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amarahk's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I would not have expected to enjoy this book, but I adored it! The writer wrote in such a way, that I could relate to Molly thoroughly, despite not having much in common. She did an excellent job of making the book feel very real and made me empathise with Molly. I felt every emotion reading this book to be honest and I read it in just two sittings because it was amazing.
Molly is a sweet person and I hated everyone who took advantage of her, or mistreated her. I absolutely despise Rodney and Cheryl. I love Juan Manuel, Mr Preston and Charlotte Preston - they were absolute gems. Also, I felt Molly’s grief when she spoke of her Nan: Her Nan sounded like an amazing person.
I will admit it isn’t my favourite book, my favourite book is Pride and Prejudice but I gave it a 5 stars because I don’t understand why people are so stingy with their ratings lol. It was interesting to read, I was never bored and many of the characters are likeable :).
I’m surprised by the number of people giving this book low ratings!! Most of them are saying autism is not portrayed correctly in the main character, but in my opinion there is not explicitly a right or wrong way. Autism is a spectrum and are there are countless types of autism, I am sure there are people who have similar thoughts to Molly - but if not, it is just a character and the author never explicitly mentioned autism.
EDIT: Changed my review from 5 stars to 4 stars because it’s not one of my favourite books and I haven’t thought of it, or the characters since, but now that I remember, I did love a lot of the characters so I’ve changed my mind and give it 4.75 stars lol.
I will admit it isn’t my favourite book, my favourite book is Pride and Prejudice but I gave it a 5 stars because I don’t understand why people are so stingy with their ratings lol. It was interesting to read, I was never bored and many of the characters are likeable :).
I’m surprised by the number of people giving this book low ratings!! Most of them are saying autism is not portrayed correctly in the main character, but in my opinion there is not explicitly a right or wrong way. Autism is a spectrum and are there are countless types of autism, I am sure there are people who have similar thoughts to Molly - but if not, it is just a character and the author never explicitly mentioned autism.
EDIT: Changed my review from 5 stars to 4 stars because it’s not one of my favourite books and I haven’t thought of it, or the characters since, but now that I remember, I did love a lot of the characters so I’ve changed my mind and give it 4.75 stars lol.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Deportation, Murder, and Ableism
Minor: Torture, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, and Violence
julleah's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Deportation, Medical trauma, Drug abuse, Murder, Drug use, Torture, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Terminal illness, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Slavery, Toxic relationship, and Violence
hmetwade's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Murder, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Physical abuse, Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Cancer, Deportation, Drug use, and Terminal illness
veeples's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I had a lot of fun with this book! Its a well paced mystery with a protagonist I couldn’t help but root for and wanted the best end for her. I found the last twist in the book to be a little out of left field and the justification slightly flimsy, otherwise this would have been a solid 4 star book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Drug use, and Domestic abuse
norwegianforestreader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Gun violence, Abandonment, Ableism, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Deportation, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Cancer, and Murder
isabezza's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
This is a difficult review to write as this book was simply okay. Initially I enjoyed our main character's unique, flawed, bullied, possibly neurodivergent mindstyle, but it quickly became repetitive. The mystery was generally predictable even when the main character omitted aspects of the narrative for suspense. The characters were two-dimensional; good or evil with little nuance. Nonetheless, this was an enjoyable and comfortable read with some exciting moments. The little victories for the main character I particularly enjoyed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Bullying, Cancer, Death, Deportation, Drug use, and Murder
madamenovelist's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Blood, Body horror, Chronic illness, Cancer, Classism, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse
The heroine has overt autistic traits (and possibly OCD traits? it’s unclear what the author’s intent was) but the manner in which her neurodivergence is handled was vaguely… flat. Like a caricature rather than a real person. I’m not sure if the author had a sensitivity reader/discussed what it’s like to be autistic with actual autistic people. Fantastic premise that would have made 5 stars if neurodivergence was handled with better care.whewtaewoon's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Molly, an Autistic maid, finds the body of a VIP guest and finds herself square in the focus of the investigating detective. Molly must learn who she can trust to help her shine a light on the truth of the situation and uncover much more than just a murder.
I'll be honest, I was a bit skeptical at first of The Maid. I couldn't find any information on if Prose herself is Autistic, coupled with the fact Molly is never called Autistic in the book (rather she's called "different") I wasn't sure what to expect. Actually, I think I expected the worse. However, in my opinion, The Maid is a fun and respectful representation of an Autistic woman finding her way in the world on her own for the first time in her life. Not only did I enjoy the depection of Molly but I also enjoyed the mystery itself. I enjoyed (although was frustrated by) Molly having to figure out who was friend and who was foe. The twists in the story were delightfully surprising as well.
I look forward to the next book.
I'll be honest, I was a bit skeptical at first of The Maid. I couldn't find any information on if Prose herself is Autistic, coupled with the fact Molly is never called Autistic in the book (rather she's called "different") I wasn't sure what to expect. Actually, I think I expected the worse. However, in my opinion, The Maid is a fun and respectful representation of an Autistic woman finding her way in the world on her own for the first time in her life. Not only did I enjoy the depection of Molly but I also enjoyed the mystery itself. I enjoyed (although was frustrated by) Molly having to figure out who was friend and who was foe. The twists in the story were delightfully surprising as well.
I look forward to the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Drug use
katielikestoread's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
If you're looking for a lighter, more digestible book with a bit of mystery thrown in, this is the book for you. Some parts of it were entertaining but it doesn't completely check out as a murder mystery to me. I do have a tendre for Molly but the rest of the book is a bit rote. Some of the topics surrounding certain characters were handled clumsily, to say the least, and it's my opinion that a book published in this day and age should be more sensitive. It felt like everything but the kitchen sink was thrown in to make this a mystery, and there were a lot of instances in which the protagonist straddled the line between oblivious and sly, despite the book claiming the very opposite. I get that the protagonist isn't supposed to be a sophisticated, seasoned murderer, but it's a different thing entirely to have her be written in an oblivious light and not address why. One strength of the book is that it's not bogged down by red herrings but in my opinion, the simplicity of the plot doesn't read well and the third act comes together all too conveniently for my taste.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Murder
sarahflanders's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Bullying, Death, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Murder, and Toxic relationship