Excuse me, but why did this book have to end?!? I was swept away in a world with Rebecca and Kenneth. These two people never should have worked being from "opposite sides of the track" but their love overcame all the obstacles. This was definitely a book I was expecting to be as outstanding as it was which are my absolute favorite stories! Author Josi Kilpack has a way with words to lead us all to the happily ever after.

I absolutely love everything about this book. It is such a sweet and tender story of love trying to over come the impossible. Josie S Kilpack built the characters so perfectly and seamlessly that I couldn’t put it down and read into the wee hours of the morning until finished. Well done!

THE VALET’S SECRET by JOSI S KILPACK is a lighthearted regency romance novel There is some humour and much intrigue and it is a most enjoyabe read.
Kenneth Bartholomew Winterton, heir presumptive to his uncle Lester’s earldom, finds he has a lot to learn and there is a grest deal expected of him, the most important requirement being that he should find a suitable wife amongst the many society ladies who are paraded before him.
Kenneth wants to enjoy his freedom as long as possible, so he borrows his longsuffering valet Malcolm’s clothes in order to get around incognito. This leads to a nasty accident when he can’t control his horse and Mrs Rebecca Parker is injured. A few passionate kisses ensue…….
I am not going to tell you any more.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Shadow Mountain Publishing. The opiions in ths review are completely my own.

I loved this book! It was a delightful regency romance with hints of a Cinderella re-telling! Kenneth has recently gained a title and struggles with his new role and its responsibilities. As a means of escape, sometimes he dresses as his valet and goes riding. On one such ride, he meets Rebecca and they quickly have a connection. Both are widowers and recognize in each other a loneliness that abates in each other's presence. But Rebecca comes from a lower class, the working class, and both don't see a way that they can have a future. I loved how the writer developed each character so well. I found myself nervous and totally hooked as they tried to navigate their challenges and their journey to choosing what mattered most. One of my favorite characters was the baroness, who reminded me of a kind and wise grandmother. You won't regret picking this one up! It was a delightful love story! I highly recommend it!

This proper romance doesn’t disappoint. It has a Cinderella theme to it with a regency background. I really enjoyed this. I read this very quickly. I would definitely recommend this to those who love a story with depth and feeling that is sweet.

Thank you to Josi S. Kilpack, NetGalley, and Shadow Mountain Publishing for my eARC of “The Valet’s Secret” in exchange for my honest review.

In “The Valet’s Secret,” we meet Rebecca and Kenneth, two folks who end up falling in love but are on opposite sides of the class hierarchy. Since it’s a HEA, they are able to overcome the limitations and expectations of their stations to reach their HEA. It’s a very sweet and tender read. I enjoyed reading about two adults, in their 40s, finding a partner again and falling in love. I also really loved some of the humor - I won’t spoil a certain scene but it made me laugh out loud.

I do wish there was a bit more action or interaction between Rebecca and Kenneth. While we get to see them interact a fair amount and you can see their relationship grow and strengthen, I think I wanted even more. And in some ways, I almost wish Kenneth impersonating the valet, Malcolm, went on a bit longer since that’s the title of the book. I was expecting the reveal to be much later or somehow really make a mess of things but that was not the case.

Overall, I did thoroughly enjoy “The Valet’s Secret” and I will be certain to read another one of Kilpack’s novels again.

As a Cinderella story, this one had cute moments. Other moments were difficult to swallow though. The whole hiding your identity then being found out before you could come clean feels very overdone, and it wasn't convincingly done in this case.

At times it feels like you start to really get to know the characters, at others it feels like the author is just skimming the surface and contradicting what we previously knew about the character. For example, Rebecca is feisty and fiery when she first meets the supposed valet. But quickly melts into his kiss with no hesitation only moments later, with no explanation other than she's lonely and he's good looking.

The story went on like that - with completely out of character moments happening because plot. When it went well, the story flowed easily and was enjoyable to read. But certain aspects felt forced, and made it difficult to fully enjoy. While a fairy tale isn't necessarily meant to be realistic, part of the wonder of them is that you can imagine it really happening, and I did not find that with this one.

There is something special and unique about Josi Kilpack's stories. Her novel, Lord Fenton's Folly was one of the first regency era stories that I read and there began my love of historic novels, especially all things regency. I have been a fan of her work for a long time and am happy to add The Valet's Secret to my list of favorite books by Ms. Kilpack. The Valet's Secret is charming with a fun twist and unique nods to the fairy tale Cinderella. I loved that the characters has to make decisions for themselves that would lead to their happiness, despite what others and the world thought they needed or should do. When everything and everyone appears to be working against the very happiness that they sought, they learned to follow their hearts. Sometimes the heart wants what it wants, even if it doesn't fit into a perfect box or society's demands and expectations. Other times, it takes great courage to follow your heart. True, not everyone gets the chance to chase after their heart's desires, but in this novel it was very endearing and satisfying to see. I highly recommend The Valet's Secret and enjoyed reading it, probably too much, judging by how late I stayed up to finish it one sitting.

Widower Kenneth is on his way to his uncle’s estate, now that he’s the heir presumptive to his uncle’s Earldom but he has one last bit of rebellion in him, and he changes clothes with his valet and rides to the estate. He meets widowed Rebecca Parker and there’s instant attraction. Unfortunately for Kenneth, he introduces himself as his valet. Several meetings later, Rebecca realizes he’s not who he said he was. And this means their roles in society are very different.

Overall, I liked this book. I thought the idea that true love wins over restrictive society roles was nicely done, even if it was a bit unbelievable at times. I loved the baroness, who turns into a champion for Rebecca and Kenneth’s love. I adored that we got a book with “older” main characters instead of the fresh out of the schoolroom haven’t seen anything characters. Unfortunately, I didn’t think they were well written in terms of maturity. I felt like Kenneth in particular was written like a twenty something man who doesn’t understand the reality of life at that time. That’s what really keeps me from giving this a higher rating.

I did enjoy this book as a whole, even though I don’t consider it a favorite. 3.5 rounded up to 4.

I couldn’t put this book down! It was amazing from start to finish. One of those books you want to go back and read your favorite parts over again, so that you can savor them a little longer.

The storyline is loosely the storyline of Cinderella, with a few role reversals at times, and a wonderful regency twist. I loved the nods to the original story, but loved even more the parts that made it unique.

Rebecca was so lovable. How can you not love a walnut throwing woman with good aim, who’s a hard worker, and loving mother.

Kenneth was a worth male lead, who really wanted a woman who he could love, not just live companionably with. In most Cinderella stories the couple is young and naive, but in this story they are both widows, and the wisdom of an older than usual couple made this book even more enjoyable.

I received an advanced copy of this book by Josi Kiloack from Shadowmountain via Netgally. The opinions are my own. This book will be available March 2022! You won’t want to miss it.

The Valet’s Secret by Josi S. Kilpack is an excellent historical romance that had me engaged, enthralled, and cheering through till the end.

Rebecca and Kenneth both are at fairly uneventful spots in their respective lives- both having raised their own children and both widowed. Their assumed futures are abruptly shaken when they meet one another as Kenneth is on his travels to accept a surprising, and uninvited, Earldom after a death in the family. Kenneth masquerades as his valet in a last minute attempt to hold off the responsibilities and change in status and life if for just a few moments, one last time. It is at this moment of escapism that these two destined souls meet and chemistry blossoms.

Unfortunately, duties and societal roles, as well as many family obstructions, are obstacles in what should be an obvious romance. Rebecca finds out whom the real Earl is, and despite their feelings for one another, there are so many mountains placed in their path. Can they overcome all of the challenges to find love, happiness, and a happily ever after?

It was so sweet and romantic to see these two treasured characters overcome so many external difficulties: family, duty, expectations, societal restrictions…and find one another and the future that they both truly deserve. The chemistry was most definitely there…they were perfect for one another, and I am glad to see how wonderful of an ending the author was able to give to two such memorable and well-rounded characters.

The twists, turns, and surprises all added a bit of complexity and added to the enjoyment that I experienced while reading this story. I finished it happy, light, and satisfied.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately ( as of 9/25/21 no BB listing has been created and will be posted when it is updated with links added below) and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

As a once happily married woman, Rebecca Parker lived a charmed life, but now widowed and working for a living, she feels alone and living a mundane existence. That is until the day a valet speeding by on a horse nearly runs her off the road. Mr. Malcolm Henry is apologetic, gentle, and very handsome. She’s instantly drawn to him, which is why, rather than stopping him from kissing her, she finds herself kissing him back, reigniting a nearly forgotten passion in her. But love at first sight only happens in fairy tales—never to an ordinary woman like her.

But while working in the kitchens during a fancy dinner party, she sees something strange: the valet—the valet she kissed—is sitting at the right hand of the baroness. She realizes that Mr. Henry is not the earl’s valet; he is the earl—Kenneth Winterton.. Will there be a happily ever after?

Add in a drunk father, interfering uncle, evil cousin with three daughters... it's a lot of obstacles standing in the way of true love. The twists and turns keep me reading. :) I really like this version of Cinderella. Love both main characters a lot. :) Very enjoyable.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an arc

A totally fantastic story!
This book will keep you reading, waiting to see what new twist or turn is around each bend. Just when you think you know what is going to happen, it surprises you by going a different way. It is so good. Kenneth, a widower, has raised his two boys and is pleased to see them moving towards their chosen fields. He has a small estate and is content with his lot, when he receives word that his cousin has suddenly died making him heir to an earldom. Something he never expected or wanted but he finds himself heading to his uncle’s to be trained in all the responsibilities this new position entails. Hoping to escape the looming pressures, if only for a few moments, he exchanges jackets, boots and hats with his valet and takes off on a brisk ride across the countryside. The spirited horse he has acquired has no desire to follow Kenneth’s directions and soon runs Rebecca, who was walking along the footpath in the woods, onto the side of the path to escape serious injury. Rebecca was a widow and former maid who had raised her daughter, Rose, so well that Rose had been able to get a position as a companion. Now Rebecca was living with her father and helping him in his business. She was entertaining the idea of remarriage to a man who she did not love but would provide companionship and an escape from her father’s drunken rages. As Rebecca pulls herself out of the bushes, Kenneth approaches to apologize for the accident. As they meet and begin to interact, they both find themselves drawn together but Kenneth presents himself as his valet making a romance possible. But eventually the truth of Kenneth’s identity will be discovered and any romance made impossible. Add in a stern uncle, a conniving cousin with three daughters, and a powerful and understanding baroness and you get a story that continues to engage and surprise right to the end. A great read! I highly recommend it. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.