Land’s memoir covers roughly five years of her life.  It begins when she discovers she is pregnant.  Jamie, the father of her daughter, Mia, is verbally abusive often threatening Stephanie and giving her ultimatums.  For the next five years they live in a homeless shelter, with a boyfriend who offers no affection or emotional support or in a studio apartment that continually produces black mold.  Stephanie and Mia survive on minimal help from government agencies and her job cleaning houses.  Her life as a single parent is a constant struggle for money, time and respect.

Maid illustrates how hard work will not always get you ahead.  Land writes a good story.  Her writing is clear and concise without being dramatic.