Books like 'The Downstairs Girl'
Readers who enjoyed The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
historical young adult east-asian-mc competent heroine independent heroine strong heroine working class heroine
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In the Eye of the Storm by Robert Thier
Egypt... land of romance, mystery, and exploding camels. Lilly Linton thought she’d be ready for anything after one month of working for her boss – cold, calculating businessman Rikkard Ambrose... -
![Hunting for Silence by Robert Thier]()
Hunting for Silence by Robert Thier
British business mogul Rikkard Ambrose has departed London to face his arch-rival in a deadly game of espionage and intrigue at the Royal Court of France, leaving his lady love behind to knit socks and twiddle her thumbs... -
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![Silence is Golden by Robert Thier]()
Silence is Golden by Robert Thier
Silent. Cold. Chiselled perfection. That is Rikkard Ambrose, the most powerful business mogul in Great Britain. Free-spirited. Fiery. Definitely not attracted to the aforementioned business mogul. That is Lilly Linton, his personal secretary and secret weapon. The two have been playing a cat and mouse game for months... -
![Storm of Bells by Robert Thier]()
Storm of Bells by Robert Thier
Never do what you’re told, never boil your own head in vinegar and, most important of all, never ever marry a man—those have always been Lilly Linton’s principles for a happy, carefree life. So, how the heck did she end up engaged to multinational industrial magnate Rikkard Ambrose?Right now she’s too happy to care... -
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![Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster]()
Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster
Raised in a bleak orphanage without even a name from her parents, this modern girls' fairy tale tells the story of Jerusha Abbott, a plucky young woman without ties and unsure of her future. After a visit from the trustees of the orphanage, Jerusha is told that one of the trustees sees in her the potential of a writer and wishes to be the patron of her college education... -
![The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd]()
The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd
An incredible story of dangerous and hidden friendships, ambition, betrayal, and sacrifice.The year is 1739. Eliza Lucas is sixteen years old when her father leaves her in charge of their family's three plantations in rural South Carolina and then proceeds to bleed the estates dry in pursuit of his military ambitions... -
![Goodbye, My Rose Garden, Vol. 3 by Dr. Pepperco]()
Goodbye, My Rose Garden, Vol. 3 by Dr. Pepperco
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe Last GoodbyeAlice has finally revealed her secret to Hanako: she is Victor Franks! Yet secrets that must be kept still abound, and family, status, and love bind Alice like thorns... -
![Goodbye, My Rose Garden, Vol. 2 by Dr. Pepperco]()
Goodbye, My Rose Garden, Vol. 2 by Dr. Pepperco
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA Love That Dare Not Speak Its NameLady Alice shares the story of her love for her former governess Eliza, as well as its tragic end. In the wake of that story, Hanako finds herself harboring two secrets—including the fact that the feelings in her heart are growing all the more intense... -
![The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 2 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino]()
The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 2 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsShurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisors. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne'er-do-well ruler to govern...Categorized as:
east-asian-mc competent heroine historical young adult length-short m-f boss & employee asia -
![A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur]()
A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur
June Hur, bestselling author of The Red Palace, crafts a devastating and pulse-pounding tale that will feel all-too-relevant in today’s world, based on a true story from Korean history.Hope is dangerous. Love is deadly.1506, Joseon... -
![The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly]()
The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
East London, 1888 - a city apart. A place of shadow and light where thieves, whores, and dreamers mingle, where children play in the cobbled streets by day and a killer stalks at night, where bright hopes meet the darkest truths... -
![The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 1 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino]()
The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 1 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsShurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisors. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne’er-do-well ruler to govern... -
![The Centurion's Wife by Janette Oke, Davis T. Bunn]()
The Centurion's Wife by Janette Oke, Davis T. Bunn
Janette Oke has dreamed for years of retelling a story in a biblical time frame from a female protagonist's perspective, and Davis Bunn is elated to be working with her again on this sweeping saga of the dramatic events surrounding the birth of Christianity...and the very personal story of Leah, a young Jewess of mixed heritage trapped in a vortex of competing political agendas and private trauma... -
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![The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 7 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino]()
The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 7 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsShurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisers. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne'er-do-well ruler to govern... -
![The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 8 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino]()
The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 8 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsShurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisers. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne’er-do-well ruler to govern... -
![The Bride of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep]()
The Bride of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep
The Continuing Adventure of Jackson and Kit! Detective Jackson Forge can hardly wait to marry the street-sly swindler who’s turned his life upside down...Categorized as:
independent heroine competent heroine strong heroine clean young adult historical mystery christian -
![Love Unseen by Rachel Kelley Stones]()
Love Unseen by Rachel Kelley Stones
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHannah Hadley is a permanent fixture in London Society and well on her way to becoming a spinster. Despite her beauty and kind disposition, Hannah has accepted the harsh reality of her situation: she will never marry. Continually affected by an illness from her youth, Hannah acknowledges her chances of entertaining potential suitors, at least respectable ones, is slim...Categorized as:
strong heroine regency historical abuse young adult suspense christian from hate to love -
![The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee]()
The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee
Get steeped in suspense, romance, and high Victorian intrigue as Mary goes undercover at Buckingham Palace - and learns a startling secret at the Tower of London. Queen Victoria has a little problem: there's a petty thief at work in Buckingham Palace... -
![New Storm Rising by Robert Thier]()
New Storm Rising by Robert Thier
This was NOT how Lilly had expected her honeymoon to go. Ever since their ship left the shore, she has been feeling dizzy, irritable and nauseous...and what the heck are these strange cravings she keeps having? Her brand-new husband is no help either. Suddenly, stoic, icy billionaire Mr Rikkard Ambrose has turned into a moody, overprotective caveman... -
![The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 3 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino]()
The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 3 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsShurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisors. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne’er-do-well ruler to govern... -
![Belle and the Beau by Beverly Jenkins]()
Belle and the Beau by Beverly Jenkins
BelleAfter a grueling escape north, Belle Palmer is free, yet lost and alone. Separated from her father on the harrowing journey, Belle has nowhere to turn until she finds shelter with the Bests, the first free family she's ever known. For the first time in her sixteen years, Belle is able to express herself freely-except where her feelings for a certain dark-eyed young man are concerned...Categorized as:
competent heroine young adult historical behind-doors slavery other-man-woman sweet-hero michigan -
![Maison Ikkoku Collector’s Edition, Vol. 1 (めぞん一刻 [Maison Ikkoku] (10 Volumes) #1) by Rumiko Takahashi]()
Maison Ikkoku Collector’s Edition, Vol. 1 (めぞん一刻 [Maison Ikkoku] (10 Volumes) #1) by Rumiko Takahashi
Acclaimed author Rumiko Takahashi’s classic romantic comedy about finding your path in life.Yusaku Godai didn’t get accepted into college on the first try, so he’s studying to retake the entrance exams. But living in a dilapidated building full of eccentric and noisy tenants is making it hard for him to achieve his goals... -
![Midnight Rider by Joan Hiatt Harlow]()
Midnight Rider by Joan Hiatt Harlow
Fourteen-year-old Hannah is an orphan living with her cruel aunt Phoebe in Salem, Massachusetts. Hannah recently lost her mother, and now her only comfort is her horse, Promise. But when her money-hungry aunt sells the horse and then indentures Hannah to the Boston family of a British general, Hannah vows to retrieve Promise at all costs, and join the fight for freedom... -
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![The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 5 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino]()
The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 5 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsShurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisors. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne’er-do-well ruler to govern... -
![The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 4 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino]()
The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 4 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsShurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the Imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisers. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne'er-do-well ruler to govern... -
![The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 6 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino]()
The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 6 by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA period fantasy in which a palace consort must guide a feckless emporer to assume the throne. Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences T. Shurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office... -
![A Girl Called Foote by A.E. Walnofer]()
A Girl Called Foote by A.E. Walnofer
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsYoung Jonathan Clyde causes mischief for everyone at Whitehall, the stately home of his privileged ancestors. As he matures, however, he comes to despise the vanity and conceit surrounding him. Misfortune requires Lydia Smythe, an exceptionally clever farmer’s daughter, to seek employment at Whitehall. As a parlor maid, she feels stifled and harried by those over her...Categorized as:
strong heroine historical young adult class difference regency victorian length-medium -
![Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore]()
Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore
Amelia Beckett is delighted to be a widow. Married by proxy to a man she'd never met, Amelia recognizes that a fortuitous entry into widowhood frees her from meddlesome chaperones and matchmakers. Heiress to her mother's sugar plantation in Jamaica, she happily anticipates working in a man's world, with the additional credibility of her new title: Lady Lockwood... -
![Love Show by Audrey Bell]()
Love Show by Audrey Bell
Rated: 4.02 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsHadley Arrington is the career-driven editor-in-chief of her university’s prestigious newspaper. Jack Diamond is a laidback student whose good looks have made things even easier than they need to be. She’s the girl who came out of nowhere and kissed him in the rain. He’s the boy who made her do something crazy... -
![Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman]()
Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman
Rated: 4.01 of 5 stars · 38 ratingsIn 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet. Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler... -
![A Deadly Business by Lis Wiehl]()
A Deadly Business by Lis Wiehl
Rated: 4.02 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsA prosecutor of violent criminals. A detective on a dangerous beat. When these two pros take on an off-the-books case, the line between professional and personal becomes perilously blurred. When a twenty-two-year-old convict walks into the courtroom, his eyes confirm what Mia Quinn already guesses: he blames her for his conviction...Categorized as:
strong heroine mystery suspense contemporary christian heroine sleuth young adult historical -
![Love Unseen by Rachel Kelley Stones]()
Love Unseen by Rachel Kelley Stones
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsHannah Hadley is a permanent fixture in London Society and well on her way to becoming a spinster. Despite her beauty and kind disposition, Hannah has accepted the harsh reality of her situation: she will never marry. Continually affected by an illness from her youth, Hannah acknowledges her chances of entertaining potential suitors, at least respectable ones, is slim...Categorized as:
strong heroine regency historical abuse young adult suspense christian from hate to love -
![Freedom Swimmer by Wai Chim]()
Freedom Swimmer by Wai Chim
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA powerful story of friendship, bravery, and a desperate bid for freedom, inspired by true events.Ming survived the famine that killed his parents during China's "Great Leap Forward", and lives a hard but adequate life, working in the fields...Categorized as:
east-asian-mc young adult historical contemporary high-school abuse multicultural east-asia -
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![A Dangerous Stage by Camy Tang]()
A Dangerous Stage by Camy Tang
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTessa Lancaster worked for her uncle in the Japanese mafia until she was sent to prison for a murder she didn't commit. Now, after finding God behind bars, she takes odd jobs as a bodyguard to keep her distance from the family business.In A Dangerous Stage, the second book in Camy Tang's Protection for Hire series, Tessa gets caught up in the web of lies surrounding a shady singing competition...Categorized as:
east-asian-mc suspense christian mystery young adult historical contemporary sassy heroine -
![Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee]()
Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee
Rated: 3.98 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl comes an unforgettable story of determination set against a backdrop of devastating tragedy, perfect for fans of Code Name Verity... -
![The Highlander’s Tudor Lass by Heather McCollum]()
The Highlander’s Tudor Lass by Heather McCollum
Callum Macquarie would give anything to go back to the Highlands and Wolf Isle. Instead, he’s stuck circling an undefended English castle in too-tight breeches, longing for his bed and his plaid. But he has an oath to keep: to bring home the bonny Anna Montgomerie and her sister before that devil of a blaggard pirate Jundeau finds them first... -
![A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin]()
A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin
A whip-smart debut that follows the adventures of an entirely unconventional heroine who throws herself into the London Season to find a wealthy husband. But the last thing she expects is to find love...Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. Left with her father’s massive debts, she has only twelve weeks to save her family from ruin... -
![Private Label by Kelly Yang]()
Private Label by Kelly Yang
Rated: 3.92 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsNew York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang delivers a heartfelt and powerful YA romance about a Chinese American girl who gets help from the new boy in town to search for her dad after her successful fashion designer mother is diagnosed with cancer.Serene dreams of making couture dresses even more stunning than her mom’s, but for now she’s an intern at her mom’s fashion label...Categorized as:
east-asian-mc young adult contemporary multicultural high-school racism historical dystopian -
![Rivals in the City by Y.S. Lee]()
Rivals in the City by Y.S. Lee
In a tale steeped in action, romance, and the gaslit intrigue of Victorian London, Mary Quinn’s detective skills are pitted against a cunning and desperate opponent.Mary Quinn has a lot on her mind. James Easton, her longtime love interest, wants to marry her; but despite her feelings, independent-minded Mary hesitates... -
![Still Star-Crossed by Melinda Taub]()
Still Star-Crossed by Melinda Taub
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsRomeo and Juliet are gone. Will love live on? Despite the glooming peace that's settled on Verona after the recent tragedy, Montagues and Capulets are brawling in the streets. Faced with more bloody battles, Prince Escalus concludes that the only way to truly marry the fortunes of these two families is to literally marry them together... -
![Anna and the Duke by Kathryn Smith]()
Anna and the Duke by Kathryn Smith
Anna At the very least, anyone else in Anna Welsley's position would be satisfied. Anna is to inherit a fortune, and after a glittering London debut last Season, she is now engaged to a duke's son. Anna herself does not understand the vague feeling of dissatisfaction... -
![Incognita by Jaima Fixsen]()
Incognita by Jaima Fixsen
Rated: 3.80 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsThere are worse things than being spectacularly jilted. Losing a leg, for instance, or getting shot—well, perhaps not: The bullet Alistair took fighting in the peninsula never landed him in London’s scandal sheets...Categorized as:
working class heroine christian young adult humor regency historical second chances length-medium -
![The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman]()
The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman
Jade Moon is a Fire Horse—the worst sign in the Chinese zodiac for girls, said to make them stubborn, willful, and far too imaginative. But while her family despairs of marrying her off, she has a passionate heart and powerful dreams, and wants only to find a way to make them come true... -
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![The Samurai's Garden by Patricia Kiyono]()
The Samurai's Garden by Patricia Kiyono
Rated: 3.60 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsHiro Tanaka prepared for a life as a samurai warrior. But his world changed when Japan's feudal system was abolished by the Emperor. Now, he must find a new vocation. Disillusioned with fighting and violence, he travels alone, going north to the island of Hok-kaido. Many other samurai wander through the country and are known as ronin... -
![The Edge on the Sword by Rebecca Tingle]()
The Edge on the Sword by Rebecca Tingle
An adventure worthy of legend, for fans of Game of Thrones and Rangers Apprentice When fifteen-year-old Æthelflæd is suddenly and reluctantly betrothed to an ally of her father, the king, her world will never be the same. For as a noblewoman in the late 800s, she will be expected to be meek and unlearned-and Flæd is anything but meek and unlearned... -
![Drawing from Memory by Allen Say]()
Drawing from Memory by Allen Say
Rated: 3.77 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsCaldecott Medalist Allen Say presents a stunning graphic novel chronicling his journey as an artist during WWII, when he apprenticed under Noro Shinpei, Japan’s premier cartoonistDRAWING FROM MEMORY is Allen Say's own story of his path to becoming the renowned artist he is today... -
![Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee]()
Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee
Rated: 3.74 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsValora Luck has two things: a ticket for the biggest and most luxurious ocean liner in the world, and a dream of leaving England behind and making a life for herself as a circus performer in New York. Much to her surprise, though, she's turned away at the gangway; apparently, Chinese people aren't allowed into America.But Val has to get on that ship... -
![The Girl Who Played Go by Shan Sa]()
The Girl Who Played Go by Shan Sa
Rated: 3.74 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsAs the Japanese military invades 1930s Manchuria, a young girl approaches her own sexual coming of age. Drawn into a complex triangle with two boys, she distracts herself from the onslaught of adulthood by playing the game of go with strangers in a public square—and yet the force of desire, like the occupation, proves inevitable... -
![My Faire Lady by Laura Wettersten]()
My Faire Lady by Laura Wettersten
Rated: 3.62 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsRowena Duncan is a thoroughly modern girl with big plans for her summer—until she catches her boyfriend making out with another girl. Heartbroken, she applies to an out-of-town job posting and finds herself somewhere she never expected: the Renaissance Faire. As a face-painter doubling as a serving wench, Ro is thrown headfirst into a vibrant community of artists and performers...
![Maison Ikkoku Collector’s Edition, Vol. 1 (めぞん一刻 [Maison Ikkoku] (10 Volumes) #1) by Rumiko Takahashi](https://s3.amazonaws.com/romance.io/books/small/64fd66a7de8d340d5142168d.jpg)
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