The Maid of Ballymacool

About the Book: 

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.

My Review: 

With a cast of incredible characters, Gothic elements, and an intriguing plot, this story sucked me in and was incredibly hard to put down. I immediately reread it once I finished it. I loved everything about it, even the diabolical school mistress! 

My favorite characters were Brianna Kelly, Michael Wray, and Maureen Magee. Brianna never gave up even though she was mistreated and living in such a bleak environment. She was able to find joy and retained her sense of wonder when it would have been so easy for her to give up. Michael was the perfect match for Brianna; he helped her see her worth and bring about justice. Maureen Magee was the most complex character in the book, and while I abhorred the way she treated Brianna, she was a brilliant antagonist. She is the woman you love to hate and I was saying, “Yessss!” when all was revealed and she got what she deserved.

I highly recommend reading this book with the message that everyone’s life is precious and we are greatly loved by God. However, due to some of the content: slapping, verbal abuse, and adultery, I think this should be read by older readers and not necessarily teens. 

If you are reading this as an ebook, be aware there is a glossary of the Gaelic words and phrases that are spoken throughout the story. I didn’t realize that until I finished the book. lol

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.