Review: The Lady of Galway Manor

 The Lady of Galway Manor

by Jennifer Deibel

About the Book

In 1920, 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 longs to do anything other than run his family’s jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the OliesO the Claddagh Ring promises.

Meanwhile, 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 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.

Travel to the Emerald Isle for another poignant and romantic story from the enchanted pen of Jennifer Deibel.

My Thoughts

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.