The Maid of Ballymacool

Written by Jennifer Deibel

Narrated by Caroline Lennon

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781705083826

Jennifer Deibel

Jennifer Deibel is the author of A Dance in Donegal (winner of the Kipp Award for Historical Romance), The Lady of Galway Manor, and The Maid of Ballymacool. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and in other publications. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children. You can find her online at www.JenniferDeibel.com.

Reviews for The Maid of Ballymacool

[Berly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was the first Jennifer Deibel book I've read. I'd seen so many positive reviews on Bookstagram, that when I saw Scribd had the audiobook available, I decided to give it a try. I listened to it in one day. The narrator does a very nice job with the Irish flavor.

It is a definite Cinderella story, so you'll probably find it pretty predictable. I love Cinderella stories, except for the part where is is treated poorly. That makes me mad every single time.

[milibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Briana Kelly, an orphan, has been living in servitude since a child. She was left on Maureen Magee's doorstep as an infant and does not understand why Mistress Magee is so harsh with her as she works in the Ballymacool Boarding School's kitchen.Things change when Michael Wray arrives to deal with his rebellious niece. At first the changes are small as he helps Brianna serve meals more efficiently, in spite of Magee's complaints about the changes in routine. However, when Briana's true identity is revealed, bigger changes are in store.This is the story of a young girl searching for her identity and purpose in life. Well-developed characters and the Irish setting add to the charm although the reader may guess at the ending.

[jnwelch_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Set at an Irish boarding school 1935-1939, this ARC probably will be categorized as historical romance. It’s not an Agatha Christie, so the clues to its resolution are in plain sight, with none of her famous red herrings. Orphan scullery maid Brianna is treated worse than Cinderella, but humbly battles on and is indefatigable. Michael Wray, the kind son of a local nobleman, arrives to keep an eye on his rambunctious niece, and quickly sees Brianna’s inner qualities - and outer. You’ll be rooting for both of them. There are secrets and skulduggery, but you sense it will sort out. A quite pleasant read. I may try another of hers when the mood strikes.

[nancyluebke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First I must say, I love the cover of this book. I enjoyed this early reviewer copy of this story. I received this for free and I voluntarily chose to review this book. I've given it a 5* rating. This has a lot of feels and it touched me deeply. About the middle of the story, all the lies this woman has been told, started to unravel and by the end, things are made clear. It moves a little slow in places but overall an enjoyable read. And I'm into my next book.