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Come Out of the Kitchen! A Romance
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1916
34 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Alice Duer Miller
84 books18 followersAlice Duer Miller (July 28, 1874 – August 22, 1942) was an American writer whose poetry actively influenced political opinion. Her feminist verses impacted on the suffrage issue, while her verse-play The White Cliffs encouraged US entry into World War II. She also wrote novels and screenplays.
(from Wikipedia)
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 23, 2011
This book was a hoot to read and I couldn't wait to finish it. It was one of those old world romance classics... Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany etc. It starts with a guy renting a house in the country which belongs to some aristocrat. Burton Crane has however insisted that the house come equipped with servants. He is introduced to the servants, one in particular, the cook catches his fancy and thinking not fit to judge he enlists the help of Mrs. Faulkner. Immediately the cook is rejected for she is too pretty and has manicured hands. Burton by now enchanted by the cook finds a way around it and in the end the servants are grudgingly approved. There starts the fallacy for although the Butler is perfect and the cook is divine, not only in looks but in skills, the maid and servant boy are not up to par. The servant boy steals cigarettes from Burton and the maid quits amid charges of theft. Soon one by one everyone is fired except for the cook who try as he may, Burton just can't fire. The book has been made into a successful Broadway play and also a movie. This is one book that doesn't disappoint, there is love, anguish, mystery, adventure, horror, shock... in the end you become an emotional fool... but of the good variety.
October 29, 2013
This was another intriguing title ending in an exclamation mark, uncovered when I was perusing a list of books from 1917 for My Century of Books led me to a lovely little romantic comedy.
The story begins in the offices of Mr Randolph Reed, whose business was real estate. He had a mansion available for the summer that had never been let before. It was rather dilapidated - as his prospective client pointed out - but it was a house of such quality, and it offered a unique opportunity.
Mr Burton was a young man, both successful and charming, and he was eager to take the house. He was a rather perplexed by one condition of the lease - that he must accept the four staff put forward by the absent owners - but he went ahead. When interviewed the butler seemed a credit to his profession; the cook's youth took him by surprise, but she was beautiful, she was charming, and her food was said to be divine; he was less taken with the maid who seemed a little sullen, or by the 'useful boy' who seemed rather bold, but he was sure that butler would keep them in line.
The house party was made up of Mr Crane, his lawyer, Mr Tucker, and Mrs Falkener, an old family friend, accompanied by her daughter, Miss Falkener. They loved the house, but they were taken aback by the staff. The butler's manners were exquisite and, rather unusually, he would happily converse with the party on a wide range of topics with wonderful erudition. The food offered up by the cook was sublime, exceeding all expectations. But the maid was slovenly and the useful boy was rather presumptuous. The strangest thing though, was that the house seemed to belong to the servants rather than the guests.
Mr Crane and Miss Falkener were inclined to be entertained, but Mr Tucker and Mrs Falkener were inclined to be severe. After a number of wonderful incidents - including the escape of the cook's cat, a rather pushy suitor and a dispute over a fashionable hat - three of the servants had been dismissed and the house party fell apart. Only the host and the cook were left, and that was most improper ...
The story plays out beautifully, and is full of detail and incident. There's a big twist, but it is the easiest of twists to guess - even if you miss the clear sign-posting in the first chapter - but I didn't think that working it out spoiled the story. In fact it worked rather well, knowing that I knew something that the house guests didn't.
It helped that I took to the characters, especially Mr Crane, who was thoughtful and kind, but no pushover, and Jane-Ellen, the cook, who was so capable and quick-witted, and able to explain and justify just about anything with charm and utter believability. I rather liked Miss Falkener, who had no intention of being steered in the direction her mother wanted, as well, and I was quite royally entertained by the staff.
Wonderful descriptions illuminated the characters, their world, and everything that happened. The only real weakness that bothered me was a little flatness in the dialogue; it was believable, but the story and the characters deserved a little sparkle.
I thought as I read that this was a story that could be dramatized to wonderful effect, and sure enough when I looked back to the title page I saw that it started life as a play, and when I did a little research I found that it had been filmed. All of that was many years ago and the play and the film have vanished into obscurity, but the book is still available, and it's great fun.
The story begins in the offices of Mr Randolph Reed, whose business was real estate. He had a mansion available for the summer that had never been let before. It was rather dilapidated - as his prospective client pointed out - but it was a house of such quality, and it offered a unique opportunity.
Mr Burton was a young man, both successful and charming, and he was eager to take the house. He was a rather perplexed by one condition of the lease - that he must accept the four staff put forward by the absent owners - but he went ahead. When interviewed the butler seemed a credit to his profession; the cook's youth took him by surprise, but she was beautiful, she was charming, and her food was said to be divine; he was less taken with the maid who seemed a little sullen, or by the 'useful boy' who seemed rather bold, but he was sure that butler would keep them in line.
The house party was made up of Mr Crane, his lawyer, Mr Tucker, and Mrs Falkener, an old family friend, accompanied by her daughter, Miss Falkener. They loved the house, but they were taken aback by the staff. The butler's manners were exquisite and, rather unusually, he would happily converse with the party on a wide range of topics with wonderful erudition. The food offered up by the cook was sublime, exceeding all expectations. But the maid was slovenly and the useful boy was rather presumptuous. The strangest thing though, was that the house seemed to belong to the servants rather than the guests.
Mr Crane and Miss Falkener were inclined to be entertained, but Mr Tucker and Mrs Falkener were inclined to be severe. After a number of wonderful incidents - including the escape of the cook's cat, a rather pushy suitor and a dispute over a fashionable hat - three of the servants had been dismissed and the house party fell apart. Only the host and the cook were left, and that was most improper ...
The story plays out beautifully, and is full of detail and incident. There's a big twist, but it is the easiest of twists to guess - even if you miss the clear sign-posting in the first chapter - but I didn't think that working it out spoiled the story. In fact it worked rather well, knowing that I knew something that the house guests didn't.
It helped that I took to the characters, especially Mr Crane, who was thoughtful and kind, but no pushover, and Jane-Ellen, the cook, who was so capable and quick-witted, and able to explain and justify just about anything with charm and utter believability. I rather liked Miss Falkener, who had no intention of being steered in the direction her mother wanted, as well, and I was quite royally entertained by the staff.
Wonderful descriptions illuminated the characters, their world, and everything that happened. The only real weakness that bothered me was a little flatness in the dialogue; it was believable, but the story and the characters deserved a little sparkle.
I thought as I read that this was a story that could be dramatized to wonderful effect, and sure enough when I looked back to the title page I saw that it started life as a play, and when I did a little research I found that it had been filmed. All of that was many years ago and the play and the film have vanished into obscurity, but the book is still available, and it's great fun.
April 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this light romance...it was both funny and fun!
November 7, 2013
Mr. Burton Crane (the book says he is under 30) rents a house from "one of the most aristocratic families south of the Mason and Dixon's", with the understanding that it comes complete with four servants. The butler seems young for his job but looks like he will function very well. The cook is beautiful and cooks like a dream. The maid is rather sullen and ungracious. And the 'Useful Boy' is inclined to be impertinent.
Within a few days Burton moves into his leased home with his lawyer, his almost fiancee and her mother. It doesn't take very long for the servants to make life difficult for Burton with amusing results. But, boy, can the cook deliver some delicious dishes. And she's beautiful, sweet and nice to talk to.
This story is easy to read, and didn't seem too long. There were quite a few scenes that made me chuckle out loud. I think I enjoyed reading the book more the second (and third) time.
Within a few days Burton moves into his leased home with his lawyer, his almost fiancee and her mother. It doesn't take very long for the servants to make life difficult for Burton with amusing results. But, boy, can the cook deliver some delicious dishes. And she's beautiful, sweet and nice to talk to.
This story is easy to read, and didn't seem too long. There were quite a few scenes that made me chuckle out loud. I think I enjoyed reading the book more the second (and third) time.
April 21, 2014
A novel about a man who rents a house for the season and keeps having problems with the servants, especially the particularly pretty cook. 1916.
Full review (and recommendations!) at Another look book
I have no idea how I stumbled across this book. But I DO know it's a fantastic, short read (one of those old books with very big margins), one I’d recommend if you like upstairs/downstairs kinds of stories and plots that spiral hilariously out of control. Reminded me in many ways of an Oscar Wilde play, although the characters in this book have more depth.
As with many old books, this one's been tossed down the literary cracks into obscurity, but it’s definitely worthy of some new attention. And it’s in the public domain! So you don't even have to track down a physical copy.
Full review (and recommendations!) at Another look book
I have no idea how I stumbled across this book. But I DO know it's a fantastic, short read (one of those old books with very big margins), one I’d recommend if you like upstairs/downstairs kinds of stories and plots that spiral hilariously out of control. Reminded me in many ways of an Oscar Wilde play, although the characters in this book have more depth.
As with many old books, this one's been tossed down the literary cracks into obscurity, but it’s definitely worthy of some new attention. And it’s in the public domain! So you don't even have to track down a physical copy.
March 31, 2013
A dear, calming, old fashioned story, the kind you want to read after too many thrilling bestsellers, too many exhausting self-helps, and too many lame kindle freebies.
I guessed The Big Secret in probably the first chapter, but that's okay, you don't read calming, old fashioned stories for the secrets.
I guessed The Big Secret in probably the first chapter, but that's okay, you don't read calming, old fashioned stories for the secrets.
December 29, 2022
To quote another review by ‘the wanderer’ “ A dear, calming, old fashioned story, the kind you want to read after too many thrilling bestsellers, too many exhausting self-helps, and too many lame kindle freebies.”
Says it all. And the perfect story to read in the week between Christmas and New Year’s whilst smacked down with a flu. Received from my sister for Christmas. Sisters know.
Says it all. And the perfect story to read in the week between Christmas and New Year’s whilst smacked down with a flu. Received from my sister for Christmas. Sisters know.
October 1, 2020
I suspect some of the enjoyment I might have gotten out of this book was robbed by the fact that I knew the secret of the servants who were running the household, having seen the 1930 talking film version of the story, HONEY. Nonetheless, the book is pleasant and diverting.
January 24, 2023
This book is a delightful little romance, full of character and charm. A light read with nuggets of wisdom and humour. Id like to read it again.
May 17, 2024
I somehow stumbled upon this 1916 classic and I have to say that it was such a delight!
January 5, 2025
Humorous at points, this book makes it's obvious that language can change a fair amount over a century ("Making love" means having a conversation). I listened to it as an audiobook and assumed it was the author's scathing critique of class and gender differences (which I suppose it still could be), but a peek at an old mid-century edition with it's Gibson girl-esque illustrations made me wonder if this book was intended to appeal to a broader audience as a romance (as the subtitle says), rather than a feminist screed (as I assumed once researching the author).
Want to read
March 27, 2024Spring in Park Lane (1948)
April 30, 2014
Come out of the kitchen? I never wanted to leave it! I was having too much fun. It was better than any modern day romance novel or movie (does Hollywood even make romantic comedies?). When you read three books a month like I do, you think you'll never run across something you don't know. But lately by looking for free Kindle books and searching for the books on which 1930's movies were based, I've found treasures like this, as well as books by Temple Bailey and D.E. Stevenson (which aren't free but I decided a collection of them is a necessity for any book shelf). I'm always surprised at how many books these authors sold in their day, and how little we know about them.
Read this to have a good time in the kitchen without having to clean up!
Read this to have a good time in the kitchen without having to clean up!
January 29, 2016
3* An old-fashioned story with old-fashioned charm. Thankfully it wasn't very long or I would have gotten bored.
January 23, 2023
A short amusing story about a man and his servants.
March 9, 2018
This was my selection for the Popsugar challenge category of "book by an author with your first or last name" (Duer was her maiden name). It was published in 1916, so it has a delightfully antique feel to it (wow, over 100 years old), but it actually has held up pretty well for what it is. It is a light romance between an upper class man and a woman who is working for him as a cook, but turns out to be the daughter of the family which rented the house he is currently living in to him. It felt almost like it was set in England, but it is actually in the US, and there are occasional references to the difference between the culture of the northern states and the southern, and echoes of the Civil War. I have seen other books by this author listed as feminist poetry, but this one is more just a fun story.
November 18, 2025
What a delightful book. It's as charming a rom-com as you could ever hope for, while also at times providing a surprising degree of insight into human nature and the culture of the time and region in which it takes place. Though it may have you worried at a few points early on, as the story progresses you become more and more engrossed in it and amused by the surprising actions and witty banter of its characters. I could even read this one again, particularly knowing what both I and Mr. Burton Crane have now confirmed to be true.
June 8, 2025
This book, published in 1916, was one of many from that era that I read over the past few years. (For research - my 2nd novel is set in the early 1900s). These were light reads, enormously popular at the time, and long been out of print. Happily, they’ve been digitized. This one was particularly charming, and I gather adapted for stage and film.
January 11, 2022
Charming and amusing story about a wealthy young man who rents a house on the understanding that servants will be provided. A rather unusual quartet of servants arrive, and complications ensue. Some interesting characters, I particularly liked Willoughby, the cat. Great fun.
February 9, 2025
Randomly chosen off the public domain, this was quaint, light-hearted, and fun. I am afraid it also will be forgettable, which is ok by me as these old books are treasures and good for the soul. This one was from 1916.
Want to read
March 5, 2020Read this book online for free through Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/33145/...
May 7, 2023
Fun, quirky memorable charters that makes a case for the saying “a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”.
June 18, 2023
It wasn't what I expected
The book was ok, but it needed a touch of more romance to be perfect in a fun book to read
The book was ok, but it needed a touch of more romance to be perfect in a fun book to read
September 20, 2025
Tedious. Older men lusting after a young woman. Yawn.
January 30, 2023
🖊 My review: Once I got used to the writing style, I enjoyed reading this short comedic romance. Now I am on a quest to find the 1927 silent movie.
🔥 Dénouement: Positive.
🔻 Genre: Romantic comedy; fiction.
✔️Published in 1915.
👁 Point of view: Third person.
🖋 The writing style: Smooth.
🗝 What I learned: Alice Duer Miller was a talented writer.
💫 What I like best: The intelligent and clean language.
📌 Would I read this again? Maybe.
🤔 My rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🟣 Media form: Kindle version.
🟢 Media form: Project Gutenberg.
🔲 Excerpt :
🔥 Dénouement: Positive.
🔻 Genre: Romantic comedy; fiction.
✔️Published in 1915.
👁 Point of view: Third person.
🖋 The writing style: Smooth.
🗝 What I learned: Alice Duer Miller was a talented writer.
💫 What I like best: The intelligent and clean language.
📌 Would I read this again? Maybe.
🤔 My rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🟣 Media form: Kindle version.
🟢 Media form: Project Gutenberg.
🔲 Excerpt :
🔸 Now she moved into Reed's office, with motor-veils and dusters floating about her, like a solid wingless victory, and sat down in Randolph Reed's own chair
February 8, 2014
Pretty cute comedic fluff. Reminded me vaguely of Jeeves and Wooster. Burton Crane (awful name for a nice guy!) has just rented a house, and he insists on staff being provided. A cook, butler, housemaid, and boy of all work are engaged, but they are not what they seem. The mystery is easily solvable, but that doesn't make it any less fun.
"Just run up and give this note to the people you'll find in the garret, there's a good fellow," said Crane.
Lefferts sat up, rubbing his eyes. "The people I'll find in the garret," he murmured. "But how about the little black men in the chimney, and the ghosts who live in the wall? This is the strangest house, Crane, the very strangest house I ever knew."
"Just run up and give this note to the people you'll find in the garret, there's a good fellow," said Crane.
Lefferts sat up, rubbing his eyes. "The people I'll find in the garret," he murmured. "But how about the little black men in the chimney, and the ghosts who live in the wall? This is the strangest house, Crane, the very strangest house I ever knew."
May 5, 2017
A very charming little romance akin to one of D. E. Stevenson's lighter works.
August 27, 2011
Interesting clean romance. This would be great for a teen novel. This book is free from guthenberg.com since it is out-of copyright.
December 22, 2012
I could almost see the Grant-Hepburn slapstick playing out as I read it. Very "Bringing Up Baby." A fun read.
April 19, 2025
This book can be listened to on Youtube at https://youtu.be/n5Jf-8bnyNA
The audiobook narrator at the Scrub Oak Acorns channel on YouTube does a great job!
The audiobook narrator at the Scrub Oak Acorns channel on YouTube does a great job!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews