"A Dance in Donegal" by Jennifer Deibel

Moira Doherty loved the stories her mother would tell of her upbringing in Ireland. After her mother's death, Moira has the opportunity to move to her mother's home village to teach school and experience the Irish culture for herself.

This book reads like a debut novel, and since it is in fact a debut novel, one can't hold that against it too much. For about half the book, it seemed like the writing style would be my biggest complaint. However, around the 45% mark, things took a sharp turn to territory that I as a reader did not enjoy entering into. While I already did not relate to the main characters, suddenly they became intensely unlikable and their actions beyond comprehension. From that point, nothing proceeded naturally—not the characters, nor the plot, nor the emotional, spiritual, or physical journeys of the characters. 

Each reader will have their own experience. Many have read this book and loved it. I wish I could have been one of them! If there is one thing in this book's favor, it's the strong descriptions of Ireland, which the author comes by authentically, having lived in the country herself.

Content warning: gossip, ostracism, leaving someone to potentially die alone, sexual assault, murder.

I received my copy of the book from Read With Audra. All thoughts in this review are my own.