Lynn Painter's "Maid for Each Other" is a delightful and laugh-out-loud romantic comedy. It's a fun twist on the "fake dating" trope, with a maid service owner and a grumpy client finding their fake relationship turning into something very real. Painter's writing is witty and the chemistry between the leads is undeniable. It's a lighthearted and charming read, perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good rom-com.

I adore Lynn Painter! This story reminded me of Maid in Manhattan meet Pretty Woman (minus the prostitution) with it’s own Lynn Painter twist.

Abi Mariano is following her dream of being a creative writer professor and working two jobs to make ends meet.

Declan is trying to get promoted within his financial investment firm and hitting road blocks as a single man in his 30s.

A random meet up between Abi (who was cleaning and squatting in Declan’s apartment) and Declan’s parents who assume she’s his girlfriend, leads to a plan of getting him promoted and paying off Abi’s student loans.

The character growth and conflicts in this book are what make it shine. I could see some of the conflicts on the horizon as I read, but there were some unpredictable twists. Declan is the ultimate cinnamon role once he gives into Abi’s demands, and Abi is a headstrong woman bent on making her dreams come true.

If this was a movie, I’d definitely watch it, and I don’t watch many movies.

4 stars

Abi and Declan are such sweetheart. But, is it wrong that I’m crushing on Roman instead?

Lynn Painter did it again. It’s cute and fluffy. Who knew a bouquet of epipens and inhaler could be romantic? The dialogue is fast-paced and rely on banter. Some chapters conveyed overlapping information, like the charity that Declan was hiding. In the last chapters, Lauren came in to tell Abi about Roman’s secret project but we already knew that from his pov chapter. It would create more suspense if that is the first time readers know about it too.

There were dome plot holes, like Nana knowing Abi that didn’t come in full play for anything necessary. Although I could never forget how Benny’s is good for wholesale supplements :)

I like Abi and Declan together, and they have and could teach each other about different perspective in life. However, on their own, they seem a little unlikable. Abi keeps iterating about how Dec is rich, take it for granted. Basically, a nepo baby. But, we don’t see from Dec’s chapter refuting it either. She believes it too much that it pushes the narrative to the reader that he is a one dimensional character. It would be more challenging, if she realizes that even if Dec is rich, he is more than his money, more than something he is born with. Yes, having money is a privilege. How you act and what you do with it is how you not let it define you.

Overall, you can’t go wrong with any Lynn Painter’s book. The main characters’ chemistry is always sizzling. But, a revise on some overlapped info would make the story cohesive.


Many thanks to NetGalley and Lynn Painter for the ARC. All opinions are of my own.

Cute story with interesting characters and fun banter.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced digital copy.

This is the first Lynn Painter book that I have read and I immediately ran to my library to put the rest of her books on hold.

Cute, funny, with two wildly different characters finding the missing pieces of themselves in one another. It's a beautiful story with hilarious dialogue, Not super steamy (one or two kind of closed door scenes) so it reads a bit YA but that didn't bother me a bit. The characters were mature, the story fast paced, and it was simply fabulous. Five stars from this tough critic!

Lynn Painter has done it again. This actually might be one of my favorite books of hers to date! She nails the forced proximity/one bed trope every. time. and her ability to write lighthearted but gripping romances is unmatched!

This book follows Abi and Declan. Abi is your stereotypical frazzled, broke, whirlwind of a female main character and I loved her. She works two jobs to pay her way through grad school, one of which is cleaning the apartment of billionaire workaholic Declan. While he's out of town she stays at his apartment because her own is being fumigated, and her parents walk in on her. But - surprise! It turns out Declan has been lying to his family and colleagues about a fake girlfriend, so Abi assumes the role of his fake girlfriend for just one weekend... which quickly turns into longer.

I love love loved Abi and Declan's romance. Declan was broody but weirdly hilarious (in the beginning, he calls her honey a few times in the most condescending/mocking way and it was perfection). Declan was understandably very alarmed when he found out Abi had been living in his house, so I liked that their relationship started from a point of genuine distaste, and the fake girlfriend trope was done out of sheer and reluctant necessity. Declan is also so generous (perhaps unrealistically so...) but seriously, the things he does for her?? The diamond necklace?? Everyone deserves a Declan. I think any romance reader will adore this book as much as I did!

Thank you so much to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC!!

Maid for Each Other was fun. Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun! I loved it. Dexter and Abi meeting was both awkward and highly entertaining. Her pretending to be his already made-up fake girlfriend was a twist on the fake dating trope that I haven't read very often before and enjoyed. The best part, though, was Dexter and Abi falling in love. It was all so swoony! The way they got to know each other, the things they did to show their feelings, and all the rest of it was so sweet and fun. Dexter and Abi were absolutely adorable. I couldn't get enough of them and their romance. I didn't want this book to end. It was hilarious and heartwarming. Now I'm stuck waiting for Lynn Painter to grace us with her next romantic comedy because I know it will be just as amazing as Maid for Each Other. Her books always are.

Lynn Painter has done it again with Maid for Each Other, a delightful, laugh-out-loud romance that mixes humor, charm, and a touch of sweetness. Abi Mariano, a professional cleaner juggling two jobs and part-time studies, never imagined her life would be interrupted by a building-wide infestation. Forced to leave her apartment, Abi’s options for a place to stay are slim—until she realizes that the penthouse she cleans is empty for the week. The owner, Declan Powell, is always MIA, so she figures staying there is no big deal. That is until she walks out of the bedroom one morning and finds Declan’s parents in the kitchen, who are convinced she’s his girlfriend.

Cue the hilariously awkward twist: Declan, a high-powered executive who’s way more focused on his career than his love life, has no idea who Abi is but is suddenly stuck in a lie. His parents have apparently heard all about their wonderful "relationship," and in an attempt to smooth things over, Declan creates an entire backstory to explain the situation. When he learns the truth about Abi, he makes her an offer: pretend to date him, and he’ll take care of all her needs during this little arrangement. What could possibly go wrong? It’s strictly business… right?

Maid for Each Other is pure rom-com magic. Abi is a character you’ll instantly root for—smart, funny, and incredibly relatable as she works to balance her hectic life. Declan, meanwhile, is the kind of charming but slightly clueless guy who’s easy to fall for, even as he digs himself deeper into his own web of lies. Their fake dating dynamic is full of humorous moments, but it also gradually reveals a deeper, more heartfelt connection. The chemistry between them is electric, and it’s easy to see why these two opposites attract.

Lynn Painter’s writing is sharp, witty, and brimming with heart. She has a remarkable ability to blend humor with emotional depth, making Maid for Each Other the perfect rom-com to escape into. The banter between Abi and Declan is hilarious, but it’s the moments of vulnerability and genuine growth that make their relationship so endearing. What starts out as a fake relationship quickly turns into something real, with both characters learning valuable lessons about love, trust, and the importance of being true to themselves.

If you're a fan of funny, feel-good romances with a healthy dose of charm and wit, Maid for Each Other is a must-read. Lynn Painter has once again crafted a story that will make you laugh, swoon, and fall in love with the characters. It’s the kind of book that’s impossible to put down and will leave you with a smile on your face long after the last page.

This was absolutely adorable!! I loved the banter. It was so fun to see how much they genuinely liked spending time with each other. I really appreciated how their feelings developed at a realistic pace. I really appreciated how thoughtful they both were about the relationship and whether it made sense for each of them. Abi was so engaging and I totally understood why Declan was charmed by her. If you're looking for a cute, light read this is a great one to pick up.

Lynn Painter does it again, creating a story that pulls you in instantly with its charm, humor, and heartfelt moments. *Maid for Each Other* stands out in the crowded world of romantic comedies by blending classic tropes with hilarious and unexpected twists, making it a true delight for readers.

Abi and Declan’s love story begins with a meet-cute that’s equal parts chaotic and comical. Declan, the classic grumpy, workaholic billionaire, invented a girlfriend named “Abby” to appease his meddling parents and nosy colleagues. What he didn’t plan for was Abi, his maid, unexpectedly crashing at his place while he was out of town due to her apartment becoming uninhabitable. The twist? These two strangers, who’ve never met before, hatch a deal to fake date in exchange for money—and somehow, it all feels comically believable.

Painter masterfully balances the absurdity of the situation with deeply human moments that make Abi and Declan’s relationship feel real and heartwarming. Abi’s quick wit and resilience pair perfectly with Declan’s gruff yet endearing nature. The chemistry between them is palpable, and their interactions—whether laugh-out-loud funny or quietly vulnerable—keep you hooked.

And, of course, all the swoon-worthy moments we adore are here: the one-bed trope, a piggyback ride through a 5k because of asthma, and a full glam team makeover for a fake date—all while the billionaire’s tough exterior gradually melts for the right girl. But what truly sets this story apart are the hilarious, messy, and delightfully imperfect moments that show us just how beautifully chaotic love can be.

If you’re a fan of romantic comedies, fake dating, or just a story that keeps you smiling from beginning to end, *Maid for Each Other* is a must-read. It’s like your favorite rom-com movie, only better—because Lynn Painter knows exactly how to make you laugh, swoon, and root for her characters every step of the way.

3.5/4 stars!

This felt like every rom-com enthusiast's dream on paper!! If you ever want to read book that has a mix of maid in manhattan, pretty women, & the proposal, then this is up your street!!

I love how Lynn Painter writes fast-paced, action-packed, comedic lines in her books! I was completely in shock at how much I laughed during their scolding. I loved how sarcastic Dex was and how Abi didn't care; it's just a perfect balance between them. I was really intrigued with how lynn created such loveable characters!

The 'I love you' moment got me kicking my feet. It's just a Lynn painter trademark, and it always gets me.

What i loved:

1. the banter.
2. the story!! so quick to jump in but i love that about rom coms??
3. the third-act breakup was something that I didn't expect to like. Usually, I'm not a fan, but it made sense due to the circumstances. I mean, I would be pretty pissed off, but I think sometimes we need that break-up.
4. cliche? yes, but I ate it up!!

The only thing that got me was Dec's character arc. I felt like he was just a little too flat. Dec had opportunities to talk about his wealth or privilege, but we never got to that moment.

thank you net galley and berkley publishing group for gifting me this eARC !!

I am a huge fan of Lynn Painter's YA Romance, each one is better than the last. Thus far I have a bit disappointed in her Adult RomComs, I just don't love the pacing. I felt like I never understood or knew the characters very well, but I am happy to say that this Adult Romance definitely has some of the humor, witty banter and the spark that I love in her YA titles.

Maid For Each Other is a fake dating/ working class girl meets rich guy storyline. The MMC Dex comes from CrashPad, which is a furniture store subsitute for Nebraska Furniture Mart. Similarly a family business purchased by Hathaway Holdings (see "Berkshire Hathaway") which is run by billionaire Warren Hathaway (see "Warren Buffett"). So Declan "Dex" Powell has the good heart and hard working nature from the family owned business while having access to and rubbing elbows with the elite private equity people. He is also a workaholic and lies about having a girlfriend named "Abby" -- coincidentally, our FMC, Abi Mariano, is his housecleaner and has been sleeping at his empty apartment since her apartment was being fumigated. All of the cute coincidence that helps Declan and Abi fall into their fake dating/forced proximity trope happens really quickly in the first few chapters.

This is very cute and lower spice level- does have swearing but not a lot of spice- I would call it a "fade to black" romance rather than a "clean" romance- just allowing the reader to use their own imagination, easy to do since there were great sparks and sizzle between Declan and Abi.

If you are looking for a fast paced beach read that will tap into our deepest fantasies, pick up "Maid For Each Other" this summer.

Thanks to @netgalley and @berkleyromance for the ARC. Book to be published July 15, 2025.

This is being added to my comfort re-read list for sure. Lynn Painter really shines in the softer moments that create depth in a relationship. My only critique is that it wrapped up a little too neatly. I wish we'd seen his parents' reaction when Declan and Abi revealed their deception. Same with Warren. It skipped ahead to the HEA epilogue a little too fast for me, but otherwise, I loved it.

Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter is faking dating romance perfection!

Nothing like sleeping in the apartment that belongs to one of the clients that you clean for and his parents mistaking you for his girlfriend and to get even with you, he enlists you to pretend to be his girlfriend. It was pure romcom fun! He's the typical grumpy rich man and she's just trying to get by and I am such a sucker for the rich boy x poor girl trope but I loved how sassy she is and their banter was absolutely fun and perfection. it was witty, full of sparing back and forth and a woman that challenges him. I loved that Lynn Painter made this book feel like a romcom that you would watch in film and absolutely swoon for because it's hilarious, swoony, romantic and fun and of course, he has to win the girl after he realizes that he fell hard for her and has to get his girl. There's opposites attract, there's fake dating. Its perfection! I loved this book so much and I cannot wait to reread again. A must read for the summer!

i absolutely adore lynn and her books and this absolutely testaments to her amazing and unique writing skills!

i really loved this book and found it to be her strongest adult novel. it was witty, fun, and heartwarming all together. i will always and forever eat up a fake dating story and this one was executed perfectly.

declanabi are so beautiful and kind to one another and i just enjoyed reading their story. declan was always so kind and patient with abi and it warmed my heart (,:

So... that was a bit disappointing. I didn’t connect with the characters. Declan’s personality, in particular, didn’t work for me. I also felt like their whole personality revolved around the rich-billionaire vs. poor-maid. The writing style also wasn’t my favorite, some parts felt really cringy and pulled me out of the story.

Cinderella spin
Fake-dating
Millionaire/ maid
Force proximity
One bed
Slow burn
Dual pov
Third act break up

Abi, a struggling grad student with an infected apartment and needing somewhere to stay, decides to crash at the penthouse of a rich client she cleans for. When she wakes up in the morning, she has a run in with her parents and is very confused when they seem to know who she is. 

Declan is an evp at his company, he makes up a fake gf named Abby to get a leg up at work and get his parents off his back. 
He has dinner with his parents, who inform him that they met his gf at the penthouse. Leaving Declan very confused 

Declan tracks down Abi and they make a deal. Abi poses as his fake gf and Declan, in return, gives her enough money to pay off her loans. 

I’m not normally a fan of Cinderella stories with a twist, but it was Lynn Painter, so I knew I had to read it. She has very quickly become a one-click author for me. 
This book was fun off the bat. Lynn Painter always does banter so well and had me smiling the whole time. Loved that they built a foundation of friendship before jumping into the romance. This book was fun, cute and had the signature Lynn Painter wit and charm

i am a huge lynn painter fan so i am so grateful to netgalley for this arc. I typically rate her books 4 stars but unfortunately this one missed the mark for me. it’s a billionaire/maid story where they end up fake dating for his family. i think it was pretty predictable and also too unrealistic. i know this was the authors first attempt at an adult book, and i could really tell she is best writing YA. the “spicier” scenes never hit and it felt like she didn’t fully commit to them. i would’ve just taken the chapter out and made it YA because her writing only comes across as YA. also when are we gonna stop referencing taylor swift in every romance guys pls 😭

Lynn Painter has a crazy skill of making all her books just absolutely hilarious. At first I thought it was because her characters sometimes seem like there's no way they could possibly be real, but after some reflection I think it's the opposite, I think they are real as hell. People are weird and quirky and this is exactly how I felt about Abi- she was so silly and stubborn and made so many mistakes and weird decisions and I loved every minute of it.
What a silly concept of staying at one of the houses you clean while your apartment is getting fumigated and accidentally being mistaken as the occupants girlfriend!
If you are looking for a laugh and something light (which was 10000% what I needed) this will fill that void! I love to laugh out loud while I am reading and it's always great to get me out of a slump!

Fake dating is absolutely 1000% my thing!! I am obsessed with it.

Was this an all too familiar plot that we’ve read and watched a million times (hello pretty woman?) yes but I always go into Lynn’s books with the expectation that they are just cute and fun romcoms that will absolutely make me laugh and shed a few tears! And I did just that!!

I didn’t mind the rushed timeline and loved the little secret revealed.

I flew this book just like getting lost in a bowl of popcorn!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the opportunity to check this book out early!