A Perfect Hand

A Perfect Hand by Ayelet Waldman Pre-Order May 19th 2026

A Perfect Hand by Ayelet Waldman is a witty, richly detailed, and endlessly charming historical novel set in the country estates of nineteenth-century England. It’s a story of love, cunning, and ambition, perfect for fans of clever, character-driven historical fiction.

Alice Lockey, daughter of a tenant farmer, has risen through intelligence, hard work, and an uncanny ability to read the moods of her betters to become the lady’s maid at Alderwick Park. She takes pride in her work: styling Lady Jemima Alderwick’s hair into the latest French chignons, laundering her lady’s petticoats, and meticulously sewing lace, ribbons, and silk flowers onto gowns and bonnets. Though her mother advises marriage, Alice has resisted, preferring the autonomy her position affords her.

When the charming valet Charlie Wells enters her life, Alice concocts a bold plan: to manipulate a romance between Lady Jemima and Sir Nigel Wynstowe, Charlie’s employer, so that she and Charlie might finally be together. Navigating Lady Jemima’s affections, Sir Wynstowe’s eccentricities, and the subtle social pressures of her world, Alice’s clever machinations illuminate the constraints of class and gender while revealing her indomitable spirit.

Deliciously funny and gorgeously observed, A Perfect Hand is a captivating tale of love, ambition, and the changing social landscape of England on the cusp of women’s suffrage. It’s a triumph of humor, romance, and historical detail that will delight readers who love smart, immersive storytelling.