A review by mapleleaf_emily
A Lady's Maid by Jen Geigle Johnson
2.0
I honestly don't know why I picked this book. I didn't like [b: A Nobleman's Daughter|10105184|The Life and Adventures of the Lady Lucy The Daughter of an Irish Lord Who Marry'd a German Officer, and Was by Him Carry'd Into Flanders, Where He Became Jealous of Her and a Young Nobleman His Kinsman, Whom He Kill'd, and Afterwards Left Her Wounded a|Penelope Aubin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347732456l/10105184._SX50_.jpg|15002415] or [a: Jen Geigle Johnson|17273762|Jen Geigle Johnson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1514860991p2/17273762.jpg]'s writing style.
But I did read this book.
There were two couples falling in love simultaneously: Molly (Lady Amanda's maid) and Thomas (Lady Amanda's footman), as well as Lady Chloe (Amanda's friend) and Lord Annesley.
There wasn't any development of each romance. Molly started out liking Thomas, but not wanting to disrespect Charlie's memory. Then nothing more of their romance is mentioned for ages, but when it is brought up again, suddenly they both readily admit they are in love. A similar thing happens with Chloe and Annesley; they certainly are attracted to each other, then they suddenly love each other, with no development or even much interaction between the two.
I get that some may say that this happened because the romances were secondary to the plot. Even so, the romances should be properly developed.
As for the main plot of fighting for suffrage and improving the lives of those in the slums, it was an amazing idea. However, I got bored with Johnson's over-descriptions. Also, none of the interchanges between characters felt natural. The sole purpose of each conversation was to drive the point of suffrage, or otherwise give some profound life-advice. That style of writing is grating because feels so forced.
But I did read this book.
There were two couples falling in love simultaneously: Molly (Lady Amanda's maid) and Thomas (Lady Amanda's footman), as well as Lady Chloe (Amanda's friend) and Lord Annesley.
There wasn't any development of each romance. Molly started out liking Thomas, but not wanting to disrespect Charlie's memory. Then nothing more of their romance is mentioned for ages, but when it is brought up again, suddenly they both readily admit they are in love. A similar thing happens with Chloe and Annesley; they certainly are attracted to each other, then they suddenly love each other, with no development or even much interaction between the two.
I get that some may say that this happened because the romances were secondary to the plot. Even so, the romances should be properly developed.
As for the main plot of fighting for suffrage and improving the lives of those in the slums, it was an amazing idea. However, I got bored with Johnson's over-descriptions. Also, none of the interchanges between characters felt natural. The sole purpose of each conversation was to drive the point of suffrage, or otherwise give some profound life-advice. That style of writing is grating because feels so forced.