transports readers back to 1920 in Ireland when the Irish rebellion is taking place. When Galway City gets a new English landlord, tensions rise. I thought The Lady of Galway Manor was well-written with developed characters. The author captured the time and place beautifully. The feelings between the English and Irish were realistic along with the attitudes of the people on both sides. The story captured the unrest and instability in Ireland. It was a tense time in the Emerald Isle. I liked Anna or Lady Annabeth De Lacy. She is an intelligent, creative, and compassionate woman. Stephen shows her around the city, and she gets a chance to truly experience it. She is amazed at the creativity (the arts) of the people. I just loved Stephen’s father, Seamus. He is a lively character who added humor to the story. Stephen is a dower fellow who wishes to get away from the legend of the Claddagh. Life has dealt Stephen some cruel blows which have changed him. He is bitter and is not willing to let go of it. The vivid descriptions of Galway City brought the scenery alive for me. I enjoyed learning about the history of the Claddagh (I have a sterling Irish Claddagh ring of my own). The romance between Stephen and Anna developed over the course of the book. I enjoyed watching Anna and Stephen fall for each other and deal with issues keeping them apart. The ending was lovely and emotional. I like how everything played out for the characters. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will be delighted with The Lady of Galway Manor. The Lady of Galway Manor will send you back in time where there is astonishing tension, a displeased silversmith, a devious dad, an artistic Annabeth, an unsolicited suitor, and a surprising secret.