Maid for Each Other - ARC Review
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Dislikes:
-Billionaire MC: In the current political climate of our country, it was impossible for me to fully enjoy a romance with a lead character that is a Billionaire. I was constantly reminded of all of the real life billionaires doing horrible things. The theme of Declan being a Billionaire that was actually a good guy was really hard to swallow.
-Lack Of Character Development: These 2 leads were very much cast in their roles of rich guy and Maid. It felt like rich guy and poor girl were the primary traits for these characters. Abi had a little development, as she sought after her professor dreams, but not much. Declan was repeatedly hot and rich, but not much else.
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Likes:
-Humor and Banter: Lynn Painter's humor hits every time. This is why I requested this book. She is SO funny and her characters always have great banter.

I always love a good fake relationship trope! Lynn Painter is always a go to author for me! Great chemistry leads to great love in this one!

The book gets off to a funny start 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 funny when they think she is his girlfriend. It’s a cute romcom with lots of laughs but I didn't love it quite as much as I love her other books.

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 weekend event with shareholders coming up 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 sports cars, while she sees so many others 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). After their weekend together, they missed each other and made plans to see each other again.

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 all of the playful banter and funny situations won me over and I ended up enjoying this. Thanks to NetGalley, Lynn Painter and Penguin for the ARC. My full review will be at All About Romance closer to the release date.

One of my fave Lynn painters. A cute funny, modern day flip on maid in manhattan. I genuinely enjoyed the hesitancy the heroine had with the rich. It was understandable in our society!

This story is like a modern retelling of “Pretty Woman” meets “Housesitter”. A maid who has nowhere to sleep for a week ends up crashing at an empty home she cleans only to wake up to find the owners parents there. They think she is their son’s girlfriend (who he made up to get them off his back). When he finds out he offers to pay her to pretend for a weekend to help his job and reinforce his lie. In the mean time he grows feelings for her.
I thought it started strong and I liked it up until he went back to NY. But then his full 180 on his feelings and not acknowledging at any point that he might be making her feel like a prostitute, felt like a pretty big red flag. There were cute moments, but Declan being totally in love with Abi just felt too fast and unrealistic. Even how they were reunited after the 3rd act breakup felt too easy. He’s generous with his money, which she knew, but when she finds out the extent she forgives him and they live happily ever after? Meh. The end missed the mark for me and the first line in the acknowledgments being about God after reading a romance novel felt beyond off. Although this book does have sex scenes, they are not well written. There is no pining, angst, steam, just the actions. It felt kind of robotic l, like “insert smut scene here”. It was not hot.

Lynn Painter’s writing style is such a joy to read!

Abi Mariano, a professional cleaner, never expected to need a temporary home. But when an infestation forces her out of her apartment, the empty penthouse she cleans seems like the perfect solution.

Declan Powell is stunned when his parents rave about meeting his “girlfriend”—who doesn’t exist. Realizing Abi caused the mix-up, he suggests a fake dating arrangement to maintain the lie.

Lynn Painters storytelling is so effortless that it’s easy to get swept up in the world she creates. This book had everything: a hilarious plot, fantastic chemistry between the leads, and laugh-out-loud moments that reminded me of classic romantic comedies.

Abi and Declan’s banter and their connection felt so natural.

This is one of those stories that leaves you grinning from ear to ear and wanting more.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for this free eARC.

Around a 4.5 stars for me
I did enjoy this book and it had me giggling many times and it had many romantic parts. Overall I wish the tension was a bit higher and there was more enemies to lovers or rivals to lovers sort of tension. It just wasn’t really pushed or really existent and that made me knock off some points.
The premise of this book really captures your attention but it fell slightly flat for me after reading it. Some areas seeming a bit lack luster due to the missing tension in my opinion.
Overall it’s still a fun read and I read it in a day! It’s just it could have had a bit more details and character relations to really hit a home run for me.
I appreciated how there were comparisons with Abi and Declan life with money. I do wish Declan had some more moments or a big moment at the end with a realization of how lucky he was. Sort of like it all finally aligned. Because he did have so many moments where it was just a seemingly shrug off sort of vibe.
I did however, love the climax with the breakup. I usually hate 3rd act breakups but this was entertaining to read and picked up the pace of the book. Was it cliche? Yes. BUT did I eat it up, yup. You bet I did.

A solid Lynn Painter romance. Lots of humor, a slow burn build up.

While I really enjoyed parts of the romance, I felt like the tension just wasn’t there. I kept expecting issues with Abi’s mom to make waves or a shareholder finding something out, but they were pretty straightforward misunderstandings that spoiled the fun.

I think my disbelief of certain elements could not be overcome also (Abi called out of work a TON). I also felt like Declan’s need of Abi at work had no impact on his job. So the whole ruse felt unnecessary in the end?

I just didn’t love this one as much as other books of hers - or as some of the stronger romances out this year

What can I say, she’s done it again!

Lynn Painter’s new book is a funny, fast-paced romcom following a struggling student and a billionaire navigate a case of mistaken identity and fake dating.

Her signature banter and chemistry makes this a must read for fans of The Love Wager and Accidentally Amy.

As a special treat, she gave 90s romcom fans some iconic Pretty Woman nods and there are some definite Pride and Prejudice vibes.

I love Lynn Painter's books. The books I'd read right before this were romance novels on Kindle Unlimited which I enjoy, but as soon as I picked this up I could tell how good this book was in comparison. Painter is a must read for me and a must purchase for my library.

Lynn Painter's latest romcom offers a fun yet familiar take on the fake-dating trope, pairing a down-on-her-luck grad student with a wealthy, career-focused bachelor. Abi, juggling school and two jobs, finds herself in a morally questionable but understandable predicament when an infestation forces her out of her apartment. Desperation leads her to stay in the luxurious penthouse she cleans, only to be discovered by Declan’s visiting parents, who mistake her for his nonexistent girlfriend. What follows is an arrangement of convenience: Abi plays the part of Declan’s girlfriend in exchange for a temporary home and some financial relief. As their partnership unfolds, it’s clear that sparks are flying, but their differences—and the deception they’ve built their relationship on—threaten to derail their growing connection.

While the premise is undeniably charming, the execution leaves a bit to be desired. The story kicks off at breakneck speed, diving into the fake-dating setup by chapter three, which sacrifices some much-needed character development. Abi and Declan have their moments, and the romantic tension is well-done in places, but both characters feel flat at times, with their personalities revealed in fragments as the story progresses. Abi’s questionable initial choices and Declan’s aloofness, coupled with the constant reminders of his wealth, make it difficult to fully root for them as individuals, even though their relationship has its sweet and steamy moments.

The book shines brightest in its lighter, comedic moments and in its portrayal of Declan’s eventual grand gestures, which bring to mind the sweeping romance of classic romcoms. However, compared to Painter’s previous works, this one lacks the sharp banter and dynamic character chemistry that made her earlier stories so memorable. The rushed pacing and occasional predictability prevent it from fully delivering on its promising setup.

Overall, this is a solid three-star read with plenty of entertainment for fans of the fake-dating trope and lighthearted romances. It’s a fun escape but doesn’t quite reach the depth or emotional resonance of Painter’s past books. While enjoyable in parts, it feels more like a casual weekend read than a standout addition to her repertoire.

A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing one of my favorite romance authors' latest book's ARC with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I didnt expect to get as emotional as I did reading this. Lynn Painter is so talented she could write about a garbage can and I'd fall in love with it

I devoured Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter like a bag of sour cream and onion chips.

An ethical millionaire, fake dating romcom in Lynn Painter's undeniably adorably delightful voice, I was rooting for Abi's happy ever after ever since she woke up alone in gazillion thread count sheets - before she ever met the penthouse owner.

I have been a fan of Lynn Painter for a while. I was excited to see what Maid for Each Other was about, and it did not disappoint! I like the dual points of view. The humor and banter between both leads was great. The premise, reminding me of Pretty Woman, was light and fun and even a bit dreamy. This is a true rom com novel from start to finish.

A fun rom-com from Lynn Painter. You can always trust her books to provide a good time. I found myself smiling throughout, especially to the creative or silly things that Abi says.

Tropes- fake dating, billionaire romance. Cinderella vibes.

Grad school student and part time maid Abi is in a pickle.
Needing a place to stay for a week while her apartment is fumigated, she figures - why not stay in the billionaires apartment whiles he's out of town. He would never know.
Only to get caught, not by rich guy Declan, but his parents - Who seem to already know who she is by name. Come to find out Declan has made up a fake girlfriend to appease his parents and get a leg up at work. But with a big event coming up, and Abi now becoming very real - Declan comes up with a proposition that helps them both - be his fake girlfriend for a weekend and he will pay off her student loans and let her stay at his apartment for the week. But as these things tend to, lines blur, friendship starts to blur into romance. But can a relationship truly bloom if it's built on a lie?

I’ve read most of Lynn Painters books and I’ve enjoyed them but none of them have become my top favorites. Well folks I’m happy to report that, Maid For Each Other, has finally done it! Maid For Each Other is my all time favorite Lynn Painter book. It is a charming and delightfully funny romcom that’s not to be missed!

I have been in such a reading slump lately and I decided to pick up Maid For Each Other on a whim. I ended up being unable to put it down all while smiling and giggling my entire time reading it.

Maid For Each Other follows Abi & Declan as they decide to fake-date after Declan’s parents run into Abi in his apartment after she was hired to clean it. Declan needs a girlfriend to get his family and millionaire job off his back. And Abi needs to pay off some student loans. With the two in agreement on their fake relationship they think it will be a quick easy weekend. But turns out they are both more alike than they thought and feelings ignite between them.

Overall this book is lightheaded, laugh out loud read. The banter and chemistry between Declan & Abi are off the charts. I cannot recommend this book enough. I can’t wait to purchase my trophy copy when it releases this July!

Lastly Big Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this completely outrageous and a bit nonsensical? Absolutely.

Did I eat it up like a bag of chips? Absolutely.

In books like these, you need to suspend disbelief. You need to enter the romantic mindset. Logic is secondary. Fun, flirty chemistry reigns supreme.

Abi thinking she could camp out at a wealthy client’s apartment was wacky nonsense.

Declan asking an unknown home intruder to be his fake girlfriend and meet his family was highly illogical.

But damn if I didn’t have a laugh-out-loud hoot of a time.

Their banter and natural chemistry stole the show. The runway train of their lie kept getting bigger and bigger throughout but of course, it all worked out in the end because of true love 💖

This book is pure romantic cinematic nonsense. And I’d sit through it all again 😆

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for this review copy. All opinions are my own.

Mistaken identity, fake dating, misunderstood rich MMC, FMC maid who doesn't like the rich..... Shenanigans ensue. I wasn't blown away by the story and was unable to fully invest in the characters love story. Sometimes the writing felt very juvenile and not up to par with some other authors in this genre. It was my first by this author and it might be a while before i read another one of her books.

i feel ✨conflicted✨ on one hand, i enjoyed abi and declan’s development, as the fake dating a billionaire is an interesting setup but once it was getting too far in, i could see the money being the conflict a mile away. it felt kinda icky (as was the point) but they were so solid!!! like, they didn’t need to worry about it not being real because they were so clearly head over heels for each other.