Anne Jacobs - A villa (2019)

A mansion. A very powerful family. A dark secret...
Augsburg, 1913. A young girl from an orphanage arrives at the villa of textile factory owner Johann Melzer. Marie is hired as a kitchen maid in the lavish palace; with his self-conscious behavior he quickly pulls out the match, but at the same time he enjoys the protection of the lady of the house. Nobody knows why.
After Léha's student years, Paul Melzer, the charming prodigal son of the family, returns home to the villa, who suddenly falls in love with Marie. Although the girl is also carried away by passion, she is aware that the relationship between master and servant always ends painfully, so she throws the man out. Katharina, the youngest, rebellious Melzer clan, also patronizes Marie, who soon becomes a butler.
However, Johann Melzer does not take kindly to Marie's brilliance at all. The past haunts him, and the strict head of the family is unable to face the truth...
Anne Jacobs' exciting romantic novel gives an insight into the everyday life of a rich family and servants. It guides us to the Germany and France of the 1910s, to the era of Picasso and modern art, of wild and deep sensual love, when World War I is on the verge.
We especially recommend it to fans of the hit series Downton Abbey.