Ash Harrington’s life is out of control.At twenty-three years old, he’s suddenly the head of a multibillion dollar global corporation he is in no way equipped to run. His father is dying. His mother’s run away. He’s spent his entire adult life playing fast and loose with his life and his loves, but when he’s dragged into a position of responsibility with the fate of the company on his shoulders, … shoulders, he goes spinning into freefall.
And Brand Forsythe is the only man to catch him.
Icy, detached, nearly twice Ash’s age, the massive monolith of a British valet is impossible to deal with and like no servant Ash has ever met. Domineering and controlling, Brand quickly puts Ash’s life in order.
And quickly takes Ash in hand.
Even if by day Ash has to project authority, leadership, and calm…by night he’s discovering the breathless pleasure of giving up control. The shivering thrill of surrendering to Brand. The sweet taboo of being submissive to the man in even the smallest things. Ash can’t quite understand why it feels so good to put himself in Brand Forsythe’s capable, commanding hands.
He only knows, as he faces the hardest decisions of his life…the only thing that can save him is the love of his cocky valet.
Author’s Note: If you’re reading this, you likely know why this book exists. Bask in the petty, my darlings. Bask.
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I loved the characters in this book, the dichotomy between them, the seme/uke feel to this story. An excellent read and well-drawn characters. Wish it was longer, but don’t most readers say that about all books that draw them in?
I know His Cocky Valet was written a bit on a whim, as a satirical response to an arrogant move by a romance author. Unplanned or not, this book had all the trademarks I’ve come to expect from this author- quick wit, vibrant characters, palpable emotion, and smooth writing. It’s why I never hesitate to grab his works, regardless of which pseudonym he’s writing under.
His Cocky Valet is a May-December romance between a young man who’s suddenly thrust into the CEO role of his father’s business empire and the man he hires as a valet to help him attend to his new duties. I loved the juxtaposition of Ash’s immaturity to Brand’s seasoned experience. The connection between them was always a palpable live-wire, and though it progressed quickly, the relationship never lacked in development or complexity like some insta-love romances. Both characters grew over the course of the book, but I especially appreciated Ash’s transformation because it felt real- not an overnight change, but rather a steady growing confidence in his abilities without losing that spark of youthful impulsivity. What I loved most though was how clearly the emotions came through in His Cocky Valet. Whether it was regarding the romance, Ash’s father, Brand’s past, or the business, I never questioned what drove the characters. Nothing in this book is done without consideration, all the moments matter and contribute to progressing the story, developing the characters, and deepening the romance.
His Cocky Valet is definitely worth the download and one I’ll happily reread. I’m not sure what the plans are for the Undue Arrogance series, but I’ll certainly be first in line to read them. If you love a story with an interesting relationship dynamic and well developed emotions, this one’s for you.
When I heard this was written in response to the cocky debacle, I one clicked it instantly. It took me a while to get to it on my TBR but I’m so glad that I did. It’s now one of my favorite MM romances. I loved the tension and the chemistry. I loved the witty one liners and the super sexy steamy moments. It may have been written on a whim but it was a well thought out and plotted story that is a fun and entertaining read that is chock full of emotion.
Time of death…52%.
I just couldn’t anymore. This book had the potential to be wonderful. Brand could have been this savior figure for Ash, but he comes of as this almost terminator-like person, with the impossible ability to anticipate and meet every single need of the bratty and misguided Ash. Ash, meanwhile, barely even has his own personality and is so wrapped up in his fathers affairs that there’s no room for his to be anything else. So both of these characters fell flat for me.
At 51%, when Ash and Brand finally share some thing physical, Ash has spent the last 36 hours awake, is drunk and has just been picked up from a hook-ups house, even if Ash didn’t hook-up with him. What? Brand still has sex with him? That is very dubious. Ash even tells Brand it hurts and Brand just stays the course. Ash doesn’t say no, to be clear, but it wasn’t a sweet or intimate event at all. After that, I was done. I had zero connection to either character and I didn’t need to see the story though.
The two star rating is for some wonderful quotes I highlighted and those were the best part of this book for me.
Maybe this book is a win for you, but it wasn’t for me.
I thought the story very original. And I liked the main characters.
Loved this book!! Lighter reading than many of Coles book but a fun read.
This book melted me into a puddle of mush. Such an emotional, steamy read.
Loved the characters in this book! Sooo good!
5+++ Ghaawd I found me an author who I put directly on my top list!
A fantastic written roller coaster. Amazing way of putting light at issues and behavior.
I loved the dynamic between Ashton and Brand.
Brand sharp as a knife has to knead Ashton into his new job… running a billion dollar company.
Ashton swallowed by his new life needs a strong helping hand.
Written in a fast pace, it glued me to my chair, I was somewhat breathless …
Superior writing style.. I just love the way of observation and how this is put down in beautiful sentences. The hurt, the emotions, all the intense feelings.
The developing was just extremely well done. Developing an amazingly captivating story in a consuming bubble…. how is that possible… well it is! I loooved the strong bubble they were in.
At some point.. my heart… weeping… yearning… my breath just… stopped
Intimate and vulnerable… the urge… the need.
Powerful sentences which grabbed me by my heart
Addictive kind of writing I couldn’t get enough!! Intense to the bone!
When two streams are getting one there is a strong wave!! And oh my there was a wave <3
Kindly received an arc from the author.
- This story is a statement against the dumbest move ever in 'the land of writing'... a trademark to the extremely common English word #cocky by a certain author.
After that action that same author was bullying other authors with legal threats -
4.5*
I know Mr. McCade started out writing this book as basically an eff you to “she who shall not be named”, but unlike some other authors who were doing the same thing, but more in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way, he wrote a book that is heartfelt, emotional, and definitely worth the read.
The writing is beautiful and lyrical and it reminded me why I fell in love with his previous books.
I really enjoyed Ash’s journey and how much of a steady, good influence Brand was on him. Ash is such a compelling character. You really can’t help but feel for him, with everything he’s going through and dealing with, when it comes to his father and the family business. To have Brand right there by his side, leading and directing him, was the best thing that could have happened to him. Normally I’m not a fan of couples with such a large age gap as these 2 had, but there was just something special about Brand and Ash together that just worked for me.
Bravo Mr. McCade.