Owen & Saoirse

This book is the definition of faith filled! Oh, it’s sooo good!!

Saoirse, on the run from her past faces obstacle after obstacle. To the point where she believes that she’s the cause of it all. And who can’t relate to that? We all have those moments where we believe we’re to blame. So God leads her to Owen and Aileen. And Owen has some lesson learning to do himself.

And their story comes together, like finely woven fabric - fitting perfectly with Owen’s job as a weaver. Owen and Saoirse only saw the back of their tapestries, but God saw the front. The beautiful part, while they saw the tangled knots. And through lessons from Gideon, they both learned to trust God and rely on him.

Beautifully done, Jennifer!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Revell for the chance to read and review early.

Jennifer Deibel weaves a poignant tale of loss, healing, and recovered hope. Saoirse Fagan travels far to a new post as a housemaid only to discover that lord of the house has died, and the manor is shut tighter than a drum. Now what? As she begins a lonely trek to who knows where, she is picked up by Aileen and offered the humble abode of a barn for the night. Saoirse has deep wounds from the loss of her family and no real place to go now that her job has dried up. So, she accepts and thus begins a tale of hope and healing. Aileen's brother, a crusty bachelor, finds Saoirse early one morning and is fit to be tied - he can barely support himself and his sister, and now another? After a rough and tumble beginning, the three settle into a routine. But Saoirse's past has left wounds unhealed and when a budding romance begins, she is too weighed down with guilt to move forward. Can an insightful priest, a loving friend, and promptings from the Lord bring about healing? Travel back to early 20th century where the times are difficult but love and community and faith triumph over hardship. This expertly woven tale will tug at your heartstrings and offer many points to ponder.

4.5 stars.

Set in 1912, Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel is a captivating historical Christian romance.

Saoirse Fagan has no idea what her future will be when her new employment falls through. She is wonderful woman who has endured her share of tragedy. She is a hard worker but she worries that her bad luck will follow her.

Owen McCready is a bit of a grump and there are plenty of things for him to worry about. He and his sister Aileen live on their family’s farm and it is always a struggle to keep it afloat. Owen is not happy when he has another mouth to feed when Aileen brings Saoirse home. After an altercation leaves him injured and unable to work, their unexpected guest proves to be an unanticipated boon.

Heart of the Glen is a wonderful novel of faith and self-examination. Saoirse is complex character who must overcome her long-held beliefs about herself. Owen is a bit gruff and he is battling with his faltering faith. Their relationship beautifully shifts from wary strangers to love but will their burgeoning relationship withstand events that are out their control? With interesting twists and turns, Jennifer Deibel brings this marvelous novel to a heartwarming conclusion.

I am in awe of the beautiful tapestry Jennifer Deibel has woven with her words. I was drawn into the vibrant landscape of Ireland, the intricate craft of weaving tweed, and the deeply-rooted Christian faith that runs like a golden thread through the story. If you’re looking for a novel that invites you to experience the delicate dance of forgiveness, love, and God's unshakable plans, then this book is a must-read.

Saoirse Fagan is a young woman haunted by tragedy, stumbling through life like a loose thread, unanchored and uncertain. When she finds herself stranded in the glen, she is taken in by Aileen McCready and her brother Owen, a skilled weaver. Owen’s world is one of delicate balance, where the slightest disruption could unravel everything he’s worked so hard to build. As their lives intertwine, Saoirse and Owen find themselves facing their own struggles—Saoirse with her past and Owen with his future, and both learning to trust in the unseen Hand that is weaving their lives together in ways they can’t understand.

The imagery of weaving is beautifully threaded throughout the narrative, not just in the literal sense as we see Owen’s meticulous craft of tweed, but in how God weaves lives together through His plan. As Saoirse navigates her new life, trying to find her place, the story continually asks a question that resonates: Can the lonely thread of her life be woven into a new and finer pattern?

Through the pages, the story echoes the timeless lessons of the story of Gideon from the Bible. Much like Gideon, both Saoirse and Owen find themselves in situations where their own strength is inadequate, yet God's power is all-sufficient. Saoirse’s whispered prayer—“Lord, help me”—struck me deeply, especially when she feared that God had turned away from her because of her past. How often do we, too, feel that our mistakes have made us too far from God’s grace? Yet, as Father Cunningham so powerfully reminds us, “Our Lord paid the price for all of our wrongdoings. All our mistakes and shortcomings. He paid our debts on the cross – one time, for all time – so you and I might be free from the chains that come from those missteps and shortfalls.”

Owen’s belief that “no tear is ever wasted in God’s economy” is a powerful testament to the story’s heart. It is a reminder that every hardship, every heartache, is part of the fabric of God’s design, and through it, He weaves something beautiful—even when we can’t yet see it.

What I appreciate most about this book is how it isn’t just a romance, but a journey of spiritual growth and transformation. Saoirse’s journey is as much about her internal struggles as it is about her connection with Owen. Their budding romance, though tender and real, is grounded in the belief that true love comes not from a perfect situation, but from trusting in God’s plan and growing in faith through the trials. As Saoirse reflects, “The only way out of this nightmare was through and forward.”

Heart of the Glen is a breathtaking exploration of how faith and redemption are woven into the very fabric of life. It’s a book that will challenge you, encourage you, and ultimately leave you filled with hope. The rich setting, the lovable characters (shout-out to Aileen and the rest of the cast who felt like old friends by the end), and the faith-filled narrative all combine to make this a novel that’s truly hard to put down.

Deibel’s talent as a writer shines through in every chapter, pulling readers into a world that feels as real as it does heart-stirring. Her intricate storytelling has a way of lacing together heartache, hope, forgiveness, and faith into a story that will leave you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page. If you’re looking for a book that will not only transport you to Ireland but also challenge and deepen your walk of faith, then Heart of the Glen is the perfect choice.

God’s hand is visible in the lives of Saoirse and Owen, and in the end, it’s a reminder that no matter how tangled our lives may seem, He is weaving something beautiful, just as He is weaving each of us into His greater plan.

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher, Revell, and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

This is a great read!
Having to live with consequences of one's action can be a great burden. But, things we regret do happen and we have to move towards healing.
The main characters in this book learn many difficult lessons but ultimately God is in control and He guides us to show us the way we need to go.
The characters are well formed and the story line engaging.
Visit the hills of Ireland and the once peaceful community that is soon to be ripped apart.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

I felt like I learned a lot about Irish culture! I did not know anything about weaving going into this, so it was definitely interesting to learn about that. The POV going back and forth from the two main characters was a little confusing at first, but I do think the author did a great job in doing that rather seamlessly. Appreciate all the hard work that went into this and the research! Seemed authentic and historically accurate.

Another sweet Irish Romance by Jennifer Deibel. Owen was given quite a hard hand to deal with but with the faith content so strong throughout the story, he was able to see much like Saoirse who had the very worst losses and was beating herself up for most of the book. The romance was all respectful and sweet, kisses only. The ending was satisfying EXCEPT Haggerty getting off with half the sheep and Owen never getting them back, it made me so mad lol. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC, this is my honest review.

“Are you living an exceedingly abundant life, Saoirse? Or is your life defined by what’s been stolen from you?”

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024!

Jennifer Deibel writes such nourishing reads; my soul was hungry and Heart of the Glen kept me satiated.

Deibel took me back to my homeland, about an hour’s drive away from where I was born and raised, and spotlighted a cornerstone of Ireland’s County Donegal economy - tweed weaving. I can remember as a child racing through the front door of Magee’s and standing mesmerized watching (what I believed to be) an ancient man weaving tweed at the loom.

“Pedal for the heddle, pull for the wool. Shuttle crosses over, then beater takes over.”

Set in 1912, Deibel’s Christian historical romance features Saoirse (sur - shuh) Fagan and Owen McCready who are both bearing a substantial burden, the weight of guilt. Deibel weaves their journeys together allowing Saoirse to prevent disaster resulting from a sheep heist gone awry. In a crofter’s world, this means everything to the McCreadys. Soon this orphan finds acceptance, releases her secrets, starts over, learns to trust and realizes the joy of losing control.

I was encouraged and challenged in my journey, fell down a rabbit hole Googling Glentornan, inspired to “let the Great Artist work through the mess and tangle to create beauty like only He could”, and reminded that “God’s plans very often seem foolish to those He asks to carry them out.”

Thank you for prompting me to read about Gideon again, Jennifer. I loved the parallels between his life and that of both Owen and Saoirse.

To those in County Donegal in 1912, the quaint village featured in this book is the heart of the glen, but to me, Jennifer Deibel’s stories are most definitely the heart of the glen. They’re therapeutic. Prescriptive. Literary lifeblood.

I was gifted this copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Jennifer Deibel is fast becoming one of my favorite writers of historical romance. Make no mistake this is a gentle, sweet story, but it's one with real-life depth as well. Deibel layers genuine hurt feelings with a sense of redemption in a truly beautiful way. Saoirse and Owen are terrific characters who will tug at your heartstrings.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

I feel so lucky to have received an early copy of this book. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I fell in love from the very first chapter. The story transported me to a quaint rural village in Ireland, where I became completely immersed in the gentle romance between Saoirse and Owen.

While I don’t typically gravitate toward books with strong religious themes, the underlying message of trusting yourself and embracing forgiveness for past mistakes was profoundly universal and moving. The writing was beautifully done—like wrapping yourself in a warm wool blanket on a crisp, chilly day.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this early. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a heartwarming romance that feels both tender and inspiring.

Heart of the Glen is a touching, inspiring story set in Ireland in 1912. Although I enjoyed the well-structured storyline, I found the two main characters Owen and Saoirse a little needy for my liking and difficult to connect with until quite late in the story. A beautifully sketched Irish setting with vernacular Gaelic dialog, well-crafted and relatable secondary characters (especially Aileen and Bridie), interesting historical detail, a dash of romance, and most of all a strong and encouraging faith thread kept me reading. The glossary of terms at the beginning of the book was a welcomed bonus. I think Inspirational Historical Romance fans will enjoy this book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review.

This is an interesting book that fulfills the reader's desire for a compelling story. Saoirse is basically homeless but finds a friend in Aileen McCready. For a few days, Aileen hid Saoirse from her brother, Owen. When he found her, he offered to let her stay until she could find another job. When Owen is injured in a fight with a man who tries to steal his sheep, Saoirse learned his weaving and works hard to fulfill the orders he has for his tweed.
This is a seriously rewarding novel to read. The townspeople readily accept Saoirse and she slowly works her way into Owen's good graces. Jennifer Deibel writes with a true talent for the craft. I love reading her books and this one just added an extra oomph to my reading. My only criticism is that the bad guys never get caught or even pursued for the most part of the book. Other than that, it's a really good book. The romance in the book is not overt or smarmy. It's a day to day look at the life of someone down on her luck who happens to land on her feet.

One of my friends told me I just like books with happy endings and my friend is not wrong. This is the best kind of book to fit that bill.

Four Strong Stars.

Revell Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I loved this story with so many wonderful layers woven in. Saoirse Fagan is weighed down with grief and guilt, then she finds she's lost her job before it started. Owen McCready is injured and proud. When Saoirse finds herself lost on a country road in Ireland, Aileen McCready, Owen's sister invites her to stay in the barn. From here the story takes a journey through heartache, joy, fear, hope, and tears. Deibel has written another beautiful story with a glorious thread to be strong and courageous. I've loved all of her Ireland tales and recommend them to anyone who wants to read an uplifting, hope-filled story.

Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Diebels is an exceptional look at how God works in our lives when we are overwhelmed with obstacles, tragedies, and no options.

After Saoirse Fagan arrives to take a job as a housemaid, she discovers her employer is dead and no job is available. Unsure what to do, she wanders the road, hoping to find a village where she can find employment. When Aileen McCready spots her on the road, she offers to shelter her for the night. From there Saoirse meets Aileen’s brother Owen and one night of shelter turns into a longer stay.

I loved all these characters and was surprised by how much I related to them. When we are going through any kind of suffering that never seems to let up, it’s easy for our thoughts to wonder why God is punishing us. I loved how the author (through the help of the church Pastor and the Scriptures) showed how God works when He is trying to get us to draw closer to Him. And how, when tragedy befalls us, it is not because God is punishing us, but because He has greater plans for us. 

I was also very impressed with her comments at the end of the book on finding salvation through Jesus.

Although I liked the book and its setting, the frequent use of Gaelic took away from the story. I was constantly having to flip to the front of the book to find out what the characters were saying. I feel less Gaelic would have made the story flow better. In addition, the abrupt ending through me for a loop and felt too rushed. Although I have some criticisms, I still found this book to be very enjoyable and plan on reading more of the author’s work.

I received a complimentary copy of this book courtesy of Revell via NetGalley for my honest review.

This story was so touching and simple and absolutely amazing. Magical. Jennifer brings Ireland to life in such a way that I can feel the difficulty of the characters and see the vivid landscapes. The heartbreaking decisions they all have to make is a reminder of all the good things God has given me. God’s story of never leaving us and using our hardships for good is woven throughout this entire story. I loved all the characters and my heart just broke for what Saoirse went through, and cheered for her and Owen the entire way through.

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

What a heart moving story with such dramatic twists and turns in the narrative. A very real reminder that God always has a plan for our live, even when we can't see it. His love for us is overwhelming.