I wasn’t so sure about this book in the beginning. It took a long time for it to pick up and for me to get into the story. I wanted to originally read this story because of the synopsis. Three noblemen make a bet, pretending to be servants and whomever is discovered loses the bet. This first book focuses on Lucas, Earl of Kendall and Miss Frances Wharton. All of the characters are at a house party, with a few surprises. Frances is close to being formally engaged to a Sir Reginald Francis who thinks way too much of himself. She is into politics, knows her own mind and isn’t your average miss.

I always enjoy books where there is a secret to be revealed. Lucas is pretending to be a footman in front of all these people that should recognize him but it seems nobility really don’t pay much attention to servants. I liked how this secret was revealed and how it slowly unraveled.

The romance was sweet and fun. Two individuals who are incredibly different but also can communicate on the same level, maybe with some extra work needed. Lucas wanted to find a wife who could love him for him and not his title or wealth. They had some bumps in the road but made it in the end. They are a very nice pair.

This book wasn’t very consistent with the pace and keeping my interest but I did enjoy it by the last third of the book. I will definitely consider reading the next book.

SO CUTE AND ENGAGING

Honestly, this is not original. But it was so entertaining, sweet and funny that I didn't care at all! From the very first chapter I was certain that I would love it, and I was totally right! I am going to give this one of the highest compliments I can - I want to read the rest of the series!

👍 What I Liked 👍

Premise: Lucas is an Earl and he wants to find a wife, that wants him for him an not his money or title. How do you go about doing that? You dress up as a footman and spy on the young ladies, of course! Honestly, this was so funny and entertaining, I really enjoyed the roleplaying.

Connection: Lucas and Frances had such a special connection, because it was about intellect, social justice and justice. Sure, there was chemistry and sexual tension as well, but the intellectual connection was the greatest and so special!

Lucas: I really liked Lucas all the way through this book, but I really enjoyed how he evolved. I enjoyed his arc and how Frances and his undercover work was such a big part of making him realise how wrong he was about some things. I liked that he was so willing to listen and learn.

I liked the switched identify part but felt the book was lacking other than that. Not very much excitement and unrealistic behaviors. It didn't make me want to read any others in the series. Thank you to Netgalley for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

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.

The premise isn't necessarily anything new, but the story is executed well making for a thoroughly enjoyable read! I don't read romance for the twists and turns - we've all read the stories of someone pretending to be someone/thing else and having the big reveal ruin their budding relationship so I knew pretty much what was going to happen before the end. What I enjoyed was following Lucas and Frances's story as they opened up to one another and grew closer. This is definitely a "it's not the destination, it's the journey" novel. I really enjoyed both Lucas and Frances as characters (but found the subplot involving Lucas and Frances's differing views on his legislature a little tiring). I really liked the scene between Bellingham and Frances, he didn't necessarily defend Lucas's behavior, he just gave Frances some perspective and let her make up her own mind about Lucas. I am very much looking forward to the next two novels in the series!

An Earl who wants to be loved for himself and not his money or title.
A young lady who want to choose her husband for love. Not have it arranged for her.
An Earl trying to pass a workers bill, the young lady trying to stop it.
The earl is dressed up as a footman while wooing the young lady.
A bet is involved, you know that's not going to go well.
I enjoyed this book

Lucas Drake was a second son, but now he's the new Earl of Kendall, He's been betrayed by a woman seeking a title before, so this time he wants to find a lady who is sincere and kind. While drinking with friends, a plot is hatched for Lucas to dress as a footman at his friend's house party and observe the newest crop of debutantes. Miss Frances Wharton is more interested in politics than husband-hunting. Forced to attend the house party and avoid the pompous man her mother has selected for her, Frances finds companionship in the most unlikely place. What is a young woman to do when she starts to fall for a footman?

This is the first book in the The Footmen's Club series. The premise is interesting, and it plays out like a farce, but it was a lively read! I loved the characters and enjoyed their daily encounters. The writing flowed well and kept me engaged through the whole story. I'm looking forward to the next one!

Tropes: Disguised, Bluestocking, Class Difference (sort of)

* I received a copy from #NetGalley and this is my honest review. #TheFootmanAndI

One drunken night with friends can lead to a bet that will lead to true love. Lucas bets his friends he can pretend to be a footman for a fortnight. Frances is a guest at the same house party desperately trying to avoid matrimony to a pompus ass. What happens when she meets the Footman in the library leads to more than conversation and soon she finds herself in love with the footman. Lucas and Frances have a story that Ms. Bowman does a wonderful job bringing this pair together. I cannot wait for the rest of the books in this series.

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.

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.

The Footman and I is an enjoyable historical of a couple finding love amidst a hidden identity and a mother pushing for a match with another, ‘worthy’ suitor. There were a few mentions of the interactions of characters in the other books of the series, but just enough to make you want to read those books, too. The writing flowed well and kept me interested.

This is my first book from Valerie Bowman and I absolutely loved it. It was refreshing to read about noblemen that don’t dwell on “oh woe is me how will I be a nobleman”. The men were funny, interesting, and energetic. Frances, our heroine, was smart, funny, and dignified. I loved the exchange with Lady Julianna and the camaraderie between them rather than any rivalry. Frances’ mother reminded me of Mrs Bennett - she may seem annoying or harsh, but you begin to understand her meaning. I loved the focus being at a house party and all the interactions between staff and gentry. A very fun and compelling read - I immediately bought the other two books in this trilogy!

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.

4 stars

This was a good story. Three aristocratic friends decide to wager about hiding in plain sight as servants. Lucas wants to use the oppurtunity to find a wife who loves him for himself rather than his wealth and influence. Frances is trying desperately to avoid a marriage being foisted on her by her mother. Her father is an unlucky gambler who is working his way through their assets. Frances meets Lucas as a footman and enjoys his company. She also starts to educate him on the iniquities of a recent employement bill going through the Lords. Unbeknown to our heroine, Lucas is the Earl heavily pushing it through. It's a bit comedic as Lucas tries to be the Earl and the footman at the same time. The baron he's trying to influence is the same man that Frances is avoiding. 80% of the story is just kissing but in the final chapter it goes into full erotica which I think the clean story readers will be a bit surprised about and the disconnect of the two styles did give me pause to think should I rate it so highly. I went for the higher score as it's an interesting premise, the dialogue between Frances and Lucas is entertaining and there is good potential for the rest of the series. I especially liked Lucas's spy friend and the Duke/Groomsman so might look out for the others.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

The Footman and I is an entertaining romp of a Regency romance! It's not the most nuanced read in the world, but it was enjoyably silly - an earl disguised as a footman offers plenty of opportunity for fun and drama. I really enjoyed the concept, and I liked both Frances and Lucas as characters - their interactions as they got to know one another away from the strict social rules of the upper classes were really cute. I also liked the hints at other books in the series, since there are three stories taking place at the same time. There are one or two grammatical/word choice errors ('flare for the dramatic', for example), and the pacing dragged a little in the second half, but on the whole, I had a lot of fun reading!

This book started out with such a promise. Unfortunately, it just fell flat. The two main characters were quite charming and the love story felt genuine. I love the trope of the Lord disguised as a footman. It’s great fun and gives the author a lot to work with.

The heroine had a lovely backstory with a perfect framework for launching into something interesting and complex. Her Intelligence and passion for politics could have been something remarkable. Unfortunately, neither of the main characters turn out to be all that bright. The political machinations that could have made this story interesting were never fleshed out in a way that invited the reader to truly consider the ramifications of the “employment bill”. We aren’t introduced to the law or politics in any meaningful way. As a result while we are told that the heroine is smart it just doesn’t show.

By halfway through the book it is clear that this is just a bland Romance with nothing more interesting to offer. Too bad...this book could’ve been really great.

*an ARC of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

What started off really fun and adorable disappointed me about halfway through, when the heroine started being unreasonable (in my eyes). Thing is, she gets called out on her behavior towards the end, and the advice the hero of book 3 gives her is basically that unless you understand where someone is coming from, their actions won't make sense to you and you shouldn't be judging them until you understand. And this is my biggest problem: I do not understand the heroine. At all.

But let's back up for a second. Good things first:

The hero is adorable! Until he turns into a sad, whiny sap who tries to drown his trouble in a bottle for a bit, but luckily, he has good friends who force him to snap out of it. That said, he is one of the kindest, nicest, sweetest guys (apart for the whole pretending to be a servant and lying to the heroine thing, which, in his defense, started as a drunken dare...). All he wants is a woman who sees him for who he is, not his title (as has happened before). I love him, and the other guys in the series sound pretty promising, as well.

There are actual conversations! About important topics! And they bond over it! I love it when that happens. The first half was full of lively debates, cheeky bickering, and just fun. I loved that the heroine is the kind of woman who really sees people, is kind to others (including servants), and stands up for what she believes in.

But then the second half happened. And the heroine, who I was told was intelligent and kind, starts telling everyone who will listen how EVIL the Earl of Kendall is for promoting this law and how much she hates this man. A man SHE HAS NEVER MET.
And this is where the book lost me. Her reasons for "hating" this law and the man were never explained enough for me, and I don't understand it. You can't tell me how reasonable and intelligent she is one moment, only to have her acting like a child the next. I don't understand why she started obsessing over this particular law. Where did she learn about it? Who discussed it with her? What is so evil about this particular law? All I know is that she says it benefits the rich more than the poor it is proclaiming to protect. And I'm sorry, but what else is new?
I need more information if I am to support her on this little crusade and be okay with her trying to convince others how evil the man is. Especially since she never apologizes for it, and refuses to LISTEN for much too long for my tastes. And also, how, with all the research she apparently did, did she somehow miss that the law was drafted by the previous Earl, not the current one?

So all in all, I really enjoyed the beginning, and I am going to continue this series. I can't wait to see the Duke meet his match, and I am really curious about the third member of the group. Unfortunately, the Spunky Heroine On A Mission is just one of my least favorite tropes. It comes right after Every Girl Needs A Duke. But that's on me, and doesn't make it a bad book.

2.5 stars

Lucas, Earl of Kendall, wishes to find a wife who is not interested in his wealth and title and more interested in him. After a few drinks, Lucas and his friends decide to pose as servants during their friend’s house party to observe the debutantes of the season. Enter our heroine, Francis Wharton, who has no interest in marriage.

Francis and Lucas meet in unusual circumstances with the former thinking the latter is a Footman. They form a friendship and slowly fall in love with a heavy secret between them.

The plot was definitely unique and I expected to see angst and chemistry between the leads but the book turned out to have just a mild dose of lukewarm conflict and was essentially a lighthearted read.
When it came to the characters, I couldn’t warm up to Francis. While she was portrayed as different and bold for the time period, I could not see a lot of that trait in her.
The interactions could have been more engaging, but all their conversation seemed to be centered around the Employment bill and I felt like they did not really get to know each other. There seemed to be little to no character development for Francis and I couldn’t really bring myself to care about the couple.

The whole story seemed to be a mix between a regency and contemporary romance, something which is just not my cup of tea.

When a lady falls for the footman…

The Footman and I is book #1 in The Footmen’s Club series. It is a fun, secret identity, historical romance.

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.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 10/21/2020*

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a decent historical romance. Frances has to pretend to be a shrewd so that she's not married off to a man she doesn't love. Luke is an earl and has decided that the best way to find a wife that loves him for himself is to pretend he's a footman. Both meet and are intrigued by each other. It was a sweet romance but had some very awkward almost adolescente moments where they tiptoe around their attraction by blushing and avoiding the real topic at hand. Worth the read but nothing spectacular.