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What I liked: The historical tidbits about what being a servant at the huge Biltmore House was like. The author certainly did a good job in portraying the daily challenges and sometimes humiliations of the servants. I still cringe remembering some of the things that Tillie, the main character who wants to become a ladies maid in the service of a selfish and rather spoiled visitor to the estate.
What I didn't like: The constant references to the physical attraction between the two main characters, and the several scenes in which they were "set up" so that they would have physical encounters There was practically no sane reason for Tillie to choose Mack other than the intense physical attraction. The agonizing over her decision for most of the book and then having a sudden change of heart seemed kind of forced as well.
The author is talented at creating vivid scenes and relating some historical detail, but this is not a romance that I would necessarily recommend to others. ( )

This really is a different kind of Christian historical fiction. I am appreciative of the author's notes at the end talking about the differences between American and English homes of the wealthy in those days. This is the second Deeanne Gist book I've read in the past few weeks and I"ll be looking for more. ( )

Tillie Reese has worked her whole life to be a lady’s maid, but her chances are threatened by her feelings for the new footman, Mack, who entangles her into a scandal at the local orphanage.

Tillie wants to be the next lady's maid at the Biltmore, but in helping Mack, the handsome footman, their growing romance could jeopardize her chances. Large and regular print available.

Get swept up in a late nineteenth century forbidden romance between Tillie and Mack who live in the beautiful Ashville, NC.

****************** Stats **********************
Hero : 4 Heroine : 3 Peak Factor:2 Plot:2 Writing:3
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Overall Star rating: 2.8

This book was cute and sweet. It was a pure romance and I loved Tilly and how she really wanted this job and the things she had to go through to try and get it. I honestly think that should we not have read about the orphanage I would have understood the plot, peak factor, and the writing but, adding that in it barely tweaked out 3 stars for me.
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