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Lords in Disguise #1
The Footman is an Earl
Previously titled The Footman and I
When a spirited activist falls for a footman, will love survive when she learns he’s really the earl behind the cause she opposes?
Let the games begin . . .
Every fortune-hunting female in London is after the newly titled Earl of Kendall, but he’s intent on finding a wife whose heart is true. So, while drunkenly jesting with his friends in a pub one night, he has an idea—what if the ladies of the ton didn’t know he was a wealthy earl? All he has to do is pose as a servant at his friend’s summer country house party and make sure the guest list is full of beautiful, eligible debutantes. What could possibly go wrong?
May the best footman win.
Miss Frances Wharton is far more interested in fighting for the rights of the poor than in marriage, but her mother insists she attend a summer house party—and find herself a husband. Frances would rather wed a goat than the pompous man her mother has in mind, so in order to dissuade the would-be suitor, she vows to behave like a shrew. The only person she can be herself with is the kind, handsome footman she runs into at every turn. Their connection is undeniable, and the divide between them is no match for the passion they feel. But what will happen when Frances learns that the footman she adores is actually the earl she despises? In a game where everything is false, can they convince each other that their love is true?
When a spirited activist falls for a footman, will love survive when she learns he’s really the earl behind the cause she opposes?
Let the games begin . . .
Every fortune-hunting female in London is after the newly titled Earl of Kendall, but he’s intent on finding a wife whose heart is true. So, while drunkenly jesting with his friends in a pub one night, he has an idea—what if the ladies of the ton didn’t know he was a wealthy earl? All he has to do is pose as a servant at his friend’s summer country house party and make sure the guest list is full of beautiful, eligible debutantes. What could possibly go wrong?
May the best footman win.
Miss Frances Wharton is far more interested in fighting for the rights of the poor than in marriage, but her mother insists she attend a summer house party—and find herself a husband. Frances would rather wed a goat than the pompous man her mother has in mind, so in order to dissuade the would-be suitor, she vows to behave like a shrew. The only person she can be herself with is the kind, handsome footman she runs into at every turn. Their connection is undeniable, and the divide between them is no match for the passion they feel. But what will happen when Frances learns that the footman she adores is actually the earl she despises? In a game where everything is false, can they convince each other that their love is true?
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2020
902 people are currently reading
3694 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Bowman
59 books1,582 followersValerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance.
Valerie’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.
Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her rascally dogs. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.
Visit Valerie on the web at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com and sign-up for her newsletter at: https://valeriebowmanbooks.com/newsle...
Be sure to follow Valerie Bookbub for the latest on sales https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valer...
Valerie’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.
Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her rascally dogs. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.
Visit Valerie on the web at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com and sign-up for her newsletter at: https://valeriebowmanbooks.com/newsle...
Be sure to follow Valerie Bookbub for the latest on sales https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valer...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 509 reviews
April 3, 2021
4.5 Stars.
This was so fun! Lucas is an earl and he's had his heart broken because of money before, so he is determined to find a wife who wants to marry him for him, not his money. Lucas and his friends make a bet to see who can pose as servants and last the longest without ruining their cover. Lucas decides this is the perfect time to find a wife. Little did he expect to fall for Frances while she thinks he's a servant. I really enjoyed this book and how fun it was. Frances is so sweet and she really doesn't want to marry the man her mom has her eyes set on for her. Instead, Frances starts falling for the servant who is always around and makes her smile. Of course we know conflict will arise when she finds out the truth, but I loved watching them fall in love and how Lucas had to grapple with his guilt for lying to her. It was also fun how Frances actually hated Lucas as the earl because of his stance on a bill he was trying to pass, even though she's never met him. That added another layer of complexity that was fun. This book was definitely low steam and only had one steamy scene at the end, so know that going in. Overall, I'm glad I tried out a new historical romance author and can't wait to read more in this series!
This was so fun! Lucas is an earl and he's had his heart broken because of money before, so he is determined to find a wife who wants to marry him for him, not his money. Lucas and his friends make a bet to see who can pose as servants and last the longest without ruining their cover. Lucas decides this is the perfect time to find a wife. Little did he expect to fall for Frances while she thinks he's a servant. I really enjoyed this book and how fun it was. Frances is so sweet and she really doesn't want to marry the man her mom has her eyes set on for her. Instead, Frances starts falling for the servant who is always around and makes her smile. Of course we know conflict will arise when she finds out the truth, but I loved watching them fall in love and how Lucas had to grapple with his guilt for lying to her. It was also fun how Frances actually hated Lucas as the earl because of his stance on a bill he was trying to pass, even though she's never met him. That added another layer of complexity that was fun. This book was definitely low steam and only had one steamy scene at the end, so know that going in. Overall, I'm glad I tried out a new historical romance author and can't wait to read more in this series!
July 27, 2020
2.25 stars out of 5.
This is the first book in The Footmen's Club series. I like that we don't have to wait very long for the next two books. The second book is to be released later this month, July 28th, and the third book is to be released next month, August 25th! The prologue for this book and the second book is available at Valerie Bowman's website. In my opinion, the two prologues are pretty similar, just written from a different hero's point of view.
This book is shorter than most, so I was able to read it all in one sitting. Plus, I was excited to read an HR where the hero is disguised as a servant, in this case, a footman. Secret or mistaken identity is one of my favorite tropes, especially if the hero wants to find a woman who will love him for himself and not for his title and money. This is also the reason behind our hero, Earl of Kendall, Lucas Drake's drunken decision to become a footman during his friend's house party. He was supposed to be invisible, observe the debutantes and their treatment of servants, then decide which of the ladies he will court. He never expected to run into Frances Wharton, who made eye contact with him on his very first day.
Frances Wharton's family are near penniless thanks to her father's gambling ways. Her mother insists that she accepts Sir Reginald Francis's court, and eventually, offer in marriage. Sir Reginald is also attending the house party.
Lucas learns very quickly that Frances is not like most women of the ton. For one, she's interested in politics, particularly the Employment Bill. Lucas is trying to get the bill pass because it was his brother's bill before he died. Frances is against it. They find themselves drawn to each other and end up running into each other each morning in the library. They discuss the bill and Frances begins to make Lucas see that the bill hurts the tenants more than the titled noble employers. He also begins to feel guilty about lying to her about his identity.
At the same house party, two of Lucas's other friends are also in disguise: a duke as a groomsman and a marquess as a valet. They have regular meetings to discuss if their true identities have been revealed. We get a glimpse (or just a brief mention) of the heroines for these two friends. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.
Some downsides to the book:
A few readers might find this book a little dull/tame because nothing too dramatic/exciting occurs in the book. No mystery to solve (thank goodness! because I don't always like the mysteries in HRs). No kidnapping of the heroine and the hero has to rescue her. The fact that the book was pretty tamed definitely played a part in my rating of 2.25 stars.
I mentioned earlier that one of Lucas's reasons for this deception is to find a woman who will love him for himself.
The heroine is quite bold for a woman of this time period. What I mean by bold is she's not afraid to ask for a This can be a pro or con, depending on the reader's perception of how an HR heroine should behave.
Another reason behind my rating of 2.25 stars is because I felt like there was something missing, like there was a lack of character development or that they fell in love too soon. If there was some character development, then it wasn't "shown," just "told." Hmm, I wanna say Lucas definitely went through the most changes but not really Frances. She can get a little annoying when she discusses the Employment Bill.
No epilogue but no real complaints here. Perhaps the last book in the series will have an epilogue for each couple in the series since the events of all three books are concurrent.
Overall, this was an okay read.
This is the first book in The Footmen's Club series. I like that we don't have to wait very long for the next two books. The second book is to be released later this month, July 28th, and the third book is to be released next month, August 25th! The prologue for this book and the second book is available at Valerie Bowman's website. In my opinion, the two prologues are pretty similar, just written from a different hero's point of view.
This book is shorter than most, so I was able to read it all in one sitting. Plus, I was excited to read an HR where the hero is disguised as a servant, in this case, a footman. Secret or mistaken identity is one of my favorite tropes, especially if the hero wants to find a woman who will love him for himself and not for his title and money. This is also the reason behind our hero, Earl of Kendall, Lucas Drake's drunken decision to become a footman during his friend's house party. He was supposed to be invisible, observe the debutantes and their treatment of servants, then decide which of the ladies he will court. He never expected to run into Frances Wharton, who made eye contact with him on his very first day.
Frances Wharton's family are near penniless thanks to her father's gambling ways. Her mother insists that she accepts Sir Reginald Francis's court, and eventually, offer in marriage. Sir Reginald is also attending the house party.
Lucas learns very quickly that Frances is not like most women of the ton. For one, she's interested in politics, particularly the Employment Bill. Lucas is trying to get the bill pass because it was his brother's bill before he died. Frances is against it. They find themselves drawn to each other and end up running into each other each morning in the library. They discuss the bill and Frances begins to make Lucas see that the bill hurts the tenants more than the titled noble employers. He also begins to feel guilty about lying to her about his identity.
At the same house party, two of Lucas's other friends are also in disguise: a duke as a groomsman and a marquess as a valet. They have regular meetings to discuss if their true identities have been revealed. We get a glimpse (or just a brief mention) of the heroines for these two friends. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.
Some downsides to the book:
A few readers might find this book a little dull/tame because nothing too dramatic/exciting occurs in the book. No mystery to solve (thank goodness! because I don't always like the mysteries in HRs). No kidnapping of the heroine and the hero has to rescue her. The fact that the book was pretty tamed definitely played a part in my rating of 2.25 stars.
I mentioned earlier that one of Lucas's reasons for this deception is to find a woman who will love him for himself.
The heroine is quite bold for a woman of this time period. What I mean by bold is she's not afraid to ask for a This can be a pro or con, depending on the reader's perception of how an HR heroine should behave.
Another reason behind my rating of 2.25 stars is because I felt like there was something missing, like there was a lack of character development or that they fell in love too soon. If there was some character development, then it wasn't "shown," just "told." Hmm, I wanna say Lucas definitely went through the most changes but not really Frances. She can get a little annoying when she discusses the Employment Bill.
No epilogue but no real complaints here. Perhaps the last book in the series will have an epilogue for each couple in the series since the events of all three books are concurrent.
Overall, this was an okay read.
November 12, 2020
I really enjoy Valerie Bowman, and I liked The Footman and I, but the central plotline was so stressful and unbelievable for me that I rushed through it and didn't enjoy it as much as I was expecting.
You know when you are reading a story and you know there is deception afoot, and it's only a matter of time before the other shoe drops? I felt like I was waiting for the whole relationship to crash and burn for the entirety of the story. I mean, a relationship where one person is pretending to be someone completely different until almost the very end cannot end well.
I actually adored the characters at first, but then the male MC got a bit spineless and changeable for me, and the female MC seemed overly fixated on one law (the content of which was never fully explained). I know the conflict of the story is all based on that law, but I thought more details were warranted for me to understand it better.
I thought the chemistry was there and the pacing was right, but I struggled the most with how much the plotline centered around deception. It went on for far too long, IMO.
I will certainly go on and read more in this series because I was intrigued by the side characters, but I don't think The Footman and I was 100% my style read.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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You know when you are reading a story and you know there is deception afoot, and it's only a matter of time before the other shoe drops? I felt like I was waiting for the whole relationship to crash and burn for the entirety of the story. I mean, a relationship where one person is pretending to be someone completely different until almost the very end cannot end well.
I actually adored the characters at first, but then the male MC got a bit spineless and changeable for me, and the female MC seemed overly fixated on one law (the content of which was never fully explained). I know the conflict of the story is all based on that law, but I thought more details were warranted for me to understand it better.
I thought the chemistry was there and the pacing was right, but I struggled the most with how much the plotline centered around deception. It went on for far too long, IMO.
I will certainly go on and read more in this series because I was intrigued by the side characters, but I don't think The Footman and I was 100% my style read.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|blog
December 21, 2021
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Yes, just a bit
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Basic plot
Lucas wants to find a wife that truly wants him for him, and not his title or fortune. He’s been hurt in the past and doesn’t care to repeat that mistake. Frances is being forced to attend this house party by her mother, who is desperate for her to make a good marriage match. Frances cares more about changing political opinions to help the poor than spending time searching for a husband.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1818)
- House party! Most of the story takes place there
- Lower steam – there is one open door scene right at the very end, but kisses throughout
- Though not a true class difference trope, it has that feel for much of the story (heroine is the daughter of a Baron, hero is posing as a footman)
- Secret identity trope
- Soldier hero (he was in the navy) and a heroine that is interested in politics and changing the poor laws
My thoughts:
I thought this book was all right. I do love the premise, especially about the whole series taking place during the same house party at the same time. That itself is making me want to continue with the series.
This story is a bit shorter (I think under 300 pages), but it didn’t feel like it was lacking length. I just didn’t end up connecting with either character much. I can’t say I really liked either of them.
The hero was disappointing to me. He wasn’t expected to be the heir, and had served in the navy. He inherited the title when his brother passed just over a year ago. On his death bed, his brother asked him to help get the Employment Bill passed and Lucas will do everything in his power to do so.
This sets up one of the main conflicts for the story. The heroine is desperately against the Bill, and hates the Earl for that reason. She doesn’t realize the footman she has begun a friendship with is the same man.
What got me about this, is the hero didn’t even really seem to know what he was supporting. He only was doing it because his brother asked him to and needed the bill explained to him about how it would actually hurt a number of people. I really want more from my heroes than that. The fact that he would have gone ahead garnering votes for this and not even realized its far reaching implications for many in society was just so disappointing to me. He needs it explained to him by everyone else before changing his mind about it.
The heroine was really, really focused on the Employment Bill. I didn’t really get to know her too much other than that. The word bill is mentioned almost 100 times in the book and I think that’s part of why this didn’t get a higher rating from me – I wasn’t into the non stop Employment Bill discussions.
I was also disappointed that Lucas’ friend wasn’t even going to be honest about how he felt about this bill. Knowing that he didn’t support it, and why, why wouldn’t he try to talk some sense into his friend? Why would he let him think it was a great idea?? It just didn’t make sense to me.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Yes, just a bit
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Basic plot
Lucas wants to find a wife that truly wants him for him, and not his title or fortune. He’s been hurt in the past and doesn’t care to repeat that mistake. Frances is being forced to attend this house party by her mother, who is desperate for her to make a good marriage match. Frances cares more about changing political opinions to help the poor than spending time searching for a husband.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1818)
- House party! Most of the story takes place there
- Lower steam – there is one open door scene right at the very end, but kisses throughout
- Though not a true class difference trope, it has that feel for much of the story (heroine is the daughter of a Baron, hero is posing as a footman)
- Secret identity trope
- Soldier hero (he was in the navy) and a heroine that is interested in politics and changing the poor laws
My thoughts:
I thought this book was all right. I do love the premise, especially about the whole series taking place during the same house party at the same time. That itself is making me want to continue with the series.
This story is a bit shorter (I think under 300 pages), but it didn’t feel like it was lacking length. I just didn’t end up connecting with either character much. I can’t say I really liked either of them.
The hero was disappointing to me. He wasn’t expected to be the heir, and had served in the navy. He inherited the title when his brother passed just over a year ago. On his death bed, his brother asked him to help get the Employment Bill passed and Lucas will do everything in his power to do so.
This sets up one of the main conflicts for the story. The heroine is desperately against the Bill, and hates the Earl for that reason. She doesn’t realize the footman she has begun a friendship with is the same man.
What got me about this, is the hero didn’t even really seem to know what he was supporting. He only was doing it because his brother asked him to and needed the bill explained to him about how it would actually hurt a number of people. I really want more from my heroes than that. The fact that he would have gone ahead garnering votes for this and not even realized its far reaching implications for many in society was just so disappointing to me. He needs it explained to him by everyone else before changing his mind about it.
The heroine was really, really focused on the Employment Bill. I didn’t really get to know her too much other than that. The word bill is mentioned almost 100 times in the book and I think that’s part of why this didn’t get a higher rating from me – I wasn’t into the non stop Employment Bill discussions.
I was also disappointed that Lucas’ friend wasn’t even going to be honest about how he felt about this bill. Knowing that he didn’t support it, and why, why wouldn’t he try to talk some sense into his friend? Why would he let him think it was a great idea?? It just didn’t make sense to me.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
October 25, 2021
Cute even if unbelievable!
The idea of three high ranking aristocrats posing as servants was interesting, but I found the heroine a little bit annoying with her insistence of speaking to everybody about the Employment Bill!
I just couldn't understand why she thought that would be a good idea and would convince the other lords not to vote for it! If somebody annoys me about doing something my reaction would be not to do that particular thing....
The hero also appeared wimpy. He didn't know anything: he didn't know how to find a woman he could love, he didn't know how to tell the truth, he didn't know what to think about the Bill... He was so full of doubts about everything!!!
The idea of three high ranking aristocrats posing as servants was interesting, but I found the heroine a little bit annoying with her insistence of speaking to everybody about the Employment Bill!
I just couldn't understand why she thought that would be a good idea and would convince the other lords not to vote for it! If somebody annoys me about doing something my reaction would be not to do that particular thing....
The hero also appeared wimpy. He didn't know anything: he didn't know how to find a woman he could love, he didn't know how to tell the truth, he didn't know what to think about the Bill... He was so full of doubts about everything!!!
January 3, 2023
As we know, the pretend footman trope is my catnip. This one was pretty fun, if not a bit frustrating towards the end. I like the trope the most when there’s nothing else standing in the way from them getting together (besides the lie and reckoning lol).
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️.75*/5
*A scene and a half! The longer scene was pretty good!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️.75*/5
*A scene and a half! The longer scene was pretty good!
October 9, 2020
No one notices the hired help!______2.5 stars
A reasonably light hearted Regency romance with the plot revolving around three nobleman who end up at a 'ton' house party posing as footmen, or a groom.
(As an aside these house parties are obviously places fraught with Intrigue and danger--for everyone!)
It started off with Lucas Drake, the new fifth Earl of Kendall, who resigned his naval career post his brother's death. He knows he has to marry but he doesn't want to marry an empty headed, flittering social butterfly, he's looking for someone with a 'true' heart. Avoiding the debutante corps and their mothers is important. He convinces one friend to hold a house party where he will be installed as a footman. Two of his friends decide to join him, placing a bet as to whose disguise would be first uncovered.
The Earl has another major goal he's been pursuing, to drum up support amongst his fellow Lords for the Employment Bill his brother had been putting before Parliament.
Enter the politically passionate overlooked Miss Frances Wharton who does notice servants, but herself is totally overlooked by the ton except for Sir Reginald Francis the older, self-absorbed suitor her mother is pushing her upon. Lucas and Frances, after some interesting scenes, discuss the Bill. Lucas finds that Frances is opposed to it. That's tough because he's not opposed to her. Of course the obvious conundrum and upset becomes how to reveal himself to her.
A lightweight read for this first in this series.
An Xpresso ARC via NetGalley
A reasonably light hearted Regency romance with the plot revolving around three nobleman who end up at a 'ton' house party posing as footmen, or a groom.
(As an aside these house parties are obviously places fraught with Intrigue and danger--for everyone!)
It started off with Lucas Drake, the new fifth Earl of Kendall, who resigned his naval career post his brother's death. He knows he has to marry but he doesn't want to marry an empty headed, flittering social butterfly, he's looking for someone with a 'true' heart. Avoiding the debutante corps and their mothers is important. He convinces one friend to hold a house party where he will be installed as a footman. Two of his friends decide to join him, placing a bet as to whose disguise would be first uncovered.
The Earl has another major goal he's been pursuing, to drum up support amongst his fellow Lords for the Employment Bill his brother had been putting before Parliament.
Enter the politically passionate overlooked Miss Frances Wharton who does notice servants, but herself is totally overlooked by the ton except for Sir Reginald Francis the older, self-absorbed suitor her mother is pushing her upon. Lucas and Frances, after some interesting scenes, discuss the Bill. Lucas finds that Frances is opposed to it. That's tough because he's not opposed to her. Of course the obvious conundrum and upset becomes how to reveal himself to her.
A lightweight read for this first in this series.
An Xpresso ARC via NetGalley
July 9, 2020
This was a good intro to the series. Nothing crazy really stuck out, but I can give bonus points for the H disguised as a servant trope. Very unique to the HR genre.
Onto Book 2...
I can't wait for Lady Juliana to bring Worth to his knees!!! Or at least I hope it plays out that way. He just seems way too confident and sure of himself. I want him begging, unsure, and vulnerable. 😅
Onto Book 2...
I can't wait for Lady Juliana to bring Worth to his knees!!! Or at least I hope it plays out that way. He just seems way too confident and sure of himself. I want him begging, unsure, and vulnerable. 😅
June 4, 2021
4 stars
The Footman and I was pleasantly surprising! I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did, I'm typically a fan of the whole 'we met under strange circumstances/I lied about who I was when we met,' but when I read that this basically goes on for the majority of the book...I was hesitant. I think one thing this book does really well is the friendship/crush aspects of Frances and Lucas' relationship. When they caught each other's gaze at dinner I swooned a little, it's just adorable and proves they both like each other. It's not something we see in romance novels like this, before Frances and Lucas even develop real feelings for each other, they have a fondness and attraction that is both realistic and endearing.
I will say, the reason this isn't 4.5 or 5 stars is because the lie went on for far too long. It was one thing I was very conscious of. Frances literally calling the Earl of Kendall an idiot to (unbeknownst to her) the actual Earl of Kendall is funny I guess, but I just found it cringe-y and it made me feel embarrassed for Frances. I didn't think much of the side characters, they seemed interesting but there weren't a lot of scenes with them because this is a very short book.
The romance was definitely the best aspect of this book, I like characters who challenge their partners. The whole Employment Bill aspect was interesting BUT unfortunately, I found it lacking. This is basically how it went: "what do you think about the bill?" "Oh, it's morally terrible and doesn't support the peasant class at all!" "no it--wait, omg you're right it does, my bad." I definitely added depth to both of them, but the reasoning behind Lucas' choice in supporting the bill seemed...nearly nonexistent? Just his brother writing it was the main reason I think.
Anyway, I definitely recommend as a short and fun read! Lots of romance and cute scenes ahead.
The Footman and I was pleasantly surprising! I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did, I'm typically a fan of the whole 'we met under strange circumstances/I lied about who I was when we met,' but when I read that this basically goes on for the majority of the book...I was hesitant. I think one thing this book does really well is the friendship/crush aspects of Frances and Lucas' relationship. When they caught each other's gaze at dinner I swooned a little, it's just adorable and proves they both like each other. It's not something we see in romance novels like this, before Frances and Lucas even develop real feelings for each other, they have a fondness and attraction that is both realistic and endearing.
I will say, the reason this isn't 4.5 or 5 stars is because the lie went on for far too long. It was one thing I was very conscious of. Frances literally calling the Earl of Kendall an idiot to (unbeknownst to her) the actual Earl of Kendall is funny I guess, but I just found it cringe-y and it made me feel embarrassed for Frances. I didn't think much of the side characters, they seemed interesting but there weren't a lot of scenes with them because this is a very short book.
The romance was definitely the best aspect of this book, I like characters who challenge their partners. The whole Employment Bill aspect was interesting BUT unfortunately, I found it lacking. This is basically how it went: "what do you think about the bill?" "Oh, it's morally terrible and doesn't support the peasant class at all!" "no it--wait, omg you're right it does, my bad." I definitely added depth to both of them, but the reasoning behind Lucas' choice in supporting the bill seemed...nearly nonexistent? Just his brother writing it was the main reason I think.
Anyway, I definitely recommend as a short and fun read! Lots of romance and cute scenes ahead.
March 24, 2021
Enjoyed this so much. Lots of twists and turns. A footman who wasn't a footman. Loved it! 5☆
October 25, 2020
SO CUTE AND ENGAGING
Honestly, this is not original. But it was so entertaining, sweet and funny that I didn't care at all! From the very first chapter I was certain that I would love it, and I was totally right! I am going to give this one of the highest compliments I can - I want to read the rest of the series!
👍 What I Liked 👍
Premise: Lucas is an Earl and he wants to find a wife, that wants him for him an not his money or title. How do you go about doing that? You dress up as a footman and spy on the young ladies, of course! Honestly, this was so funny and entertaining, I really enjoyed the roleplaying.
Connection: Lucas and Frances had such a special connection, because it was about intellect, social justice and justice. Sure, there was chemistry and sexual tension as well, but the intellectual connection was the greatest and so special!
Lucas: I really liked Lucas all the way through this book, but I really enjoyed how he evolved. I enjoyed his arc and how Frances and his undercover work was such a big part of making him realise how wrong he was about some things. I liked that he was so willing to listen and learn.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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Honestly, this is not original. But it was so entertaining, sweet and funny that I didn't care at all! From the very first chapter I was certain that I would love it, and I was totally right! I am going to give this one of the highest compliments I can - I want to read the rest of the series!
👍 What I Liked 👍
Premise: Lucas is an Earl and he wants to find a wife, that wants him for him an not his money or title. How do you go about doing that? You dress up as a footman and spy on the young ladies, of course! Honestly, this was so funny and entertaining, I really enjoyed the roleplaying.
Connection: Lucas and Frances had such a special connection, because it was about intellect, social justice and justice. Sure, there was chemistry and sexual tension as well, but the intellectual connection was the greatest and so special!
Lucas: I really liked Lucas all the way through this book, but I really enjoyed how he evolved. I enjoyed his arc and how Frances and his undercover work was such a big part of making him realise how wrong he was about some things. I liked that he was so willing to listen and learn.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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Blog Post: 15 Books to Read if You Love Jane Austen
June 26, 2020
Lucas Drake, the new Earl of Kendall, has decided to fulfill his duty and marry. But he refuses to marry a woman that only wants him for his title. After some drinks, Lucas’s friends convince him to pose as a footman so he can see the true nature of society’s debutantes. One of those debutantes is Miss Frances Wharton. Frances has no interest in the house party her mother makes her attend but would rather spend her time trying to help the poor. While suffering through the house party, Frances finds a friend in the most unusual footman she’s ever met. Frances loves spending time with him, but will she still feel that way when she finds out who he really is?
I absolutely love titles where the hero or heroine are disguised for at least part of the plot and this title was no different!!
I often find myself either really liking the hero or heroine but not necessarily both. However, I really liked both Lucas and Frances. Neither had any TSTL moments and both were good people. Their sexual tension was definitely there and I could not wait for their first kiss and more. No disappointment there either.
This wasn’t a particularly plot heavy title but enough things happened to keep me reading anyway. The interactions between Lucas and his friends in the Footmen’s Club were a ton of fun to read and I am so looking forward to reading their stories too!
*I received an eARC from Valerie Bowman in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!
I absolutely love titles where the hero or heroine are disguised for at least part of the plot and this title was no different!!
I often find myself either really liking the hero or heroine but not necessarily both. However, I really liked both Lucas and Frances. Neither had any TSTL moments and both were good people. Their sexual tension was definitely there and I could not wait for their first kiss and more. No disappointment there either.
This wasn’t a particularly plot heavy title but enough things happened to keep me reading anyway. The interactions between Lucas and his friends in the Footmen’s Club were a ton of fun to read and I am so looking forward to reading their stories too!
*I received an eARC from Valerie Bowman in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!
October 14, 2020
What started off really fun and adorable disappointed me about halfway through, when the heroine started being unreasonable (in my eyes). Thing is, she gets called out on her behavior towards the end, and the advice the hero of book 3 gives her is basically that unless you understand where someone is coming from, their actions won't make sense to you and you shouldn't be judging them until you understand. And this is my biggest problem: I do not understand the heroine. At all.
But let's back up for a second. Good things first:
The hero is adorable! Until he turns into a sad, whiny sap who tries to drown his trouble in a bottle for a bit, but luckily, he has good friends who force him to snap out of it. That said, he is one of the kindest, nicest, sweetest guys (apart for the whole pretending to be a servant and lying to the heroine thing, which, in his defense, started as a drunken dare...). All he wants is a woman who sees him for who he is, not his title (as has happened before). I love him, and the other guys in the series sound pretty promising, as well.
There are actual conversations! About important topics! And they bond over it! I love it when that happens. The first half was full of lively debates, cheeky bickering, and just fun. I loved that the heroine is the kind of woman who really sees people, is kind to others (including servants), and stands up for what she believes in.
But then the second half happened. And the heroine, who I was told was intelligent and kind, starts telling everyone who will listen how EVIL the Earl of Kendall is for promoting this law and how much she hates this man. A man SHE HAS NEVER MET.
And this is where the book lost me. Her reasons for "hating" this law and the man were never explained enough for me, and I don't understand it. You can't tell me how reasonable and intelligent she is one moment, only to have her acting like a child the next. I don't understand why she started obsessing over this particular law. Where did she learn about it? Who discussed it with her? What is so evil about this particular law? All I know is that she says it benefits the rich more than the poor it is proclaiming to protect. And I'm sorry, but what else is new?
I need more information if I am to support her on this little crusade and be okay with her trying to convince others how evil the man is. Especially since she never apologizes for it, and refuses to LISTEN for much too long for my tastes. And also, how, with all the research she apparently did, did she somehow miss that the law was drafted by the previous Earl, not the current one?
So all in all, I really enjoyed the beginning, and I am going to continue this series. I can't wait to see the Duke meet his match, and I am really curious about the third member of the group. Unfortunately, the Spunky Heroine On A Mission is just one of my least favorite tropes. It comes right after Every Girl Needs A Duke. But that's on me, and doesn't make it a bad book.
*I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
But let's back up for a second. Good things first:
The hero is adorable! Until he turns into a sad, whiny sap who tries to drown his trouble in a bottle for a bit, but luckily, he has good friends who force him to snap out of it. That said, he is one of the kindest, nicest, sweetest guys (apart for the whole pretending to be a servant and lying to the heroine thing, which, in his defense, started as a drunken dare...). All he wants is a woman who sees him for who he is, not his title (as has happened before). I love him, and the other guys in the series sound pretty promising, as well.
There are actual conversations! About important topics! And they bond over it! I love it when that happens. The first half was full of lively debates, cheeky bickering, and just fun. I loved that the heroine is the kind of woman who really sees people, is kind to others (including servants), and stands up for what she believes in.
But then the second half happened. And the heroine, who I was told was intelligent and kind, starts telling everyone who will listen how EVIL the Earl of Kendall is for promoting this law and how much she hates this man. A man SHE HAS NEVER MET.
And this is where the book lost me. Her reasons for "hating" this law and the man were never explained enough for me, and I don't understand it. You can't tell me how reasonable and intelligent she is one moment, only to have her acting like a child the next. I don't understand why she started obsessing over this particular law. Where did she learn about it? Who discussed it with her? What is so evil about this particular law? All I know is that she says it benefits the rich more than the poor it is proclaiming to protect. And I'm sorry, but what else is new?
I need more information if I am to support her on this little crusade and be okay with her trying to convince others how evil the man is. Especially since she never apologizes for it, and refuses to LISTEN for much too long for my tastes. And also, how, with all the research she apparently did, did she somehow miss that the law was drafted by the previous Earl, not the current one?
So all in all, I really enjoyed the beginning, and I am going to continue this series. I can't wait to see the Duke meet his match, and I am really curious about the third member of the group. Unfortunately, the Spunky Heroine On A Mission is just one of my least favorite tropes. It comes right after Every Girl Needs A Duke. But that's on me, and doesn't make it a bad book.
*I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
October 23, 2020
Lucas Drake was a second son, but now he's the new Earl of Kendall. He's been betrayed by a woman seeking a title before, so this time he wants to find a lady who is sincere and kind. While drinking with friends, a plot is hatched for Lucas to dress as a footman at his friend's house party and observe the newest crop of debutantes. Miss Frances Wharton is more interested in politics than husband-hunting. Forced to attend the house party and avoid the pompous man her mother has selected for her, Frances finds companionship in the most unlikely place. What is a young woman to do when she starts to fall for a footman?
This is the first book in the The Footmen's Club series. The premise is interesting, and it plays out like a farce, but it was a lively read! I loved the characters and enjoyed their daily encounters. The writing flowed well and kept me engaged through the whole story. I'm looking forward to the next one!
Tropes: Disguised, Bluestocking, Class Difference (sort of)
* I received a copy from #NetGalley and this is my honest review. #TheFootmanAndI
This is the first book in the The Footmen's Club series. The premise is interesting, and it plays out like a farce, but it was a lively read! I loved the characters and enjoyed their daily encounters. The writing flowed well and kept me engaged through the whole story. I'm looking forward to the next one!
Tropes: Disguised, Bluestocking, Class Difference (sort of)
* I received a copy from #NetGalley and this is my honest review. #TheFootmanAndI
October 7, 2020
Every fortune-hunting female in London is after the newly titled Earl of Kendall, but he’s intent on finding a wife whose heart is true. So while drunkenly jesting with his friends in a pub one night, he has an idea—what if the ladies of the ton didn’t know he was a wealthy earl? All he has to do is pose as a servant at his friend’s summer country house party and make sure the guest list is full of beautiful, eligible debutantes. What could possibly go wrong?
Everything, obviously.
Then we meet Frances Wharton who is far more interested in fighting for the rights of the poor than in marriage, but her mother insists she attend a summer house party and guarantee a betrothal with the pompous Sir Reginald Francis. In order to dissuade the would-be suitor, she vows to behave like a shrew (which clearly doesn’t happen. At All.) The only person she can be herself with is the kind, handsome footman she runs into at every turn. Their connection is undeniable, and the divide between them is no match for the passion they feel. But what will happen when Frances learns that the footman she adores is actually the earl she despises?
Cue the drama!
‘The Footman and I’ is a promising introduction to a historical romance series yet the first installment of the ‘The Footmen’s Club’ was not something to write home about. Nothing stood out and it was a very dull, bland read. The concept was there but the author failed to make this novel a standout. I wish the characters had more depth and more drama enfolded in the storyline, possibly a rivalry between Frances and Albina. I could say more about this but meh. I hope the next edition has that something something to win me over.
April 22, 2025
3.5 stars 🌟
Not a bad read. I like the friendship between the friends. So will read the next two books.
Not a bad read. I like the friendship between the friends. So will read the next two books.
June 9, 2022
This started out incredibly fun but faltered a little along the way.
The Duke wants to be loved for himself and not his title. So he and his slightly more arrogant friends come up with a wager that they will be humble servants (a footman,a valet, and a groom) and scope out worthy wenches for wives, spy for England or simply win the bet respectively. All in all pretty nice nobleman.
The heroine, who is saddled with a worthless gambling father and a giddy-to-pimp-you-out Mama, is pretty smart and has a very democratic inclination. Her desire to help the poor was Regency era appropriate rather than a corset burning firebrand.
The heroine falls for the footman big time. Let's face it, he's tall, dark and handsome and a big step up from the stooped creep her mother keeps pushing.
Story lost some steam when the heroine finds out about the hero and how he lied and promoted the wrong side and thanks he's the devil incarnate. Girl, he's a cute Duke with lots of money. This is a good thing.
Fun times, and will be checking out the rest.
The Duke wants to be loved for himself and not his title. So he and his slightly more arrogant friends come up with a wager that they will be humble servants (a footman,a valet, and a groom) and scope out worthy wenches for wives, spy for England or simply win the bet respectively. All in all pretty nice nobleman.
The heroine, who is saddled with a worthless gambling father and a giddy-to-pimp-you-out Mama, is pretty smart and has a very democratic inclination. Her desire to help the poor was Regency era appropriate rather than a corset burning firebrand.
The heroine falls for the footman big time. Let's face it, he's tall, dark and handsome and a big step up from the stooped creep her mother keeps pushing.
Story lost some steam when the heroine finds out about the hero and how he lied and promoted the wrong side and thanks he's the devil incarnate. Girl, he's a cute Duke with lots of money. This is a good thing.
Fun times, and will be checking out the rest.
May 22, 2020
I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion, and was happy to read it based on other books by the Author. The premise of the story was quite original and I found the story amusing and fun until about halfway through. At that point I began to feel the actions of Frances were just not realistic for a young woman of her time and station. Also, what I like the least in a novel is angst, and suddenly the whole story was nothing but angst, and that is where the story lost me. I was happy with the ending but this book wasn't a favorite for me.
June 24, 2021
Not for me. This story was cringy, completely unbelievable and lacked development. For all the main characters were said to be smart, they acted so dumb. The interactions between them were awkward and I failed to see how they fell in love so quickly. I hated the way the earl played at being a servant for 2 days and from that realised his own class were a bunch of self centered assholes who didn't care about the poor *gasp*. After which he promptly changed his views regarding the Employment Bill, which he had been fighting for for years.
July 9, 2022
This was a new author to me, but it was a cute romance. While I enjoyed the book, it seemed to be a slow starter for me but once I actually got into it, I enjoyed it. There are explicit, or sizzling scenes near the end of the story so I would only recommend it for grownups, check age appropriate. 😊
December 14, 2021
A sweet, cheesy and very much silly love story!
I'm glad I read it.
I'm glad I read it.
January 22, 2021
I had such high hopes for Valerie Bowman. She was on my "I want more from this author" list for soooo long. I really did like her previous books from her and then there were all those comments from other reviewers and I should have trusted them and stayed away from this book. I think the author just phoned it in and rushed this thing here and probably wrote it all in a week.
My progress in reading this was going from 2 stars and then quickly down to 1 star and all cuz of these small things that snowballed into big things and the big things became glaring plot holes and poor character development. It went along this way:
I don't like the way one of the servant ladies commented how it is unusual for a lady to come down to the servant quarter to "Apologize to a bunch of servants". That seemed unnecessarily derogatory. We all know that the aristocracy had a bit of a dismissive attitude to those bellow them, but it is not necessary to have a servant point it out in quite such a extreme way. It seemed a bit too extremely and unnecessarily derogatory to one's own status.
Sigh. This unnatural attention grabbing both characters share is incessantly repeated to the extreme where it becomes to repetitive and dull. I could not connect with any of the characters as they seemed so dry and every task was described to it's unnecessary detail by the author. So it was just tedious to have to experience it over and over again, ad nauseum one would say.
This whole romance thing is these MCs apologizing one after another. It's so very British and could be made cute if executed properly, but this is just as over-repeated as the rest of the unnecessary things in the book and it kills any developing connection between the MCs that the reader might be trying to experience.
Overall I find this book deeply problematic. Aside from it's repetitive nature it is very unbelievable especially in the mindset of the heroine. She is a brave virtuoso that stands against the forces of suppression for the freedom of all those people of lower class pressed into service. She is so convinced she is right she is ready to throw herself at the alter of sacrifice no matter how it looks on her own future to save these nameless people from harsh life of serving the same higher class she belongs to. Very conveniently placed, her sympathy and protective nature for the servants as the H is pretending to be a servant when they meet. Added with the twist that he is in fact a lord that created a bill that will singlehandedly ruin all servants world-wide there is the added twist and drama of her hating him, and yeah she says is like this "HAAAATING HIM", for some uh-oh moments to happen.
Another thing that put me off this story is the unbelievability of the historical set up. The heroine thinks nothing of spending secluded time with a footman or thinks not even once about being discovered and thus compromised. She is all about having her dowry being set aside for he sister, but thinks nothing about how it might paint her sister if she is discovered compromised by a footman. Not only that but she worries about hickies or whatever she calls them and is aware of what those are as there have been ladies in her circle that mentioned them in their very own encounters with men. Really? In this time and age this brand-spanking new debutant has been exposed to the idea of love-kisses and worries not a bit about what future might hold for her in society if she is discovered compromised by a footman. She is 18, did I mention this? Yup. I get that ladies are educated and raised to grow up very early in that time and age, but they are also secluded, thought the fear the devious inclinations of rogue men and a large sense of fear is instilled in them about what it might happen to them and their family if they are compromised. One can understand that some can be carried away by passion, but such constant recriminations always settle at least in the sub-consciousness. And so much so that the h doesn't even for a sec consider or flinch at the consequences of her "trysts" with the footman.
Aside from the historical inaccuracies it is also very inconsistent to it's characters and situations. Some things are glossed over such as the Hs spending time as a servant and one would presume spending time with other servants and even sleeping in their quarters but it is never shown them interacting with said servants. The H says in the end about learning his lesson about the meager wage that the servants have to live off of, but this is never shown in his interaction with other servants or how that small wage affects him in those few days at the house party. Just the preaching from the h that she delivers him makes him realize all of this. On top of that the author is not fully engaged in the proper emotional reactions of her characters. She constantly serves these disjointed reactions that as a reader make you ask "really?" and take you out of the story. For example there is this scene later in MCs interaction
All of that makes it deeply unrealistic in this historical set-up and all of this footman and I set up falls as a cheap ploy for the author to use to create an eye-catching plot that ultimately fails as it fails it breaks the cardinal rule of writing in historical romance - to thy own time period be true. I didn't buy it, it demanded more suspended belief than usual as even the obvious known facts about the time period were just blatantly ignored by the author.
The only attractive thing in the book is that there is 3 stories happening in the same time period to the 3 other couples that are supposed to be elaborated in their own books. I am tempted to check them out but with how poorly this story was portrayed I don't think I can try this author for one more story…. I am attracted to the idea of the belligerent maid being suspicious of the spy in disguise as a servant and the maid having her own secrets… but with how utterly butchered this story has been I am not sure if I should risk it…. Sigh… will have to think it over.
September 5, 2020
I really wanted to like this, but it was boring and cringe inducing reading about these uber rich men pretending to be poor.
September 10, 2020
This was simply atrocious and I hated everything about this book.
January 17, 2023
I haven't read a whole lot of historicals in the past few years and this book makes me wonder why. I really enjoyed this book by Valerie Bowman and I'm glad I have the next two in the series.
Lucas, our hero was the second son and had risen pretty high in the navy. He was the second son and was quite happy with his place in life. But when his older brother dies unexpectedly, Lucas becomes an Earl znd his life changes. At the start of the boo, he decides it's time to marry. But he was burned in the past by a young woman. He was still in the navy when he became engaged and was soon to marry. But just before the nuptials, his betrothed threw him over to marry a titled gentleman. Now he wants a wife who will love him for himself and not money and a title. One night when out when in his cup with his friends, they come up with this rather convoluted plan. He will go undercover as a footman at a country party one of them is having so he can observe the young women looking for husbands incognito and hopefully find a woman who is real. A couple of his fixed friends decide to join him for their own reasons.
Frances is one of the young women invited to the Country Ball. Her mother is really promoting a match between Frances and a stifling bore of a baron. Frances wants none of it, her passion is with the plight of the lower classes and she's doing what she can to defeat a bill that will make things even harder for them. But her mother doesn't really care what Frances wants. When she gets to the country house, she is helped by a footman she finds very attractive. The two of them start up a friendship despite their different classes. But are they really two different clases? You see, the footman is of course Lucas, our hero.
I really loved these two people, both on their own and together. They're perfect for each other with very similar views on the society they live in. Lucas is trying to champion the same bill Frances is working to kill though she doesn't now. Lucas thinks it's good for the lower classes but Frances opens his eyes. I love, and so does Frances, that he is willing to listen to her. And Lucas is very much taken with this unusual young woman. It was ever so much fun reading this book and currently there is a sale on this three books in one series. Iszy hurry over to Amazon and pick it up before it goes up in price.
Lucas, our hero was the second son and had risen pretty high in the navy. He was the second son and was quite happy with his place in life. But when his older brother dies unexpectedly, Lucas becomes an Earl znd his life changes. At the start of the boo, he decides it's time to marry. But he was burned in the past by a young woman. He was still in the navy when he became engaged and was soon to marry. But just before the nuptials, his betrothed threw him over to marry a titled gentleman. Now he wants a wife who will love him for himself and not money and a title. One night when out when in his cup with his friends, they come up with this rather convoluted plan. He will go undercover as a footman at a country party one of them is having so he can observe the young women looking for husbands incognito and hopefully find a woman who is real. A couple of his fixed friends decide to join him for their own reasons.
Frances is one of the young women invited to the Country Ball. Her mother is really promoting a match between Frances and a stifling bore of a baron. Frances wants none of it, her passion is with the plight of the lower classes and she's doing what she can to defeat a bill that will make things even harder for them. But her mother doesn't really care what Frances wants. When she gets to the country house, she is helped by a footman she finds very attractive. The two of them start up a friendship despite their different classes. But are they really two different clases? You see, the footman is of course Lucas, our hero.
I really loved these two people, both on their own and together. They're perfect for each other with very similar views on the society they live in. Lucas is trying to champion the same bill Frances is working to kill though she doesn't now. Lucas thinks it's good for the lower classes but Frances opens his eyes. I love, and so does Frances, that he is willing to listen to her. And Lucas is very much taken with this unusual young woman. It was ever so much fun reading this book and currently there is a sale on this three books in one series. Iszy hurry over to Amazon and pick it up before it goes up in price.
November 1, 2020
So we have an Earl masquerading as a footman to find true love, and a woman who is obsessed with trying to disprove the Bill he's trying to pass. There is a lot of lies and guilt and you need a healthy suspension of disbelief but I actually quite enjoyed this one.
It's a quick read and a bit of a romp. There are a lot of clandestine meetings in the library but only one proper sex scene at the very end so it seemed a lot less steamy than your average historical romance, perfect for people looking for a cleaner romance book.
I did enjoy the banter between the men, you could really get a feel for their friendship. I'm also very intrigued about the sequels and how their future relationships with their respective ladies plays out.
Bowman has a very easy and fun writing style that made this a quick read. Overall I did quite enjoy it and I'd definitely recommend for historical fans looking for a more light hearted read.
Many thanks to Xpresso Book Tours and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review. This book and it's two sequels is out now!
It's a quick read and a bit of a romp. There are a lot of clandestine meetings in the library but only one proper sex scene at the very end so it seemed a lot less steamy than your average historical romance, perfect for people looking for a cleaner romance book.
I did enjoy the banter between the men, you could really get a feel for their friendship. I'm also very intrigued about the sequels and how their future relationships with their respective ladies plays out.
Bowman has a very easy and fun writing style that made this a quick read. Overall I did quite enjoy it and I'd definitely recommend for historical fans looking for a more light hearted read.
Many thanks to Xpresso Book Tours and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review. This book and it's two sequels is out now!
April 26, 2022
Every fortune-hunting female in London is after the newly titled Earl of Kendall, but he’s intent on finding a wife whose heart is true. So, while drunkenly jesting with his friends in a pub one night, he has an idea, he'll pose as a servant at his friend’s summer country house party and make sure the guest list is full of beautiful, eligible debutantes. Miss Frances Wharton is far more interested in fighting for the rights of the poor than in marriage, but her mother insists she attend a summer house party—and find herself a husband. Frances would rather wed a goat than the pompous man her mother has in mind, so in order to dissuade the would-be suitor, she vows to behave like a shrew. The only person she can be herself with is the kind, handsome footman she runs into at every turn. The first in a new series & a well written interesting read. There are lots of lies, assumptions & misunderstandings. Even though there were nearly 300 pages I found it a quick read & I thoroughly enjoyed & look forward to the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
June 3, 2022
delightful ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
This was a wonderful, funny, swoon-filled romp! The plot was fun, a little bit different—an earl posing as a footman to observe a lady’s true nature when she doesn’t have a peer to impress. He never expects to interact with any of the ladies, merely observe. Welp, that plan goes awry and before long he’s interacted and entangled with the loveliest, wittiest, most enchanting woman he’s ever met.
Both MCs were likable, the hero a bit more so since the heroine was headstrong and believed herself to be always right.
Safe. Hero’s past isn’t mentioned at all, and he doesn’t come off as a manwhore. Virgin heroine. There is slight OM Drama as heroine is being pursued by OM, but she doesn’t reciprocate his interest and nothing physical happens between them. No OW drama at all. No cheating or abuse. HEA but sadly no epilogue or babies.
This was a wonderful, funny, swoon-filled romp! The plot was fun, a little bit different—an earl posing as a footman to observe a lady’s true nature when she doesn’t have a peer to impress. He never expects to interact with any of the ladies, merely observe. Welp, that plan goes awry and before long he’s interacted and entangled with the loveliest, wittiest, most enchanting woman he’s ever met.
Both MCs were likable, the hero a bit more so since the heroine was headstrong and believed herself to be always right.
Safe. Hero’s past isn’t mentioned at all, and he doesn’t come off as a manwhore. Virgin heroine. There is slight OM Drama as heroine is being pursued by OM, but she doesn’t reciprocate his interest and nothing physical happens between them. No OW drama at all. No cheating or abuse. HEA but sadly no epilogue or babies.
October 29, 2020
The Footman and I
The Footmen's Club Series #1
Valerie Bowman
https://m.facebook.com/ValerieBowmanA...
Release date 06/30/2020
Publisher June Third Enterprises
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Let the games begin . . .
Every fortune-hunting female in London is after the newly titled Earl of Kendall, but he’s intent on finding a wife whose heart is true. So, while drunkenly jesting with his friends in a pub one night, he has an idea—what if the ladies of the ton didn’t know he was a wealthy earl? All he has to do is pose as a servant at his friend’s summer country house party and make sure the guest list is full of beautiful, eligible debutantes. What could possibly go wrong?
May the best footman win.
Miss Frances Wharton is far more interested in fighting for the rights of the poor than in marriage, but her mother insists she attend a summer house party—and find herself a husband. Frances would rather wed a goat than the pompous man her mother has in mind, so in order to dissuade the would-be suitor, she vows to behave like a shrew. The only person she can be herself with is the kind, handsome footman she runs into at every turn. Their connection is undeniable, and the divide between them is no match for the passion they feel. But what will happen when Frances learns that the footman she adores is actually the earl she despises? In a game where everything is false, can they convince each other that their love is true?
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will she be able to see past his errors ...
I confess I happened to see this book’s release but with so many books I promised to review, I am sometimes limited to add some to my already overwhelming list.
Then the opportunity came, and I do not regret my reading. I loved every minutes of my time spent with Frances and Lucas.
Lucas is no the classic haughty and full of himself peer. He is caring and kind, so much he took the mantle of his late brother because he asked it of him. Since he did not questioned the rightness of it, it was his brother’s legacy, so he must do it justice.
Yet under Frances’ influence, he will open his eyes on the wrongness of his project. And realize how stuffy and arse like his fellow noblemen are.
Frances has set her sight on the battle she wants to fight for, she sees the wrongness of some laws, why she is willing to try to make others understand it. Yet, she has her family’s future to think about too, and with it comes a suitor she would prefer to avoid at all cost. Why she plays with fire when she begins a friendship with a footman, whatever how handsome, clever and intriguing he might be. She knows she has entered a dangerous game, but for once, she feels she is understood, someone is listening to her without thinking she’s rambling.
But their relationship began under a lie, so how can they extricate themselves from this predicament without shattering their frail trust. Lucas entered her life under assumption he was someone else, but will his sin be too unforgivable to let her greatest chance at love pass.
5 stars
I was granted a free copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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The Footmen's Club Series #1
Valerie Bowman
https://m.facebook.com/ValerieBowmanA...
Release date 06/30/2020
Publisher June Third Enterprises
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Let the games begin . . .
Every fortune-hunting female in London is after the newly titled Earl of Kendall, but he’s intent on finding a wife whose heart is true. So, while drunkenly jesting with his friends in a pub one night, he has an idea—what if the ladies of the ton didn’t know he was a wealthy earl? All he has to do is pose as a servant at his friend’s summer country house party and make sure the guest list is full of beautiful, eligible debutantes. What could possibly go wrong?
May the best footman win.
Miss Frances Wharton is far more interested in fighting for the rights of the poor than in marriage, but her mother insists she attend a summer house party—and find herself a husband. Frances would rather wed a goat than the pompous man her mother has in mind, so in order to dissuade the would-be suitor, she vows to behave like a shrew. The only person she can be herself with is the kind, handsome footman she runs into at every turn. Their connection is undeniable, and the divide between them is no match for the passion they feel. But what will happen when Frances learns that the footman she adores is actually the earl she despises? In a game where everything is false, can they convince each other that their love is true?
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will she be able to see past his errors ...
I confess I happened to see this book’s release but with so many books I promised to review, I am sometimes limited to add some to my already overwhelming list.
Then the opportunity came, and I do not regret my reading. I loved every minutes of my time spent with Frances and Lucas.
Lucas is no the classic haughty and full of himself peer. He is caring and kind, so much he took the mantle of his late brother because he asked it of him. Since he did not questioned the rightness of it, it was his brother’s legacy, so he must do it justice.
Yet under Frances’ influence, he will open his eyes on the wrongness of his project. And realize how stuffy and arse like his fellow noblemen are.
Frances has set her sight on the battle she wants to fight for, she sees the wrongness of some laws, why she is willing to try to make others understand it. Yet, she has her family’s future to think about too, and with it comes a suitor she would prefer to avoid at all cost. Why she plays with fire when she begins a friendship with a footman, whatever how handsome, clever and intriguing he might be. She knows she has entered a dangerous game, but for once, she feels she is understood, someone is listening to her without thinking she’s rambling.
But their relationship began under a lie, so how can they extricate themselves from this predicament without shattering their frail trust. Lucas entered her life under assumption he was someone else, but will his sin be too unforgivable to let her greatest chance at love pass.
5 stars
I was granted a free copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
January 13, 2021
I have received an ARC of this book by NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I don’t have much to say about this book because I didn't dislike it but at the same time didn’t bring me nothing new. I liked the story and the heroes, but I felt like it was not her best work. Maybe I shouldn’t compare them, but I have read other books by this author and loved them, but this one I can not say the same.
It’s a cute story with different characters that want to change something about them.
Regardless, I will read the next one’s of the Trilogy, because I’m curious and maybe the others would bring me more or something.
It took me a while to finished, because I couldn’t read straight, but I finally finished.
I don’t have much to say about this book because I didn't dislike it but at the same time didn’t bring me nothing new. I liked the story and the heroes, but I felt like it was not her best work. Maybe I shouldn’t compare them, but I have read other books by this author and loved them, but this one I can not say the same.
It’s a cute story with different characters that want to change something about them.
Regardless, I will read the next one’s of the Trilogy, because I’m curious and maybe the others would bring me more or something.
It took me a while to finished, because I couldn’t read straight, but I finally finished.
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