Customer Reviews

My Lady Below Stairs

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Review for My Lady Below Stairs by Mia Marlowe

It is extremely difficult to write a satisfying novella. Some authors are able to "capture the magic" with 50,000 words or less, and some aren't. Marlowe totally nails it. This story has all the things I love about her longer historicals...it's beautifully written, has lusty love scenes, wonderful humor, and a very satisfying ending.

The best thing about this story is all of the unexpected surprises. Giovanni, the impassioned artist, is not who he seems. Sybil, the spoiled daughter, is not as shallow as we think. Ian, the head groom, is more clever, determined and madly in love than we could imagine. Marlowe weaves a multitude of threads together in this story, and as the threads come together, you know that you're in for a wonderful surprise. I LOVE stories that weave together a bunch of different POVs. Usually, you can figure out what's about to happen far in advance. But Mia Marlowe really surprised me at the end with all of the revelations about the characters. I adored the final scene in the library, written with all of the wit and humor that is characteristic of this author. It borders on a historical farce, which is one of my favorite things!

This story is truly like an unexpected Christmas gift...I opened the package having no expectations, and I found a real treasure. Thank you, Mia, for this sweet Christmas story.

Grade: A

Penelope
Penelope's Romance Reviews

I read this novella before it came out as an ebook, and encourage all romance readers to take advantage of this bargain way to read Mia Marlowe (especially if you haven't sampled her historical romances before). Her signature humor, great alpha heroes, spunky and interesting heroines, and intriguing plot twists are all here, even in a shorter format. I expect more of her books to come out as ebooks, so keep a lookout, and prepare to enjoy some grand reads.

In this short work, the author attempts to resolve the situation of three couples and a father-daughter relationship. This means characters are just sketched out, people change personalities in an instant, and a financial solution drops from the sky. The characters we're supposed to like aren't credible and are swamped with porn and vulgarity at the expense of character development. Save your money.

This story is neither really good nor bad, but that I assume is the way with short X-mas stories. Of course this story has a rather irrealistic fairytale ending but for an X-mas story we must be lenient, I suppose. It's not a bad read on a silent X-mas day.

This was a wildly entertaining and everything I desire in a romance novella. Fabulous characters, fantastic writing, a fun plot and sizzling passion.
A highly recommended romantic escape.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I am new to the Kindle book community and didn't know what a novella was. Turns out its a short story with lots of action. Mia Marlow's story, really delivered on the action and humor, the ending made me LOL. I will be looking for more of this author's books.

The story is set in the Regency Era, just before Christmas. Jane Tate is not simply a scullery maid at Somerville Manor. She is also the by-blow of Lord Somerville. Ever since Jane began to resemble the earl's legitimate daughter, Lady Sybil, Jane has not been allowed upstairs or around the family. Jane is not totally unhappy in her position. She often volunteers to venture out, into the cold, to collect the eggs. This is when she can steal a few minutes with Ian Michael MacGarrett, the head groom. Ian's Scottish accent is music to Jane's ears and his kisses make her knees go weak.

Lord Somerville charged his solicitor, Mr. Roskin, with the task of getting Sybil safely betrothed by Christmas to a gentleman of no small means. Should Roskin fail, his lordship would have him transported to a penal colony for embezzlement. Lord Somerville is in need of funds to shore up his debt-riddled estate. Roskin arranges a match between Lady Sybil and Viscount Eddleton. Lord Eddleton is due to propose to Lady Sybil tonight, at Lord Hartwell's Christmas Ball.

Things go wrong when Lady Sybil runs off with an artist. To save his skin, Roskin blackmails Jane into impersonating her half sister, attending the ball, and accepting the marriage proposal on Lady Sybil's behalf. Meanwhile the few in-the-know would hunt for the lordship's daughter.

To keep an eye on Jane, Ian pretends to be a footman and is part of Jane's escort to the ball. Jane deserves more than the life he could give her, but Ian refuses to let a toad like Viscount Eddleton claim her. Especially not when Ian intends to keep Jane for himself.

**** FOUR STARS! Though the plot has been done before and most of the tale is predictable, I still found this novella to be a delight to read. All the characters in the story toss lies around like confetti. Little white lies of deception, grey lies of omission, and the black-hearted lies of greed seem to sparkle as they are spewed up. The pieces glitter as they shift, tangle, and flutter on the way down. But eventually they all settle on the floor for everyone to see clearly.

Mia Marlowe's novella has an unexpected twist or two as well. I was never allowed to become too comfortable though. There was always something going to on to keep the story interesting. A fast paced novella (with a low price) that is a great read any time of the year. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Could have been a fun book , instead it was just stupid. If you like silly sex stories and nothing else it is for you, if you enjoy reading a good book or story I would leave this one alone

Well, I for one did not like this book. It is very confusing and not at all what I expect from a romantic novel. I did not find any romance at all but maybe I overlooked something?