Honest Book Review of Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter
Check out my full book review for Maid for Each Other, Lynn Painter’s latest romantic comedy that you should think about adding to your TBR. Find out my favorite parts of the book as well as other books I recommend after reading this one.
Here’s a short synopsis of the book:
“As a professional cleaner, Abi Mariano never thought her apartment would have any sort of infestation, but because of a building-wide outbreak, she now needs somewhere to stay for a week. As a part-time student with two jobs, she doesn’t have many options. Then the solution presents itself: the owner of the penthouse she cleans is out of town for the week. She normally wouldn’t consider it, but he’s literally never around (she hasn’t even met him). It goes great…until one morning she finds two strangers in the kitchen. They’re the parents of the penthouse owner and they seem to think they’ve heard all about Abi—not as their son’s maid, but as his girlfriend.
Declan Powell has always put his career first, working his way up to become an executive at his company, but he still has his sights set on the next level. When his parents mention that they met his girlfriend, “Abby,” he all but chokes on his escargot. As wonderful as it sounds that she was just darling, he doesn’t actually have a girlfriend—he made her up to get everyone off his back. When Dex finds out who Abi really is, he makes her a proposition: pretend to date him, and he’ll provide everything she needs during their little arrangement. What harm would it do? It’s purely business, no pleasure…right?”
Full Book Review Without Spoilers
I really enjoyed Maid for Each Other because it was exactly the kind of fun, cute love story I was looking for. From the very first chapter, I felt hooked by the sharp banter and swoon worthy chemistry between the characters, and it made me want to keep reading the whole time. The book gave me the same feeling as watching a classic rom-com movie, the kind where you root for the couple.
Honestly, I couldn’t put it down and ended up finishing it in just two sittings, which tells you how much I loved being in this world.
The story had all the vibes of a new romantic comedy but with Lynn Painter’s signature twist—a mix of witty banter, emotional vulnerability, and genuine emotion that made it feel fresh. It was the perfect summer-y romance, lighthearted while still being heartfelt.
Between the forced proximity tropes, the fake dating scenario, and the quick-reading romance pacing, it had the right amount of tension without ever feeling overdone. Abi’s internal monologue in particular had me laughing more than a handful of times, and her warmhearted spirit balanced perfectly with the classic grumpy billionaire energy of the male lead.
Characters
What I loved most was how easy it was to connect with the characters. Whether it was Abi juggling life as a part-time student and professional cleaner or the owner of the penthouse being thrown into this little arrangement that spirals into something deeper, the character development felt authentic.
Plot
The plot itself worked really well, moving at just the right pace to keep me invested without dragging. It never leaned too heavily on clichés, even when playing with tropes like Pretty Woman parallels or fake dating scenarios. Instead, it hit that sweet spot of equal parts romantic tension and heartfelt moments.
Writing
Overall, this is an honest review from a fan of Lynn Painter’s writing style. I love how her books are always easy to read, cute, and grounded in real life experiences. She brings together humor, sharp banter, and warmth in a way that makes her stories stand out in the world of contemporary romance.
Full Book Review With Spoilers
You’ve been warned that from here on out there will be spoilers. Continue on to the conclusion section to avoid them.
Maid for Each Other is the perfect example of why I’ll continue picking up every one of Lynn Painter’s books—it’s a quick-reading romance with the right amount of tension and heart, and it reminded me just how much fun falling in love in fiction can be. I’m also a big fan of happy-ending romances, so this definitely fit the bill.
Another reason I enjoyed it so much is that the romance didn’t just rely on grand gestures—it was also about the smaller, everyday moments where emotional vulnerability came through. The character development and witty back-and-forth made the love story feel like it could actually happen in real life, which is what elevated it from just being “cute” to being next level.
Each scene felt believable, and by the next morning after finishing, I was still smiling about the little bit of magic Painter created in these best circumstances. It’s rare that a rom-com plot feels both escapist and realistic, but this one managed to.
Painter’s well-known for her young adult books, especially high school romance, but Maid for Each Other feels more adult in tone. While it doesn’t have explicit scenes, there are definitely some steamy moments that take the romance up a notch and make it feel more mature. It still carries her warmhearted, witty style, but with a next level edge that makes it stand apart from her YA work.
Pros of the Book
The best thing about this book for me was definitely the two main characters and the way my favorite tropes were woven into their story. Between the fake relationship setup, the forced proximity tropes, and the witty banter, it felt like Painter pulled together everything I love most in a romance. Their chemistry was swoon worthy and full of genuine emotion, which kept me hooked.
Cons of the Book
If I had to mention a con, though, it would be that the story moved a little bit fast—I almost wished it had slowed down just a touch so I could enjoy their connection unfolding longer.
Conclusion
My opinion of the book is that it struck a balance between playful humor and genuine emotion, making it one of my new favorite Lynn Painter books. I highly recommend for romance fans, especially if you like her other books.
I have a full summary of the book here if you need a refresher on any of the main points.
Rating- 4.5 out of 5 stars
This was a really cute, fun read if you’re looking for that kind of vibe in a romance book. I had no real complaints and would recommend to other romance readers.
Who Would Enjoy Reading?
If you’re craving a new romantic comedy with witty banter, swoon worthy chemistry, and all the forced proximity tropes you love, Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter is the book to grab. Think Pretty Woman meets a classic grumpy billionaire love story with a fake girlfriend twist.
What to Read After Maid for Each Other
If you liked this book as much as I did, either because of the characters or the writing style, check out more of my recommendations below.
Happy Never After by Lynn Painter
If you liked the author’s writing style in this book, try another good one from her. This one has another unlikely couple you’ll end up getting attached to.
The Off Limits Rule by Sarah Adams
If you liked the fake dating in this book, give this one a try! it’s equally cute and sweet with characters that you’ll love.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
This is another great romance that has the same vibes as Maid for Each Other. I have a full review and summary, too.
