Ireland is one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited, in real life and now in fiction. When a friend and I visited a few years ago we each bought Claddagh Rings, so I was familiar with the history, which made this story all the richer. I visualized the shop as if I’ve been in it, connected with the characters, and sank into this story with ease.

It is effortless to connect with Annabeth. She has clear vision and intuition and I like how open she is. I also loved Stephen’s tough exterior and soft center. I enjoyed their style of communication and their relationships with their families. The Irish setting, practically a character in itself (in a good way) kept me turning pages more slowly so I could savor every moment.

I learned so much Irish history and enjoyed every moment of it. This story centers on love, loyalty, family, and faith. The authors notes are an extra treat – so don’t skip over that.

Jennifer Deibel is a gifted storyteller. She has created a magnificent setting and characters that will live on long after you close the book. If you enjoy a sweet romantic historical faith-filled tale, The Lady of Galway Manor is for you. And if you’ve ever wanted to visit Ireland this is a wonderful way to do so.

Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.

I enjoy stories set in Ireland and I liked learning more about the history of the Claddagh ring in this one. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I plan to read more. Thank you for the early copy.

1920 Galway Ireland. Lady Annabeth comes with her family from England, as new Landlords of Galway Manor. It's a time of Irish Revolutionary actions. Anna is bored with society things, has been given a year to decide whether to accept betrothal to the older man her father has set up for her. Her father is quite indulgent with her and arranges for her to apprentice at Claddagh Jeweller's shop. Their family had the ancestor who first designed the claddagh, handed down, with the legend, through the years. Steven has his own reasons to want the British out of their town. Having his father agree for him to teach Anna went against him. As they spend time together, they each learn about the other and the many untruths on each side. As Anna interacts unselfishly with the townspeople, they get to know her and like her. Throughout the story you see the give and take, the acceptance of each other and beauty of the Irish way of life. A true love story encompassing the legend of the claddagh, and God's way for us. As the author says, all are created in the image of God, therefore, all are valuable and hold purpose. Many examples of Irish culture are illustrated within the story. People on both sides give of themselves for the other. Christian Historical Romance.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#TheLadyofGalwayManor #NetGalley

A beautifully written ode to the Emerald Isle.



This book was a delightful read. From the setting, to the well-developed characters and the historical details, it was such a well put together novel. The 1920s are my favorite era and Ireland holds a special place in my heart, so when I heard about The Lady of Galway Manor, I was immediately drawn to it. But what made the book was the lovely prose Deibel offers combined with her obvious love for Ireland and her history.



The characters in the book are vivid and distinct. Annabeth is a heroine most readers will love instantly. She is full of grace, yet opposed to her aristocratic peers, she is able to look past the prejudices against the Irish see the people for who they really are. The boldness to pursue her passion for making jewelry in the face of adversity from her family is inspiring. Stephen, while guarded, is a character many readers will be drawn to and can relate to. His hard outer shell is protecting a big heart, which is evidenced by the care he shows for his father and the scars he carries from the loss of his brother. Supporting characters such as Seamus and Emmalyne add to the charm of the story and round out the novel.



You can’t help but be charmed by the descriptions of Ireland in this book. You can practically smell the verdant fields and the fish frying as you read. The love with which Deibel pens her story is infections and will make you want to book a trip to the Emerald Isle as soon as possible. I was also fascinated by the lesser known historical anecdotes from Ireland incorporated throughout the book. They add depth to the story and draw you further into the Irish culture.



Historical romance readers will be delighted by The Lady of Galway Manor. Highly recommend.



I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

In returning to Ireland 🇮🇪 I found that this book just instantly captures you and drawls you in. I was magically transported to Ireland, in the smelting room, designing the claddagh rings, and exploring the manor house right along with Anna and Stephen.

Their stories, oh, how rich and deep! I loved how their emotions for each other bloomed, but the trials in between that kept them apart. And then the fire! Oh, after that fire there really was some sparks 😏. Also a, what is it about authors including food in their books now? This is the second one that had me craving food, fish and chips anyone?

If you enjoyed Jennifer’s first book, A Dance in Donegal, you’re in for a treat with this one!

It’s out now and had the most beautiful cover around! This is a perfect read for February or March (you know, St. Patrick’s day 🍀)

Thank your Jennifer for having me on your launch team again and for the completely ARC! I am so honored and blessed! All thoughts are my own.

The Lady of Galway Manor by Jennifer Deibel brought history to life and instantly transported me to Ireland in the 1920s. The descriptions, the dialogue and the characters made the story come alive and feel real. The tension between Anna and Stephen was evident and kept me turning pages to see how their story would end. With Stephen’s broken heart from a past relationship and Anna’s circumstances so much different from his, these two have a bumpy road to get to their happily ever after. I really enjoyed reading about the history of the Claddagh ring (since I have several friends who’ve worn them throughout the years) and enjoyed seeing that history woven into the fabric of the story. Many thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this entertaining and sweet romance story. All opinions are my own.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3

I really struggled with this one. I almost gave up on it at one point. I was hoping it’d pick up, but it never really did. There was zero chemistry between Anne and Stephen. I loved Seamus; he was the one bright spot in this story. I rounded up because there are some valuable messages in this story. It was nice to see William humbled at the end and for me, that was the most satisfying part. The story had so many drawn out moments and then the epilogue lasted three pages. Overall I just feel meh about this.

Unfortunately this one was a big miss for me. I typically love historical fiction and I love Ireland, so I really thought this would be a home run. But I found myself getting bored throughout - I needed more excitement and movement. I was skimming pages just to get past scenes.

Also, and this doesn't effect my rating b/c I'm not sure if it is formatting due to being an ARC or not, but there were several times when the chapter changed POV. I think it would flow smoother if the POV was a separate chapter.

The Lady of Galway Manor provides a sweet slow-burn romance against a backdrop of political tension.

Jennifer Deibel is a new-to-me author, but I enjoyed this first foray into her work. She provides great descriptions of Ireland, bringing me into the setting. This era is one I’m not as familiar with, especially in a setting outside of the U.S. Deibel did a fantastic job grounding me in the era and teaching me something new as I read.

Anna and Stephen’s romance is a nice twist on the rich/poor trope, though I wouldn’t call Stephen poor. But given the political tensions at the time and Ireland’s quest for independence, a romance between the daughter of a British lord and the Irish jewelry-maker provided plenty of romantic tension. At first, Stephen was a difficult hero for me to root for. But Deibel managed to make me like him, and I was never tempted to close the book. His arc was perhaps my favorite, especially as he learned to put the past behind him. Anna made a great heroine. I loved seeing her learn to be more open-minded, and I chuckled each time she became annoyed that no one called her Anna.

Anna’s sister and Stephen’s father, however, almost stole the show. I would love to see a story centered around Emmaline one day, especially considering what she was doing in the epilogue.

As for the spiritual arc, I loved the emphasis on Christ’s love and how He can teach us to love better.

Overall, The Lady of Galway Manor is a fantastic historical romance with a spell-binding setting and interesting characters.

This book holds a special place in my heart. You see, an ancestor of mine sailed from Galway when she was sixteen years old without her family. I don't know the circumstances of the traveling .
By the time I had thought of asking my grandmother about our Irish ancestry she had passed, an opportunity passed never to be retrieved.
I absolutely loved reading about this book taking place in Galway. The book has such an authenticity to it. I have such an understanding of it now and truly feel as though I visited Ireland in the 1920's. The spoken Irish language,the descriptions of the foods,the places they went,the day to day life,the flooding. It all made the book come alive for me. It was so interesting reading the legend of the Claddagh ring and how the jewelry shop has been in the same family for so many generations.
I need one of these gorgeous rings.
Thank you to the author for writing such a charming book. I very much enjoyed it!
#TheLadyofGalwayManor #NetGalley.

Publishing Feb 01,2022.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

A historical romance set in 1920 as the War for Irish Independence is heating up. Lady Annabeth's family has freshly moved to Galway Ireland, where her father William is the "landlord" of the county. To keep his daughter from becoming bored, and knowing her interest in al things artistic and creative, William orders the local jeweler to take on Annabeth as an apprentice...over the objections of the jeweler's son, Steven, who hates all things British. As Annabeth learns about jewelry design and manufacture, she also comes to understand more about Irish culture and artistry, and gains insights into the Irish resentment of the English. It's a little like the similar story line from Downton Abbey, only with the story taking place in Ireland instead of England, but in a very well done manner.

Jennifer Deibel shines in her sophomore novel! Set against the atmospheric backdrop of 1920's Ireland, a beautiful love story unfolds amidst the political upheaval felt between the Irish and the British. Ms. Deibel's love for Ireland and its people is obvious in her portrayal of their struggle for independence. I loved learning about the legendary Claddagh ring and its the beautiful message of love, loyalty and friendship that is woven throughout the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book has most everything you could want in a historical romance. We get to learn about the politics taking place in Ireland in the early 1920’s. This includes the prejudices that were felt between the Irish and the English. This book also gets in to what happens between the rich and the poor. I love learning about the legend of the Claddagh ring. Annabeth and Stephen go through a lot while Stephen teaches her about jewelry making. This story made me laugh and cry. I could not put the book down. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Galway, Ireland - 1920 - Claddagh rings - Irish War for Independence - British-Irish hatred - romance - family responsibilities - forbidden love

Quick read, well-written characters, beautiful landscapes - highly recommended. If you love Ireland, Galway, Irish music, fish and chips, pubs, Galway Bay and you own a Claddagh ring, you will love this book. Highly recommended.

I was gifted this advance copy by NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

What a lovely tale of Ireland. A sweet romance with some family drama. Clashes between not just class but Ireland and England were prevalent. It gave me a better understanding of some of the things going on politically in the early 20th century. I loved the tale of the claddagh ring and how the rings were entwined throughout the novel. I felt for both characters so deeply, yet smiled through most of the novel. It was a quick, light, read, even though a lot of hardships were told.

Every now and then while reading this book, I'd find myself muttering (terrible) attempts at Gaelic names and words aloud. I dare any other reader to do otherwise! Haha. I liked learning more about Ireland in the 1920s and about the history of the Claddagh ring in this story. Annabeth and Stephen were both compelling characters, if Stephen was a bit thick-headed at times. And old Seamus was a dear! To me, the love story seemed to move a little too quickly at first, and then too slowly toward the end of the book, but overall, this was an enjoyable read.

I am excited to write that this is my first book to read and review as a new member of the Revell Reads team. I have read and reviewed many books from Bethany House and I now am excited to have the opportunity to read and review works from both Revell and Bethany House. The Lady of Galway Manor is the first I have heard of and have read of Ms. Jennifer Deibel. She is a middle school teacher and freelance writer with a passion for writing stories about finding home in various cultures, families, and time periods in history. Ms. Deibel's debut novel A Dance in Donegal was released in February of last year and The Lady of Galway Manor is her second book. After having read Ms. Deibel's excellent second work, I am looking forward to reading her first novel. There is something very unique about Ms. Deibel's writings, which allows the readers a glimpse into a world full of enchanting beauty, true historic settings, as well as poignant struggles for survival, family, and love. I truly enjoyed my first experience of Ms. Deibel's writings and look forward to reading more of her writings!
The Lady of Galway Manor takes place in 1920 in the beautiful Galway parish in Ireland. Despite a landscape of beauty, there is an undercurrent of resentment, unease, and rebellion between the Irish and the outsiders, specifically the British. I admit that I am not well versed in history, especially that of Ireland in the early twentieth century; however, after reading this work I feel as if I had a taste of the culture and issues apparent in this time period. Throughout this book I was struck with the immense disparity between the British and Irish people as well as how the animosity was overcome in several instances. This theme of hatred and forgiveness can be seen throughout time and throughout the world, I thought that this book displayed the complicated nature of such issues well.
Annabeth De Lacy may seem naive to the onlooking world, but behind her sweet and innocent disposition lies a true spirit of adventure and a heart full of compassion for others. Although Annabeth has led a privileged life as a daughter to a British noble, she doesn't have the pretentiousness that her parents display. Annabeth is desperate for something to break up her boredom and is thrilled to learn about the development and art of creating jewelry in a local Irish jewelry shop.
Stephen Jennings may not be the best to represent his family's longstanding jewelry shop, which sells the famed Claddagh Ring. The Claddagh Ring was created by Stephen's ancestors with vast symbolism for love, friendship, and romance. Stephen has already become disillusioned to love by a broken heart and is disgusted by what he sees as the lies of the Claddagh Ring. When Annabeth is introduced to Stephen by his father as their new apprentice, Stephen is furious to have a strange British woman he now has to instruct in his shop. As Annabeth and Stephen muddle through their differing assumptions, experiences, and cultures, they develop a tentative friendship. When tensions rise in the area with the Irish war for independence, Annabeth's family becomes the focus for the frustrations and even violent anger of the locals. Annabeth and Stephen start to realize that both sides of the violence have acted wrongly and have acted on wrong beliefs and assumptions. Can they forgive each other and help prevent further hatred and discrimination between the two cultures? Will they be able to survive the many obstacles thrown in their way? Can Stephen learn to love again? Will their friendship grow stronger under the pressure or will it break? Read The Lady of Galway Manor to find out for yourself!
I can honestly say that this is my first experience with such a book as The Lady of Galway Manor with its rich cultural context of Ireland, the struggles between the outsider British and the Irish, as well as the unique setting and characters. The characters of Annabeth and Stephen were exceptionally well-written and developed throughout the book. I also enjoyed the side-characters of Seamus, Stephen's father. I thought that Seamus added a great deal of fatherly wisdom, humor, and love to the storyline. Another aspect of this work that I appreciated was the emphasis on the integrity, truthfulness, forgiveness, and self-sacrificial love of the characters. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book and sincerely hope that you have the opportunity to read it! I absolutely enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more of Ms. Deibel's writings.
Disclaimer: Revell graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.

The Lady of Galway Manor
by Jennifer Deibel
Pub Date: February 1, 2022
Revell
A Dance in Donegal was one of my very favorite reads of 2021, and I honestly couldn't believe it was Jennifer Deibel's debut novel. The Lady of Galway Manor is a powerful story about love, faith, history, and the great division that can often, unfortunately, exist between the classes, Jennifer Deibel has truly crafted a masterful story that will leave every reader on the edge of their seats.

The historical tale will ring true to readers looking to examine their own biases. Fans of Christian historical romance by Karen Witemeyer and Deeanne Gist will enjoy this up-and-coming author.
Thanks to Revell and NetGal;ley for the ARC. This gets 5 thumbs up from me.
5 stars

A Dance in Donegal was one of my very favorite reads of 2021, and I honestly couldn't believe it was Jennifer Deibel's debut novel. Ever since finishing it, I've been eagerly anticipating what she had in store next for her readers, and let me wholeheartedly state that The Lady of Galway Manor did not disappoint. A powerful story about love, faith, history and the great division that can often unfortunately exist between the classes, Jennifer Deibel has truly crafted a masterful story that will leave every reader on the edge of their seats.

As readers, we follow Annabeth and Stephen as they first meet under less than ideal circumstances. On opposite ends of a storm that is brewing between England and Ireland, neither end up being what the other is expecting. Feelings grow softly between our two protagonists, but so many obstacles stand in their way. Can they truly have faith that God will work all for good for those who choose to trust in Him?

Right from the beginning, The Lady of Galway Manor was a story that enraptured me completely, and I didn't want to have to set it down. I've never been someone who has been that interested in Irish history, but I was completely immersed in it here, and found myself wanting to know more and more about it. Perhaps my favorite part of all was the story being entwined with the history of the claddagh rings, and I loved how Annabeth manages to tie the ultimate sacrifice on the cross into the beautiful legend of these rings.

We may still be in early days into 2022, but I can still wholeheartedly claim that this one is more than likely going to end up being one of my favorite reads of the year. Jennifer Deibel is truly a masterful storyteller, and words become an enchanting form of art under her hand. I can't wait to see what she has in store in future stories, and I can't possibly recommend this captivating tale enough.

Final Rating: 5/5.

Thanks so much to Revell publishing for allowing me to advance read and review this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Revell) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'm a quarter Irish whose Celtic roots run deep, so was thrilled to read this beautifully written tale set in 1920s Galway. I learned so much about English-Irish tensions and fell in love with the love story of Stephen, a member of the Irish family who makes Claddagh Rings, and Annabeth, an apprentice with the family and daughter of the English landlord of Galway Parish. Highly recommended for Christian histfic lovers who adore glorious Irish stories.

Pub Date 01 Feb 2022
#TheLadyofGalwayManor #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, Revell, and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.