This was a cute read! You could tell it was well-researched and I appreciated how the author played with the conventions of the genre and broke the fourth wall a bit.

2 stars.

DNF at 10%; the omniscient narrator is extremely distracting and unfortunately breaks my immersion in the story. Regardless, I don't think this book is for me so I decided to quit while I was ahead.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC!

I liked this okay, but I suppose I’m a sucker for romance? The pacing was weird, and the end was confusing, but the writing was good and I stayed compelled.

I got a teensy bit annoyed with the omniscient narrator breaking the fourth wall with asides, but they did work to move the narrative along.

Looking back, seismic changes swept through the Victorian era. But for individuals living through the changes, they were certainly not quick. This book was an interesting look at indivduals who found ways to break the bonds of their births and upbringings, some with subtle but impactful changes and some reinventing themselves completely.

This book is about Alice, a ladies maid and the wonderful man she loves, and is an absolute delight to read. The main character has a strong and wily personality, and doesn't want to let what she loves go by the wayside. Through all her efforts we see love, joy, and heartbreak in her life. It is also an interesting narrative of this time period and the relationships between the 'upstairs' and the 'downstairs'. Alice's relationship with her own Lady Jemima is interesting - while Jemima seems to care for her servant, she will always see the kind young woman as below her. She gives her garments and buttons but then seems confused when she sees her maid wearing them. Alice has to go through a lot making sure the young lady is appropriately dressed and able to attempt to find a husband... which incidentally Alice starts to maybe find for herself! The ending of this book is both surprising and entirely endearing; a tale of women's suffrage in the UK, and brings it all to a heartwarming close.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes Jane Austen, Bridgerton, and books about love blossoming between an adorable couple. You will have a fun ride in store for you!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

This was such a lovely story! I instantly connected with Alice, our main character, and her budding romance with Charlie was so sweet and all too easy to root for. Also, I was definitely not expecting that ending!!

This was a great story touching on subject of classism and sexism while remaining heartfelt and humorous. Waldman balances social commentary with charm and wit in a way that feels fresh and genuine.

Highly recommend for fans of Jane Austen and charming period romances with depth!

Equal opportunity treasure!!!
Ayelet Waldman and Michael Charon (Pulitzer Prize winning novelist), are a married couple: *both* are prominent Jewish authors - living in Berkeley, California. I read everything they both publish!
I’ve met them both a few times ….. and I’m not shy to say that they are my favorite Jewish-duo-author couple!

For anyone not familiar with these two dynamos ….
“Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman have often collaborated together…..
…..speaking about their relationship, the twenty-plus books they have written between them both, editing each others work, sharing about Motherhood & Fatherhood. They have 4 four children (adults now).
They have talked about writing, their Jewish identity and Jewish issues, political issues, the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Holocaust, mental illness, micro-dosing, and other social issues….
Fact is Ayelet Waldman and Michael Chabon are a literary power couple…..and I’m a ‘huge fan’!!!

I promise … I’m getting to a review on Ayelet’s latest hilariously-wonderful-historical-Victorian-era-romp-of-a-gem, nineteenth century novel “A Perfect Hand” soon….
but first ….
….a little more about Ayelet Waldman. She is incredibly diverse in the books she writes…..from Motherhood (so good…sooo truthful … soooo funny), to contemporary novels, historical novels, Chit Lit, family, WWII, Holocaust, Patenting essays, Feminism, Biographical memoirs, Cozy humor, Mysteries, Thrillers, Suspense Crime, as well as a fabulous non-fiction biography about Microdosing (and how it was made a phenomenon difference in her life - her marriage - her mood - her mental health).
And now…..
….her latest….”A Perfect Hand” —
….a perfect title for a very enjoyable period-piece: “The Victorian era”…..an era that placed a strong emphasis on social hierarchy, morality, social reform, complexities and social inequalities, hypocrisy, subterfuge, limited opportunities for women ….
…..with delicious storytelling about love, resilience, great humor, surprises, and determination.
Ayelet knows just how to make a story build. It’s filled with energy, a portrait of a radiating young woman, with emotional satisfying dialogue. The historical issues are keenly observed …. with funny bone heartstrings achingly human.

We meet Alice Lockley (19th century England)….she has clout, instinct, finesse…..is savvy…..and perhaps a tad clairvoyance (ok, maybe exaggerating a tad) ….but she’s a crafty-intelligent woman.
Not your average maid who works for a wealthy prestigious family Alice is not your average anything.
When Alice meets Charlie Wells, a valet working for another prestigious family ….the two of them scheme together a way finagle the people they work for to fall in love with each SO THAT they could marry each other…..
Seeds are planted …..but ..
Ha! ….. the story unfolds the surprisingly gifts so touchingly sweet….. so moving ….. with a great ending ….
……shhhh — my lips are sealed ….
However ….
I’ll share a little excerpt (out of context) to give a taste of what is in store.
“What if Lord Wynstowe marries? he said. You could come to his house as a maid. The house is not what you’re used to, but if we are together, we can tolerate anything!”
“But any wife he’d have would bring her own maid, she said”.
“What, then, if he were to marry your own lady? He drew her to him, excitement replacing his prior woe. This is the ideal solution to our predicament! We must make the two fall in love and marry. Then we’ll be able to as well”.
“Alice laughed. Lady Jemima love Lord Wynstowe? She’d sooner marry his carriage horse”.
“Charlie felt the prospect of happiness slipped through his fingers. How could fate put such a girl in his way only to snatch her from him? He cursed his gentleman for being a tepid milksop. Lord Wynstowe isn’t entirely unappealing. There are things a young lady might value, Charlie said”.

“I esteem you too well, dear Reader, to drag out the events that followed. You have both imagination and experience sufficient to anticipate what next occurred” . . .
Or do you? . . .

Totally captivating novel with great humor and history.
Huge congratulations to Ayelet Waldman.

The Perfect Hand is an absolute delight—equal parts wit, romance, and social intrigue. Alice Lockey is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for: clever, resourceful, and just cheeky enough to make trouble in the most charming way. The 19th-century country estate setting is richly drawn, from the silks and lace of Lady Jemima’s wardrobe to the unglamorous realities of servant life.

The matchmaking plot between Alice’s lady and a baronet is both hilarious and heartfelt, with plenty of twists to keep you wondering if Alice’s own romance will succeed.

I loved this one so much. I do not think I can do it justice.
The story is about class, society, being in service, finding one’s purpose, and love. There is a wise and witty narrator, characters you can root for, sharp observations of class and society (hard to believe it was not written by a Brit), and a nice twist at the end.
There are also suffragists and suffragettes (some of whom you may have heard of) and a few vapid aristocrats (who I found surprisingly sympathetic). The excellent sense of place and time really brought the characters to life.
Reading this one was an immersive experience, I honestly felt like I had time-traveled for the day. The narrative moved along at a nicely judged pace, there was time to appreciate the evocative writing and let the story breathe.
No notes. Highly Recommend.

An interesting and amusing story of a young woman in the 19th century England. Alice is happy working hard, avoiding marriage. She then sets her sights on a man… no spoilers here. Great book!

The author pulls you in with the all seeing, sharp eyes of an unseen narrator (al a Bridgerton) and while there is scandal and marriage pursuits a plenty, the real surprise reveal is truly an unexpected surprise. Nope! Not giving anything away in my review - you'll have to read it for yourself and find out.

This tale of working class servants (Alice and Charlie) & their plans to marry (despite living far apart & their employers not being on good terms), kind of surprised me. There was more humor & satire than I expected, and some genuinely funny observations (mostly from Alice herself). There was a running thread of the narrator speaking to the audience, sometimes feeling like a fourth wall was being broken slightly, that paid off in a VERY surprising way towards the end. Characters who you'd think would be empty caricatures (such as Lord Wynstowe or even Lady Jemima), had more depth and went through journeys not unlike Alice's. Such a good read for any historical fiction fan.

Aye let Walkman has written another wonderful novel very different then the thrillers I have enjoyed,.This novel bis so entertaining so engaging I enjoyed from first to last page.#NetGalley #aperfecthand

I have read all this authors books and thoroughly enjoy them. This was no exception. Thanks for the opportunity to read and good luck with this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and Knopf for the ebook. In 19th century England, Alice Lockley, against some odds, has used her innate intelligence and cunning to become a Lady’s maid of a demanding young woman from an important family. When she meets Charlie Wells, a valet at another house, the novel becomes a fun romp as the two try to trick the ones that they work for to marry each other, so our lovers can be together. Except, Alice has a lifelong habit of reading and once she reads about woman’s suffrage and meets a few of their leaders, maybe the perfect marriage to Charlie is not exactly the future she needs.

A delight! Alice is Lady Jemima’s maid—she is tactful and competent and pretty content with the way things are. However, once she falls for a visiting servant, Charlie, they plot to get their employers to fall in love with one another so that they can live in the same house. Alice’s quest introduces her to a variety of new people who expand her horizons and open her eyes to the realities of working class women in 19th century England.

This was wonderful - a funny, engaging, and moving novel. 4.5 stars. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a smart, charming read.

Thank you very much to Knopf and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.