I loved that the h/h were mature adults - in their forties with grown children. It made for a nice change. The story moved along quickly and all the characters were very likeable and you could tell they were trying to be good people. Nice twist on a sweet "Cinderella" story!

"The Valet's Secret" shows that love the second time around can be as good as or better than the first. When widow Rebecca and widower "Mr. Henry" meet, sparks fly between them. Little does Rebecca know that the man she knows as a valet is in actuality an earl! The mistaken identity and Cinderella theme drew me in immediately. I like a proper romance, and this one fit the bill on all points.

I received this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I was invited by the publisher at netgalley.com to read and review this book. I am thrilled for that opportunity. Let me preface my review with the fact that this was my second book that I reviewed by Josi S. Kilpack, the first being Lavender and Lace. I am officially hooked on this author and have read over 6 of her books in the last month! I can’t get enough of them!

Turning to our story, The Valet’s Secret, what I liked most was that the main characters were individuals who were a bit older and had previously been married, now both widowed. Kenneth comes into different circumstances and he leaves his old life behind to fulfill a family obligation to become the next Earl. Rebecca continues to try to find her way dealing with living and helping her father, an artist, but proud of the accomplishments of her own daughter. These characters become like your own friends and as the plot gradually continues, you become invested in the lives of both Kenneth and Rebecca. Will they find love? Will they be discovered? Will Rebecca’s father make amends? The ending is wonderful and I found myself cooking dinner with my ipad propped up so I could read and cook at the same time! I could not put this book down.

Anything that Josi S. Kilpack writes will be a sure winner and The Valet’s Secret did not disappoint! I have to hurry back to my current read, The Vicar’s Daughter!

This was an enjoyable romance, unique in the fact that the main characters were in their forties, which definitely gave them some depth. I really liked Rebecca's character--I loved her practicality and how she pressed forward with life (and her walnut-throwing skills). I was wary of the mistaken identity plot, but it was over quickly, rather than dragging on and on, which I appreciated. I also really liked the Cinderella twist. I would have liked an epilogue to see just a little bit more of Rebecca and Kenneth, but all in all, this was a nice clean romance.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I very rarely read books where the main characters are around my age - most of the Regency books I read revolve around people who are in their early 20's - so I kept getting surprised when I'd read something in this story about Rebecca and Kenneth having grown children and other "old people" things. (I can call them old, since I'm in that boat too, right?) Anyway, not gonna lie, it was a little weird. Not a bad weird, just different from what I'm used to.
Other than the age thing (and the kissing a complete stranger. THAT was weird.) I really enjoyed this story. My attention span seems to be shorter and shorter these days, so it's not that often where I find a book I'm happy to read for hours on end. This was one of them. The characters were engaging, and I was rooting for both of them, although I wasn't sure how it was going to work out in the end. Having read so many of these types of romance books, I love to be happily surprised every now and then.
My keeper bookshelf is getting a little tight, but I'm very happy to squeeze this one in there. (And perhaps find room in my house for another bookshelf?)

I loved this book by Josi Kilpack! I loved that the characters were older then in the typical Regency novel. I also loved how well written the story was because it kept me engaged the whole time. I also loved how the story unfolded and how I came to adore the characters and how I was cheering for them the whole time. This book was very well done and one I will read again.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

I didn't know what to expect from a story about an older couple who both had had previous marriages, but this story is such a happy feel good read! You should read this story because it does deal with an older couple which is more unique in this genre. It is delightful!

Give me every regency Proper Romance. This was absolutely lovely. The characters, the story, I laughed out loud and some points. I highly recommend if you love regency romances. This one will tug at you in the best way.

I know the author from reading her culinary mystery series and happily read her latest Regency Romance. It's a bonus to support an author who lives and writes in my own home state. Rebecca Parker is a widow who lives with and helps her artistic father create silhouette portraits. She has worked in service before marriage and raised her daughter with enough education to be a companion to a local baroness. While walking she is literally run off the rode by a stranger on horseback. He claims to be the valet to the heir to the earldom. They share a spark and a kiss that neither can forget.

Kenneth Winterton is the unexpected heir apparent after the death of his cousin. He is a widower with two sons in school and has comes to train at his uncles side for his future inheritance. His uncle insists that one of the first things he must do is to marry, preferably someone local, that will help him establish his place in the community. Of course while all the wealthy ladies are being presented to him his mind is elsewhere.

This is a light play on a Cinderella story. I love that it isn't about young love but a couple in their 40s who are lonely and have a lot of live still to live. There is emphasis on station, duty and place that are obstacles to love. I love Rebecca's relationship with her daughter Rose. And the Baroness, who gets the role of fairy godmother, is a delight. Somethings are harsher than I expected and a few things a little contrived but I enjoyed the story and am happy with their HEA.

For people who enjoy well written, clean, historical romances. Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good retelling, but I'm learning that secret identity/mistaken identity is not always a favorite trope of mine. I have a hard time if the character perpetuates the falsehood for any number of reasons. This is one of those where I wish our hero had come clean sooner. Slow paced, not my favorite.

Thank you to Covenant Communications and NetGalley for my e-arc. All opinions here are my own.

This was a fun read, it had a lot of elements that I was looking for in a romance novel. I enjoyed the historical setting and even though it was a different period I couldn’t help but think of Downton Abbey as I read about below stairs and the lives of servants and the family mixing.

I enjoyed the deep dive on the male protagonist’s perspective and feelings, I feel like this is often missing and it was also a pleasure to read about an “older” couple who’d both known and lost love.

That said, it was just a bit too fast paced for me, I saw a few of the twists coming and was surprised by others so well done it the author for that. I think this novel could have been fitted from a bit more drawing out of the story, particularly in the last quarter or so. That’s the reason I give it three rather than four stars.

Thank you very much Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange of an honest review.

This was the first book I have read by the author but it will not be the last. I enjoyed it very much from the beginning to the end.

The first thing I want to point out about the book is the plot. It is set in the regency era and I loved that. The author manages to create a perfect atmosphere in which you are immersed from the first moment and that traps you. I also really liked the fact that the characters are adults (both over forty) because that makes it much more interesting. Besides, the characters act according to their age and that is to be appreciated.

Regarding the main characters, I have to say that I loved them. Both Rebecca and Kenneth. Despite being an instalove I really liked how their relationship develops. Fighting against conventions is not easy but here the protagonists manage to do it and fight for what they both want.

Special mention to the Baroness, Malcolm and Rose, as they are the ones who play such an important role at the end of the book. I didn't expect it and I loved it.

The only thing I didn't like was the abrupt ending. I would have liked the book to have continued a little longer, but that's a completely personal opinion.

A book that I didn't expect to surprise me so much and that I enjoyed a lot. Highly recommended.

A story of hidden identity set in Regency, York, England. Kenneth is heir to his Uncle's Earldom. His Uncle is pressuring him to marry a local woman as it is important for him to belong in the neighborhood. As a way of escaping all the pressure he wears his valet's close to go horse riding through the country. He almost runs over Rebecca in the lane. She likes him and they are able to steal away and meet several times. When she finds out who he really is she is upset. There love can never be real because of their different stations in life. Can Kenneth convince Rebecca, his Uncle, an the neighbors that it is a good match.

The Valet’s Secret is a sweet Cinderella style Regency tale that left me smiling and filled with gratitude. One of the things I really enjoyed is that both Rebecca and Kenneth are middle-aged and know a thing or two about life and their heart’s desires. I love that they are both loyal to their family and expectations placed upon them. I also really enjoyed that there are people who love and care about each of them and champion for their love story to succeed. I love how they met and how they both realize there is more than life than just getting by; there are second chances available, even if they come at a cost. The storyline blends together perfectly and despite the deception early on, there is room for redemption and happiness again. An all-out swoony tale that captured my heart and made me root for second chances. I highly recommend this fantastic, sweet regency story.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

3.5 stars, rounded up. The rounding is due to the end, which was a fun switch on a classic trope.

Generally, I thought this was a solid, sweet romance. It is closed door, which is typically not my preference, but I found this charming overall, with some small niggles here and there.

The hero Kenneth has lived a modest gentleman’s life, when he is elevated in position to heir to an earldom. He is a widower and has two nearly grown sons away as school, and he has come to live in his uncle’s home to learn how to be the earl. The heroine, Rebecca, is a widow, who now lives with her father again, helping with (doing most of) his cameo work. He is a verbally abusive father, which is an important part of the plot. She has grown daughter, who works as a companion.

The h&h meet by chance, when Kenneth nearly tramples Rebecca with a wild horse he has borrowed, while in disguise as his valet. Their first interaction was notable and they saw a kinship in each other, two lonely souls recognizing each other. I particularly liked their first kiss.

While there was quite a bit I like about this story, the pacing was pretty slow, and the h&h have trouble finding time for each other. I also thought the hero was too indecisive for much of the story — I like more initiative typically in a hero. And, while there was some character development, there were areas that were unexplored — like the relationship between the hero and his sons. Possibly there were just too many characters to fully explore some of this relationships.

Overall, I would recommend if looking for a traditional-style historical romance. It was a lovely read despite some hiccups.

<I>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.

Hidden identity! Oh, I could feel the heroine's shock and confusion when his identity is revealed! I enjoyed seeing how they would work this out! A wonderful story!

I received an advance reader copy. This review is my honest opinion and voluntarily given.

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun and cute historical romance! I enjoyed the characters and seeing them grow and fall in love.

1819 and the novel starts out in rather unusual circumstances. A woman out for a walk, the heir to the manor also
out on an uncontrollable horse. They meet, he rather knocks her down and then kisses her. Quite unusual for 1819.
Completely out of the ordinary.

He is taken to be the valet to the above heir, she is just a maid, separated from her husband to boot and in poor
circumstances. Not the most opportune background for a romance. But unlikely though it is, it does happen. It was a
light hearted romance with a background of arrogance amongst the aristocracy, definite class barriers, an abusive
marital relationship and love conquers all.

Nice.

4.5* Josi Kilpack has created a story with a perspective that is dealt with less often in the romance genre.  I felt that I understood the main characters' points of view, even though I do not have personal experience with their life situations.  The emotions and reactions felt authentic, the Cinderella-inspired changing of station challenges were thoroughly explored, and the range of interpersonal conflicts rounded the story out. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

York, England, 1819

A kiss on the road between strangers ignites passion they both had forgotten. Hope for more than a loveless marriage makes Rebecca look to the future. However, the man she kissed has a secret that may destroy her hope for a second chance at true love.

After I finished reading this one, I had to take some time to think about it. I wanted to love this one. I was intrigued when I saw that our two protagonists were of a mature age, and I do love a second chance romance. I was not expecting for them to be so far apart socially. This made for a drama I did not enjoy and an ending I didn’t find believable.

That’s not to say they were uninteresting. I was sympathetic to Rebecca and her struggles. While I enjoyed Kenneth’s storyline, I kept forgetting that he was a man in his fifties. Beyond a few complaints of feeling old, he did not behave like a father of two young men. I would have believed him to be a young man himself with how easily he bowed to his uncle’s wishes.

The insta-love meeting, with them kissing even though they were strangers, made me cringe. I might be wrong, but I only counted them meeting ten times in the entirety of the novel. This did not make me believe their love was one that could endure the criticism of society.

As with all of this author’s works, it is well written. I could easily envision the scenes in my mind. However, it was not an instant favorite.

Readers who do enjoy fast-paced romances with mistaken identities may enjoy this.