Full review closer to publication date!

I'd like to thank the publisher, PENGUIN GROUP Viking and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good regency romance, and while steamy it is not, I really enjoyed the Austen-esque vibes.

Marrying for money/financial security is by no means a new trope in regency romance, but this might be the only one I've read that had a FL so upfront about her "angling for a rich suitor" scheme while simultaneously being transparent with other members of the ton.

This was a fun (and funny) read, definitely enjoyed it! 3.75/5

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Perfect for fans of Bridgerton, this Regency romance is a bit different, with humor, mischief and a lot of hijinx! I really enjoyed Kitty and her sisters, and seeing her journey to happiness was a lot of fun.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC, and this does not influence my review. This book has made it to my favs. This was a well-written, hilarious historical regency novel with a wonderful (and realistic) depiction of industrial London (with real war references and the opium addiction problem) blended seamlessly with the regency era. Kitty was a great eldest sister who was responsible, feisty, relatable, and kind. The novel was a 3rd person omniscient POV (which I didn’t like). The plot was very entrancing, and Kitty was a wise and stubborn scheming woman who didn’t let opportunity go. As for the romance; well done. Kitty and the Lord had delightful bantering, a swoon-worthy and slow-burn romance. This book also makes it to the enemies to lovers trope.

A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting
by Sophie Irwin
Pub Date: July 12, 2022
Pamela Dorman Books
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. I truly enjoyed this book. You need to go into it with the right expectations. I was drawn to this book because it was listed as historical fiction and that is one of my favorite genres. I went in with zero expectations and was pleasantly surprised. The structure is more akin to traditional regency and Heyer-style romances: No steamy romances.

Basically: this doesn't reinvent the wheel for Regency Romance nor does it want to. I had a fun time, it was well-written, and I'll read Irwin again. What I liked most was the constant emphasis on money and the heroine refusing to be apologetic about fortune-hunting. Kitty is fantastic and unrepentant and manipulative — more heroines like that, please.
4 stars

I went into this one with zero knowledge or expectations other than it was a historical romance.

If you’re looking for Bridgerton the tv show then know this isn’t that. There’s no steam, the romance is a very slow build up, and it can be a bit of a let down if your expecting something else.

All that said I loved it! It’s a very character driven story and I happened to love the characters! Honestly this would make for an excellent Downton Abbey type show where we get all the upstairs/downstairs action etc. There are so many characters I want more of!! Hainsley, the maid, Archie, Amelia, etc. all people I need more info and story from!! While I love an excellent romance plot driven HR, I fell in love with these characters and their world. I’ll take more ASAP please!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is an enjoyable, if rather less believable than usual, Regency romance. The heroine’s extreme honesty is refreshing. She is mercenary but for understandable reasons. Her entry into high society depends a bit too much on coincidence, but, all in all, I would recommend this as a light read for those who enjoy regency romances. I’m giving it a 3, but would really rate it as a 3.5.

This was absolutely delightful. The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were charming and witty. I highly recommend this fun and quick read! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

This was a delightful historical romance that has all of the tropes one comes to love from start to finish. I found myself really enjoying the main character's energy not only because she was determined but also because she like the love interest is an absolute moron until the light bulb goes off for them. The enemies-to-lovers trope is strong here and you sense it from the first time they meet. It is wonderful watching them go around in circles as the attraction builds up over time.

The plot followed a very specific track, but the ending was still a surprise in how it all came about as I was not expecting what happened at all. But it did fit within what we knew about the characters so didn't seem out of place. But the end does come with a happily ever after.

Overall, a solid romance story with a few fun twists. Would recommend if you are looking for something lighthearted to read.

This book was exactly what I needed: a romcom with a strong female lead, witty dialogue, and a HEA. The author’s words had me laughing most of the time and there were some moments when I could’ve swooned. James and Kitty were both fiercely protective over their families and I loved the scenes that occurred at James’ house before the acceptable social hour. They had me laughing and rooting for our two main leads. If you’re a fan of Bridgerton, enemies to friends to lovers, and witty banter—read this book!

Enjoyable on the whole but at times boring. Nothing original here other than the fact that the author seems to wield the themes of Pride and Prejudice like a blunt instrument. This in itself is not a flaw, because modern audiences will enjoy every blatant display of fortune hunting and social hypocrisy that makes Austen great. This just had a slow start and the scenes began to repeat after a while. You’ll find Lizzie and most of the gang on hand. Fun but supplemental.

This was a delightful story. It was like a cross between Jane Austen and a Bridgerton story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A charming read with a strong heroine to cheer for. After the death of her parents, Kitty Talbot has become the head of the family and must make a great match in order to pay the family debts and save their home. Her sisters depend on her. Kitty’s task is especially difficult since there’s a long-buried scandal to hide.

James, Earl of Radcliffe, is a snob and also protector of his family. When he sees a fortune hunter (Kitty) get her claws into his younger brother, he steps in to warn her off. What ensues is mostly what might be expected in a romance, but the author does a wonderful job in entertaining the reader along the way.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, along with the occasional twist. The author deftly creates a heroine who could easily become unlikeable but she is saved by the justifications for her actions.

A Lady’s Guide To Fortune-Telling
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 (Rounded to 4 ⭐️)
Genre: Romance Historical Fiction
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 7/12/22
Author: Sophie Irwin
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
Pages: 352
Goodreads Rating: 4.08

Thank you to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for providing a digital copy of the book for me to read in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Kitty Talbot left with her father’s massive debts, she has only twelve weeks to save her family from ruin. Kitty has never been one to back down from a challenge, so she leaves home and heads toward the most dangerous battleground in all of England: the London season. The only thing she doesn’t anticipate is Lord Radcliffe. The worldly Radcliffe sees Kitty for the mercenary fortune-hunter that she really is and is determined to scotch her plans at all costs, until their parrying takes a completely different turn...

My Thoughts: This is remnant of Jane Austen. The story is narrated by Kitty and is from her perspective, you get the vibe of the immense pressure she is under to take care of her sisters, not that her parents are gone. The author’s detail of the history in London in 1818 was right on point and you can tell that she researched it. It makes you appreciate everything you have today, women’s rights have come so far. The characters are well developed and there is a sense of disdain for Kitty, but I believe the author intends this. The banter between Kitty and Radcliffe is just amazingly funny, I really enjoyed this. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend to others who love Jane Austen Bridgerton Series.

If you are an Austen purist, I wouldn’t recommend this book, but if you enjoy a fun and humorous Regency romance, you’ll be glad you read it! A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting has all of the elements that one would expect: a dashing and wealthy love interest, a financially-ruined witty and brave heroine seeking a wealthy husband (and not believing her good fortune that it might end up being the aforementioned dashing and wealthy man she has secretly fallen in love with), family members who also need rescuing, lots of chapters with balls and parties that include descriptions of what everyone is wearing and eating, etc. This story doesn’t take itself too seriously, but has some moments of suspense to keep you reading. Readers will recognize some similarities to Pride & Prejudice in parts, but it’s not by any means a retelling of that story. Irwin is smart enough to understand those elements are fun treasures to find, but readers want a different story that doesn’t try to copy that. This one is fun and lighthearted, and a great read for those just wanting to escape. Thank you to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for the opportunity to read an egalley of this book.

Jane Austen in another form, although lacking in wit. I never felt much connection between Kitty and Radcliffe, and their eventual match felt so low-key as to be boring. I liked Kitty-- she was doing her best-- but it's hard to write a character that was both willing to sell out to the highest bidder and being all fierce and strong.

This book is a delightful, banter-filled slow burn historical romance. Overall I found it really enjoyable and fun. Kitty is a strong and clever heroine that surprised me at every turn. I loved how much she fought for her family and how she always stood her ground when it came to them. This book also does a good job exploring themes of class disparities and does so in a refreshing way that isn't often seen in this genre. Another thing I enjoyed was the banter and the subtle romance between Kitty and James (Lord Radcliffe) and how much they challenged each other and made each other think. Their dynamic really reminded me of Darcy and Elizabeth! Definitely give this book a read--especially for the climax of the story, which made me laugh out loud even as I was on the edge of my seat.
The only issues I had with this book were that it was a very slow burn and got off to a slow start overall. I expected more romance, but that's an issue of my own expectations. It was also really hard at some points to read through parts where Kitty is learning about high society and all of its rules--it felt like the author was flaunting the research in several places and it was hard to get through a couple of times.
However, none of this overshadows that this book was fun, funny, and a very satisfying enemies to lovers romance in the vein of Pride and Prejudice. I definitely recommend it!

A fun and enjoyable read! I have read many historical romances, but this book took a common trope (poor FMC needs to wed a well off MMC) and adds a bit of a twist. Kitty is the oldest of the five Talbot girls. Both parents have died and the girls are left with little money, significant debt, and a cottage in need of repair. Kitty hoped to marry a local squire, but it fell through. She decides to travel to London in hopes of having a greater chance of finding a moneyed gentleman to wed and save her sisters from losing their home and possibly splitting up the family.

Kitty methodically makes plans to put herself and her sister, Cecily, in situations to meet potential well connected men. She enlists the help of her Aunt Dorothy to aid in helping her to meet the "right" people. Kitty is unapologetic about marrying for money in order to save her family from financial ruin. While she would prefer to marry for love, she feels this is her only option given the short time before creditors are knocking at her door.

The story moved along at a good pace. The multiple POVs were easy to follow and added to the enjoyment of the tale. It was easy to root for Kitty to find a husband who could help her and her sisters. Sophie Irwin wrote a fun and enchanting story that I can add to my favorite regency romances.

I would like to thank Sophie Irwin, Pamela Dorman Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

I have posted my review to Goodreads, Instagram, and StoryGraph.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was funny and smart. There is a definite Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice feeling to it as well. I enjoyed the characters and the twists and turns.

I really liked this book! It certainly does not reinvent the wheel when it comes to romance or regency romance specifically but what an incredibly fun rom-com.

The characters are in turn likable and frustrating, when the story calls for it. The story moves at a solid, steady pace. The writing is well crafted and the dialogue is witty and feels very natural. The POV alternates between characters at irregular intervals, but Irwin navigates it perfectly- I was never lost in the POV switches or confused about who’s eyes we are seeing through. I loved that the main character was unabashedly ambitious, manipulative, and cunning while still at the same time being likable and relatable.

This book has shades of all of your favorite regency stories, and does it with a modern tilt that works very well. No spice in this book, but it does not lack for that.

5 stars- I definitely recommend this one.