3.5 stars

Molly is back with her lovable cast of characters at the Regency Grand Hotel, and I really enjoyed this latest in the Molly the Maid series. The story of her Gran is interwoven into the narrative which was a fun turn. Such a refreshing and sweet series, and another entertaining read.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

5 out of 5 Stars!

Molly Gray’s life is about to change. Not only did she get promoted to Special Events Manager of the Regency Grand Hotel and months away from her wedding to Juan Manuel, but she finds out she is a multi-millionaire. When the hit reality TV show, Hidden Treasures, films at the Regency Grand Hotel, Molly brings a few treasures to get appraised. One of her items turns out to be rare, and worth a lot. Not only does she become a multi-millionaire, but a media sensation. But soon after finding out how much her item is worth, it vanishes on hotel property. The key to the mystery is in a diary written by Molly’s Gran. The diary covers her younger years, when she was the only child to a wealthy family. But when Gran falls head over-heels in love with a boy her parents do not approve of, her life is turned upside down. Molly takes clues written in the diary to find her item, especially since threats have been made against her.

Molly the Maid is my favorite fictional character! I have absolutely loved the Molly The Maid series, so I was over the moon to see “The Maid’s Secret” come out! This book is the first in the series, and it was written by Nita Prose. I had a feeling I was going to love this book, and my prediction was correct! Prose did it again. “The Maid’s Secret” was funny, heartwarming, and mysterious. This was a fast-paced novel that I could not put down. As soon as I finished it, I was heartbroken to take a step out of Molly’s world and back into reality.

Before reading this book, I was a tad nervous about remembering all the details in the first two novels. But, Prose did an excellent job at re-introducing characters and recapping the other plots in the first couple chapters. This book was very similar to the other two books, with some romance and mystery happening. I felt like this book had more mystery to it than romance though, which I really appreciated as I love a good mystery.

This book jumps between two timelines and perspectives, Molly in the present and Gran’s diary entries back in her young life. I loved how Prose went between these characters. I thought it flowed nicely and moved the book along. I was a little sad to hear more about Gran, as Molly is my favorite. But, I loved learning about her life.

Like I mentioned, I love the mystery in this book. I was actually really shocked by some of the twists in this book and at the ending. I did not see what was coming, but it made so much sense in the end. Not only are you picking up this book for the mystery, but also for the lessons along the way.

Okay, I have to know. Do you think we will get a fourth book in the series?? I am hoping for one!

“The Maid’s Secret” by Nita Prose will be available starting April 8th, 2025.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books, Nita Prose, and Netgalley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley & Ballantine Books for an eARC ❤️

There’s something deeply comforting about returning to Molly Gray’s world—like catching up with an old friend who always has the wildest stories to tell.💓
Molly, now the Special Events Manager at the Regency Grand Hotel, is on the cusp of her happily-ever-after with fiancé Juan Manuel. But fate has other plans when a reality TV show, *Hidden Treasures*, rolls into town. In a moment of curiosity, Molly brings in a box of her late gran’s belongings—only to learn one is a **priceless artifact**, making her an overnight millionaire.
Before Molly can even process her newfound fortune, the treasure is **stolen in a breathtaking heist**, and suddenly, she’s thrust into a media frenzy with a target on her back.
The real magic of this book lies in **Gran’s long-lost diary**, which reveals a past far grander—and more tragic—than Molly ever imagined. Turns out, Gran wasn’t just a maid; she was a **wealthy heiress who gave up everything for love**. Her romance with a man “beneath her station” led to betrayal, disinheritance, and a life rebuilt from scratch.
But here’s the twist: **Gran’s lost love is someone Molly knows today.😳
Fans of *The Maid* will adore seeing Molly navigate this new, high-stakes mystery with her signature **literal-mindedness, kindness, and quiet brilliance**. Her growth is palpable—she’s more confident now, but still refreshingly herself. And her relationships (especially with Juan Manuel and her loyal friends) add **so much heart** to the suspense.
*The Maid’s Secret* is **more than a mystery**—it’s a love letter to family secrets, second chances, and the idea that the greatest treasures aren’t always made of gold.

**P.S.** If Nita Prose doesn’t turn this into a series, I’ll personally lead a protest. Molly deserves *all* the adventures.

I’ve read all of Molly’s stories. I have to say that, while I enjoyed this one, it wasn’t my favorite. Maybe because the setup is different. Chapters alternate between Molly and her grandmother. I did love finding out Flora’s and John’s backstory through Flora’s chapters. It all comes together at the end with the mystery of the Fabrege egg. All in all a good addition to the series.

I've been reading Nita Prose's books since her very first Molly the Maid book. It was actually chosen as the book of the month for a book club I belong to through the Nowhere Bookshop, and I've been reading the series since that time. I have always from a physical perspective loved the simplicity of the covers, and they stand out in comparison to other best sellers. So of course I had planned on reading The Maid's Secret. The author also has an event in Minneapolis later this month (April 2025), and since I'm considering attending wanted to get the book read before then.

I've loved Molly as a character since the beginning. There are so few representations of autistic women, especially as a main character, that are authentic. Author Brandy Schillace's series is one of the only other ones that comes to mind. I'd read these books if nothing else due to how authentic the main character is written. In this book, it really stood out to me when Molly's thought processes were spelled out. It's so hard sometimes trying to describe in writing how it feels to not know if someone is being literal or if there's a sub meaning you just don't quite catch on to.

If you're a fan of Molly's Gran, this is the book for you. Prose weaves Molly's story in with Gran's history. You'll be surprised as to how Gran changes over the course of her life. Although it's not so surprising if the reader compares how they themselves have changed and matured throughout their life. This story of the two women was also especially poignant, because as someone who was close to their own grandma, it would be life changing to hear more of my grandma's story in her own words years after she has been gone. Prose's writing had me thinking of my own grandma very frequently throughout the book.

Overall, I liked the way the author tied together earlier story lines with the current mystery Molly is trying to solve. I think if you're a reader who likes the series, you'll enjoy the book. If you haven't read the series, it's possible to read this as standalone, but I'd encourage you to read the other books prior to reading this one as you get the back story and see how Molly grows over the series.

Please be advised I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you @NetGalley and @randomhouse for an ARC of one of my most anticipated reads.

4 stars

Molly is back, and of course life can’t be calm. Molly is head maid, and she has recently gotten engaged to her beloved Juan Manuel. One of their favorite shows is filming an episode at the Grand Regency where they both work. Think Anituqies Roadshow.

Molly brings in a few things Gran left to her, and it turns out something is worth money. A lot of money.

We get to learn so much of Gran’s backstory in this book. I loved getting to know Flora, and how she came to love Mr. Preston and the way their lives separated them and brought them back together again over the years.

This is, without a doubt, my favorite Molly the Maid story yet.

My grandmother was also someone so incredibly special to me, and this book brought tears to my eyes at one point.

While I love reading about Molly, I hope she finally gets to live happily ever after.

This book had an interesting premise and moments of strong writing, but it didn’t fully hold my attention. The pacing felt uneven at times, and while some characters were engaging, others felt underdeveloped. There were definitely aspects I enjoyed—whether it was the atmosphere, the dialogue, or certain plot twists—but overall, it was a middle-of-the-road read for me. Fans of the genre might find more to love, but it didn’t quite leave a lasting impression.

This book helps fill in the spaces between Mollie and her Gran. I loved the story and the ties between the past and present. Mollie takes items for evaluation for a TV show shooting at the hotel. Among her treasures is the egg she has since her last 'case'. It turns out to be very valuable and Mollie is overwhelmed by the excitement and possibilities. The history of the egg is tied to her Gran. Lots of weaving together of stories make this a good read. It ties up Mollie's adventures and her relationship with Juan.
I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review.

Molly the Maid is back in The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose.

"Molly and Juan have a small wedding planned but wish they could afford more. Hidden Treasures, a show that appraises family heirlooms, is filming at Molly's hotel. She takes a few items for them to look at and is shocked by what she finds out. Will her life change?"

This includes Gran's backstory and sets up how Molly got to where she is. That part moves a little slower than previous books but it's necessary to get to the ending. So this is a dual timeline in a semi-epistolary format using Gran's diary. Molly is still herself - a character that strives for excellence and is not interested in fame or fortune - certainly not interested in becoming a viral Tik Tok meme. I like that Prose puts her in some uncomfortable situations because that makes her change and grow. She's actually the one that solves the puzzle first.

Lots of red herrings and some interesting connections. A nice surprise ending that works.

3.5 Molly the Maid's journey continues to be entertaining in this conclusion to her story. As she prepares for her wedding she stumbles across a priceless treasure and the story of how it came to belong to her beloved Gran. While half the tale is told to Molly through letters from her Gran as she was dying, the rest of the book played out in the present time as Molly prepared to sell a family heirloom and remove money troubles from her life for the first time.

Something about this just wrapped up a little too nicely for me. I didn't love how the two show hosts were married and one had nefarious intentions and the other was completely oblivious.

This was a decent conclusion (or at least, I hope it is a conclusion) to a series that I found to be average at best. There were strong ideas and the writing wasn't bad, but Molly's story just wasn't very believable. I feel like this book did not show Molly in the same light she had been shown in in previous books/ there was no real big wow factor to this one. Overall, a decent series. And I am very happy that Molly got a happy ending, but I think it's for the best that this series is wrapping up.

I did, however, enjoy how full circle everything felt with the faberge!

The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for a complimentary copy of this novel ! In Nita Prose’s third Molly the maid novel, We see Molly tying the knot with Juan. But before that is to take place,there are secrets from Molly's familial past that must come to light. With these secrets, we see molly is in the possession of a rare Faberge egg as she comes to find out when an antique roadshow program films an episode inside the Regency Grand Hotel. What she thought was worthless, is worth millions! And now, Molly is an overnight sensation. However, with this popularity, also comes danger. On the day of the auction, the Faberge egg is stolen with no shred of evidence other than a threat written out to Molly in order for Molly to solve this, she must go back to her familial past and dig deep into her Gran’s diary. Molly learns
about her Gran’s past and where the Faberge egg really came from. Will Molly be able to use her grandmother's diary to catch the thief? This novel was a cozy, heartwarming whodunit! I've enjoyed the series so much! It will be out April 8, 2025!

This is my favorite book in this series so far. I loved everything about this book. I could tell after reading just the first chapter that this book was just so special. (Special thanks to NetGalley and Viking/Penguin/Ballatine Books for providing an eARC copy!)

Characters: 5/5 - I LOVED seeing our characters in these different settings

Atmosphere/Setting: 5/5 - As always the Grand Hotel keeps expanding, as does the settings in our tandem storylines. This time a different posh mansion.

Writing Style: 5/5 - In this book, it felt like Nita Prose really truly found her groove and wrote her heart out. The pacing was fantastic. The story was great. Our characters always great. Loved having the duo timelines again - gave us great insight into our characters, more than we know we at first!

Plot: 5/5 - Loved how this plot developed - it was a simple mystery plot line with some thriller qualities thrown in but it was expanded so much with the second storyline.

Intrigue: 5/5 - There was so much intrigue built into this book - in both storylines I was on the edge of my seat.

Logic: 5/5 - Everything logically made sense to me. Never questioned it.

Enjoyment: 5/5 - Thoroughly enjoyed this one and can’t wait for the next book!

35/7 = 5/5

It’s hard to say, but could I have possibly loved this one more than the first?! For fans of Molly the Maid, this story gives us SO MUCH and I adored it from start to finish

In this chapter of Molly’s life, we find her preparing to marry her love, Juan Manuel, and host one of the most popular TV shows, Hidden Treasures. With a bunch of trinkets left over from her Gran, she decides to bring some in to see their worth

One of the items takes the world by surprised with its rarity and worth. Molly’s world is flipped upside down as she quickly becomes a sensation! Just as Molly is coming to terms with possibly becoming a multimillionaire, the item is stolen

On a chase to find her worthy heirloom, we find intertwining details from her Gran’s life. Her voice in this story was such a joy to hear. It connected so much of Molly’s present and past. Her story is both inspiring and heartbreaking. When the opposite of rags to riches happens to a young woman full of hope and promise. The demise of dreams by the demands of her family.

I highly recommend this book to fans of Molly The Maid, those who are new to her, and those looking for a truly enjoyable story. This book is perfectly written and the ending is tied nicely with a bow.

The Maids Secret started off strong and ended fairly. The nostalgic diary of Flora were the best pieces of the story. Molly’s mystery of the missing egg felt more juvenile like a Nancy Drew Mystery. Nita Prose has done a good job of developing Mollys character away from when we first met Molly. Molly has also developed a small sense of humor which makes her more likable. Molly is neurodivergent and appears to have autistic characteristics and a reader may struggle to pick up on that quirk about her. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

SYNOPSIS
- Molly Gray is back—now Head Maid and Special Events Manager at the Regency Grand, and just a couple months away from marrying Juan Manuel. Life’s looking good.
- A reality show called Hidden Treasures arrives to film at the hotel, and Molly, on a whim, brings one of Gran’s old keepsakes.
- Surprise! It’s a Fabergé egg worth millions. Suddenly, Molly’s rich and in the spotlight.
- But then the egg is stolen, and Molly is caught in the middle of a flashy, dramatic heist.
- Clues to what happened (and to who Gran really was) start showing up in an old diary Gran left behind.
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MY THOUGHTS
- I loved the first two books—The Maid got 4 stars from me, The Mystery Guest was a 5-star favorite. The holiday novella (The Mistletoe Mystery) got 3 stars.
- This one? It just didn’t land. I’m giving it 2.5 stars & rounding up to 3 stars, and honestly, I’m being generous. At this point, I’m batting 2 out of 4 with Molly the Maid, and unfortunately, the trend is heading in the wrong direction.
- The premise had potential—big heist, hidden past, a priceless egg—but the story felt flimsy. The mystery barely held together, and the pacing was so slow.
- Molly didn’t feel like herself. She used to be sharp, unique, and endearing. Here, she felt like a watered-down version of what made her special in the first place.
- The dual timelines (present day + Gran’s diary) were fine in theory, but didn’t add much. Gran’s chapters, especially, felt off—she read like a totally different person, more historical romance-novel lead than the wise, grounded woman we knew.
- The plot kind of meandered. It felt like the book existed just to recycle some familiar catchphrases, not to tell a fresh or engaging story.
- Character development? Basically nonexistent. It was like the author had taken these characters as far as they could go and had nothing new to say.
- I did like the way it ended, and I don’t regret reading it—but it didn’t have the charm or cleverness of the earlier books.
- If you’re new to the series, definitely don’t start here. It only really works if you’re already invested in Molly, and even then… it’s a stretch.
⸻
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️💫2.5 stars (rounded up to 3). The latest installment in the series fell short. Definitely don’t read this as a stand-alone. What starts as a promising cozy-heist turns into a slow, underwhelming read with little mystery, no real character growth, and a version of Gran that doesn’t feel like Gran at all. I wanted to love this, but it just didn’t hit the mark. Might be the last Molly book for me.
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Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Maid’s Secret comes out April 8, 2025.

I’m so excited that Molly is back for her third (and a half) book! While this mystery series isn’t something I would normally gravitate towards, I fell in love with Molly in the first book, and it’s been nice watching her grow up and navigate life on her own. Though now, she’s not on her own, she has her fiancé Juan, and they are excitedly getting ready for their wedding.

In this book, something exciting is also happening at The Regency Grand. A reality show called “Hidden Treasures” (think “Antiques Roadshow”) is coming to film an episode there, and the staff is encouraged to bring anything they want to know more about. Molly gathers a few things of her Gran’s: a teacup, a key and a couple of other trinkets. At the last minute, Juan has her take the golden egg that Gran gave her. Molly thinks it’s worth nothing, as Gran didn’t have a lot of money, but she takes it along anyway.

When the show gets started, the appraisers are astonished by the egg. Especially when they examine it more closely. It’s not just a trinket - it’s a rare Fabergé egg, made of gold and encrusted with jewels. The art world thought it was gone forever, but really, it had been with Gran and Molly for years. They make a second episode with an auction, which sees the egg going for several million dollars, taking Molly from maid to millionaire in a matter of minutes. However, the egg was stolen during the auction, and a threatening note was left, telling Molly to forget about the egg…or else.

The mystery of the missing egg is part of the book, but the other half involves the history of Gran, and the history of the egg. Through diary entries, we get the back story of how Gran grew up and made a family that eventually included Molly, and it’s the prequel I’d been wanting! Both halves of the book were great, and it tied the present and past together neatly. The ending was also done well, just as with the other books in this series. I hope this isn’t the end for Molly, as I’d love to see what happens next! 4.5 stars.

(Thank you to Random House - Ballantine, Nita Prose and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 8, 2025.)

Another fantastic read. This one was much more cozy and comedic than the first two. But overall I have come to really adore Molly and I would still recommend this one ! It flowed well and had a great ending !

This was another winner by Nita Prose. I really enjoyed learning more about Molly"s grandmother. I couldn't put this down. I am really hoping for another in the series.

Many thanks for my gifted copy!!

Having been a fan of the first two installments with Molly, I was really hoping to love this one. It was more of a like versus a love though. I enjoyed Gran’s backstory and delving into her past but the present day mystery was just a little boring. A cute story but not an overly propulsive mystery. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy.