Last year I had the opportunity to read Jennifer Deibel's debut release, A Dance in Donegal. Having enjoyed that title, when the opportunity to read her new book The Lady of Galway Manor came along, I jumped at the chance. 1920 finds Lady Annabeth De Lacy just moved to Galway City, Ireland with her very English family where her father Lord De Lacy is the new landlord for the parish. From the beginning the tensions between the Irish and English are felt as the time period is the Irish War of Independence. However, Anna as the main character prefers to be called does not wish to stay locked away in the manor but wants to learn everything she can about her new home which includes being apprenticed to a young and attractive local craftsman. Coming from a very English court upbringing, Anna is unfamiliar with the ways of her new acquaintances which causes some bumbles as she unwittingly offends them when she tries to assist.Caught between the demands of her very English family and a growing attraction toward the craftsman, Anna is caught in a definite pickle as her hand is forced by family expectations. Her efforts to get to know the people of Galway City and understand their point of view pay off by the end of the book! Likewise Stephen has his world and his view of the English turned upside down.

While an enjoyable book, The Lady of Galway Manor is somewhat predictable and didn't provide the same feeling of being whisked to Ireland as the previous title. I recommend borrowing this from a library rather than purchasing a copy.

I received a complementary copy from Revell via NetGalley.

I couldn't wait too read this book because it is about one of my favourite places. Galway. I was not disappointed in that l learnt a lot about the conflict between the English and Irish. There was a good storyline and most interesting characters. I do recommend that you read this book.

Another Irish, ye are sure to enjoy! Jennifer splendidly took me through the Irish village with descriptions that gave me a taste of fish & chips, the scent of fresh breeze, and the beauty of the landscape where broken people learned to look past differences and status. I fell in love with Annabeth's curiosity, her willingness to embrace a different culture and help others in need, all while dealing with a hot-headed Stephen. After many splashes and strokes, a beautiful canvas of what God can do when we let go of pride and resentment is painted in this novel. A must for historical romance lovers. ❤️

This was a charming and inspiring story. The author’s skill in painting a picture of the political climate in 1920s Ireland was intriguing. I liked the main characters a lot, though my favorite was Seamus!

Stephen was bitter about love and about the English based on past experiences. He isn’t too happy when the wealthy English lady is given an apprenticeship in his family’s jewelry shop.

Anna was a bright, loving, curious girl with a strong sense of loyalty to her family and country. As she learns more about Ireland and it’s culture she realizes that not all she has been taught is true.

Together they both learn a lot about themselves and each other. The author does a good job of showing how slowly opinions can change and feelings can develop.

If you like history, Ireland, and a slow burn romance with many obstacles to overcome you will enjoy this book.

The Lady of Galway Manor is a stand alone novel set in the city of Galway, Ireland during the Irish War of Independence. The cover is stunning and I absolutely love it! This book was giving me strong "Far and Away" vibes. Titled lady and lower class Irishman, forbidden romance, attacks on the British landlords, titled people who lose their titles...it was all in there. Unlike Ms. Deibel's first book, A Dance in Donegal, The Lady of Galway Manor started off slow to me and took me a long time (like the first half of the book) to really become interested in what was happening. Even though the book is set smack dab in the middle of the War of Independence, the unrest among the people took a back seat through most of the story. It was interesting to read about the history of the Claddagh ring, a piece of jewelry that is synonymous with Ireland. How the author tied the ring to the love of Jesus was well done. Even though the romance between the main characters has been "done before" and was somewhat predictable, I still enjoyed it.

Thank you Revell and Net Galley for the free DRC of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Stephen is a working-class Irishman who has been jilted and hurt by people with English ties in the past. Annabeth is an aristocratic Englishwoman who has to marry a man she doesn't love simply to save her family. They don't seem like a likely couple, and their romance was a bit wonky...they worked side by side, but without any real romantic chemistry. Then suddenly the disaster event (no spoilers) led to them being in love, just like that. While set against the backdrop of the Irish fight for home rule, it wasn't as much of a character as I would have liked. I would have liked to see more Irish culture and history woven into the story, including more details and events from their fight for independence.

FLAT AND UNORIGINAL

If you're looking for an easy read with few surprises, look no further. If you're looking for something original and enthralling, keep looking.

👎 What I Disliked 👎

Originality:

" It's like, like- Like she's the princess and I'm the stable boy."
- Joey Tribiani


This. This is the entire plot. Sure there's a layer of national dislike and distrust between our main couple, Anna and Stephen. But in a nutshell, Joey describes the plot perfectly. And it didn't impress me. I've read it before. Several times. And I have seen it done better. It lacked something more for me. Something that set it apart from the score of other books with the exact same premise.

Predictable: The plot was super thin and the characters were clichés. Which also meant that I knew exactly what was going to happen. There were no surprises. Nothing made me go 'huh, that was interesting'. It was just blah.

Stephen: Yes, the characters were clichés - there was the aristocratic lady, who has a good heart and likes to work. There's the aristocratic father, who falls on hard times and orders his daughter to save him by throwing away her own life. But none were a bigger cliché than Stephen. The guy who doesn't believe in love because he's been burned. Once. Yawn. It made the story even more predictable, because I have seen this character so many times before. I knew exactly how he was going to behave and act at every turn. No originality.

Chemistry: Anna and Stephen had next to no romantic chemistry. They were at odds, then they had one date, and then they were in love. I just didn't see it. I didn't feel it. It felt very superficial and rushed.

Ireland: This was supposed an homage to Ireland. But I didn't see or feel that. I wanted more Ireland! More Irish culture, more Irish history. I wanted the Irish fight for independence to be a much larger part of this story. That at least would have given it some spice, some intrigue and something original.

I really didn't know what to expect when I opened this book. It was a great story and I loved it. Definitely will recommend to all of my friends.

This was such an interesting story that illustrated the contrasts between the English and the Irish at a time when the Irish were looking for freedom. The British saw themselves as benevolent and taming the savage. The Irish saw their culture oppressed and misunderstanding from their "rulers"

At the heart, this is a story about people and about love. The look into the jewelry shop and into the area was fascinating. I was drawn in and found myself wanting to spend more time in this little town. The people were real and cared for each other.

Annabeth and her family were faced with difficult circumstances and through that were able to grow and learn who to trust. The story was well written and felt historically authentic. The conflict was well written and the story flowed well. I felt like I was there.

I received an eARC through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

The Lady of Galway Manor by Jennifer Deibel is an inspiring novel that is enchanting in its premise, with delightful characters that step off the page and into your heart.

Lady Annabeth Delacy has grown up with more of an open mind than her parents towards the Irish. Her willingness to immerse herself in the town of Galway and step away from her title and privileges spoke volumes about her character and who she served. She has been taught that the Irish "need" the English, but when she meets Stephen and Seamus Jennings, she realizes that the English might not be the "saviours" they think they are to the Irish.

Stephen, for his part, is instantly antagonistic towards Anna (as she preferred to be called) because of past hurts and his perception that every English person thought the Irish were beneath them. Seamus, his father, was probably my favourite character in the book because he was willing to look past what the English or Irish thought about each other to accept Anna with open arms. How Anna and Stephen come together is fraught not only with misconceptions but also danger.

As the Irish war for independence looms over the town of Galway, I couldn't help but see the similarities to our modern times regarding racism, nationalism and the horrors that can happen with that.

I stayed up until the wee hours to finish this one. It's hard to put down. I highly recommend it.

This is a great read. Set in Ireland, a new British landlord is not welcome. The American colonists were not the only British subjects to want separation from England and rule over their own nation.
A troubled Irishman is tasked with training the new British landlords’s daughter with learning the fine art of jewelry making. But how can their attraction to one another become anything serious as tensions escalate with the fighting Irish who want the British gone.
This book holds a lot of history and interesting facts about Ireland, along with lessons in true love.

The Lady of Galway Manor is a historical novel set in 1920's Galway City. It is the story of Stephen Jennings, who works in his family's jewelry store, and Annabeth De Lacy, who is apprenticed there.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction and also love Irish settings. This was a lovely read! It was atmospheric, with a sympathetic protagonist, and vivid period details. I especially enjoyed learning more about Claddagh rings in this novel!

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, and especially for readers who enjoy an Irish setting.

An intriguing setting, mixed with historical duties and societal issues. This will inspire readers to visit Ireland and delve further into the country's past.

*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*

This was a good read on a rainy day. I'm not a huge fan of historical romances, but I really enjoyed learning about the Claddagh rings and their history. I also really enjoyed seeing into Irish life at this time, even if Stephen and Anna were busy trying to find ways out of their everyday obligations. Anna being an apprentice at the jewelry shop was absolutely the best, especially since she seemed determined to do what she liked (even if it was unexpected for a lady). Stephen saving Anna from the fire seemed way too quickly written, but given that Stephen seems to be pretty dramatic at times I think I was just expecting a bit more. Overall, a good read for fans of historical fiction.

I love reading anything about Ireland. Growing up I never could understand the turmoil between the Irish and the British. Knowing that my ancestry is both, I have always felt torn. The Lady Of Galway Manor is a great historical romance of a trying time in Ireland's history. Annabeth De Lacy is a sweet loving character you can't help but fall in love with. Anna convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family. Stephen Jennings is a descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.
Stephen has had his heart broken and does not believe in love. He no longer wants to be involved with the family business. On the other hand, Anna is very creative and a fast learner. She is a perfect addition to the business.
I want to thank Revell through NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions in the review are my own.

Jennifer Deibel has found her niche in writing about Ireland. Her latest offering, “The Lady of Galway Manor” is first class in every way. The characters cling to the reader and the country is described with such detail that one quickly becomes lost within the story. Annabeth De Lacy was not fond of her father’s appointment to Galway, or even of Ireland itself. She is able to get an apprenticeship at the Jennings family jewelry shop where she meets Stephen Jennings, who is not fond of the British. As war looms, and the violence grows, the two are forced to learn about and respect the people they once viewed so negatively. This is a beautifully written tale. Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

3.5
Sweeping story of a wonderful family, father and son, who craft fine claddagh jewelry. An Irish father and son, in the midst of the Irish rebellion, who take on a titled aristocratic daughter of the new English landlord in their village. However, nine suspects the events heading their way in these troubled times.

Well done and fact based, this second novel from Jennifer Deibel will touch your heart.

My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. The opinion here is my own.

Annabeth De Lacy becomes an apprentice at a local jewelry story and slowly falls in love with Stephen Jennings. They are of different social classes and Stephen has decided that love is not for him. Besides, Annabeth is English and Stephen is Irish so that puts them at odds too. Will they overcome their odds or not?

I enjoyed this book. I would enjoy reading more from this author, was not sure how this story would play out.

The Lady of Galway Manor brings the English to Ireland. The ladies of the De Lacy family think the move to Ireland is a promotion but in actuality it's a punishment for Lord De Lacy's poor choices. Lady Annabeth is granted permission to become an apprentice to a local Irish jewelry to learn the history of the Claddagh ring. As with most clean romances there is a seemingly impossible love interest that amazingly works out in the end. I recommend this book for anyone who loves a feel good story with a bit of history to it.

The is a very classic love story. You have a beautiful damsel and a handsome knight. The beautiful damsel is a little more modern than traditional allows, as she is driven and independent, and the knight is a little more surly than usual, but the story is the same. She’s in distress and he saves the day. I don’t totally love that trope, but lots of people do and if you’re one of them, then this sweet slow burn is for you! Also features a happy and tidy ending.