Absolutely amazing book and story. I loved it and could not put it down. Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in return for a review.

A lightweight, entertaining nod to Bridgerton, without the clever plotting and intrigue. A romantic fiction, as sweet as afternoon tea, served in the salons of Regency London. Nothing original or memorable, but well enough written.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this title.

This book really was fun with a capital F! If you love Jane Austen or Bridgerton then this is a book you’ll love. It has that clever ability to be frothy and witty, while actually bringing up some important issues, especially about the woman’s role in Regency society. It takes a look at class and what is really expected of those in the very highest society, or the ‘ton’ as they are dubbed here - I’ll be honest and say I’ve watched two whole series of Bridgerton and wondered what that word meant, now I’ve finally looked it up! It rackets along at a fantastic pace, with glorious balls and luxurious fashions one minute, then adventurous rescues the next. Our heroine is Kitty Talbot, eldest of five girls who live in the Dorset countryside. As the book opens Kitty is responsible for her sisters, since both of their parents have died. Mr and Mrs Talbot were ostracised from high society before the girls were even born and the family have lived a relatively quiet life. Unfortunately, Mr Talbot had kept a taste for the gaming tables and while his debt grew he also turned to drink. On their death Kitty was left in charge of four sisters, a badly trained dog, a leaking roof and a threat from the debt collectors that payment must be made soon. Luckily, four years ago Kitty secured a proposal of marriage from Mr Linfield, a local squire with a reasonable fortune. Horrifyingly though, a few months before their debt is due, Mr Linfield withdraws his offer of marriage, leaving Kitty solely responsible for her sister’s home and their future. There is only one solution; Kitty needs a fortune and she needs it fast. So, she pawns the last of their mother’s jewellery for costs and decides that she and her sister Cecily will visit their Aunt Dorothy in London where they may be able to gain introductions into society. The season has begun and every eligible bachelor with a fortune will be in attendance. Can Kitty find her fortune before her time runs out, or the secrets about their parent’s departure from London are made known?

As with Austen, there are serious issues and themes underneath the glamour and witty repartee. There’s an absolute honesty in what Kitty is trying to do, both with her family and herself, if not with her potential suitor. She soul searches about whether she can live with the decision to marry purely for financial protection, but when she thinks of her sisters she finds she can live with it quite comfortably. She knows each of them so well, that she can imagine their future needs - the one who wants to learn, the one who needs to marry for love and the one who might never marry. She’s happy as long as her sacrifice means they can have what they need and I found that an admirable quality. Yet, polite society and certainly those of the ‘ton’ find this deceitful and vulgar. The author is highlighting the double-standard here, it’s only Kitty’s gender and class that make her actions vulgar. Men in high society can pick the most eligible woman based on her looks, her age, her child-bearing possibilities and even her fortune, should his be lacking. Should a society gentleman, even a Duke, chooses a young woman of a lower class to him then his actions are accepted. There may be gossip, but whether it’s for love, lust, money or breeding ability no one truly cares as long as she is of good character and virtue. Kitty is simply doing the same, there’s a commodity she needs and marriage is her only means of achieving it. In the ballrooms and salons of London, all young women in the act of finding a match are sparing with the truth. They are making the best of their looks, inventing accomplishments and laughing at awful jokes. They make themselves less: less intelligent, less witty, less feisty. They have to flatter, make the man seem superior in all these things. So, why is Kitty’s plan any different? Her class is the deciding factor, breeding being all important for men of the peerage particularly, it is desirable to meet a woman of a similar class and not marry down. It is Kitty’s dishonesty about her class and lack of money that condemn her.

Once settled at her Aunt’s house, they ‘accidentally’ meet the de Lacey family, one of the most respected families here for the London season. It is the younger son Archie that Kitty thinks might be a suitable candidate and since Cecily went to school with his younger sister Amelia they have a connection. However, it’s with Archie’s elder brother that Kitty can be truly open and honest. James is now Lord Radcliffe after the death of his father but has spent most time at their country seat in Devon. He is in hiding, alongside fellow officer Captain Hinsley, with whom he shared the experience of fighting at Waterloo. He’s superior, intelligent and doesn’t suffer fools, but he’s also holding a lot of emotions in check and felt he wasn’t ready to be the head of his family. Once alerted to the possibility of an alliance between Archie and a young woman who appears to have no breeding or family fortune, he rides back to London determined to sever the connection. He and Kitty’s exchanges are probably the most honest and equal in the book, as well as making me laugh. He can see her ability to charm and once they’ve been honest with each other they seem to relax in each other’s company and Kitty grows in confidence. She makes it clear that no matter what he may see her as - a fortune hunter - her only other choice is to let the family home go and for the sisters to look for paid work that will separate them. I admired her honesty and her ability to see the objections to fortune hunters as hypocrisy. The whole London season is about making matches, sometimes for very similar reasons to Kitty’s own.

I thoroughly enjoyed the ups and downs of her mission and her determination to become an integral part of the season. The setting is beautifully described, especially the culture shock of a dirty and sooty London as compared to the country. I loved the image of higgledy-piggledy buildings that are bowed or look ‘haphazardly drawn as if by a child’. The detailed description of the latest fashions and how the girls have to craftily accessorise so they look like they’re wearing something new. Even so, Kitty is outed in the mind of Lady Radcliffe who notices a shoe with a wooden button that marks them out as from Cheapside. There are also other plot lines that feed into the central premise that work very well too: the story of Kitty and Cecily’s parents and why they were unwelcome in polite society; the identity of Aunt Dorothy and her reluctance to follow Kitty’s forays into high society; Kitty’s insistence that Cecy isn’t looking for a husband while her sister has her own plans; Archie’s discovery of gambling clubs and the predatory lords who frequent the clubs looking for young, inexperienced men who are about to come into their fortunes. I felt the author had the balance just right between humour and frivolity and the darker sides of the story. It gallops along at a jolly pace and it’s very easy to keep on reading into the night. The excitement peaks one evening as two very different rescue missions are undertaken; one to save a reputation and the other to save a fortune. These missions are taken at a breakneck pace and it’s impossible to put the book down once you’ve reached this point - you will simply have to keep reading to the end. The author has written a wonderfully satirical and deceptively light novel, with plenty of intrigue and some darker undertones. I enjoyed the Talbot sisters and wondered whether we’d be seeing more of them in the future, if so they’ll definitely be on my wishlist.

This was such a delightful romp through 19th century social circles!
We follow Kitty, a young woman who's just been unceremoniously dumped and needs a rich man like never before to save her family from losing their beloved home. Kitty decides to head to London for "the season" and bag herself a wealthy husband. After a rocky start, she finds herself a potential suitor, but his pompous brother seems determined to put an end to it. Will Kitty be able to win a proposal before the debt collectors come knocking? And, more importantly, will she be able to win true love?
I absolutely adored this jump back in time! I can't honestly say it seemed like a simpler time, but it definitely seems more fun than Tinder! The dances, the dinners, the chaperoned walks - what a delight! All envisioned beautifully by Sophie Irwin.
The characters are all fairly predictable archetypes, but that didn't bother me at all - I knew exactly the kind of romance I was going in for and Irwin didn't let me down. Kitty is tough and determined, with a clever streak to help her work her way into society's trickiest circles, whilst her love interests are the usual range: the cute but stupid puppydog, the dull dud who happens to be stinking rich, and the quick-witted Lord who rivals even Kitty's manipulation!
All in all, this modern-language Pride and Prejudice is entertaining and fast-paced. What more could you want when hunting fortune, romance or a great book?!

I wanted to love this book as I'm a regency romance fan and after finishing Bridgerton season 2 on TV, I needed another fix.

I did really enjoy reading it; the premise of the story was solid, the characters were well drawn and the regency setting was superb. The banter/sniping between Kitty and James was entertaining, and their relationship built up nicely to reach a satisfying conclusion.

For me personally it felt like there was something missing, and having reflected on it, I think it was the heat and passion (restrained or otherwise) usually present in these types of novels. I've read a lot of Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare and Sarah MacLean books and they are skilled at creating heat and sizzle between the characters that really ramps up the tension, so I think I went into A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting with the same expectations. It may just be that the heat-level I prefer as a reader isn't a match this time.

Overall a great read, and I'd read something by Sophie Irwin again, it's just not a five star read for the reasons above.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. An orphan with 4 younger sisters to support, the easiest way to gain a fortune is to marry into one. So Kitty embarks on a season in London to secure herself a wealthy husband.

I don’t read a lot of book like this and I was surprised by how chaste the romance was. It was a regency style romance so no nakedness or sex within the book. I enjoyed the slow build of the romance throughout the book.

I loved the characters, particularly the 2 main characters. I particularly loved Kitty’s snarky wit and humour. The writing was easy to read and absorbing.

I loved reading this and would definitely read more of this type of book! I didn’t miss the steam in this romance but if you’re someone who likes them hot, then this might not be for you!

AD - This copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Such fun!

I like the stark honesty that money was the lode stone to this transaction. A solid and gentle romance that was at once traditional and modern in it’s sensibilities!

Not for me I'm afraid.
I found the whimsical nature and rom com style too saccharine. I found it hard to get into, and got bored.
I am sure that it will appeal to fans of this tongue in cheek regency style but it was not my cup of (afternoon) tea!

This proved to be it proved to be everything I hoped it would be – the perfect combination of historical glamour, romance and humour, and an escapist fun read that made me smile, made me laugh and that I thoroughly enjoyed.

It is 1818 and Kitty Talbot needs to find a husband, fast – and he needs to be wealthy in order to clear the family debt and help Kitty look after her four younger sisters. So Kitty travels to London to launch herself into the social scene – but it proves to be tougher to infiltrate than Kitty might have expected, and when Lord Radcliffe realizes what she is up to, it looks like Kitty’s well-laid plan may be in jeopardy.

Whilst there is nothing ground breaking about the plot, Irwin does a fabulous job of bringing both the setting and the entire cast of characters to life. I loved Kitty – you may find yourself questioning her methods at times, but she is witty and smart and her determination to help her family is commendable and I defy anyone not to find themselves rooting for her. Radcliffe is the ultimate Regency gentleman and the banter between the two of them was perfection. There is a fabulous cast of supporting characters, and I enjoyed the fact several were given their own story lines which were every bit as entertaining as Kitty’s. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series – I hope we don’t have to wait too long!

I really enjoyed it. It was like Bridgerton without the spice and I always love an enemies to lovers tale. I just wish we’d had more time to see them as a couple! I also felt the characters were enjoyable and felt real.

Really looking forward to seeing more of this series.

I loved this book! While I'm not entirely won over to the regency romances that are ruling the streaming airwaves and book charts at present, I'm glad to say that I found this to be a charming entry into the genre.

I liked Kitty, she seemed to be just the right amount of modern to me - she knew her life wasn't fair but she wasn't too much of a feminist I thought. It seemed accurate to the times.

Her sister she went to London with reminded me of the dour Bennett sister in Pride and Prejudice, although I did warm to Cecily in the end.

I liked the romance it was well paced and seemed genuine to me, earned and not forced.

I can't wait for the next novel in the 'Lady's Guide' series.

Couldn't seem to get into reading this book so it is still on my to be finished list. Hopefully will be able to give a review when i've finished it. Not sure why I couldn't get into the book, it seems a little slow paced for my liking.

Having been emotionally scarred by Jane Austen in my youth, I normally avoid regency based fiction like the plague. However, The title and cover were far too appealing, as was the blurb. I saw this everywhere online, and I wanted to see if it lived up to the hype. I relented and I'm glad I did.

Reasons I tend to shy away from regency fiction:
- Anything that isn't Jane Austen tries to be, resulting in an inconsistent and muddled writing style
- I often find the main characters annoying and unbelievable
- Damn the focus on marriage and upholding patriarchal society. Heroine fights against it, but ends conforming to expectation.
For the most part, this book does not have these qualities. WHOOP.

For something that really isn't my cup of tea, I rather enjoyed it. It didn't blow me away, and having been forced to read quite a bit of Jane Austen, I could widely predict what was going to happen. Saying that, it was a cozy read and for people who like this kind of thing, I would recommend it wholeheartedly.

If you have students who like to watch Bridgerton, this is a far more wholesome and historically accurate alternative. Would recommend to Yr8+ as while there is a significant storyline related to love, it isn't a romance book (if you catch my drift). Nice and PG - no chaperone required!

Having only heard glowing reviews of A Lady’s Guide To Fortune Hunting, I couldn’t wait to read this Bridgerton-esque Regency romance.

Kitty Talbot is the eldest of five sisters, and the one feeling the weight of responsibility. With both parents dead and a mountain of debt to tackle, Kitty sees no other choice but to head to London with sister Cecily in tow, to try and dazzle society and ensnare a wealthy husband.

What an engaging, fun and joyful book this is! Every page was a pleasure, and I was hooked from the start.

Kitty is a strong, determined and quick-witted lead, doing whatever she must to secure her sisters’ future, even if it means bending the etiquette rules of London society, and going toe to toe with a Lord!

Lord Radcliffe is a charming gentleman and head of household, struggling between two worlds: the dazzling balls of London society, and his post-Waterloo countryside escape. He is a leading man of depth and character, and I was as charmed by him as I was entertained.

A joy to read, with each chapter flowing effortlessly into the next, and each bringing new capers and scandal to the ton; I could not put it down.

Kitty is equal parts ruthless and kind hearted, and knowing she is doing all she can to provide for her family, even at her own detriment, is endearing to a fault. I was cheering her on from the start.

She also stands out as a strong female character in a patriarchal world, recognising that a mere woman could not possibly earn enough to resolve their situation. Instead, she uses the system to her advantage! If that makes her a fortune-hunter then so be it…

I loved how the two lead characters could cast off their public personas and revealing their true selves to each other, sharing impish quips and raw vulnerability in equal measure. This honesty is refreshing in the midst of all the societal posturing and people pleasing…

An absolute must for fans of Bridgerton-I admit that I was fully imagining the lovely Jonathan Bailey as Lord Radcliffe…

A fun, flirty and thoroughly entertaining romance not to be missed. One of my favourite reads of 2022.

Kitty has one London season to find a wealthy husband to save herself and her younger sisters from penury. With the help of her late mother’s friend she intends to launch herself into society, but her ‘aunt’ has a less than respectable past and doesn’t have the haut ton connections that Kitty needs. She takes a chance to latch on to the younger brother of Lord Radcliffe and ingratiates her self with his sister and mother, but Radcliffe himself is another matter altogether, and recognises Kitty for the fortune hunter she is. Yes, you guessed it, they start off as enemies and end up… well, you can guess. Regency Romances are my guilty pleasure. This was engaging and frothy, and a good debut novel.

This is a sparky, witty story set in Regency times - for fans of Bridgerton or other Regency romances this fits the bill!

Kitty Talbot is the eldest of five sisters left orphaned with her father's debts, so she sets out to find a wealthy husband to support them all and secure their futures. After her plans with her original beau fall through, she decides the best course of action is to launch herself into the Season in London and secure a suitable match with plenty of money that way.

I enjoyed Kitty's determination to get what she wants and the dynamic she has with James that starts when she sets her cap at his brother and he is determined to stop what he considers an attempt by a gold-digger. Following how their relationship develops from this is entertaining and the characters are well developed. There is a lovely sense of humour throughout the book and the story is told with a freshness which is very reminiscent of Bridgerton. I also enjoyed the characters of Aunt Dorothy and Cecily, I thought their stories added nice depth to the main tale.

A very enjoyable read, highly recommended if you like a Regency-period romance.

This book is not a grounbreaking story, but it's very readable and well-written story about how women (and their whole families) depended on marrying well. It is a love story, don't get me wrong, but it's also painfully real when it comes to "fortune-hunting" (or how I like to call it - ensuing my 5 sisters wouldn't end up in a poor house or on the streets)

Well what can I say now having just finished this absolutely brilliant book but wow that was easily my favourite read of the year so far and I've read alot of books!

Kitty Talbot has been left in a rather sticky situation upon both her parents deaths and it is now down to her to secure a very rich husband to pay off her father's considerable gambling debts and support her younger sisters. After being jilted but her fiancée Kitty ventures to London with one of her sisters Cecily (the prettiest) as per the Aunt Dorothy's request to set to work on her cunning plan to ensnare a wealthy suitor into marriage but not all goes to plan and Kitty finds herself in quite over her head at some points.

A lady's guide to fortune hunting is like a warm hug of a book, it was such an easy read which I didn't want to end, I was quite literally flying through the chapters but feeling very sad that that meant it would be over soon. I got to 80% of the digital ARC I was kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review until I went to Waterstones and had to buy it whilst the special edition was still in stock. 5⭐️ I cannot wait to the next instalment in this series and I really hope it is made into a film or TV series!!! 🙏 please!

#adprproduct Book Review ✨⠀
A Lady's Guide To Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin 📖⠀
⠀
🌟Funny, fabulous and oh so more-ish I couldn't put it down!⠀
🌟I adored the characters in this novel (aside from the loathsome ones of course!). Kitty is fierce, brave & full of heart it is impossible not to wish her well on her fortune hunting adventure. ⠀
🌟The banter between Lord Radcliffe & Kitty is effortless and chuckle-worthy from the start. ⠀
🌟The descriptions of the regency era London are wonderfully vivid & oh so stunning... can some take me back for a day trip please? ⠀
🌟I loved this escapist, uplifting debut and cannot wait to find out what happens next! ⠀
⠀
💕Big thanks to @instabooktours for having me on the blog tour & @harpercollinsuk for a copy of this gorgeous read.

If you’re a fan of Jane Austin, Bridgerton or the historical romance genre, this book will be your cup of tea. Also, if you enjoy a strong, determined female main character (who sometimes makes questionable choices) then you’re in for a treat!

We all know I love a steamy romance (and this is far from it!) but I still get excited about those tiny bits of physical contact, the witty interaction and chemistry between love interests. In addition, I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers and this book ticks that box too.

I’m pleased to hear that A Lady’s Guide will be a series as I’m interested in following the stories of other characters we’re introduced to in this book.

I received an advance copy of this book but these opinions are my own.