The first time I started this book, it did not hook me and I abandoned it. However, I gave it a second chance and really enjoyed it. This is a fictional story of a house maid in the Carnegie household in Pittsburgh in the years of the end of the Civil War. Clara finds herself in the position of lady's maid to Mrs. Carnegie. A friendship forms between Clara and the oldest son Andrew. Clara learns the world of business from Andrew and the two become friends. While fiction, the story is a realistic hypothesis as to the origins of the philanthropy Andrew Carnegie later exhibited.
I received an advanced reader copy via NetGalley.

Carnigie's Maid is yet another book by author Marie Benedict, who penned The Other Einstein, who leaves a smile on my face and a feeling of delight and I read the last sentence. This wonderful story of Clara Kelley who finds, through no fault of her own, herself homeless and penniless after a long journey by ship from Ireland to New York City. Young Clara finds herself as a lady's maid, an occupation she has no reference to nor what to do, for Mrs. Carniege.. After giving it a go she excells as she is smart, intuitive and principled; the story flows smoothly and is enticing. And, she finds she is quite smitten by Mrs. Carniege's son, Andrew Carniege. There is a line "Colonel Anderson's library opend to other employed young men, giving them - me - the ability to check out a book a week" If you've heard of or had the joyous experience of purusing a A Carniege Library, think of Miss Clara Kelley who may have put the idea into Mr. Carniegie's head. This is beautiful story of a young woman's growth, fortitude and her commitment to her knowledge of what is right and kind. I have to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the advanced copy!

I grew up in a small midwestern town and every week I got to go to our beautiful Carnegie library. So I was so excited to read this book and find out more about Andrew Carnegie and his family. And it did not disappoint - I think this could be a great pick for a book club and will definitely recommend it to other bookish friends.

Irish immigrant and daughter of a poor family, Clara Kelley leaves her family to travel to America where she finds herself in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In order to send money back to her family in Ireland, she starts work as as a lady’s maid in Andrew Carnegie's house. The book resonated with me as I myself have Irish family and nationality.

Andrew is one of the country’s richest, most ruthless industrialists. One person's tragedy becomes another's gain, as Clara learns that the lady who was to be the original maid to the Carnegie family passed away during the journey on the boat. It's this event as well as her need to find a way of providing for her family that makes her take the decision to go to the Carnegie's home.

However, as the story evolves, we realise she is not who they think she is. Clara is strong and has a very deep understanding of business. When she gets on better and better with Andrew, her future is at stake......

The book is a very detailed account of life in the USA in the 1890s. From the first page to the last, we are transported back in time to first accompany Clara on her journey across the Atlantic and then through her days in the opulent Carnegie house. Through the author's writing, Clara comes to life, as do Mr and Mrs Carnegie and their son Andrew.

Clara has family in the USA, and we see her cousin's house which is a much poorer house than the Carnegie's house. Nonetheless, their life is better in the USA than back in Ireland. The book is about family relationships, fighting for a better life and finding unexpected friendship.

Clara feels very comfortable in Andrew's company and he admires her. We see how she relates to the family and takes part in discussions as well as is the witness to some fights between them.

The way the story is told is very open and descriptive and the emotions running through the story can get quite raw at times. I really got the feeling that Clara missed her sister Eliza and her family judging from the letters between the two sisters. I found the way that many people spoke to be quite formal, but I suppose that was just how they spoke at that time.

Clara experiences upper class life and in the palatial setting of the Carnegie house and estate. I imagined a Downton Abbey style house and it's interesting to see how different classes lived (the Carnegie family's priveledged life compared to all the difficulties Clara's family face).

Thanks to Marie Benedict and Sourcebooks Landmark for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. Carnegie's Maid is a very well written historical fiction novel that had me absorbed in the writing from start to end.
4 out of 5 stars. I also participated in the blog tour for this title.

Clara Kelley leaves for America seeking employment to help her family in Ireland. She hopes that she will earn enough to keep her family from losing their farm. Her journey by ship was tough and many fell ill and died on the voyage. When she arrives at the dock she hears her name being called by a gentleman seeking a different Clara Kelley. Deciding to take a risk, she follows him to Pittsburgh to take a job as a lady’s maid.

Clara finds herself working in the home of the Carnegie family. She has no training or experience about the responsibilities of a lady’s maid. She learns her role quickly and becomes indispensable to Mrs. Carnegie. She keeps her true identity a secret and one day catches the eye of her employer’s son. He becomes interested in her advice and eventually, a romance starts to form.

I enjoyed Marie Benedict’s first novel, The Other Einstein, so I could not wait to read this book. This was an engaging historical fiction novel about individuals whose lives are dictated by social classes.

I enjoyed this much more than Marie Carnegie's fictional novel on Einstein's first wife, but perhaps because I knew little about Andrew Carnegie, the real character this new story is written around. My issue with the Einstein novel was the way Einstein was portrayed, making him out to be a rather unpleasant character to say the least, and his wife to be the brains behind aspects of some of his theories! Whether 'Carnegie's Maid' takes unfair liberties with Andrew Carnegie I don't know, but in any case Carnegie in the novel is a reasonable fellow... The story is very unlikely—a poor immigrant from Ireland fooling the Carnegie family that she is someone else by the same name, and her romance with Andre Carnegie, but never mind, it is an interesting read and gives insight into the times and the plight of the poor Irish immigrants, especially the women. And I, along with millions of others are grateful for Carnegie's gift of libraries to the US nation (including visitors to the US) and why not enjoy a good fictional story about his life! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy.

Andrew Carnegie is known for building libraries across the world. This is important because even though there were libraries, they could only be used by the rich. The libraries he built were free and anyone could use them.
He is also known for his philanthropy and his desire for every to gain an education. Andrew was also known as the riches man in the world. Who would know that his inspiration was given to him by a ladies maid ,Clara who had made a sea voyage from Ireland. Her father had understand the importance of an education. His daughters had been educated, even when most women didn't get that privledge.
A well written account. Keeps your interest.
5 Stard

<b>4 Steelers’ Stars to Carnegie’s Maid</b> ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

The Author’s Note at the beginning by Marie Benedict sets the stage. In a letter, supposedly steel-hearted Andrew Carnegie professed that he would do more for the immigrants and working class in America. After that time, he founded his famous library, which later led to him being a full-fledged philanthropist. Why was he inspired to change his ways? Marie Benedict has some ideas based on her own family’s experience.

The writing was smooth, and the picture painted had me firmly in Pittsburgh during the time period. It reminded me a bit of Downton Abbey with an upstairs/downstairs feel due to the live-in help and the gossip that ensued. The only drawback I found with the book is that I wasn’t sure if I bought into the theory completely (which I don’t want to give away).

Overall, I found the story to be vivid and detailed. I loved what I learned about Carnegie’s life and time.

Thank you to Marie Benedict, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Netgalley, for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.

<b>Carnegie’s Maid was released on January 16, 2018.</b>

*Why Steelers’ Stars? Because I married a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and anything Pittsburgh related makes me think of the Steelers, and also because of Carnegie’s relationship to the steel mills and the Steel City.

A charming story about the evolution of Andrew Carnegie's philanthropy, and the influence of one young Irish immigrant on his family. Part romance, part feminist tale of struggle, part coming-of-age.

CARNEGIE'S MAID by Marie Benedict is a powerful and heartbreaking tale of love and sacrifice at a time when class, power, and social divisions were the most important thing to uphold.

With times very tough in Ireland and her family being persecuted by a landlord with his own agenda, Clara Kelly finds herself on the boat to America in the hopes of a better life and future for herself and her family back home. And when she inadvertently ends up as a lady's maid for the wealthy Mrs. Carnegie, Clara knows that she must do whatever it takes to make herself indispensable to her ladyship. But Clara did not expect to find a true friend and fellow intellect in the form of Andrew Carnegie, the eldest son of the family. As they discuss politics, business, and life, Clara and Andrew connect on a deep level and their feelings steadily grow for each other. But life is harsh and for Clara to secure a safe and happy future for her family, she may just have to sacrifice her heart ...

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical story even though it broke my heart at times. The poverty in Ireland and America is expertly detailed and adds an important level of depth to the plot. Clara is a wonderful character as she is strong, determined, loyal, and fiercely intelligent in a world which expected women to fade into the background and look pretty. Andrew while not always likeable, is a noble character who saw beyond status to see the real person in Clara, and allowed her to shape him into a more considerate man. I don't know that much about the actual Andrew Carnegie other than that he was a dedicated philanthropist but after reading this fictionalised story I am intrigued to know more about the real man. My only issue with this story is that I would have loved to know more about how Clara's family in Ireland fared but it is only a small gripe.

CARNEGIE'S MAID by Marie Benedict is a compelling historical story that will burrow under your skin and ensnare your heart and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Fast moving and informative historical fiction with a likable heroine. I really enjoyed this! Carnegie’s Maid takes us back in time to 1860s Pittsburgh, and is told from the point of view of Clara, a lady’s maid who works for Mrs Carnegie, Andrew Carnegie’s mother.
Clara was a compelling main character. She’s an Irish immigrant, and the story of immigrants settling in Pittsburgh was not one that I had read before, so I found her story fascinating. Clara is a fictional character, but the way the author, Marie Benedict, has integrated her into the Carnegie’s story was well done.
I found the character of Mrs. Carnegie fascinating, with her tough determination, and wished that we had a bit more of her story. I would’ve loved to have more insight into her thoughts.
One thing I thoroughly enjoyed was the setting of 1860s Pittsburgh. Since much takes place during the Civil War, I found the Pittsburgh setting a bit of a different story in regards to the Civil War. The majority of books I’ve read that take place during the Civil War have been set in the south, so this read brought a different take to what was going on in other parts of the country during that time period.
What I also found fascinating was the Carnegie’s story. How Mrs. Carnegie brought her family over from Scotland, and how she was so determined to be successful in America, and instilled that determination in her son, Andrew. Their story is truly remarkable and fascinating.
Carnegie’s Maid would make an excellent book club read, as it brings a slightly different take on the immigrant story, and also brings into the picture the Carnegie’s story, and the rise of business in America. Discussion points could be the different business practices that the Carnegie’s were involved in, and whether certain business decisions were right or wrong.
I definitely recommend Carnegie’s Maid to those who enjoy historical fiction and those who would like to read about Andrew Carnegie and his rise to success. I wished for a tad more closure at the end of the novel, but that is just a minor quibble I have.
Bottom Line: Fast paced and fascinating historical fiction.

The story is told with a quick and vivid narrative style from the perspective of Clara Kelley, an Irish immigrant. The author’s writing really brings her characters to life, and both Clara Kelley and Andrew Carnegie became interesting characters to follow and root for. This book is a work of fiction, Clara never existed but historians have theorized that Andrew Carnegie’s impetus for philanthropy was caused by a personal relationship. The author has created Clara, the woman who becomes a catalyst in the life of the business tycoon. There is a lot to like about this book, as it is a real page tuner.

The portrayal of America during this historical period seemed relevant, in regards to the the cultural and societal restraints placed upon the characters. Clara Kelley is an Irish immigrant sent to America to save her family. Clara is determined to take her destiny in her own hands but her choices are limited, her family’s survival depends upon her, the wages she sends over to Ireland are their lifeline.

After a case of mistaken identity, Clara gets the opportunity to start working as the Lady’s maid of Mrs. Carnegie, Andrew’s mother. The Carnegie family brings the American dream to fruition. They were destitute when they immigrated to America, but thanks to Andrew’s business savvy, drive and ambition, they are on the verge of becoming major players in the industry. Andrew is the definition of a self-made man and has educated himself about the way of the American business world. Education and research are key to his success.

Clara and Andrew are attracted to one another, they are like-minded and they both have a strong sense of duty to their families. But their relationship is considered inappropriate. Their dilemma was heartbreaking, yet I felt that the author did not convey enough emotion in this part of the story.

This kind of story is the reason why I love well-written and well-researched historical fiction. It was absorbing and captivating. Even if you don’t get all the minute details, you get a general understanding of Carnegie’s character and motivations, and then you can dive into the non-fiction resources with a greater sense of passion.

Loved this book! Full review to come for Blog Tour.

I am bit torn about giving my opinion of this book.
There were parts I enjoyed, like the way author describes and presents America in the 1860s: the historical and social details were bang on and it is clear that a lot of research went into it.
What I was not much impressed with was the fictional part. No matter how hard Marie Benedict tried to wove the fiction into the factual, for me she did not succeed. They were like water and oil: they did not mix well.
I also couldn't buy the idea of "the mysterious woman" who influences Carnegie from the depths of obscurity, probably because I just could not connect the MC, Clara. I found her distant and unrelatable.

Still, I recommend this book to readers of historical fiction.

Based on my rating, you might think I didn't like Carnegie's Maid. That is not true. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Clara Kelley, a poor Irish immigrant sent to the US by her family to make some money to help her family back home in Ireland who were still suffering the aftereffects of the famine.

However, parts of the story did seem slightly fantastical and unbelievable, and more than once the dialogue seemed stilted and very "tell-y" (example: Mrs. Carnegie is often charged with describing the elder Mr. Carnegie's business endeavours as though it was part of a fact-dump, not dialogue.

There were a number of little things that bothered me while reading the book, but ultimately, being on the other side, I enjoyed it.

“To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever.” ― J.K. Rowling
Andrew Carnegie was a Businessman and a Philanthropist, also the richest man during his time. He is known to have contributed immensely is spreading knowledge and helping the ones in need in terms of charity, health care, and education. But before being this man Andrew Carnegie, or Andra, as his mother used to like calling him, was a person madly in love with a woman. A strong, determined woman, with powerful views, Clara Kelly, was his mother’s maid.

The truth behind the story remains unknown, but Marie Benedict has weaved a story around these characters, tying them together with thoughts those could have a tremendous effect on the poor and needy.

Set around the time of Lincon’s death, Clara Kelley arrives in Pittsburgh to look for a job and finds herself stealing another girls job because times are desperate and she is her family’s only hope. That’s how she becomes Mrs. Carnegie’s maid. As the story progresses, Clara and Andrew cross paths and are immediately attracted to each other. Now Clara might seem like a stupid girl, but she is smart and calculative, someone who knows what she is doing. Andrew and Clara find solace with each other not only as two people in love do, but also as friends who have the same thought process, who believe in the same ideologies, and as a teacher who is willing to teach her everything she needs to know about business and making a life for herself, being equals and yet helping the world.

Over time Andrew becomes more and more dependent on Clara but will this relationship succeed? With that question, we dive into the reasons and possibilities behind the drastic change in Andrew’s character, from money maker to actually making a difference in the world, from thinking about personal gains to thinking about immigrants and equal rights.

A book that captured my attention because of the name, because Andrew Carnegie was a hot-shot. There’s a subtle romance going on throughout the book, but the central theme stays the same- ideologies and equal rights, wars and consequences. And the author has done an amazing job to maintain it that way, never deviating from the central topic. And yet, there is also a glimpse on the life of the elites, with the tiniest of details. It looks glorious with their tea-parties and gossips, clothing and hair-styles, which created and very picturesque background for the plot to develop.

A minimalistic take on the personal life of Andrew Carnegie, with a brilliant and vivid description of life in that era, overall, this was an almost realistic take on what could have possibly happened which resulted in the rise of a simple man to the first true philanthropist and the richest man of his times.

4.5 star read.

I am a fan.

This was my first Marie Benedict book, but I am now anxious to read The Other Einstein since I enjoyed this book so much.

"Carnegie's Maid" is historical fiction at its best. It interweaves Clara Kelly's fictional story to that of "Andrew Carnegie's transformation from ruthless industrialist into the world's first true philanthropist."

The focus of this story is really Clara's life - she was shipped from Galway, Ireland to America, in hope of finding a job in service or in a factory; allowing her to send her earnings back home to help support her family who are still suffering the effects of the Irish potato famine. Instead, she lands a job in the Carnegie household, an error in identity providing her with a way out of poverty.

What follows are "journal type" entries (not a formal journal, but all in the first person narrative and dated) of her life with the Carnegies. We get a glimpse into what shaped Andrew Carnegie's work-ethic, his relationship with his mother and brother Tom, and we also get a sense of his belief that all people are created equal and deserve the chance to a better life. Clara's relationship with Andrew is that of not only romantic interest (all very proper), but also an intellectual one. In her, he finds a sounding board to his ideas, and was challenged by her own ideas.

Clara was a well developed character. Perhaps it was a little far-fetched to believe that Andrew Carnegie would have sought out the opinion and advice of his mother's lady's maid, but their relationship was lovely to watch unfold.

This is not a book that is full of tension, nor does it have a "mysterious twist". This is simply a well written story of what "might have been"/ "could have been". The entire thing was written in a way that transported the reader to Pittsburgh during the American Civil War, and brought to light what was happening in Ireland at the same time.

Well written, highly enjoyable. A book in which you can simply escape the reality of the every day.

Recommended.

Clara Kelley arrives in the U.S. set on finding work that will help support the family she left behind in famine-ravaged Ireland. Through a weird twist of fate, she lands a job as a lady’s maid in the prestigious Carnegie home but she has to keep who she really is, a lowly Irish Catholic farmer’s daughter, a secret. Can she keep that secret when she and Mr. Andrew Carnegie start a secret friendship that could potentially lead to more?

Throughout the novel, you see a few different experiences of Irish immigrants in the U.S. Many crossed the Atlantic for better economic opportunities because of the potato famine. For the lower classes, this means living in Slab Town in shanty. For the upper classes, they can enter service where their influence is respected. The differences are shown in the book and they are striking. Even when they got to the U.S., there was a class system waiting for them.

There's a quote on the cover that says this book is perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and it's is 100% correct. It's an easy-paced read with interesting historical context. This is one of my favorite kinds of historical fiction - not too lovey-dovey with plenty to learn. It's not extremely exciting but very engaging.

Carnegie’s Maid

by Marie Benedict

Carnegie’s Maid, a work of historical fiction, attempts to explain what could have caused Andrew Carnegie, a ruthless businessman, to become a philanthropist and founder of the Carnegie Libraries. As a former impoverished Scottish immigrant, he fights his way to the top echelons of America’s monied, sometimes stepping on the backs of other immigrants to get there. Author Marie Benedict has created a lady’s maid from Ireland who is on a mission to support her Irish Catholic Fenian family. Her Clara is hard-working, smart, and focused. An opportunist, she takes the place of another Clara becoming a lady’s maid rather than a scullery maid making herself privy to the family’s secrets and business machinations.

As seen in Benedict’s other excellent work of historical fiction, The Other Einstein, the novel Carnegie’s Maid demonstrates the author’s intensive research and attention to detail. As I read I found myself wishing for a main character based on an actual person as in The Other Einstein. I assume the details and records of Carnegie’s life are just too sketchy to provide such a character. Benedict has taken the immigrant culture of the times, the certainty that Carnegie’s mother would have had a lady’s maid, the mystery of Carnegie’s altruism, and his delay in marriage as the basis for her fictional Clara. There is much more supposition in this book, but it is well written and not outside the realm of possibility.

I enjoyed the tale with its details about the difficult lives of the Irish both in Great Britain and in the United States. It paints a picture of the U.S. as a very difficult land of opportunity, with no handouts, and even fewer options for women. Gender, ethnic background, religion, money, family, and education all play a role in the highly stratified, unofficial class systems of the time.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Sourcebooks Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Historical Fiction

Notes: by the author of The Other Einstein

Publication: January 16, 2018—Sourcebooks Landmark

Memorable Lines:

“These Catholic Irish running from the havoc wreaked by their famine and pouring onto American shores are not like the hard-working Protestant Irish who immigrated in earlier years. This new Catholic crop is rough and uneducated, and they’ll destroy the fabric of this country’s shaky democracy if we let them, especially in these days of Civil War unrest, just like they did back home in Scotland when they stole factory jobs away from Scottish men and women. An Irish Catholic servant might suffice as a scullery maid but not as my personal maid.”

For whom was I crying? for all the immigrants like the Lambs, who came to America seeking a better life but settled instead for a soot-infested home and dangerous work in the mills and gave thanks for it?

For the first time, I realized how alike my situation was to that of Mr. Carnegie. Although the scale was quite different, the stakes were not. The well-being of both our families rested on our success.

Arriving on the pungent and crowded dock after a tumultuous voyage across the sea, Clara Kelley was happy to finally see the land she'd dreamed so much of. An immigrant from Ireland to America, she came to this new land of opportunity with a supreme goal in mind - make enough money to send to her family back home and sustain them as things with their tenement farm was on shaky ground. It was her duty.

Initially intent upon finding work at a local mill and bunking in with her extended family on the outskirts of Pittsburgh proper, fate shoved Clara into an entirely different direction. Hearing her name being called at the docks was unexpected, but she rose to the challenge - albeit wondering how the well-dressed gentleman knew her name and that she'd be descending from this particular vessel on this very specific day. But after a few questions and a stilted carriage ride with two posh looking young ladies who obviously bore higher stations than she, Clara realized the man had made a mistake. The Clara Kelley he was looking for - a young lady from overseas set to be a lady's maid for the wealthy Mrs. Carnegie - never got off the boat. Instead, the present Miss. Kelley slid into her place like so much silk over ivory skin, determined to make the best of her surprise stroke of luck.

Working for Mrs. Carnegie was never going to be easy, and Clara expected as much right from the start. Growing up a simple farm girl, Clara had no idea how the routines of a great lady's bedchamber went, how to procure the classiest style of wardrobe from the best dressmaker, or how to prepare the prettiest and most high-fashion coiffure available. And it's not as if Clara has any help from the other servants in the great house; other than the boisterous cook Mr. Ford, no one has any use for her, jealous as they are of her elevated station in their rather equal lines of work. Her spirits sink even lower when letters from home begin to arrive - both from her family and from the sweetheart that the real Miss. Clara Kelley left behind. Every day she wakes up she is reminded that she is living a life that does not belong to her, but she also can not afford to tell anyone the truth.

Doing her best to be virtually indispensable to Mrs. Carnegie helps fill Clara's days, and she is not blind to the subtle perks to be had while catering to one of the city's wealthiest families. It doesn't take long for Clara to become more accustomed to the other residents in the home, namely Andrew Carnegie, her mistress's eldest son. The two strike up a curious bond over poetry that slowly builds into a familiarity that skirts the edge of improper, and Clara must make sure she is taking all the necessary steps to keep the budding relationship in as much of her control as possible.

She admires the handsome ginger-haired man; Andrew Carnegie has made a name for himself not only in the city of Pittsburgh, but all over the eastern seaboard. His expertise in finance and the right amount of risk-taking has helped catapult the railroad he works for into a status of absolute need and desire, and with the war coming to a close and residents beginning to travel again, Carnegie has also become instrumental in making those travels one full of luxury. But of all the things that hold his interest, the quietly charming Miss. Kelley is the most intriguing. Although he must court her in complete secrecy, Mr. Carnegie is determined to add her to his catalog of investments.

Warned by her friend Mr. Ford and with her mind full of bad news written of from home, Clara is all but hopeless that a match between she and Mr. Carnegie can be made. Letter after letter from her sister in Ireland proves to be more and more despairing, and she is desperate to figure out how to help her family's circumstance as best she can from so far away. Will Clara be able to attain those things she wishes for most in this world - love from a wonderful man, financial stability for herself and her relatives, and a reunion of those she loves most? Or is she destined to be nothing more than a poor immigrant with no prospects at all, other than that of liar and impostor?

Author Marie Benedict plays with a marriage of history and fiction in her newest novel, Carnegie's Maid. Using her own spin on how famed Andrew Carnegie transitioned himself and his fortune from that of innovative industrialist to philanthropist and rich sharer of libraries and knowledge to one and all, Benedict chooses a romantic path that includes a nod to her own heritage in immigration. While Carnegie was known as one of the richest men in America and has gone down in industrialist and investment history, little is known about why he chose to switch paths so quickly from an employer that offered poor working conditions and notoriously low pay to benefactor for the less fortunate. Using a forbidden romance as the reason for this drastic change of opinion, Benedict sheds a new light on a formative figure of American history.

While the book was full of historic reasoning and proper romance, I am left giving the book 4 out of 5 stars. At times the dialogue felt a bit too much like a lesson from school; more often than not I found the emotional quality and human aspect of the speech to be lacking. I was appreciative at the slow build of the romance between Clara and Andrew, but I felt that the ending left the reader feeling there was no resolution. It is understandable that Benedict could not write Clara and Carnegie as a married couple, but she also did not leave readers with any real sense over what happened after Clara departed the home. All in all, the epilogue could have been much better. I also admired the delicate way in which Benedict handled some of Carnegie's well-known faults in business (how he treated his employees, insider information, social-climbing, etc.) Her angle was well thought out and diplomatic, and very much from Clara's point of view.

I recommend this book to lovers of a proper/clean romance and of American history, as the depictions of Carnegie are rather interesting as the author delves into his mind and reasonings. The human aspect of Clara as an immigrant and her formidable forward-thinking as a woman is admirable and full of female empowerment. Readers may also be interested in Benedict's first novel, The Other Einstein, which offers an interesting take on renowned physicist Albert Einstein's first wife, who was an accomplished woman in her own right.