He’s on a top-secret assignment.All of London knows Beau Bellham as the Marquess of Bellingham, but only a trusted few know he also works for the Home Office. His specialty? Scouting out traitors to the Crown. So, when one of his friends pretends to be a footman at a house party in order to find a wife, Beau decides posing as a valet at the same gathering will be the perfect cover for him to spy … perfect cover for him to spy on the men he suspects of treason. What Beau doesn’t count on, however, is butting heads with a far-too-certain-of-herself maid who gives him hell at every turn.
She’s about to blow his cover.
Miss Marianne Notley is a lady’s maid with more secrets than hairpins. When she meets her employer’s new valet, she distrusts him immediately. Never mind his dashing good looks and irrepressible charm, he’s a bit too sure of himself and asks a few too many questions for her liking. She’s on a mission to reveal the mysterious valet’s true identity, and she’s not above wielding her own considerable charms to do it. But before long, all the pretending Marianne and Beau are doing feels alarmingly real—and a lot like falling in love. When they finally discover the truth about each other, will it spark a face-off for the ages or a love that lasts for all time?
more
I couldn’t wait to read the third and last book in this series! Beau impersonates a valet at a country house party. While his other two friends are impersonating servants as a bet no one in the ton would recognize them, Beau is looking for a traitor. He finds a lady’s maid, Marianne, who doesn’t seem to be what she claims to be. Together they must join forces to find this traitor.
The Valet Who Loved Me by Valerie Bowman is book Three in The Footmen’s Club Series. This is the story of Marianne Notley and Beau Bellham as the Marquess of Bellingham. I have read the previous books, which did add to my enjoyment of this book. I do feel that it can be a standalone book.
Beau is pretending to be a Footmen to find the identity of a traitor. While doing his investigation he keeps butting heads with Marianne who also works in service for the family but she seems to have some questionable issue with him and he with her. But what they both can’t denied is their attraction for each other. Secrets start to unravel along with their feelings. I couldn’t put this book down until the end. Really enjoyed it and this author’s writing.
The Valet Who Loves Me by Valerie Bowman is the third book in The Footmen’s Club Trilogy. Beau (Bell) Bellham, The Marquess of Bellingham, decides to pose as a valet for his friend’s party, along with his other friends Lucas and Rhys. Bell is not only a Marquess but he also works for the Home Office, as a spy, which not too many people know about. His mission is to find out who, at this party, is the Bidossa traitor. While he’s there, he meets Marianne Notley, who is a ladies maid. Marianne has secrets of her own and even though she and Bell have great chemistry, they don’t really trust each other. They are humorous, dramatic and sexy together. You’ll have to read the book to see the outcome of their relationship. I really enjoyed this book just as much as the first two books in the trilogy. You can read this as a standalone book but I suggest you read the complete trilogy because I think you will thoroughly enjoy it
I received an eARC from Valerie Bowman in exchange for an honest review.
Can we go back to the first book, The Footman and I?
Four friends, only one of them married, two very drunk, one not so drunk, and the last one completely sober.
About the three singles, one wanted to get married soon because he had inherited the title of his older brother, and as a result, many responsibilities fell on his shoulders;
The second, a single man who loved to enjoy life, had the reputation of a gambler, was broke, but had the title of duke that opened the doors to him. Not to mention that it was the comic of the group;
The third was a happy bachelor. He worked as spy for the Home Office, his specialty was scouting out traitors.
As the first (Lucas, the Earl of Kendall) wanted to find a wife who truly loved him, a plan arises in the third’s mind (Beau, the Marquess of Bellingham). Plan this that could be used for him too, but not to find a wife, but to find a traitor.
They created The Footmen Club and used the fourth friend’s country party (Ewan, Viscount Clayton) to put the plan into action.
There were three important people who knew about a particular government plan to be carried out. A letter telling the whole plan was intercepted by a soldier and taken back to the Home Office. This soldier ended up being shot dead. But it was discovered that there was a traitor among them. The question was: who?
To discover this, Beau disguises himself as the valet of Lord Copperpot (one of the suspects), whose debutante daughter, Lady Wilhelmina, was one of the guests of that country party.
Despite being very focused on his work, Beau finds a major obstacle: Miss Marianne Notley, Wilhelmina’s lady’s maid.
This brave, suspicious and passionate woman would be a stone in Beau’s shoe, but… she could also be the best acquisition to help Beau on his mission.
However, while he was looking for a traitor, his heart opened to find love.
Could a spy marquess fall in love and marry a maid?
5 stars
THE VALET WHO LOVED ME (THE FOOTMEN’S CLUB #3 Valerie Bowman .. I adored the whole Footman series, I can’t pick a favorite of the three.
I loved Beau (aka Bell) in book one of the series. He’s self-assured. and yet, when it comes to Marianne, not so much. The sparks between them are funny and hot as they try to outwit each other while trying to deny their feelings.
Valerie Bowman never fails to impress and is one of my favorite authors. These books can be read as stand-alone….but I strongly suggest you read them all.
This was a well-written, entertaining historical romance. Miss Marianne Notley is a lady’s maid with secrets. Beau Bellham secretly works for the Home Office and goes undercover as a valet at a house party. When they meet they each think the other is hiding something, and they are surprised by the attraction they feel. The book was fast-paced and hard to put down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.
The Valet Who Loved Me is a magnificent historical romance by Valerie Bowman. Ms. Bowman has produced a well-written book, added a stellar cast of characters that will keep readers glued to this book. Beau is the Marquess of Bellingham but only a few know he works for the Home Office. He enters a bet to see which of he and his two friends can stay undercover as servants during a house party. Marianne is a lady’s maid with a secret of her own. Marianne and Beau’s story is packed with drama, humor, sexy bits, action and suspense. I loved every page of this book and look forward to my next book by Valerie Bowman. The Valet Who Loved Me is book 3 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.
I have loved Beau throughout The Footmen’s Club series. He was always the wise one dispensing words of advice and noticing that which others missed. So, I was interested to see how he would handle his own love affair. As it turns out, he did it almost as poorly as his friends because men are always obtuse about love, at least in a good romance novel. Otherwise, where would the fun be?
This story has a bit more to the plot than the other two as Beau and Marianne are trying to solve the mystery of a traitor that has been in the background throughout the other two novels as it was his motivation for suggesting The Footmen’s Club in the first place. It is also what abruptly came up at the end of Duke Looks Like a Groomsman.
The mystery keeps the two occupied and distracted from their budding romance. It adds to the conflict and keeps things interesting. But, mostly, the characters keep the story interesting, which is consistent with all of the books by Valerie Bowman. She has a knack for creating enjoyable characters that you want to spend time with.
Beau and Marianne and their story bring this trilogy to a wonderful conclusion. I highly recommend it.
I was provided with a free electronic version of this book in exchange for an honest review.
London – 1814
When Beau Bellham, the Marquess of Bellingham, goes out with his friends, he is the only non-drinker.of the group. The four of them are 29 and have been close since their days at Eton. They are Viscount Clayton, married; Earl Kendall, single; and the Duke of Worthington, single. All the single men agree that it is time to find a wife. But they worry that most of the women interested want to marry someone with a title. This is why the men avoid the season’s soirees filled with young debutantes hoping to find a titled husband. That’s when they come up with a plan for them to act as commoners and find someone interested in them for the person they are and not their title.
As the only married man, Viscount Clayton will host a house party inviting some of the season’s debutantes and their mothers. Kendall, Bellham, and Worthington will be dressed and act as servants complete with powdered wigs. The idea is to see if they are noticed for the things they do for people or be taken for granted. It is decided Kendall will act as a footman, Worthington will be a groomsman, and Bellham will be a valet. The housekeeper will be in on this and will help to direct them in their duties.
Beau has spent some days learning all the tasks required of a valet. He will serve Lord Copperpot, who along with Lords Hightower and Cunningham, are suspected of being a traitor to Great Britain.
Miss Marianne Notley is lady’s maid to Lady Wilhelmina Copperpot. When Marianne runs into Beau in Lord Copperpot’s room, she is suspicious of him. He introduces himself as Nicholas and says he is filling in for the Lord’s usual valet who is ill. Marianne is a short redhead and quite feisty. She doesn’t understand how anyone so handsome could be a valet. Therefore, she decides to meet his charm by being charming herself and maybe she will learn more about him. Of course, all of this charm ends of sparkling an attraction between them. Can Beau allow himself to be attracted to her while trying to do his job for the Home Office?
This is a clever story of two people who challenge and compliment one another. I have enjoyed this trilogy and applaud Valerie Bowman for her continued writing talent.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Oh, spies. Yes, please. I love spy stories and top that with pretending to be a servant and other spies. Catnip! Bell and Marianne’s story allows you to join in their world of intrigue and who can outlast the other. My money is on Marianne. I loved their back and forth dialogue. I loved everything about this story. Valerie writes books that I devour quickly and there is never ever a dull moment.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
This is such a wonderful double agent regency novel filled with lots of suspense, mystery and romance which will definitely keep you turning pages! The story moves effortlessly despite all the changes that all the characters take on, the many plot twists and non-stop action. All of the characters including the side characters literally sparkle with life. Making you want to be at this house party and join in the shenanigans too. Beau might be a lord who is also a spy, is just hilarious and never seems to be a good agent especially in dealing with Marianne. Beau might be able to keep his cool and remain seemingly unaffected by things around his friends even giving good advice to everyone but never taking it himself. Marianne the independent feisty heroine might seem cautious but in reality the people she cares for she undoubtedly would protect with her own life. So both these headstrong characters even with the sexy sarcastic banter manages to make you laugh anyway! In truth the book is just a delight to read and a definite keeper!
The plot to the story sounds like a good one. I found myself laughing at some of the quip between the characters. I loved the introduction between Beau and Marianne. That was perfect writing there. I like the characters as well.
I’m not able to connect my self with the characters though. The dialogue among them 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. If the spying and action would have taken place in the beginning, I would be more interested in the plot. Perhaps after the men entered the house, if one or two of them witnesses this conspiracy happen, that would give the book more excitement.It’s hard to connect to the book. It’s not believable. I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.