Following the death of her parents Kitty is a young woman on a mission to marry someone wealthy to pay off her family’s debts and to secure her four sisters a future. She is so focused on her quest to find a suitor some of her approaches are a little unorthodox and go against the grain of what is regarded as normal social etiquette. However she is so endearing and you can’t help but root for her, especially knowing she is only doing this to support her family. I loved her character, she’s so candid and forthright. This book was a lot of fun to read and I really liked the humour scattered throughout. It’s beautifully written with some lovely quote-worthy passages. Radcliffe initially despises Kitty but slowly begins to fall for her. The romance built up beautifully and I adored those last few chapters and their interactions and witty exchanges are hilarious. The closing scenes at the ball stole my heart and I could feel the chemistry between them.

The audio narration is spot on and the characters are brought to life and made believable by the fabulous accents the narrator accomplished within the story. It did take a little while for the story to get going but that aside this is a lovely book which is entertaining, humorous and has a great cast of characters. This is definitely a great book to read if you are a fan of Regency romances, however unlike some books of this ilk this one is kept clean with none of the usual smut and I have to say it was perfect without. 3.5 stars

Thank you to the publisher for the audio ARC.

A sweet and fun read. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC, can’t wait to read more by this author.

I should confess at the start of this review that I am not a fan of romance - thrillers, fantasy, gory murders those tend to be my 'got to 'genres. However, I do have one weakness - Jane Austen, or more specifically her scrumptious regency era novels, Pride & Prejudice and Sensibility. And, so it was with delight, I came across 'A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting' by Sophie Irwin this week and settled back to indulge in my love of wily heroines, steely heroes and societal mores in early 19th century London.
There are many references to the aforementioned work of Jane Austen and I did enjoy coming across the various 'Easter eggs' as I listened to Eleanor Tomlinson reaccount Kitty's mission to save her family (her four sisters) and family home. There are also plenty of laugh out loud moments as Kitty and Cecily take on the society matrons!
There is only one way to do so and this is to raise a substantial amount of money. And the only avenue open to Kitty? Marriage, especially to a rich man. And so begins the adventures of a fortune hunter in high society London.
Despite calling Kitty a 'fortune hunter' - and she could give Mrs. Bennett a run for her money! - there is a very likable quality to Kitty and Irwin has carefully written the characters' emotional and vulnerable sides to help the reader empathise with her situation. As Kitty herself wonder, surely to would be acceptable to actually love the man she marries?
It is a shrewd addition to include the viewpoint of Lord Radcliffe as this provides both comic relief to hear his thoughts about Kitty and also a greater understanding of the role of men in society. To this juncture, there are many themes touched upon in the novel such as grief, social standing/mores and societal pressure of the era. And I think that the author has done a good job in highlighting life at this time.
A fun, trip to London in 1818 and one that I recommend taking.

I was lucky to receive a audiobook copy of this from the publishers, thank you @harpercollins I have seen this book advertised all over the place!

The narrator for this one, Elenor Tomlinson, was perfectly cast, her voice really gives the period vibes and did the story justice.

Kitty is such a strong character, forced to grow up quickly and become head of her family when both her parents pass away. She is determined to take care of her sisters even at the expense of her own happiness, she is looking for a wealthy husband and finds and unlikely helper in Lord Radcliffe, as long as she takes his brother off of the prospects list!

This book has excitement, drama, romance and makes you feel you are in the past with the characters! I will definitely be following this author and I’m keen to read more from her 😄

Yes I’ve ordered myself a hardback copy for my shelves, the cover is just too gorgeous!

If you're a fan of Bridgerton and other regency romances, this is a fun and well-plotted Regency romp. Elinor Tomlinson is the perfect reader, and although it's quite easy to predict what will happen from the start, the characters are so charming, it's quite easy to forgive. A light-hearted and entertaining read.

This is huge fun. I immediately bonded with dear Kitty, whose parents recently died leaving her and her four sisters with a mountain of debt that will shortly see them homeless, if she can’t very quickly find a rich husband. I’ve read a number of Regency romances over the years – and what made this one stand out from the crowd is Kitty’s unabashed approach to the whole business. She is under no illusion that she needs to make a match with a wealthy man and resorts to all sorts of ploys to ensure she gets introduced to prospective husbands, ranging from dropping her kerchief, shedding a shoe and feigning an injury right through to the tried and tested tactic of fainting at his feet. Indeed, had Kitty been written into a Jane Austen romance, she would have been described with lip-curling disapproval and thoroughly cut down to size by a series of Austenesque humorous comments on her clothes and pushy manners. But she’s desperate. Determined not to see her family on the streets, Kitty will go to almost any lengths to ensure their future is secure – even if it is at the expense of her own future happiness.

I really enjoyed the tension and increased stakes swinging on the end of this entertaining romance. After all, this dynamic is always there in Austen’s work, too – think of Charlotte Lucas and her explanation to Lizzie when she accepts Mr Collins’ proposal in Pride and Prejudice. But I’ve not seen it stated quite so baldly before and I think Irwin makes it work really effectively. It doesn’t hurt that Eleanor Tomlinson’s narration is excellent.

Indeed, I would have given this one a 10, if it hadn’t been for a couple of anomalies – one in particular irritated me. Apparently, although she is literate and educated, Irwin represents Kitty as not being acquainted with the Bible – and given the historical era in which this is set, that’s nonsense. While her parents were clearly unorthodox, they had settled in a country district and were regarded as respectable by the local gentry, which means they must have regularly attended the local church along with their family. The other slip I noticed was a mention of Kitty packing her suitcase – an item which didn’t appear until the later stages of the 19th century. Other than those mistakes, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and it comes highly recommended for those who enjoy Regency romances featuring a strong-minded, feisty heroine. While I obtained the audiobook arc of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

Absolutely loved the cover of this book!!!
What I loved most about this book is the Jane Austen Vibes. Fictional history genre is always great to remind us of the unjust sexism and other issues that existed! The idea a woman has to marry for money is just terrible but yet this is true…. Love how this story was told. I may even class this as a slow burn but definitely enjoyable

I loved this book, it’s an absolute must for Bridgerton lovers and those needing a gossip ton fix!

This is the story of Kitty Talbot, recently orphaned she has found herself in charge of her four sisters, their home and a mountain of debt. When Kitty heads to London for the season to find herself a husband, it’s not love she’s looking for but money.

Without giving spoilers away I loved how the author modernised the plot so it wasn’t just another damsel in distress and women can (and do in any normal circumstances) hold their own and look out for their loved ones.

I loved the nods to Bridgerton and Jane Austen’s Pride and predudice, this book for full of humour and great banter. If you’re a fan of enemy come lover this one’s for you. !

Thank you @netgallery @harpercollinsuk for this free audiobooks in exchange for an honest review

Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and Sophie Irwin for the advanced audio copy of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting via NetGalley, in return for my honest and unbiased review. Quick note: I don’t recap plots in my reviews, as it’s easy enough to read the book’s synopsis and blurbs, I purely focus on my feelings & opinions of how the books makes me feel.

This book was so much fun. A perfect summer holiday read, whilst it may ultimately be predictable, it’s excellently written and beautifully described.

The protagonist, Kitty, can be considered an anti-heroine and makes this book a great book-club topic.

Sure, much of what happens is, historically, ludicrous and would never actually have been possible. But it’s a work of fiction and it is still a rollicking fun read. Fortune hunters were (and are), after all, a very real thing, as were arranged marriages, marriages of convenience and loveless marriages. The author had some good fun with these ideas and added some interesting twists, whilst weaving in true accounts of London of the time (1818).

I enjoyed the audiobook version of the book very much, the narrator was an excellent choice. The reading was smooth, with different voices done very well and distinctly, my only complaint being that I do not think Cecily was done correctly (I saw her more as a dreamer than a nerdy type).

Overall, I recommend this as a light and fun read for those who enjoy romance and light historical fiction. I even shed a little tear at the end.

Moods: adventurous, hopeful, light-hearted
Tropes: arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, opposites attract, rags to riches
Pace: medium
Character development: weak
Plot or character driven: plot
Diversity: low
Spice: 1/5
Trigger warnings: Death of a family member (not on the page), Misogyny, Prostitution (not on the page)
Rating: 5/5

This book so sweet, and so fun. I absolutely loved the tropes used in this novel, and they were used really well. I found myself laughing out loud (making my cat jump) on numerous occasions. I absolutely loved Kitty, she was a breathe of fresh air. This book was exactly what I needed to break up the quite heaving books I'd been reading recently. The narrator does a fab job brining this to life.

I gave this 4.5/5 stars, but netgalley doesn't like half stars.

Loved this fun book! For fans of Bridgerton, this was a very entertaining rom com of the ton era! Fantastic narration too!

A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting is the perfect read for anyone missing Bridgerton. It's absolutely captivating, and I found it to be a fantastic read. it was an anticipated read for me and it did not dissapoint at all! I feel so fortunate to be able to have read an advanced copy.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book

This was actually such a fun book! For some reason I wasn't expecting this to be a rom com but that was a very pleasant and welcome surprise! It's not revolutionary but I don't need my romances to be, I need them to make me interested in the story, characters and their dynamic and make me feel and laugh, which this book did! I love the pacing of the book, the development of characters. It did feel like a YA Bridgeton sort of book if you're looking for a comparison! But I liked it far more than Bridgeton ahaha. Its a simple, quick easy fun read that doesn't require too much brain power!

I inhaled this book (or whatever the equivalent is for your ears). A charming, blissful story with a fabulous and perfectly balanced heroine and a deliciously enjoyable plot. The narrator was also fantastic and made the story all the better.

A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting is a fabulously fun regency romance!

The main character, Kitty, is headstrong and direct making a brilliant heroine. Her dedication to proving for her family and furthering the prospects of her four sisters underpins everything she does and you can’t help but root for her. The other central characters are equally engaging, I particularly enjoyed Aunt Dorothy and the dreamy love interest.

The romance is a slow burn full of warmth and longing, the tension between them was palpable! I loved how well suited they were, bringing out the best in each other.

This book is full of fun and regency mishaps, and I truly laughed out loud at times. However, it also touches on some more serious topics. Kitty is well aware of the injustice she faces in society as a women, particularly one without money or a title. The snobbery of high society is plain to see and Kitty isn’t afraid of voicing this.

This book doesn’t aim to reinvent the genre and the plot very much follows a traditional formula but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. It was nice to sink into a cosy and familiar world. I did find the ending a bit rushed as there were quite a few threads that needed to be tied up but overall this was a really delightful read.

I liked listening to the narrator for the audiobook. For the most part their voice worked well, although I did find the voice for Kitty’s sister Cecily a bit exaggerated and out of place compared to rest of narration.

Thank you so much for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A very charming read, I loved the characters and their interactions. This is what a modern regency era book should feel like.

Full of Regency atmosphere, distinct characters and wit, this story is an enjoyable audiobook. The narrator brings each character to vibrant life, quickly draws the listener into the story, and keeps them entertained. Kitty is a selfless, independent character determined to keep her family of sisters together, despite losing their parents and fortune. She sees a rich husband as her only way forward, but when thwarted by Lord Radcliffe, she wonders if she can live with such a mercenary match.

The story also explores the marriage mart and Regency society's skewed views on women. The chemistry between Kitty and Radcliffe is slow-burn but powerful and keeps the reader hoping they can overcome the obstacles to their happiness.

A rich and varied story with authentic dialogue and vivid settings, the perfect listen for those who enjoy the intricacies of Regency society.

I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

I received an Audiobook ALC of this work from the publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Theatrically narrated with much colour added to the various characters, I enjoyed this audiobook thoroughly from start to end. Cecily in particular is a character that comes especially alive through Eleanor Tomlinson's delivery. My favourite moment is the awkwardness that ensues when she corrects Radcliffe’s french pronunciation.

In terms of its story, one could say that it was surprisingly empowering for a novel about marriage. Much has been said about how it’s an enemy to lovers plot but that is just bells and whistles to the story. At its core this is a tale about desperately wanting to belong to a world which you are denied access to only because of the circumstances of your birth and it is hence surprisingly relatable for anyone coming from a marginalised background. That said, I was disappointed to find not an ounce of colour in this work despite the extravagance that it paints upper society in.

Now would it be boring or snobbish of to rate a story on this basis? While I understand that not every piece of media has to include absolutely everything, I also don’t take the view that a story must have characters of this or that background in order to be inclusive. As mentioned, the message of the story does resonates with the experience of many under-represented communities but there are oversights that are obvious. By the Regency period, Europe has grown so desperate for Chinese products that they’re making fakes of Chinese products. With both Chinoiserie and Japonisme being hallmarks of wealth, even Japan was not spared. Set in 1818, this story also happened shortly after the Napoleonic wars, a war that's mentioned and discussed on many occasions. Given the crucial role that a volcano eruption in Indonesia had played in the war such that it had even led to a year without summer, Irwin could have zoomed out a teeny bit just to make add depth to her story. Following the mood set by the novel, my compliments for this tale which i undoubtedly enjoy must hence remain decidedly reserved, much like what one might expect from any self-respecting English gentleman.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen this book for an honest review.

Historical romance isn't my normal go to but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story tells of Kitty who needs a man...or a man with a fortune.

It's witty and well written. You leave to love or hate the characters.

Brilliant debut novel for Sophie Irwin and very well narrated.

This was such a light easy enjoyable listen. You have pride and prejudice / bridgeton vibes.

Although our main female character Kitty is seeking a rich groom to solve her family troubles, and is on a mission you end up not hating her due to how her character is written and her growth especially considering all the pressures of family, fortune, society and being accepted. But its also her manipulative, determination and unapologetic to be seeking fortune, which given what all the balls are about that is part of the game they all played but at least she was honest (in parts) about this.

Then we have lord radcliff as the male lead having a huge prescence which you dont always see in regency era novels. Seeing things from his perspective also showed the different between what the different genres saw as important but also how everything also impacts them.

The narration wasnt amazing but i think the writting is what made me keep listening.

I really enjoyed this, and will likely re-read. And will be looking out for Sophie Irwins next book.