About the Book:

In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy’s father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family–descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.

Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family’s jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the “lies” the Claddagh Ring promises.

Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the “other side” isn’t quite as barbaric and uncultured as they’d been led to believe–and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner’s fire.

Travel to the Emerald Isle for another poignant and romantic story from the enchanted pen of Jennifer Deibel.

My Thoughts:

The history of Ireland is so heartbreaking. This story brings the struggle to life reminding us that we can’t just lump everyone together and make broad statements about entire people groups. By bringing curiosity and compasion to the foreground Deibel tells a story of wounds, of love, of priorities rearranged and of hope. Beautiful and difficult the relationship between Stephen and Anna, the Irish and the English, challenges us to open our hearts and see past the hurt to the person standing right in front of us.

I received a free digital galley in exchange for my honest opinion.