Be transported to Ireland with this fantastic debut novel from Jennifer Deibel. It doesn't read as a debut - that's how remarkably well it was written. I look forward to more amazing work from Deibel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bringing to life the quaint countryside of Ireland, a land rich in tradition and steeped in superstition, A Dance in Donegal follows a Moira as she heeds her mother's dying wishes that she take up a teaching position in her mother's hometown.

Moira faces many struggles upon taking the teaching position. The book captures the beautiful land of Ireland, as well as its steeped in traditions. I was glad that Moira had people who showed themselves to be true friends in the wake of her struggles and the horrible way that she was treated by many in the small community.

This was a pleasant read, with a lovely sense of place, capturing the beauty and foreignness through the eyes of an American. The story was easy to follow, and more simple through most of the book. I liked the Moira was very familiar with Scripture and recalled in constantly in her everyday life.

A slower read for me, the book was more quaint at first, and then later it was hard to see how the townspeople treated her, though I liked how she tried her best to keep her spirits up and treat others well. It didn't quite grab me the way that I had wished, but I also don't have many complaints. I felt like it did a good job of doing what it wanted, and is a pleasant read.

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

This was a wonderful historical fiction/women's fiction debut about a young woman who moves to 1920s Ireland and tries to find her place in the world that isn't always welcoming. Heartfelt and perfect for fans of Susanna Kearsley. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I had a hard time getting into this book, which is weird, because I have always been a lover of an Irish setting. However, I just didn't get into the main character, and I found the love interest rather boring, which are the two cardinal sins of a romance novel. Particularly, I thought the main character was rather naïve and melodramatic, making me reluctant to trust her POV and frustrated with the apparent lack of action while she made a big deal about everything.

I also felt like the story took a LONG time to get going, and I'm a little done with the "out of place chick becomes a teacher in a small town/village/etc. and finds love and belonging and peace about the past there." That said, this wasn't a bad little story, and it was nostalgic. The author did an excellent job with the setting!

Set in the spectacular countryside of 1920’s Ireland, A Dance in Donegal is an enthralling novel that will take readers on a journey of faith, redemption, and love. Moira Doherty, ready to start teaching in Boston, decides upon her mother’s death to go to Ireland and teach in the village where her mother came from. Growing up, Moira heard one story after another about Ireland and the land where her mother grew up. Excited at the prospect of living and working in Ireland, she sets off on a journey that will take her down unexpected paths and adventure. However, when she finally arrives in Ballyman, it is not all that Moira expected it to be. Why do the people throughout the village stare at her? Do they know something she doesn’t, and if they do, does Moira really want to know what it is? Most people seem to grudgingly accept her, however there are a few that don’t, and someone in particular wants to see Moira leave the village and go back where she came from. With the help of Sean, the town’s thatcher, can she help the people see that she truly belongs in Ballyman or will she be run out of town by the mysterious stalker? Will she be able to forgive those that have spread lies and scandal about her and her mother? Will her faith deepen or shrink as she faces the daily challenges of life in another part of the world? I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the historical and cultural details found throughout the book. The characters displayed depth of emotion and faith despite struggles and hardships. As Jennifer Deibel’s debut novel, it was a delightful read, that sweeps the reader away to another time and place. There were times that the book moved very slowly, and some of the chapters didn’t seem relevant to the story as a whole. However, despite those few incidents, the book was an enjoyable mix of mystery, romance, hope, and faith. I look forward to the next book in this series! Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for the ARC of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

A Dance in Donegal by author Jennifer Deibel is a fabulous historical Christian novel. The 1920 story and characters are engaging, and I was drawn into this lovely tale immediately. Moira is a dynamic character. She lives in Boston and moves to Ballymoor Ireland. I felt like I went along, too. The descriptions, language, music, and people were so authentic. Author weaves a Christian thread boldly through her story. It gets a 5 star rating from me and a high recommendation. I received a copy from Net Galley but this is my honest opinion.

4 stars. I enjoyed the storyline of the book. The characters were crafted well and even though you could tell how the story would go, it was still nice to read.

This book is filled with heart. The characters linger with you long after the last written word. It is so refreshing to read a story that is filled to the brim with a love for God and the people in this small town.

This is a great book for fans of Maeve Binchy! Jennifer Deibel really takes you back to 1920 Ireland. Pour yourself a cup of Irish coffee and immerse yourself in this novel!
Thank you to the author, Revell Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was well written and I greatly appreciated the authenticity of the story. For those who like Hallmark movies this book is for you, especially with the religious take. I expected a little bit more from this book then what I was given. It was unexpected for me. It just wasn't the book for me and I didn't not love it. I found it hard to relate to the character of Moira. I believe that her heart and story are in the right place. It just wasn't a story for me.

It was a great novel. Loved reading it and the writer is great. Would most likely read again and recommend to others.

I enjoyed reading A Dance in Donegal. The setting, characters and plot all came together to create a great story of forgiveness, friendship and clean romance in one of my favorite settings, Ireland. Moira had heard of Donegal all her life and when she had the chance to go teach there she went with high hopes only to find herself in the middle of a mystery but she leans on the Lord and friends around her to overcome the challenges she finds herself in. There were a couple of places I'd have liked a bit more fleshing out of the story but overall recommend reading the book.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

This book is a beautiful and immersive experience. I loved the character development that takes place in all the key figures of the story, as well as the hearts of Donegal. It has some parts that are hard on the heart, but hold beautiful redemption. Such a great read!

There were definitely elements of this story I loved and other parts that I thought were a little repetitive. Overall, it was an enjoyable read with a few mild objections on my part and I enjoyed the sparring of the romantic element.

3.5 stars.
Set in 1920 Ireland, the book boasts of fantastic scenery, fascinating superstition and lore, and lovely introductions to the culture and language of the Emerald Isle. The author does an excellent job bringing us into the fold of small town Ballymann and its inhabitants as Moira, the outsider American, settles into her mother's hometown as the new school teacher. I enjoyed the interactions between Moira and Sean and their budding friendship and romance is sweet though quite a bumpy journey. A sense of mystery and suspense as to who would want to harm Moira and why adds an unexpected edge to the plot. A nice faith thread of acceptance without condemnation, restoration and redemption rounds out this enjoyable historical romance.
I received the book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments are solely my own.

What an endearing debut! I am always down for a trip to Ireland and I was so glad to learn Jennifer Deibel chose it as the setting for her debut. This was a cozy and quintessence read and I am excited to see what Deibel will bring next.

If you are looking for a swoon worthy book set in the lush green land of Ireland than look no further. Debut author does a magical job at transporting you to the Emerald Isle and it is a book that is sure to delight!

A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel is her debut novel and it is a lovely beginning. I quite enjoyed meeting Moira and going on adventures with her in Ireland. The story follows Moira as she heads to her mom's beloved home country in the nineteen twenties, where she will be a teacher. However, her mother passes away before she goes, leaving her grief stricken and confused. When she arrives in the small village of Donegal, she finds that their are rumors abounding about her and her mother. With no way to find answers, she tries to make the best of it. When a student of hers falls ill, only she and one couple will attend to him, because he is the town rascal. As the story unfolds, Moira also finds herself falling for Sean, a thatcher who has helped her at the school and in her home. but, if they can't discover the source of the rumors and put things right, her time in Ireland may be for nothing. Good book. Very good debut. You wouldn't know that it was a first novel. The descriptions were lovely. Thanks to #NetGalley for the chance to read this book. All opinions are my own. # bookstagram #all_the_pages

What I like best about Christian fiction is that it usually showcases stories that offer compassion and hope, and Jennifer Deibel's A DANCE IN DONEGAL did just that. My last few reads have been heavy and serious, so this 1920's journey of a young Irish-American school teacher back to her mother's home village in Ireland was a breath of fresh air. Filled with Irish customs and scenery, the story offered romance and a sound lesson in forgiveness. Moira arrives in Ireland shortly after her mother's death to take a teaching position in the village her mother left almost 25 years earlier. Moira believes she has heard all about the town, especially the dances in the "halla," but when some villagers seem to shun her, and a couple outright confront her about "her mother's secret," she longs for truth and acceptance. This was a fast, enjoyable read - just what I needed, although I do wish I had heard the audio of the novel. Having the story told in a beautiful Irish accent, with all the well written local dialect would have been a delight. I received an e-copy of this title from Netgalley. All opinions are mine.

I absolutely loved A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel!!! A Dance in Donegal is the story of Moira Doherty walking in the Will of the Lord and the adventures that await her in Ireland. After her Mother dies, Moira leaves America and travels to her Mother's homeland of Ireland to work as a teacher. When Moira arrives in the town she's assigned to work in, she doesn't receive a warm welcome.. Despite this, God provides her friends that stand by Moira no matter. Through her trials of lies against her and various mental, emotional, and physical attacks, her relationship with God deepens.

A Dance in Donegal is a story of God's Love, Provision, and Redemption. This book is in my Top Books of 2021 and I highly recommend this book! I appreciate the Author's Message through the book that is on every page of this book. The book ministered to me. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book! (This review is also on GoodReads.)