A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson

The Russian Revolution has turned young countess Anna Grazinsky’s life upside down. Forced to flee her beloved Russia with her mother and younger brother, the Grazinsky’s left penniless, find refuge in England. Anna is determined not to live of off her former governess who fled with the family and has taken them in, and desperately wants her brother to receive an education befitting his background. Despite her governess’s protests Anna procures a temporary position as a maid at Mersham, the home of the Earl of Westerholme. Anna strives to be the best maid she can and is determined to hide her noble birth. Anna struggles to complete her duties, which is complicated by her attraction to the Earl of Westerholme and the arrival of his vicious fiancée, who passionately believes in New Eugenics and is determined to remake Mersham to fit her ideals.

Ibbotson’s beautifully crafted historical romance has been re-packed and re-released for the teen market. Teens looking for a fairy tale romance with a historical setting will not be disappointed and will anxiously look for her other titles, especially those being re-released for teens. Anna is a strong, independent woman who despite all the hardships in her life has found a way to remain happy. She is extremely likeable and readers will be cheering as Anna finds her own happily ever after. The compelling story with interesting characters, beautifully crafted setting, and accurate historical details grabs you from the beginning and is difficult to put down.