Lady Lilliana is instantly smitten when she meets Mr. Tristan Henley when he comes to her rescue, having fallen partly into a hole. Yet when she realises that Mr. Henley is only a valet, she wonders whether the truth behind true love caused by a mystical stone, can actually be true. Determined to protect her reputation and future, she decides to keep away from Tristan. However, they first kiss, the idea of keeping away from him is near impossible. Tristan has sought employment with Lilliana’s brother, in order to support his family which has fallen on financial difficulties, due to his father’s poor choices. So when he meets Lilliana, any thought of staying within his limits, soon changes.
A short but well developed story, had all the right elements with plenty of chemistry and great interactions. Despite their differences, there never seems to be an impossibility with their relationship. I enjoyed the character of Lilliana’s grandmother who encouraged her all the way, despite the challenges that she knew would be faced.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A lady and a valet...

I really enjoyed this novella. Lilliana "Lilli" is nineteen, a lady, a bit of a hoyden. She's smitten with Tristan, her brother's new valet. Tristan is intent on working to provide funds for his fmaily, namely, his two sisters, Iris and Emma. I realy liked Tristan, he';s ernest in his desire to provide for those he cares for, and that includes Lilli. He does, however, have an awful father who has a devious plan to save his own backside. Can Tristan secure a counter offer to benefit all involced?
Recommend.
Purchased in an anthology.

Once again the author has woven a charming romance between two unlikely characters. Lady Lilliana meets in an unusual circumstances Tristan Henley as he rescues her from his rabbit trap. And it’s love at first sight, but when Lilli finds out that Tristan is her brother’s valet she knows it can’t be. Wearing the magical Rose quartz Crystal that loves your true love, but he can’t be her true love! It has to be wrong, it worked for her cousins and her grandmother and yet it seems it doesn’t matter Tristan makes her heart flutter.
Tristan is a honorable man hiding his true identity to save his family, but meeting Lilli has him torn between falling in love and helping his family.
So much packed in this novella, you definitely will read in one sitting. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #OnlytheValetwilldo

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review
I didn't recognize the title but when I started reading I got the suspicion that I had in fact read the book before. "Love be a Lady's Charm" was published in April 2022, written by 4 authors, one book each. If you read this book (Only the Valet Will Do) on its own, you are missing out on the story behind the necklace and how each cousin came to find true love. When I read the book in the anthology, I gave 2.5 stars because of the mistakes. I dropped to 2 stars because the mistakes were not fixed before the author published the book as a standalone.
First and foremost, the necklace was sent by mail in the previous book before Henrietta married. In this book, married Henrietta is visiting her cousin Lilliana to give it to her. Maybe the authors should have thought this through before writing. Also, Lilli is 19; Eva was 18 - how did she get it first? This is Lilli and Tristan's story. I'm not sure why Tristan is setting traps. I'm also not sure why Lilli says "her seasons" when she's only 19. "Sucking in a breath" is seen so many times I lost count. "are of an age where time is starting to be of the essence" - again, she's 19, not 22 or more. "Hugged her slender figure" - she's curvy. The whole scene when Papa lets Mother know that her mother is filling Lilli's head with fated mates is absolutely funny.

It is a short, one sit reading if you’re not interrupted like I was and it’s magical. There’s a family heirloom that helps you pinpoint your one true love. When Lady Lilliana first puts it in, she thinks maybe it’s faulty or this very intense feeling that it’s giving her is something that happens with every suitor after having it on. Because, she can’t possibly be meant to be with her brother’s valet, could she? But Tristan Henley the valet isn’t just a valet, he’s gentry.

I really like this novella because it’s unusual to find a non fantasy (or high fantasy) book with a magical element in it. It doesn’t go overboard. There’s just a necklace with interesting powers, take it or leave it. Definitely take it, it’s simply enchanting.

A well written easy read which I read in one go. Although short it was evenly paced and didn't feel rushed. I liked both Tristan & Lilliana, their attraction was obvious they also found they had lots in common. While I haven't read the other books it seems a quartz necklace is the key to finding your soul mate.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read.

Will their shared love be enough …

A short and entertaining read about an impossible romance.
Tristan and Lilliana are quite the star-crossed lovers of legend, their difference of ranks makes of them an impossible match.
Why they fight their attraction from the beginning but it appears they are doomed to love one another but also to be apart.
Unless…

In some way, this is a sort of reverse Cinderella story, with a poor fellow having to seek work to save his nearly destitute family and the princess seeking a prince.

It was fun to watch them circling one another, trying to avoid the other, them giving in the pull to having to battle many fronts for their happily ever after.
4 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 hot kisses

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

This is an adorable novella with a rose quartz crystal necklace that helps find your true love. The necklace has a successful history of helping females in the family find their future husbands in love matches. When Lady Lilliana tells the women of her family she has found her true love and Only the Valet Will Do for her husband, they do not question her choice. Unfortunately, Lilliana’s father and brother are not quite so happy she wants to marry said valet.

Thank goodness Tristan, the valet, loves her as well. Tristan's finds the courage and strength to stand up to his own father and protect his family with the love he has for Lilliana. What happens in this delightful novella is a cute as can be for Tristan and Lilliana as they go about reaching for their HEA.

After an unsuccessful season Lady Lilliana & her family retire to the country. It is Lilliana’s turn to wear the crystal necklace. Whilst walking in the grounds she gets stuck in a hole and Mr. Tristan Henley comes to her rescue, sparks immediately fly. Unfortunately, instead of being a fellow peer, Mr. Henley is her brother Henry’s valet. Intent on supporting his family, Tristan seeks employment, only to fall for a woman he knows he cannot have. How can the crystal work its magic?
A well written quick read which I read in a sitting. I really liked both Tristan & Lilliana, their chemistry sizzled & sparks flew each time they met but they also found they had interests in common & they fell hard for each other but they were from different social classes. Tristan has secrets & you’re left guessing as to exactly what these are. I enjoyed how everything was resolved & liked that Lilliana had support not only from her Grandmother but someone else who was unexpected.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this novella; this is my freely given opinion.

I did not realize that this was originally released as part of the Love Be a Lady's Charm anthology, which is several short stories by different authors with the focus being a group of young female relations and their grandmother's love charm - a rose quartz crystal. This story, by Sophie Barnes, appears to be the last of the stories in this series so I read it without reading the others. It still was pretty readable without having read the other three, but I suspect that there was a bit of history and context that was missing without reading the other three stories.

Regardless, this is the story of Lady Lilliana, the young, spirited daughter of an earl, who has now come into possession of the love charm and is in hopes of finding her everlasting fated true love with it's powers. After all, it has helped her cousins find their true mates. What she did not expect was that the crystal would point her to her brother's valet, Tristan Henley, as her fated love. Except Tristan is handsome, charming, intelligent, and they share a magnetic mutual attraction.

Tristan is born and raised an educated gentleman, though untitled, and has been forced to find work as a valet and secretary to Lilliana's brother, because his father has squandered their monies and cannot manage their estate. He hid his background to gain employment and knows that his attraction to Lilliana, as a servant, cannot happen. But their have an undeniable, magnetic mutual attraction that just grows stronger the more time they spend together, until they are discovered and they are forced apart by her protective and outraged father and brother.

Tristan is forced to find a way to resolve his circumstances to save his family's estate and try to win over Lilliana's family to gain the chance to court her.

This was very sweet, charming, clean historical romance, that I felt was cute, but obviously with some suspension of belief. But it was a cute, fun little love story to read around Valentines.

3 stars out of 5

As with most historical romance books, the author sweeps the reader away into the world of Lilli and Tristan. They are immediately swept up into the instant attraction they feel and live each moment it’s that allure uppermost in their lives. I mean they really really get swept up I. Their feelings. So much so that they do not make the wisest choices, which lead to unfortunate consequences and family drama. There are a few interesting twists along with a happy ever after.
I received an advanced reader copy for free from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I loved this novella about class differences and believing in the magic of love. Both Tristan and Lilliana are genuinely nice people who cannot deny the power of love. If you are looking for a low-angst romance that will make you smile, read this story. So very cute.

I thought that this was a really enjoyable story

The book had a sweet storyline that was easy to follow

The characters were good and well developed and they had some lovely interaction

A match in romance and a fight to the end

It was a lovely romantic read that was sweet too – the perfect read for Valentine’s Day

It is 4 stars from me for this one, highly recommended!

This is a lovely mostly clean book. I only remembered the previous books in this series because of the rock. Otherwise you will be fine reading just this by itself. The only think I didnt like was that the ending seems rushed. I really enjoyed the whole book but the conclusion seemed crammed into one chapter. Good thing there was an epilogue.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

If you are looking for a fun and light regency romance read with a very mild level of spice look no further! Sophie Barnes weaves a wonderfully fun story of Isabel, an independent and energetic lady, and Tristan, a valet with a secret. Can they overcome the rules of society that say they are not on equal levels to love each other? With the help of a family heirloom and a loving family can love prevail?

A lovely quick read that you won't want to put down.

Sophie Barnes' Only The Valet Will Do is yet another superhit. I was very fortunate to receive an ARC of the story from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tristan Henley is the valet to Viscount Islington who is the brother of Lady Lilliana Enshaw. Circumstances have made Tristan present himself as someone else yet the instant sparks that fly between a valet, and Lady Lilliana are indisputable ... and all because of a Quartz Crystal which happens to be a mystical gem in uniting people with their life mates. A very sweet quick read.

Lady Lilliana has spirit, love that. Mr. Henley is so sophisticated yet humble. Their opposite demeanor causes instant sparks. Their resistance is not only futile but hilarious. The airs of society versus what the heart wants, very enjoyable take on that scenario. Great pace, love the plot focus and the magical elements.

This was really good book. Such a sweet love story. The story line was so good, I wasn’t sure how the main character was going to get out of the mess he had gotten himself in to. But love always finds a way.

Only the Valet Will Do, is a quick romance novel to read. I was able to finish it is less than one day. Could be because it was that good too. I couldn't put it down.

This was a cute novella about a girl who fell in love with her brother's handsome valet. Lilli had been unlucky in love until her Grandmamma gave her the rose quartz crystal. Apparently, the crystal had a special power. Whoever possessed it would meet the man they were destined for. It had already been successful for all of Lilli's cousins. After a bit of searching, I learned that this novella was originally part of the anthology "Love be a Lady's Charm." The anthology has the stories of the other cousins. At the end of this story, Lilli promises to loan the crystal to her new sister-in-law when the time comes. I was able to read this delightful story in one sitting.
I received a free ARC on NetGalley and this is my honest review.