The Billionaire's Valet

Forever Wilde #related

by Lucy Lennox

It is utter madness for a valet to fall in love with one’s boss.
But when that boss is Ignatius Corbridge–my handsome, secretly-lonely, utterly-wonderful Iggy–one really can’t help it.
For decades, I’ve stood by his side, fulfilling my role as his right-hand man, his mentor, his friend. I’ve pressed his suits, arranged his travel, and witnessed a thousand walks of shame as he scratched itch after itch with elite playboys around the globe.
Each day, it killed me just a little bit more.
So I did what needed to be done for both of I quit.
More than that, I took myself on a sightseeing adventure halfway around the globe to put some distance between us.
But when I board the sleeper car on the luxury African safari train, the first sight that greets me is the man I left behind.
Iggy wants me back…
And from the heated look in his eyes, it’s apparent he no longer sees me as his valet... and hasn’t for quite some time.

The Billionaire's Valet first appeared in the Dissent Anthology.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Audiobook, LGBT, Short Stories

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 9, 2023

About the author

I write M/M romance with humor, heart, and heat. Check out my backlist here on GR for a selection of series and standalone or visit www.LucyLennox.com!

I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!

Reviews

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25*** stars


Y’all know how it is. There’s a newsletter fluttering into your inbox, devoted reader that you are, you read it attentively and then you run off to get the novella that sounded so utterly delicious. Even though you had to chip in 2.99 to get it. —Well, I guess not all impulses can lead to victory.

This book was charming, don’t get me wrong, but the 45 pages we got were not worth the price imo. Maybe if I had read Felix and the Prince (this seems to be tightly related to that one) I would’ve been over the moon about it, but as a standalone novella (or better short) it wasn’t enough. —and the intensity of their feelings for each other were ridiculously OTT.

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING 3.5 STARS

The Billionaire’s Valet is a stand alone novella by Lucy Lennox. It first appeared in the Dissent Anthology and is now available on it’s own. Recently I have been catching up on Lucy’s novellas since six of them moved over to KU and I have loved every one of them. For some reason, though, this one wasn’t one of my favorites. It’s super short but that isn’t the reason. I think I just didn’t love the characters as much in this.



Jon Banks has been Ignatius “Iggy” Cortbridge’s valet since Iggy was a teenager. There is an age gap here but I’m not certain at how much it is. As Iggy grew into a man they became closer. Jon pretty much handled everything for Iggy. He was his bodyguard, secretary, confidant and best friend. But, as Jon watched Iggy have meaningless one night stands over and over, he lost more and more of himself. Because he was in love with Iggy. So after decades together, Jon had enough and left. He finally decided to treat himself to a vacation he always dreamed of on a luxury African safari train. But as soon as he boards, he can’t believe who is also there!



Iggy has also been in love with Jon but was afraid to let him know because he didn’t want to lose him. But when Jon left, Iggy was determined to finally admit his feelings and bring Jon home, not as his valet, but as the love of his life. But convincing Jon wasn’t as easy as he hoped.



So, this was super cute and also plenty steamy. I just didn’t love Iggy as much as I wanted to. Still, I’m glad I read it. I do love the cover by the way!

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[Vanna (on-hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!! ❤️❤️ Loved it! Despite my initial misgivings about the novella, I gave in and bought it.. and ended up enjoying this super sweet, age-gap romance. It helped that I had loved Felix and the Prince from the Wilde Series where Iggy had first shown up. The story is short obviously, more like a snapshot of the time that the two MCs find each other after a brief separation and confess their love. 🥰 Not much happens after that except some steamy sex 🔥😉and a cameo-filled epilogue. Still, not a complete waste of approx 50 mins. 🤔 Highly recommended to all fans of LL and her Wilde series.. 👍🏻👍🏻

[Celia {Hiatus until August} · Rating 3 out of 5]

•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 3,4 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |

Jon is Iggy's valet since he was a kid. His parents contracted him.
But Iggy fell in love with Jon, since he's his employ and a lot older, he thinks Jon doesn't see him like that.



When Iggy gets older, Jon fells for him too.
Tired of seeing Iggy with other guys, he quits his job and goes into a train journey.



It's funny to see who's the top and bottom in this story.

[Evelyn220 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Sweet novella but it started at the very end of the love story. It felt like all the interesting parts had already occurred off page and we are just given small snippets. My favorite part of a love story is watching them fall in love and these two were already there. This was just 45 pgs them finally confessing their love, which was frustrating and definitely not worth being a separate book.

[taylor :) (in a slump) · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay. fine. started off better than it ended

[Janet (iamltr) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook Review

Reading this one was like coming into a movie midway through.

I read the blurb for this and it only said that it appeared in an anthology but not that apparently it's a part of a series I have not read yet.

Anyways in here we have Iggy, who is young and apparently very rich and his butler whose name I can't remember who quit being his butler and went on a vacation. Iggy decided to chase after him and claim him.

This was too short to be a story and the characters were paper dolls. There was some sort of epilogue, I think they got married? And the royal couple had a baby? I dunno, it was too confusing.

Also this very short audio was not worth paying this much for.

Michael Dean is one of my favs but his accent for the butler was not good.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short quick read. Iggy who is King Lio best friend is having a hard time the man that he loves has left him. Jon Banks has stood by his side for 20 years he has been his bodyguard is valet and his secretary when Iggy begins acting weird he leaves. Iggy decides to go get his man. They end up on a train going on safari in Africa. This was a good short quick read that I wished was longer. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling.

[Ed Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a ok short story. It’s an interesting story, but it would have made a very good book. It was like I was reading the last few chapters and had skipped all the build up.

[Kk · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is lovely that there is an author who can write a full story in less than 100 pages. Many authors pull in established characters from other books or write about secondary characters from larger stories as a means to create a well rounded story. LL manages to bypass that tried and true method to flesh out a lovely work that makes you smile as the characters burn themselves on the heat factor…lol

[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven• · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet short story which made a quick good night read before bed!
Iggy is a wealthy london socialite whose valet of 20yrs Jon (who's 10yrs older than him) left unexpectedly, then they find themselves together on the same Sub-Saharan train, as the truths of their unrequited love is finally revealed!
Despite being a short story, the 1st chapters were sad & packed with emotions. Gosh! Plus you know, I'm always looking forward to find out who's the top/bottom (or if they're vers), Here it kinda surprised me 😆 But in their roles, they thrived so I could kinda see it heh.

Just a short story & they effected me so much, their complexities & relationship easy to understand & love. Witty & fun. I just checked & I have Felix's book, so cool! As I haven't yet read any Wilde novels, just the novellas 😅.

[DJO · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too short, underdeveloped, and hackneyed to be of any interest.

[Imanewreader ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

may/december boss×valet romance

short and nice !

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short novellas about Iggy and his Valet Jon. Iggy is the son of a member of the British Government and Jon has been his employee since Iggy was a young teenager. Employed by his father to keep Iggy out of mischief, particularly as he is young gay man in London.

Problem start early when Iggy is 15 and he confesses his love for Jon. Brushed off neatly they continue their ‘work’ relationship for several more years. Thing is that Jon also loves Iggy. But recently, Iggy had fears that Jon would leave him if he did t hide his feelings so he has been standoffish and spent more time with his society friends, often being away for days.

Jon feels that he is not needed by Iggy any more, so one evening after helping Iggy prepare for an important social event and leaving the house, Jon packs his bags and leaves too.

Iggy, when he discovers this is brokenhearted and sets out to find his beloved Jon.

Very sweet, low key, Love story.

[Tinnean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody's a millionaire anymore

But this was a fun read. Poor Jon is hopelessly in love with the young man he's valeted for, he's protected, and who he's watched go into everyone's bed but Jon's. Unable to bear it any longer, Jon resigns and heads to South Africa to go on safari.

Iggy has been in love with his valet for years, but Jon keeps his distance, unwilling to believe him. When Jon leaves, Iggy has no choice but to go after him.

Their journey is so enjoyable!. Try it and see for yourself.

But no one is a millionaire anymore!

[emi.bookslover · Rating 3 out of 5]

E finalmente anche il nostro Iggy ha trovato il suo lieto fine. Un amore che è nato ed è cresciuto nel corso di ben 20 anni. Anche per questa novella confermo che sono rimasta un po' delusa dallo sviluppo della storia. Sono rimasta contenta dal piccolo cameo dei nostri amati Lio e Felix che è sempre un piacere ritrovare.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, enjoyable and fast. I think I would have liked a full story of them, based on the angst that was hinted at, but it was still a good time.

[Aki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hat mich jetzt nicht wirklich interessiert. War halt auch kurz

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and entertaining ;)

[therese ˃ᴗ˂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

sweet ♡

[Yohan Viveros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historia corta del universo de los Wilde. Creo que la elección de nombre de unos de los personajes no fue la ideal, ya que ya existe uno con ese nombre.

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fanciful tale of of love …

A fanciful tale of BBF who admit their love. Iggy, 30, 6’ of lean muscle, is a billionaire who now fights for LGBTQ rights around the world. He was kidnapped at ten, and then had a valet to guide his life.
Jon, dark haired and slim, valet to Iggy for 20 years, quits and goes away, without a word.
Iggy follows a path to find him.
Iggy confronts Jon, and the truth is exposed !
Enjoy !

=====

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It’s not about the cuffs, damn it. I don’t need a valet, Jon. I need you. It’s always been you. Don’t you know that?” — Iggy

Warnings: none of note

This is just a lovely, sweet, short story of confessions and coming together. It is self-contained and feels complete, one of the few short stories I've read in a while that didn't feel like it was part of a larger work or would have been better with additions. The whole short story takes place over less than 24 hours. The Billionaire's Valet is the story of young billionaire, Ignatius "Iggy" Corbridge and his valet, Jonathon "Jon" Banks. It picks up with a very drunk Iggy walking through an airport in South Africa after receiving the worst news he can imagine. Jon has been employed for nearly 20 years by The Corbridge family until suddenly leaving without telling Iggy why. Iggy has been in love with Jon since he was a teen, Jon has been in love with Iggy since Iggy was 19, their age gap notwithstanding. They end up on the same safari, The Blue Train (which looks awesome btw) and their history, combined with Iggy's desperation takes over from there. Iggy is a great character well developed especially for once in such a short piece. We see so much of him through Jon's eyes, he isn't a party boy, he is a good man. Jon is a lot, his self is plot-critical. Finally, I like their sexual dynamic, love that we see lovemaking, not sex. It suits the tone of the book.

The characters from Felix and the Prince make appearances, Lio the titular Prince of that novel is Iggy's best friend. I have not read Felix and the Prince it is set before this and are only referenced or used as plot devices. Not knowing Lio's story is not detrimental to your enjoyment. It's been a while since I read any Lucy Lennox, I really want to read more now. I recommend The Billionaire's Valet if you want something sweet or just want to try Lucy's writing.

Normally, I would have only needed to look for my name on a tasteful sign indicating the car and driver that my valet—who was also my bodyguard, secretary, confidant, and the gravity that kept my personal solar system aligned—had arranged for me. But nothing was normal about this trip, considering I’d booked it myself while drunk and sobbing on the marble floor of my foyer. — Iggy

A representative gif:

[Yvonne]

Sweet short story. Unless you’ve read Felix and the Prince,you won’t have any extra connection.

I checked this out from my library so it was free to listen to, but not sure it worth spending money on. Should definitely be included as a freebie from Felix’s book.

[Pheefs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super quick and cute read ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[✨Lucy IntheSky☄️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

😏

Damn, this was kinda sexy.

Set in the Wilde Universe and connected to Felix and the Prince, Iggy is Lio's bestie, who's also been his longterm fuckbuddy, if you remember him from that story, and this is his love story.

Well, I really liked this short novella and it has all the goodies;

🔴 Age gap of 10 years
🟣 Employer / employee, royalty, nobility, so more like Sir/Servant
🔵 Very likeable characters
🟢 Jon, the older MC and a vallet is a submissive
🟡 Pining, unrequited love on both sides

This is a short peek into the dynamic between Jon, a former military/now vallet, who's also been Iggy's friend, confidant and somewhat a guardian for the past 20 years of his life, and Iggy, the young rich man he's hired to care for since Iggy was 14.

They both love each other, but neither knows, so when Jon can't take it anymore, he leaves, while Iggy goes after him and they finally confess their feelings, have hot sex and move to the countryside together.

A wonderful idea, I loved the dynamic, I absolutely didn't expect for Jon to be a submissive and Iggy surprised me with his dominant feelings and attitude that came to light near the end.

I personally think they were talking too much when they finally came together , too much explaining, talking in circles, I somehow wanted the element of surprise there and while Iggy is apparently taller, more dominant and willing to fly to Africa to get the man he loves, well, I would expect for him to just grab Jon and make him see and understand...his side of things.

I think this story needs further developing, it would be a shame to leave it just as, it has great potential.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

old post reposted



Lucy Lennox recently wrote a shorty story titled "The Billionaire's Valet" for the anthology "Dissent." "Dissent" is a charity romance anthology involving 150 authors of romance genres in which all proceeds will be donated to organizations benefiting reproductive rights right the US.
["Iggy has always been a posh party boy, never taking things seriously, including relationships.

But it turns out, there is one man he values above all others. One man who he relies on and whose stoic reliability and care form the backbone of Iggy's life.

Someone he's been in love with half his life.

Jonathan Banks was a career valet to a posh playboy. After twenty years of serving as Iggy's personal servant, he needs a break. Jon can't keep watching Iggy leave him behind to live his big life.

So he leaves. He finally takes the dream safari train trip he's always wanted, but when he boards the luxury sleeper car, he realizes Iggy's followed him to South Africa. Can this be the beginning of a new adventure for them both?"]

Obviously, this story was fabulous; it's written by Lucy. And if you remember Iggy, he's Lio's best friend from "Felix and the Prince" (part of her Forever Wilde series).

This book was short and sweet--with just the perfect amount of steam. Though, there was some chest-aching angst in there, on both sides of the romance. But, with any book, there was one fabulous happily ever after. ;)

Buy it now before it's gone!!

#thebillionairesvalet #lucylennox #dissent #dissentacharityromanceanthology #acharityromanceanthology #felixandtheprince #foreverwilde #foreverwildeseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Sabrina (Soter) Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ma la domanda che mi fece - non sul perché me ne ero andato, ma sul perché l’avevo abbandonato - mi colpì il cuore come una bomba a orologeria. Mi sentii sopraffare da troppe verità per riuscire a spingere quella bugia fuori dalla mia bocca.

Perché voglio far scorrere le mie mani sul tuo petto, sul collo, sulle guance e sui capelli. Voglio provare per una volta come sarebbe toccarti come amante invece che come valletto. Non voglio semplicemente gestire la tua casa; voglio essere la tua casa."

Lo ammetto, in piccole dosi sono un' amante dell'angst e cosa c'è di meglio di un amore cresciuto e tenuto nascosto per ben venti anni? di due persone cresciute insieme e troppo spaventate dalla verità, nascoste dietro un rapporto datore-dipendente così a lungo da arrivare al punto di rottura? La brevità del racconto come spesso accade è un arma a doppio taglio, che da un lato permette allo struggimento di non diventare troppo pesante, dall'altra ti spinge a volerne DI PIU'.

"In preda al panico, sbottai: "Cosa posso fare per convincerti che i miei sentimenti per te sono reali? Che so cosa voglio?"
Jon alzò finalmente lo sguardo e fui sorpreso dall’onestà che vidi nei suoi occhi.
Non mi stava ignorando. Era terrorizzato.
"Dovresti rimanere con me per sempre e promettermi che non te ne andrai mai."
Le lacrime mi riempirono gli occhi, minacciando di uscire fuori. Era vero? Stava accadendo sul serio?
Dopo venti fottuti anni, Jonathan Banks mi avrebbe finalmente dato una possibilità?"

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that was fast…..!

Even as a teen, billionaire Iggy has had a thing for his valet Jon Banks, who apparently has no interest in his boss. In fact, has been steadfastly ignoring his youthful come-ons. But suddenly Jon has gone….and Iggy can’t face a future without Jon in it. After tracking him down at a railroad station in South Africa(!!), Iggy is determined to let Jon know the depth of his feelings. However, Jon is reluctant to reveal himself to the man who’s had his heart for years. Maybe a train journey can bring them together.

So…it’s super-short, so there’s not a lot of time for character development..and you’re never really too sure about what finally allows Jon to face his feelings for Iggy. The sexy time is over before you know it - kind of like the rest of the story.

But…luckily I got this through KU, so no harm done.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based mostly out of London, Ignatius “Iggy” Corbridge has flown to Cape Town, South Africa.

Jon Banks is Iggy’s valet. Jon has worked for Iggy and his family since Iggy was 14. A British Army veteran, Jon was “tasked to keep the chancellor of the exchequer’s son from getting into trouble.”

As Iggy’s social secretary and valet, the two men also became close friends. But when Jon abruptly resigns, it sends Iggy’s world into a tailspin.

Lio and Felix’s surrogate have just lost their baby, so those men are also devastated. Other than being former conquests of Iggy’s, their placement in the narrative is at best dubious.

Iggy wears Jo Malone Whiskey & Cedarwood cologne. He’s very tan.

We quickly learn that Iggy is a bisexual manwhore. He’s slept with all of his closest friends—except Jon.

Unrealistic and poorly-described intimacy. Unnecessary condom usage. One paltry scene.

Little-to-no relationship development; just relies on retellings of the past.

Sweet ending to an overall vapid story.