A Dance in Dongeal is a Christian, historical romance, written by Jennifer Deibel. The tale begins in Boston, but quickly relocates to the hills and village of Dongeal, Ireland. Jennifer gives a descriptive portrayal of Ireland and the Irish people with detail and exuberance.

Moriah lands in Ireland shortly after her mother's funeral. She is a beautiful, young teacher, who begins her career in her mother's childhood home. Moriah expects to find the people of Doengal kind and welcoming, but the rumor mill is has been churning
Moriah and a handsome, kind lad, have a rocky beginning but promptly fall in love.

I cannot say I I loved the read. In my opinion the story seemed to drag. i felt the characters were not developed well and the author compensated with words, not feelings and emotions. However, the last 10 or 12 chapters were engaging and I enjoyed them. The book is worthy of a three star rating.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Dance in Donegal
By Jennifer Deibel
Historical Romance
Rating: 4/5

What a lovely story! It’s been awhile since I’ve been taken back to Ireland and I was not disappointed. Not only does this historic romance hit all the spots but there’s some mystery thrown in that had me guessing till the reveal.

Moira Doherty grew up listening to stories about dancing at the halla in Ireland from her mother, and after the death of her mother, Moira is hired to start teaching in the town her mother grew up in. An American to her core, Moira must navigate the differences in rural living with her city upbringing and their superstitious beliefs with her spiritual ones. However, the more she grows to enjoy her time in the quirky village, the more she begins to feel out of place except when she’s with one man, Sean McFadden. The townspeople treat her poorly and gossip about her because of her mother. Can Moira discover the truth about what happened and find a way to save her reputation?

There’s so much more to this story than on the surface. The characters are ones I’d loved to visit again. They made me laugh, cry and want to throw things. As someone who always tries to give someone the benefit of the doubt, I struggled with some of the characters. Other characters were amazing examples of how God loves us and chooses us. Lots of tears were shed near the end (but I’m a crier lol).

Note: there’s a glossary at the end to help with all the Gaelic.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian historical romance with a hint of mystery.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

3.5 stars

I have never been so conflicted about rating and reviewing a book. Ever. I love settings that take place in Ireland and this beautiful cover just screams "Ireland!" loud and clear! The author writes as one who has not visited Ireland for research purposes, but as someone who lived there and loves it with her whole heart. The sights, sounds, culture, and superstitions of the Irish are beautifully and artfully described by Deibel—and when she reminded the reader there are no snakes in Ireland it was a done deal for me. I want to go there!! lol

However, I just didn't connect with the main characters...especially the hero, Sean McFadden. He was good-looking with gorgeous eyes and a really super nice guy, but I was never allowed into his heart or into his head to see what made him tick. I felt no chemistry between him and Moira, the lovely heroine. Apparently she didn't feel it either as her head is so easily turned by another handsome face. I would've loved the author to have included a real Irish ceili (a party with music and dancing) to add a bit of sparkle, gaiety, and romance to the characters' lives.

That being said, I will definitely read another book by Jennifer Deibel and am so looking forward to doing so! In my humble opinion, she needs to work on her character depth as well as she did her stunning setting. This is Ms. Deibel's debut novel and she has a promising future ahead of her. Definitely one to keep your eyes on!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and no compensation was received.

Many of us are fond of reading sweet love stories that are not full of what often seem to be obligatory sex scenes, and this is one you could safely give to a young person. The setting was delightful, and the characters were well written to represent a small town in another country and another century. Unfortunately, the writing was a bit stilted in the beginning of the story, and the resolution of the mystery at the end left some unanswered questions.. I was given this book as an arc to read and review.

I absolutely loved reading A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel. I enjoyed the characters and was so very impressed that her prose left a definite picture in my mind of the area of Donegal.

I was disappointed to find that the Irish people of Donegal were so suspicious of Moira Doherty because of something in her mother’s past. I had expected her to be welcomed with open arms. But, this part of the storyline is what set the stage for the rest of the novel.

I find that Ms. Deibel’s writing is riveting, paints pictures that you can actually “see” if you try, and writes so that you can see the development of the main characters as they grow during the story. I will definitely be looking for more to read from Ms. Deibel.

I was lucky enough to have been selected to receive a copy of this novel from Revell in return for my honest review.

A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel

Moria's Irish mother has told of all of her happy adventures in Ireland when she was a girl. Her mother finds out there is an opening to teach school in the small village she came from and talked Moria into accepting the teaching position.

Ireland is much wilder than Moria's old home in Boston. The people are friendly, but some are a little stand-offish and hard to get to know. Moria loves her teaching position, she's given a small chalet nearby, where she can peacefully live.

There is trouble afoot. someone is trying to scare Moria away. It could be one of her students who has made her job harder, by being disrespectful to her, at school, and in public.

Sean is a thatcher, he's lived his entire life in the village. He meets Moria on her first day in the village and liked her from that first moment.

Engaging characters and original story, makes this be a wonderful title.

Many thanks for the complimentary copy of #ADanceinDonegal from #netgalley with no obligation to post a review.

All of her life, Irish-American Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of Ireland. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira decides to fulfill her mother's wish that she become the teacher in Ballymann, her home village in Donegal, Ireland.

After an arduous voyage, Moira arrives to a new home and a new job in an 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.

My Thoughts: This was a very enjoyable read. It is a story of a young woman who returns to her mother's homeland to pursue a career in teaching. It's a story of hardships and what people face when they come to a new country to live. Moira is a woman of strength and sticks to what she came to do no matter what happens. This is a story about listening to God and fulfilling the works that He has for us to do. I really enjoyed this book, it takes the reader to Ireland where we learn new customs and language. This is a truly enjoyable read.

I really wanted to love this book. But for me the writing style was just too much. I could hardly trudge through each page. There were so many descriptions and thoughts and language differences. I’m sure it might be a great book for those who are Irish, those who love Ireland, or have been to Ireland. But for me, it is not a book that I found interesting. In fact, I could not finish it.
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

When Moira's mother suddenly dies, Moira has a hard time coping and does not want to follow through on her promise to go to Ireland to teach. After agonizing over the decision she finally decides to go. Immediately upon entering Donegal, Moira experiences unexpected harshness before even reaching the guesthouse where she will be staying. Mrs. Martin makes Moira feel welcome and turns into her first friend, even though it is obvious that she is keeping secrets.


Sean is a thatcher and eventually becomes a friend to Moira as well. He wants to help her discover the secrets that the locals in Donegal are keeping from Moira and promises to be her friend no matter what. The people in Donegal are steeped in superstitions and rumors, and it looks like someone has made it a priority to try and scare Moira off. Once all is revealed, will Sean keep his promise to be friends with Moira, no matter what?


A Dance in Donegal is well-written and the plotline flows seamlessly. The descriptions of Ireland are breath-taking and you can hear the Irish brogue in the conversations. When reading the story you get a sense that you are there.


The author, Jennifer Deibel, has threaded powerful lessons of forgiveness and redemption throughout the story. Moria grows to be comfortable with herself, even though many residents of Donegal have made it clear they do not like her. She develops into a brave character, strong in her faith and compassion. While there are occasional light moments in the story, there are some extremely sad ones as well. As a trigger warning, there is a scene where a character is sexually assaulted, it is not extremely graphic, but may be hard for some readers.


I would highly recommend A Dance in Donegal, a debut novel by Jennifer Deibel, to anyone who loves historical fiction. Thank you to Revell and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review, but am happy to do so. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I didn’t know what I was really signing up for by reading this - I never read or remember book descriptions - but I loved the title, cover and I follow the author on IG. And she’s awesome. So I knew I had and wanted to read this.
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Moira loses her mother and is living in Boston 1920 and decided to fulfill her mother’s wish - of Moira going to Ireland. She finds a teaching position in Ballymann and it’s culture shock to the small town life and not understanding the language. (Did her mother never speak Gaelic? Moira said they went to craic and she never picked anything up? It seems unlikely to me as cultural heritage groups like that are very tight and close).
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It’s a rough start for Moira - teaching and becoming friends with the town. A past secret of her mother’s follows her around like a shadow. And you learn a lot about Irish culture, some about superstition and others about rituals.
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It was slow to get into but I liked it. Moira at times was clueless, she made mistakes but she learned and grew. She came to rely and trust in the Lord. Themes of love, forgiveness, redemption and faith are as interwoven in this book as the trinity clover.
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I thought I knew how this book would end and was happily surprised a few times. Definitely need more - a epilogue or something.
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Trigger Warning - brief description of assault.
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Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for an arc copy of this book for an honest review.

A mesmerizing and haunting tale that compels you experience Ireland in a fresh and new way. Moira is summoned to her mother’s homeland for reasons she cannot explain. Her mother is deceased and yet, Moira heeds the call to save her. She agrees to serve as the village teacher and receives a mixed welcome. There is mystery and intrigue surrounding her mom’s life and disappearance and she’s determined to clear her name, even if it puts Moira’s name and life at risk. Sean is the type of charming hero you can’t help but fall for and hope the boy gets the girl. Moira finds herself while there and along the way, finds her way home. I love the internal dialogue between Moira and the Holy Spirit and the memories she reflects on from her mom. A highly recommended debut historical fiction novel.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

Wonderful book! I loved the story and the setting. This books takes you back to Ireland in the 1920s. I loved how Moira in a way came home, even though she wasn’t born there. I liked how she had to deal with the rumors about her and her mother but she had good people who stood by her through it. I liked the romance but I liked that it wasn’t the whole story. I liked that there was a good blend throughout the story. I also liked seeing some of the history of Ireland. I thought the author did a great job!

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was about an Irish girl who returns to Ireland to teach. This was on the request of her mother in America. There was a good storyline and interesting characters. There were lots of problems and sadness but l was pleased it had a happy ending. I do recommend that you read this book.

I liked this historical novel that takes us to an interesting time in Ireland. Deibel has done a good job of immersing us in the culture, legends, and superstitions. I liked learning about the celebrations and rituals, such as those involved in mourning. This aspect of the novel was by far its strong point.

The spiritual issues explored in the novel were good too. Moira wonders why God would lead her to a place that seemed initially good but then became a place of trouble for her. Some of that trouble came because Moira chose to do a hard thing, loving and helping the unlovely. It put her in danger.

This is a good debut effort. Deibel's writing style is easy to read and her characters were well done. I recommend it to readers who would like to experience an Ireland village of a century ago. I look forward to Deibel's next novel.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through I Read With Audra. My comments are an honest and independent review.

Oof. Not going to lie, this was painful.

I went in expecting a light and fluffy read set in the gorgeous country of Ireland, and I suppose I got that but it was so cringey to read that I truly struggled to get through it. I wound up skimming through the later parts, but I read enough that I feel pretty qualified to at least list my pros and cons. I'll alternate between those, in no particular order.

Pro: the vocabulary is really good, and some of the descriptions of settings are clever.

Con: A lot of the dialogue is very cringe. There are quite few info dumps, and the characters always seem to say exactly what they're thinking.

Pro: the food is spot-on. Made me hungry for a big Irish breakfast. The British bacon that looks like American ham is very accurate (and a constant disappointment every time I order bacon here in Scotland).

Con: The romance is excruciating. So much insta-love it gives me physical pain, plus a brief enemies-to-lovers plot (and the briefest, least suspenseful love triangle I've ever seen). Here is a quote from literally her third interaction with the love interest, at a point where he's been nothing but really unpleasant to her:
Heat seeped across her cheeks. Why was she so shaken by this man? Until a moment ago, he'd done nothing but give her a hard time. He'd practically insulted her. And now she was blushing?
Pro: I liked learning about some Irish traditions, like their superstitions and some traditions I can't go into for fear of spoilers. I assume they're relatively accurate, since the author has apparently lived in Ireland for quite a few years.

Con: God literally talks to the main character throughout the book. Like He literally speaks in her head, giving her pep talks and reminding her that she is under His wing, and sends her dreams sometimes. I never enjoy storylines that use God as a plot device, because it feels weird for authors to assume they know how God would behave in any specific situation. But this psychic link was just next-level, and I really wasn't a fan.

Pro: The love interest gets better as the story goes on until I actually almost root for him. Which doesn't sound very positive, I know, but he's horrible at the beginning. Like he grabs her when she's running from a creepy old guy, won't let her leave, and keeps trying to engage her in conversation (granted, he doesn't know about the creep, but he still has no right to demand her attention!). And then he later makes her feel guilty for being rude to him in that scene! Like, seriously? But like I said, by the end of the book I kind of root for him (though I still think he's way too controlling/overprotective).

Con: There's this whole plotline later in the book (minor spoilers) where she cares for a schoolboy who is very sick. Like, almost dying. And I have two issues with this storyline. First, she initially doesn't want to help him because he has been horrible to her. Her friends frame it as an ethical dilemma where she is the only one with the power/responsibility to save him when she literally has no more moral responsibility for his health than they do (and helping him would mean completely abandoning her teaching responsibilities). Second, when she starts nursing him the entire town turns on her. Their motives are a bit vague, jumping back and forth between slut-shaming (you know, because she's spending so much time alone with a teenage boy!), moral admonishment (I think they wanted her to let this clearly neglected boy die because he'd acted out?), and genuine fear of catching the Spanish Flu from her (this one I'm on board with - she spends way too much time hugging people for me to be comfortable in 2021). I hate how this whole "town turns on her" storyline is resolved, too. I hated most of the townspeople and how shallow and judgemental they were, and I was rooting for Moira to ditch them all and just get out of there.

Pro: I like the little touches of cultural differences, like how Moira and her new friend Sinead get confused because the Irish call staple products messages. I have had so many arguments with my Scottish friends about stupid vocab differences, so this is very realistic and was a fun inclusion.

Now I have a few more cons left on my list, and no more pros. So let's finish this.

Con: How on earth does Moira not have any aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. either in Ireland or America? The Irish are not known for their tiny families.

Con: I don't like the plot twist at the end. I think it's a bit silly and anticlimactic and honestly a bit obnoxious.

Trigger Warning (sexual assault)
Final (and, perhaps, biggest) con: There is way too much assault in this book. Not something I enjoy reading, and sometimes it seems to basically just be included as a plot device.

So there you go. I don't really recommend this book, but you've got the list of my thoughts on it to help you decide for yourself. If you do read it, I'd love to know what you think in the comments.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely, faith filled read set in 1920s Ireland.
This is sort of a coming-of-age tale of a young woman, Moira Doherty, who returns to her ancestral roots after her mother's passing in Boston. She is a new teacher and has a lot to learn about the local customs in the small village of Ballymann. I was drawn to the vivid descriptions: "The amber light from the setting sun set her silvery gray hair alight." Scripture was never far away throughout the chapters: "A sense of confirmation took root with her. I will never leave you. I will never forsake you." And, Oh! The tea moments ["cupan tae"] are many: "Mrs. Martin returned carrying two teacups, a kettle, sugar, milk, a few biscuits, some piping hot brown bread, and a dish of butter, all precariously yet perfectly balanced on a decorative tray. "Have a seat, darlin'. Would ya like a little cuppa?" the spry old woman asked, setting it all down on the table. "Yes, please. Moira sighed. The idea of tea brought relief to Moira's tired bones. "Mother made sure I knew the value of a good cuppa." Mrs. Martin chuckled. "She always did enjoy her tea, so she did." Her shoulders quaked with quiet laughter."
The character of Sean McFadden was charming and honorable, as were some others, but many others were not. There is a good balance of both, but one scene may give pause to anyone who has ever experienced sexual abuse; not overly detailed, but you understand the intent.
Fun Quote: "You'll never plow a field by turnin' it over in yer mind"
Glossary of Terms found in the back: I recommend reading those first.
For a first time author, I would say Jennifer Diebel knocked it out of the park! I am happy to recommend A Dance in Donegal thanks with to the publisher for a gifted copy. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.
5 stars = Excellent
Reviews posted & pending approval at: Amazon, B&N, BAM, CBD, GooglePlayBooks, Kobo, as well my IG

A Dance in Donegal will probably be in my top ten of best reads for 2021. I adored this book. The story is so so good. The historical details were so vivid, I felt as though I was transported back in time in the gorgeous and beauty of Ireland. I loved Moira right from the start.

A Dance in Donegal is getting a very well deserved from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading books clean Historical Fiction. I will be eagerly waiting for more by Jennifer Deibel in the future. She has earned herself a new fan.

I received A Dance in Donegal from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

This book was the perfect read to escape back to one of my favorite countries. Moira‘s story was one that you often hear about but with so much more tucked within the pages. I loved her story and often times felt like I was spying on her, as if I was living her story right along side her. Loved reading it!

“Smack in the middle of what God is askin' is the best place for any of us to be.”

It seems God has led Moira Doherty to Ireland to not only fulfill her mother's dying wish, but to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. Many thoughts fill her mind on how things will be for her, but she finds that sometimes dreams shift & become more than she ever thought they'd be.

I loved Moira, she didn't succumb to the veiled whispers behind her back or the furrowed brows of some of the townsfolk as she walked past. Instead, she constantly reminded herself of God's promises & turned to scripture for comfort. My other two favorite characters were Peg & Colm who were foundational to the story (at least in my opinion). They were strong in faith, in character, were loved by everyone and two of Moira's biggest supporters. Sean is our hero; he will surely draw you in with his lilting speech & clever wit. It's quite entertaining to see the banter between Moira and him.

With lyrical prose, Jennifer Deibel drew me in to this richly layered story. Ballymann is steeped in Irish traditions & superstitions and I savored learning about them. The lavishly drawn scenery painted vivid pictures in my mind as I walked in Moira's shoes. Each character was brought to life as the author introduced them. A truly mind-blowing debut by an author to keep an eye on. In conclusion, this novel is a feast for the senses!

Two more favorite passages:

“I remember when it first dawned on me what God was truly sayin'”, Peg continued. “It doensna matter what the world says I am. It doesna matter even what I believe myself to be—and I have some dark thoughts when it comes to me own heart, to be sure. If I believe in the Laird Jesus Christ, and what He did fer me, I canna be condemned.”

“I know ye feel responsible for what happened, but ye canna live in defeat. Ye love the Laird, and ye follow hard after Him. Not a man on earth can condemn ye.”

*I received a complimentary copy and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

The story opens in 1920 in Boston. Twenty-three year old Moira's mother had recently died. Before her death, she had recommended Moira for a teaching position in her home village of Donegal, Ireland. Even though she didn't understand her mother's reasoning or motivation, Moira knew it was important to her mother. After being offered the position and after much hesitation, Moira crossed the ocean and arrived County Donegal. Could this courageous woman make a life in this totally foreign place?

From the beginning of the narrative, there is an under current. Not all the villagers were welcoming. Some were outright threatening. It became obvious it was because of something to do with her mother, but no one would tell her what it was. She was grateful for those that embraced her for they and her faith gave her the strength to try to adapt. Amongst the puzzling and odd occurrences as well as violence there were incredible acts of kindness and even romance.

This story is so well told that readers are pulled into the story from the beginning. Every aspect is vividly brought to life, be it a room or the magnificent scenery. Readers follow the characters through situations that force them to take a deeper look at who they are and who they want to be. Friendship, family, trust and betrayal all factor into their lives. Perfectly paced, this fascinating story deals with faith, forgiveness and love. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.