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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Ooh – it’s my favourite trope!
I love a hero or heroine in disguise and all the shenanigans that brings.
This story is going straight into my ‘must read’ pile.
Overall:
Plot/Storyline:
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Emotional Depth:
Tension:
Romance:
Sensuality:
Intimate Scene Length:
Steam Scale (Number of Scenes):
Humor: Yes, just a bit
Basic plot
Lucas wants to find a wife that truly wants him for him, and not his title or fortune. He’s been hurt in the past and doesn’t care to repeat that mistake. Frances is being forced to attend this house party by her mother, who is desperate for her to make a good marriage match. Frances cares more about changing political opinions to help the poor than spending time searching for a husband.
Give this a try if you want:
– Regency time period (1818)
– House party! Most of the story takes place there
– Lower steam – there is one open door scene right at the very end, but kisses throughout
– Though not a true class difference trope, it has that feel for much of the story (heroine is the daughter of a Baron, hero is posing as a footman)
– Secret identity trope
– Soldier hero (he was in the navy) and a heroine that is interested in politics and changing the poor laws
My thoughts:
I thought this book was all right. I do love the premise, especially about the whole series taking place during the same house party at the same time. That itself is making me want to continue with the series.
This story is a bit shorter (I think under 300 pages), but it didn’t feel like it was lacking length. I just didn’t end up connecting with either character much. I can’t say I really liked either of them.
The hero was disappointing to me. He wasn’t expected to be the heir, and had served in the navy. He inherited the title when his brother passed just over a year ago. On his death bed, his brother asked him to help get the Employment Bill passed and Lucas will do everything in his power to do so.
This sets up one of the main conflicts for the story. The heroine is desperately against the Bill, and hates the Earl for that reason. She doesn’t realize the footman she has begun a friendship with is the same man.
What got me about this, is the hero didn’t even really seem to know what he was supporting. He only was doing it because his brother asked him to and needed the bill explained to him about how it would actually hurt a number of people. I really want more from my heroes than that. The fact that he would have gone ahead garnering votes for this and not even realized its far reaching implications for many in society was just so disappointing to me. He needs it explained to him by everyone else before changing his mind about it.
The heroine was really, really focused on the Employment Bill. I didn’t really get to know her too much other than that. The word bill is mentioned almost 100 times in the book and I think that’s part of why this didn’t get a higher rating from me – I wasn’t into the non stop Employment Bill discussions.
I was also disappointed that Lucas’ friend wasn’t even going to be honest about how he felt about this bill. Knowing that he didn’t support it, and why, why wouldn’t he try to talk some sense into his friend? Why would he let him think it was a great idea?? It just didn’t make sense to me.
Loved this one! I loved how the Earl of Kendall wanted to find love with using money as an influence. This one was unique and I guess its a spin on secret identity.
I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy of this story.
The Footman And I, by Valerie Bowman, is available at booksellers on 6-30-2020. This is the first in the trilogy The Footmen’s Club. An interesting twist is the beginning of the story will be the same for each story. It tells how three friends meet up, drink up, and plan a wager that’s hysterical. Three titled men have to learn to be servants. The first is the Earl of Kendall. He’s decided he want’s a wife and a love match. This guy must be the worst footman ever. He can’t keep in character & Frances never seems to realize that’s he’s way to informal around her. She takes it all in stride. I enjoyed this book so much that I’ve bought book 2. Can’t wait for the Duke to get his comeuppance.
#Netgalley #ValerieBowman #TheFootmanandI #TheFootmen’sClub #romance #historicalromance #June Third Enterprises
Lucas Drake is now the Earl of Kendall after his brother unexpectedly passes away. Lucas is tired of every eligible female along with their mother’s trying to snag him. He just wants to marry for love and comes up with a plan while drinking with his best friends…..pretend he is a servant at his friend, Clayton’s summer house party. This way he can secretly watch the females and see if there could be any possible connections.
The last thing that Miss Frances Wharton wants to do is get married….especially to the pompous idiot her mother has picked out for her. Frances would much rather fight for the poor and she is determined to speak to the Earl of Kendall regarding his dumb Employment Bill that hurts the poor and only helps the landowners. When Frances gets invited to Viscount Clayton’s summer party she believes she will finally be able to speak to the Earl of Kendall.
Upon Frances arrival, she is taken by the footman, Lucas, who helps with her things. All throughout the week, Frances finds herself drawn to Lucas and wishes she were a servant so she would be free to be with him. Little does she know, but the Earl is smitten with her too! Just when it looks like Lucas and Frances are going to get their happy ending, everything comes crashing down. It will take a huge leap of faith by both Lucas and Frances to find their happiness but when they finally both jump in, it will all be worth it!
I just adored this story. I loved the premise of the entire series and can’t wait to read all the other books. I really loved Frances. She was such a head strong female who knew what she wanted in life. I really enjoyed Lucas too. I loved how he started to realize what the life a servant really meant. It was fun watching these two fall in love and I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
The Footman and I
The Footmen’s Club Series #1
Valerie Bowman
https://m.facebook.com/ValerieBowmanAuthor
Release date 06/30/2020
Publisher June Third Enterprises
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 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?
Will she be able to see past his errors …
I confess I happened to see this book’s release but with so many books I promised to review, I am sometimes limited to add some to my already overwhelming list.
Then the opportunity came, and I do not regret my reading. I loved every minutes of my time spent with Frances and Lucas.
Lucas is no the classic haughty and full of himself peer. He is caring and kind, so much he took the mantle of his late brother because he asked it of him. Since he did not questioned the rightness of it, it was his brother’s legacy, so he must do it justice.
Yet under Frances’ influence, he will open his eyes on the wrongness of his project. And realize how stuffy and arse like his fellow noblemen are.
Frances has set her sight on the battle she wants to fight for, she sees the wrongness of some laws, why she is willing to try to make others understand it. Yet, she has her family’s future to think about too, and with it comes a suitor she would prefer to avoid at all cost. Why she plays with fire when she begins a friendship with a footman, whatever how handsome, clever and intriguing he might be. She knows she has entered a dangerous game, but for once, she feels she is understood, someone is listening to her without thinking she’s rambling.
But their relationship began under a lie, so how can they extricate themselves from this predicament without shattering their frail trust. Lucas entered her life under assumption he was someone else, but will his sin be too unforgivable to let her greatest chance at love pass.
5 stars
I was granted a free copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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Lucas Drake, the fifth Earl of Kendall, was posing as a footman. I must admit that at first, I thought he was a jerk. He was always berating himself. Wondering what Francis thought. Admittedly, he should care but to keep going on about it then he should have just told her. His oldest brother had died a year ago and he never thought he would be an earl.
Miss Francis Wharton, she didn’t like Sir Reginald Francis and he was going to the Clayton’s house party next week. Her sister hadn’t come out yet so she couldn’t go. Her mother kept pushing Sir Reginald at her. Her father had lost all their money and now they were destitute.
Lucas was going to play-act that he was a footman. Clayton had uniforms made for them with wigs. The housekeeper worked with them so they would know what to do. Could they do it? would they succeed? I enjoyed the story and the way Lucas and Francis met every day in the Library to discuss the Employment Act. They talked about things that meant so much to them. Even though she was a baron’s daughter and he a lowly footman. I thought the author’s writing was wonderful. The characters were engaging, humorous, and definitely handsome. It was smooth reading and you could not put it down. I highly recommend it.
I received this ARC from the Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
I do enjoy Valerie Bowman writing style; the stories are smooth and pleasant. This book is about Lucas who is an Earl who once was hurt because a woman dropped him for a higher title and money, so now he does not trust himself not to get fooled again. One drunken night him and his friends come up with a plan for him to find the perfect bride. He will dress and act like a servant at a house party. He will observe the ladies there and see who is really nice, or who fakes it. Lucas other friends decide to join him and then make a side bet on who can pull it off better. Frances has joined the house party with her mother, who wants her to marry someone she does not love because they need the money. At the house party she gets to know Lucas the Footman. I enjoyed the chemistry and fun Lucas and Frances had together. I can’t wait to read the books about Lucas’ other friends.
I was lucky to receive a copy from Negalley and give my honest review on the book.
When a lady falls for the footman… Light and fun read!
Lucas Drake, the fifth Earl of Kendall, was once jilted by his fiance because he was a second son, and she found someone else with a title. It was too bad for her that she married a baronet, and, unexpectedly, he became an Earl.
After the jilting, Lucas wanted to be extra careful when choosing his wife and agreed to take part in his best friends’ “experiment.”
Said experiment was to occur during a house party, and he, together with Bell and Worth (a Viscount and a Duke), would pretend to be servants.
Bell would spy for the Crown, Lucas would observe the unmarried ladies without being seen, and Worth would go just for the fun and the prospect of winning a bet.
Lucas didn’t expect to become friends with one of the ladies, Miss Frances Wharton, and start to harbor feelings for her.
Her family was ruined, she thought he was the footman, and, to make matters worse, she was firmly against The Employment Bill he was sponsoring in the House of Lords.
I really enjoyed this book. The premise was fun, the characters were engaging, and the romance very fulfilling.
I love furtive encounters and secret kisses (lol).
My first book by this author, but won’t be the last. I can’t wait to read the other two books in the series.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
*For more reviews, book art, and book-related articles, please visit https://lureviewsbooks.com *
I enjoyed this romance story with Miss Frances Wharton and Lucas the Earl of Kendall.
Miss Frances Wharton is not interested in marriage to anyone and is more interested in fighting for the rights of the poor. So when her mother wants her to attend a house party so her daughter can find a husband. But the man that her mother want is a pompous man that she doesn’t want. She is willing do anything to get out of marrying this man even become a shrew. But after meeting a footman that is very kind to her and she can be herself around him.
Lucas the Earl of Kendall is intent to find a wife whose heart is true. So during a drunken episode with his friends and he come up with the idea to become servants at his friend house party. This is were he meets Miss Frances.
This was a fun book to read. The author also add quite a bit of funny parts that had me laughing. This is the first in the series of The Footman’s Club there are two other books to this series that I want to read.
I received this complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
This is a delightful story of trading places and finding that all people deserve recognition and kindness. We have 4 close friends, men who became friends when they were in school at Eton. One, of them, the Viscount Clayton has managed to fall in love and marry while the other three think it’s impossible to find love in marriage. While drinking too much a scheme is made to go undercover as servants, each for their own reasons. Our hero of this story is Lucas Drake the Earl of Kendall, who must marry to secure an heir. By disguising himself as a footman he hopes to observe which women are nice and truly interested in him as a person, not just seeking marriage to him for his rank & wealth. His friends Rhys Sheffield Duke of Worthington and Marquess Beaumont Bellingham will be in disguise as a bet as to who can stay unnoticed as a servant. Their stories will follow in forthcoming books in this series. They take advantage of Viscount Clayton Fairchild’s houseparty for this scheme.
Miss Frances Wharton is attending the houseparty at her parent’s insistence. Her mother is pressing her to accept an engagement to Sir Reginald Frances. She finds him boring and ancient. Her father has gambled all the family’s money away and it’s the only way to save her father from debtor’s prison. The footman taking her trunk to her room is helpful in avoiding contract with Sir Reginald. They find themselves becoming friends and soon are in love. When Frances discovers Lucas’s deception and is finally backed into a corner to accept Reginald’s suit crisis ensues.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Delightful mad-cap Regency romp!
I loved all the layers at play in this story! We have the lords-disguised-as-servants, the intelligent young lady with a mother straight out of a Jane Austen novel, a hot-button political issue that delineates class structure, and a house party that brings everyone under one roof for several eventful weeks.
Lucas wants to find a woman who will love him for himself, not his money or title, so he figures if he’s disguised at his friend’s house party he’ll be able to see how the various young ladies treat the servants in their midst and how they act when they’re not actively husband-hunting.
Frances is forced to attend by her marriage-minded mother, who needs to betroth her to the odious Sir Reginald. Finding a friend and a confidant in the footman was not in her plans, but she’s enraptured by the first man to treat her as an intellectual equal instead of a beautiful ornament.
As much fun as the book was to read, the underlying emotional and political issues provide a solid substance to the story, reminding us that the stakes were high for women who were not granted the freedom to determine their own destiny.
Lucas is a man of honor, so the deception is especially hard for him to maintain, especially once his connection with Frances becomes all-consuming. Insightful, honest self-evaluation – along with the help of the friends who joined him in this charade – leads them both to a joyous HEA that also leaves the door wide open for the ensuing stories of his friends.
Every bit of this story is perfectly paced and expertly presented. I was completely absorbed and loved every page. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Former Navy Commodore Lucas has just inherited his late brother’s title, Earl of Kendal, and now finds himself the target of every matchmaking mama in town. He wants a wife who wants him, not his wealth and title. This desire, along with plenty of ale, leads him and his friends to a brilliant plan: they’ll use their friend’s house party, full of debutantes, and pose as servants to get an idea of which lady’s are genuine and which are less than above-board. After all, there’s no better way to determine a lady’s character than by observing how she treats the help.
Miss Frances Wharton has no desire to ever marry and is only truly interested in the discussion of politics. But her family is destitute, and she doesn’t wish to disappoint her mother, so she agrees to attend a house party where she’s meant to snag a wealthy husband. The arrogant man her mother has chosen for her is so odious Frances is determined to do everything in her power to dissuade him, including acting like a complete termagant. When this behavior necessitates an apology to the house staff, she finds herself feeling an unlikely and passionate connection with a footman. But when she learns her footman is truly the earl whose politics she finds despicable, Frances has no idea what to believe in the midst of so many lies.
This was a fun romp and much lighter than I’d been expecting. While some parts were a bit tedious, I did love the concept of these noblemen pretending to be servants and at least Lucas’ motivation was to find someone to truly love him, not just for a lark. I found Lucas to be charming even in his deception, but I do think the farce went on just a bit too long. The ending was satisfyingly dramatic, but felt rushed and I wish Lucas’ backstory came out as a result of actual conversation between himself and Frances, rather than her hearing it from his friend. Frances’ stubborn refusal to hear Lucas out, even a little, was frustrating as it was pretty clear she would’ve condemned herself to a miserable marriage just out of spite or a misplaced sense of pride. Along these lines, Frances’ immaturity was very annoying and her interest in politics seemed quite random. I would’ve liked to know why and what inspired her concern for the plight of the working class. She just seemed very out of touch with reality, especially given her own family’s circumstances. I also didn’t really understand what exactly these two really bonded over, but they wound up being cute together in a very lightly infatuated sort of way. This book wasn’t quite on par with some others I’ve enjoyed from this author, but this was a fun concept and I’ll likely continue the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. Frances has a lot on her shoulders as far as expectations and is also very passionate about politics and fairness. Her growing relationship with Lucas, who is also passionate about politics but for other reasons so far, is extremely complicated by his lies and her need to marry well to help her family. Thankfully, truth set everyone free, politics aligned, and happily ever after occurred. But the path here was a rewarding read. #thefootmanandi #netgalley
The first book in The Footmen’s Club series, The Footmen and I follows Lucas Drake, an Earl who makes a bet with his closest friends. Lucas needs a wife but doesn’t want a vacuous, greedy woman who is only after his title. So, Lucas and his friends decide to disguise themselves as servants at a summer house party so that they can get to know the debutantes without pretenses. Lucas, as well as his friends, want to observe the women when their guards are down and see how they truly act and treat people.
Unlike Lucas, Frances is not overly interested in marriage. Instead, she is focused on social and political issues, especially concerning the plight of the poor. However, with a family on the brink of poverty and a mother who insists Frances marry, Frances begrudgingly attends the same summer house party as Lucas. Frances is persuaded by her mother to encourage Sir Francis, as he has shown interest.
In an effort to avoid Sir Francis and his enormous ego, Frances flees to the library where she keeps bumping into Lucas. The pair enjoys lively discussions and debates, especially when talking about the Employment Bill, a bill that they have very different views on. I like that Frances isn’t afraid to voice her opinions, and she insists on having her voice heard.
I also like that Lucas grows and changes so much. He listens to Frances and reflects on their conversations. Frances is definitely the catalyst for Lucas’ growth. They have chemistry from the start, and they challenge each other, which I love. Frances and Lucas are both intelligent and kind, and they suit each other well. If only those pesky secrets didn’t stand in their way!
I enjoyed reading about Lucas and his friends, as well as the budding romance between Lucas and Frances. A novel filled with secrets, hidden identities, and romance, The Footman and I will appeal to readers that enjoy historical romance with interesting characters. Thanks so much to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
The Footman and I is book 1 in The Footmen’s Club series by Valerie Bowman.
Lucas Drake, the new Earl of Kendall decides on a bet with his friends to pose as a servant at his friend’s summer country house party to find a true love, a lady that will marry him for him and not just his title. What could go wrong?
Lucas and Miss Frances Wharton, a fresh debutante cross paths and have an instant attraction. An engaging regency romance.
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 sure the guest list is full of beautiful, eligible debutantes. What could possibly go wrong?
Everything, obviously.
Then we meet Frances Wharton who 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 guarantee a betrothal with the pompous Sir Reginald Francis. In order to dissuade the would-be suitor, she vows to behave like a shrew (which clearly doesn’t happen. At All.) 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?
Cue the drama!
‘The Footman and I’ is a promising introduction to a historical romance series yet the first installment of the ‘The Footmen’s Club’ was not something to write home about. Nothing stood out and it was a very dull, bland read. The concept was there but the author failed to make this novel a standout. I wish the characters had more depth and more drama enfolded in the storyline, possibly a rivalry between Frances and Albina. I could say more about this but meh. I hope the next edition has that something something to win me over.
I adored this story. I had the most splendid time with this hero in hiding and this Feisty heroine. The story was a quick read and the fact that the plot was different was what captured my attention. It has so many wonderful layers of subterfuge going on in this home during the house party.
I love the way Valerie Bowman tells a story. Warmth, humor, intrigue and best of all the happily ever after which to me is the icing on the cake.
Lucas, Earl of Kendall, wants to marry a young lady who will love him for himself. He and two of his friends, gentlemen with titles, make a bet. Three of them will go to the fourth friend’s house party dressed as servants and observe how these ladies treat servants.
Lucas is a footman. A house full of debutantes and their mamas makes it imperative that he is in disguise. One young lady draws his attention. She’s straight forward, honest and loves politics. Lucas is mesmerized. The more they’re together the more they both fall in loves. Lucas is afraid to reveal who he is, because Frances despises the Earl of Kendall.
A charming Earl in a pickle.
There have been exceptions but for the most part I do not like when there are lies in stories. This book is an exception. I thought the idea of The Footmen’s Club is clever and it works. You can picture it, three rowdy drunk guys thinking it is a good idea to go to a house party and dress the part of servants. The scenes of the guys sitting around shooting the bull are fantastic. You can image yourself in their midst. I loved the back and forth between Lucas and Frances. It is a lovely story of a woman who falls for the footman and their special bond. I loved it!