The Downstairs Girl – Stacey Lee
Stacey Lee is a new to me author. And if I’m honest I picked the book mainly because it was a BOTM choice and the reviews looked really good. I ended up waiting for the audiobook, as it often happens with new to me authors and a genre that is not usually my strong suit. But I was really glad I did because the audiobook and the story were fabulous!
SYNOPSIS
By day, seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady’s maid for the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady, “Dear Miss Sweetie.” When her column becomes wildly popular, she uses the power of the pen to address some of society’s ills, but she’s not prepared for the backlash that follows when her column challenges fixed ideas about race and gender.
While her opponents clamor to uncover the secret identity of Miss Sweetie, a mysterious letter sets Jo off on a search for her own past and the parents who abandoned her as a baby. But when her efforts put her in the crosshairs of Atlanta’s most notorious criminal, Jo must decide whether she, a girl used to living in the shadows, is ready to step into the light.
MY THOUGHTS
The Downstairs Girl – Stacey Lee
The Downstairs Girl is a historical YA novel, set in Atlanta Georgia, in the late 1800’s.
Jo Kuan, a seventeen-year-old Chinese American is living in a basement, more like an underground tunnel built by abolitionist, beneath the local newspaper/printer shop. Jo was a wonderful character, relatable, genuine, smart, with a fascinating backstory. The way she tackled each day, how she overcame new hurdles, and followed her own path was rather uplifting. She had a clear view of how things were, but her I-can-do attitude was rather charming.
| the story |
The plot felt relevant, and poignant. And the story was full of interesting sub plots. A heart warming romance. A horse race The live of a newspaper columnist. The many hurdles that any non-Caucasian person had to endure during that period of time.
| what I loved the most |
I really enjoyed how Jo’s two lives intertwined. How she took what she overheard during the day from the genteel population of Atlanta, and turned it into a column that got people talking. Also the day to day life in Atlanta during the 1890s Atlanta was wonderfully detailed. The historical aspect of the story was well done, just enough to make it interesting but not too overwhelming/boring either.
I’m definitely going to read more of the author’s work. I enjoyed her style of writing, as well as how the characters were portrayed. All in all I was very happy with this book, and I can only recommend the audiobook.
my ratings:
Goodreads • Amazon • Author’s Website
The Downstairs Girl – Stacey Lee
Great review Corina! 💗 I forgot that I read this last year, I guess it wasn’t that memorable for me personally 😅, but I’m happy you enjoyed it ☺️
I really enjoyed the audiobook, and I really connected with the book. And thanks to a fantastic narration it brought the book to life. But I understand what you mean with books that aren’t memorable, I have tons of those. So, if there is a book that sticks with me – yay for me 😀
I think audiobooks can definitely help make me more invested in a story, so I totally understand 😊💗
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed the book 😀
The audiobook was very enjoyable, the story and characters, were unique, different and captivating. All the things I like in a novel 😀
I always find such great books on your blog! Especially books that not a lot of people read, but then I see you reading and reviewing them and immediately want to pick them up 😀
awww that’s probably the best thing anyone said to me today 😀
I love being able to introduce readers to books I enjoyed. And I actually came across this book/author because of BOTM (bookofthemonth.com) and found out that the author is actually from the Bay Area too – which is just the cherry on top.