He’s posing as a groomsman.Rhys Sheffield, the Duke of Worthington, has bet his friends an ungodly sum of money that despite his loftiness, he can pass himself off as a servant at the house party of the Season. But when his clever ex-flame arrives and recognizes Rhys in the stables pretending to be a groomsman, she realizes it’s the perfect opportunity to pay him back for breaking off their … breaking off their engagement.
She’s the bride-to-be.
The lovely Lady Julianna Montgomery may be the only young woman at the house party who’s not in the market for a husband. She’s quite happily engaged to a marquess, thank you very much, and scarcely remembers the pain of being callously tossed over by the Duke of Worthington nearly two long years ago—till now.
All bets are off.
Rhys seems to be everywhere, flexing his muscles, laboring in the sun—and Julianna has never found him more appealing. With his signature charm, he persuades her to keep his secret. But when she learns he’s determined to win a bet of honor, she can’t resist playing a game of her own. She’ll spend the next fortnight tempting Rhys at every turn and making him lose his precious wager. Even if it means she must lose her heart in the process…
Valerie Bowman’s novels are:
“Intriguing [and] engaging.”—Publishers Weekly
“Too delightful to miss!”—Lisa Kleypas
“Sparkling…witty…engaging.” —RT Book Reviews
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Duke Looks Like a Groomsman” by Valerie Bowman is book Two in The Footmen’s Club Series. This is the story of Julianna Montgomery and Rhys Sheffield, the Duke of Worthington. I have read (and Loved) the previous book which did add to my enjoyment of this one with the past characters. But, with that said I do think you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Rhys and Julianna once were on the bring of moving their courtship forward but Rhys had to leave for an emergency and he didn’t come back to Julianna. There were several reason for this but one was the underlining issue with his past. This because of how he was raised by his father and of course Rhys seeing things himself. So he didn’t really trust his feeling nor Julianna. Julianna was moved forward to marry someone else by her family so now she is engaged but her heart never left Rhys. This becomes their second chance at love with this house party and Rhys pretending to be a Groomsman. I am a big fan of this author’s writing, so I do recommend this book and of course other by her.
This is the 2nd book in the Footmen’s Club Series, and I enjoyed it as much as I did the 1st book. This is a 2nd chance at love romance book. Julianna sees Rhys, a Duke after around 2 years at a house party where he is hiding and acting like a Groomsman because of a bet with his friends. I liked these two characters together. I enjoyed this book and would like to read the next in the series.
This is book two in the Footmen’s Club Trilogy series. I love this story line of three aristocrats (one Duke, one Earl, and one Marquess) who become servants at a country house party on a bet that no one will notice them. Each story is written individually about the one aristocrat’s experience at the same house party. In this story Rhys never expects to see the woman he let get away, Julianna, at the party. What a great second chance at love story! I was lucky enough to win this book through the author and The Romance Dish blog which reviews romance books.
VERY Entertaining!!
Valerie Bowman dazzles with this fun historical romance. I absolutely love and devour her books. Her words have you falling immediately and instantly. I read Duke Looks Like a Groomsman with a smile upon my face! It is so clever and enjoyable!
I absolutely adore this series and these characters, I can’t wait to dive into the next one!
During a drunken night, Rhys and his friends make bet about who can pass themselves off as a servant at a house party. He ends up in the stables as a groomsman. But his cover doesn’t last long when one of the first guests he encounters is a lady that he was once courting. While she agrees to keep his identity a secret, his former flame seems bend on revenge.
Julianna was heartbroken when Rhys disappears from town and then breaks off the relationship she thought would surely lead to an engagement. So when she discovers the Duke of Worthington in the stables and agrees to keep his secrets, she decides to have a little payback. But as she tries to get Rhys to give up and lose the bet, he surprises her at every turn by taking up all challenges she throws at him. While she is engaged to another, she soon realizes that her heart still belongs to Rhys.
Can these two find their way back to one another?
I really enjoyed Rhys and Julianna’s story! I really enjoyed the bantering between these two and how they both kept needling the other. I also loved watching Julianna throw one thing after another in front of Rhys and he just went with the flow. He was able to do and accomplish much more than even he thought he could.
I’m looking forward to the last book in the series, which stars the Marquess and Bellingham and the lady’s maid he keeps butting heads with!
London – 1814
Rhys Sheffield, the Duke of Worthington, is enjoying drinks with his good friends, Kendall, an Earl; Bell, a Marquess; and Clayton, a Viscount. Rhys has shocked his friends by declaring it is time to find a wife. These men have been friends since their days at Eton and are now all age 29, with Clayton the only one married. They dislike attending the soirees of the season as the debutantes seem to be looking for someone with a title to marry. These men want to be seen for themselves, not their money or title. Therefore, they decide to attend a house party that Clayton will host and dress as servants wearing powdered wigs. Most people tend to ignore servants and do not acknowledge the things that they do for them. Rhys feels that if he works as a commoner, he might find someone who cares simply for him. Thus a plan is hatched and it’s called The Footman’s Club.
Country Estate, Devon – 1814
Having received training from Clayton’s housekeeper, the 3 men are ready for their experiment. Rhys has decided to be a groomsman; Bell will be a valet; and Kendall will be a footman.
Julianna Montgomery, is in her third season. She is engaged to the Marquess of Murdock. She is attending Clayton’s house party along with her sister Mary and their mother. An avid horsewoman, Julianna goes out to ride Clayton’s Arabian horse and even though he is disguised, she recognizes Rhys right away. He had courted her some time back and just as she thought he was going to ask for her hand, he disappeared and she did not hear from him. At the time he thought she may be interested in him only for his title and money. She was crushed but today she is just furious with him.
As the story progresses, we see Rhys and Julianna spar with one another, yet they also seem to get along especially when he helps Ruth to learn to ride.
Their banter became boring for me. It was too much and it was like watching a tennis match. That was when I became frustrated with the book. It wasn’t until late in the book that Rhys shared his real reason for not contacting her and, quite frankly, I found it to be rather contrived. The concept of this book is good but I felt the banter could have been reduced significantly.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This was an entertaining, well-written book. Lady Julianna Montgomery, engaged to a marquess, is at a house party with her younger sister. Rhys Sheffield, the Duke of Worthington, is trying to win a bet with his friends that he will pass as a servant at the house party. Juliana recognizes him, since he is her ex-fiance, and agrees to keep his secret – while taking some revenge for his breaking their engagement. The characters were interesting and the book was hard to put down. This book can be read as a standalone story, though it is #2 in The Footmen’s Club series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one in this series as well as other books by this author.
Duke Looks Like A Groomsman is a fantastic historical romance by Valerie Bowman. Ms. Bowman has once again proved her writing abilities with this well-written book. The characters in this book are superb. I love them! Rhys, Duke of Worthington, has bet his friends that he can last longer masquerading as a groomsman than they can as house servants during a house party. Julianna recognizes Rhys as soon as she lays eyes on him, since he broke their engagement two years before. Rhys and Julianna’s story is packed with drama, humor, sizzle and misunderstandings. I enjoyed every page of this book and can’t wait for my next book by Valerie Bowman. Duke Looks Like A Groomsman is book 2 of The Footmen’s Club Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Can we go back to the story of the three friends who disguise themselves as servants because one of them wants to find a wife who truly falls in love with him?
Well, one of those friends, Rhys Sheffield, is the Duke of Worthington.
Rhys comes from a line of dukes who are proud of the title they carry, enjoy life to the fullest, get married much later and raise kids even later. But since Rhys was among trusted friends – and everyone was drunk (with the exception of the of Bellingham), he accepted the challenge of being a groomsman simply by betting (oh yes, the dukes of Worthington never reject a good bet).
However, Rhys did not expect that the presence of a lady could put his plan (to win the bet) to lose and, worse, make him fall in love.
It turns out that Lady Juliana Montgomery shouldn’t be at Viscount Clayton’s country party. She was no debutante. In fact, she had been courted by Rhys the previous season and all Ton swore that the two would announce their engagement. Mid-season, Rhys said goodbye to her and made her understand that they would have something more when he returned from travel.
Well, he just didn’t return… to her. And he also sent her a letter cutting off any chance of a future between them. She became frowned upon among the people, and started cursing Rhys as Detestable.
What had happened to make him change his mind about the idea of marrying Juliana?
But now, the two were facing each other in Clayton’s stable, and yes, she knew exactly who that groomsman was. And in order not to lose the bet, he manages to convince her not to report him. On the other hand, she would have a lot of fun making him work for her.
However, the unthinkable happens.
The Detestable proved to be an admirable, hardworking, patient man (especially with Juliana’s younger sister, who was terrified of riding), caring and paying attention to the smallest details about her.
Bang! She found herself in love with him … again!
It was no different for Rhys. Juliana was the only one who had made him think of marriage before, and now that they were living together and spending time together (and alone), he saw the urge to marry her back in his heart.
But… (and there is always a but), as Rhys had dismissed Juliana, she was now engaged with another man and couldn’t be more of him. Will we have a “happily ever after” here?
If I had liked the first book, this one managed to be even better.
Rhys surprises completely by making everyone believe, with his irresponsible and inveterate gambler way, not only that he was broke, but also that he would never be able to love. But, oh, what a beautiful surprise and what a beautiful male character.
A charming book.
Who’s the next?
5 stars
Valerie Bowman has another winner with Duke Looks Like a Groomsman! As soon as I finished this book, the second book in The Footman’s Club, I realized I now have to wait for the third and final book. This book brings us The Duke of Worthington’s (Rhys) and Lady Julianna Montgomery’s story. They had courted during a previous season but something happened and the Duke left the ton one day with no explanation as to why he didn’t return. Lady Julianna has since become engaged to another man. Rhys and Julianna meet again during her younger sister’s, Mary, season. He is posing as a Groomsman on his friend’s estate. Will he be able to convince Juliana to keep his secret, as to why he’s posing as a groomsman, and win the bet with his friends or will she expose him? Will she marry the Marquees, her intended husband. Will they rekindle their relationship or remain enemies? You’ll have to read an find out! I highly recommend this series. However, this book can be read on its own.
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion of the book.
This is the type of storyline that draws me to a book. Second chance is a favorite. The Footmen’s Club is a great idea and when you throw in an arrogant, smarmy Duke what could go wrong? Worth is amazing as the groomsman and he is perfect in his position. I was pulled into his story that we don’t know a lot about but when it comes to light I bet you will love him also. Juliana is his perfect foe. She tries her best to get him to break out of his role as a groomsman but she comes to see that he is really good at it. There are so many scenes that are fantastic. I was cheering for this couple and the ending is perfect! Bravo Valerie.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
This is an amazing Regency story told wonderfully! The book has humor witty heated banter and great drawn out characters all rolled into one. This might be the second in the trilogy but can be read alone with enough background without getting lost. There are definitely enough plot twists to keep the story going without getting bored. Julianna the wronged heroine is at first unlikable because of wanting to get revenge. Okay her reasons are valid but it also made it difficult to connect with her too. Of course as you got to know her and why she treats Rhys the way she does make sense. Eventually she is genial enough to tolerate. Rhys the bullheaded and somewhat selfish hero also grates on the nerves but does become engaging enough as the book progresses. He is not really an ideal book boyfriend but still is not so bad. Ms. Bowman writes a good charming tale that definitely will keep you intrigued from beginning to end!
One of the best things about this book is that it was released in such short order after the first book in the series. What a treat to not have to wait an eternity for more of the story.
If you read the first book, The Footman and I, you already know that Worth and Julianna are meant for each other. In the second book, you find out what went wrong in their original romance. The author draws out the reveal so I won’t give away any secrets, but it makes for a believable, interesting, and well-earned reunion.
I love both characters and how they grow not just during this story, but how the author is able to show their change since their original meeting. They are well matched, which provides for an entertaining romance.
My one frustration is the end. It was cut short, preventing the full HEA that the characters deserved and leaving a lot hanging in the air for the third book. I wish there had been another scene or a rearrangement of the order so the end was more satisfying.
The plot to the story sounds like a good one. I like the characters as well. I’m not able to connect my self with the characters though. The dialogue among the characters seems to not pull me into the story. It’s like a song and dance dialogue. I want to say they are going through the motions. It’s hard to connect to the book. It’s not believable. I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
Duke Looks Like a Groomsman (The Footmen’s Club, #2) by Valerie Bowman …. My goodness Valerie you hooked me from the beginning of this series and this book kept me on the edge of my seat. We have spies, deception, misunderstandings (lots of them), proud and hurt feelings, love, laughs and plenty of steam…all leading to a HEA…and more questions… I can’t wait for THE VALET WHO LOVED ME (book 3)
Really enjoyed Rhys and Julianna’s story, had lots of drama and chemistry between them. This story makes you laugh at some of the stuff they do. It was wonderful watching them find each other again, work through the issues they had and find their HEA. Can’t wait for Bell’s story.
Received an advance copy through BookFunnel.