Cover Image: A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting

A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting

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A Regency period romance full of quirky characters. Kitty is desperate to find a rich husband so that she can keep her family home for her four sisters after their parents left them in serious debt. She tackles London society with a witty determination, making both friends and enemies along the way.

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It had all the right ingredients to be an interesting story but the final product was a tad lackluster. I’m bummed, what can I say?

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I couldn’t put this book down! It has everything that you want in a Regency romance: enemies to lovers, a funny and fearless leading lady, scandals, and drama! A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting has it all.

Kitty has four sisters and they have lost both their parents to illness. Their father accumulated a lot of debt when gambling and the girls risk losing their house. Kitty and her sister, Cecily, set off to London to stay with their Aunt Dorothy during the Season to secure a rich husband to pay their debts so they can keep their family home. But the girls’ family live in the country because their parents married for love instead of status and they must quickly learn the ins and outs of polite society.

They stumble upon Mr. de Lacy and his sister, and Kitty quickly thinks of a way to speak with them. As Mr. de Lacy and Kitty grow closer, Mr. de Lacy’s mother, Lady Radcliffe, suspects Kitty is a fortune hunter and calls upon her eldest son to return home to save their family from ruin. James Radcliffe sees Kitty for what she is and threatens to expose her unless she leaves their family alone, and Kitty devises a plan for Radcliffe to assist her in her efforts to pay her family’s debts.

Can Kitty defy the odds and get a wealthy bachelor to propose to her by the end of the Season? Or will she be able to marry for love? A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting is fun and perfect for someone searching for a feel good book similar to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

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What an utterly charming read! I was first drawn to this book because of the gorgeous cover, and then I was thrilled to discover the story inside was equally delightful. The premise of this historical romance -- a recently orphaned older sister must marry a wealthy man to save her family from ruin -- immediately had me hooked. I couldn't wait to see what ploy she'd devise next in order to snare a husband! What followed was a series of capers that didn't necessarily do anything new in the genre but was the escape I needed. I would have loved just a bit more at the ending -- it wrapped up a little too quickly for me -- but have my fingers crossed that one of the sisters might get their own book. I think this would be perfect for fans of Georgette Heyer, Julianne Donaldson's Edenbrooke, or people who want something similar to the Bridgertons but with less steam. I So Enjoyed It.

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All the twists and turns and full-fledged fun you want in a romance regency novel with the ending that you want and get. Though a wee bit predictable of a plot, the sharp turns make it that much more rewarding in the end.

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Reminiscent of Georgette Heyer at her best with a decidedly modern taste.

This book is delightfully frothy perfection. It’s witty and full of charm. Kitty is a heroine that you both cheer for and occasionally chastise for her determination in chasing a fortune. Her antics make up the majority of the book and keep you fully entertained.

Although the interactions between her and Radcliffe are slowly built but worth the effort as they begin to form a connection. The wit, the banter, and the subplots with their array of characters are sheer perfection. It is a fun romp and an absolute delight that I only wish I could read again for the first time.

This is such a rare gem and it has singularly restored the lost art of regency romance. This is an incredible debut and I truly cannot wait for the next one. The best book I have read this year and the most fun in a long time. A must read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing House

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I loved this! Ever since Netflix released Bridgerton, I've been down a regency romance spiral but lately, I've found it harder and harder to find a good novel. A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting had a fresh take on the enemies to lovers trope, banter that was enjoyable, and chemistry that was palpable. It reminded me of the novels that made me fall in love with the genre like the League of Extraordinary Women series, and Bridgerton!

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Kitty Talbot has one goal: to find a rich husband so that she can pay off her late father's debts and take care of her four younger sisters. She makes her way to London with single-minded determination, ready to infiltrate London's high society and dupe one of the young gentlemen by any means necessary. But even armed with her cunning and charm, Lord Radcliffe sees right through her attempt to trap his younger brother into marriage.

An enemies to lovers tale ensues, and my favorite part about it was the slow burn. It was so slow, in fact, that it took most of the book for Kitty and Radcliffe to even begin to like each other. To Radcliffe, Kitty was a nuisance. And to Kitty, Radcliffe was a mere wealth of information. Respect for each other came before the romantic feelings, and that was in large part thanks to the witty banter the two shared. But that respect led to comfort, which led to trust, which ultimately led to deep love, and the journey was all the more exciting because of their growing chemistry.

The only let down here was the ending, which, for me, came too soon. So, not exactly a criticism. I guess I was just hoping they'd admit their feelings a bit sooner so that we could see more of the beginning of their relationship. I also felt the timing of everything that happened to finally bring them together was a bit *too* timely, which detracted from the otherwise realistic way their relationship ultimately developed.

All that said, this was still a book I'd recommend to other readers, especially those looking for a good Regency romance!

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What a lovely debut! I am a sucker for historical romance and this one was excellent! It reminded me of an Austen novel, so I would definitely recommend for her fans. This one was sweet but had lots of humor and snarky banter.

Our main MC, Kitty, is young and vibrant but her large family has fallen on hard times (the Bennets anyone?). Desperate to save them, Kitty goes in search of an advantageous marriage and instead finds a broody gentleman set to get in the way of her goals.

I loved the story and the character development in this book. The conversations as well as the silly shenanigans the characters got up to. The whole book had me smiling and I couldn't put it down.

This romance is definitely for those that like a Pride ad Prejudice-type slow-burn! There is angst and frustrations and lots of feelings!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

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An excellent portrayal of a period piece romance. This was a slow burn, clean romance that was so refreshing to read.  Purchasing a physical copy to add to my at home collection.

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As the eldest of five sisters who are recently responsible for their deceased parent’s overwhelming debt, Kitty Talbot is determined to hunt down a fortune in the form of a rich husband. Kitty and her sister Cecily arrive in London for the season with their eyes on the prize, bearing in mind that in addition to searching out a rich husband, Kitty is on a time-constraint to get the job done quickly. Early on, Kitty meets the De Lacy family but must work under the shrewd eye of eldest De Lacy brother Lord Radcliffe, who is more than a little critical of potential fortune-hunters.

While a historical romance, this felt much more like a YA read, as each main character was coming of age and working through self-discovery. The book is filled with Jane Austen-like humor and characters with a delightful ending! The novel almost serves as an examination of the morality and logistics of the regency-era marriage market, also exploring the ramifications and survivor’s guilt of war. It was a fun, quick read, and would make for a perfect first delve into the historical romance genre!

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House’s Viking Press, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book!

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A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting is exactly what the description says it is: Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. Left with her father’s massive debts, she has only twelve weeks to save her family from ruin. Set in post-Napolean War England, near the end of the Regency Era when the ton reigned supreme as the ultimate judge of social standing and etiquette, country girl Miss Talbot must break into this elite world to find a husband whose fortune can pay-off large family debts and secure the financial future of her sisters.

Irwin writes a book which is straight-forward and does not hide its agenda, nor does it get bogged down minutia of a typical historical romance. That probably makes it a good entry level book for those who aren’t ready for or have the patience for the wordiness of Austen. Of course, that wordiness, the descriptive approach is what Austen lovers appreciate about her style. Modern readers who aren’t accustomed to lengthy descriptions will appreciate how direct Kitty is in a world where she doesn’t make the rules.

Kitty is a quick study and not concerned about love. Her approach is utterly pragmatic. The late Mr. Talbot was a gentleman, but broke with his family to marry outside of his social circle. He married for love. As a result, his family cut him off. He and his wife settled in the country, beyond the judging eyes of the ton, and had a good marriage—except for the gambling thing, a holdover from his single days in London. When he passes unexpectedly, he leaves behind enough debt that the girls will lose their home and any remaining pitiful social standing. Worse than penniless, Kitty sets out for London to change their circumstances.

Kitty sets her sights on the younger brother of Lord Radcliffe, a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars. Since returning home, he prefers a quiet life at his estate in the country to the hustle and bustle of life in town—especially during the social season. When Lord Radcliffe learns that his brother is in love and that the woman he intends to marry is decidedly beneath their family standing, he sets out for town to put the cabash on the whole affair.

What recommends this book most is the banter. Kitty can utterly hold her own against Lord Radcliffe. A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting is worth the read for the conversations, not the rapturous descriptions of people and places. No one is surprised when Radcliffe and Kitty fall for one another, the reader can figure that out from the get go. Even when Radcliffe is downright rude and offensive, Kitty remains undeterred from her goal. There is a bit of action at the end of the book which solidifies their attraction, but will they ultimately act on it? Kitty is still in need of a fortune and Radcliffe is still the protector of his family name.

The book reaches a satisfying ending, and I will read Irwin again for what I can only call historical romance-lite.

Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot

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While we're all wrapped up in the Bridgerton frenzy, I don't typically find myself drawn to period romance novels and prefer more grit with my historical fiction. Irwin's novel proved me wrong from start to finish. Her relatable and realistic characters kept the text interesting as the plot slowed down, and the slow burn was completely worth it!

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what a fun romp of a book!!!! i love anything involving london society - i eat it up! from the works of austen to more modern works like bridgerton. it was lovely seeing these characters make their way in a world of society set in its ways.

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Sophie Irwin's debut regency era novel centers around a young woman, Kitty, who has just lost both of her parents. In order to provide for her younger sisters and get out from under debt collectors she heads into the city with the goal of quickly finding a wealthy husband. With only twelve weeks to accomplish this she finds an unlikely ally in Lord James Radcliffe. The two get to know each other all while trying to secretly find an eligible suitor. The banter between the two characters was the biggest draw in this novel. I am not a big fan of regency romance but I did enjoy reading this especially since the Irwin did a great job making the early 1800's London come to life.

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Thank you, @netgalley, and @penguinrandomouse, for the eARC and in return, an honest review.

“You see me, in my entirety - the worst and the best of me…”

My Thoughts:
Kitty Talbot is very determined to find a rich husband during the London Season to save her home and sisters from destitute. Although she had a few potential candidates, she aimed a tad higher than expected. James, the Earl of Radcliffe, had no desire to go home after his father’s death. His relationship with his father was toxic. But a distressed letter from his mother changed his mind.

This book made me laugh. I love the banter between Kitty and James. Kitty’s younger sister, Cecily, was a character. Always getting Kitty caught in a lie. This is the first regency book I’ve read without steamy scenes. It’s more tamed and romantic. Fast-paced, funny, and just sweetest.

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A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin is an absolute hit for her debut novel. I enjoyed the heroine and her single-mindedness to achieve her goal of finding a husband with a fortune to save her family. Kitty Talbot was left with a huge debt and has 12 weeks to acquire funds in order to save her family’s home. She heads to London and hopes to find a husband and attend the Season. She had high hopes for one prospect but unfortunately it met with resistance from Lord Radcliffe. He was going to do his best to prevent her from hooking herself on his family if he could help it.

What I liked about this story is Kitty’s pursuit of finding her fortune and made no apologies for it. The author carried this throughout the story interspersed with a side story that intertwined with the romance, that made the plot a very entertaining story. The combination of witty banter and set downs between Kitty and James, the tone and its characters, and an interesting plot, made this a fun read.

Sophie Irwin is a fresh new voice in Regency historical romance. It was a story that hard to put down and I’m looking forward to hearing more from this author.

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I adore this book! If you’re a fan of historical fiction and romance, you need to grab a copy of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin. Full of witty banter, enemies-to-lovers (gives off a bit of Pride and Prejudice mixed with Bridgerton vibes), and a slow-burn romance, I devoured this book in 2 days. Kitty and Lord Radcliffe have great chemistry and the tension is palpable throughout the book. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

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Back when a lady's only way to comfort or wealth was through her family or marriage, Kitty Talbot has no other option than to find a rich husband to pay off the debt left to her by her father and to take care of her four younger sisters.

Kitty and her sister Cecily travel to London to stay with their aunt (who is actually an old friend of their mother's) for the season. London's upper class sets up matches and marriages for the younger generation through a series of balls and courtships. And Kitty must navigate through a society that she should have been a part of if not for a family scandal.

I love the banter between Kitty and Lord Radcliff. It's entertaining to see who Kitty is when society is not dictating how she should act. I enjoy the feminist points in this book when Kitty discusses the differences for men and women. I also really enjoyed the plot lines for the side characters.

Reading about Kitty's possible suitors and how ridiculously cringe-worthy some of them were made me laugh out loud. The aren't too many surprises throughout the book but the formula used is one that works. It was a light enjoyable book that speaks volumes about the way women have been and continue to be seen in polite society.

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We’ve been on vacation this week, and despite all the walks in the woods and swimming in lakes and keeping small children occupied, I flew through Sophie Irwin’s debut in less than two days. This was so enjoyable to read—Jane Austen meets Sabrina, with two sharp main characters battling it out against the backdrop of high society in London’s early 1800s.

A quick summary: Kitty Talbot needs to find a rich husband, fast. In 12 weeks, to be exact, before her father’s creditors come to call. With her parents gone and four sisters to take care of, Kitty can’t afford to marry for love—and she can’t afford to fail. She sets her sights on the perfect place to secure a match: London. Perfect timing, too: the Season is about to start.

It shouldn’t be too hard; Kitty’s always been the cunning one, and if anyone can win the high hand in this game, she can. But soon she meets her match in cunning: the shrewd Lord Radcliffe, who sees straight through her schemes and is determined to protect his younger brother, no matter the cost.

The problem? Neither of them can foresee what can happen when you let an enemy close…

I loved this. I wouldn’t say any writer can be compared to Jane Austen, but Sophie Irwin has done a pretty good job at imitating the style and plot so beloved by Austen’s readers. If you’re a Jane Austen fan or at least in the mood for a clean, entertaining and witty love story with clever dialogue, try this one. I’m really happy for Sophie Irwin’s success, and I’d definitely read more by her.

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