4.5 ⭐, .5🌶️- What a cute rom com read! I really enjoyed reading this ARC. I was hooked within the first few chapters. I loved the plot. It's so cute that she is his maid and he's a billionaire, but they have never met. I love the Cinderella Vibes it gave without it being too cheesy. I just was so excited to dive into this romance novel. Lynn Painter was able to give all the emotions that a person would have when they are in a fake dating relationship. I just really enjoyed this book so much and how each MC was really able to give their side of the story. I'm not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope but was thankful that even though there was a touch of it in the story, it didn't pull me away from finishing the story.


Favorite Quote:
“I’m fairly certain no amount of money could tame your brat factor so i appreciate the effort.”


Tropes: Forced Proximity, Fake Dating, Billionaire


Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this book! I've yet to read a book by Lynn Painter that I don't like! I loved the fake dating aspect of this book and although third act break ups aren't my favourite, she did it in a way that worked with the story line and made me fall in love with the characters even more.

In a hilarious catastrophe of events, Abi the maid has found herself in a predicament: either pose as mega-wealthy business-bro Declan’s girlfriend ‘Abby’ for the weekend at his companies retreat, or Declan will turn her into the police for crashing in his apartment. Seems obvious, right?

Except Abi is the stark opposite from Declan in every sense. Abi has worked her whole life to earn her MFA, taking on multiple part time jobs and crappy apartments to afford the minimum on her tuition loans. Her single mom is flaky and boy-crazy, and her idea of good furniture is the cheapest option from IKEA. Declan, on the other hand, is a Harvard finance-bro and heir to his family’s high-end furniture store fortune. Recently appointed VP of the company that bought his family’s chain, Declan needs to prove himself as a reliable family man, and has done so under the guise of a fake girlfriend, Abby. So when his night maid, Abi, accidentally is caught sleeping over by his parents, everything falls into place for a classic fake-dating scheme.

In a princess and the pauper, fake-dating, forced proximity, enemies to lovers trope filled romcom, Lynn Painter once again succeeds in serving up a hilarious and steamy tale that will have you kicking your feet and squealing. Abi is a sassy and lovable female lead with an ambition for writing and a mistrust of the overly wealthy, while Declan is the classic stoic, overly protective man with a hidden heart of gold. What more could you ask for?

Fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, Christina Lauren, Ali Hazelwood, and Ashley Poston will love!

4.75 ⭐️

first and foremost i need to thank netgalley & the publisher for gifting me an arc of this book. i adore lynn painter & am so thankful to get the opportunity to read this early.

i truly adored this story. i was immediately so sucked in and didn't want to stop reading. the characters were so loveable, had such strong chemistry, and the best banter. if we loved "better than the movies", you will not be disappointed with this one.

i love a good fake dating romance, but the "rich x poor" trope was something i had yet to dabble into. i wouldn't say that i'd pick up a book just because of the trope, but it worked well here. this was super fast paced and super fun. i was in a terrible book slump going into this, and it totally pulled me out.

my only complaint was the lack of depth in the side characters (i feel like the whole "we go weeks without talking but she's my best friend" is just an excuse to not flesh out the character) and the fact that it wasn't mentioned whether they tell dexes family that their relationship was fake to begin with.

most definitely go preorder this!

This was so silly and fun! Lynn Painter is the queen of crazy meet cutes. Fake dating is my favorite trope so I really enjoyed their dynamic. I love a humble billionaire too. I did find the 3rd act breakup or the reason they weren’t together a bit unbelievable but I still enjoyed the drama and watching them reconcile.

Lynn Painter has done it again! Maid for Each Other is a fantastic fake-dating romantic comedy that hooked me from page one. I knew right away this would be a hit, and by the halfway mark, I was already wishing it would never end. Painter’s signature wit, addictive storytelling, and irresistibly endearing characters make this novel an absolute must-read. It's pretty common for me to have a few chuckles while reading a rom-com but on numerous occasions, I was hysterically laughing throughout this book!

One of my favorite things about her writing is how effortlessly it plays out like a movie in my mind—I could practically see every scene unfold, and yes, I’ve mentally cast all the characters lol! If you’re looking for a swoon-worthy, feel-good romance that will sweep you off your feet, Maid for Each Other is an easy five-star must-read. Don’t miss this gem!

Maid for Each Other was a cute romance read!

In this book, Abi, a house cleaner and aspiring writer, is thrown into a fake relationship with Declan Powell, one of her millionaire clients. This rom-com seemed like a mix of Pretty Woman and Maid in Manhattan. The characters were funny and entertaining, although Declan was a bit standoffish and serious at first. But as he got to open up and spend more time with Abi, he became more likable. I admired Abi's hardworking nature and passion for writing. It was especially fun to read about all of their adventures and travels during their fake relationship.

If you enjoy reading enemies-to-lovers fake dating romance books, then Maid for Each Other is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC.

If you're into kicking your feet and giggling, this one is for you.
Grumpy/Sunshine, He Falls First, Fake Dating. 5 Star Rom-Com for meeeee!

As a professional cleaner, Abi Mariano never thought her apartment would have any sort of infestation, but because of a building-wide outbreak, she now needs somewhere to stay for a week. As a part-time student with two jobs, she doesn’t have many options. Then the solution presents itself: the owner of the penthouse she cleans is out of town for the week. She normally wouldn’t consider it, but he’s literally never around (she’s never even met him). It goes great…until she comes out of the bedroom one morning to find two strangers in the kitchen. They’re the parents of the penthouse owner and they seem to think they’ve heard all about Abi—not as their son’s maid, but as his girlfriend.
Declan Powell has always put his career first, working his way up to executive vice president at Hathaway Holdings, but he still has his eyes set on the next level. When his parents mention they met his girlfriend Abi, he all but chokes on his escargot. As great as it sounds that she was just darling, he doesn’t actually have a girlfriend—he made her up to get everyone off his back. When Dex finds out who Abi really is, he makes her a proposition: pretend to date him, and he’ll provide everything she needs during their little arrangement. What harm would it do? It’s purely business, no pleasure…right?

Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Publishing Group for the ARC of this book!

Maid for Each Other
by Lynn Painter
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date: 07/15/2025

3.75 stars
I ate this book up. The fmc, Abi, is a maid/masters student/and grocery store worker. She’s trying to make it out of the trenches essentially. One of the apartments she was cleaning belonged to billionaire Declan Powell. They come to a fake dating agreement, and Declan slowly defrosts as he gets to know Abi.

I really enjoyed the slow build up of friendship between the two. She’s was winning over all of his friends and family with her charming personality.
I felt like some parts of this were a little slow. I think the chemistry and tension in the “smut” scenes was missing.

Overall I do recommend giving this a try if you’d like a charming and cutesy read.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter is a sweet and engaging fake-dating romance. While the trope has been done plenty of times, Abi and Declan’s chemistry, along with a strong supporting cast, keeps the story moving at a quick pace. It’s a great choice for summer reading, especially for romance fans who enjoy something light, character-driven, and full of heart. I will recommend to readers who want something fun for a trip to the pool or the beach. I look forward to what is next from Lynn Painter.

a classic lynn painter fake dating romance with a loveable curly-haired redhead fmc and a tall mmc who’s so down bad for her!! this book was adorable 💕💕

thank you to berkley publishing group and netgalley for the advanced readers copy!!

What a cute story!! This was a cheesy, feel-good read that had me giggling at the silliness and sweetness of Abi and Declan. When Abi spends the night at one of her client's houses while he is out of town, she doesn't expect to wake up and meet his whole family... interestingly enough, Declan had created a fake girlfriend named Abby to keep his meddling parents off his back. What starts as a fake date turns into something so real these two can't deny their feelings.

This book is the perfect pick me up read!!

I've loved many of Lynn Painter's books so I was down to review this one. And, at first, I was charmed. Maid for Each Other begins when Abi decides to stay in an apartment that she's cleaning while her apartment is being fumigated for bugs. The owner, Declan, is out of town so she thinks no one will notice, but his parents show up and--it's a rom com-- think she is his girlfriend. But, although I enjoyed it, I didn't love it quite as much as I love Painter's other works.

It turns out Declan has been pretending he has a girlfriend named Abby so his parents will quit pressuring him to find a girlfriend. When he sees how happy his parents are about meeting Abi, he asks her if she will go with him to a cocktail party for work and pretend to be his girlfriend. When they are at the party, everyone loves her (and Declan thinks she’s pretty great too) so he asks her if she will pretend a little longer. Declan comes from a wealthy family and is a successful executive at an investment company. He’s got a big shareholders' event coming up the following weekend and he’s in line for a big promotion at work. He thinks fake dating Abi might help him clinch it.

Abi is struggling to get by, working several jobs and going to school and is not excited about being his fake date. It makes her uncomfortable to be around wealthy people with mansions and fancy cars, while she sees so many other people struggling to get by. But she has a lot of school loans to pay off so when Declan offers to pay her to be there with him, she decides to go for it.

It's fun when a glam crew shows up to do her hair and clothes. She impresses everyone at the event and has fun teasing Declan by telling fake stories about romantic things she says he’s done - everyone laughed (including me). The two begin to see each other and, as they do, their fake relationship becomes real.

One of the things that was awkward in the second half of the story was Abi’s dislike of the lifestyles of the rich and famous. It felt like this cast a shadow over her and Declan’s romance. But I still enjoyed this romcom full of witty banter, spicy times and funny situations. Declan was a sweet book boyfriend who came through with the perfect grand gesture in the end to win Abi.

It’s no secret that Lynn Painter is one of my favorite authors and while I had some quibbles with this story, it ended up winning me over with its entertaining situations and playful romance. It gets a qualified recommendation from me.

What happens when a maid gets caught sleeping in a billionaire's apartment? Fake dating obviously. This was a great romcom with a fun and light premise and interesting plot line! It was very easy to get into and the characters were easy to care about. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters and their friends. I did feel that the descriptions of the characters got slightly repetitive (repeated adjectives etc) closer to the end, and it did feel slightly like she let go of her values just because he was a good person, so her original critique of billionaires felt less meaningful. Aside from that, this is a very light and fun quick read if you are looking for a romance!

This book was PERFECTION!!! Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved it! Lynn Painter knows how to write a romance! I love a fake dating trope and this one did not disappoint! I highly recommend it!

well. i can't say i'm surprised, after what isabel has told me about lynn painter's recents.

lynn painter always does a great job at making her books bingeable, something to be consumed instead of savored. except i always end up consuming it so fast, that it gives me indigestion. but you know what was faster than the time i spent reading it? the romance in this. you’re telling our main couple says the big L word after two weeks of meeting each other? i am all for unrealistic romances and tales that sweep us off our feet and whatnot. but come on, guys. lynn painter has better romances (i think?) than this! her ya works are always so much better; i felt this in mr. wrong number too, her only other adult work i’ve read. for both, the premise was good, but the execution fell so flat. the characters? i wouldn’t even be able to get you started, because they only had one personality trait, not gonna lie. everything about this was so weak and underdeveloped, like flour, eggs, and milk thrown into a pan and tossed in the oven without being mixed and expecting a cake to just appear out of thin air.

my expectations weren’t high, but i felt like this was even lower than the bar i had set for it. i apologize, berkley publishing and netgalley, but i swear i thought i would like it. i didn’t expect to not like it as much as i did.

maybe next time, lynn painter.

Maid for Each Other features Abi, grad student and maid and Declan, billionaire with a heart of gold. When Abi needs to crash somewhere when her apartment is being fumigated, she decides to Goldilocks it up at Declan’s empty penthouse. She is inevitably caught, but mistaken for his made up girlfriend, also conveniently named Abby.

This was okay. I love Lynn Painter’s writing style, it’s always charming, but it felt like this was missing something that made it lack a bit of shine. Abi was pretty delightful and kooky, charming Declan and everyone in Declan’s life so easily.

Declan was fine, but maybe a little flat? I feel like I know nothing about about him and I’m not sure what Abi fell for besides being a very generous dude. And like, this is not the time in society for billionaires unfortunately. (But that one might be on me)

The pace in this was very quick, but it also felt like there was no time for any emotions to get too big and messy. Everything was neat and tidy and wrapped with a bow.

Overall, totally fine but not a standout from a very excellent author, for me.

Lynn Painter is hands down one of my favorite authors. This book is excellent work, no exceptions. I read the book in one day, when I was only supposed to read “ a few pages”. You get fully immersed in the plot, her characters are so lovable and you absolutely need to “know what happens”! I need her books to become movies! She used Taylor Swift and Gilmore Girls references that immediately makes me think she and I could be besties. I hope she never stops writing.

(Thank you to Netgalley & Berkley Publishing for the opportunity to read this arc)

The way I devoured this in less than 24 hours means once again, Lynn Painter NEVER misses !!!!! So much fun, it had all the banter and charm I could ever want in a romcom. WHEN HE BOUGHT HER A PLANE TICKET TO COME TO NYC FOR THE DAY…. YEAHHHHHH

okay this was really good! i would say about 3.75 stars. it definitely took me some time to be invested in the storyline - i wasn't too attached to the characters. i really enjoyed the romance and their banter though!! thank you netgalley for the arc!!