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Victorian Decadence #2
His Valet
Stephen Chatham is everything Jo Leather ever wanted. Despite Stephen's tragic past, he's kind, brilliant, and the best employer Jo’s ever had. Falling for him was easy. Stopping him from discovering that Jo is actually Josephine—and keeping him from hating her when the truth inevitably comes out? That will be infinitely more difficult.
Stephen doesn’t have much experience with love, but he’s known enough betrayal to last two lifetimes. Emotion doesn’t come easily to him. Neither does passion. But for reasons he can’t fathom, his valet—his very male valet—stirs both in him. Is he losing his mind—or is he falling in love with his servant?
Caught between their desire and society’s expectations, can Jo and Stephen find their way to happily ever after? Or is the distance between their worlds—and hearts—simply too great to bridge?
***
His Valet is an angsty, dark, standalone historical erotic romance novel featuring consensual BDSM and M/F, F/F, M/M/F, voyeurism, exhibitionism, explicit love scenes, and and enough heat to melt your Kindle.
And, YES, a happily ever after!
This is EROTIC ROMANCE, not erotica. That means this book has a real story and lots of it.
****************TRIGGER WARNING: sexual abuse, miscarriage, & lots of kink.
@110,000 word novel, no cliffhanger
Stephen doesn’t have much experience with love, but he’s known enough betrayal to last two lifetimes. Emotion doesn’t come easily to him. Neither does passion. But for reasons he can’t fathom, his valet—his very male valet—stirs both in him. Is he losing his mind—or is he falling in love with his servant?
Caught between their desire and society’s expectations, can Jo and Stephen find their way to happily ever after? Or is the distance between their worlds—and hearts—simply too great to bridge?
***
His Valet is an angsty, dark, standalone historical erotic romance novel featuring consensual BDSM and M/F, F/F, M/M/F, voyeurism, exhibitionism, explicit love scenes, and and enough heat to melt your Kindle.
And, YES, a happily ever after!
This is EROTIC ROMANCE, not erotica. That means this book has a real story and lots of it.
****************TRIGGER WARNING: sexual abuse, miscarriage, & lots of kink.
@110,000 word novel, no cliffhanger
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2020
312 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
S.M. LaViolette
36 books626 followersWho is S.M. LaViolette?
S.M. (that’s short for Shantal Marie) writes super spicy historical romance and historical erotic romance. S.M. likes to write about heroes and heroines who don't fit the mold--that means heroes who aren't always dukes and heroines who aren't always virgins.
People have described S.M.'s style as dark, angsty, and dryly witty.
S.M. also writes historical romance under the pen name Minerva Spencer, and historical mystery under S.M. Goodwin.
S.M. has been a criminal prosecutor, college history teacher, B&B operator, dock worker, ice cream manufacturer, reader for the blind, motel maid, and bounty hunter.
Okay, so the part about being a bounty hunter is a lie.
S.M. does, however, know how to hypnotize a Dungeness crab, sew her own Regency Era clothing, knit a frog hat, juggle, rebuild a 1959 American Rambler, and gain control of Asia (and hold on to it) in the game of RISK.
S.M. (that’s short for Shantal Marie) writes super spicy historical romance and historical erotic romance. S.M. likes to write about heroes and heroines who don't fit the mold--that means heroes who aren't always dukes and heroines who aren't always virgins.
People have described S.M.'s style as dark, angsty, and dryly witty.
S.M. also writes historical romance under the pen name Minerva Spencer, and historical mystery under S.M. Goodwin.
S.M. has been a criminal prosecutor, college history teacher, B&B operator, dock worker, ice cream manufacturer, reader for the blind, motel maid, and bounty hunter.
Okay, so the part about being a bounty hunter is a lie.
S.M. does, however, know how to hypnotize a Dungeness crab, sew her own Regency Era clothing, knit a frog hat, juggle, rebuild a 1959 American Rambler, and gain control of Asia (and hold on to it) in the game of RISK.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 22, 2024
There is unfortunately no way I can put together an articulate review of this book, so I’m just going to say:
It made me think
It made me feel
It made me burn
It made me angry
It was erotic
It made me contemplate things that had never crossed my mind
It broke my heart
It made me smile
It had amazing, intriguing, fascinating characters with so much depth
It had a truly unique, unconventional storyline unlike anything I’ve read in an HR
It was beautifully written
It was bloody brilliant storytelling
It deserves every single one of the five stars I’m giving it
And I want more Smith; such a dark, complex antihero 🔥🥵😈
It made me think
It made me feel
It made me burn
It made me angry
It was erotic
It made me contemplate things that had never crossed my mind
It broke my heart
It made me smile
It had amazing, intriguing, fascinating characters with so much depth
It had a truly unique, unconventional storyline unlike anything I’ve read in an HR
It was beautifully written
It was bloody brilliant storytelling
It deserves every single one of the five stars I’m giving it
And I want more Smith; such a dark, complex antihero 🔥🥵😈
November 27, 2022
As always with LaViolette read the book description as this series is NOT about virgin heroines. One of my favorite authors that writes under 3 pen names, and I enjoy each of her styles. It is hard to write about a woman dressing and living as a man and really carrying it off....this story makes it work (of course true love never can be easy and a charade maybe necessary). I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first but then I may have a crush on Mr. Smith.
July 9, 2020
I typically dislike the trope of 'heroine dresses as a boy', because it never seems to dive as deep as I'd like, the reasons for the heroine dressing a boy are usually stupid, and I always have a hard time believing in their attraction. This isn't a shot at the trope itself, it just isn't for me ... except when it's done as well as it was in His Valet. I had high expectations coming into this one after His Harlot, and S.M. LaViolette didn't disappoint! Jo is our 'heroine' and I put that in quotations because her gender and sexuality are both complicated and fluid. She was born and named Joseph Leather, and raised as a boy by her father, trained to serve men as a valet. Jo has gone through life feeling, living, and behaving like a man, which means she isn't technically 'a woman in disguise'. 'Leather' is who she is and while she can revel in femininity when she feels like it, she embraces the masculine persona her father cultivated for her survival. Stephen Chatham is her employer and is oblivious to the fact that not only is Leather hiding the truth about herself, she is also madly in love with him.
Their story is complicated, with brilliant deep-diving insights into the mind of characters whose sexuality and gender are fluid and developing. I loved that Stephen was able to embrace his attraction to men as well as women, and that once he knew the truth he could accept Jo fully and completely. Their happy ending was unconventional when compared to what we're used to in a historical romance novel, but it made sense for Stephen and Jo.
I'm excited to get to the third book of this series, His Countess. I am hoping that eventually, we'll get a story about the mysterious Smith, who has appeared in each story as my favorite type of unscrupulous character.
Their story is complicated, with brilliant deep-diving insights into the mind of characters whose sexuality and gender are fluid and developing. I loved that Stephen was able to embrace his attraction to men as well as women, and that once he knew the truth he could accept Jo fully and completely. Their happy ending was unconventional when compared to what we're used to in a historical romance novel, but it made sense for Stephen and Jo.
I'm excited to get to the third book of this series, His Countess. I am hoping that eventually, we'll get a story about the mysterious Smith, who has appeared in each story as my favorite type of unscrupulous character.
hard-pass-dnf-returned
July 17, 2022Never fucking ever. Both MCs are scumbags who aren’t faithful and slime around with others.
June 26, 2021
His Valet is the second installment in the Victorian Decadence series by S.M. LaViolette. The story brings together 27 year old Joseph Edward Leather (Jo), who has been employed as a valet to 42 year old Stephen Chatham for quite sometime, and falls in love with her employer along the way, a man who wouldn’t look twice at her for all intents and purposes.
Jo is someone who has been working since the tender age of seven years. Her father had taught her to be nothing but exemplary in her servitude. Devotion is all that has been ingrained into her, not to mention the fact that she has spent her entire life pretending to be a man, the only way of life she has ever known. Even if it meant foregoing own sense of self-dignity, that is what Jo’s father drilled into her and her brother, and that is the code of ethics by which she lives.
Jo does not ever dream of a conventional happily ever after nor marriage for her. The only thing that she yearns for with every fiber of her being is to be with Stephen and when the opportunity presents itself, indulge she does for the five nights she pretends to be someone else.
When the truth comes out, Jo knows that the price she would have to pay would be immense, and even then, she is ill-prepared for the white hot anger that rules every decision Stephen makes thereon. Stephen, who has been burnt once and is twice shy, loathes deception of any kind. In Jo, Stephen sees only what he wants to see, and therein lies the battle which he must wage and win over himself, if Stephen and Jo were to have any chance in having a future together.
I loved the story line and the main protagonists better than I did those in the debut book of the series. Stephen is a compelling character and with Jo, he finds the answer to his every desire, the whys of which he doesn’t want to look into too closely lest it takes him in a direction that is far too uncomfortable for him to ponder on.
Jo’s character is the one that shines bright in the story, and I believe it is as Ms. LaViolette intended it to be. Her character makes one question their conceptions about the gender which they identify with, and it is something that I have never really thought much about. But Jo’s predicament is all too well understood, given how she was brought up and the fact that she has never had the freedom to understand enough to choose who she wanted to be.
It is with the enigmatic Mr. Smith that Jo truly finds the freedom to explore her mind and conscience, and to understand herself enough to be comfortable in her own skin and most of all, to love her own self. And it is those terms upon which Stephen must try to reconcile his own feelings with, if ever these two were to have their own version of a happily ever after.
The second lead game was strong in this novel; which is often felt when you are watching Korean dramas that strongly rely on love triangles to bring the angst factor forward. For me, the fact that I fell hard for Mr. Smith and my heart wept for him spells trouble with a capital T. It means that I am in a shit load of trouble even before Ms. LaViolette has released Smith’s own story, which I do not think I would ever be ready for. The fact that most fans of this series would want to get their hands on his novel is a foregone conclusion, and a Goodreads discussion on the author’s page proved me right.
Ms. LaViolette mentions that she is actually 3/4 through with his story and had to stop, because she too is learning that Smith is a difficult character who views sex and love to be completely separate and views love to be rarer than the practice of fidelity to someone. He is neither an easy person to love nor a nice person and his past even shocked Ms. LaViolette as she wrote the book.
So here I am hoping that one day soon, Ms. LaViolette gets the courage to start where she left it off and give us the story of the character that all our hearts collectively yearn for. I know it wouldn’t be an easy read by any means, but it would totally be worth it.
When all was said and done, Jo and Stephen did leave me with one burning question at the end – how would they fare as they go through the different phases of life together in their relationship; would either of them want more than the other can give? Would it always be enough, for her to be his valet and he her master in a way? I don’t think there are any easy answers to any of these questions.
Recommended for fans of Ms. LaViolette and fans of dark erotic romances in a historical setting.
Final Verdict: Thought provoking is not a phrase you would usually apply to an erotic romance, but in His Valet, Ms. LaViolette has outdone herself in giving readers characters that leaves the strongest impression on you!
Rating = 4.5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
Jo is someone who has been working since the tender age of seven years. Her father had taught her to be nothing but exemplary in her servitude. Devotion is all that has been ingrained into her, not to mention the fact that she has spent her entire life pretending to be a man, the only way of life she has ever known. Even if it meant foregoing own sense of self-dignity, that is what Jo’s father drilled into her and her brother, and that is the code of ethics by which she lives.
Jo does not ever dream of a conventional happily ever after nor marriage for her. The only thing that she yearns for with every fiber of her being is to be with Stephen and when the opportunity presents itself, indulge she does for the five nights she pretends to be someone else.
When the truth comes out, Jo knows that the price she would have to pay would be immense, and even then, she is ill-prepared for the white hot anger that rules every decision Stephen makes thereon. Stephen, who has been burnt once and is twice shy, loathes deception of any kind. In Jo, Stephen sees only what he wants to see, and therein lies the battle which he must wage and win over himself, if Stephen and Jo were to have any chance in having a future together.
I loved the story line and the main protagonists better than I did those in the debut book of the series. Stephen is a compelling character and with Jo, he finds the answer to his every desire, the whys of which he doesn’t want to look into too closely lest it takes him in a direction that is far too uncomfortable for him to ponder on.
Jo’s character is the one that shines bright in the story, and I believe it is as Ms. LaViolette intended it to be. Her character makes one question their conceptions about the gender which they identify with, and it is something that I have never really thought much about. But Jo’s predicament is all too well understood, given how she was brought up and the fact that she has never had the freedom to understand enough to choose who she wanted to be.
It is with the enigmatic Mr. Smith that Jo truly finds the freedom to explore her mind and conscience, and to understand herself enough to be comfortable in her own skin and most of all, to love her own self. And it is those terms upon which Stephen must try to reconcile his own feelings with, if ever these two were to have their own version of a happily ever after.
The second lead game was strong in this novel; which is often felt when you are watching Korean dramas that strongly rely on love triangles to bring the angst factor forward. For me, the fact that I fell hard for Mr. Smith and my heart wept for him spells trouble with a capital T. It means that I am in a shit load of trouble even before Ms. LaViolette has released Smith’s own story, which I do not think I would ever be ready for. The fact that most fans of this series would want to get their hands on his novel is a foregone conclusion, and a Goodreads discussion on the author’s page proved me right.
Ms. LaViolette mentions that she is actually 3/4 through with his story and had to stop, because she too is learning that Smith is a difficult character who views sex and love to be completely separate and views love to be rarer than the practice of fidelity to someone. He is neither an easy person to love nor a nice person and his past even shocked Ms. LaViolette as she wrote the book.
So here I am hoping that one day soon, Ms. LaViolette gets the courage to start where she left it off and give us the story of the character that all our hearts collectively yearn for. I know it wouldn’t be an easy read by any means, but it would totally be worth it.
When all was said and done, Jo and Stephen did leave me with one burning question at the end – how would they fare as they go through the different phases of life together in their relationship; would either of them want more than the other can give? Would it always be enough, for her to be his valet and he her master in a way? I don’t think there are any easy answers to any of these questions.
Recommended for fans of Ms. LaViolette and fans of dark erotic romances in a historical setting.
Final Verdict: Thought provoking is not a phrase you would usually apply to an erotic romance, but in His Valet, Ms. LaViolette has outdone herself in giving readers characters that leaves the strongest impression on you!
Rating = 4.5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
January 18, 2023
I really liked this story. I never thought I'd like a plot like this so much, but the truth is, there's no doubt the pace of the story kept me hooked. I really wanted to know what was going to happen, and it was just impossible to stop reading.
However, close to 83% I was less into it because I didn't like how Jo was simply trying to multiply her feelings. It sounded like the story with Stephen was just a lack of professionalism...
Jo's story is heartbreaking; she is a very strong heroine, but if she sees herself as a man, has a man's name, and is treated like a man even by those who know she is a woman, why is the pronoun "her" used in this book all the time? I found this a little confusing.
I also don't know if I like the resolution, and that's also why I'm giving it a 4. In the epilogue, for a 5, the heroine could not address the hero as "sir," especially after using his name in their meetings.
The sex scenes weren't my favorites, but they didn't shock me either. I liked this book more than the first one. Both are very well written.
However, close to 83% I was less into it because I didn't like how Jo was simply trying to multiply her feelings. It sounded like the story with Stephen was just a lack of professionalism...
Jo's story is heartbreaking; she is a very strong heroine, but if she sees herself as a man, has a man's name, and is treated like a man even by those who know she is a woman, why is the pronoun "her" used in this book all the time? I found this a little confusing.
I also don't know if I like the resolution, and that's also why I'm giving it a 4. In the epilogue, for a 5, the heroine could not address the hero as "sir," especially after using his name in their meetings.
The sex scenes weren't my favorites, but they didn't shock me either. I liked this book more than the first one. Both are very well written.
May 6, 2020
I love when an author puts an unconventional twist on a trope I adore. Cross dressing heroines have always been a favorite for me. The minute details taken to pull off the masquerade. The effort to not give yourself away. And of course, the shock of the big reveal. But what if the heroine in question feels more at home in her masculine persona and dressing as a woman feels more like pretend? Definitely gets your attention, right?
Jo Leather’s entire life had been a deception. Her father’s only way of protecting her had warped her life. She’d lived her entire life as a man and she’d accepted that life. Had grown comfortable in it. As valet, she’d served many masters. But she’d only fallen in love with one. She could serve him and be near him, but they could never be lovers.
For Stephen Chatham, Jo Leather seemed to have been put on this earth solely to serve his needs. He trusted Jo more than anyone aside from his business partners. Truth be told, he shared more and felt more himself with Jo than anyone. But when Jo’s intimate attentions to Stephen begin to bring about an unusual response in him, Stephen questions his masculinity. Was it wrong to enjoy the attentions of a servant? Of another man?
This is not your grandma’s historical romance. It’s not for the faint of heart but will keep you turning the pages if you’re willing to take a chance on a dangerously seductive read. There’s disturbing situations, strong language, and lots of sex. Wildly intense sex, and menage that rewrites the rule book. But it’s all organized and carefully crafted into a real, developed story, and quite a lovely one. I loved the characters, the dialogue, the chemistry, the angst, the tenderness, and the heart pounding sexiness. I also loved the exploration of relationships and sexuality that unfolds. The qualities that each admired in the other don’t have to be gendered, and though Jo and Stephen’s journey in discovering that could be explicit, it was an inherent part of their story, their growth, and the development of their relationship.
If you enjoyed the first of this series, His Harlot, you’ll be thrilled with this second story. In fact, I think I liked this one even more. While part of a series, these can be read as a stand- alone but I think you’ll quickly decide you want to devour them all. I am ravenous for Smith’s story and am hoping that’s next.
Jo Leather’s entire life had been a deception. Her father’s only way of protecting her had warped her life. She’d lived her entire life as a man and she’d accepted that life. Had grown comfortable in it. As valet, she’d served many masters. But she’d only fallen in love with one. She could serve him and be near him, but they could never be lovers.
For Stephen Chatham, Jo Leather seemed to have been put on this earth solely to serve his needs. He trusted Jo more than anyone aside from his business partners. Truth be told, he shared more and felt more himself with Jo than anyone. But when Jo’s intimate attentions to Stephen begin to bring about an unusual response in him, Stephen questions his masculinity. Was it wrong to enjoy the attentions of a servant? Of another man?
This is not your grandma’s historical romance. It’s not for the faint of heart but will keep you turning the pages if you’re willing to take a chance on a dangerously seductive read. There’s disturbing situations, strong language, and lots of sex. Wildly intense sex, and menage that rewrites the rule book. But it’s all organized and carefully crafted into a real, developed story, and quite a lovely one. I loved the characters, the dialogue, the chemistry, the angst, the tenderness, and the heart pounding sexiness. I also loved the exploration of relationships and sexuality that unfolds. The qualities that each admired in the other don’t have to be gendered, and though Jo and Stephen’s journey in discovering that could be explicit, it was an inherent part of their story, their growth, and the development of their relationship.
If you enjoyed the first of this series, His Harlot, you’ll be thrilled with this second story. In fact, I think I liked this one even more. While part of a series, these can be read as a stand- alone but I think you’ll quickly decide you want to devour them all. I am ravenous for Smith’s story and am hoping that’s next.
November 17, 2022
Wow! That’s the first word that comes to mind after reading this book! This isn’t a simple girl in disguise to survive story. This books takes you so much deeper. Jo/Leather was brought up as a boy, their gender isn’t defined by body parts. This is a topic which is greatly talked about now, but would have been such a taboo back then.
.
So much happens in this story between Jo and Stephen. Finding out about both of their back stories had me in absolute tears! There is a lot of 🌶🌶🌶! And a lot of explicit scenes I have never read in historical books before!
.
I found it fascinating when Stephen delves into his of sexuality and how often men in this times didn’t think it meant anything if they were on the dominant side of a sexual exchange with another man.
.
I also loved having Smith in this story as he was brilliant in the last! But my god that poor guy, the scene at the end with him in the carriage, my heart broke for him!!
.
If you are only interested in reading about M/F scenes and traditional set ups, I don’t think this book would be for you. I personally found it utterly fascinating. This story needs to be read with an open mind.
.
It is a very dark, very intense tale and some elements take you to places you’d have never expected!
.
So much happens in this story between Jo and Stephen. Finding out about both of their back stories had me in absolute tears! There is a lot of 🌶🌶🌶! And a lot of explicit scenes I have never read in historical books before!
.
I found it fascinating when Stephen delves into his of sexuality and how often men in this times didn’t think it meant anything if they were on the dominant side of a sexual exchange with another man.
.
I also loved having Smith in this story as he was brilliant in the last! But my god that poor guy, the scene at the end with him in the carriage, my heart broke for him!!
.
If you are only interested in reading about M/F scenes and traditional set ups, I don’t think this book would be for you. I personally found it utterly fascinating. This story needs to be read with an open mind.
.
It is a very dark, very intense tale and some elements take you to places you’d have never expected!
December 6, 2022
The most sizzling hot 🔥 book I read in a while!
The sex starts off right of the gate and continues to build up even more until about half way in.
I loved Stephen and Jo together. They seemed like two perfect puzzle pieces working out their kinks together.
But the twist after the second half was like an ice bucket on this wild flame. This was a strong flame so it didn’t get extinguished but the charm and poignancy of the plot was lost.
It was as if the book was made out of two completely different storylines and even MCs seemed like different people as if they both lost their intelligence due to excessive fucking.
However since the beginning is amazing and incredibly spicy I would say, if you are up to it, give it a try and if you don’t like the second half, you can skip it and won’t miss much.
The sex starts off right of the gate and continues to build up even more until about half way in.
I loved Stephen and Jo together. They seemed like two perfect puzzle pieces working out their kinks together.
But the twist after the second half was like an ice bucket on this wild flame. This was a strong flame so it didn’t get extinguished but the charm and poignancy of the plot was lost.
It was as if the book was made out of two completely different storylines and even MCs seemed like different people as if they both lost their intelligence due to excessive fucking.
However since the beginning is amazing and incredibly spicy I would say, if you are up to it, give it a try and if you don’t like the second half, you can skip it and won’t miss much.
Read
March 26, 2024I am addicted to this series? Maybe someday I'll write a proper review but I don't know I could even begin!
July 29, 2021
3.5
I liked this book, but I was really confused reading it. I didn't really understand what was happening, or the characters backstories. Anyway, it was super hot and the author is talented in that aspect, but it wasn't really my thing. Erotica gets really boring and I was confused lol!
I liked this book, but I was really confused reading it. I didn't really understand what was happening, or the characters backstories. Anyway, it was super hot and the author is talented in that aspect, but it wasn't really my thing. Erotica gets really boring and I was confused lol!
February 11, 2021
A very long LGBTQ historical erotic romance, set around 1870 England. Jo, our heroine, has grown up as a boy and identifies as a boy and has had female lovers. Her father was a gentleman's Valet, as is she and her brother. She has unfortunately fallen in love with her employer, Stephen, a wealthy businessman, but of course to him, she is Leather, his Valet. Until he starts fantasizing about 'him' after receiving wonderful massages for his damaged shoulder and entire body. He has no clue she's physically a woman...
Jo/Josephine/Joseph embarks on a dangerous deception when they travel to Scotland on business and pretends to be a woman in need of a lover for 5 nights so she can finally get close to Stephen. Needless to say, there are many erotic sex scenes throughout - very tastefully written - with some scenes taking place in brothels. (MM, MFF, MFM, etc). Of course, there is also a very confused Hero.
The engaging back story really drives this book though and I wanted to know what would happen and the secrets the H/h were hiding from each other. The characters are well drawn and I didn't want to put it down. There is also the mysterious Mr Smith, another compelling character that Jo feels drawn to. My only negative was that there were a sprinkling of typos, but nothing that detracted. This author also writes under the name Minerva Spencer and everything she writes is fabulous.
Jo/Josephine/Joseph embarks on a dangerous deception when they travel to Scotland on business and pretends to be a woman in need of a lover for 5 nights so she can finally get close to Stephen. Needless to say, there are many erotic sex scenes throughout - very tastefully written - with some scenes taking place in brothels. (MM, MFF, MFM, etc). Of course, there is also a very confused Hero.
The engaging back story really drives this book though and I wanted to know what would happen and the secrets the H/h were hiding from each other. The characters are well drawn and I didn't want to put it down. There is also the mysterious Mr Smith, another compelling character that Jo feels drawn to. My only negative was that there were a sprinkling of typos, but nothing that detracted. This author also writes under the name Minerva Spencer and everything she writes is fabulous.
January 30, 2023
I was not going to admit reading this series but am such a junkie for this Author. Takes the trope of girl dressing like a boy to a new level. Hard core plot twists slapped me silly and by the end I shook my head and knew I would probably read the next one in the series too. Frankly do not care for the extreme kink, makes me feel like characters have become stylized anime. I read historicals for tea drinking, china clinking romantic subtlety not shaved and douched before S&m dinner at Tony’s.
August 25, 2024
3.5 stars. Maybe I’ll revisit this and rate it higher when my feelings are less fresh.
Was I supposed to be rooting for Stephen by the end of this? A little too much time with Jo and Smith together (and Smith’s sympathetic POV!) for me to really love the ending. I appreciate how unique these books feel but was still kinda frustrated by that. Really enjoyed it otherwise.
Was I supposed to be rooting for Stephen by the end of this? A little too much time with Jo and Smith together (and Smith’s sympathetic POV!) for me to really love the ending. I appreciate how unique these books feel but was still kinda frustrated by that. Really enjoyed it otherwise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2025
I seems to be a theme with these books for the heroes to act as complete assholes. I love the groveling though, Ms LaViolette writes great "getting back together" scenes. :D
PS: I need more books in the series right this second!!!
PPS: Ignore my whining
PS: I need more books in the series right this second!!!
PPS: Ignore my whining
November 23, 2025
Not my usual sort of trope (woman living as a man, falls for her boss) but I like the rest of the series so I read it. I found it intriguing and unique. I doubt I’d read this trope again but it held my interest. I thought the ending was unusual but if it works for them, then who am I to judge?
The rest of the series is more traditional steam and I enjoy those more than this one. Still it’s a good book, lots of sexual tension. Quite steamy.
The rest of the series is more traditional steam and I enjoy those more than this one. Still it’s a good book, lots of sexual tension. Quite steamy.
December 5, 2025
4 very hot ⭐️
June 11, 2020
Again, I know I always say this, but this author left me speechless every time with her masterful writing. I have to admit that after reading the first book in the series I thought that nothing could surprise me anymore, and then I read His Valet.
I was very intrigued for Mr. Chantham when I read the first book, and his story didn’t disappoint me in the least. I loved his character, a serious, reserved and even arrogant, with a tender and sweet heart, this last part actually took me by surprise, I didn’t expect him to be like this.
The true jewel of this book is, of course, the heroine. I think is some kind of ironic that the series are about dominant heroes and submissive heroines and yet, they are the ones that carry the weight of the story. Jo is a one of a kind character, a bisexual woman who sees herself as a man, and is happy with it, I learned so much with her, and she make me question the limits that we impose to our gender roles and how they affect the way we connect with other people. I don’t think I can describe her; you must read the book to comprehend and get to know the character.
I can’t leave aside Mr. Smith…. I honestly thought that his storyline was complete in the first book, but I was mistaken. I liked him in the first book, but I didn’t think he was of much importance. In this book I fell in love with him, he is such a complex and charming man, I enjoyed the way he gets to take control of the plot at some time, he is a character that can’t be ignored.
Apart from all the triggers and sexuality, this book left me swooning for all the romance in it, it’s truly a beautiful love story, with a HEA that’s everything but typical.
I was very intrigued for Mr. Chantham when I read the first book, and his story didn’t disappoint me in the least. I loved his character, a serious, reserved and even arrogant, with a tender and sweet heart, this last part actually took me by surprise, I didn’t expect him to be like this.
The true jewel of this book is, of course, the heroine. I think is some kind of ironic that the series are about dominant heroes and submissive heroines and yet, they are the ones that carry the weight of the story. Jo is a one of a kind character, a bisexual woman who sees herself as a man, and is happy with it, I learned so much with her, and she make me question the limits that we impose to our gender roles and how they affect the way we connect with other people. I don’t think I can describe her; you must read the book to comprehend and get to know the character.
I can’t leave aside Mr. Smith…. I honestly thought that his storyline was complete in the first book, but I was mistaken. I liked him in the first book, but I didn’t think he was of much importance. In this book I fell in love with him, he is such a complex and charming man, I enjoyed the way he gets to take control of the plot at some time, he is a character that can’t be ignored.
Apart from all the triggers and sexuality, this book left me swooning for all the romance in it, it’s truly a beautiful love story, with a HEA that’s everything but typical.
May 23, 2024
I'm having difficulty with this one. The book is beautifully written. The characters are complex, intense and well fleshed out. The story itself is compelling. However, being a monogomist (no sharsies!) and having big problems with infidelity (unless under extreme circumstances), this book really tested me. All the characters seem to have a very fluid attitude to sex, sexuality, and relationships in general. It took me way out of my comfort zone.There is a whole world of people in this book and not one person like me to relate to. Consequently, I didn't know who to root for, what outcome I wanted, etc. In the end, I had to settle. Que sera sera! ...and that was the feeling I was left with at the end. The HEA for MCs was good. But it was just an acceptance of the outcome for me. The fact that I was held by the story and remained interested right to the end, says a lot for the extraordinary ability of the author.
I've read some of the synopses of the other books in the series and it seems that this sexual fluidity runs in most of the stories. I know that if I pick it up, I probably won't want to put it down. Thing is I don't know if I want to put myself through it again. It's strange.
Having said that, I found Simon the most intriguing character and I feel compelled to skip straight to his story. So, I think I've solved my dilemma 😅
I've read some of the synopses of the other books in the series and it seems that this sexual fluidity runs in most of the stories. I know that if I pick it up, I probably won't want to put it down. Thing is I don't know if I want to put myself through it again. It's strange.
Having said that, I found Simon the most intriguing character and I feel compelled to skip straight to his story. So, I think I've solved my dilemma 😅
June 3, 2023
I liked this one even better than the first in the series. I am awed by LaViolette’s ability to blend steam, kink, emotional angst, an original plot, and well-developed characters. It was seriously hard to put down! Looking forward to the rest of the series! Be sure to read trigger-warnings before reading.
August 4, 2022
Not particularly good but not bad and very 🌶 on the spicy meter
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June 17, 2024I can't remember where I heard of this, because while it's def more sex-forward than I generally prefer, it was really damn interesting i/r/t gender in historical fiction. Jo's father, a valet to a dissolute dukedom, raises his second child to be a man, down to putting a male name on the birth cert. Unlike a Mulan or other sex-changing characters, Jo doesn't have a central female identity she cloaks in maleness. He almost exclusively thinks of himself as male. A note on pronouns: Jo uses both depending on context. When acting as valet to an industrialist businessman, it's mostly he/him. But when she enacts a very romance genre plan to have sex with her employer in the guise of a woman, she code switches to she/her. It's sensitively written: you can really see how the female identity is a form of drag.
July 2, 2024
What a shame...
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🔥🔥🔥.5/5
Spoilers ahead.
Did I deduct a whole star because she didn't end up with Smith? Would I really be that petty? Yes. Yes, I would be. Ugh, honestly y'all, this book was so good. The best book I've read in months. So beautifully paced. But after the shit Stephen pulled? Nuh-uh. I wanted my man Smith, smart, handsome, accepting, loving (kind of) Smith to get the valet. I would have been down for an MMF as well. Hell, that would have been the best option. If there was some tension between Smith and Stephen it could have been done. Anyways. It is what it is. The book was still really good. I'm just going to act like the last couple pages does not exist.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🔥🔥🔥.5/5
Spoilers ahead.
Did I deduct a whole star because she didn't end up with Smith? Would I really be that petty? Yes. Yes, I would be. Ugh, honestly y'all, this book was so good. The best book I've read in months. So beautifully paced. But after the shit Stephen pulled? Nuh-uh. I wanted my man Smith, smart, handsome, accepting, loving (kind of) Smith to get the valet. I would have been down for an MMF as well. Hell, that would have been the best option. If there was some tension between Smith and Stephen it could have been done. Anyways. It is what it is. The book was still really good. I'm just going to act like the last couple pages does not exist.
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April 8, 2025DNF- maybe one day I’ll try again with this one.
January 2, 2023
What did I just read? As someone who grew up on slightly scandalous regency and historical romances, this setting was very lovely. And refreshing, because the characters weren't landed gentry but rather wealthy businessmen of the middle/working class. There are some key differences between those books and this one.
The spice starts immediately from chapter 1, and the thread of seduction runs throughout. Technically there's dubious consent because "Joseph Leather" is actually a woman masquerading as a gentlemen's valet -- and getting away with it! But I found the charade fascinating, and the theme of submission via servitude was treated with a subtle interpretation for a kink that rarely gets described with subtlety.
What pushed this book into the 5 star range (for me) was the way the author treated Jo's choice to live as a man. She genuinely inhabited the male persona from the youngest age, which means she isn't (and couldn't) be your traditional woman-pretending-to-be-a-man. She is a man and a woman, and also neither. Her particular situation defies categorization, and she does a good job avoiding it for herself. Other reviewers described the book as "preachy" but I'm not picking up any type of LGBTQ+ agenda; I didn't think this story was preachy at all. It is taboo, and it pokes at the idea of identity and sexual preference being a bit slippery, harder to pin down than we'd sometimes like, and also in a state of flux. It's rather delicious to see the main characters explore those shifting boundaries together.
The spicy scenes weren't completely prurient. I was surprised when the author allowed some of them to fade to black. They are explicit, but I found myself wishing the author had spent a little more time on them, introducing even more emotion and description.
This book reminded me of a film with a similar premise: Albert Nobbs. I loved that movie even though it had a sad ending. I'm happy to report this book concludes much better.
A final thought on reading order. This was book 2 in a series, but I haven't read the others and I truly feel it can be appreciated as a stand alone. I could tell when the other book was being referenced but it didn't detract from this story at all. I will be going back to read it, though.
The spice starts immediately from chapter 1, and the thread of seduction runs throughout. Technically there's dubious consent because "Joseph Leather" is actually a woman masquerading as a gentlemen's valet -- and getting away with it! But I found the charade fascinating, and the theme of submission via servitude was treated with a subtle interpretation for a kink that rarely gets described with subtlety.
What pushed this book into the 5 star range (for me) was the way the author treated Jo's choice to live as a man. She genuinely inhabited the male persona from the youngest age, which means she isn't (and couldn't) be your traditional woman-pretending-to-be-a-man. She is a man and a woman, and also neither. Her particular situation defies categorization, and she does a good job avoiding it for herself. Other reviewers described the book as "preachy" but I'm not picking up any type of LGBTQ+ agenda; I didn't think this story was preachy at all. It is taboo, and it pokes at the idea of identity and sexual preference being a bit slippery, harder to pin down than we'd sometimes like, and also in a state of flux. It's rather delicious to see the main characters explore those shifting boundaries together.
The spicy scenes weren't completely prurient. I was surprised when the author allowed some of them to fade to black. They are explicit, but I found myself wishing the author had spent a little more time on them, introducing even more emotion and description.
This book reminded me of a film with a similar premise: Albert Nobbs. I loved that movie even though it had a sad ending. I'm happy to report this book concludes much better.
A final thought on reading order. This was book 2 in a series, but I haven't read the others and I truly feel it can be appreciated as a stand alone. I could tell when the other book was being referenced but it didn't detract from this story at all. I will be going back to read it, though.
February 8, 2023
Spicy spicy spicy with a surprising amount of plot.
Jo Leather was raised as a boy for her safety but was biologically born a woman. They would most likely identify as non-binary in todays world. Jo is Stephen’s valet and falls in love with him. Stephen only knows Jo as a man. While away on business Jo finds a way to have Stephen for 5 nights in all the ways they want. Then Stephen starts getting turned on around his valet and is confused. When Jo’s gender comes to light Stephen fires them. Jo then goes to stay with Mr. Smith who is clearly the hero of the entire series.
Just like with the previous book they are going to sleep with other people and there are some not so nice moments between the characters. But Jo’s story is incredible.
Overall book ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Jo Leather was raised as a boy for her safety but was biologically born a woman. They would most likely identify as non-binary in todays world. Jo is Stephen’s valet and falls in love with him. Stephen only knows Jo as a man. While away on business Jo finds a way to have Stephen for 5 nights in all the ways they want. Then Stephen starts getting turned on around his valet and is confused. When Jo’s gender comes to light Stephen fires them. Jo then goes to stay with Mr. Smith who is clearly the hero of the entire series.
Just like with the previous book they are going to sleep with other people and there are some not so nice moments between the characters. But Jo’s story is incredible.
Overall book ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶
January 4, 2021
Woooo is it steamy in here or what 🥵🥵🥵
This book does a great job of turning some tropes on their heads:
A heroine dressing as a man for #reasons - nope they see themselves as a man.
A hero experiencing gay panic because of his attraction #NoHomo - nope him realising he doesn’t care, he simply loves this person and heck doesn’t even mind getting pegged once and awhile.
The plot does have some pacing issues. At one point I thought “I must be near the end” and was only at 52%.
This is almost a Tiffany Reisz level of erotic romance and I respect it. It does have some things that might put off traditional romance readers though, so read the whole description.
This book does a great job of turning some tropes on their heads:
A heroine dressing as a man for #reasons - nope they see themselves as a man.
A hero experiencing gay panic because of his attraction #NoHomo - nope him realising he doesn’t care, he simply loves this person and heck doesn’t even mind getting pegged once and awhile.
The plot does have some pacing issues. At one point I thought “I must be near the end” and was only at 52%.
This is almost a Tiffany Reisz level of erotic romance and I respect it. It does have some things that might put off traditional romance readers though, so read the whole description.
June 3, 2020
The main character is an unusual woman who has lived her life as a man and trained by her father to be an exceptional valet. Two man are in love with Jo. One knows her secret, the other does not. This book includes brothels, explicit sex, multiple partners, some bondage etc., yet the characters aren't superficial. SM LaViolette has done an excellent job putting this book together and making it work. Once again I was mesmerized and read through the night to finish it. Gifted a copy by the author.
January 23, 2021
This series is probably my first foray into actual erotica, and wow what a place to start! Jo is a valet who is in love with his boss, Stephen. Jo shoots his shot, hoping it won't reveal his secret identity to his employer.
I love that the POV isn't just from the two main characters. There's a love triangle that actually had me quite conflicted, and I can honestly say I would have been satisfied with a different ending.
I love that the POV isn't just from the two main characters. There's a love triangle that actually had me quite conflicted, and I can honestly say I would have been satisfied with a different ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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