Title: Maid to Match
Author: Deeanne Gist
First published June 1, 2010
363 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780764204081 (ISBN10: 0764204084)
Rating: 3.98
Overview
In the grand estate of the Vanderbilt family, Tillie Reese is swept off her feet by the wealth and glamour of her surroundings. But it’s Mack Danvers, a former mountain man turned footman, who truly captures her heart.
When Tillie is assigned to mentor Mack in proper etiquette, their fiery personalities clash and jeopardize her chance to become Edith Vanderbilt’s lady’s maid. Things take a perilous turn when they uncover a dark secret at the local orphanage, risking not only their livelihoods but their hearts as well.
Get ready for a heartwarming tale of love and adventure in Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist.
About the Author
Deeanne Gist, an international bestselling author, has sold over a million copies of her books. Her captivating historical novels have made her a sensation among readers everywhere.
Her latest book, Tiffany Girl, has received critical acclaim and was listed as one of the Top 10 Most Anticipated Books of 2015 by the Huffington Post. It was also named a “Must Year of the Year!” by USA Today and one of WikiEzvid’s 10 Must-Read Novels That Take Place in the Past.
If you’re new to Deeanne Gist’s work, it’s easy to find a novel that suits your interests. Her books are published by Simon & Schuster and have won numerous awards, including a RITA for Best Long Historical of the Year, National Readers’ Choice Award, Best Historical of the Year (RT Reviewers), Librarians’ Choice, Book Buyers’ Best, Golden Quill, Books*A*Million Pick of the Month, Seal of Excellent, and Award of Excellence.
In her latest series, Gist takes readers on a journey to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. USA Today raves about Gist’s ability to transport readers to another time and place.
Editoral Review
Deeanne Gist’s Maid to Match, published in 2010, is a delightful romance novel set in Asheville, North Carolina in the early 1900s. Gist is an American Christian romantic fiction author who has extended her reach outside her sphere with this beautiful novel.
Readers who enjoyed her other works like A Bride Most Begrudging will find much to love in this novel. The book is set in the exquisite Biltmore Estate, where Tillie Reese, the protagonist, is thrilled to be offered a job as a lady’s maid.
Tillie, having grown up in poverty on a farm, is grateful for the opportunity of working for the Vanderbilts. She is employed to serve a specific lady in the household until the annual ball, after which she will be considered to assist with the young ladies’ social season.
The story’s focus is on Tillie and her fellow employees’ search for love and marriage as they struggle with the cultural norms of their era, which prohibits any form of relationship between individuals of different social classes. Tillie finds romance and, in the middle of her class struggles, falls for the charming Mack, who works as a footman at the estate.
The author treats the 1900s setting, especially the issues of social class, with intelligence and grace. Her writing is engaging and brilliantly researched, capturing the historical context by vividly describing the setting and time frame.
Gist’s characters are charming and convincing, and they make the reader root for them when things do not always go well for them. Although many readers appreciate romances, the pacing of Maid to Match might be a bit slow for others.
However, the book’s powerful message and awe-inspiring characters make up for the slow pacing. Gist’s narration of the characters’ struggles with matters of the heart is heart-warming and uplifting, making the book different and enjoyable.
Gist’s achievement with Maid to Match is her ability to combine her religious beliefs with her message about the importance of resilience, identity, and perseverance while telling a heart-warming story. The novel is both fun and insightful, and it brings to light how our social norms and biases can affect other people’s endeavors.
For anyone searching for a blend of romance, intrigue, and historical fiction, Maid to Match is a must-read. The book is a fantastic reminder of the effect of societal constructs on human nature that is as heart-warming and romantic as it is thought-provoking.
Therefore, we highly recommend this book to historical fiction lovers and anyone who wants to enjoy a perfectly narrated story about love and societal norms.
