Where There's a Wil, There's a Way

Duly Domesticated

by P.T. Ambler

A fledgling butler with a legacy to uphold. A celebrity boss with a family to protect. Crossing the upstairs/downstairs divide has never felt so natural... or so risky. This is the one, Wil thinks when he interviews for the new butler position at Buck House. Dream home. Dream job. Dream boss… maybe. Worst idea ever, Rhys thinks when he's convinced to employ a butler straight out of the academy. His privacy gone. His sanity gone. His heart… that might be gone, too. Where There's a Wil, There's a Way is a contemporary, age-gap MM romance, with more sweet than heat, and a guaranteed HEA. It can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Contemporary

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2024

About the author

PT Ambler is an Aussie MM romance author who gets a ridiculous amount of joy letting her guys run rampant on the page.

Other fun things include sing-along road trips, zoning out in nature, day dreaming, people-watching in cafes, and coffee…smooth, delicious coffee, covered in shavings of rich, dark chocolate…mmm…

One of these days, she’s going to write a novel set in a café about a gorgeous barista who…(PT drifts away into a caffeine-fuelled day dream).

Reviews

[SJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF This modern British country house romance started out nicely with a young, twenty-two year old Wil, fresh from butling school being hired by hot, trendy filmaker, Rhys, thirty-three. If the writing had stayed in the lane of age gap, growing attraction between employee and boss, I would have truly enjoyed it. Also, if it had been more serious,but, it became silly with Wil drifting off into daydreams about his new boss when others are talking to him, and this happened more than once. There was too much witty, British style, conversation among six characters in the first chapters.

Rhys is just as attracted to Wil, so much that he has interior thoughts about him from day one and acts like he has never seen a young man, but he is an attractive London celebrity with many colleagues and social friends.

There is a lot of internal dialogue from both MCs in this dual POV. There are two preteen children in the house, nephew and niece of Rhys and there are scenes with the children. They were okay and got dropped back at boarding school. I was waiting for some hot times or growing attraction scenes in that big old house with only Wil and Rhys, but not yet. I got half way through the book and there were some nice set ups for some romance, but it was still a very slow burn.

I left at 51% when Wil is sorting through all of Rhys’s daily mail when a package addressed to ‘Peter’ from ‘Captain Hook’ is ticking and Wil can’t find Rhys anywhere to say that it might be a bomb. Wil doesn’t remember that he and Rhys had a recent conversation in the kitchen where Rhys was dressed in camouflage clothing and saying that he was going to the obstacle course on his property that had been earlier pointed out to Wil.

Wil goes into hysterics and calls the bomb squad. Rhys shows up from the obstacle course and splits his pants, he and Wil fall on each other behind a stone wall(temptation ensues), and all this is accompanied by gobs of talky talk and semi hysteria including a female policewoman sheltering with them.
It took so long and way too much talk for Rhys to ask Wil what the package was and when Wil describes it, Rhys knows it is a joke package of the clock from ‘Peter Pan’ and knows who sent it. Who doesn’t ensure the clock won’t tick?

The coup de grâce for all this farcical behavior and writing was a review I just read that said there is no sex in the book and the romance is tepid.
I’ve been tricked! 😡 But, am glad I have a reason to leave an unsatisfactory book.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars for this cute story.

Wil is a Butler fresh out of Butler Academy ( never knew there is something like that 😊) and gets the opportunity to butler for Buckley House ... which is very different from everything he knew or thought he wanted.

I liked the characters, all of them, and the first meeting between Wil and Rhys was hilarious.
There is a big emphasis on the beginning of Wils work there and how he has to learn to fit in.
From the beginning, it is very clear that the typical stoic butlering, without getting involved, doesn't work.

This is a sweet romance with sweet characters. For me, there was not enough time to develop that kind of feelings and commitment, as is needed for the end - especially as we don't see a lot of their interactions.

All in all, a sweet story perfect for rainy days

[Michelle Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

To me, this is just on Ok book. Not terrific not terrible... just ok. One thing that annoyed me was the constant "OMG, he is so hot" inner dialogue. Once or twice, just to let the reader know how hot Will thought he was, would have been enough... but seriously every time he sees the man and going into daydreams is just too much. I was once a teenage girl and even I never got so enamored of one of my crushes that I became incoherent.
It's a pleasant book otherwise; well written, no glaring errors but simply not my cup of tea.

[Sandy Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely heartwarming charmer of a story with upstairs-downstairs boss-employee dynamic

A thoroughly enjoyable read for those of us who love a "modern history" sensibility, with a butler hero in a contemporary time/setting. The old-fashioned art of butling is part of Wil's family legacy, and he wants nothing more than to follow in his father's footsteps and find his own great house to lead.

But he's young. Just starting out. And with No after No Thank You, he's discouraged. Until he gets a last minute interview with a most unusual household...

Filmmaker Rhys is surprised and delighted when sheltered Wil has no idea who he is. With two staff members retiring/going on maternity leave, Rhys has been convinced to hire a butler, and his own reaction to Wil has him saying Yes to the intriguing young man.

Family shenanigans, simmering unspoken forbidden attraction, and a charming romance ensue. How can they get past the power dynamic of boss-employee? Will Rhys realize the gift he's hired in time, or lose Wil to propriety and Wil's own determination not to cross boundaries?

I enjoyed this story quite a lot. I could have used more beats to the romance, and more time together physically before feelings were being declared, the plot/pace is too rushed. But overall the story is still delightful, with a charming setting I wanted to live in and a world I would love to read more of, and I will seek out more from this author. Love scenes are sweetly s3xy and fade to black but still lovely.

HEA, boss-employee forbidden romance, upstairs-downstairs modern Downton Abbey sensibility. No cheating or emotional cheating or others at all. Recommended.

My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the complimentary copy. This is my free and impartial opinion.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book with engaging characters. Wil is the perfect butler, on his first job and very conscious of his expected proper behavior in the role. Rhys is much more laid back and informal, welcoming Wil and treating him more like family than employee. Wil quickly fits in and becomes indispensable in running the household. There is a definite physical attraction as well as an ease in working together, but even though Wil is interested, he is very much from the upstairs/downstairs culture in which he was raised. Butlers NEVER get involved with their employers, and Wil tries desperately to ignore the attraction and stay professional — until he can’t. A really sweet, slowly developing romance with lots of humor and laugh-out-loud events, two adorable kids, paper-mache and glitter, a Celestial party, tea and scones, a teddy-bear head, and a Wil hunt, all resulting in a very satisfying tale, told from a dual POV. 4.5 stars

I received a copy of this book from GRR and this is my voluntary review.

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wil is 22 and has just finished training to be a butler, a profession that has been in his family for generations. But he is having a time getting taken seriously for the jobs he has applied for because he is young. He is ready to do the job and he gets a unique chance to work for Rhys as a butler in a place that is not where he thought he would work but that turns out to be the place for him. Wil is the right fit for Rhys' home and it turns out for Rhys as well. Wil learns to do things that are in accord with what Rhys needs and Rhys comes to trust and love Wil. Wil fits in with Rhys' family and found family and eventually they realize that they are meant to be together not just professionally. This was such a cute and quirky romance and it was adorable that Wil was in some many ways just what Rhys needed and Rhys gave Wil a chance to see that all of his training both at home and formal paid off. There are some really great secondary characters in this story as well.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pontiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wil is a new graduate and is seeking a job as a butler. He’s had no luck, until his agency sends him last minute to Rhys’s house.

He’s hired, then realizes he’s working for a famous film maker, but when Rhys shows him his movies, Wil isn’t afraid to tell him his real feelings about them.

They flirt, but Wil knows it’s not meant to be and tries to be professional, even when he meets Rhys’ niece and nephew, whom he gets along with really well.

Rhys wants Wil, but isn’t sure he’s ready to commit, so he takes some time away. Upon his return, they misunderstand each other, and when the housekeeper goes into labour, Wil sends everyone off, then leaves for his home on Devon.

Rhys goes after him, and once they talk things through, they both commit to being together. A very fun, sweet book, a modern day Sound of Music of sorts.

I received this ARC for free, and am giving it my honest review with gratitude.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maintaining professional bearing, is so yesterday! Wil, is new to the profession but he had a long strong legacy behind him. He is seeking employment outside his family's protective comfort zone and he has been rejected on all attempts. Life is getting dour. Then a last minute interview ends up being just what he needed to move forward. Rhys is unused to the concept of butlering. This is a fun funny story of two men on opposite ends of socializing trying to navigate a work life relationship where one is flexible and liberale in how he conducts his life and the other is a rigid traditionalist who keeps a close eye on the proper way to conduct one's life. Good story that you will laugh through while hoping Wil doesn't break his spine. The author has created a sweet group that blends work staff into family easily and seemlessly. Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sam Clover · Rating 3 out of 5]

First 70% is amazing. This is a very sweet little story, with adorable relationship dynamics. The writing style was so charming that I instantly got sucked in.

(Smol spoiler ahead) Where the story lost me was in the moment where the main inner conflict breaks. We go from Wil being so obsessed with keeping a professional distance to abruptly willing to throw it all to the wind over the course of five minutes with no clear trigger for the change of heart. It hit wrong for me. Took me right out of the story

That being said, I enjoyed the rest of it so much that I intend to check if this author has written anything else. Hopefully my issue with the story was just a one off! I still highly recommend it.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it ridiculously easy to like Wil, the consummate butler who’s desire to be the very best butler he can be is ever more at odds with his attraction to Rhys, the employer who has a much more relaxed view of the employer/employee divide. There’s plenty of sweetness and feeling here, as well as moments that let the respective characters shine. The gradual build up of the relationship and the ever-present reminder that yeah, there’s attraction there, makes for an interesting narrative balance, and there’s the bonus of the quirky household (cue likable children) as well.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Absolutely loved the story of Wil, the butler and Rhys, the movie maker. The story takes place in England, you have one raised to be the most conventional of butlers and the other full of mischief, mayhem and so much love to those in his inner circle. This story sucked you in as you wondered if Wil would make it as a member of the Buckley House and would Rhys be able to see him as just a butler, would they be able to blur the lines of professional, even if the police got involved. Yep, you read the right. And to see why the police were involved you’ll have to read the book. But trust me, do it on a day you don’t have to work, because you won’t be able to put it down.

[T Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. The simmering between the two m/c’s was fun. The integrity Wil labored to maintain was admirable. The children were excellent characters, likable and fun, as well. Rhys was another main character and another one that helped make this book great. The dynamic between the m/c’s was a tricky situation to navigate but the end result was one that solidified a solid and most agreeable happy ending. This author and this story deserves five stars for a work well done. I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reader who has been a huge, long-time fan of the Lord Peter Wimsey series and adored the relationship between Lord Peter and butler and general man of all talents Bunter this story of a modern butler and his employer mixed with an age-gap romance ticked all the right boxes for me. Wil and Rhys have a wonderful relationship and I enjoyed Wil's attempts to keep everything on the very straight and narrow as the clear attraction between these two grows and their lives become more intertwined.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wil gets his first, fresh out of school job as a butler for a celebrity film maker, Rhys. It's an unusual household but he adapts perfectly and Rhys is appreciative, very appreciative. In this slow burn romance, for it's a romance, Rhys and Wil are meant for each other, no matter their station in life as everyone in this unusual family would agree. I enjoyed the mayhem in Wil's orderly life. I received a copy of this book through Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.

[Nana_Rea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing.
This book wasn’t bad, but it also was not good. The main characters had potential, I could have liked them but there just wasn’t enough to like. All the characters could have been wonderful, but instead there’s this whole book written about not a whole lot. Rather like a plan for a book that had so much potential and ended up with pages and pages of nothing. A good idea that never came to fruition.
And a host of spelling mistakes which simply added to the disappointment.

[Jo Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really different to what I thought it would be. The main characters were great, and I loved that Wil tried to remain professional even when it was difficult. It's always fun to read about two characters that are total opposites and see how they come together. The supporting characters are also fun and add to the story. My favourite part the ticking package. Fun read.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wil and Rhys are sweet together in this slow burn romance. Wil is hesitant about following through with his attraction because he knows the rules his position entails, which means never fraternizing with their boss. But how their relationship develops, making sure both Wil is comfortable, is cute. A good read!

[Deb Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely well written, low steam but sweet easy to read book that I thoroughly enjoyed, A great connection between the main characters and their journey was a pleasure to read with lots of misunderstandings but plenty of laughter and emotions culminating in an enjoyable happily ever after.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

[Malia Winger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wil is the latest in a long line of butler, committed to bringing order to the home and life of his future employer. Sadly, no one wants to take a chance on a butler in his twenties and fresh out of school. He is on the verge of giving up when he is sent to one last appointment. Rhys' has a housekeeper leaving on maternity leave and an assistant that is moving on so he needs help. He decides that a young butler is just what he needs for his unusual life. However, neither man counts of developing deep feelings for the other. I loved reading about Rhys' madcap lifestyle and watching Wil be charmed by it.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new to me author, the story and characters are good, Will gets hired straight out of the academy by Rhys a celebrity. This is a sweet and cute story with some funny moments, it is an age gap slow burn no steam read that has a hea that is worth reading.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He wants to carry on his family career and he is about to be hired by them. They are unsure whether hiring him would work. Will it work out? How will it all go? Can life get better for them both? See what is going to happen next

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will and Rhys ❤️

4 Stars ⭐️

Such a sweet story, it was so much fun to read. I love a good boss/employee read and this one was just that. It was the perfect combination of sweet, heat and giggles. I'd recommend for sure.

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet low angst low heat story about a young butler in his first posting is adorable. Despite the forbidden aspects of the romance there's not a load of angst. It's funny story and quick read that you'll enjoy.

[Alicia Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wil and Rhys

It is a cute story. This is a romance but it is a slow burn and the spice is very very low. The story is cute though and the characters are endearing.

[Denise Thorpe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story

Good story, great characters but needed some spice and steam. Wasn’t expecting a book with none at all but it is well written and the story is nice.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute, sweet, age gap read about Rhys and Wil. Really enjoyable book that's easy to read.

[Geboyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! It was just what I needed as a palet cleanser kind of book. Super sweet with lots of laughs and some seriousness.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story. Nothing that will get you heated but it is cute and the rapport is good.

[Natasha Lynn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Time Author Read

Just the sweetest story ... laughter, misunderstandings, blunt talk, feelings all around, and a happily ever after worth sticking around for.

[Ariel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cheesy, but sweet.

I think Wil is a dumbass though. Do you remember how much time and money was paid for you to have this career? He's not worth it, bro.