Review: Maid for the Billionaire by Ruth Cardello

3.75 star review by Guest Reviewer Dawn Mazzeo

I just spent a pleasant 2 days reading Maid For The Billionaire by Ruth Cardello. It is Book One of the Legacy Collection, but it can certainly be read as a stand alone. The story continues in Book Two if you should want to pursue minor characters more in depth.

Cardello creates a strong, female character in Abby, a woman who has put her life on hold to support her younger sister and niece after their parents death. Abby fills in at work for Lil, who is working as a maid while she is putting herself through college. Sounds simple enough, however, the Billionaire who is never at his luxurious apartment happens to be there that day. He has suffered a very recent tragedy and is in need of some comfort. Hmmm, sounds like an interesting recipe for romance, doesn't it?

Dominic, the ultra rich and handsome billionaire is drawn to his "maid," Abby. She is refreshingly mature and has a job that she is passionate about (she is really an inner city school teacher). He may have more money and power, but she is definitely his peer and never hesitates to put him in his place. The chemistry between them is fully developed.

While the premise of the story was very familiar to me: an ultra rich, alpha male who relentlessly pursues a woman who rejects him, what unfolded was not. Within the billionaire and the school teacher premise was a cultural story about women in China. Without getting too much into the plot, I will say that twist was a plus for me.

With this book, I did not cry my eyes out, nor do I think that was the author's intention. I learned things about China and its women and about how the United States can impact the cultural growth there. I think this is a read for someone who enjoys a good Harlequin romance read. The romance was fleshed out, without being tawdry. The two characters push each other to change in ways that did not really materialize until the end. If you are looking for a book that won't rip your heart out, but will entertain you for a week-end, this is a good pick.