The Footman and I

Valerie Bowman

Jun 2020 · The Footmen's Club Book 1 · June Third Enterprises, LLC

About this ebook

She thinks he's a footman. He's really an earl. Hijinks ensue.

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?

Ratings and reviews

4 Stars!! This is the first book in the series and can be read as a standalone. This was a good book! I love the idea of these wealthy lords hiding in plain sight as servants! Frances was not really believable to me, especially for the era, but this author tends to make her female characters that way. It’s a bit slow going but I still really liked it! I really can’t wait to read the second book!! *I received this book at no charge from the publisher and I voluntarily left a review.*

Wanting to be loved for himself and not his title turns into a bet among friends where they hide in plain sight as servants. I’m not the biggest fan of mistaken identity when it’s not an accident, but I did love the reason for this one. Not only was he getting to know her he was also learning about himself and how it is to be a servant. Frances and Lucas can talk about politics and it’s clear there is a spark between them. When the truth came out about who he is and how bad her family wants her to marry I was holding my breath wondering how things would turn out. I did love the grand reveal to everyone and the ending. Frances loves to discuss politics and she is determined to convince every lord not to vote for the upcoming employment bill and she won’t be held back by anyone. I wanted to love her, but her assuming what he was like and always needing to be right got on my nerves. I did love her reason for being against the bill though. Lucas is super caring and loving and always wants to do what’s right. His heart was broken because of titles and now he fears it will happen again. I loved him from the start because he had good intentions and wasn’t like most men with titles. Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review

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.

About the author

Valerie Bowman’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.

Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzers, Huckleberry and Violet. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.