Let the games begin . . .Every fortune-hunting female in London is after the newly titled Earl of Kendall, but he’s intent on finding a wife whose heart is true. So, while drunkenly jesting with his friends in a pub one night, he has an idea—what if the ladies of the ton didn’t know he was a wealthy earl? All he has to do is pose as a servant at his friend’s summer country house party and make … country house party and make sure the guest list is full of beautiful, eligible debutantes. What could possibly go wrong?
May the best footman win.
Miss Frances Wharton is far more interested in fighting for the rights of the poor than in marriage, but her mother insists she attend a summer house party—and find herself a husband. Frances would rather wed a goat than the pompous man her mother has in mind, so in order to dissuade the would-be suitor, she vows to behave like a shrew. The only person she can be herself with is the kind, handsome footman she runs into at every turn. Their connection is undeniable, and the divide between them is no match for the passion they feel. But what will happen when Frances learns that the footman she adores is actually the earl she despises? In a game where everything is false, can they convince each other that their love is true?
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What an amazingly funny fantastic regency romp and romance thrown into one! The story’s premise seems unusual and original with laughable with almost discovered moments when the hero’s cover could be blown at any time. Ms. Bowman just knows how to tell an engaging tale from beginning to end which not only makes the book difficult to put down! Frances the plucky strong-minded heroine is kind, pleasant and quite refreshing. She treats everyone the same maybe because she doesn’t look at class and wishes for love. Lucas the quick thinking hero is also a great guy! Yes, he makes mistakes but his heart is in the right place. Lucas despite all his faults makes a good humorous book boyfriend who will keep you laughing with some of the antics he comes up. Plus he likes to role play who doesn’t love that? This is a great start to a new series and a wonderful read!
Thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable!
Valerie Bowman writes some of the best historical romances…. EVER! Wow, is she able to draw you in and keep your attention all throughout the story. I devoured this one! Page after page, with a smile on my face.
The Footman and I is such an original, fun, sweet read! I’m am absolutely ready for more of these clever, entertaining reads!
4 Stars!! This is the first book in the series and can be read as a standalone. This was a good book! I love the idea of these wealthy lords hiding in plain sight as servants! Frances was not really believable to me, especially for the era, but this author tends to make her female characters that way. It’s a bit slow going but I still really liked it! I really can’t wait to read the second book!!
*I received this book at no charge from the publisher and I voluntarily left a review.*
Wanting to be loved for himself and not his title turns into a bet among friends where they hide in plain sight as servants. I’m not the biggest fan of mistaken identity when it’s not an accident, but I did love the reason for this one. Not only was he getting to know her he was also learning about himself and how it is to be a servant.
Frances and Lucas can talk about politics and it’s clear there is a spark between them. When the truth came out about who he is and how bad her family wants her to marry I was holding my breath wondering how things would turn out. I did love the grand reveal to everyone and the ending.
Frances loves to discuss politics and she is determined to convince every lord not to vote for the upcoming employment bill and she won’t be held back by anyone. I wanted to love her, but her assuming what he was like and always needing to be right got on my nerves. I did love her reason for being against the bill though.
Lucas is super caring and loving and always wants to do what’s right. His heart was broken because of titles and now he fears it will happen again. I loved him from the start because he had good intentions and wasn’t like most men with titles.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review
This was an entertaining, well-written historical romance. Miss Frances Wharton attends a country house party with her mother and is trying to avoid the suitor her mother wants her to choose. She finds a rapport with a handsome footman who she keeps encountering. The Earl of Kendall is avoiding fortune-hunting women and attends his friend’s country house party disguised as a footman so he can see how the women behave when they don’t know he’s around. This book can be read as a standalone story, though it is the first in the Footmen’s Club series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books in this series as well as others by this author.
I am not a fan of this particular romance trope — the mistaken identity or, in this case, outright lie, is hard to overcome realistically. I am, however, a fan of Valerie Bowman so I was willing to give this a try and I am glad I did.
It is unusual to see a series of books centered around a group of male friends with this type of supportive relationship. Rather than a group of rogues, the group of men includes one who is already married plus the three around whom the series is based, only one of whom seems to be in the roguish category. Their camaraderie and concern for each other was enjoyable without turning them into a bunch of women.
I instantly fell into step with both the story and the characters. Lucas and Frances fit well together. The set-up for their conflict was clear and sincere from the beginning, not completely unsolvable so that the end was unbelievable, but severe enough that the characters needed to undergo significant growth in order to come together. It was also immediately clear how enjoyable it would be for them to be together. They had great chemistry that went far beyond basic sexual tension.
All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. A perfect afternoon getaway.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Footman and I by Valerie Bowman is the First book in The Footmen’s Club Series. This is the Frances Wharton and Lucas Drake the Earl of Kendall. Lucas has been away serving in the Royal Navy for most of his life but now has been newly appointed the title of the Earl of Kendall. When drinking with his friends who have been friends since school jokes about being a footman at Viscount Clayton’s house party to find a wife that isn’t after his money and title. Then of course this leads to the other friends saying that they will also go undercover as a Valet and a groomsman for their own personal reason. Lucas had a past issue that has set the tone for his lack of trust in women but will this be what he needs to find a good wife? Frances is a young women but she knows she doesn’t want to marry but instead focus on politics and helping the the poor. But sadly her mother isn’t seeing things that way. So she insist that Frances attend the Clayton house party to find a husband. Frances would like to attend the party to put her political views on the Employment Bill . But she also sets out to discourage any single men away from her by acting out of character. I so enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
The Footman And I is a fantastic historical romance by Valerie Bowman. Ms. Bowman has produced a well-written book. I love the characters and humor in this story. Frances has one goal while attending a house party, speak to as many lords as possible about voting against the Employment Bill. Lucas, Earl of Kendall, promised his brother he would see that the Employment Bill was passed. While waiting for Parliament to reconvene he’s decided to go wife hunting while undercover as a footman…with a side wager with his friends on who can stay undiscovered the longest. Frances and Lucas’s story is packed with drama, humor, spice and a bit of suspense. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from Valerie Bowman soon. The Footman And I is book 1 of The Footmen’s Club 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.
There were four friends. Worth, Bell, Clayton and Drake. Among them, only Viscount Clayton was married. And he wasn’t drunk.
While talking at the Curious Goat Inn, Lucas Drake, the Earl of Kendall, began to digress about the impossibility of finding a bride who likes him for himself, and not because of his title. And this lament was shared by the other unmarried friends.
From there, and because they were foxed, they decided to test a game that would put them in the middle of ladies being watched by them, without them knowing it. And what easier way to go unnoticed than by pretending to be a footman, groomsman and valet?
And may the best win…
Drake, in particular, had already had the experience of being replaced by another man with a better title, by Lady Emily Foswell. He definitely wanted a woman who really loved him.
So the three decided to disguise themselves by working at Clayton’s country party, and created The Footmen’s Club.
Lady Frances Wharton was beautiful and intelligent, but her dowry was not so high that she could be courted by better gentlemen. Her mother insisted that she marry Sir Reginald Francis, 40.
Yes, there was a problem with the name. How would she be known? Lady Frances Francis? Horrible!
But above all, Sir Francis was boring.
Lady Frances liked to talk about politics – something inadmissible for a young lady – and had clear ideas about the rights of poor people.
And it’s through this subject that she started to debate almost every day, alone in the library, with the footman Lucas, besides being able to escape from the company of Sir Francis.
Interest between them flourished.
Lucas Drake was an Earl, he knew that Frances did not have a fortune, but she really saw Drake, she was interested in him, even though she thought it was not possible to be together. After all, she had a responsibility to get a good marriage to help her family. Only political disagreement prevented them from being cohesive in everything.
Frances, in turn, found herself increasingly in love with the footman, which was a nightmare. Her mother didn’t let her forget the purpose of being there that week, but how could she resist the charms of that smart and polite footman?
At the same time, because of her political ideas, Lady Frances wanted to have the opportunity to speak with Lord Kendall, the owner of a law that could be unfair to the poor.
What was her surprise when she found out that her footman Lucas was the same Lord Kendal!!
But from then on, the heart was already filled with conflicting and strong feelings.
Drake had a promise made to his brother to keep, which clashed with the new love of his life. Frances had family to help and even though she found out that she actually fell in love with an Earl, he had deceived her.
How to resolve this situation and still have the happiness of being together?
And it is in solving this equation that everything can be chaos… or eternal happiness …
Ahhh … But don’t forget. Worth and Bell are also on the hunt for their ladies. What problem will they face?
Read and have fun.
5 stars
London – 1814
Lucas Drake, the fifth Earl of Kendall, age 29, spent many years in Her Majesty’s Royal Navy. Tonight, he is sitting in a bar with several of his friends and declares that he must find a wife. They have been close since their Eton days and all are wealthy, titled men. Lucas is dedicated to his country and is promoting the Employment Bill. He does not think he could ever trust a woman enough to marry as he experienced deep hurt in the past. It seems all young ladies want to marry a title and the money that goes with it. He has an idea that if he can get a job as a commoner, he might find someone who cares simply for him. Thus a plan is hatched and it’s to be called The Footman’s Club.
One friend, Viscount Clayton, is planning to have a house party and is inviting this season’s debutantes. Since Lucas avoids the season and its debutantes, none of them should recognize him. Therefore, he will be a footman at the party. Another friend joins to be a valet as he is flushing out a traitor and yet another friend decides to be a groomsman.
Miss Frances Wharton, age 18, has no real interest in marriage. She wants to see her sister have her dowry and enjoy marriage and a family. Frances is more interested in politics. For instance, she is totally against the newly proposed Employment Bill and hopes to talk to some people about it at the Clayton house party that her mother insists that she attend with her. Frances is so afraid that the odious and boring Sir Reginald Francis will be there. He is twice her age and her mother is intent on matching them up. Can you imagine? Frances Francis? Oh my! Her father has a love of gambling which has reduced the family’s coffers, thus her mother is pushing her to marry a man with money.
When Frances meets Lucas, the footman at the party, they end up having some discussions in the library as he is laying a fire. They both enjoy their talks and arrange to meet each morning. But when he is found to be an Earl and not a footman, she feels she was lied to and is furious. Oh dear. Now that Lucas realizes his love for her, has he lost her with his deception?
This was a sweet romance and found the plot to be quite unusual. I really like Lucas but wanted to give Frances a kick at the number of times she insisted that had LIED to her. That word did not fit the situation. I have enjoyed many of Valerie Bowman’s books and look forward to reading more.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I really enjoyed this story!! Frances and Lucas had great chemistry together. The story line was well written and a lot different than a lot of the regency romances. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat to see what is going to happen when the truth is revealed, and it does not disappoint. But luckily they work through it and find their HEA.
Received an advance copy from the author through BookFunnel.
The Footman and I (The Footmen’s Club, #1 by Valerie Bowman This is the first book in the new series . I enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the next to books. I laughed out loud…enjoyed all the interaction …so many feelings..and steam. I think you will enjoy this book.Thanks Valerie….