I recently read The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose. This is the third book in the Molly the Maid series. I have read and loved the previous two books: The Maid and The Mystery Guest. This most recent volume can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone. However, coming back to characters you already have an established history with creates an ease, comfort and curiosity that is very pleasant.

In this story we are following Molly and Juan as they are preparing for their wedding. They both still work at the Regency Grand Hotel, him in the kitchen and her as the Head Maid and Event Coordinator. The hotel is hosting a tv show that evaluates antiques people bring in. Before reviewing the publics wares, they invite the hotel employees to have their treasures analyzed. When it is Molly's turn, she is surprised to find that her something of her grandmother's is worth millions. Naturally, Molly faints on tv, endearing her to fans everywhere. With Molly persuaded to sell, the tv show sets up an auction at the Regency. As the gavel comes down to close the sale, the item suddenly goes missing. Molly and friends must solve both the mystery of the missing multimillion dollar item, in addition to how and why her grandmother had it.

This story is wonderfully written. Reading is so easy. The story told from the perspective of present day, and entries in Molly's grandma's diary, moves smoothly to solving past and present mysteries at the same time. While certainly delightful for first time series readers, those invested in the series will revel in learning about Molly's beloved Gran, explaining so much from the past. I was left smiling and crying at the same time. A joy from beginning to end, definitely the best in the beloved series. Written and shined to perfection, just as Molly would want.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballentine books for the advanced copy.

Nita Prose has a magical way of drawing me in and capturing unexpected emotions. This book, the last book in the series, was so satisfying in filling in what has happened in the past and how we arrive to current times. We learn much more about our beloved Gran while a current day art heist is taking place. This series is all about love and friendship, being kind to all, and then throwing in a fun mystery and watching it unfold. There were true hardships too sad to imagine and we learn how Molly and Gran overcame them. We learn what was important, what had to be let go and as always, love prevailed. This is a fun cozy read that will make you laugh out loud, cry, and feel all the feels! Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this advanced copy. Pub date 4/8/25.

Okay, so I jumped into this one without reading The Maid, and guess what? Totally fine! You don’t need to know all the details from before to love this one.

The Regency Grand Hotel is buzzing, and Molly is just such a joy to follow. The art heist angle? Super fun. And the diary entries from her Gran? Ugh, my heart. It’s a cozy mystery, so don’t expect high-stakes drama, but the story keeps you hooked with just the right mix of quirky and heartfelt moments.

Even without the backstory, Molly’s personal growth shines through, and the supporting characters are absolute gems. If you’re new to this series, don’t sweat it—just dive in and enjoy! This is a cozy mystery with a side of feels, and you’re going to love it, no doubt!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the chance to join Molly’s world in exchange for my honest opinion. 💕

I love Molly and I love the series so I was so happy to get this book. A little mystery and always light hearted. In this one we learn more about Molly`s gran and their family history. I think this one was my favorite!

Ok I'm done with this series, it is not for me. Every character is a bumbling idiot and I actually cannot understand why this was written.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for sending me this book!

The Maid's Secret finishes Nita Prose's popular Molly the Maid series after three books and one novella. If you haven't read the series, you should start with the author's multiple-award-winning debut, The Maid, to get a feel for Molly, who isn't the best at interpreting social cues but has no equal in her commitment and ability to become the perfect hotel maid. In the first two books, Molly's career and social life evolve, as she also finds herself helping to solve murders that threaten the reputation of the posh hotel where she works.

In this book, much of the focus is on Molly's cherished, late Gran, who lovingly raised her and prepared her for the life challenges she would experience. With new access to her grandmother's journal, Molly (along with the reader) gains a new understanding of the early years of Flora Grey's often-harrowing life. The journal also yields clues to help Molly with a challenging situation she is facing, at the same time as she prepares for her upcoming wedding.

The author has a light touch with the mystery, with little real danger and no violence, although the details are entertaining. The mystery takes a bit of a back seat here, as the book is more of a character study of Molly and, in alternating chapters, her grandmother Flora. It is the singular character of Molly and how she approaches life and its trials that impressed me in the first book and has carried me through the rest of the series.

My thanks to Random House/Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Well if that wasn't just heartwarming without being cheesy, sad without being maudlin, and mysterious without being frightening. Dear readers, I'm charmed.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Nita Prose for the eARC! I love this series! The Maid Series are must-reads in my opinion! HIGHLY recommend!

The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose
Publishing date - 04/08/25
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Nita Prose for the eARC! I love this series! This one includes the background story on Molly’s ancestors, including her beloved Gran, Molly & Juan’s wedding, and a mystery about stolen art in The Regency Grand. I really enjoyed reading diary entries from Molly’s Gran! One of my favorite parts about this book was learning about Gran’s backstory. The Maid Series are must-reads in my opinion! HIGHLY recommend!

I always love reading about Molly and her adventures! This time, she finds love as she is planning her wedding, she also learns about her past. A key fits a diary to her Gran's early life as well as a hidden treasure. The treasure Molly found is worth millions and the diary is an unraveling of the past.

"I've always tried to impress upon you that your worth is not determined through the worldly goods you possess, nor will it ever decrease because someone refuses to see your value. Here's what I've learned over the years: you can't make people see what they don't want to see. And the most precious treasures are often overlooked."

Molly learns about her Gran's parents and about the manor where she grew up. With each new entry, Gran comes more alive.
"Be careful what you wish for. All that flitters isn't gold. Love is the only gift that lasts."

Molly is such a lovable character and I was cheering for her happy ending!

Charming, Delightful and Fun! 4 Stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy! This book will be released 4/8/25.

How wonderful to revisit Molly Gray hotel maid’s world. I’ve read all the books in this series and recommend them to our library patrons. The Maid’s Secret follows what’s happening in Molly’s current life plus looks back at her Grandmother’s life through her diary.

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. The latest Molly the Maid novel is my favorite of the series so far. Molly and Juan Manuel have made a wonderful life together, and their friends and family surround them with love and humor. As they near their wedding, they discover that Molly may be in possession of an actual treasure. Mystery and intrigue follow along. A lovely mystery story with a satisfying conclusion. Perhaps the best part of the story is learning Gran’s backstory, which is extremely well told.

For the moods section I included humorous, light-hearted, emotional, and cozy. While there are elements of suspense (who took the egg? Who even owns the egg?) and romance (John and Flora, Juan and Molly), the book is a quick, not-too-serious story. There are no dead bodies in the present day, and there is a happy ending that I think readers will find to be a satisfying conclusion to the series. I'm not sure this is the final book, but it could be a pausing point for people who don't enjoy long-running series.

The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose

Molly Gray is a maid who works at the Regency Grand. Mollys life is about to change! She brings a few items to be appraised on a tv show hidden treasures. One item seems to be worth a lot. Overnight, Molly becomes very popular, she’s about to come into a lot of money. But when the item goes missing, Molly and her friends and finance want to find out what happened to it. Molly is given her grandmothers diary and learns secrets about her grandmothers life, love life, the egg and a little about her mother as well.

I really liked Molly! I thought she was sweet and I wanted the best for her. Her fiancé was also really sweet! It really was an epic love story!! I really recommend this book! I didn’t want it to end but I loved the ending!

Be sure to check this book out on April 8th!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Nita Prose for the E-ARC! I feel so lucky to have been able to read this early!

Publication Date: April 8th 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A big thank you to Netgalley for an eARC of The Maid's Secret. Molly the Maid is back at it in another delightful story. I have thoroughly enjoyed off of the books in this series and I will miss Molly. This was a great story within a story and was perfect for me to finish out this year. I look forward to more to come from this author.

I just adore Molly the Maid! This was such a fun little mystery read!

Baxter and Beagle, hosts of the antique show Hidden Treasures, come to the Regency Grand to host their famous TV show. When Molly discovers that her golden egg is the original Faberge egg, she becomes an over night media sensation. However, the egg disappears during the auction and she and her friends must work to solve the mystery of the missing egg.

This story was sooooo much fun! I loved the diary chapters of Gran and how they added another layer of mystery to the story. I just adore all of the characters in Prose’s books. She has a knack for bringing them to life and making them so quirky and lovable. This book was just a delightful surprise!

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

I always enjoy another story in this fun and entertaining series about Molly the Maid! This one includes the background story on Molly’s ancestors, including her beloved Gran, Molly & Juan’s wedding, and a mystery about stolen art in The Regency Grand. A perfect light read with familiar characters!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @randomhouse for an early copy of The Maid’s Secret by @nitaprose. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Release date: April 8th, 2025

Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216458750-the-maid-s-secret?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=sqRE22S1it&rank=1

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

Molly the Maid takes a step back as the main protagonist (at least in my point of view) in The Maid’s Secret, where her grandmother Flora takes the spotlight as Molly reads her diary. As Flora recounts most of her entire life in her diary for Molly to read, the present events include a life-changing discovery for Molly, when one of her grandmother’s treasures was appraised by Brown and Beagle, the famous appraisers on the show Hidden Treasures. From just a maid to a milt-millionaire, the treasure vanishes in an instant it was being auctioned off.

Prose did a magnificent job in weaving all the connections surrounding the treasure’s mysterious disappearance and Flora’s past, unbeknownst to the reader. I am in awe and amazed at how she made all those connections without me realizing it until the conclusion. Additionally, I enjoyed how much we got to see Molly’s grandmother’s background through her diary and how deeper we got to see her character grow and realize how cruel her beginnings were.

I’d say this installment to the Molly the Maid series is more for the romantics than the cozy mystery lovers. Flora’s recalling of her romance with John in her diary I feel like outshone the mystery of the story; the mystery was quite underwhelming as well as compared to the previous books. But overall, I would highly recommend The Maid’s Secret as the love story in its pages captivated me and really tugged my heart with how much Flora’s love for John and Molly poured from the pages.

What I originally felt may veer somewhat cliché and repetitive ended up being an incredibly potent reminder about all things life and love. Molly and her ever rotating cast of characters became even more likable, if possible, with each passing page. The contrast between Molly’s Gran’s personal notebook and Molly’s innermost dialogue made for a fast-paced and entertaining read. A very welcome end to a warm series I did not want to say goodbye to. A special thank you to Ballantine Books and Penguin Random House through NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (my first!).

THE MAIDS SECRET ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5. Release date 4/8/25. Molly the maid is back! Fresh off her engagement 6 months ago, she is in wedding planning mode! When her favorite antique appraisal show comes to the Regency Grand hotel, Molly brings some of Grans possessions to find out she is sitting on millions! Of course, nothing is as it seems. This book was per usual, a quick read, with lots of lessons. We learn Grans story in this one, via an old diary. I loved the characters as usual, but I just didn’t feel like book was necessary. I also wanted more of the present in the book versus Grans past. Fans of the series will not be let down, and I know this book will be a hit. It was just my least favorite of the 4. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!