A Dance in Donegal {book review}

February 18, 2021

A Dance in Donegal {book review}

About the book

All her life, Boston-born Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of the Emerald Isle. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira is compelled to fulfill her dying wish--that she become the teacher in Ballymann, the beloved village in Donegal, Ireland, she's heard so much about.

After an arduous voyage, Moira begins a challenging new job in an unfamiliar and ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends--and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced--as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.

What I thought about the book

What a delightful story! I enjoyed the setting immensely, since I have Irish ancestry, myself. The dialogue made it easy to "hear" the Irish lilt in my mind. This story contains love, mystery, intrigue, and kept my attention throughout. I shed a few tears, but also found a touch of humor. I definitely recommend it! I look forward to reading more books by Jennifer.

About the author

Jennifer Deibel is a middle school teacher whose work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and 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.

Jennifer can be found at:

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Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book in order to give you my honest opinion.