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.
I found this to be an ok book. I had trouble getting into the book. Michael seemed a little wimpish at the beginning. He did whatever he was told. I definitely didn't like the headmistress of the orphanage where Brianna was raised and now working. There was a mystery involved with who Brianna was and how she came to be at the orphanage. In the end, it all worked out and the characters found purpose and were happy in the life that they had chosen.

I was given this book my Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

I am glad to have discovered this new-to-me author, and will be looking forward to reading more of her work in the future. Scientists have said that reading fiction develops empathy. That is due to books like The Maid of Ballymacool. One cannot help but feel empathy and righteous anger at the plight of Brianna Kelly. She is treated more as an indentured servant than as the adopted daughter of the headmistress of Ballymacool House and Boarding School for Girls. Having been left on Mistress Magee's doorstep as an infant, Brianna has become resigned to living a largely isolated life filled with chores and an absence of relationships other than the occasional visit to an elderly woman who lived in a cottage in the woods. That is, until the appearance of Michael Wray, a member of the ascendancy class who visits the school to assist with his rather difficult young cousin.

Deibel builds her story with a mix of drama and whimsy, a delightful combination. She draws the reader into her characters' lives, both the primary and secondary characters, making them real even though their circumstances would be foreign to the majority of us. Readers will applaud the advocates that rise to the occasion, and weep for the pain, emotional and physical, of those who are betrayed, neglected, or fearful.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Maid of Ballymacool from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

4.5 stars

“I don’t pretend to know why His plan for ya included this road you’ve been led down, but I do know He doesna waste a single tear.”

Until I opened The Maid of Ballymacool, I had – to my regret – yet to read anything by Jennifer Deibel. As I quickly became immersed in 1935 Donegal, I realized I had definitely been missing out on a fresh new talent. And you are too if you haven’t discovered her charming writing style and heartfelt characters until now. So… read this review quickly (skim if you need to lol) and go grab The Maid of Ballymacool and the other two Ireland-set novels on her backlist, post haste! Especially if you’re a fan of Laura Frantz or Roseanna White, because even though all three authors write in different time periods & different settings, the way they capture the lilt and cadence of history and breathe life into their characters is very comparable.

Speaking of characters… can I just swoon over Michael Wray for a moment? From the very beginning, he claimed a piece of my heart & refused to give it back – which worked out well because as I became more acquainted with his character I didn’t want that part of my heart back after all. What first endeared him to me, you may ask? This description:

"But given his druthers, Michael would choose the quiet library – or a tree-canopied forst – and a familiar tome every time."

A bookish hero, y’all! Is there any better? And what kept me captivated by Michael Wray? Ohhhh where do I start? His gallant heart, his tender care of those he loves, his respect of people regardless of their class or appearance, and his championing of Brianna. Lines like this only served to strengthen my love of this gentle hero:

“…I will do everything in my power to show you that loyalty isn’t something that’s reserved for everyone else but you.”

Brianna is the Cinderellaesque heroine I’ve been searching for in my bookish wish list. Pure of heart and genuine of spirit, she navigates Maureen Magee’s hatred of her with more grace than I would have been able to muster on my own power. Magee, the headmistress of Ballymacool (and Brianna’s guardian), is chillingly convincing as the ‘wicked stepmother’ figure, and I adored Finnuala in the ‘fairy godmother’ role. Of course, these aren’t token caricatures of any of these three character types, but instead Deibel gives each woman the framework of the respective role and then fills in the outlines with layered brushstrokes of backstory. The end result is a story that holds up completely even without the Cinderella references but also made me (a collector of Cinderella stories) very bookishly happy.

Bottom Line: The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel had me at ‘fresh take on the Cinderella story’ and then drew me in to 1930s Ireland from word one. Vibrant characters and an equally vivid setting allow this slow-burn romance to unfold with delicious chemistry, and the dash of mystery around Brianna’s roots kept me turning the pages. And don’t get me started on how swoony & gallant Michael is! The faith thread is beautifully done, too. This is my first read by Jennifer Deibel but it definitely won’t be my last!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

The Maid of Ballymacool was yet another delightful read set in the beautiful countryside of Ireland by the talented Author Jennifer Deibel.

Will the shadow of her past fade enough to reveal light in her future…

A page-turner from the beginning, I found Brianna to be a well-written and likeable MC.

I loved that Author Jennifer Deibel combined a Cinderella retelling of sorts with a hint of mystery and all the historical details present that one hopes to read in historical fiction.

The ending was sweet and I really liked how everything came together.
Overall, I definitely recommend!

Additionally, if you read and enjoyed A Dance In Donegal - then you definitely do not want to miss this book.

***Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. A review was not required. The views and opinions expressed in this review are my own honest thoughts on it.***

What is your favorite fairytale? Do you like when fairytales are incorporated into other books? The Maid of Ballymacool is a Cinderella type story and I loved it!

Brianna Kelly has worked at Ballymacool House her entire life. Ballymacool House is a boarding school for wealthy girls. She was left there as a small child and all she has of her own was a locket that was left with her. She works from early morning far into the night. Her only pleasure is treasure hunting in the woods near Ballymacool House. Why are there treasures in the woods and what do they mean?

Michael Wray is the son of a local gentry and has been sent to Ballymacool House to help deal with his cousin, Adeline. He is dismayed by his cousin and her actions, but he is also drawn to Brianna. Why does she seem so familiar?

I loved the characters and story in this one. I especially liked the evil headmistress Magee. There was a mystery involved with Magee that I liked learning more about. I also enjoyed the Irish setting and the use of Gaelic throughout the novel.

This was a clean read and I loved the slow build sweet romance that grew between Brianna and Michael.
The author’s note at the end was very interesting as well. Ballymacool House and woods is a real historic location. I’m putting it on my bucket list of places to visit! I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland.

The Maid of Ballymacool is a good Cinderella story with a great clean and sweet romance. I highly recommend it.

Review Copy from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Ireland 1935
A wonderful tale that wrapped around my heart, full of amazing characters and a storyline
not soon forgotten.

Brianna had grown up at the Ballymacool Boarding school, in fact it is the only home she had ever know. She also endured her treatment by the heard mistress who constantly put her down and made her work so hard.

Michael arrives at the school to help get his cousin in line. What he finds is more than he ever thought he could. He meets Brianna, who is out hunting treasures in the woods, and thus begans a journey of discovery, trust and faith.

Not to be missed!!!

Thank you Revell for the advance copy to read. I loved this book. It was so heartwarming and full of secrets. Brianna Kelly is a maid in a boarding school, where she has lived all her life. She meets Michael Wray and her life will be changed forever. So good.

There is a special place in my heart for Cinderella retellings. This book has all the elements that make up the perfect one. There is a overworked, under appreciated and kind girl. There is a “prince” who sees injustice and tries to recuse this girl from her abusers. There is even a fairy godmother like character who is not what she appears to be. This is the recipe for a good retelling. This story of Brianna and Michael has that special bit of something that pushes this story to the five star range. It is fast, engaging, sweet, and romantic. There was even an unexpected character arc that I did not expect. This is a must read for anyone who loves Cinderella stories!

Thank you Revell Publishing for an advanced copy! I received this arc in exchange for a honest review.

When she was dropped off on a doorstep as a baby, orphaned Brianna has worked for the Ballymacool school since she can remember. She works hard but feels that it is never enough.

This story was surprising in many ways. It offered me a look at different people within the school setting. It highlighted the abuse that could happen in a life of servitude. When Michael Wray comes to the school to address issues with his cousin, he finds something totally unexpected.

I was enthralled as this story unfolded and found the different perspectives to be enlightening and fascinating. The mystery as it unfolded was captivating. Jennifer Deibel writes a fantastic class balance and the mystery adds a wonderful element. The romance is there, but not the focal point and is a delightful addition to the story.

The mystery builds as the clues are laid out, but the truth is something beyond what might be expected. Set in the 1930's after uprisings and British rule in Ireland, this story brings beauty to the ugly history. It tells a story of hope.

I received an early copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review

Jennifer Deibel has done it again with another amazing Irish romance novel, this time an Irish Cinderella story. Our two main characters are Brianna, a virtual slave at Ballymacool House, an all-girls boarding school, and Michael Wray, son of the local lord, sent to deal with an out-of-line cousin at the school. Brianna struggles every day under the overwhelming tyranny of Mistress Magee, who took her in as an infant, but seems to hate her with an unrelenting passion. When Michael arrives at the school, he immediately sees both the injustice of Brianna's life and the terrible atmosphere for the girls. But can he cover the secrets that keep this house locked in misery? Is Brianna forever doomed to a life of servitude? Can the obstacles of societal position keep these two potential lovers apart? The novel thrillingly answers all these questions and more.

The story does have a historical background woven into it, which enriches the tale even more. As with all books by Deibel, she weaves in the local dialect. Most can be understood from context, but there is a glossary in the back of the book to define each term.

This book is a wonderful mystery/romance novel that is a worthy read. I received an advanced copy as part of the Revell Reads blogger team. All opinions expressed are my own.

Will the shadow of her past fade enough to reveal light in her future…

The author gifts us with a lovely retelling of the Cinderella fairytale with a dash of mystery. The Irish setting was a delight as I read very few stories
Brianna is a sweet hardworking servant in the home turned boarding school of her guardian, she has spent her whole life under the thumb of someone who dislikes her and finds always new ways to add to her burden.
She stands apart from the other employees, never paid nor free to go, she lives in the limbo, finding few respites in the woods surrounding her guardian’s estate, seeking some companionship with a woman living an ermite existence in the vicinity of the forest.

Until the arrival of one of the student’s parent, things were rather dire but still tolerable. Now they are bordering on nightmarish. Endless duties, no joy, admonitions and abuses.
Even deprived from everything, Brianna did not turn bitter or resentful, she still dreams of a better life, she is as kind as her exhausted constant state permits her.
Michael is a kind and fair man, torn between his progressive opinion and some of the modern life sides. He views all people as deserving of respect, why he is send to settle some quarrels caused by his irreverent cousin among her peers.
Why he is immediately drawn to Brianna, he sees beyond her lowly rank and how wrongly she is treated. Thus he self-appoints himself her white knight, decided to unburden her from tasks that could be shared and determined to understand the whys behind so much
Why they become fast friends to more as Michael does not see himself as more deserving than Brianna and fights for her.

Then there is Maureen Magee, the headmistress of the school and holder of Brianna’s untold past. A woman plagued by her angst, past and present deeds. She is a keeper of the memory of a time gone, one she is much willing to see buried forever.

I loved exploring the grounds of this tale, seeking answers and revisiting history, Breanna and Michael made for a lovely sweet couple, with the right villain and a sweet ending.
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher and Austen Prose, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Absolutely adored this intriguing, mysterious, Cinderella like story! The Maid of Ballymacool really has something for everyone: a heartfelt, beautiful romance, an evil villainess, a compelling mystery, and Irish history all rolled into one. Set in 1930’s Ireland, the tale begins at a girls’ boarding school at Ballymacool. Brianna Kelly who’s been a servant there since she was a tiny girl is abused and mistreated by the headmistress. She longs to do and be more but feels trapped by her circumstances. Not knowing who her parents were or having any memory of her past save a locket she wears, she tries to accept her fate with cheerfulness.

When a handsome young man is sent to the school to look after his troublemaking cousin, he’s immediately drawn to Brianna. Michael Wray is intrigued by her story and wants to try to help her, especially when she becomes his cousin’s target. When Brianna finds a platter in the woods, they try to discover the mystery behind it. Could it hold a key to her past?

I absolutely loved the romance and mystery. Told from three different perspectives, we get Michael’s, Brianna’s and the diabolical headmistresses’ points of view. Each one sheds a little more light on the mystery of the story. The romance between Michael and Brianna is a lovely friends to more romance. Despite their differing social statuses, Michael treats her as an equal and values her. He really comes into his own as he stands up for and works to free Brianna from an untenable situation. I loved the storm rescue, him helping her in the kitchen, and their first waltz together.

Brianna is a delightful character who accepts her circumstances with a positive attitude despite feeling she was meant for something more. She has a kind, loving nature and enjoys roaming the grounds of Ballymacool. She can’t help falling for Michael, but worries about their differing classes.

Mistress Magee is a villain you love to hate. She’s absolutely evil! Her hatred and cruelty towards Brianna is unfathomable. She treats her just awfully and when the extent of her machinations are known, you really have very little sympathy for her.

The side characters are endearing and add to the richness of the story. I loved all of the Irish phrases and customs mentioned throughout. There’s a helpful glossary included at the back of the book which aids in understanding the Irish words and phrases.

This story completely drew me in from the first and was difficult to put down!I loved the messages of faith, and understanding one’s true worth. It’s a must read for historical mystery and romance fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

4.5 Stars

The Maid of Ballymacool is a re-imagining of the Cinderella tale featuring an evil headmaster, a swoon-worthy hero, and a castle-like school.

As an infant, Brianna was abandoned at the Ballymacool House and Boarding School. A young woman now, she is resigned to her difficult life of servitude and toil. Her happy place is exploring the grounds and storing secret treasures beneath the floorboard in her small room. One day, Michael’s family sends him to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin. He is immediately attracted to Brianna and devises ways to spend appropriate time with her. Something about her feels so familiar. When Briana finds a piece of silver in the woods, Michael helps her discover its origins. What they discover will change their lives forever.

Vibes of Cinderella + atmospheric and beautiful Ireland + a mystery + a fairy-tale hero + slow-burn romance = lots to love here!

The atmospheric and vividly described setting in Ireland enhances the reading experience!

The possibility of romance, surviving and enduring hardship, and solving the mystery of the silver object work together to provide a page-turning read.

Brianna and Michael are likable, complex, and fascinating characters that I cheered for. Even though Brianna is a tenderhearted, kind, and optimistic girl who is at one with nature, she is also practical, hardworking, and determined. Michael is compassionate and sensitive and uses his position of privilege to make a difference in the lives of others. Brianna and Michael are from different classes and bridging the highly defined class system is an interesting aspect of the story.

Thoughtful themes include compassion, kindness, bullying, powerlessness, privilege, malice, abuse, jealousy, finding your identity, family, faith. standing up for others, rescue, trust, and difficult circumstances.

Do you love re-imaginings? I’m enthusiastically recommending this heartfelt, unique, and emotional re-telling of Cinderella for fans of the trope, for readers who love an against-the-odds story with a kindhearted hero, and for book clubs. Some readers, like myself, will appreciate the closed door, sweet romance and the absence of profanity.

Thanks #NetGalley @RevellBooks @AustenProse for a complimentary e ARC of #TheMaidOfBallymacool upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Revell for the free book.
This was a beautiful book about so much, but the ultimate message was to be used where you are. Brianna was a character that didn't let her hard life harden her heart. I loved how she was written to be such a tenderhearted woman who relied on her faith to make it through the days. Michael was so much fun. He wasn't afraid to stand up for those that need it, even when his position made it so he could've stood aside. His humble nature was something I really enjoyed. This is a story about these two characters becoming friends. The author paced their relationship well and everything felt so genuine. I also enjoyed the supporting characters and the kindness they showed to each other. I also love a good villain to root against. 😉
I do wish the cousin storyline had been wrapped up a bit more; it felt forgotten with everything that happened at the end before jumping to the epilogue.
If you're a fan of faith filled stories and such sweet characters, I recommend this one to you.

The Maid of Ballymacool is a gorgeous retelling of the classic Cinderella fairy tale.

I just love a good retelling story. I am always curious to see how authors make these classic tales their own. I adored this story and loved the spin Jennifer put on the classic Cinderella tale. I want to let readers know that this is a Christian historical romance, so God and the character’s faith play a big part in this story. I enjoyed the religious aspects of this book and thought it added more richness to the story. But I realize that not everyone wants to read books that have a more spiritual tone.

This story is set in Ireland in the 1930s, and I just fell in love with the setting. The Maid of Ballymacool is full of lush and vivid descriptions that had me feeling like I was being transported to the grounds of Ballymacool and exploring the nearby forest with Brianna. I also loved that Jennifer picked a location and time period that often isn’t used in historical fiction books. It really added this uniqueness to the overall story and was a nice breath of fresh air for me as a reader. Not that I don’t enjoy books set in France or England, but sometimes it’s fun to explore other countries.

The story itself has this wonderful and captivating flow to it. I can see the elements from the Cinderella tale woven throughout the plot, and I loved the direction and spin that Jennifer went in. This book also brings in these bigger historical issues that were happening in Ireland during this time, which was the Irish Revolution/Rebellion against the English. It was interesting learning more about Ireland’s history, and Jennifer did a fantastic job bringing these historical elements into her story.

The characters in this book are genuine and feel real. I quickly became invested in their stories and wanted to learn more about them. Brianna is a wonderful heroine, and I just enjoy spending time with her. The romance between Brianna and Michael was sweet and lovely. I loved the two of them together. Their connection leapt from the pages, and those sweet cute moments between them really had my heart pitter-pattering.

The Maid of Ballymacool is an enchanting tale of love and finding out who you are really meant to be.

Thank you, Austenprose and Revell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a great historical fiction set in the 1930s of Ireland. The book follows 3 POVS, Brianna who is the maid at Ballymacool, the headmistress there and Michael. Their stories weave together more than any of them realize and it was exciting at the reader to get hints here and there and piece it together.

Michael helps his father manage their estate when he's sent to see about his troublesome cousin at a girl's school. His cousin definitely causes trouble, but Michael stumbles into the maid -a few times! - and other issues with the walls of Ballymacool. He's determined to set things right. Brianna just wants to make it through the day and if she can do that - then make it through all the days until her afternoon off. But she's severely mistreated and no one is fighting in her corner for her until a man comes to stay.

I couldn't put this book down and it had so many uplifting lines about faith and trusting in God, hope and trust. I read Deibel's debut and loved it and I'm sure it'll continue with all of her work. This book is available in 1 week! Plus this cover is so beautiful!

Read for:
-Hidden Identity
-Rags to Riches
-Different worlds/classes
-Mysterious past
-Found family
-Christian fiction
-Ireland

I was gifted a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher and Austenprose PR. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

Could be a trigger: slaps, emotional abuse, physical abuse, mentions of adultery

This latest novel by Jennifer Deibel will keep readers who love Cinderella stories enthralled until the end.

Set in Ireland, readers are treated to the beauty of landscape and local dialect. A cameo appearance by previous characters provide a fun distraction for one scene. There are characters to love and characters that one can’t warm up to at all.

When focused on Brianna and Michael, the story is sweet. They both are endearing in the way they care for others, and eventually for each other. However, as the story focuses on the “evil stepmother” character, it grows dark and heavy. Abuse is prevalent with her storyline, though in the context of the novel it makes sense.

There are some surprises that will delight readers, and of course, as in all Cinderella stories, a happy ending.

I received an ecopy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Maid of Ballymacool is a sweeping and lust Christian Historical Romance that is being likened to a Cinderella retelling. Jennifer Deibel’s writing has an elegant and poetic feel that gives the novel a gravity of realism. Deibel immerses the reader through stunning descriptions and taking the time to build the world and characters throughly. This is the first novel I have read by Jennifer Deibel and I was swept up easily into the story because the writing felt comforting and soft. The Maid of Ballymacool is a delightful and graceful introduction to Deibel’s work and I would definitely highly recommend this novel as a starting place and a seasoned Deibel reader.

This novel’s strength truly lies in the rich and descriptive landscape that Deibel employs. The weight given to the world around our characters really plays well with the mystery aspect of the story and serves as a wonderful way to draw the reader in and keeping them turning the pages. Then there is the interwoven aspects of a slow burn romance between the hero and heroine which becomes sweet and endearing. Watching them grow in their love and trust through mutual believes and working together is really gratifying and gives this romance a really lovely undercurrent to the mystery. There is a really lovely lightness and softness to this romance that has moments of humor, moments of struggle, moments of learning and moments of understanding which really help to build a strong foundation for their feelings to grow and strengthen.

If you love a sweeping and immersive historical with an element of mystery and a sweet romance at its core, then this novel is a must read for you. If you love a low angst relationship with moments of gentleness and no illicit romance scenes, then I would definitely recommend this book!

Jennifer Deibel's debut novel, The Maid of Ballymacool, is a Christian historical mystery retelling of Cinderella. It was enchanting and captivating. I did not want to put it down. Anyone should enjoy this fascinating book.

Set in Ireland, this is the tale of Brianna Kelly, a sweet, hardworking maid. Since she was a wee girl she has worked at Ballymacool, a boarding school for girls. Her guardian, Maureen Magee, an older woman who runs Ballymacool, is never satisfied with Brianna’s work.

It is also the story of Michael Wray. He has been tasked to visit his wayward niece at Ballymacool in hopes of straightening out some issues. When he meets Brianna an immediate attraction is formed for both of them. He was a gallant man, and I loved his helpful spirit.

The author has a lovely way of writing. Her prose swept me off to Ireland where I met many new friends. The characters are realistic and well rounded. I wanted to have a “cuppa” with Brianna and chat for a while. The nanny and workers were charming while the villain was despicable.

The story contains a mystery that made me keep turning the pages. A twist or two kept things exciting. I was invested early in this unique retelling. Author Deibel is a masterful storyteller, and she knows how to keep readers engaged. Life and spiritual lessons are woven throughout this novel making it a complex and fulfilling read. I loved that many Irish expressions were used and that a glossary was provided to help decipher meanings.

I highly recommend this wonderful book. One can only hope this will be made into a movie one day. It is one of my favorite books, providing me with a new favorite author. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by NetGalley, but these are my honest words.

Unfortunately, I DNF'd this book after about 50 pages, as I am not the right reader for this story. The premise is interesting and I do think that there are many readers who would love this book, but as I am not one of them, I will not be posting a review on social media, since I don't believe in formally reviewing a book I did not finish. I wish the author success and please reach out if there are any questions!

**Giving a 3 star rating on NetGalley because I don't want to negatively impact (too much) a book that I wasn't the right reader for.**