Love can be a hard thing to find. Rebecca and Kenneth both found it in their youth and did not believe that it could be found a second time.

This is a sweet story of two mature adults who find the zing of attraction and fight to hold on to it even though it seems impossible.

I really loved the fact that the couple in this romance are in their forties. They both have children from previous marriages and realize the gift it is to love again. The problem they face is that their relationship would be frowned on by society. He comes from a noble family and she is from humble circumstances. Despite the impossibility of a relationship, neither can deny the attraction and feelings that develop between the two of them.

Rebecca and Kenneth's story is a feel-good story. Love can and will find a way. I loved the characters, the plot, and the setting.

If you want to find a good book that leaves you feeling good and full of hope, this is one that fits the bill.


Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Call me corny, but I love a good Cinderella story. The Valet's Secret is a sweet take on the classic tale, full of tenderness and humor, as well as a few nods to previous iterations. And it's a mature romance! The hero is in his late 50s and the heroine is, I believe, somewhere in her 40s, and it was lovely to watch two nice people from different worlds navigate their blossoming relationship. The conflict with her abusive father felt unncessarily melodramatic, and I can think of more interesting ways for that relationship to have played out. Likewise, there was opportunity for more depth with the male lead's female relatives that could have been a great twist on the old story. But these are relatively minor quibbles, made up for by the other wonderful supporting characters (I'm looking at you Rose, Baroness, and Malcom). And the main focus really is on the love story, which I happily rooted for and will recommend to anyone who wants a tender love story about good people.

My thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

🌟🌟𝑩𝑶𝑶𝑲 𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑬𝑾🌟🌟

𝑺𝒀𝑵𝑶𝑷𝑺𝑰𝑺

Kenneth is suddenly need to become an heir to his household after the supposed to be 'heir' died unexpectedly. However, one day he met a commoner woman and fell in love with her at the first sight while he pretending to be a valet. So, he lied to her purposely in order to meet her again.

𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑨𝑪𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺

KENNETH- He is a single dad and a very swoon worthy guy. I absolutely adore his personality.😍 Very gentleman!! 🤧. He was single since her wife died and need to become an heir because of his cousin die. His life changed 360 degree from someone who lives a normal life and become someone who everyone looks up to, an EARL. Besides, the way he trid to win Rebecca back when she knows his real identity is adorable. I respect him when he keep pursuing Rebecca eventhough he know he can't get get married to a Maid, but he's ready to sacrifice everything just for her. AHHH😍😍

REBECCA- A single mom who lives with her abusive father. She is a strong willed girl and I love how tough she is eventhough she is in low status. I love how she knows her worth and keep striving to improve herself.

𝑷𝑳𝑶𝑻

I rarely read historical romance and I don't expect to love it. The plot is kinda cliche but really addicting. It keeps getting better and better. The short chapter make it easier and allow you to as fast as you could. One thing for sure. The amount that I tried to speak and act like a british overwhelm me. 😂 😂. I even re-enact it. So good 😂😂.

I have only a few problem with the plot which throughout the ending. I think it can be much more dramatic than it is to bring out the tension. It a waste there is no scene of Kenneth's sons though. Rebecca's daughter have a scene in the book and it gave a glimpse of their relationship. Besides, I want to have more scene of Rebecca and Kenneth. Honestly, their relationship develop quite fast and I think the author really want to rushed out to end this book that makes the plot seemed like a normal romance.

𝑶𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑨𝑳𝑳

I adore it so much. I will recommend it for someone who wants to try a light historical romance. The characters, the plot is all good. 😍. It feels like you are watching a historical romance series. The drama, the tension and the plots makes you craving for me. And its rare to find a love stories for middle age man and middle age woman. So, the book is very unique and interesting on its way. 💕💕

𝑻𝑹𝑶𝑷𝑬𝑺

-HISTORICAL ROMANCE
- MIDDLE AGE COUPLE LOVE STORY
-FORBIDDEN LOVE
-LOVE AT THE FIRST SIGHT
-DUAL POV

Thank you netgalley, the author and the publisher that give this amazing e-arc

I liked the heroine, but I didn't like the hero that much. They're both widowed and are in their 40s. The hero's actions didn't make sense at times. It was very slow and was loosing interest by the end.

I found this to be quite an unbelievable Cinderella story. The hero is rather a cad as he hides his identity from the heroine by pretending to be his own valet. They are quite attracted to each other, but she comes from a working class family and has worked in the past as a maid. He is heir to an earldom. She is quite aware that there is no hope for them other than a dishonorable affair which would only harm her. Then we’re asked to totally suspend disbelief in how this all gets happily resolved.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

The Valet’s Secret is a sweet Proper Romance with a fun twist on the Cinderella fairytale. It’s a quick read for those days when you’re looking for something ridiculously frothy and light. My one complaint is that the main characters lack the maturity and confidence you would expect from people in their 40’s, particularly for the historical era the story is set in.

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#TheValetsSecret #NetGalley

I was pleasantly surprised that this story is about Kenneth Bartholomew Winterton, a widowed 48 year old heir to an earldom and Mrs. Rebecca Parker, a 42 year old widowed maid. You usually don’t find regency books about older men AND women. Usually it’s a younger woman with an older (by older I mean 35 year old) man.

The story follows Winterton learning the ropes of becoming an Earl, from his uncle. Getting out of the Royal Navy when his cousin Edward, the heir to the Earldom of Brenston passed away and giving up his rather leisure lifestyle of a widowed bachelor, did not sit well with Winterton. So whenever he had the chance he swapped clothes with his valet, a good friend from his Navy days Malcom, and went for a horse ride.

When Winterton and Rebecca cross paths, it’s not romantic or slow. His temperamental horse almost runs into her, so she jumps off the road into the bushes.

When Winterton helps her with a cut on her face, while she rests her ankle, sparks fly and he can’t stop looking at her.

I think this was a beautiful story about a second chance at love, that doesn’t regard boundaries.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

So, this is one of my favorite Josi Kilpack books. I loved that it was totally different from the norm of mainstream regency. I loved the interwoven Cinderella vibes I got. The meet cute got things started right away. Like, right away! I liked the mystery and intrigue with the mistaken identity trope and enjoyed reading that these characters were older. If you’re looking for something new, I recommend this one!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

This was short and sweet - a lovely fairy tale of a Proper Romance. I loved that the characters are mature (both in their 40s), so it’s in essence a second chance love story, in that they’re both widowed and experiencing love for a second time. A little class conflict tossed in for good measure, and mwah! Chef’s kiss!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I don’t usually enjoy the second-chance trope, particularly when one or the other was previously married. But I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that Josi Kilpack’s excellent writing can pull me in despite everything. The hero and heroine in this both had previous marriages. There is also some mistaken identity, another not very favorite trope of mine, especially when it drags on and on. Thankfully, the valet’s secret doesn’t last too long, and we’re able to move on quickly.

I thought this was a superb mature romance. There is definitely an instant connection between the main characters, but I got a sense of them taking the time to get to know each other. It all felt plausible and realistic to me until the end, which felt a little fantastical and unreal compared to the rest of the book. But it’s Cinderella! So you just suspend disbelief and go with it. A fun historic retelling that focuses on finding love again and overcoming the disparity between societal classes.

A passionate kiss from a handsome valet becomes a Regency Cinderella story when he is revealed to be an earl.
York, England, 1819.
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.
Still, she cannot stop thinking about Mr. Henry and the kiss they shared. The more time she spends with the earl’s valet, the more she knows she cannot in good conscience allow Mr. Timoltson to continue to court her, even though a marriage to him would provide her financial security and independence from her overbearing father’s control. The heart wants what it wants, and her heart wants Mr. Henry.
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.
This story is like a fairytale. Maid becomes a likely countess.
Rebecca and the would be earl make a great couple.
This is a new to me author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

"The Valet's Secret" by Josi S. Kilpack
Sincere + Sweet + Fate + Kiss = Good Story
I loved this story.. not to long, not to short, sweet and clean romance at its best, and a goodly amount of angst to keep you on the edge of your seat, so to speak. I am so glad I chose this story to read. For me I wish Kenneth & Rebecca would send me one of those "newsy" Christmas newsletters that folks send telling about what has happened in their wee corner of the world over the past year. And maybe include what's happened to the rest of the cast of characters. Truly a fun, at moments tear-jerking story that is well worth the read. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher
This review expresses my honest opinion of this story.

What a great idea for a book! I always love it when the hero or herorine are hiding a secret or pretending to be someone else. Well done!

Rebecca and Kenneth meet on a whim and share a kiss. Except Rebecca thinks that Kenneth is actually a valet, Malcolm Henry. There is insta-love as this middle age widow with an abusive father and a middle age man who was thrown into being the heir to an earldom try to figure out their relationship.

Insta-love isn’t always my thing and I think it’s one of the things that made me iffy about liking this book. Their first meeting seems so rushed and unrealistic that they would instantly be all the other could think about. I also feel like the characters were lacking some depth, they’re both sweet and figuring out how to live within their social station but I sometimes wanted more. This was a well written book that is sweet and clean but I think I just wanted a little more realistic excitement and character development.

Cinderella story meets the regency era! I liked this book. It was a fast read and the plot moved along quickly, but it was way more modern fairytale than regency story and readers should keep that in mind.

The plot moved fast and I almost wish the stakes were higher for the characters overall. The baroness is simply the best character in the story and held the plot together.

Looking for an easy-read romance happening in the 19th century? Then this is definitely something for you!

The book is well written and moves at a comfortable pace. It has a perfect vocabulary, neither repetitive nor difficult. The characters are quite sweet and interesting, and the relationships and history between them is what drives the book forward.

The plot is quite typical for a historical fiction, but it is still a pleasure to read and a book I'll recommend to anyone interested in the Bridgerton-series. It is not a steamy romance, but a sweet and more grounding kind of love. A pleasure for anyone, but especially fans of historical fiction.

This is a nice, mistaken identity christian romance. This type of story isn’t my usual genre, but I enjoyed it. The Christian references exist in one bit of monologue by the heroine. There is kissing between the H and h, four in total, I think.

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

Summary: Rebecca is a struggling widow living back home with her father and with one loveless marriage proposal on the way until a valet on a rogue horse nearly tramples her. The horse and the valet both leave her breathless especially after that scandalous kiss, a kiss she cannot stop thinking about and neither can her mysterious Valet, Malcolm Henry. However, Malcolm is not all that he seems the Malcolm that nearly ran Rebecca over is actually Kenneth a soon-to-be Earl whose every relation is trying to find a suitable wife for him. To Kenneth none of the respectable women compare to Rebecca however their destiny for a star-crossed romance may not even be an option once she realizes that their relationship all started with a lie.

Thoughts: This was very cute Kenneth and Rebecca were very cute together and I love that the grand gesture was a giant bust but still worked out in the end. The Baroness was my favorite character and I now need a book about her romance with the Baron. I was pleasantly surprised by how precious she was and how acceptiong of the romance between Kenneth and Rebecca. The daughter, Rose kind of annoyed me I understand why she behaved as she did but her Rebecca is her mother and she is allowed to have a life and secrets outside of Rose wether she agrees with them or not. I do wish we actually got to meet Kenneth’s sons and saw more of Malcom because the little we saw of him wasnt enough. I do love historical romacances and i appreciated that this one had very limited drama and the class issue was quickly overcome without theatrics. However, my favorite part of the book did have a bit of drama involving Kenneth Rebecca and some walnuts and I heartily approve of Rebecca’s use of them he definately deserved it. I like how they addressed the class in issue and quickly got rid of any issues for possible miscommunication overall this is a super cute fun little historical romance that I will be indulging in again.

#TheValet'sSecret #NetGalley

A retelling of Cinderella, with a twist. Both of the main characters are widowed and in their forties. Rebecca Parker, has been living under her father's roof, even though, she is in her forties, her father treats her like a child.
Kenneth Winterton, is in line for the earl, but just wants to be his own person. The current earl, is determined, to find Kenneth a wife. A brief encounter has made its mark on Kenneth, and he isn't willing to give into his uncle's schemes. I really enjoyed reading this, retelling of Cinderella.

I think The Valet's Secret really maximizes the tensions created by Regency era society and the class structures that ruled at the time. Both Rebecca Parker and Kenneth Winterton wish to escape their current lives in some way. After meeting under false pretenses, they find themselves falling for each other, despite his pending Earldom and her decidedly common existence. Is there any hope? Could the protagonists every be together?

I was excited to read about two main characters past the age of 40s, both widowers. That being said, I was a little disappointed with the lack of maturity in both characters, given their life experiences. Their internal struggles seemed naive and both offered little resistance to the ways they both were subjugated to others. The ending sort of came out of left field, and was motivated more by the observant Countess on the sidelines than either of the of the protagonists.. That combined with with the personality transplant that Kenneth's uncle receives made the ending much less satisfying than the build up.