Gilded Girl by Pamela Kelley, is Historical Fiction at its best. It tells the story of a young girl woman who goes from rags to riches and finds an unexpected life in the middle. Eliza Chapman is living in England and is a ladies maid. Her life isn’t all that bad but her future seems limited. That is until her unknown father sends for her and brings her to NY. She cannot believe her luck. Who does this happen to? She has a beautiful cabin in the shop that brings her to any. When she gets to NY she moves into a beautiful city mansion. Her father and grandmother immediately give her the life of a princess. The only problem is her sister’s. They aren’t as excited about her as she is about her new life. But her grandmother navigates her way through the new life and things go smoothly. Balls and invitations and fancy dinners and dresses she is in a whole new world. She finds love and friends and hobbies. But can this last forever? How can she keep this life? When will the other shoe drop? I really enjoyed this story. I loved the characters and the story very much. I want to thank Dreamscape Media, Netgalley and the author for my audio copy for an honest review. It was my pleasure to listen to this story and review it. Leslie Howard did an excellent job narrating this story. She made the story come together so well. This was a 4 star listen for me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Eliza Chapman is working in London as a lady's maid. Her mother recently died without telling her who her father was. What she didn't know was that her mother sent him a letter about her illness and his daughter. It turns out her father is one of the richest men in New York. He sends for Eliza, but they tell everyone she is his niece. Only his mother, his other two daughters and some very trusted employees know the truth. Eliza's sisters are spoiled and more worried about finding a rich or powerful husband and are not very welcoming to Eliza. She is more comfortable with her maid than her sisters. She meets a married woman at a party named Minnie, who is an investor who handles her own affairs and they become friends. Eliza also goes to work with her father to learn about his real estate business. She is happy, until the unthinkable happens. Her father dies of a heart attack and with her grandmother in London with her sister, Alice and Rose share that she is not in the will, they pay her off and tell her to return to London. Eliza has no intention of returning to London and is a woman who is used to taking care of herself.

Gilded Girl is a rags to riches to rags to riches story that I really enjoyed. I watched the series on television "Gilded Age" and it was fun to hear several of the same names dropped in this book. This is a story of the class structure that was in place at the time, as well as the adage of making money on the backs of the poor or working class. Marriage to get a title in return for money is still taking place. Old money vs new money and married below your station are all in this story. I loved Eliza's character. She was raised differently, so she was kind to everyone, cared about the workers and wanted to marry for love. This was a story I listened to in one afternoon as I really enjoyed it. If you are a fan of the HBO series, The Gilded Age, you will love this well written book. The narration was performed by Leslie Howard and I enjoyed her voices, accents, expression and emotion in this story.

Sweet pick for those looking for a rags-to-riches historical PG romance. The story was there, but it felt like it was told it bullet points. Things resolved extremely quickly and there was very little tension. I truly enjoyed the time that it was set it. Early US is a cool setting for a historical romance.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. Well I really enjoyed the story about half way through. I have read from this author before and as far as I can see I couldn't see that she wrote historical fiction romance before? Looks like the author write modern romance/Hallmark type story plots.
I enjoyed the Characters and I think it could have been a really good book it just felt like the writing was too modern for the time? I am not sure I can't put my finger on it. I found the feminism attitude's annoying. Also let's not forget to add homosexuality in there also. The plot itself also seems very very unrealistic. I think I just enjoy the authors modern romance stories. But it was entertaining and if you can ignore some of that stuff you just might enjoy the story.

This audiobook, narrated by Leslie Howard, was completely enjoyable. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC. Pub. Date: November 15, 2022

Eliza works as a lady's maid for an aristocratic family in London, England. As her mother is dying she learns that her biological father is a wealthy and prominent businessman in New York. Eliza’s father, who had no idea of her existence, immediately sends for her and accepts her into his family.

From there, the story takes off in what feels very believable regarding family issues, and yet, there were some things that I would love to think might happened with the grandmother, yet wondered if it was more wishful thinking than reality, especially in that era. Either way, it made for a very satisfying and enjoyable story.

This is the first I’ve read/listened to by Pamela Kelley, but I liked her style enough that I plan to check out her other books.

As I mentioned, the narrator was perfect. And it was a fun surprise to find that a recipe for a ravioli dish that is mentioned in the story was included at the end of the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher and the author for a chance to read and review this wonderful book! If you are a fan of the Gilded Age then you need to read this book! I loved the main character Eliza and her rags to riches story! I listened to the audiobook that was excellently narrated by Leslie Howard.

I received an arc of this audio book from NetGalley for an honest review. I loved Kelley's book and was excited to start a new series. I liked that I couldn't figure out how this book would end and how it would wrap up. I hope there are more books from this story to come.

I love Pamela Kelley's writing, so this was a must-read for me. After reading the description, I was expecting a Gatsby-esk story, but this was very different from that. I don't normally love historical fiction, but I loved the way the author described NYC during this time period. It felt like I was in the city watching the horses and carriages ride by. She did a great job of making you step back in time and feel a part of the city. However, I did feel this was a bit of a rushed story. This had a lot of potential to be a great drama with the evil stepsister, stepsister who secretly wants to be good, and a grandma who doesn't know what's happening. There were a lot of great characters in this too. Harry was my favorite. I wish we had gotten a bit more development of every single character because they all seemed fascinating in their own ways. This felt a bit surface level and shallow, character wise. The dramatic events in this also felt rushed so the drama fell flat. I think the length of this really took away from its potential. I enjoyed this a lot but felt like it was rushed and a bit disappointing. The plot and storylines were fantastic but just didn't have the major impact I was hoping for. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you've watched the tv show The Gilded Age, you can easily visualize almost every page of The Gilded Girl. Many of the actual historical figures overlap (Mrs. Astor and Ward McAllister), and Eliza Chapman, the protagonist of The Gilded Age, could easily be played by the same actress who led the tv ensemble. I found myself thinking of both Cinderella and The Little Princess (yes, that one, from 100 plus years ago), when reading Ms. Kelley's book. The pace is calm and tempered, the background historical setting intriguing, and the characterizations perfectly balanced. I finished happy to have spent time with Miss Eliza Chapman, and happy that her future, while perhaps not gilded, was secure.

If you are a fan of the HBO series, "The Gilded Age" I think you will enjoy this story! I enjoyed it very much!

Eliza works as a ladies maid for an aristocratic family in London, England. She is told about a letter that her employer has received from her father. He is a wealthy and prominent businessman in New York City, USA. He fell in love with her mother on a visit to England many years ago but their different class backgrounds did not allow for a union between the two and her father returned to America. Now Eliza's mother has recently passed and she is summoned to go and live in New York with her father's family.

This was a wonderful story and the descriptions of the New York City society and all the people and places of that time were vividly portrayed. I felt like I had slipped back in time. It had everything from a high society class family, to a big old NY Italian style family portrayed throughout. I very much enjoyed the writing style. I understand this is Pamela Kelley's first historical fiction novel but she does have quite an extensive back catalogue of books set in a modern day Nantucket Beach and Restaurant series that I am interested in checking out. The narration was just lovely and perfect for the story.

I absolutely loved Ms. Kelley's "Nonna's Ravioli" recipe at the end of the book. A nice added touch!

I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for granting me access to this Advance Listener Copy.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

A bit predictable but enjoyable story, with characters that make you fall in love with them. Good narrator as well.

Another fantastic novel by Pamela Kelley. This one is about Eliza the daughter of a ladies maid in England when she gets a letter through her employer that will change her life. This is a fast paced, historical fiction novel, sure to be enjoyed by fans of this author. The time period as well as the descriptive writing helps envelop the reader into the story, the good, the bad, as well as the unusual with the story of women being intrigued in business proceedings. This book will get the readers attention and the story unfolds quickly and then just a quickly as the story started the reader finds themselves finishing up. Well laid out, paced and described. I really enjoyed it.


Thank you to NetGalley, author and Dreamscape Media.

Interesting Cinderella-like story where Eliza learns her father wants to acknowledge her and brings her to live in NYC, where she learns the family business and gets introduced into society. Some of it seemed a little far-fetched considering the time and doesn’t seem to be historically accurate. Still, the writing drew me into the story and held my interest. It’s a very light story with a predictable plot and a happy ending.

This is an entertaining and wonderful story about a young ladies’ maid in England, Eliza Chapman, who realizes that she is the illegitimate daughter of a very wealthy real estate developer in New York. Not only does she have to navigate her change in social standing, but also learning about the family she never knew she had! Will they accept her? Will she be able to fit in, and what about finding love in her first season in high society? I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and the narrator for the audiobook version did a great job of bringing life and heart to the characters. A great choice for fans of the Bridgerton series! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook!

I am a sucker for anything set in the Gilded Age. This book did not disappoint. With a nod to “Cinderella” Eliza must learn to navigate a whole new world including 2 half sisters. A rags to riches story, it has some interesting twists and turns which makes it feel fresh. Loved Eliza’s character and many of the supporting characters as well.

The narrator did a fabulous job with several accents/dialects. Her voice lended itself well to the emotions of the storyline.

Thankyou to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC.

Gilded Girl was the first book I had the privilege of reading by Pamela M. Kelley. It was a refreshing historical romance novel set in New York City during the Gilded time period. I loved the way that the author, Pamela M. Kelley described the clothing worn during that time, the carriages that drove their passengers to and from their destinations, the mansions, the traditions and the formal dinners and the food that was served. Her descriptions made me feel like I was actually there and seeing everything first hand. The characters were so well developed and it was well plotted. I listened to the audiobook that was excellently narrated by Leslie Howard.

Eliza Chapman’s mother had been a ladies maid so it was not surprising that Eliza became one when she was old enough to do so. Both Eliza and her mother worked for a wealthy family outside of London until Eliza’s mother got seriously ill and died. Right before her mother died, Eliza’s mother tried to tell Eliza something about a letter. Eliza had no idea what her mother had meant but it was not long until she did. Her mother had written a letter to Eliza’s biological father and informed him about Eliza’s existence. Eliza’s father wrote back and invited her to come to New York City to live with him, her grandmother and two sisters. Her father was one of the wealthiest men in New York City. Eliza’s life was about to change in the most unexpected way.

Upon Eliza’s arrival in New York City, she was met by her father’s driver, Harry. He brought Eliza to her father’s opulent mansion. Eliza soon found out that she would now have her own ladies maid. What a turn in events! Eliza met her family at dinner that night where she was expected to dress for the occasion. Thankfully, the family in England had generously given Eliza lots of beautiful dresses. They realized her own dresses would no longer be appropriate for her new life. Eliza’s father and grandmother welcomed Eliza warmly. Her sisters, though, were cold, distant and rather rude to Eliza, especially the older of the two sisters. The talk that night at dinner revolved around planning a party so everyone who was anybody could meet Eliza. The social season was just beginning. In those days, young women were expected to find husbands during the social season. There were teas, luncheons, nights at the opera and midnight dinners and dancing. It was all quite exhausting and Eliza was not sure she wanted to marry. Eliza always believed that when she fell in love she would marry. She wanted to do things with her life.

The night of the party for Eliza, she was introduced to a woman named Minnie. Eliza spent time talking to Minnie that night. She learned that although Minnie was married she also had a career as an investor. Minnie actually worked, went to an office and it was accepted by her husband. Eliza and Minnie would end up developing a close friendship and Minnie would go on and teach Eliza a lot about investing. Eliza also started to take an interest in her father’s business. She accompanied him to work each morning and assisted him in answering the correspondences he had received. Slowly, her responsibilities in her father’s office grew. Eliza loved accompanying her father to work and learning about his business. Harry and Eliza also developed a strong friendship. Eliza often found herself in Harry’s company as he drove her places and picked her up. Harry was quite ambitious. He was planning to leave his position as the driver for Eliza’s family. Harry was going to start his own clothing business. He had investors and a warehouse all set up. Harry had big dreams! Eliza believed that Harry would be successful. She had developed feelings for Harry. Eliza knew that she shouldn’t have feelings for Harry, but she did. Class distinctions were very strictly enforced during that time. Eliza couldn’t help how she felt, though. Harry was her best friend. At least they could be friends. Then tragedy struck. Once again, Eliza’s life was in total upheaval.

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Gilded Girl by Pamela M. Kelley. It was charming, uplifting and refreshing. I loved Eliza’s character. She was fair, unbiased, smart, ambitious and resourceful. I was drawn into the story immediately and found myself rooting for Eliza. Overall, I enjoyed Gilded Girl and recommend it to anyone that enjoys historical romances. It reminded me of a Cinderella type story or even a rags to riches story along with a happy ending.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media LLC for allowing my to listen to the audiobook of Gilded Girl by Pamela M. Kelley through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, Piping Plover Press for the audio version of this book. Everything I write is of my own thoughts feelings and opinions. I am not compensated in any way for my review.

this was a book about a woman falling in love with a man that is forbidden. a maid can not fall in love with above her class. They both fell in love and a child was born as a result. He doesnt know about the child until the mother of the child is on her death bed. She writes to him in the United States to tell him.. the daughter herself is now a ladies maid. She is sent to America to live with her dad she never met. She now has her own ladies maids. She has step sisters who do not like her at all. SHe is only with her dad and his family a short few month before he dies suddenly. Unknown to her her dad amended his will immediately when he found out about his daughter he never knew about. The step sisters lie and come up with a scam and she is now kicked out and back to being a working girl in a world she doesnt know well. while her dad was alive she met and fell in love with a guy now that she is a working girl this romance is forbidden. Once grandma comes back from her trip a few months after the dad has died there is a funeral. She makes it to the funeral only to find what her step sisters have done. in the end she gets what her dad wanted and she gets the guy.

Wonderful book. Excellent narration by Leslie Howard. She has a soothing voice and is excellent at accents. A rags to riches story more or less. A lady's maid discovers she is the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy member of high society in America. Her father sends for her, but she must appear to be his niece as acknowledging an illegitimate child simply is not done in wealthy circles. His untimely death forces her to use her wits in business as well as against her spoiled sisters. Her sisters scheme and plot to take her inheritance as well as force her to be homeless. Their mistake was underestimating her. I loved this book. Pamela Kelley is one of my favorite authors to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, LLC for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

My thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to review this audio book.

Ladies maid Eliza Chapman finds out her father is a very wealthy man in NY and is invited out to stay with him,her grandmother, and 2 half sisters. She befriended Miriam, another maid and is thrust into a rags to riches life till tragedy strikes..

This was my first book by this author and won't be my last. If you're a fan of the HBO series A Guild Age, this is for you.

This was an unrealistic Cinderella story. I found the story to be bland and missing some element that would bring it more depth. I also found the language to sometimes be more 2022 then 1890.