Valet

by J.P. Lacrampe

For 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.

Genres: Science Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 2, 2026

Reviews

[DianaRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jessica Tew · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Bob Deysach · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Nawal Qadir]

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