3.5 stars!

I requested this book because it vaguely reminded me of the JLO's "Maid in Manhattan" 2000s romcom, and overall, this was a cute summery read. The story held my interest for a few treadmill sessions. Lynn's snappy banter and writing style is always fun. If you enjoyed "Mr. Wrong Number," by Painter, then you'll most likely like this one. Recommended for a light beach romcom

3.5/5 stars!

Lynn Painter is one of my favorite authors, and I was super excited about this book. I was hooked at the beginning, but it started to fall flat for me around the halfway point. I liked the characters and the fake dating storyline, and would have loved to see that continue a little longer. Overall, it was an easy and enjoyable read and I will continue picking up anything this author puts out!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

A lighthearted rom-com with a fake dating scenario that feels straight out of a Hallmark movie.

Abi’s juggling grad school, multiple jobs, and a seriously cursed apartment (thanks to one very dramatic infestation). In a moment of desperation, she moves into the empty penthouse she cleans—only to get mistaken for her boss’s girlfriend when his parents drop by unannounced. Enter Declan: tall, broody, loaded, and secretly a bit of a softie.

The banter is classic Lynn Painter: fast, flirty, and full of chemistry. It leans into familiar tropes (grumpy x sunshine, millionaire x maid) in a way that’s cute and comforting… but also very been-there-read-that. If you’re a fan of her style, it delivers what you'd expect.

That said, this one didn’t totally win me over. The romance is slow burn, sure...but when it finally kicked in, it felt more like a flicker than a flame. I was left wanting more from their connection and more time seeing them as a real couple. And as someone who hasn’t necessarily loved Lynn Painter’s books in the past, this didn’t change my mind much. It's good, but nothing great. One of those reads that’s fine while it’s happening, but forgettable once it’s done

Still, if you're in the mood for something clean, tropey, and Cinderella-coded with a bit of fake dating chaos, this one might hit the spot—especially if you enjoy comfort reads and don’t mind a predictable plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review! 🧹💕

This was a difficult review for me to write. While the book was undeniably charming and had its fun moments, I can’t shake the feeling that it was a little too…generic, for lack of a better word. I struggled to connect with the story early on and more than once I considered giving up and declaring it a DNF. That said, something about the dynamic between Declan and Abi kept me reading, despite the fact that neither character particularly grabbed me.

I originally gave it four stars, but now I’m thinking it’s more of a 3.5. Good if you’re looking for something light and easy, just don’t expect anything groundbreaking.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars on this one.
Maid For Each Other is ridiculously cute. Abi is cleaner who gets displaced for her apartment because of an infestation. She gets the idea to stay at one of her clients, Declan's really nice places. She knew her client only had her come clean when she's out of town so it works out perfectly. After all, she is a cleaner. One morning she wakes upto find Declan's parents in his kitchen. They're extremely excited to finally meet his gf so what else can she do other than go along with it? She says she is Abby. What Abi doesn't know is Declan is upset because he's created a fake gf scheme up so there's definitely no fake gf.
Later on, Abi is surprised when Declan tracks her down and he's mad. They manage to create s win/ win situation or that benefits them both after talking things through.

This was a super-cute but predictable rom com. It was an easy but short read. If you're a fan of lynn Painter then you'll love this one. If your new to Lynn Painter, then this a good one to start with.

Lynn Painter never disappoints!!

Abi is the perfect blend of quirky, smart, and funny. Dexxie is grumpy turned golden retriever. I loved every second of this book and was laughing out loud for at least half of it.

Already know this is one that I will be re-reading in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I think Lynn Painter does a good job with banter and conversations between characters. At one point though it did seem like too many Pretty Woman references were being used, but maybe I’m just not a big enough fan of that movie. Overall I liked this book, but I wish there had been more depth and emotion to it. It’s good for a super quick, lighthearted read if that’s what you’re looking for. It is not my favorite of Lynn Painter’s books though.

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗:
When an infestation forces Abi out of her apartment, she has no other choice but to stay at the penthouse she cleans, only for Declan’s parents to show up and to mistake her for his nonexistent girlfriend.

𝙼𝚢 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎:
It’s giving Maid in Manhattan meets Pretty Woman vibes!

Abi is quirky and fun while Declan is a bit broody, but together they have that classic LP banter that is just so dang fun.

This book has the perfect balance of plot, romance & comedy. I loved that while Declan is rich, he never flaunts it or looks down on Abi because of it. Abi is basically a contemporary Cinderella, who is working hard to make her dreams come true, though she does struggle at first with judging Declan because of his money.

There is just something about LP’s books that are so dang bingeable! I couldn’t put this one down - the fake dating is done perfectly, our MMC falls HARD, & the Pretty Woman vibes were vibin’. Such a fun read!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁:
🫧Grumpy x Sunshine
🫧 Millionaire x Maid
🫧Forced Proximity
🫧Fake Dating
🫧”Honey”
🫧 Dual POV
🫧Acts of service

True rating 4.5 stars... I loved the premise of this book and it made me LOL many times. I enjoyed learning more about their life but it also felt rushed at the end. I would of given it 5 stars if it hadn't been the rushed feeling ending but I wanted more.

Super cute fake dating story! I loved the storyline and the fun take on fake dating. I did feel like the characters could’ve been developed a little better.super fun escape and would recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted read! Loved watching them fall in love.

Loved this romantic comedy book. I thought Declan was a sweetheart and Abi was adorable. I will say almost the whole book was just one big miscommunication so if you don't like that maybe skip this one. But I really loved this book!

Lynn, the woman you are. I will always be your biggest fan and if you have no fans then i am dead. Keep writing the way you do!

Another sweet romance about Abi and Declan who are strangers who help each other and fall in love. These 2 characters were very real and loveable as was their journey to love. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #MaidforEachOther #NetGalley

I really loved this book. I've only read one other book by Lynn Painter (and liked it) but everything about this book made me happy. I got to see (accurately respresented) lung issues, which, for such a "small" thing, really made me feel seen. I loved the characters banter, chemistry, and tension. The author brought so many things i love into the book without me feeling like it was overdone. It was sweet and refreshing and I can't wait to recommendation it. The ONLY negative thought I had was "nooo not a heart shape" (lol).

You can never go wrong with Lynn Painter, you just can’t. This latest one seals her as an autobuy author for me forevermore!

I was skeptical based on the blurb and that I have enjoyed her adult romances less than her YA typically. This then surprised me greatly. It was a fun, sweet time, but boy oh boy get me to her new YA release already. Something about her adult books lack the 5 star/X factor spark that I fell in love with in Better Than the Movies.

This book was consistently enjoyable throughout. The maid premise was a little bit cringy and I’m not the biggest fan of puns, though that is pretty transparent going in.

Lynn Painter has done it again! I loved this book so much! The characters were great, the storyline was so fun, and overall I loved reading this! I will say, I am usually not a fan of characters who fall in love so quick, but I didn't really mind too much while reading this. I am so happy I got to read this, thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

While I always love a fake-dating trope, Maid for Each Other falls flat for me. While I've liked Painter's characters in her YA novels, Abi and Declan feel more like Gen Z slang-laden caricatures than 3-dimensional people, leaving the reader pining for more substance.

I love a good fake dating trope, and Painter does a great job - as always - of turning Omaha into a fun rom-com wonderland. And while I love an outlandish plot for a contemporary romance, I also want characters that feel a little real.

Abi and Declan - 0ur maid and millionaire, respectively - are defined mostly by their money or lack thereof and their overuse of Gen Z slang. It could be that I read too many historical romances (just kidding - I could never read too many), but the constant use of the "hippest" slang felt like it dated the story and didn't feel authentic to people in their late twenties/early thirties. And the class and privilege divide in the book is never quite covered as satisfactorily as I would have liked.

There are moments where Painter does dive deeper into the characters' backstories, only to reel us back into the present with more cute and quirky antics. And again, I'm a big fan of cute and quirky antics - just not at the cost of character development.

What I love about great romances is that while the plots might be completely outlandish, we can still see ourselves - and our own happiness - reflected in the characters. Maid for Each Other, while a fun little romp, lacks that depth that is needed for a truly wonderful romance.

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐

Lynn Painter has somehow done it again! This woman never misses. Her books always have me giggling and kicking my feet, and Maid for Each Other was no different! While this is an adult romance, it still radiates the same flirty, fast-paced energy that makes her YA books so enjoyable.

The story follows Abi, a professional maid and part-time student juggling two jobs, who suddenly finds herself temporarily homeless due to an infestation in her building. With nowhere to go, she takes a bold risk: staying in the penthouse she cleans—just for a week—since the owner is never around. What Abi doesn’t expect is for the rich owner's parents to show up one morning and immediately assume that she’s, not his maid, but his girlfriend. Caught off guard—and seeing a perfect way out of her situation—Abi goes along with it.

Enter Declan Powell, a career-driven, emotionally unavailable executive. He’s just as shocked when he hears that his parents have met his “girlfriend, Abby.” Turns out, he made her up months ago to get them off his back about dating. Now, he’s face-to-face with a real woman who has accidentally stepped into the role. Seeing an opportunity, Declan proposes a deal: Abi keeps pretending to be his girlfriend for the weekend, and in return, she can stay in the penthouse for the week. It’s strictly business... until, of course, it isn’t.

Let me start by saying that the fake-dating trope is my all-time favorite, but I’m usually not a fan of billionaire romances (eat the rich!). So when I saw both in the synopsis, I was equally excited and nervous—but Lynn Painter nailed this. This book was SO fun. I swear it has a hint of so many tropes—enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, one bed, he-falls-first (and hard)—but with the main focus on fake-dating, forced proximity, and opposites attract. Their dynamic was pure gold, and the relationship felt incredibly well-evolved. Their relationship started as a slow burn, but once the tension broke, it felt like it quickly spiraled into a whirlwind romance. 100% recommend reading!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC of this fun rom-com from one of my favorite authors!