Having lost everything, Sarah-Ann must find work to support herself and her brother Jim. She ends up as a junior housemaid for an ambitious barrister named Alfred Grand.
Though her work is tough under the critical eye of Mrs. Carr, she catches Mr. Grand's eye. Sarah-Ann and Alfred enter into a practical arrangement where he pays her to be his mistress while he searches for a rich widow to marry and save his house from financial ruin. It's not long, however, before they develop deeper feelings for one another. So, when Alfred begins suffering from a mysterious illness, Sarah-Ann is eager to investigate.
The Ambitious Barrister and the Maid is a quick and easy read. It's the typical formula of two people getting together for a physical relationship, but then falling in love. It's a popular theme in romance, and it's always interesting to see each author's take on it. Especially in the beginning, there is a lot of bedroom time, but it does lessen up some as Alfred's mysterious illness evolves.
At fewer than 100 pages, there's not a ton of room for plot development, which is probably why the mystery was a bit lacking for me. I would have liked to see a couple more twists and turns before the culprit and reason came to light. My preference also would have been to end the story once Sarah-Ann and Alfred settled the status of their relationship instead of wrapping up all the character's lives at the end and giving the reader a glimpse into the future. Dragging it on weakened what was a satisfying ending.
That said, this was a fun read and I'm glad to have indulged myself in this steamy historical novella.
EXCERPT
The man’s eye fell on me. I would have liked to think that he was wholly moved by pity at the sight of the tears welling in the eyes of the scrawny creature that I then was. There was indeed a spark of sympathy in his, but also some calculation.
That might seem to be a long word for a housemaid, but I had been educated to be a young lady.
Mr Grand was a man who thought ahead. He saw something in me that interested him. It wouldn’t do for now, for though sixteen, I had much filling out to do. He was ready to wait, just as he was prepared to wait for the right chance to further his career. He was a man who saw potentials closed to those with a less penetrating gaze. In pursuing his goals, he was patient.
“She will do very well, Mrs Carr,” he gave that cold smile he sometimes used. “That solves your little problem. Now, as to mine –”
The housekeeper was indignant enough to do what servants, even the higher ones, should never do. She cut him off, which was bad enough, and then she contradicted him. “Hardly, Sir. I have no time to train her, and -”
He drew back. She could not have done more to ensure I got the post. He looked down his well shaped nose at her and cut her off in turn. “I just hired the girl, Mrs. Carr. That makes an end to the matter. See about her box and the rest.”
Later on, I was willing to bet, he would see about my box himself.
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I received a free copy of this book from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.
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Great post, thanks for sharing :)
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