This book was a gust of fresh air that completely blew me off my chair, out the door, and down the street for like..ten miles. With its lovable main character, unendingly charming wit, and compelling writing, this poignant novel deserves all the love (and waffles) in the known universe. (Not that books have any use for waffles…or food for that matter…but you get the idea.)
✍️The Fantastic Writing! Wow, Stacey Lee must be Wonder Woman because her writing style packs a powerful, superhuman punch! It's mind-bendingly clever, unforgettably beautiful, and unapologetically honest! There's so much character – so much personality – woven into her words, and her expert use of metaphors is not only elegant, but a total delight to devour! Am I using too many exclamation points here? Probably!!!!! But I need all the emphasis I can get to truly express just how fantastic this author's unique voice is! I'll definitely be picking up more of Lee's work in the future.
👩The Heroine! This book had me echoing the words of Dug from Disney Pixar's movie Up: "I have just met you and I love you." From the moment I picked it up, Jo had my heart. Her outspoken attitude, plucky gumption, and willingness to fight for who and what she loves, had me rooting for her from page one. I honestly cannot capture in mere words how much I adore Jo's character!
🖼️The Historical Setting! Set in the deep South during America's "Gilded Age," The Downstairs Girl was a breath of fresh air. I adored having history brought to life right before my eyes. I relished the way the faded colors of the past were repainted bright and vivid once again. Stacey Lee has me thinking that maybe I should read more Historical Fiction!
💪The Empowering Message! This relevant novel is about pursuing justice and standing up for what you believe in, no matter the cost. It's about challenging society's misconceived notions about race and gender. And most of all, it's about not being afraid to be who you are or to do what you love.
💛The Romance! Wonder of wonders, the romance in this book didn't commandeer the entire story like a sweaty, one-eyed pirate (though I don't have anything against pirates, one-eyed or otherwise…but I digress). Often in YA fiction, a promising premise gets overshadowed by dalliances with a lackluster love interest, but thankfully, that didn't happen here. In fact, the subtle dusting of romance was like a sugared cherry sitting atop a many-layered cake; it artfully enhanced the delectable sweetness of the story.