Jennifer Deibel has done it again ... she has written a book that draws you in right from the beginning and keeps you wanting to read more. Her descriptions of Ireland make me really want to visit there and see its beauty for myself.

Brianna Kelly has lived at Ballymacool school her entire life, the ward of the headmistress, who obviously holds no affection for her at all. In fact, Brianna is treated worse than the servants. There is almost a hint of a Cinderella type story here, but with more layers. Through some interesting twists and turns you find out what Brianna's true background is and as the layers of secrets start to unfold, Brianna must learn to remember that although it may not feel like it, God has always been watching over her and guiding her life to better things.

This was a little harder to get into and started slow. It was well written and it did have a cinderella atmosphere to it. Romance, intrigue and a hint of mystery was inside this book set in the Ballymacool,

Set in 1930s Ireland, The Maid of Ballymacool is a new take on Cinderella that ends the way you’d expect, but also offers an enjoyable mystery along the way.

The Maid of Ballymacool features three main characters in the form of Brianna, Michael and Maureen Magee, headmistress of Ballymacool House and Boarding School. Brianna is sweet and caring, and everyone seems to like her except Magee. She bears her burdens and has accepted her lot in life. Michael is strong and smart and quick to address anything he feels is unjust. He’s the knight in shining armor, you’d expect him to be. Magee is bitter and angry, but when you get to see deeper into her story, she becomes the most complex and compelling of the three.

Author Jennifer Deibel’s writing is warm and confident. She does a fine job transporting readers to Ireland. Beyond the setting, Deibel’s descriptions of historical events are accessible and blend well within the story. And her use of Irish idioms along with a glossary are a nice touch.

Readers will notice that religion is present throughout The Maid of Ballymacool, and while it mostly feels authentic, I had to wonder how a maid who has no free time of her own came to have such a strong foundation. No one ever visits church, which seems a bit odd given the location and time period.

The Maid of Ballymacool is a fast, entertaining read that should appeal to readers who enjoy “chaste” romances. It’s suitable for fans of young adult, new adult, and adult fiction.

I feel I need to divide my thoughts into two sections.

First, I liked the book and the cover is stunning. The story was well thought through and the characters were engaging. Brianna was filled with joy and faith, but also struggled with disappointment, loss and how to trust in the midst of betrayal. Michael was privileged, while also being down to earth and concerned about oppression, injustice and appropriate use of power. The author looked beyond circumstances and behaviors to the things that were underneath. There was a genuine thread of how choosing faith, faithfulness and forgiveness stand in opposition to how revenge, bitterness and pride play out in a life. All in all it was an engaging and, ultimately, heart-warming tale.

I did struggle with the injustice presented and the abuse described, as I was meant to. There was much in this novel that was heavy, even when it was an ultimately satisfying story.

Second, I struggled with the author’s choices in writing a historical fiction set in an actual place while changing the history of that place. With historical fiction I have no issues at all with filling in the gaps with imagination. However, re-writing the occupation of the house by the IRA to become a decimation of its inhabitants by the British left me uneasy. I would have wished the author would have chosen a fictional name for the house and family rather than building the story of an actual location on an alternate history. The story of the silver tray was fascinating and it was an intriguing inclusion in the story, so I can see why she would have wanted to keep that connection to Ballymacool. Just because it didn’t sit right with me doesn’t make it wrong and the author explains her changes in the postscript. Still, it would have been my preference to use alternate place and family names for an alternate history.

All in all I can recommend the book to you as a tale of faith and hope fulfilled.

I received a free digital copy of this novel with the understanding that I would share my honest opinion with my readers.

This novel was beautifully written with compelling characters, gorgeous setting, and a truly magical story. I was captivated from the first page and loved it start to finish!

I was very intrigued by this book for several reasons. First, the Cinderella inspired story line. I love fairy tale retellings of all sorts! Then the Irish setting and time period intrigued me as well. Having recently visited the Emerald Isle for the first time, I was excited to experience a novel set in that beautiful country. 

Deibel creates a captivating, beautiful setting for her novel set in the gorgeous Irish countryside. Having recently visited Ireland for the first time, I loved being transported back to the Emerald Isle. The setting is absolutely beautiful! The descriptions of the woods, Ballymacool grounds, and countryside are lovely. I could feel the magic in the trees and see the green leaves changing to fall. Ireland landscapes have a unique magic all their own and Deibel captures that magic so beautifully. In addition, she sets her story in an intriguing time period. We learn the tragic, complex history of the Ballymacool estate through flashbacks and memories to the Easter Rising and Irish Revolutionary cause of the 1910's. I enjoyed the way the 1930's feel like a crossroads between two times. There are many details that showcase the paradox of this time: motorcars and horseback, electric lights and candles, hospitals and local doctors, aristocracy and the common man. Deibel expertly weaves her story through this compelling time. Absolutely fascinating!

Brianna and Michael are complex, fascinating characters that center the story and the characters surrounding them. I was immediately drawn to Brianna and her mysterious past. I admired her strength, kind heart, and optimism in the face of cruelty and hardships. Michael is everything you could hope for in a fairy tale hero. He is a champion for good, connects with people in kind ways regardless of their station in life, and works hard for what he believes in. Their romance is a slow burning masterpiece. As their friendship builds, their affection does as well climaxing in a series of surprising and satisfying twists. I love the ways Michael patiently shows Brianna just how much he cares and how important she is to him. Theirs is a beautiful love story built on love, trust, and hope. Those feelings are in short supply in Brianna's life for so long -- it's a miracle she can still find hope in her difficult circumstances instigated by the cruel, calculating Mistress Magee. The supporting characters like Maureen Magee are also well developed and create a compelling retelling of the classic Cinderella fairy tale.

This is a brilliantly told Cinderella retelling that gives new life and complexities to the classic tale. Brianna is a complex Cinderella character who wonders if she can ever have a life outside the Ballymacool. She has difficulty trusting others and remembering her own value because of the cruelty of Magee. I appreciated that depth. In turn, Maureen Magee is a fascinating step mother character. We get her backstory which has tragedy and betrayal. Yet what she chooses to do because of that betrayal is another tragedy entirely. The clues that lead Michael, his parents, and others to the truth about Brianna's past are cleverly woven from the original tale with unique new characteristics. Overall, the novel adds compelling new dimensions to a favorite classic. It does not just retell the same story but adds depth to the characters and vibrancy to the story set in the Irish countryside. 

Overall, I loved this beautiful story about finding meaning and joy in life especially when times are difficult. The beautiful ways Deibel includes God and faith in this story are absolutely stunning. I finished this novel feeling grateful to have read such a beautiful, hopeful story. I will be reading more from Jennifer Deibel!

Thank you to Netgalley, Revell, and Ms. Deibel for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

This is described as “a fresh take on the Cinderella story” and I would agree with that description. Brianna is kept busy early in the morning until late at night working unceasingly, with only an afternoon off once a week (sure gives me perspective about complaining about “just” two days off), working as a housemaid at a girls’ school. Meanwhile, the role of “prince charming” is played by the son of a local landowner, Michael Wray. He was described repeatedly as being of the “Ascendancy class”, which I assume means some sort of gentry. I had to look it up as I’m not really familiar with the term.

Michael had to visit the school in person for what I thought was sort of a flimsy premise: his cousin was having disagreements with the other girls in school. ((Why would they send Michael? Why not send the girl’s mother or other female relative? Why would Michael have to live there, and escort the girl two and from classes?)) However, once there, Michael tries to improve life at the school for the both the students and the staff.

The mystery isn’t all that mysterious but the story was sweet. Readers looking for a very gentle, little-to-no heat romance with Christian values will find it here. I personally didn’t mind the Gaelic as I felt the context was generally easy enough to guess the meaning. I did like that the Gaelic guide at the end of the book had phonetic pronunciation included, as Gaelic very frequently doesn’t “sound” like an English-speaker would guess it to from the spelling.

⭐⭐⭐1/2

I have enjoyed the books by Jennifer Deibel and this one is true also. I enjoyed the book but I will only give it a 3.5 our of 5-star review.

This book was given to me to read and review through the Revell Reads program and this review is my own opinion, freely given. First, I enjoyed the story itself. I did figure things out about mid-way through the book but still enjoyed reading to see how Ms. Deibel was going to work it out in detail. The book is Christian without being preachy. It shows how the main characters rely on God for guidance. The story flowed quite well and the 3 main characters were quite well-developed.

What I didn't like was the use of the Irish language without any way to understand what was being said. Sometimes the answer was in English and you could figure out what was said, but too many times that was not true. I did find at the back of the book a list of words and phrases and their meanings. This was NOT helpful as 1, it was at the end of the book and I was reading on my Kindle, and 2, even if I had known it was there, who enjoys stopping their reading to look up the meaning, not me. Also, this book still needs a bit more editing. I was surprised by this as her other books were well-edited. Hopefully, the editing issues were just because I read an ARC version.

Overall, I would recommend this book. I did enjoy it, even if I had to figure out the meaning of the Irish phrases.

The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel brings an enchanting tale of Brianna Kelly, a young Irish woman, orphaned and left at a girls boarding school where she is a live-in housemaid. Brianna feels like she has a greater purpose with her life, but the drudgery and exhaustion from working from dawn until late at night makes her feel hopeless for change. Brianna also has to deal with the tyrannical headmistress who makes it her main purpose to keep Brianna from having even a moment of rest. Although Brianna has a difficult life situation and doesn't feel like she has anyone who cares for her, she finds purpose and joy in exploring nature surrounding the Ballymacool House where she lives and works. When the son of a local wealthy landowner, Michael Wray, comes to check in on his difficult cousin at the boarding school, Brianna's life is drastically upended. Michael is quickly drawn to the sweet, hardworking, and beautiful Brianna, despite their different social standings. Michael has a protective streak, which is clearly seen as he defends and advocates for Brianna. After Brianna uncovers an old piece of silver in her wanderings in the woods, Michael and Brianna's search for its origins leads them to unexpected and life-altering truths. What will these two drastically different individuals find in common? Can they find a way to overcome their different paths in life to discover love? Can Michael protect Brianna from the fearsome and tyrannical headmistress of Ballymacool? What will Brianna discover about her past and her heritage? Read The Maid of Ballymacool to discover the mystery and ending for yourself!

Although this story was a sweet and wholesome tale, it did take a little while to get involved in the storyline and characters. I truly enjoyed the setting in Ireland and the artful way that Ms. Deibel conveyed the beauty of nature. I enjoy the outdoors and the way Ms. Deibel described Brianna's love for being outside and in nature, made me feel relaxed and refreshed. I also enjoyed the relationship between Michael and Brianna. There was a sweetness and wholesomeness to it, but also honesty with their misunderstandings, doubts, and yet reconciliation. I appreciated the characters, the depth of historic background, as well as the themes of service, humility, friendship, sacrifice, and redemption. Overall, this was a well-written book, although slow to develop, I appreciated the wholesomeness, mystery, and romance. Happy readings!

Disclaimer: Revell graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.

This book didn’t grip me as I hoped it would, and by the end I neither liked nor disliked it. I felt that the characters fell flat a bit. The mystery was not really a mystery, and the characters were either too sugary sweet good or too awful horrible beastly bad. The main characters relationship came off a bit childish, I kept forgetting they were adults! Brianna was not allowed to do many things but she supposed to be in her early 20’s, hmmm. And she was an utter doormat, but I guess I couldn’t blame her since she grew up somewhat abused and sheltered.

One minor perplexing thing was that there was a bunch of Gaelic words and phrases that were never explained or translated so I kept guessing at what they meant. Wasn’t super pivotal to the plot but its existence itself was mildly frustrating.

I still read it all the way though and enjoyed parts of it, but this one wasn’t my cup of tea unfortunately.

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

After being left as an orphan in the care of the headmistress, Brianna's been the maid at the renown Ballymacool school, the place she's lived her whole life, but whose cruelty knows no bounds. While she's learned to seek out the beauty in life where it can be found, she feels lost without a greater purpose that stirs within. A visitor comes to the school to tame his young cousin and unravels her small, seemingly insignificant world.

Soon, her world unravels further as this visitor becomes an ally and advocate, and brings to light the truth of her past, which will both wound and free at the same time. A sweet cinderella story.

It took me a little bit to get into this story, but I ended up enjoying it. Brianna and Michael were good characters and their journey and the history was interesting.

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

If you are looking for a clean, sweet, Christian retelling of the Cinderella story, then this is the book for you. The protagonists are two lovely people who want to be of help in the world and the antagonist, well, she doesn’t. As I read through certain scenes, the original Disney cartoon movie of Cinderella kept running through my head. You know, the scenes where Cinderella is dancing with the animals and communing with nature.

Brianna Kelly has lived at Ballymacool House and Boarding School for Girls since she was dropped off on the headmistress's front stoop. She has never known anything except drudgery and she works from before sunup till nearly midnight. She longs to know who she really is – where she comes from – who her parents were – why they abandoned her, but that doesn’t keep her from having a sweet, caring, lovely disposition. Though she often wonders why the headmistress despises her and treats her so cruelly, she’ll never ask.

Michael Wray and his family are among the ascendency class – wealthy landowners. Michael, however, prefers to be out among the people, the working classes, rather that the pretentious wealthy aristocrats. As a dutiful son, he goes to the Ballymacool House when his parents ask him to go straighten out a problem with his cousin who is boarding there.

Brianna brings out a deep protective streak in Michael and he visits the school longer than originally expected to try to protect her. As they get to know each other, they come to care for each other – but Brianna is afraid to trust. She’s never known what it was to be loved, have affection, and have someone to protect her.

I enjoyed the story, but I found myself skimming over large parts of it. I skimmed because it seemed too slow-paced and a bit draggy in parts and because the story takes place in a time and place with which I’m not familiar. I had never heard of the ascendency class, but will now have to do some reading on it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was hesitant when starting this book as it was described as a Cinderella story but this book pleasantly surprised me. I was hooked in the first chapter. Brianna is the servant at Ballymacool, an all girls school run by a tyrant of a woman. When Adeline, one of the girls, begins acting up, her cousin Michael is sent to the school to keep an eye on her. Michael’s arrival causes some changes in the school and in Brianna’s life. I am hoping for a companion book to learn more about Adeline and what happens to her.

Although I found this book slow going initially, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! Brianna of course was my favorite character! Michael came in a close second. I wish I knew what all the Irish phrases were, but it was really a delightful read!

Journey to County Donegal Ireland in Jennifer Deibel’s newest release The Maid of Ballymacool. This historical fiction romance has something for all readers with elements of family drama, mystery, and action. Deibel draws the reader in to Brianna’s story immediately. I eagerly read to discover Brianna’s connection to Maureen Magee and Ballymacool House. The interactions between Michael Wray and Brianna are delightful.
If you enjoy historical romances with Christian themes, add The Maid of Ballymacool to the top of your to be read pile. You won’t be disappointed, particularly if you enjoy stories with an Irish setting. The Maid of Ballymacool is the first book by Deibel I have read, and I can’t wait to read her first two novels while 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 Maid of Ballymacool
by Jennifer Deibel
Pub Date: 21 Feb 2023
Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.

When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything.

Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.

I was utterly captivated by this Christian romance with a line of suspense in it. I did not want to put it down and stayed up way too late on a few nights!


Brianna Kelly is an orphan living at Ballymacool working as a servant. Her life is hard and made harder by Mistress Magee the headmaster of the school. Brianna spends her little time off enjoying the woods and sometimes finding treasure. When Michael Wray comes to help control a wayward cousin, Brianna and Michael are drawn together. We follow their story as the mystery of who Brianna really is, is revealed. Woven through the story are the whispers of Gods love and provision for Brianna.

Thank you Revell, Jennifer Deibel, and Netgalley for letting me have a copy of the book to read early! I am so happy to share my honest opinion and will definitely be looking at some of Mrs Deibel’s other novels to read.

I stayed up until the wee hours to read this book and it did not disappoint!

Life is a struggle for Brianna Kelly, who is a servant at Ballymacool boarding house, and the only joy in her life is a weekly walk amongst the trees and the rare visit with the kindly old woman who lives in the woods. Her caretaker/employer Mistress Magee loathes her and makes it evident in the many slaps, endless tasks, and evident hatred in her eyes. But all that changes when handsome nobleman Michael Wray comes to Ballymacool to help his contentious cousin stay out of trouble.

This book has all the fairy tale vibes: beautiful orphaned girl, evil caretaker, kind but quirky woodswoman, and a dashing nobleman who cares a fig about social norms.

I am honored to be part of this launch team and many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Brianna Kelly has spent her whole life as a servant at Ballymacool Manor, a boarding school for girls in Ireland. She has no memory of her parents and her only connection to them is the piece of a necklace that was left with her on Maureen Magee’s doorstep. Brianna has always been a hard worker and made the best of her situation, although she does get lonely and wishes she could escape from under the heavy hand of Ms. Magee.
Maureen Magee has many secrets that she keeps hidden while running Ballymacool Manor. She can’t help resenting Brianna for her parents’ actions and because of this resentment she treats her with contempt and piles on the chores.
Michael Wray is sent to look after his wayward cousin who is a student at Ballymacool. While there the conditions of the school and the treatment of the students and staff cause him to feel the need to step in and try to advocate for Brianna and the students. While getting to know Brianna, he uncovers the mystery of her past and together they start to piece together her story. Will it be enough to win Brianna her freedom from Maureen Magee’s tight control and spiteful care?

4.5 stars
"The slap hit its mark, leaving a burning outline Brianna was certain showed perfectly on her cheek." The Maid of Ballymacool by author Jennifer Deibel is a well written charming story that captivated me from the beginning, and kept me turning pages!

A hard-working maid is amazingly not bitter for all the mistreatment she suffers at the hands of Maureen Maggee, the headmistress of Ballymacool. When Brianna does get her limited time off, she loves to visit the woods and her friend Finnuala's home. "She welcomed the connection to nature and its Creator." For many years, she tries to figure out who she is and where she belongs.

Michael Wray comes to Ballymacool to straighten out his young cousin Adeline who has a crush on him. My favorite quote "If she was trying to be coy, it wasn't working. At all. Deranged was more the word that sprang to mind."

It's eye-opening for him to see things as they are at this boarding school. He is an utterly charming, and noble hero who stands up to the headmistress and harsh teacher.
Brianna enjoys her friendship with Michael Wray. "It had been so long since she'd been shown any sort of kindness."

Beautiful historical fiction with a creative retelling of a Cinderella story, humor, secrets that unravel, and wrongs made right make this a thoroughly enjoyable book to get lost in. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.