Maid In Mayfair

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Regency Romance

SERIES: Rags to Richmonds #1

THE PREMISE: After recently learning the truth about his parentage and his family’s secret, Lord Oakley discovers a maid working at a house party with a startling resemblance to himself and his grandmother. Could they be related? And if yes, can she take her rightful place in his family?

WHAT I LOVED:

• It’s a Traditional Regency Romance, It’s a Series, It’s Jessie & Amy: I’m in love with this concept and collaboration. Big congratulations to Jessie Lewis and Amy D’Orazio on this project – it is already off to a brilliant start! The premise of separated siblings learning of each other’s existence and reuniting with each other is compelling and exciting to explore. Readers who adore these authors for their Austenesque works and follow them over to this series will immediately become invested in the Richmond family and their lives.

• Lord Kemerton: Giving us some Mr. Darcy vibes with this one. He was super swoony. Although he can be a little stiff socially and has a proud bearing, Lord Kemerton is a loyal friend with a strict moral code for himself and others.  Oh, and did I mention he is impossibly handsome? I loved this character – I loved his patience and gentleness. He reveals himself to be very considerate and supportive. And I appreciated all the ways he listened, the way his actions spoke of his feelings, and his overall selflessness and sincerity.

• Adelaide’s Journey: Physically, mentally, emotionally – Adelaide is experiencing a lot. Years of feeling unwanted and unloved. Years of not having any friends or loved ones surrounding her. Years of back-breaking work as a housemaid. And then it all suddenly and drastically changes on her. And it isn’t easy. While Adelaide tries her best to adapt to these changes and assume her rightful place in her family and in society, she struggles. These struggles and Adelaide’s insecurities and doubts felt understandably real, and I appreciated the authentic and perceptive portrayal of Adelaide’s mindset and emotions during her journey.

• Family Relationships: I appreciated the different dynamics we see Adelaide experience with each member of the Richmond family. The easy-going and playful rapport with her brother, the instructive yet caring exchanges with her aunt, and the quiet, tense, and guilt-ridden relationship she shares with her uncle. Each has its own path with twists and bumps along the way. One element that stood out it in these relationships is the disparity Adelaide felt – both with her previous familial relationships and more specifically with Lord Oakley and how their different upbringings brought about differences in their natures and behaviors.

• Downstairs to Upstairs: London society is difficult to navigate no matter who you are – but imagine being thrust into after spending years as a maid and then receiving very little preparation before your debut… Adelaide’s reactions to it, her missteps, and the treatment she receives from other all felt very credible and real. These challenges and experiences understandably exacerbate Adelaide’ emotional turmoil and doubts during this time.

WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:

• Small Quibbles: Just two areas I wish we saw some more – what is the hero’s why for falling in love with Adelaide (while she is vulnerable with him and opens up to him, it felt like something else was missing) and what causes the Lord Tipton to become more like his father (in the prequel he seemed much more open-minded and compassionate).

NOTE: There is a prequel novella for this series – The Prodigal. While it isn’t completely necessary to read before this book, I’d recommend doing so as it gives more backstory about the Richmond brothers and Adelaide’s parents.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

📖  Discoveries and drama abound for the Richmonds as family secrets unfold!

🧹 A Cinderella like story about finding family, love, and where you belong.

👏🏼  Engaging and enthralling – fans of Jessie Lewis and Amy D’Orazio will be delighted!

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