The Valet's Secret by Josi S. Kilpack {Book Review}

 

The Valet's Secret by Josi S. Kilpack
Paperback, 288 pages
Published March 8th 2022 by Shadow Mountain

A passionate kiss from a handsome valet becomes a Regency Cinderella story when he is revealed to be the heir to the earldom.

York, England, 1819

As a once happily married woman, Rebecca Parker had a good life, but now widowed, working for a living, and her only child grown, she feels invisible, tired, and lonely. 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 handsome. She’s instantly drawn to him, which is why, rather than stopping him from kissing her, she kisses him back, reigniting a nearly forgotten passion. But love at first sight only happens in fairy tales—never to an ordinary woman like her.

She sees Mr. Henry again and feels the possibilities growing until, while working in the kitchens during a dinner party, she sees the valet she kissed sitting at the right hand of the baroness. Mr. Henry is not the earl’s valet; he is the heir to the earldom—Kenneth Winterton.

Heartbroken, angry, and betrayed, Rebecca does not trust Lord Winterton and refuses to accept his apology. But when Lord Winterton proves he is as kind and gentle as “Mr. Henry” was, she finds herself willing to give him a second chance. But will he take a chance on her? He needs a wife to help him in his place in society, and nothing about Rebecca's life does that . . . except how he feels when she is with him.

Trust, love, loneliness, and passion collide in this story about a man who will risk it all to fight for the woman he loves and a woman who does not believe in fairy tales—until she finds herself living in one.

 

 My Review: 5 Stars

Josi Kilpack has a magical way of pulling me into her books and this one was no exception. I'm not a big fan of reading about couples my age or older for some reason, and although Kenneth (48) and Rebecca (42) are right in there, it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would and I was rooting for them to find love, happiness, and companionship once again.

I love how this author tackles more difficult topics and things not written about as much in the Regency time period and with a stretch of the imagination, this story delivers a Cinderella feel to a couple mismatched in status, but the electrifying first meeting had me desperate for more.

Kenneth is someone who came to his title later and is grappling to find his footing in a world so foreign and Rebecca is stumbling to find security after discovering the true nature of her father. Yet they each complement each other in only the best ways possible and their meetings and interactions were simply wonderful.

I loved the flow and progression of the story and even the villainous characters were well-written, drawing up a lot of feelings and emotion. I loved wallowing in the depths of hope. This book was so much fun and was very entertaining, especially with the surprising hints of swoon.

Content: mild abuse/violence; mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*