Nellie by Amy Walsh

An old-fashioned story with a compelling cast of characters, Nellie by Amy Walsh is a classic work of historical romance. Set in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1931, Nellie takes up a job as a cook for a well-to-do family, despite her obvious inability in the kitchen, due to a case of mistaken identity and some good intentions. An exploration of moral dilemmas, the novel traces Nellie’s growing affection for the patronizing, but well-intentioned Mr. Mason Peale, whose high moral standards are a challenge for Nellie, as she desires to catch his romantic attention. While set in a different time, some of the social mores in the novel may seem particularly outdated, but Walsh is exceptionally strong with characterization, creating a charming story that will immediately appeal to fans of clean-read romance.