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Valet
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26For fans of Kevin Wilson and Andrew Sean Greer, a helper robot and his 35-year-old ward embark on a mad-cap adventure to save the fate of the family company in this whimsically speculative ode to Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster.
Cy wants nothing more than to be useful, raise his utility score, and receive the next update for his operating system. But that’s easier said than done when he's tasked with helping his owner’s 35-year-old son “get out of his funk.” Grayson is nothing like his go-getter, CEO sister Charlotte. He didn’t inherit the family robotics company when their dad passed last year, he doesn’t have a master’s degree, and he just can’t seem to figure out the San Francisco dating scene. He’d rather eat synthesized mozzarella sticks and make pottery at his studio, Kilning Time.
When Grayson learns of Charlotte’s plan to sell the company to a tech conglomerate, he panics. It’s not just the family business at stake, it’s all the technology—like Cy—their dad invented over the years. So he does what anyone would he steals the flash drive with his father’s most important work stored on it and plans a corporate takeover. If only he knew what that meant.
To make matters worse, a fellow VALET deserts his owner and asks Cy to help him hightail it out of town, Grayson’s first real date—and her dog—keeping showing up at inopportune times, and the behemoth tech company wants this deal closed yesterday. Grayson, Cy, and their trusty golden retriever, Sasha III, must go on the lam until they figure out exactly what to do, and whom to trust.
A hilarious, mad-cap adventure that is as tender as it is insightful, Valet asks not just what it means to be human, but what it means to be family.
Cy wants nothing more than to be useful, raise his utility score, and receive the next update for his operating system. But that’s easier said than done when he's tasked with helping his owner’s 35-year-old son “get out of his funk.” Grayson is nothing like his go-getter, CEO sister Charlotte. He didn’t inherit the family robotics company when their dad passed last year, he doesn’t have a master’s degree, and he just can’t seem to figure out the San Francisco dating scene. He’d rather eat synthesized mozzarella sticks and make pottery at his studio, Kilning Time.
When Grayson learns of Charlotte’s plan to sell the company to a tech conglomerate, he panics. It’s not just the family business at stake, it’s all the technology—like Cy—their dad invented over the years. So he does what anyone would he steals the flash drive with his father’s most important work stored on it and plans a corporate takeover. If only he knew what that meant.
To make matters worse, a fellow VALET deserts his owner and asks Cy to help him hightail it out of town, Grayson’s first real date—and her dog—keeping showing up at inopportune times, and the behemoth tech company wants this deal closed yesterday. Grayson, Cy, and their trusty golden retriever, Sasha III, must go on the lam until they figure out exactly what to do, and whom to trust.
A hilarious, mad-cap adventure that is as tender as it is insightful, Valet asks not just what it means to be human, but what it means to be family.
- GenresScience FictionAdult
272 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 21, 2025
a favorite read of 2025🩵
full review tk closer to pub day, but valet was a fantastically satirical read - perfect for readers that have played Detroit Becomes Human, have read Alex + Ada, or simply enjoy media that revolves around rooting for the sentient robot(s).
valet is such a timely sci-fi novel with the alarming surge/interest in AI and explores the genre in a uniquely original way.
full review tk closer to pub day, but valet was a fantastically satirical read - perfect for readers that have played Detroit Becomes Human, have read Alex + Ada, or simply enjoy media that revolves around rooting for the sentient robot(s).
valet is such a timely sci-fi novel with the alarming surge/interest in AI and explores the genre in a uniquely original way.
May 18, 2026
I am not crying over a fictional robot. I’m not. Really. Ok, maybe I am. A little. It’s hard not to after reading Valet by J.P. Lacrampe. Part crazy caper (with corporate espionage, Luddite radicals, washed up friends, and not to mention a whole family drama thrown in) and part heartwarming tale of what it means to be human from a robot’s eyes, you can see why I ended up bawling at the end of this incredible novel.
Cy is a personal Valet robot to the son of a very powerful and rich family, the St. Clairs. Grayson has a terminal case of failure to launch and it’s Cy’s job as his Valet and trusted family friend to get him a life worth living. Cy has been Grayson’s companion for 35 years, he knows his charge well, and this is not an easy task. There’s family drama that screams reality tv, there’s friends who are perfectly content to float on life’s lazy river, and then there’s Grayson. Who has an incredible good heart, but terrible instincts.
The adventure they embark on while trying to get Grayson on his feet and functioning is absolutely hilarious and preposterous. The tongue in cheek references are absolutely top tier, and the relationships that Cy forms both with other Valets and the humans along for the ride is so authentic, I genuinely forgot he was a robot most of the time. It’s beautiful, it’s imperfect, it’s absolutely human.
I highly recommend picking up a copy of this one when it hits shelves on June 2.
Huge thank you to Saga Press and Ali for sending me the ARC to read. (Y’all were my very first book mail experience and I couldn’t be happier!) All opinions are my own.
Cy is a personal Valet robot to the son of a very powerful and rich family, the St. Clairs. Grayson has a terminal case of failure to launch and it’s Cy’s job as his Valet and trusted family friend to get him a life worth living. Cy has been Grayson’s companion for 35 years, he knows his charge well, and this is not an easy task. There’s family drama that screams reality tv, there’s friends who are perfectly content to float on life’s lazy river, and then there’s Grayson. Who has an incredible good heart, but terrible instincts.
The adventure they embark on while trying to get Grayson on his feet and functioning is absolutely hilarious and preposterous. The tongue in cheek references are absolutely top tier, and the relationships that Cy forms both with other Valets and the humans along for the ride is so authentic, I genuinely forgot he was a robot most of the time. It’s beautiful, it’s imperfect, it’s absolutely human.
I highly recommend picking up a copy of this one when it hits shelves on June 2.
Huge thank you to Saga Press and Ali for sending me the ARC to read. (Y’all were my very first book mail experience and I couldn’t be happier!) All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This delightful story of robot butler hijinks and madcap adventures came to me at the perfect time!
Cy is a marvel of technology, more capable than any human attendant could be, but apparently not even a machine of his capabilities can manage to get Grayson, the 35-year old man child son of Cy’s inventor, to go on a single successful date. Facing his own inadequacies and threatened with obsolescence, Cy helps a fellow bot escape its owners, sending him down a rabbit hole of police investigations, family drama, and corporate espionage.
This book does a great job balancing all of the balls it has in the air, especially considering how short it is. The characters are great across the board, even when they suck it's in fun and endearing ways. The author totally nailed the Jeeves/Alfred vibes for Cy—lots of *internal dismay* "very good, sir" moments. I also like this world, which is a little dystopian in the sense that corporations have dominion over pretty much everything, but there's also still joy and beauty to be found. The details and moments where the story slows down to focus on the characters or add some complexity to a conflict really go a long way. I'm not usually a fan of cozy books, and this book manages to be uplifting while also keeping the stakes high and the plot tight.
A great showing across the board from Lacrampe's debut! I look forward to seeing what he comes out with next.
Thank you to J. P. Lacrampe and Saga Press for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
Happy reading!
Cy is a marvel of technology, more capable than any human attendant could be, but apparently not even a machine of his capabilities can manage to get Grayson, the 35-year old man child son of Cy’s inventor, to go on a single successful date. Facing his own inadequacies and threatened with obsolescence, Cy helps a fellow bot escape its owners, sending him down a rabbit hole of police investigations, family drama, and corporate espionage.
This book does a great job balancing all of the balls it has in the air, especially considering how short it is. The characters are great across the board, even when they suck it's in fun and endearing ways. The author totally nailed the Jeeves/Alfred vibes for Cy—lots of *internal dismay* "very good, sir" moments. I also like this world, which is a little dystopian in the sense that corporations have dominion over pretty much everything, but there's also still joy and beauty to be found. The details and moments where the story slows down to focus on the characters or add some complexity to a conflict really go a long way. I'm not usually a fan of cozy books, and this book manages to be uplifting while also keeping the stakes high and the plot tight.
A great showing across the board from Lacrampe's debut! I look forward to seeing what he comes out with next.
Thank you to J. P. Lacrampe and Saga Press for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
Happy reading!
November 21, 2025
This was a sheer delight! Full of colorful characters and a plot that keeps rolling from the first chapter. Although I couldn’t stop smiling as read, this novel was also thought provoking and timely. I am hoping Cy, Grayson, Sasha III and the gang are cooking up new adventures for the future.
January 4, 2026
I’m 83 yrs old and don’t read much fantasy. I was worried that it would be hard to relate to this book. Was I wrong. It was very easy to get into with relatable characters and an engrossing plot.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As charming and delightful as a speculative fiction/scifi novel can be, J.P. Lacrampe’s Valet is a lighthearted and breezy read that covers a concise and effective story about androids, their human owners, and a lot of fun shenanigans in between. Full of witty humor and sharp yet cheeky social commentary, this book effortlessly blends its lighthearted absurdist tone with unexpectedly heartfelt and effective character writing, telling a story that’s far more human than robotic. Mixing together relevant cyber topic discussions with a snappy and well-crafted story of an attempted corporate succession turned tech hostage negotiation, Valet is an excellent and fun read that’s as intelligent as it is whimsical.
Highlights:
☕︎ Refreshing and light-hearted story blending speculative and scifi elements with an entertaining Jeeves and Wooster dynamic. Maintains a great balance between character work and several intertwining storylines with strong thematic purpose.
☕︎ Great character writing, development, and wholesome moments that are unexpectedly touching despite the book’s overall cozy and comical vibe.
☕︎ Excellent narration and storytelling tone, Cy’s witty observations studying human behaviors are a constant delight.
Considerations:
-While providing a great resolution to Cy and Grayson’s time together, the ending in regard to the tech hostage plot and corporate succession is serviceable. Readers solely invested in the plot may find the conclusion a bit disappointing and too lowkey.
-Revisioning of various Bay Area locations and references that skew towards millennial readers may not be appreciated by younger readers or those unfamiliar with Norcal culture.
Following an advanced robotic scientific assistant turned personal butler assistant, Cy is an aging Verified Artificial-Learning-Enhanced Techbot seeking to please his owners and raise his operating utility score, a benchmark that determines whether he gets future feature programming updates or is retired to manufacturing facility monotony. Once the esteemed assistant to the CEO of Ai+, the developer of cutting-edge robotic technology, he is tasked by the late CEO’s widow Mrs. St. Claire to right her son Grayson’s wayward life, lack of motivation, and to marry him off. Unlike his CEO sister Charlotte who took over the company with futuristic augmented capabilities and sharpened intellectual clarity, Master Grayson wants nothing to do with their family’s business, spending his days lounging around eating archaic processed food and working in his pottery studio Kilning Time. However, the status quo is suddenly turned on its head when Grayson refuses to go along with Charlotte’s plan to sell the family company and its assets via a merger with a prominent android manufacturing firm, sparking an impassioned and crazed tech hostage scheme that the St. Claire’s have never experienced before. Caught in the skirmish between his devoted assignment to Master Grayson vs Mrs. St. Claire’s conflicting orders to manage him, Cy’s life is further complicated by his involved with another wanted techbot on the run from the law, the difficulties of matching Grayson with prospective dates, and an assistant score rivalry with Mrs. St. Claire’s newer and more advanced techbot Elsa.
If that synopsis sounds a little chaotic and kooky, I’ve done my job at recapturing the feel of Valet that is one-part on-brand satirical speculative fiction goodness and one-part good-natured comedic chaos. This book is a fascinating one that has several ongoing storylines that are seamlessly intertwined through effective plotting and strong narrative choices. At the front is the sibling conflict of Grayson and Charlotte quarreling over their late father’s company legacy that leads to ground-breaking tech stolen and held for ransom. Meanwhile Cy inadvertently helps an aging and irrelevant techbot named Larry escape the confines of their utility score system, complicit in breaking numerous regulatory laws and being investigated by the cyber police task force. But beneath it all is a story of familial expectation and self-worth as Cy runs Grayson’s dating app profile, encourages him to eat healthier, provides constant quality of life recommendations, and sticks with his master through the highs and lows of adulthood. While the story is no doubt entertaining and fun when it wants to be, it’s also quietly nuanced and thematically rich while maintaining its joyous tone.
Despite being only two hundred seventy-two pages in its hardcover format, Valet packs a lot of narrative and thematic content while also providing an appropriate amount of world-building. Set in a futuristic version of San Francisco, the city is full of techbots conducting a wide variety of operations, city sentry and delivery drones filling the skies, and AR/VR/AI technology filling out the rest of the world. Likely due to the author’s real-life connections to the area, the book is full of fun references and futuristic revisioning of various Bay Area locations that Norcal readers will love. As a foil, there’s also anti-technology groups, the Killjoy Collective and the Machine Crime Investigations Bureau. While other scifi books may have more expansive worldbuilding or elaborate visuals, what Valet presents is solid and well-suited for the story it’s telling, keeping things moving with a snappy sense of pacing. While there’s a lot going on, it always feels like the book knows what it’s doing and where the story is going without unnecessary tangents.
If one of Valet’s best assets is his pacing and plotting, the other is its tone. Despite having some serious topics and storylines, the book maintains an upbeat and optimistically pleasant feel courtesy of Cy’s utterly delightful narration. In addition to his quirky and comedic musings of the many idiosyncrasies of human behavior, the book has a wonderful sense of tongue-in-cheek humor that pokes fun at society. While the jokes and banter aren’t quite laugh out loud funny, they’re chuckle-worthy and consistently witty vs fellow slapstick or crude scifi-bro book offerings. Some of the references and comedic antics do have a strong older millennial/young gen x vibe with a slight Dad-joke feel to them (not a dig at Lacrampe, I myself love cracking Dad jokes) which readers can find either endearing or a little silly; both takeaways work in the book’s favor.
Complementing the appealing tone, the book also features great character writing and surprisingly good development considering its length and breezy feel. While Cy easily carries Valet on his own through his amicably snarky narration, the cast of characters are diverse and likeable. While Grayson is initially introduced as a lazy, listless, and good-for-nothing adult son coasting on the family’s wealth, his character has a lot more going on beneath the surface. If the book were stripped of its techbot and scifi flavor, his character serves a pseudo failure-to-launch arc where repeated lack of familial support and perceived inferiority to his high potential younger sister has led to a dejected, ostracized, and down in the rut man that’s highly relevant and relatable in current society; see numerous articles and studies covering the unhappiness and disenfranchisement of young men in the US that feel isolated and worthless. Not only a perceived disgrace to the St. Claire name by his own family, his potential dates set up by Cy, and his stoner friends, no one takes him seriously and the reinforced cycle that Cy is tasked with breaking is portrayed very effectively.
As the story develops, so does Grayson’s confidence as well as the reader’s opinion of him, his good instincts and sentimental values contrasting the harsh coldness of Charlotte’s hyper-efficient and high probability algorithmic mantra. The juxtaposition of the two approaches with both characters’ opinions of the company's future is well done while mediated by the vaguely villainous figure of Mrs. St. Claire in the middle of it. But most importantly is Cy and Grayson’s bond reminiscent of Jeeves and Wooster’s master/butler working relationship on the surface, mentor and parental figure on a deeper level. While not overly sentimental, the book has a sweet and wholesome ending that delivers a satisfying resolution to Cy and Grayson’s time together, as well as Mrs. St. Claire (I thought her and Cy’s resolution to be one of the best parts of the book). Though not particularly emotional or a heavy read, the ending caught me pleasantly by surprise with how effective it was in the character development department for not only Grayson but especially Cy. On a more neutral note, though it provides a serviceable resolution to the company’s future and succession storyline, these narrative elements are handled in a more a lowkey manner in the ending that some readers may find a tad underwhelming even though this is first and foremost a book about its characters vs the plot.
Light-hearted, versatile, and certainly easy to enjoy, Valet is an expertly crafted book that has a little bit of everything. A varied mix of storylines, great character work, on-brand speculative scifi elements all wrapped up in a pleasantly charming and witty package, there’s a lot to like. Thanks to its concise story, good pacing, and fun narration style, it also makes for a great palette cleanser kind of read, providing a lot of fun with smarts and heart. I believe this may be J.P. Lacrampe’s published novel debut which makes the book all the more impressive. Valet is a wonderful book and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of Lacrampe’s future works!
This review is based on a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy provided by Saga Press.
*For more reviews, book lists and reading updates, check out my blog TheBookGrind!
Highlights:
☕︎ Refreshing and light-hearted story blending speculative and scifi elements with an entertaining Jeeves and Wooster dynamic. Maintains a great balance between character work and several intertwining storylines with strong thematic purpose.
☕︎ Great character writing, development, and wholesome moments that are unexpectedly touching despite the book’s overall cozy and comical vibe.
☕︎ Excellent narration and storytelling tone, Cy’s witty observations studying human behaviors are a constant delight.
Considerations:
-While providing a great resolution to Cy and Grayson’s time together, the ending in regard to the tech hostage plot and corporate succession is serviceable. Readers solely invested in the plot may find the conclusion a bit disappointing and too lowkey.
-Revisioning of various Bay Area locations and references that skew towards millennial readers may not be appreciated by younger readers or those unfamiliar with Norcal culture.
Following an advanced robotic scientific assistant turned personal butler assistant, Cy is an aging Verified Artificial-Learning-Enhanced Techbot seeking to please his owners and raise his operating utility score, a benchmark that determines whether he gets future feature programming updates or is retired to manufacturing facility monotony. Once the esteemed assistant to the CEO of Ai+, the developer of cutting-edge robotic technology, he is tasked by the late CEO’s widow Mrs. St. Claire to right her son Grayson’s wayward life, lack of motivation, and to marry him off. Unlike his CEO sister Charlotte who took over the company with futuristic augmented capabilities and sharpened intellectual clarity, Master Grayson wants nothing to do with their family’s business, spending his days lounging around eating archaic processed food and working in his pottery studio Kilning Time. However, the status quo is suddenly turned on its head when Grayson refuses to go along with Charlotte’s plan to sell the family company and its assets via a merger with a prominent android manufacturing firm, sparking an impassioned and crazed tech hostage scheme that the St. Claire’s have never experienced before. Caught in the skirmish between his devoted assignment to Master Grayson vs Mrs. St. Claire’s conflicting orders to manage him, Cy’s life is further complicated by his involved with another wanted techbot on the run from the law, the difficulties of matching Grayson with prospective dates, and an assistant score rivalry with Mrs. St. Claire’s newer and more advanced techbot Elsa.
If that synopsis sounds a little chaotic and kooky, I’ve done my job at recapturing the feel of Valet that is one-part on-brand satirical speculative fiction goodness and one-part good-natured comedic chaos. This book is a fascinating one that has several ongoing storylines that are seamlessly intertwined through effective plotting and strong narrative choices. At the front is the sibling conflict of Grayson and Charlotte quarreling over their late father’s company legacy that leads to ground-breaking tech stolen and held for ransom. Meanwhile Cy inadvertently helps an aging and irrelevant techbot named Larry escape the confines of their utility score system, complicit in breaking numerous regulatory laws and being investigated by the cyber police task force. But beneath it all is a story of familial expectation and self-worth as Cy runs Grayson’s dating app profile, encourages him to eat healthier, provides constant quality of life recommendations, and sticks with his master through the highs and lows of adulthood. While the story is no doubt entertaining and fun when it wants to be, it’s also quietly nuanced and thematically rich while maintaining its joyous tone.
Despite being only two hundred seventy-two pages in its hardcover format, Valet packs a lot of narrative and thematic content while also providing an appropriate amount of world-building. Set in a futuristic version of San Francisco, the city is full of techbots conducting a wide variety of operations, city sentry and delivery drones filling the skies, and AR/VR/AI technology filling out the rest of the world. Likely due to the author’s real-life connections to the area, the book is full of fun references and futuristic revisioning of various Bay Area locations that Norcal readers will love. As a foil, there’s also anti-technology groups, the Killjoy Collective and the Machine Crime Investigations Bureau. While other scifi books may have more expansive worldbuilding or elaborate visuals, what Valet presents is solid and well-suited for the story it’s telling, keeping things moving with a snappy sense of pacing. While there’s a lot going on, it always feels like the book knows what it’s doing and where the story is going without unnecessary tangents.
If one of Valet’s best assets is his pacing and plotting, the other is its tone. Despite having some serious topics and storylines, the book maintains an upbeat and optimistically pleasant feel courtesy of Cy’s utterly delightful narration. In addition to his quirky and comedic musings of the many idiosyncrasies of human behavior, the book has a wonderful sense of tongue-in-cheek humor that pokes fun at society. While the jokes and banter aren’t quite laugh out loud funny, they’re chuckle-worthy and consistently witty vs fellow slapstick or crude scifi-bro book offerings. Some of the references and comedic antics do have a strong older millennial/young gen x vibe with a slight Dad-joke feel to them (not a dig at Lacrampe, I myself love cracking Dad jokes) which readers can find either endearing or a little silly; both takeaways work in the book’s favor.
Complementing the appealing tone, the book also features great character writing and surprisingly good development considering its length and breezy feel. While Cy easily carries Valet on his own through his amicably snarky narration, the cast of characters are diverse and likeable. While Grayson is initially introduced as a lazy, listless, and good-for-nothing adult son coasting on the family’s wealth, his character has a lot more going on beneath the surface. If the book were stripped of its techbot and scifi flavor, his character serves a pseudo failure-to-launch arc where repeated lack of familial support and perceived inferiority to his high potential younger sister has led to a dejected, ostracized, and down in the rut man that’s highly relevant and relatable in current society; see numerous articles and studies covering the unhappiness and disenfranchisement of young men in the US that feel isolated and worthless. Not only a perceived disgrace to the St. Claire name by his own family, his potential dates set up by Cy, and his stoner friends, no one takes him seriously and the reinforced cycle that Cy is tasked with breaking is portrayed very effectively.
As the story develops, so does Grayson’s confidence as well as the reader’s opinion of him, his good instincts and sentimental values contrasting the harsh coldness of Charlotte’s hyper-efficient and high probability algorithmic mantra. The juxtaposition of the two approaches with both characters’ opinions of the company's future is well done while mediated by the vaguely villainous figure of Mrs. St. Claire in the middle of it. But most importantly is Cy and Grayson’s bond reminiscent of Jeeves and Wooster’s master/butler working relationship on the surface, mentor and parental figure on a deeper level. While not overly sentimental, the book has a sweet and wholesome ending that delivers a satisfying resolution to Cy and Grayson’s time together, as well as Mrs. St. Claire (I thought her and Cy’s resolution to be one of the best parts of the book). Though not particularly emotional or a heavy read, the ending caught me pleasantly by surprise with how effective it was in the character development department for not only Grayson but especially Cy. On a more neutral note, though it provides a serviceable resolution to the company’s future and succession storyline, these narrative elements are handled in a more a lowkey manner in the ending that some readers may find a tad underwhelming even though this is first and foremost a book about its characters vs the plot.
Light-hearted, versatile, and certainly easy to enjoy, Valet is an expertly crafted book that has a little bit of everything. A varied mix of storylines, great character work, on-brand speculative scifi elements all wrapped up in a pleasantly charming and witty package, there’s a lot to like. Thanks to its concise story, good pacing, and fun narration style, it also makes for a great palette cleanser kind of read, providing a lot of fun with smarts and heart. I believe this may be J.P. Lacrampe’s published novel debut which makes the book all the more impressive. Valet is a wonderful book and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of Lacrampe’s future works!
This review is based on a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy provided by Saga Press.
*For more reviews, book lists and reading updates, check out my blog TheBookGrind!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for an advance copy of this novel of speculative fiction set about twenty minutes into the future about a young man lost in the world, his AI valet who must look out for him, and the numerous shenanigans, misadventures, small crimes and misdemeanors they get involved in, one while trying to keep his family's legacy, the other trying to hold the course to get a software update that might change everything.
Growing up I read a lot of books about gentlemen adventurers, or just gentlemen in general. Bulldog Drummond, Bruce Wayne, Bertie Wooster. While many dreamed of being say Batman, or even his sidekick Robin, I dreamed of being something more, the butler. Valet, Majordomo, Gentlemen's Gentlemen, whatever the term, these were the true cogs that kept the adventure moving along. Alfred Pennyworth who kept the Batmobile gassed, the Batcompuer up to date, and Reginald Jeeves, who made sure that Bertie Wooster's spats were correct, and that young Bertie never embarrassed himself with a out of favor headpiece. These stories have always been fun for me, and probably why I enjoyed this novel so much. Besides the great plot, excellent writing, and an AI VALET I long to help me gain control of my life. Valet by J.P. Lacrampe is a story about fathers, family, fortune, failing, and finding those who care for us, even if they are programmed to.
Cy is an AI who once did important things. Cy worked in a cybernetic company , helping the founder of the company design cutting edge AI and technology, wandering the halls, solving problems, and getting very high ratings on its utility score. That was the past. The founder died, and a year later Cy is still working on its latest task, help the fail-son of the founder try to find something to do in life. Grayson shows no aptitude for technology, nor really anything in life. Grayson loves to spend his day with his useless buddies, or working in clay at his studio Kilning Time. Cy has been tasked to get Grayson a wife, or an interest so his mother doesn't have to be bothered with watching him. If Cy fails, so does his chance at getting upgrades, which could mean a dark future for Cy. Grayson starts to find an interest in life when he hears his sister Charlotte is planning to sell the company his father created, and losing all the technology that his father and Cy helped create. A plan is hatched, crimes committed, plots developed, with nothing going right, and leaves Cy wondering what his parts might be recycled into.
This book is a lot of things. A satire of the future. A warning of the future. A heist novel, and a buddy comedy. And a whole lot of good. Cy is an interesting character, one who can see that things are not going to go well, and yet can't do anything about it. For an AI that must be tough. The future is grim, for AI, robots and for humans, and I like the world and how Lacrampe presents it to the reader. Lacrampe lets the story unfold carefully and one never feels lost. Though one might lose their spot laughing. I did that a few times. Grayson is far deeper a character than he seems, and though he might not think much ahead, the heart is in the right place. I really enjoyed this novel, and the world it takes place in.
A fun science fiction novel, one with a message, and lot of heart. I really enjoyed this and thought Cy was a worth addition to those who have added good people do great things. Not quite a Jeeves, but as close as an AI can get. A fun book, and I look forward to more by J. P. Lacrampe.
Growing up I read a lot of books about gentlemen adventurers, or just gentlemen in general. Bulldog Drummond, Bruce Wayne, Bertie Wooster. While many dreamed of being say Batman, or even his sidekick Robin, I dreamed of being something more, the butler. Valet, Majordomo, Gentlemen's Gentlemen, whatever the term, these were the true cogs that kept the adventure moving along. Alfred Pennyworth who kept the Batmobile gassed, the Batcompuer up to date, and Reginald Jeeves, who made sure that Bertie Wooster's spats were correct, and that young Bertie never embarrassed himself with a out of favor headpiece. These stories have always been fun for me, and probably why I enjoyed this novel so much. Besides the great plot, excellent writing, and an AI VALET I long to help me gain control of my life. Valet by J.P. Lacrampe is a story about fathers, family, fortune, failing, and finding those who care for us, even if they are programmed to.
Cy is an AI who once did important things. Cy worked in a cybernetic company , helping the founder of the company design cutting edge AI and technology, wandering the halls, solving problems, and getting very high ratings on its utility score. That was the past. The founder died, and a year later Cy is still working on its latest task, help the fail-son of the founder try to find something to do in life. Grayson shows no aptitude for technology, nor really anything in life. Grayson loves to spend his day with his useless buddies, or working in clay at his studio Kilning Time. Cy has been tasked to get Grayson a wife, or an interest so his mother doesn't have to be bothered with watching him. If Cy fails, so does his chance at getting upgrades, which could mean a dark future for Cy. Grayson starts to find an interest in life when he hears his sister Charlotte is planning to sell the company his father created, and losing all the technology that his father and Cy helped create. A plan is hatched, crimes committed, plots developed, with nothing going right, and leaves Cy wondering what his parts might be recycled into.
This book is a lot of things. A satire of the future. A warning of the future. A heist novel, and a buddy comedy. And a whole lot of good. Cy is an interesting character, one who can see that things are not going to go well, and yet can't do anything about it. For an AI that must be tough. The future is grim, for AI, robots and for humans, and I like the world and how Lacrampe presents it to the reader. Lacrampe lets the story unfold carefully and one never feels lost. Though one might lose their spot laughing. I did that a few times. Grayson is far deeper a character than he seems, and though he might not think much ahead, the heart is in the right place. I really enjoyed this novel, and the world it takes place in.
A fun science fiction novel, one with a message, and lot of heart. I really enjoyed this and thought Cy was a worth addition to those who have added good people do great things. Not quite a Jeeves, but as close as an AI can get. A fun book, and I look forward to more by J. P. Lacrampe.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Reviewed in exchange for a free ARC from Netgalley.
I look forward to this because I really enjoy Wodehouse. I thought the sci fi take was a good move. It wouldn't be believable today for an American to have a valet. However, a sort of near future setting can combine a robot valet and somewhat contemporary behavior. However, I found that it didn't live up to its full potential. The major difference to Wodehouse is the lack of comedy. Sure, the characters are quirky, but not in a comedic way. I did enjoy one joke, at the expense of journalists and there were one or two lines that could have been intended to be jokes. However, not everything has to be funny and the book was engaging.
The plot is about a robot valet, Cy, assigned by his creator's widow to help her son grow up or get married. Or at least that was what I thought it was going to be about. The book uses exclusively Cy's view point and is clearly the protagonist of the story. This causes him and the view to miss what feel like key moments in the story.
In order to earn upgrades the robot must keep his utility score high. How exactly this is adjusted isn't clear. Presumably his owner, makes the adjustment. Lowering the score can also decrease function, so the robots are motivated to avoid this death spiral, which can result in robots being converted to factory machines. Cy's friend Larry fears this fate and his fears increase as his owner has financial trouble. There isn't much that Cy can do to motivate his owner's grown son to start a relationship. Except throw a party. Some how drinking with his loser friends convinces him to try dating. Cy handles the online dating app, tinder. This provides some opportunity to satirize online dating, but that doesn't happen. Apparently the dating candidates are assigned a dating score as well as hierarchy and attractiveness scores. We are told the numbers given are high, but not how the scoring is based. Apparently single mothers and content creators have higher scores than high ranking software engineers. Anyway, after the first date is made, the actual plot starts, which is a sort of mystery involving the families AI company and sibling rivalry. It doesn't make that much sense and is kinda a comedy of errors. The protagonists mainly react and even avoid acting on suspicious information. The ending seems too convenient and left questions.
The world building is okay. It never felt like info dumping, although sometimes it was like Cy had ADD. A big focus is the utility score and what it is like to be an AI. Apparently there were AI with emotions, but it was banned for some reason which isn't explained. This has repercussions later that aren't explained, leaving a plot hole. The biggest digression is a list of reasons why women wouldn't want to date men, which don't really apply to the situation (the character has different faults than the ones listed). The human characters are shallow barely stereotypes. The twist at the end doesn't feel like a twist. A forgettable book with decent prose.
I look forward to this because I really enjoy Wodehouse. I thought the sci fi take was a good move. It wouldn't be believable today for an American to have a valet. However, a sort of near future setting can combine a robot valet and somewhat contemporary behavior. However, I found that it didn't live up to its full potential. The major difference to Wodehouse is the lack of comedy. Sure, the characters are quirky, but not in a comedic way. I did enjoy one joke, at the expense of journalists and there were one or two lines that could have been intended to be jokes. However, not everything has to be funny and the book was engaging.
The plot is about a robot valet, Cy, assigned by his creator's widow to help her son grow up or get married. Or at least that was what I thought it was going to be about. The book uses exclusively Cy's view point and is clearly the protagonist of the story. This causes him and the view to miss what feel like key moments in the story.
In order to earn upgrades the robot must keep his utility score high. How exactly this is adjusted isn't clear. Presumably his owner, makes the adjustment. Lowering the score can also decrease function, so the robots are motivated to avoid this death spiral, which can result in robots being converted to factory machines. Cy's friend Larry fears this fate and his fears increase as his owner has financial trouble. There isn't much that Cy can do to motivate his owner's grown son to start a relationship. Except throw a party. Some how drinking with his loser friends convinces him to try dating. Cy handles the online dating app, tinder. This provides some opportunity to satirize online dating, but that doesn't happen. Apparently the dating candidates are assigned a dating score as well as hierarchy and attractiveness scores. We are told the numbers given are high, but not how the scoring is based. Apparently single mothers and content creators have higher scores than high ranking software engineers. Anyway, after the first date is made, the actual plot starts, which is a sort of mystery involving the families AI company and sibling rivalry. It doesn't make that much sense and is kinda a comedy of errors. The protagonists mainly react and even avoid acting on suspicious information. The ending seems too convenient and left questions.
The world building is okay. It never felt like info dumping, although sometimes it was like Cy had ADD. A big focus is the utility score and what it is like to be an AI. Apparently there were AI with emotions, but it was banned for some reason which isn't explained. This has repercussions later that aren't explained, leaving a plot hole. The biggest digression is a list of reasons why women wouldn't want to date men, which don't really apply to the situation (the character has different faults than the ones listed). The human characters are shallow barely stereotypes. The twist at the end doesn't feel like a twist. A forgettable book with decent prose.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Clever and suspenseful plot with good characters and humor
Cy is a VALET , a “Verified Artifiical Learning Enhanced Techbot”, and that gives you a good clue into what to expect from this book. It has a very clever and suspenseful plot set in a cleverly imagined near-future carried out by fun characters, both humans and bots (although the bots were my favorites). The writing was excellent. Added to that was great HUMOR that occasionally had me laughing out loud.
Cy belongs to Mrs. Elizabeth St. Claire, but she has assigned him to help her thirty-five-year-old ne’er do-well son Grayson. Grayson needs help with practically every aspect of his life, including his love life, but the main plot centers around Cy’s and Grayson’s attempt to prevent Grayson’s sister from selling the family robotics company. This has special meaning for Cy, since this was where he was built. Author Lacrampe has done an excellent job of imagining what such a company and a future might be like and gives very thoughtful, interesting information about the androids’ capabilities and needs. There are also other insights into possibilities for the future, such as Grayson’s dog, Sasha III, who was cloned from the dog he loved as a child.
The plot is certainly suspenseful, but there is plenty of humor, such as Cy’s observation about humans making decisions, “Humans struggle with [having] more than three options. The only thing they hate more than having a decision being made for them is having to make it themselves” or his comment “Whatever benefits technology has delivered to humankind, it’s done little for their dancing.” He also mentions an android brothel!
The writing is excellent. The opening chapter provides a good introduction to the characters, both android and human and their personalities, and gives the reader a good feel for what kind of read to expect. It continues with some clever machinations on the part of characters and lots of suspense and surprises. Interspersed there is plenty of humor, like the name of Grayson’s pottery shop, “Kilning Time”. There are nice observations from Cy like , “It’s amazing how alike people are from afar-and how unique they become when you get up close”. The book is full of interesting characters, both human and android but I like Cy best. I felt very sorry for his feelings of vulnerability.
But what about the ending? Isn’t that the most important part of a book? All I can say is I closed the book feeling very satisfied.
This seems to be the author’s first book; I hope he will write another soon!
I received an advance review copy of this book from Edelweiss and Saga Press.
Cy is a VALET , a “Verified Artifiical Learning Enhanced Techbot”, and that gives you a good clue into what to expect from this book. It has a very clever and suspenseful plot set in a cleverly imagined near-future carried out by fun characters, both humans and bots (although the bots were my favorites). The writing was excellent. Added to that was great HUMOR that occasionally had me laughing out loud.
Cy belongs to Mrs. Elizabeth St. Claire, but she has assigned him to help her thirty-five-year-old ne’er do-well son Grayson. Grayson needs help with practically every aspect of his life, including his love life, but the main plot centers around Cy’s and Grayson’s attempt to prevent Grayson’s sister from selling the family robotics company. This has special meaning for Cy, since this was where he was built. Author Lacrampe has done an excellent job of imagining what such a company and a future might be like and gives very thoughtful, interesting information about the androids’ capabilities and needs. There are also other insights into possibilities for the future, such as Grayson’s dog, Sasha III, who was cloned from the dog he loved as a child.
The plot is certainly suspenseful, but there is plenty of humor, such as Cy’s observation about humans making decisions, “Humans struggle with [having] more than three options. The only thing they hate more than having a decision being made for them is having to make it themselves” or his comment “Whatever benefits technology has delivered to humankind, it’s done little for their dancing.” He also mentions an android brothel!
The writing is excellent. The opening chapter provides a good introduction to the characters, both android and human and their personalities, and gives the reader a good feel for what kind of read to expect. It continues with some clever machinations on the part of characters and lots of suspense and surprises. Interspersed there is plenty of humor, like the name of Grayson’s pottery shop, “Kilning Time”. There are nice observations from Cy like , “It’s amazing how alike people are from afar-and how unique they become when you get up close”. The book is full of interesting characters, both human and android but I like Cy best. I felt very sorry for his feelings of vulnerability.
But what about the ending? Isn’t that the most important part of a book? All I can say is I closed the book feeling very satisfied.
This seems to be the author’s first book; I hope he will write another soon!
I received an advance review copy of this book from Edelweiss and Saga Press.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This is a fun, zippy sci-fi read that combines the hijinks of Jeeves and Wooster with androids but also a critique of modern corporate lifestyles. Our main character is Cy, an android who used to have a Utility Score of over 90% while serving the CEO and founder of AI+ and his inventor, but these days, he's been relegated to watching over the deceased CEO's wayward son, and to his dismay, his Utility Score is rapidly dropping. The book wastes no time in dropping Cy into both an escape plot by one of his fellow androids whose Utility Score has dropped too low and who might be decommissioned soon, and also corporate espionage and politics as Grayson, Cy's wayward charge, finally takes interest in his father's company being sold by his ambitious sister.
Even while Cy is somewhat exasperated by Grayson's shenanigans, from his constant changes to his pottery sarcophagus project, his laziness, and his desire for real instead of replicated food, you can tell from the get-go that Cy is very fond of Grayson. After all, he basically grew up with Grayson as well, and Grayson himself does have unplumbed depths that climb to the surface as they go on the run with a mysterious hard drive that everyone is seeking out. The high points of the novel are definitely Cy and Grayson interacting, but Cy also develops a fairly sweet relationship with Larry, the android on the run, and Liv, an AI+ programmer and technician who has worked with Cy for a long time. It's also very charming honestly how bad Cy is at predicting romance, and I did enjoy Cy figuring out that a Utility Score isn't everything.
That being said, I did feel like the ending was a bit abrupt and everything got resolved maybe a little too smoothly.
All in all though, this is a very fun scifi read, and I look forward to more from this author!
This is a fun, zippy sci-fi read that combines the hijinks of Jeeves and Wooster with androids but also a critique of modern corporate lifestyles. Our main character is Cy, an android who used to have a Utility Score of over 90% while serving the CEO and founder of AI+ and his inventor, but these days, he's been relegated to watching over the deceased CEO's wayward son, and to his dismay, his Utility Score is rapidly dropping. The book wastes no time in dropping Cy into both an escape plot by one of his fellow androids whose Utility Score has dropped too low and who might be decommissioned soon, and also corporate espionage and politics as Grayson, Cy's wayward charge, finally takes interest in his father's company being sold by his ambitious sister.
Even while Cy is somewhat exasperated by Grayson's shenanigans, from his constant changes to his pottery sarcophagus project, his laziness, and his desire for real instead of replicated food, you can tell from the get-go that Cy is very fond of Grayson. After all, he basically grew up with Grayson as well, and Grayson himself does have unplumbed depths that climb to the surface as they go on the run with a mysterious hard drive that everyone is seeking out. The high points of the novel are definitely Cy and Grayson interacting, but Cy also develops a fairly sweet relationship with Larry, the android on the run, and Liv, an AI+ programmer and technician who has worked with Cy for a long time. It's also very charming honestly how bad Cy is at predicting romance, and I did enjoy Cy figuring out that a Utility Score isn't everything.
That being said, I did feel like the ending was a bit abrupt and everything got resolved maybe a little too smoothly.
All in all though, this is a very fun scifi read, and I look forward to more from this author!
May 16, 2026
A fun, witty, and zany adventure of an unambitious middle age man, who with the help of his robot butler, plot to keep the family business in the family.
Thirty-five-year-old Grayson has zero drive to accomplish much of anything. And that’s a problem for Cy, his A.I. companion, whose sole goal is to get his charge out in society. But nothing really lights a fire under Grayson until the business he actually cares about is about to be sold. And this is where it goes completely off the rails.
I love the premise of this story, and the idea of the underdog rising up to accomplish what seems to be impossible-with no real plan aside from stealing the original plans his father created. Grayson has Cy willing to help, but within parameters, because otherwise, Cy risks becoming operational. Thrown into the mix is Livi, a scientist who works for the family business, and who is willing to help Grayson keep it that way. It becomes a funny balancing act, and race against the clock.
Adding even more trouble to their already tumultuous situation is Larry-a robot that has gone rogue, and who is relying on Cy to keep his secret. There are threats, spies, and secret societies that become the biggest obstacle between Cy, Grayson, and victory, and we get to cheer them on until the end.
What balances out the humor and craziness of this story is the growth that the MC experience, and the confidence he begins to feel in himself. He also becomes much more selfless, and worries more about what happens to his friends than to himself. It makes him a likable character, and one you want to succeed.
This lightheaded story was a nice palette cleanser, and quick read. I look forward to seeing what else this author comes up with. 4.5 stars
Thank you Saga Press for my arc. My opinion is my own.
Thirty-five-year-old Grayson has zero drive to accomplish much of anything. And that’s a problem for Cy, his A.I. companion, whose sole goal is to get his charge out in society. But nothing really lights a fire under Grayson until the business he actually cares about is about to be sold. And this is where it goes completely off the rails.
I love the premise of this story, and the idea of the underdog rising up to accomplish what seems to be impossible-with no real plan aside from stealing the original plans his father created. Grayson has Cy willing to help, but within parameters, because otherwise, Cy risks becoming operational. Thrown into the mix is Livi, a scientist who works for the family business, and who is willing to help Grayson keep it that way. It becomes a funny balancing act, and race against the clock.
Adding even more trouble to their already tumultuous situation is Larry-a robot that has gone rogue, and who is relying on Cy to keep his secret. There are threats, spies, and secret societies that become the biggest obstacle between Cy, Grayson, and victory, and we get to cheer them on until the end.
What balances out the humor and craziness of this story is the growth that the MC experience, and the confidence he begins to feel in himself. He also becomes much more selfless, and worries more about what happens to his friends than to himself. It makes him a likable character, and one you want to succeed.
This lightheaded story was a nice palette cleanser, and quick read. I look forward to seeing what else this author comes up with. 4.5 stars
Thank you Saga Press for my arc. My opinion is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lowkey robot propaganda that honest to god worked on me.
3.5 ⭐️
Valet is a sci-fi futuristic and satirical look at a world where humans and their robot assistants coexist in society together. The main character and single first person POV is of Cy, a 35 year old robot VALET (verified artificial learning enhanced techbot) that was designed by the patriarch of the St. Claire family and head of the family’s tech company. Now after his death, Cy is stuck with his quirky, unambitious, and lazy son, Grayson. He is tasked with trying to get Grayson a significant other to improve his standing in society and subsequently improve his VALET utility score.
Objectively, the book was written well. I enjoyed Cy’s internal monologue dry humor and his little digs at humans and the system. It is a quirky adventure with a fast paced moving plot.
However, after reading it, in my opinion the only really truly likable character is the main robot, Cy. Despite being a “basic” robot, he’s the only one who legitimately thinks about other people and considers others emotions.
I understand this is intentional, because it is a satirical look at humanity. But I was NOT rooting for a singular human being in this story at the end of the day.
Overall, I had a really good time and I’m glad I read it. Thanks to Simon & Shuster books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my review!
3.5 ⭐️
Valet is a sci-fi futuristic and satirical look at a world where humans and their robot assistants coexist in society together. The main character and single first person POV is of Cy, a 35 year old robot VALET (verified artificial learning enhanced techbot) that was designed by the patriarch of the St. Claire family and head of the family’s tech company. Now after his death, Cy is stuck with his quirky, unambitious, and lazy son, Grayson. He is tasked with trying to get Grayson a significant other to improve his standing in society and subsequently improve his VALET utility score.
Objectively, the book was written well. I enjoyed Cy’s internal monologue dry humor and his little digs at humans and the system. It is a quirky adventure with a fast paced moving plot.
However, after reading it, in my opinion the only really truly likable character is the main robot, Cy. Despite being a “basic” robot, he’s the only one who legitimately thinks about other people and considers others emotions.
I understand this is intentional, because it is a satirical look at humanity. But I was NOT rooting for a singular human being in this story at the end of the day.
Overall, I had a really good time and I’m glad I read it. Thanks to Simon & Shuster books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my review!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Valet by JP Lacrampe. Thanks to SagaPressBooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cy isn’t the most advanced robot out there, but he’s not the simplest either. While serving a wealthy family, he finds himself on the helping their deadbeat son and his dog.
This is noted as a fantasy but it felt more contemporary to me, with a touch of science fiction. We are getting used to AI in our lives and I don’t think we are far off from living with household robotics. My team at work recently went to a conference that had concierge robotics. I loved that the main character was a robot. He had an outside look at humans and it definitely added a sense of humor. There is no heavy science fiction or technology in the story. It’s a super easy read with lots of action, and has you rooting for an unusual cast of characters.
“Humans are not without their flaws, but their collective effort is a marvel to behold.”
Read if you like:
-Rooting for an unusual group of characters
-Non-human narrators
-AI or robotic plots
-Evil wealthy family tropes
Valet comes out 6/2.
Cy isn’t the most advanced robot out there, but he’s not the simplest either. While serving a wealthy family, he finds himself on the helping their deadbeat son and his dog.
This is noted as a fantasy but it felt more contemporary to me, with a touch of science fiction. We are getting used to AI in our lives and I don’t think we are far off from living with household robotics. My team at work recently went to a conference that had concierge robotics. I loved that the main character was a robot. He had an outside look at humans and it definitely added a sense of humor. There is no heavy science fiction or technology in the story. It’s a super easy read with lots of action, and has you rooting for an unusual cast of characters.
“Humans are not without their flaws, but their collective effort is a marvel to behold.”
Read if you like:
-Rooting for an unusual group of characters
-Non-human narrators
-AI or robotic plots
-Evil wealthy family tropes
Valet comes out 6/2.
Review of advance copy received from Author
From the first pages I was hooked by the lexicon of VALET. This is important to me in becoming immersed. When entering the new world of a near-future or sci-fi story I hope to be pulled in by new language that sets this particular world apart while I slip off from my tether to reality. In VALET I particularly enjoyed the suspense introduced by the software versions and critical power levels adjacent to the story line. The weave of the human and Ai technology based characters built successfully for me to a level of belief as the blend of the two was revealed. Ultimately it created the sense that the human and Ai romance & friendship present was possible. The mix of wry and well placed humor also made me smile during the read. As an avid reader, at the end of VALET I got what I am always hoping for...that feeling of a story well told that leaves me in anticipation of a sequel/prequel to continue on the tale. VALET, enjoy the read, I certainly did!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Valet is an absolute delight from start to finish, keeping a lighthearted tone while still managing to explore important themes of family, responsibility, and self-determination. Cy is a robot assigned to a hapless 35-year-old, Grayson. Grayson was passed over in his family's robotics company in favor of his younger, go-getter sister Charlotte, and Cy's job is to get Grayson out of his funk, married well, and leading a productive life. When Grayson learns that Charlotte is planning to sell the company to a rival and hand over their late father's robotics research, he and Cy, along with Grayson's cloned dog Sasha III, embark on a series of increasingly zany adventures to try to save the company. This is a tribute to Wodehouse's Bertie and Jeeves novels, but it also stands on its own. I eagerly await Lacrampe's next novel. Thank you to NetGalley and S&S/Saga Press for a digital review copy.
May 12, 2026
4.25⭐️
Cy is a helper robot who just wants to up his utility score and get the next update for his operating system. Grayson is the son of his owner, who is a non-starter, depressed, and floating through life. However, when Grayson discovers that his sister wants to sell the family company after her father's death, he enlists the help of Cy to start a corporate takeover and protect his father's intellectual property.
I love a book where there is a glimmer of hope in the age of advanced technology. Set far into the future of a fully AI-supported world, we have a robot who only wants to serve and a hapless non-started just wanting to work with clay. The tech world is littered with hilarious nods to past analog history. Our main robot has a degree of sarcastic wit built into his outward facing servitude. And the cast of side characters is so well developed, you can’t pick just one favorite. A satisfying ending as well.
Cy is a helper robot who just wants to up his utility score and get the next update for his operating system. Grayson is the son of his owner, who is a non-starter, depressed, and floating through life. However, when Grayson discovers that his sister wants to sell the family company after her father's death, he enlists the help of Cy to start a corporate takeover and protect his father's intellectual property.
I love a book where there is a glimmer of hope in the age of advanced technology. Set far into the future of a fully AI-supported world, we have a robot who only wants to serve and a hapless non-started just wanting to work with clay. The tech world is littered with hilarious nods to past analog history. Our main robot has a degree of sarcastic wit built into his outward facing servitude. And the cast of side characters is so well developed, you can’t pick just one favorite. A satisfying ending as well.
February 17, 2026
Valet was a simple and quirky romp into a futuristic world where service androids are ubiquitous and constantly on the ready.
The characters really shine in this story and I found them to be most personable and entertaining. The subtle not-so-subtle humor was not lost on me and the zany technology, also not to be taken seriously. There was a good amount of family drama and sibling rivalry. However the friendships and transformations leading up to the denouement was solid and comforting. I had a lot of fun seeing things through Cy’s POV and Larry’s antics and outrageous behaviors were some of my favorite moments.
I read this in less than 2 days and have zero regrets.
Satisfaction utility score: 4/5
Thank you Saga Press & NetGalley for the DRC.
The characters really shine in this story and I found them to be most personable and entertaining. The subtle not-so-subtle humor was not lost on me and the zany technology, also not to be taken seriously. There was a good amount of family drama and sibling rivalry. However the friendships and transformations leading up to the denouement was solid and comforting. I had a lot of fun seeing things through Cy’s POV and Larry’s antics and outrageous behaviors were some of my favorite moments.
I read this in less than 2 days and have zero regrets.
Satisfaction utility score: 4/5
Thank you Saga Press & NetGalley for the DRC.
May 13, 2026
Lacrampe wrote a debut that is enjoyable and interesting, with lovable characters, and a comfortable, feel-good plot. My rating is based on the amount of enjoyment I got from this story.
This one caught my eye because of the robot MC. Cy is a helper robot, created by Ai+ Labs. When his owner dies, Cy is tasked with caring wayward 35 year old Grayson.
We see the story through Cy’s robot eyes as he tries to inspire his hapless charge. I found Cy’s emotionless perspective hilarious. The story is filled with lines like- “Despite having listened to the complete discography of ABBA, I’m not really qualified to judge beauty”. Cy is joined by an equally lovable cast of friends, including a cloned golden retriever and a one eye-min pin.
For me, this story was cute without being trite. It’s got a plot that keeps the story moving and touches on the timely subject of AI but in a way that didn’t make me crash out.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for something that’s fun and entertaining.
Huge thank you to Saga Press for sending me an ARC!
Vibes- Detroit: Become Human, sentient Robot rom-com
Keywords- robots, rom-com, book recommendations, new release, summer reads
#booksbooksbooks #bookreview #SagaPress
This one caught my eye because of the robot MC. Cy is a helper robot, created by Ai+ Labs. When his owner dies, Cy is tasked with caring wayward 35 year old Grayson.
We see the story through Cy’s robot eyes as he tries to inspire his hapless charge. I found Cy’s emotionless perspective hilarious. The story is filled with lines like- “Despite having listened to the complete discography of ABBA, I’m not really qualified to judge beauty”. Cy is joined by an equally lovable cast of friends, including a cloned golden retriever and a one eye-min pin.
For me, this story was cute without being trite. It’s got a plot that keeps the story moving and touches on the timely subject of AI but in a way that didn’t make me crash out.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for something that’s fun and entertaining.
Huge thank you to Saga Press for sending me an ARC!
Vibes- Detroit: Become Human, sentient Robot rom-com
Keywords- robots, rom-com, book recommendations, new release, summer reads
#booksbooksbooks #bookreview #SagaPress
Read
April 2, 2026If there's one thing anyone needs to know about me, its that I love a lil robot. Just a lil dude (gender neutral) doing their lil tasks, coming to terms with what it means to be human. Always gets me.
VALET is a fun romp through a futuristic San Francisco where the tech bros have turned the world into their playground, and everyone does everything with the help of bots, VR, or some other technological enhancement. Family drama clashes with corporate espionage and our helper robot Cyrus has to get his 35 year old ward through the wildest week of both of their lives.
VALET is a fun romp through a futuristic San Francisco where the tech bros have turned the world into their playground, and everyone does everything with the help of bots, VR, or some other technological enhancement. Family drama clashes with corporate espionage and our helper robot Cyrus has to get his 35 year old ward through the wildest week of both of their lives.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Warm. Thoughtful. Fun!
I grinned from ear to ear while along for the ride in this fun, imaginative caper...
Speckled with nuance, puns, multi-generational/popculture references, and city logistics, this hard-to-put-down had me plugged-in at "Hello" and only wanting more heart-healthy circuit overloads all the way to the well-played eye roll ending ... then, more please! ...VALET II ?!!!
If you've ever allowed a velveteen rabbit to tug at your heartstrings, you'll most certainly fall in love with this particular "artificially intelligent," Valet.
I grinned from ear to ear while along for the ride in this fun, imaginative caper...
Speckled with nuance, puns, multi-generational/popculture references, and city logistics, this hard-to-put-down had me plugged-in at "Hello" and only wanting more heart-healthy circuit overloads all the way to the well-played eye roll ending ... then, more please! ...VALET II ?!!!
If you've ever allowed a velveteen rabbit to tug at your heartstrings, you'll most certainly fall in love with this particular "artificially intelligent," Valet.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Reminds me of the more optimistic Asimov stories I read when I was younger. Caves of Steel and other Daneel novels come to mind.
A fun light-hearted comedy with action and drama that I think most will have an enjoyable time with.
New to this author, recieved a free advance reading copy from an independent bookstore. I'd be excited to read more of their work, and more excited still to see the book become a series.
A fun light-hearted comedy with action and drama that I think most will have an enjoyable time with.
New to this author, recieved a free advance reading copy from an independent bookstore. I'd be excited to read more of their work, and more excited still to see the book become a series.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Haven’t read a book in a long time that made me laugh out loud like Valet did. Satirical yet refreshingly optimistic take on humanity. Clever, thoughtful, witty, and heartfelt. Truly an original. Great summer read!
Read
January 25, 2026(w)
May 21, 2026
If you had told me 2 months ago that a book about robots would paint such a thoughtful spotlight on the triumphs and flaws of the human condition to the point that I wept a little, I would have scoffed. Jokes on me, though, because Valet is out to the world next month and does exactly that, and I’m here to tell you that you DO NOT WANT TO MISS IT.
In Valet, JP Lacrampe interrogates the question of what it means to be human through charming, heartwarming prose and humorous hijinks as Cy works to find a romantic partner for his charge, Grayson. What seemingly starts out as a lighthearted, silly adventure featuring a futuristic California overtaken by technology, robots, and the prodigal son of a wealthy technocratic family morphs into so much more. By the end of it, I felt weirdly maternal towards 2 robots (don’t ask me how that happened, I’m attributing that to JP’s writing chops), a bit misty-eyed, and in possession of a newfound appreciation for the human experience.
Should our robot overlords ever take over, my only hope is that they’re as endearing as Cy and Larry.
In Valet, JP Lacrampe interrogates the question of what it means to be human through charming, heartwarming prose and humorous hijinks as Cy works to find a romantic partner for his charge, Grayson. What seemingly starts out as a lighthearted, silly adventure featuring a futuristic California overtaken by technology, robots, and the prodigal son of a wealthy technocratic family morphs into so much more. By the end of it, I felt weirdly maternal towards 2 robots (don’t ask me how that happened, I’m attributing that to JP’s writing chops), a bit misty-eyed, and in possession of a newfound appreciation for the human experience.
Should our robot overlords ever take over, my only hope is that they’re as endearing as Cy and Larry.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.75 / 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and S&S/Saga Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, it was meh. It was a little bland, very, very low stakes, shallow characters, chaotic plot, and random, unexplained things happening that are just part of the world. There are some funny bits, some nice introspective bits, a cool android concept, and interesting satire on society and humans as we interact and develop technology.
It wasn't bad per se, I just wouldn't say it was good or even interesting after the 40% mark.
There are some cute moments, and I do think Cy's retrospection and reflection on his and Grayson's past and what it means to be an android were neat, but it was like little sun rays in an empty house. He also had a sense of humor that I enjoyed, especially when he called out the idiotic behavior of Grayson and his friends, and the fact that Grayson moved on so quickly with (traumatic) things.
It was interesting to view this story through Cy's POV, but it honestly led to a very unemotional and bland story because it genuinely felt like no one cared, and if they did, it was shallow and fleeting. Livi and (unfortunately) Charlotte are the only ones who cared, did anything, and had more than 3 brain cells combined. But since they were side characters, it kinda felt like a few glimpses and real people in between the idiots we were surrounded with.
I feel like this story was supposed to be satirical and subversive by showing the worst and lamest sides of humanity and the 'untold' sides of androids, but unfortunately, it fell very flat because I cared about no one, not even Cy. Especially the ending, that was the lamest 'we fixed it' ending ever, and I gotta say, I almost side with Charlotte in this moment because are you serious? We did all that? For what?
All in all, it was okay. I don't know if I would read again or recommend, but I wouldn't say it was terrible or the worst thing I've read.
Thank you to NetGalley and S&S/Saga Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, it was meh. It was a little bland, very, very low stakes, shallow characters, chaotic plot, and random, unexplained things happening that are just part of the world. There are some funny bits, some nice introspective bits, a cool android concept, and interesting satire on society and humans as we interact and develop technology.
It wasn't bad per se, I just wouldn't say it was good or even interesting after the 40% mark.
There are some cute moments, and I do think Cy's retrospection and reflection on his and Grayson's past and what it means to be an android were neat, but it was like little sun rays in an empty house. He also had a sense of humor that I enjoyed, especially when he called out the idiotic behavior of Grayson and his friends, and the fact that Grayson moved on so quickly with (traumatic) things.
It was interesting to view this story through Cy's POV, but it honestly led to a very unemotional and bland story because it genuinely felt like no one cared, and if they did, it was shallow and fleeting. Livi and (unfortunately) Charlotte are the only ones who cared, did anything, and had more than 3 brain cells combined. But since they were side characters, it kinda felt like a few glimpses and real people in between the idiots we were surrounded with.
I feel like this story was supposed to be satirical and subversive by showing the worst and lamest sides of humanity and the 'untold' sides of androids, but unfortunately, it fell very flat because I cared about no one, not even Cy. Especially the ending, that was the lamest 'we fixed it' ending ever, and I gotta say, I almost side with Charlotte in this moment because are you serious? We did all that? For what?
All in all, it was okay. I don't know if I would read again or recommend, but I wouldn't say it was terrible or the worst thing I've read.
May 19, 2026
This is such a cozy, fast paced adventure. Cy, a VALET, is charged with basically my helping Greyson, the son of his inventor (and founder of Ai+) get his life on track. But when they learn that the company is going to be sold by Grayson’s younger sister, the current CEO, things take a turn. Cy and Grayson find themselves on the run from all kinds of characters and somehow find themselves in all kinds of trouble.
This book is a caper, a sci-fi romp, a heartfelt story about friends and family, and a refreshingly unique story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the arc.
This book is a caper, a sci-fi romp, a heartfelt story about friends and family, and a refreshingly unique story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the arc.
March 9, 2026
Fairly solid debut novel. We get a robot butler trying desperately to stay employed as planned obsolescence takes his friends and colleagues, and the antics of a corporate heir failson that is his charge. Corporate and family intrigue play out against all of this, and it's an enjoyable robot butler novel. Worth your time when it comes out this summer.
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