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The Whitmorelands #2
The Marquess Move
She’s a maid with big dreams.
A dutiful lady’s maid, Miss Madeline Atwood knows precisely what her future holds: countless nights of dressing her mistress in silk gowns, pinning her hair in elegant curls, and selecting the perfect pair of slippers before sending her off to the ball. But Madeline harbors a secret dream. Just once, she’d like to be the one who attends the grand party—and tonight could be her chance. All she needs to do is borrow her mistress’s cast-off dress and sneak downstairs during the Twelfth Night Ball…
He's no prince charming.
Lord Justin Whitmoreland, Marquess of Whitmore, is a confirmed bachelor for good reason, and none of the eligible young ladies in London has even tempted him to change his mind about marriage. But after sharing one sensuous dance with a mystery woman, he finds himself looking for her around every street corner and in every ballroom. The very last place he expects his mystery woman to turn up is under his own roof.
Can midnight work some magic?
When Madeline is sacked from her job, Justin’s meddling sister hires her as her new lady’s maid. Which would be well and good if they didn’t have to face temptation every day—and every night. Justin would have to be the worst kind of scoundrel to trifle with a woman in his employ, and Madeline believes she has zero chance of capturing a marquess’s heart…so why is it so difficult for them to resist stealing private moments together? It’s the most improbable of matches, but if the slipper fits…
A dutiful lady’s maid, Miss Madeline Atwood knows precisely what her future holds: countless nights of dressing her mistress in silk gowns, pinning her hair in elegant curls, and selecting the perfect pair of slippers before sending her off to the ball. But Madeline harbors a secret dream. Just once, she’d like to be the one who attends the grand party—and tonight could be her chance. All she needs to do is borrow her mistress’s cast-off dress and sneak downstairs during the Twelfth Night Ball…
He's no prince charming.
Lord Justin Whitmoreland, Marquess of Whitmore, is a confirmed bachelor for good reason, and none of the eligible young ladies in London has even tempted him to change his mind about marriage. But after sharing one sensuous dance with a mystery woman, he finds himself looking for her around every street corner and in every ballroom. The very last place he expects his mystery woman to turn up is under his own roof.
Can midnight work some magic?
When Madeline is sacked from her job, Justin’s meddling sister hires her as her new lady’s maid. Which would be well and good if they didn’t have to face temptation every day—and every night. Justin would have to be the worst kind of scoundrel to trifle with a woman in his employ, and Madeline believes she has zero chance of capturing a marquess’s heart…so why is it so difficult for them to resist stealing private moments together? It’s the most improbable of matches, but if the slipper fits…
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2023
127 people are currently reading
1236 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Bowman
59 books1,580 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 71 reviews
April 26, 2023
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Madeline Atwood, a Baron's daughter, has been reduced to being a lady's maid for a horrific young girl. She never was able to have her debut, and for just one night she wants to pretend that she is the belle of the ball and to be able to dance with a handsome stranger. She meets Justin Whitmoreland, and believes him to be an ordinary gentleman, not the Marquess of Whitmore, and they share a dance. A year later they both search for the other at the same party, and when Justin spies the mysterious Madeline he knows he can't let her disappear on him again.
I do so love Valerie Bowman's books because they are just light and effortless. I feel that there isn't this huge big act break up or the hero does something atrocious. It's kind of a nice change in historical romance. This one wasn't any different. Super cute and enjoyable story. I thought Maddie and Justin had nice relationship development throughout. I enjoyed seeing the family, and that they were a meddling bunch that really made it happen for Maddie and Justin.
Madeline Atwood, a Baron's daughter, has been reduced to being a lady's maid for a horrific young girl. She never was able to have her debut, and for just one night she wants to pretend that she is the belle of the ball and to be able to dance with a handsome stranger. She meets Justin Whitmoreland, and believes him to be an ordinary gentleman, not the Marquess of Whitmore, and they share a dance. A year later they both search for the other at the same party, and when Justin spies the mysterious Madeline he knows he can't let her disappear on him again.
I do so love Valerie Bowman's books because they are just light and effortless. I feel that there isn't this huge big act break up or the hero does something atrocious. It's kind of a nice change in historical romance. This one wasn't any different. Super cute and enjoyable story. I thought Maddie and Justin had nice relationship development throughout. I enjoyed seeing the family, and that they were a meddling bunch that really made it happen for Maddie and Justin.
July 29, 2023
I like that the story is fast-paced and straightforward (in most chapters), however, I felt there was more "telling" than "showing," little character depth, and some historical inaccuracies in the characters' actions/behaviors.
Some tropes in this book:
- Cinderella-inspired romance --> secret identity
- class difference (the heroine is a daughter of a baron but has fallen on hard times after the death of her father and is working as a lady's maid)
- employer/employee romance --> forced proximity
- matchmaking by the hero's younger sisters (I wish they tried harder throughout the book instead of waiting till the last chapter)
Sadly, this book doesn't bring anything new to these tropes.
The H/h didn't have a lot of interactions due to their stations in life (marquess and lady's maid). They avoid each other because they know it's wrong to be together. I didn't feel the sexual tension until the 60% mark when they couldn't hold back their passions any longer and proceeded to be 😏😏😏 Since they barely knew each other beyond their physical attraction, I didn't buy their love.
I felt that the hero's reason for not marrying for love was unoriginal and was just a plot device to cause the third-act breakup.
The hero's sisters are side characters and will get their own books.
There is a HEA but no epilogue since the last chapter ends on a cliffhanger, leading us into the next installment in the series.
Some tropes in this book:
- Cinderella-inspired romance --> secret identity
- class difference (the heroine is a daughter of a baron but has fallen on hard times after the death of her father and is working as a lady's maid)
- employer/employee romance --> forced proximity
- matchmaking by the hero's younger sisters (I wish they tried harder throughout the book instead of waiting till the last chapter)
Sadly, this book doesn't bring anything new to these tropes.
The H/h didn't have a lot of interactions due to their stations in life (marquess and lady's maid). They avoid each other because they know it's wrong to be together. I didn't feel the sexual tension until the 60% mark when they couldn't hold back their passions any longer and proceeded to be 😏😏😏 Since they barely knew each other beyond their physical attraction, I didn't buy their love.
I felt that the hero's reason for not marrying for love was unoriginal and was just a plot device to cause the third-act breakup.
The hero's sisters are side characters and will get their own books.
There is a HEA but no epilogue since the last chapter ends on a cliffhanger, leading us into the next installment in the series.
March 26, 2023
Baron’s daughter turned lady’s maid Madeline Atwater longs to attend a grand ball just once. She borrows her employer’s cast-off dress and sneaks downstairs, where she meets and dances with Justin Whitmoreland, Marquess of Whitmore. When Madeline is fired, Justin’s sister quickly hires her. The very last place Justin expects his mystery woman to turn up is under his own roof!
This is the second book in the Whitmorelands series. The book begins before the events of book one, and jumps to after. This story stands alone fairly well, but book one’s couple and the rest of family show up.
I lapped this book up like melting ice cream. It was sweet, addictive, and an easy read. I liked the main characters and the story had a similar vibe to An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn (Sophie and Benedict).
Tropes: Working Heroine, Class Difference,
Disguised Character/Masquerade, Forced Proximity, Rags-to-Riches-ish
Steam: 1.5 (one full scene and one short scene)
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
This is the second book in the Whitmorelands series. The book begins before the events of book one, and jumps to after. This story stands alone fairly well, but book one’s couple and the rest of family show up.
I lapped this book up like melting ice cream. It was sweet, addictive, and an easy read. I liked the main characters and the story had a similar vibe to An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn (Sophie and Benedict).
Tropes: Working Heroine, Class Difference,
Disguised Character/Masquerade, Forced Proximity, Rags-to-Riches-ish
Steam: 1.5 (one full scene and one short scene)
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
December 31, 2023
I usually don't like romances involving a hero loving someone of a lower class but this one was done really well. Angsty and good. 4.5 stars.
April 25, 2023
4.5-5 Stars! Valerie Bowman absolutely killed it with this book! This is the second book in ‘The Whitmorelands’ series & can be read as a standalone. This book follows the Marquess of Whitmore, Lord Justin Whitmoreland and Miss Madeline Atwood. Both were wonderful characters that I easily fell in love with. Justin has it in his head that he can’t marry for love and Maddie is a firm believer of marrying for nothing BUT love. Flirtations ensue. Meddling sisters meddle, like any good sister would! All wrapped up with a HEA ending! I definitely recommend this book, it was interesting and enjoyable. I really can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*
May 23, 2023
This is my 27th book by Valerie Bowman. I've been reading her since 2017. I love her writing. Her books are quick reads for me but are well written.
I loved Madeline and Justin. Such a cute read. I loved how they met. I loved their story and their characters. Really good!!!
I loved Madeline and Justin. Such a cute read. I loved how they met. I loved their story and their characters. Really good!!!
April 26, 2023
This is a lovely quick read with a romantic fairytale theme. Madeline is a lady who has fallen on hard times. Justin is the sought after bachelor Marquess. One meeting turns into a longing that will not be denied. With meddlesome sisters getting into the mix to help the achieve their happy ending. A warm and delightful book to read.
February 24, 2024
A very lovely story about Madeline, a ladies maid. She just wanted to dress up and dance, and so she did - borrowing her mistresses cast off dress. She meets Lord Justin and he dances with Madeline.
I loved it. Though there is so much more of this story. A very happy ending. 5☆
I loved it. Though there is so much more of this story. A very happy ending. 5☆
June 5, 2023
I freaking loved this story. Justin & Maddie’s story was sweet, romantic, & more romantic. ♥️♥️♥️ I love Justin’s family & can’t wait for the next two books. I think they’re going to be fun ones.
August 10, 2024
Heroine: Madeline Atwood, 21-22. Nickname: Maddie. Daughter of a baron now working as a lady’s maid to support her sister.
Hero: Justin Westmoreland, 30-31. Marquess of Westmore.
Date: 1814-1815
How they meet: Maddie dresses up in one of her employer’s castoff gowns and sneaks down to attend a ball. She is gathering up the courage to enter the ballroom when Justin ducks into the nearby room she is in. They have a brief conversation and part ways, but later when a man tries to force Maddie to dance, he comes to her rescue.
What happens: Justin and Maddie aren’t able to forget each other, so a year later Justin attends the same ball hoping to find Maddie again. She once again decides to sneak into the ball. Unfortunately for her, she loses a diamond earring. Justin finds it and hopes it will be the key to tracking down her identity,
Verdict: This is a cute Cinderella-like story. The reader is privy to a lot of the hero’s and heroine’s inner dialogues. Although both had some traumatic events in their youth (in his case, a neglectful father who hurt his mother and in her case, the untimely death of her parents and being left at the mercy of a vile guardian), there isn’t much exploration of the emotional impact of those events. In the typical style for this author, the story is kept fairly light with a bit of humor mixed in. The heroine makes some risky choices, but after brief set-backs, things always end up working out for the better. This is the second in the series, but reads fine as a standalone.
Steam level: some steam and explicit
Rating: 4 stars
Hero: Justin Westmoreland, 30-31. Marquess of Westmore.
Date: 1814-1815
How they meet: Maddie dresses up in one of her employer’s castoff gowns and sneaks down to attend a ball. She is gathering up the courage to enter the ballroom when Justin ducks into the nearby room she is in. They have a brief conversation and part ways, but later when a man tries to force Maddie to dance, he comes to her rescue.
What happens: Justin and Maddie aren’t able to forget each other, so a year later Justin attends the same ball hoping to find Maddie again. She once again decides to sneak into the ball. Unfortunately for her, she loses a diamond earring. Justin finds it and hopes it will be the key to tracking down her identity,
Verdict: This is a cute Cinderella-like story. The reader is privy to a lot of the hero’s and heroine’s inner dialogues. Although both had some traumatic events in their youth (in his case, a neglectful father who hurt his mother and in her case, the untimely death of her parents and being left at the mercy of a vile guardian), there isn’t much exploration of the emotional impact of those events. In the typical style for this author, the story is kept fairly light with a bit of humor mixed in. The heroine makes some risky choices, but after brief set-backs, things always end up working out for the better. This is the second in the series, but reads fine as a standalone.
Steam level: some steam and explicit
Rating: 4 stars
April 23, 2023
A dutiful lady’s maid, Madeline Atwood harbours a secret dream. Just once, she’d like to be the one who attends the grand party and tonight could be her chance. All she needs to do is borrow her mistress’s cast-off dress and sneak downstairs during the Twelfth Night Ball. Justin Whitmoreland, Marquis of Whitmore, is a confirmed bachelor but after sharing one dance with a mystery woman, he finds himself looking for her around every street corner and in every ballroom. Then a year later at the Twelfth Night Ball he sees her again. When Madeline is sacked from her job, Justin’s meddling sister Eliza hires her as her new lady’s maid. Justin would have to be the worst kind of scoundrel to trifle with a woman in his employ, and Madeline believes she has zero chance of capturing a marquis’s heart…so why is it so difficult for them to resist stealing private moments together?
The second book in this delightful series & the author ticked all the boxes. Wonderful characters, a good paced story, sizzling chemistry & it made me cry. I loved both Justin & Madeline, he’s the handsome bachelor who thinks love isn’t for him, she’s the baron’s daughter who refuses to marry for anything but love so finds herself having to work for a living. I loved the chemistry between the couple, which just grew & grew. Justin’s sisters are a delight & knew how to give him the wake up call he needed. His grovelling was lovely & yes I shed a tear plus the final sentences gave the lead into the next book. I loved every part of this enthralling book
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The second book in this delightful series & the author ticked all the boxes. Wonderful characters, a good paced story, sizzling chemistry & it made me cry. I loved both Justin & Madeline, he’s the handsome bachelor who thinks love isn’t for him, she’s the baron’s daughter who refuses to marry for anything but love so finds herself having to work for a living. I loved the chemistry between the couple, which just grew & grew. Justin’s sisters are a delight & knew how to give him the wake up call he needed. His grovelling was lovely & yes I shed a tear plus the final sentences gave the lead into the next book. I loved every part of this enthralling book
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
May 1, 2023
This is the best book to lose oneself in-a great escape! Very likable characters..Madeline was a woman of the ton who had fallen on hard times, forced to take a position of a ladies made Justin is a Marquees who falls in love with her. But getting them to the ending of marriage is where the story and their characters come to life. A very charming feel good book! I highly recommend your reading it. I can’t wait to read the next one!
May 1, 2023
I received an advanced reader’s copy of The Marquess Move by Valerie Bowman.
I really liked the main characters in this story. Justin was likable even when his beliefs about himself led him to take actions that he believed were the right ones to take but weren’t. Madeline was resilient and faced situations as they came up.
Valerie Bowman has a lovely writing voice that makes it easy to get engaged in a story and its characters.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
I really liked the main characters in this story. Justin was likable even when his beliefs about himself led him to take actions that he believed were the right ones to take but weren’t. Madeline was resilient and faced situations as they came up.
Valerie Bowman has a lovely writing voice that makes it easy to get engaged in a story and its characters.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
June 13, 2023
I won this book in a giveaway and I enjoyed the ride. While the writing is strong, I really had a hard time accepting the set up which kept me from being all in for the romance.
It felt a little too modern/American that everyone in the aristocratic Westmoreland family to be so accepting of a maid stealing her mistress’ clothes and jewels and wearing them to a ball because she had a “dream”. It just didn’t ring true.
That said, if you can stomach that set up, the storytelling and chemistry with the characters was good and I liked the characters in the rest of the family. I’ll still be continuing the series since the twins both intrigue me. 3.5 stars for the family and the chemistry but 1.5 stars off for the set up.
It felt a little too modern/American that everyone in the aristocratic Westmoreland family to be so accepting of a maid stealing her mistress’ clothes and jewels and wearing them to a ball because she had a “dream”. It just didn’t ring true.
That said, if you can stomach that set up, the storytelling and chemistry with the characters was good and I liked the characters in the rest of the family. I’ll still be continuing the series since the twins both intrigue me. 3.5 stars for the family and the chemistry but 1.5 stars off for the set up.
April 25, 2023
The Marquess Move is a phenomenal historical romance by Valerie Bowman. Ms. Bowman once again provided readers with a well-written book that is impossible to put down once you start reading. The characters in this book are fun and lovable. Madeline would have been having a season of her own, but her father's death put an end to that dream. Now she just wanted to earn enough money to ensure her sister gets the season she didn't have. Justin is a bit of a rake and not ready to settle down with a wife. Madeline and Justin's story is loaded with drama, humor and sexy bits. I enjoyed reading The Marquess Move and look forward to reading more from Valerie Bowman in the future. The Marquess Move is book 2 of The Whitmorelands Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliffhanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 26, 2023
Exactly the vibrant breath of fresh regency air I needed! The book is a delightful retelling of the Cinderella story, with a baron’s daughter losing her home after her parents’ deaths when her father’s plans for protection by his successor were foiled by his predeceasing the baron. The barony then went into the hands of a vile manipulator who demanded she wed him as obligated by her wardship. Instead she moves her young sister to a safer abode and takes a position in London as a maid and dreams of attending a ball where she meets a handsome prince of a man. There is even a fairy ‘godmother’ in the form of her love interest’s sisters! A brisk and entertaining read by a talented author. I received an ARC and this is my honest review. I was craving a lighthearted romp of the regency sort after slogging through several more serious reads and couldn’t have asked for a better one!
March 13, 2023
The Marquess Move (The Whitmorelands #2) by Valerie Bowman
This is the second book in this series, and I can't wait to read them all. This is the story of Lord Justin Whitmoreland, Marquess of Whitmore, and a dutiful lady’s maid, Miss Madeline Atwood. She has fallen on hard times after her father's death, he is afraid he will be like his father and has vowed to never marry for love. He has a wonderful mother and three caring sisters. There is angst, hard times, desires, some laughs and tears, mean people, and plenty of steam to get to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Witty Tear-jerker Informative Wonderful Characters Tragic Page-turner Entertaining Happily Ever After Romantic Steamy Easy-to-read Unpredictable Great world building.
This is the second book in this series, and I can't wait to read them all. This is the story of Lord Justin Whitmoreland, Marquess of Whitmore, and a dutiful lady’s maid, Miss Madeline Atwood. She has fallen on hard times after her father's death, he is afraid he will be like his father and has vowed to never marry for love. He has a wonderful mother and three caring sisters. There is angst, hard times, desires, some laughs and tears, mean people, and plenty of steam to get to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Witty Tear-jerker Informative Wonderful Characters Tragic Page-turner Entertaining Happily Ever After Romantic Steamy Easy-to-read Unpredictable Great world building.
March 25, 2023
When Madeline Atwood's father who was a Baron passed away, she became a lady's maid to care for her sister. All she wanted was one night to go to a ball. She borrowed clothes from her employer and while getting up the courage to go to the ball was in the study. Justin Whitmoreland, the Marquess of Whitmore happens upon her in the study and dances with her.
Maddie gets fired when her employer finds out that she borrowed her clothes and is hired by Justin's sister as her maid.
Maddie has vowed never to marry except for love. Justin doesn't believe in love since his father cheated on his mother. Justin and his family have no idea she is a Baron's daughter.
This is a fabulous twist on a Cinderella story. Ms. Bowman has written another 5-star read.
Maddie gets fired when her employer finds out that she borrowed her clothes and is hired by Justin's sister as her maid.
Maddie has vowed never to marry except for love. Justin doesn't believe in love since his father cheated on his mother. Justin and his family have no idea she is a Baron's daughter.
This is a fabulous twist on a Cinderella story. Ms. Bowman has written another 5-star read.
April 30, 2023
* I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from a Goodreads giveaway. *
I really enjoyed this sweet romance. My favorite story growing up was Cinderella, so I loved the fairy tale vibes from this book. The main characters had some fun banter and steamy moments together. My favorite characters are the sisters trio. They are a powerhouse you'd love to have in your corner. The ending was very satisfying with a comeuppance and a little teaser. After that teaser I can't wait to see what happened with Jessica. Overall I thought this was a lovely read.
I really enjoyed this sweet romance. My favorite story growing up was Cinderella, so I loved the fairy tale vibes from this book. The main characters had some fun banter and steamy moments together. My favorite characters are the sisters trio. They are a powerhouse you'd love to have in your corner. The ending was very satisfying with a comeuppance and a little teaser. After that teaser I can't wait to see what happened with Jessica. Overall I thought this was a lovely read.
April 26, 2023
The Marquess Move by Valerie Bowman is book Two in The Whitmorelands Series. This is the story of Justin Whitmoreland, the Marquess of Whitmore and Madeline Atwood. After the death of her father she chooses the path of a Ladies Maid. This has lead her to wish that she had a debut and even sneaks down to see which leads her to meet Justin. They share a special moment but she disappears leaving them both wonder about each other a year later. This starts their wonderful story.
March 14, 2023
Maddie was the daughter of the baron who's life turned to hell when her parents died and all she wanted to go to the ball with a handsome man and dance.I loved this story of Maddie and Justin it was great to read about their love story. Overall the book was great . I was chosen as an ARC for the author and write a review.
April 27, 2023
A steamy story. I really liked this story. A gentlewoman due to circumstances is now a ladies maid for a not very nice lady, and she meets a Marquis and there is a lot of attraction. I enjoyed the light humour and interactions between the Marquis’s family. An enjoyable pleasant read.
March 13, 2023
When her father died all of Maddie’s dreams fall apart. It forces her to become a ladies maid. Her brave curiosity and a few bumps a long the way turn her life around.
March 26, 2023
Another entrancing tale from the Whitmoreland family. I loved every word and am looking forward to Jessa's story.
April 25, 2023
I love it, it's simply delightful and I can't wait for the next one
April 10, 2023
4.5 stars, rounded up.
When her father dies Madeline Atwood has two choices to fulfill her promise to him to always care for her younger sister Molly, the first is to marry her vile cousin and the second is to go into service, and she chooses the latter. She becomes a lady's maid to Lady Henrietta Hazelton. She tries to be content with her lot, but on the night of the Hazelton’s annual Twelfth Night Ball arrive, she can’t help but think of all she has lost and decides to sneak into the ball just to have a taste of what she is missing. But instead of the ballroom, she ducks into a drawing room and meets a handsome man, and shares a dance with him before running back to her room berating herself for her reckless behavior. Fast forward a year, and she hasn’t stopped thinking of her handsome stranger and even though doing so is a risk, she borrows another gown from her employer’s wardrobe as well as a pair of diamond earrings and returns to the place where she met him last year. To her shock and surprise, he is there again and this time they share a kiss before she runs off, but this year her luck runs out and she is fired when her employer finds out. But fate has plans for her and she finds herself employed by the sister of her mystery man!
Justin Whitmoreland, the Marquess of Whitmore only attended the Hazelton’s ball to help his brother-in-law, he never expected to meet a beautiful and mysterious stranger while hiding from desperate debutantes with marriage on the brain! That meeting is the reason he has returned to the ball this year and when he finds her again he is elated, but when she takes off again after a mind-altering kiss, he tries to find her and then decides it is probably for the best, as he isn’t ready to marry and doesn’t want a love match anyway. But when his efforts to find her end with her employed in his household as his sister’s lady’s maid – he knows he is in trouble. Because as hard as they try to behave, sparks fly when they are together and Justin believes that it can only end in heartbreak, fortunately for this star-crossed couple, his sisters think otherwise.
Based on the blurb, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book and I was worried it might be angsty or even creepy – but thankfully, I couldn’t have been more wrong! Madeline and Justin share an intense chemistry, yet for different reasons, they both believed that love was not for them. The result of their erroneous beliefs was a charming story filled with wonderful characters, steamyish love scenes, forbidden attraction, secrets, a hero who needed a wakeup call (and got it), blackmail, a nasty debutante that gets her comeuppance, sisters who know better, expert level groveling, and a HEA with an ending that nicely sets up the next book. This is the second book in the series, and it could be read as a standalone title, but I would recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
When her father dies Madeline Atwood has two choices to fulfill her promise to him to always care for her younger sister Molly, the first is to marry her vile cousin and the second is to go into service, and she chooses the latter. She becomes a lady's maid to Lady Henrietta Hazelton. She tries to be content with her lot, but on the night of the Hazelton’s annual Twelfth Night Ball arrive, she can’t help but think of all she has lost and decides to sneak into the ball just to have a taste of what she is missing. But instead of the ballroom, she ducks into a drawing room and meets a handsome man, and shares a dance with him before running back to her room berating herself for her reckless behavior. Fast forward a year, and she hasn’t stopped thinking of her handsome stranger and even though doing so is a risk, she borrows another gown from her employer’s wardrobe as well as a pair of diamond earrings and returns to the place where she met him last year. To her shock and surprise, he is there again and this time they share a kiss before she runs off, but this year her luck runs out and she is fired when her employer finds out. But fate has plans for her and she finds herself employed by the sister of her mystery man!
Justin Whitmoreland, the Marquess of Whitmore only attended the Hazelton’s ball to help his brother-in-law, he never expected to meet a beautiful and mysterious stranger while hiding from desperate debutantes with marriage on the brain! That meeting is the reason he has returned to the ball this year and when he finds her again he is elated, but when she takes off again after a mind-altering kiss, he tries to find her and then decides it is probably for the best, as he isn’t ready to marry and doesn’t want a love match anyway. But when his efforts to find her end with her employed in his household as his sister’s lady’s maid – he knows he is in trouble. Because as hard as they try to behave, sparks fly when they are together and Justin believes that it can only end in heartbreak, fortunately for this star-crossed couple, his sisters think otherwise.
Based on the blurb, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book and I was worried it might be angsty or even creepy – but thankfully, I couldn’t have been more wrong! Madeline and Justin share an intense chemistry, yet for different reasons, they both believed that love was not for them. The result of their erroneous beliefs was a charming story filled with wonderful characters, steamyish love scenes, forbidden attraction, secrets, a hero who needed a wakeup call (and got it), blackmail, a nasty debutante that gets her comeuppance, sisters who know better, expert level groveling, and a HEA with an ending that nicely sets up the next book. This is the second book in the series, and it could be read as a standalone title, but I would recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
January 21, 2024
3rd person — audiobook
Features: historical romance, boss and employee romance, fairytale vibe romance (Cinderella), class difference
Synopsis: Madeline borrowed a gown and jewelry for a 12th Night ball so she could have a little fun after working for 3 years as a lady’s maid. Justin finds her alone in a room hiding away, assuming she is a debutante. He is fascinated by her charm and she feels the same. Their first encounter is short but a year later Justin is still looking for her at every ball only to find her again for the annual 12th night ball. Somehow, they can’t forget each other.
Thoughts: This seemingly Cinderella-inspired story reminded me of An Offer from A Gentlemen by Julia Quinn, only this was better. However, the ending felt too convenient. But it is a novella so there is only so much that can be said. I wish that Justin realized his feeling before learning about her true background. I wanted more groveling from him. Also would have liked for Sebastian to have more involvement as a best friend and less of the sisters. Still good overall.
Favorite Moments
- London 12th night, 1814. Earl of Hazelton's townhouse
- Madeline has stolen ballgown and slippers.
- Justin there to help Sebastian, who was still estranged.
- Justin interested in Maddy after encounter in drawing room.
- Justin comes to aid and asked her to dance
- She told him her Christian name
- He found her again, in a pink dress this time
- She kissed him and left 😆
- Reunited, Madeline hired
- Reasons Elizabeth wanted to hire Madeline
- hehe Justin staying home for her
- hehe touring the 2nd floor
- hears her humming 🤗
- oop! She admitted her attraction to him
- "to make my dreams come true" -- her, she's Cinderella
- he offered to kiss her again 😆
- Elizabeth admitting to knowing
- Madeline sharing what she wanted
- Justin found Madeline playing piano
- He complimented and she responded in French 🤭
- Desk
- Elizabeth gets Mom to talk about Madeline's family. He realized
- Sisters help her get ready for ball so she can go with Justin
- Silver slippers that look like glass
- Got her lilacs
- Proposal
- Haha Jessica slapped the most eligible bachelor
Features: historical romance, boss and employee romance, fairytale vibe romance (Cinderella), class difference
Synopsis: Madeline borrowed a gown and jewelry for a 12th Night ball so she could have a little fun after working for 3 years as a lady’s maid. Justin finds her alone in a room hiding away, assuming she is a debutante. He is fascinated by her charm and she feels the same. Their first encounter is short but a year later Justin is still looking for her at every ball only to find her again for the annual 12th night ball. Somehow, they can’t forget each other.
Thoughts: This seemingly Cinderella-inspired story reminded me of An Offer from A Gentlemen by Julia Quinn, only this was better. However, the ending felt too convenient. But it is a novella so there is only so much that can be said. I wish that Justin realized his feeling before learning about her true background. I wanted more groveling from him. Also would have liked for Sebastian to have more involvement as a best friend and less of the sisters. Still good overall.
Favorite Moments
- London 12th night, 1814. Earl of Hazelton's townhouse
- Madeline has stolen ballgown and slippers.
- Justin there to help Sebastian, who was still estranged.
- Justin interested in Maddy after encounter in drawing room.
- Justin comes to aid and asked her to dance
- She told him her Christian name
- He found her again, in a pink dress this time
- She kissed him and left 😆
- Reunited, Madeline hired
- Reasons Elizabeth wanted to hire Madeline
- hehe Justin staying home for her
- hehe touring the 2nd floor
- hears her humming 🤗
- oop! She admitted her attraction to him
- "to make my dreams come true" -- her, she's Cinderella
- he offered to kiss her again 😆
- Elizabeth admitting to knowing
- Madeline sharing what she wanted
- Justin found Madeline playing piano
- He complimented and she responded in French 🤭
- Desk
- Elizabeth gets Mom to talk about Madeline's family. He realized
- Sisters help her get ready for ball so she can go with Justin
- Silver slippers that look like glass
- Got her lilacs
- Proposal
- Haha Jessica slapped the most eligible bachelor
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2023
I was thrilled to read The Marquess Move, Valerie Bowman’s second book in The Whitmoreland Series. This is a well-written, witty, romantic story based on class differences with a bit of Cinderella thrown in for good measure. Ms. Bowman does a masterful job of immersing the reader in the characters’ lives; she makes it incredibly easy to imagine the ballrooms, beautiful gowns, the music, and the character feelings.
Madeline Atwood wants to marry for love, or not marry at all. She works as a maid due to unfortunate life events and her dream is to one day dance at a ball with the most handsome man. One night she sees an opportunity and takes a chance. Afterward, she cannot get the man out of her mind.
Lord Justin Whitmoreland, Marquess of Whitmore, believes he is just like his father – a man incapable of marrying for love. He is attracted to the beautiful lady he danced with at the ball, even though it was in the study, and cannot get her out of his mind. Then she is hired as his sister’s maid! The attraction and chemistry continue to grow from their first encounter.
The internal angst Justin and Madeline experience is palpable. Justin is torn between his role as head of the family and his attraction to a woman in service to his sister. Maddie is pulled between providing for her younger sister and following her heart. Such dilemmas!!
This book has everything you are looking for in a romance! Wonderful character development, loving supportive sisters who aren’t afraid of meddling when needed, a conniving young lady, humor, spicy chemistry, and a bit of groveling. I wish there had been an epilogue as I love seeing the characters in the future. But that is just me. However, there is a quick teaser for book three. Now I can’t wait to read Jessica’s story! Thank you to Ms. Bowman and Goodreads for my copy of the book. I happily read the book all opinions are my own.
Madeline Atwood wants to marry for love, or not marry at all. She works as a maid due to unfortunate life events and her dream is to one day dance at a ball with the most handsome man. One night she sees an opportunity and takes a chance. Afterward, she cannot get the man out of her mind.
Lord Justin Whitmoreland, Marquess of Whitmore, believes he is just like his father – a man incapable of marrying for love. He is attracted to the beautiful lady he danced with at the ball, even though it was in the study, and cannot get her out of his mind. Then she is hired as his sister’s maid! The attraction and chemistry continue to grow from their first encounter.
The internal angst Justin and Madeline experience is palpable. Justin is torn between his role as head of the family and his attraction to a woman in service to his sister. Maddie is pulled between providing for her younger sister and following her heart. Such dilemmas!!
This book has everything you are looking for in a romance! Wonderful character development, loving supportive sisters who aren’t afraid of meddling when needed, a conniving young lady, humor, spicy chemistry, and a bit of groveling. I wish there had been an epilogue as I love seeing the characters in the future. But that is just me. However, there is a quick teaser for book three. Now I can’t wait to read Jessica’s story! Thank you to Ms. Bowman and Goodreads for my copy of the book. I happily read the book all opinions are my own.
May 17, 2023
This is a chemistry filled Cinderella story. It was a delight to see the happily ever after when it seemed Madeline Atwater was doomed to never finding a place to belong. This is also a book of finally seeing one's worth. This and the previous book in the series both had to have family come to the main character and get them to see who they really are instead of how they've expected themselves to be by their parent's example. I enjoyed the explosive chemistry between Madeline and Justin. They absolutely couldn't keep their hands off each other the draw was so intense. I can't wait to see how Jessica's story unfolds next.
Madeline Atwater is a ladies maid who is the orphaned daughter of a Baron. She came to London to work so she could bring her little sister Molly to London and give her a season that Madeline didn't get. Unfortunately she's employed by a cruel mistress and cunning, Lady Henrietta Hazelton. She knows Maddie's background but keeps her underpaid and threatens to tell her secret background. When Maddie dresses in one of her mistress's cast off dresses and sneaks into the Twelfth Night's Ball she meets Lord Justin Whitmoreland, the Marquess of Whitmore. He stumbles on her in a sitting room while she was getting up enough nerve to go out and dance one dance. He finds himself enchanted and gives her her dance. When Maddie is almost discovered by her mistress, she runs back upstairs.
Justin Whitmoreland lives the life his father expected of him, gambling, loose women and keeping the estate in good working order. He decides after his father's horrible example to only marry a woman after his title, no love involved. His father broke his mother's heart leaving her at the country estate while he went off to London to gamble and spend time with his mistress's. When he meets Maddie he can't forget her and looks for her at every event the following year. He finds her once again in the sitting room at the same Thornbury's 12th Night Ball. When she runs off again he follows her up the servants stairs. Maddie drops one of her borrowed diamond earrings. Justin finds it and goes to Henrietta to discover who his mystery lady is. Unfortunately it causes Maddie to be sacked immediately. Justin's sister Elizabeth figures out what's happened and immediately hires Maddie to be her maid. That brings Maddie and Justin under the same roof and the expected happens. I loved watching these two fall in love. The best part is when Justin's sister Veronica (from the first book) has a blunt conversation with him getting him to see himself as he truly is...Not a copy of their father, but as a kind and caring man.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Madeline Atwater is a ladies maid who is the orphaned daughter of a Baron. She came to London to work so she could bring her little sister Molly to London and give her a season that Madeline didn't get. Unfortunately she's employed by a cruel mistress and cunning, Lady Henrietta Hazelton. She knows Maddie's background but keeps her underpaid and threatens to tell her secret background. When Maddie dresses in one of her mistress's cast off dresses and sneaks into the Twelfth Night's Ball she meets Lord Justin Whitmoreland, the Marquess of Whitmore. He stumbles on her in a sitting room while she was getting up enough nerve to go out and dance one dance. He finds himself enchanted and gives her her dance. When Maddie is almost discovered by her mistress, she runs back upstairs.
Justin Whitmoreland lives the life his father expected of him, gambling, loose women and keeping the estate in good working order. He decides after his father's horrible example to only marry a woman after his title, no love involved. His father broke his mother's heart leaving her at the country estate while he went off to London to gamble and spend time with his mistress's. When he meets Maddie he can't forget her and looks for her at every event the following year. He finds her once again in the sitting room at the same Thornbury's 12th Night Ball. When she runs off again he follows her up the servants stairs. Maddie drops one of her borrowed diamond earrings. Justin finds it and goes to Henrietta to discover who his mystery lady is. Unfortunately it causes Maddie to be sacked immediately. Justin's sister Elizabeth figures out what's happened and immediately hires Maddie to be her maid. That brings Maddie and Justin under the same roof and the expected happens. I loved watching these two fall in love. The best part is when Justin's sister Veronica (from the first book) has a blunt conversation with him getting him to see himself as he truly is...Not a copy of their father, but as a kind and caring man.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 13, 2023
An adorable take on Cinderella, The Marquess Move hits all the right notes for an enjoyable, steamy, and romantic story. Madeline Atwood falls on hard times after her father, a baron, dies. She needs to provide for her younger sister, and instead of a sacrificing herself and marrying a vile cousin, she takes a job as a lady’s maid for a shrewish young woman. Madeline dreams big and one night during a ball she borrows her employer’s gown and heads down to the festivities, hoping to dance one dance with a handsome man.
Brilliant opening scenes that introduce the scorching chemistry between Madeline and Justin Whitmoreland, the Marquess of Whitmore, neither knowing the other’s identity nor their place in society. A year passes, they can’t stop thinking about the mysterious person they met at the ball, and a year later Madeline takes up the same ruse. Justin hopes to meet his mystery lady again, and sparks fly once more. Madeline’s subterfuge is found out and she is sacked. With some scheming by Justin’s wonderful and meddling sister, Madeline finds herself now employed in Justin’s household.
And of course, they can’t keep away from each other, no matter how hard they fight temptation, temptation wins.
But Madeline believes in love, while Justin thinks the worst thing would be to marry for love (daddy issues). This being a romance, he comes around in a glorious, brought to his knees kind of way.
This is a well paced book that will have you cheering and laughing and believing in love.
This is the second book in The Whitmorelands series, and can be read as a stand alone, no cliffhangers. The action begins during the events of the first book, The Duke Deal. The Whitmorelands are shaping up to be a book family to remember, full of wonderful characters.
Brilliant opening scenes that introduce the scorching chemistry between Madeline and Justin Whitmoreland, the Marquess of Whitmore, neither knowing the other’s identity nor their place in society. A year passes, they can’t stop thinking about the mysterious person they met at the ball, and a year later Madeline takes up the same ruse. Justin hopes to meet his mystery lady again, and sparks fly once more. Madeline’s subterfuge is found out and she is sacked. With some scheming by Justin’s wonderful and meddling sister, Madeline finds herself now employed in Justin’s household.
And of course, they can’t keep away from each other, no matter how hard they fight temptation, temptation wins.
But Madeline believes in love, while Justin thinks the worst thing would be to marry for love (daddy issues). This being a romance, he comes around in a glorious, brought to his knees kind of way.
This is a well paced book that will have you cheering and laughing and believing in love.
This is the second book in The Whitmorelands series, and can be read as a stand alone, no cliffhangers. The action begins during the events of the first book, The Duke Deal. The Whitmorelands are shaping up to be a book family to remember, full of wonderful characters.
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