The Footman is an Earl by Valerie Bowman
Lords in Disguise, book 1
Publisher: June Third Enterprises, LLC
Gene: Historical
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by MistflowerWhen a spirited activist falls for a footman, will love survive when she learns he’s really the earl behind the cause she opposes?
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?
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?
The Footman is an Earl is the first book in the Lords in Disguise series and can easily be read as a standalone. However, after enjoying this book so much, I definitely plan to read the second installment in the series.
One thing I especially appreciated was the Author’s Note before the prologue. Combined with the prologue, it provides a wonderful introduction to the cast of characters and immediately made me feel connected to them. It also increased my anticipation to begin the story, even after the synopsis had already captured my interest. This was my first Valerie Bowman novel, and I found her writing style to be engaging and effortless to read.
Frances is the heroine of the story, and I loved that she is clever, sincere, humble, and intelligent. She is exactly the kind of woman the hero, Lucas, has been hoping to find. I especially enjoyed her hilarious shenanigans as she tried to avoid marrying the man her mother had chosen for her.
This was such a fun and refreshing read because I’d never read a historical romance in which the hero was the one in disguise. I’ve read plenty of stories where the heroine disguises herself as a man, but Lucas posing as a servant was far more entertaining. Even better, his disguise carries a deeper purpose that is revealed later in the story when his deception comes to light. It’s a wonderful example of Valerie Bowman’s skillful storytelling, as she ties Lucas’s deception into Frances’s passion for advocating for the poor.
The connection between Lucas and Frances felt genuine, making it easy to become invested in their romance. Their chemistry was irresistible, and Lucas’s friends—who are also in disguise—added even more humor and entertainment to the story.
I found the plot to be fresh and original, with a smooth pace that kept me eagerly turning the pages. By the time I reached the end, I was completely satisfied and already looking forward to reading the next book. I highly recommend The Footman is an Earl to anyone who enjoys witty, engaging historical romance with memorable characters and a unique premise.
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