The Undomestic Goddess

June 20, 2005
Samantha Sweeting, the 29-year-old heroine of Kinsella's latest confection (after Shopaholic Sister
), is on the verge of partnership at the prestigious London law firm Carter Spink—the Holy Grail of her entire workaholic life. But when she finds she has made a terrible, costly mistake just before the partnership decision, she's terrified of being fired. In a fog, she stumbles out of the building and onto the nearest train, which drops her in the countryside, where she wanders to a stately home. The nouveau riche lady of the house mistakes her for the new housekeeper—and Samantha is too astonished to correct her. Numb and unable to face returning to London, Samantha tries to master the finer points of laundry, cooking and cleaning. She discovers that the slow life, her pompous but good-hearted employers and the attentions of the handsome gardener, Nathaniel, suit her just fine. But her past is hard to escape, and when she discovers a terrible secret about her firm—and when the media learns that the former legal star is scrubbing toilets for a living—her life becomes more complicated than ever. If readers can swallow the implausible scenario, then Kinsella's genuine charm and sweet wit may continue to win her fans.

September 1, 2005
Samantha Sweeting is a workaholic lawyer on the verge of becoming the youngest partner in her firms history when she discovers that she hasgasp!made a mistake, possibly the biggest in the firms history. In shock, Samantha walks out of her office and, through a series of impulsive actions, into a new life as a housekeeper. As someone who hasnt figured out how to use her oven in the three years she has lived in her flat, she may be facing too great a challenge. A handsome gardener, however, is a good incentive for sticking with the job, and Samanthas steep learning curve makes for a hilarious read. When she cant quite put her former life to rest, Samantha makes another discovery that may change everythingagain. Fans of Kinsellas popular Shopaholic series and other readers will be delighted to join Samantha in her escape from the rat race.Lisa OHara, Univ. of Manitoba Libs., Winnipeg

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2005
Fans of Kinsella's popular Shopaholic series will find the author in fine form here in her second stand-alone tale, following " Can You Keep a Secret? " (2004). Samantha Sweeting, an ambitious lawyer on the fast track to becoming a partner at her prestigious law firm, is horrified to discover an overlooked memo on her desk that ends up costing a client 50 million pounds. In a daze, Samantha hops a train and finds herself in the country. She walks up to the first house she sees and knocks on the door, intending to inquire about the nearest hotel, but Trish Geiger mistakes her for the new housekeeper. Still in shock, Samantha decides to go along with Trish and her husband, Eddie's, mistake, despite the fact that she has no domestic skills. Happily, she is aided by the handsome gardener, Nathaniel. He helps her forget about her London law firm, until she makes a startling discovery. Another charming winner from the delightful Kinsella. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)