A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting

Sophie Irwin’s debut novel is charming and I honestly could not put it down! It engaged me completely for an entire evening, immersed in Regency era London.

Packed with calculating schemes to find a rich husband, genuinely good humour and a twinkling undercurrent of love and attraction throughout, this book stayed true to the finer details of social etiquette in this time. It presented a vivid image of dinners, ballrooms and interactions to be swept away by, as well as having genuine heart through Kitty’s relationship with her family. Well-written, witty dialogue and conversation drives the plot forward and allows the reader to feel very much a part of the connection and spark between characters (also LOVED each of the supporting characters and would love to hear more from them - Hinsley next!).

If you loved the Julia Quinn Bridgerton series or Georgette Heyer, this is definitely the book for you!

I cannot wait to read Sophie Irwin’s next novel and have already signed up for updates! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Having just ended a fictional crime spree, Sophie Irwin's debut was a breath of fresh air. A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting contains everything I love in a romance - historical setting, a determined heroine and an equally determined hero. The debt plague Kitty infiltrates London society to find a rich husband and save her sisters. I loved that Kitty wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted. I also loved her dynamic with James who's determined to stop her fortune-hunting attempts towards his brother. The romance between them plays out nicely and I enjoyed the deep characterisation of both characters. I also liked the subtle humour which had echoes of My Fair Lady. Perfect for fans of Bridgerton and Lisa Kleypas.

I requested A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting on a whim and ended up with probably what will be one of my favourite reads of 2021, and definitely what is one of my new favourites full stop. It’s more on the romcom side of things than a full on romance, lighthearted for the most part, and with a cast of characters you’ll love.

The book opens with Kitty Talbot being jilted by her fiance. Kitty being Kitty, she decides that the thing to do in response to this, is to go to London for the season and find herself an even richer husband, so that she might pay off her father’s debts and support her four younger sisters. There, she meets Archibald de Lacy, who seems a perfect fit for her plans… but for his older brother James, who sees right through her.

Right off the bat, Kitty is a character you will love. She’s headstrong and willing to do anything for her sisters. She doesn’t back down from a fight, and she’s definitely not willing to let James have his way. Unless it’s also her way. Frankly, I loved her from the very first page. She’s probably quite a morally grey character, willing to scheme and manipulate so that she gets her way. But it’s all so that she and her family might live comfortably—she puts them above all else. She’s probably one of the most compelling characters I’ve read in histrom.

And then there’s James. Initially suspicious of Kitty, perhaps rightfully, he doesn’t quite expect her to bite back. They’re not quite hate to love, more like mutually suspicious to love, but the way they grow on each other, slowly but surely, is very well done, and feels very natural. James in his own right is also a great lead. I feel like I read a fair few historical romances where the male lead is either alpha male, or alpha male adjacent, very virile and more than a little obsessed with sex (and occasionally, an objectifier of the female lead), but James was none of that. He’s a refreshing protagonist to read about in that respect. And also because he has such a good dynamic with Kitty.

They’re not the only characters you get POVs from though, although they are the most prominent. But even the characters who don’t get POVs are vibrant and compelling. Each and every one of them jumps off the page. Each and every one has tantalising hints into their own stories, hints that make you want to know more about them all.

And the best part about the book? The growth of James and Kitty’s relationship feels entirely realistic, entirely natural, and there’s no third act break up. Yes, there is angst, yes, there are miscommunications, but it’s all dealt with well. It feels like one of those relationships where each character respects the other, knows the other well enough to know what the other feels they have to do. I’m not explaining this at all well, but just now I love it. I love it so much.

So I guess now all I can do is wait however many months for everyone else to catch up (at the time of writing that’s something like… 7 or more? Ha. Haha).

A fabulous Regency novel, in which Kitty and Cecily set out for London, to reside with Aunt Dorothy in search of a fortune, a man rich enough to pay off their debts. Kitty is willing to do the deed for the sake of her family, and Cecily less so, although she admits the necessity for Kitty to sacrifice herself for her sisters. She is introduced into the ton, and I will not reveal any more for fear of spoiling the novel. This was a hugely enjoyable novel, and once begun I could not put it down until I had finished. Highly recommended.

WOW. I've been casting about, looking for something to fill the Bridgerton sized whole in my heart, and A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting did that and more. This was the perfect book to kick off my holiday reading... and I already have everything crossed there will be more in the future!? The enemies to lovers trope is perfectly played in this fresh Regency romance, and I'm so excited to see what characters Sophie Irwin tackles next!

When her parents die and leave Kitty Talbot in charge of her four younger sisters and all of her father's debts, the smart young lady reasons that the only way that she can support her family's future is by marrying someone wealthy. In fact, she is just on the verge of sealing the deal with her fiance of two years, but he has other plans. Not to be dissuaded, Kitty sets off for London with her aunt and sister, determined to infiltrate the higher echelons and bag herself a rich beau.

I loved this witty Regency romance, which had the period detail of a Georgette Heyer mixed with the modern freshness of Bridgerton. Yes, you can probably guess the direction it is going in, but isn't that always the case with a romance? The journey to get there is entertaining and I was sad to finish the book and say goodbye to the characters.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

A couple of weeks ago I had The Terrible Cold That Isn't Covid and found it hard to concentrate or settle on what I wanted to read and it was in this unpromising frame of mind that I started A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting. For the first chapter I thought maybe I had made a mistake, it felt a little overwritten and self consciously Heyerish and I almost put it aside. Thank goodness I didn't because this charming regency romp was exactly what I needed and I raced through it.

Kitty Talbot is an orphan with a lot of debt and four sisters. She thought she had a fiance to ensure that her sisters would have a comfortable home but when he jilts her she realises their chances are bleak indeed. She has no choice, she needs to marry rich and she needs to marry quickly and the only way to do that is to go to London and do a Season. The only problem, lack of money and lack of connections. But Kitty isn't the kind of girl to let those put her off. A chance encounter in Hyde Park leads her to the perfect man, young, impressionable and about to come of age and inherit. If only she can charm his mother... But Kitty hasn't factored in the older brother. Lord Radcliffe doesn't like to interfere in his family's lives but if he needs to protect his brother from a fortune hunter then that's exactly what he will do.

This is an engaging, funny, romantic read which doesn't shy away from the unpalatable situation women with no means faced in eighteenth century and the double standards imposed on men and women. Witty, clever and very sweet, this is the perfect book to curl up with on a wintry day.

A sparkling debut that’s wickedly funny, deliciously scandalous and perfect for Bridgerton fans. I literally read this book all in one sitting (oops) and my only regret is that I can’t read it again for the first time. If you like…

✨Regency romance
✨enemies-to-lovers
✨reluctant allies
✨scheming heroines

…then this book is definitely for you!

I loved the heroine, Kitty Talbot; it’s so refreshing to see an active female protagonist that takes no prisoners — every scene where she went tête-a-tête with the stubborn James Radcliffe had me flipping the pages as fast as I could. A huge bravo to Sophie Irwin — I can’t wait to read more of her writing in future.

A gem of a book. Most enjoyable and very funny in places. A slow burning love/hate romance that suddenly gets on track with misunderstandings on the way. This is one of these books that yOu won’t be able to put down once you start reading it.

What a delight, Great characters, witty writing, entertaining descriptions of Regency life, sexual attraction and twisty plot with lots of misunderstandings . In short, everything you hope for in a historical novel. The novel is perfect for fans of Georgette Heyer, Julia Quinn, Stephanie Laurens etc. The characters have modern sensibilities but these are expressed in such a way as to not seem historically unlikely. So pleased that there are a cast of siblings and friends with whom I hope to become acquainted over the years. More please. Thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for providing an ARC in return for an unbiased review.

An agreeable entry into the Regency romance genre. The opening sentence of this book, “You’re not going to marry me?” sets the scene succinctly in a book which you know is going to be about finding a husband. Obviously the heroine’s attentions are going to have to be directed elsewhere. And because there is a pressing need for a wealthy husband due to a debt-ridden parent’s decease, this is going to be a difficult task.
The heroine, Kitty, basically launches herself and her sister, Cecily, into London society with only the help of an ex-actress friend of her mother’s. There is an enchanting ruthlessness about Kitty’s attempts, which may be viewed askance by the families of her targets, but which is quite understandable to the reader. When Lord Radcliffe skirmishes with her in order to steer her away from his brother, he finds himself manoeuvred into helping her schemes, and even beginning to admire her persistence. Although he does wish she would stop calling around so early in the morning to inveigle more advice and assistance from him.

This was a really enjoyable read, with a good grasp of the Recency conventions – I was only thrown out of the story for one moment when a sum of £10 was deemed enough to pay for new garments for two young ladies. There is some suspension of belief at how much Kitty gets away with, but she is a vigorous protagonist who carries the reader along with her, and there’s a good helping of wit to appreciate as well.
I think this would be a rewarding read for any Regency fans.


I had a copy of this book early through Netgalley.

An excellent, witty, warm and fast paced Regency romp. I absolutely loved it. The two central characters are fantastic and the pace whisks you through a dramatic, funny and entertaining story from start to finish. Loved it.

'A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting' has been featured on Caboodle as a Caboodle Firsts. Thank you for working with us on this!

Caboodle Benefit: Get a copy of The Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting before it's out in May
We're giving 100 Caboodlers the chance to get a copy of Sophie Irwin's irresistible Regency romance, A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting, before it's out in May.

Really enjoyed this!! Perfect for fans of Bridgerton, or Reputation by Lex Croucher. Not at all fusty or boring, as some books in this period can be. Great voice and absorbing characters, with a nice sprinkle of drama!

I reviewed a Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting for LoveReading.co.uk where the review is published. It’s been chosen as a Liz Robinson Pick of the Month.

Oh wow, this book!! Heart eyes all round. The romance was so perfectly slow burn, the main character, Kitty danced through London society, charming everyone except…him. I absolutely loved following Kitty’s journey as she fought her way through the institution to find a solution to her family’s problems, save her sisters from destitution and by the end, find true love. Exactly my kind of book. I hope Sophie Irwin writes lots more! I will be reading them all.

Filled a Bridgerton shaped hole! Addictive regency romance, pure joy to read. Fell in love with Kitty and Radcliffe from the start, a perfect romance.

I really adored this novel. Underneath Kitty’s determination is a very real love for her sisters and her home, and she can’t wait to get back to them. It’s funny too. There’s a nice clever wittiness to it, and some lovely throwaway lines, which made me giggle. I'll happily look forward to more from Sophie Irwin.

I loved this book!! Kitty Talbot is the eldest of 4 sisters. Their parents have died and Kitty believed they were financially secure. However, it soon becomes clear their father remortgaged the family home and Kitty has 3 months to repay the debt or she and her sisters will be on the street. Kitty decides the only option is to seek the support of an aunt to go to London and find a rich husband! Soon after arrival she becomes acquainted with the de Lacey family, the eldest son being Lord Radcliffe. Kitty tries to secure Archie de Lacey but Lord Radcliffe is on to her and each end up in a situation where they are blackmailing the other. In exchange for distancing herself from Archie, Kitty asks Lord Radcliffe introduce her to society. What follows is a really funny, sad and adventurous story through the London season. Will
Kitty get her husband?

I just loved Kitty. She is a total firecracker! She's so honest with Lord Radcliffe while with the rest of London society, its all about impression management. Although we know she is essentially a fortune hunter, we know tight from the start she is decent and doing what many other women had to do because of their circumstances and position in society. Her relationship with Lord Radcliffe is just brilliant- she is so cheeky but also her authentic self and it was in these moments we see the true characters of both of them. Their friendship (of sorts) really highlights the difference between the classes at the time. Will he help her catch someone to marry - decent, kind and rich??

This book very much reminds me of the style of Georgette Heyer. It feels really authentic. It has a brilliant story and pace and some amazing characters. I hope there is more to come from this author as i will be sorry to leave these characters behind! Its a fantastic read for historical romance fans! I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley with no promise of a favourable review.

A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting was a joy to read, a story set in the regency period where social manners and etiquette rules were so different to todays society.
With a pair of wonderful main characters supported by an excellent cast we enter Kitty’s life. After Kitty’s father dies Kitty and her three sisters are on the point of destitution unless Kitty can by making an advantageous marriage clear her fathers debts and fully support her sisters, otherwise the family will have to be broken up and each sister go into service or become a governess.
Enlisting the help of an old friend of her deceased mother Kitty travels to London for the season to hunt for a rich husband. She may appear a hard hearted manipulator and schemer but she is doing this for her sisters, prepared to sacrifice marrying for love for their sakes.
She meets a suitable family with a young son who could solve all her problems so Kitty goes all out to ensnare this rather naïve young aristocrat, unfortunately his elder brother Lord Radcliffe is on to Kitty and determined to stop her. The interaction and dialogue between the two is sparkling, witty but also honest, Radcliffe will help Kitty in her task as long as she leaves his brother alone. This leads to all manner of humour, dramatic and romantic episodes.
Basically this is a historical romance, but a page turning extremely entertaining read, lifted by superb storytelling. For me it ended a little abruptly, probably because I didn’t want it to end, I would of love a short epilogue just to have a glimpse into Kitty and ??? future together.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

Excellent fun! I devoured it. Was lovely to be transported to the Regency era. Great characters and a cute love story.

I completely adore period novels and this was no exception.
Kitty Talbot's journey to find herself a husband in 12 weeks had me engrossed from the first chapter.
Kitty is acerbic, pulls no punches, knows what she wants and she wants a husband so that she can save her family home and ensure that her younger sisters are taken care of.
The novel unravels over a period of weeks where Kitty tries to insert herself into London society where lots of doors may open for her to secure her goal. She meets the most awful men - men that she has no hope in falling in love with - women that are catty and are on the same journey as Kitty -to secure themselves a husband.
Then we meet Kitty's love interest - add in an elder brother and Kitty's plans do not play out the way she expects them to.

A perfect escape novel.

I requested this book form Netgalley on a bit of a whim having seen it popping up in my Twitter feed from other bloggers. It’s not my standard choice but it sounded fun and I (along with most of the rest of the country) had enjoyed watching Bridgerton last year so I thought I’d give a Regency book a go as well (yes I know I could have read Julia Quinn but I’m enjoying watching those instead).

I really, really enjoyed it. It was such a fun read with characters that you quickly came to care about. While this is undeniably a romance book, it’s a romance with a good amount of plot and a wonderful heroine.
Kitty enters in to London society with only one goal in mind – to find a rich husband. She’s not looking for romance, her love for her sisters is what drives her and she’s quite prepared to sacrifice herself to a loveless match to keep a roof over their heads.

The odds are stacked against Kitty from the start, bankrupt, an outsider and hiding a family secret. With the help of her mother’s old friend though she is determined to succeed. Kitty’s ruthlessness in pursuit of her fortune could have made her feel cold but she’s balanced perfectly and you really feel for her as she bulldozes her way through the ton.

There is a lot of love, fun and scandal in this book. It was light with serious undertones and it balanced perfectly. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

If you’re looking for something to take the edge off your Bridgerton withdrawal symptoms then this is just the ticket!

Kitty is in need of a fortune and this has no choice but to make her societal debut, and as you’d expect for a Regency Romance we soon get introduced to a man with said fortune. Unfortunately/ fortunately he is exasperatingly annoying and him and Kitty are soon locked in a battle of exchange barbs and witty repartee,
The book focuses more on the characters than plot in my opinion, but if you’re after that pride and prejudice type angst this is perfect, I’d have preferred a bit more smut but that’s just personal preference, I’ll 100% read more by this author!

I don't read too many historical romances, but the blurb made the book sound amusing and I was not disappointed with this well written, fun read, which is packed with feisty banter and amusing scheming. I loved that Kitty was not apologetic in fortune-hunting - she really is mercenary in her goal to find a wealthy husband. I loved the development of the relationship between Kitty and Lord Radcliffe (although it probably came together at the end a bit too quickly for my liking). There were no steamy scenes, so it's pretty tame, but a completely enjoyable read anyway. This really is a great debut novel and I will most definitely read Sophie Irwin's future books. I read this book without being able to put it down, so I don't thank NetGallery and HarperCollins UK for the sleepless night, but I do thank them for providing a great source of fun entertainment.

4.5 stars

I loved reading this so much! It was one of those books that really grows on you, not just in the way the plot progresses but also with how you see the characters evolving. The romance was a slow burn and had you on your toes all the way through.

In the beginning I was put off by Kitty's character a great deal. However, as you read and discover more about her, you begin to see who she is and all the things that make her so wonderful. The same can be said about Lord Radcliffe.

Sophie Irwin writes her characters in a way that keeps you hooked. As you read, you feel as though you're meeting a new friend and getting to know them with each turning page.

I loved the enemies to lovers trope, it's one of my favourites and one that was executed tremendously by Irwin. I loved the chemistry between the characters and how much their relationship developed over time.

Overall, this was a wonderful read and I look forward to reading more by Sophie Irwin.

The publisher kindly provided ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A must read for any Regency fans. Ticks all the books for this genre. I’m often disappointed by this type of book but not in this case. Good strong characters and nice twist on a common trope.

Fabulously refreshing and wickedly humourous, Sophie Irwin’s regency rom-com debut; with it’s deliciously addictive scandals and feisty, take charge heroine was a fun and undeniably uplifting novel that Bridgerton fans are bound to enjoy.

It’s 1818 and Kitty Talbot needs a husband. Or more specifically, a husband who has a fortune.

With only twelve weeks until the bailiffs call, Kitty has no choice but to launch herself into London society, using every ounce of cunning and ingenuity she possesses to climb the ranks.

The only one to see through her plans is the world war hero Lord Radcliffe and he’s determined to thwart her at any cost, especially when her charm is focused solely on his impressionable younger brother, Archie who’s set to inherit a fortune.

Can Kitty secure a fortune and save her sisters from poverty? There’s no time to lose and no one—not even a Lord—will stand in her way…

This was a genuinely fun and lighthearted read that I absolutely loved! Kitty was a likeable and incredibly intriguing protagonist-she’s smart, pragmatic and rather mercenary in her goal to catch herself a wealthy husband which I found refreshing among the dozens of Regency romances that’ve cropped up in the wake of Bridgerton’s success.

It was great to get a protagonist that’s honest and rather upfront about her scheming and watching her navigate the social etiquette of the upper classes (and the faux pas she inevitably makes along the way) was both phenomenally entertaining and period accurate.

The gorgeously detailed and vivid imagery was also stunning-I loved being swept up in the Balls, dinners, strolls through Hyde park, idle speculation and drama that Kitty encounters, especially her interactions with members of the Ton. I loved the conversational back and forths between Kitty and James (Lord Radcliffe) which were absolutely amazing and though the relationship between these two is a slow-burn one (and doesn’t have any steamy scenes) it’s still definitely worth a read.

honestly, this is one of the best romances I’ve read so far this year and regency romance/rom-com fans are bound to enjoy it!

Also, a huge thank you to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the e-arc.

What a breath of fresh air in my COVID sick bed! I haven't read many Regency novels (other than the obvious classics written at the time) and was very pleasantly surprised with A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin. I was lucky enough to read and review an early copy via #NetGalley and it was exactly what the doctor ordered.
Kitty is a clever and determined young woman, who recognises that the societal limitations on women mean her only way of providing for her younger sisters after the death of their parents is to find herself a rich man. She leave Dorset for London on a quest to do exactly that.
Charming and engaging from page 1, it is intelligently written with humour and sensitivity.
I definitely recommend this lovely book and will be looking out for book 2. (Please tell me there is going to be a book 2?)

This was charming total page turner. A lovely breezy, light, frothy cocktail of a book. If you are under the weather or finding it hard to concentrate on weighty tomes then this is the perfect tonic! Kitty's parents have died and left her and her four sisters with a mountain of debt.. Kitty is determined to save the family and her home by heading with £10 worth of jewels to sell and the invitation to stay with her mother's old friend ( a former actress)whom she has never met to try to inveigle a way into "the seaon" and bag a well heeled husband. The story delivers just as you would expect it to. There no big surprises or any real jeopardy. No nasty stuff just charming cheeky fun.

I LOVED this book., I expected this to be my kind of book and it didn't disappoint. I thought this was a great debut novel by Irwin and I hope she writes more books in this genre. The story centers around Kitty, who is the oldest of 5 sisters and who needs to find a wealthy husband by the end of the season to help save her family home and secure her sisters' future. Kitty is strong, independent and savvy and I enjoyed following her journey as she navigated the unwritten and unspoken rules of the ton. It gave me major Bridgerton vibes, I could honestly see it being turned into a film.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins for a preview.

If you enjoyed reading or watching The Bridgertons, this book is for you.
I have to admit to start with it felt very much like reading Julia Quinns first book in the Bridgerton series, but has you read further and came involved with Kitty and her escapades around London it became a fun book in its own right.. It was jam packed with lots of fun characters and Sophie Irwin was able to flesh them out to make them feel real. The dialogue between them all was fun and flowed well through out the book.. Everyone was well thought out in this Regency story. I wonder if there is a series waiting to be written as there a few sisters to marry off.......... I wait for my invitation.

A fantastic regency romance! Kitty's parents have both died, leaving her with no title and no money, but four younger sisters to support. What she needs is a marriage to a wealthy man, and quickly before she and her sisters lose their home. Lord Radcliffe realises that the money-minded miss has set her eyes on his younger brother, and makes a deal to protect him from her scheming. What follows is a fantastic battle of wits, and learning how far the characters will go to protect the people they love.

I adored this book - the start is a little slow, but it has all the elements of a really special historical romance. I eagerly await the author's next book!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

When Kitty's parents pass away and leave her with 4 sisters and a mountain of debt, she must do everything in her power to make sure her and her sisters survive.

Let me start this by saying; I love a women who put morals to the side for the sake of there family, there is just something about a person willing to go to the ends of the earth for there family that I love. Kitty has a mind of her own and realistic expectations as well, shes also willing to get what she wants by any means necessary. I think she'd be well liked by the fans of Pride and Prejudices Elizabeth.

On to the romance, not a full hate to love but more of a mistrust to love. Lord Radcliffe is an equally smart man to stand as a contender to Kitty, I love it when 2 characters see the worst of each other to love each other more.

All in all, I'd highly recommend this to fans of Vanity Fair and Jane Austen!

Thank you for the digital copy to review.

I just loved the book. The oh so sensible Kitty taking on the Ton pretty much single handedly. She must find a husband and he must be rich - not only that but there is a deadline before the house is taken away and her sibling are flung into poverty. Kitty flings herself into the hunt with gusto and with a very level head. Despite the focused hunt, Kitty is endearing and whilst she has to find a rich husband, there is a glimmer of hope that she might also find love.

I enjoyed reading Sophie's whimsical story on a lazy afternoon while recovering from COVID. Very much in the style of Austen, I read it in one sitting. How much of it is realistic, I have no idea but I thoroughly enjoyed the escapism and indulgence of it.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me a free copy of the book to read in return for an honest review.

I love Regency romances! This book is an excellent addition to the genre, and is a lot more nuanced and thought-provoking, for a light-hearted read!
Kitty Talbot needs to find a rich husband, and fast, since her impractical parents have left her with very little money,and a mountain of debt-in the tradition of several Regency romances ( 'Frederica', 'A convenient marriage' and 'Arabella' by Georgette Heyer have similar circumstances for the heroines). Where this book differs, is in its exploration of the circumstances-it doesn't gloss over what would happen to the family if Kitty isn't able to succeed at this. Kitty might be a bit of what we would call a gold-digger, but why shouldn't she be, really, at a time when options for gainful employment were practically non-existent for women, and while there were some iconoclasts like Jane Austen and Mary Wollstonecraft, it wasn't viable for most women. And even women who had successful careers on the stage, for instance, were rather looked down upon. Kitty's sense of urgency and her constant worry are communicated very effectively, something I really appreciated about the book. Unlike a lot of books in this genre, Kitty isn't one of those naive and adorable heroines who captures the sardonic aristocratic hero's heart with her ingenuousness-she's very much a woman on the make, and she always has a scheme up her sleeve. That she's depicted with nuance, and sympathy, is a tribute to Sophie Irwin's talent as a writer-we all work hard at our jobs, don't we, and Kitty was trying the same-her perfect job being the wife of someone with the money to clear her family's debts and provide for them! I also found her parents' story fascinating-you don't usually read of heroines with families like hers, and the difficulties she faces trying to succeed in a deeply classist society. And the aristocratic hero isn't a jaded rich guy charmed by the noble fresh-faced ingenue-he's a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars clearly suffering from PTSD, at a time when one's attitude to everything-from a broken shoe buckle to surviving Waterloo, had to be a perfectly stiff upper lip. I loved the spin the author put on familiar tropes-Kitty's sister, Cecy, loves to read, and is quite nerdy, but unlike other books, this isn't held against her, and she actually is shown saving the day for them, on a couple of occasions. The romance grows very organically, and is absolutely lovely-you get a sense of the true connection between the protagonists, and Kitty doesn't have to change, to be deemed worthy of love ( even the fabulous Becky Sharp is made to display a kind heart at the end of Vanity Fair). This is a delightful book, and I read it twice in the span of a week. I hope Sophie Irwin continues to write-maybe a prequel about Kitty's parents next?! Can't wait for her next book!

This book was AMAZING. I mean obviously you’ve got to be a fan of historical period drama but if you love Bridgerton you will LOVE this, I really admired Kitty’s tenacity, determination and love for her family. Plus the fact that although she was clearly after a man of fortune, she was honest and worked hard. It was such a great story and I am so pleased to have found a new author. I devoured the whole book in a day- so only start it when you’ve got a decent chunk of spare time immediately available!

"A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting" is the tale of the Talbot sisters, who are left with a cottage and little else apart from debts when their parents die. Kitty, the oldest, sees it as her role to save the girls from homelessness and destitution. Her plan involves launching herself into London Society to snag herself a rich husband. She takes one of younger sisters with her and they enlist the help of their "aunt" Dorothy, their late mother's best friend.

This is a lovely book; it is like a modern day Georgette Heyer. Kitty struggles to understand the rules of Regency society, to keep her past hidden and look out for younger sister Cecily. Of course there is a happy ending, which the reader can see coming a mile off, but this is all about the journey, the adventures and wit along the way.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

This really is delightful, a breath of fresh air, as Kitty battles to find a wealthy husband to save her family of four sisters from disgrace and penury in Regency England. Kitty is a great character. She knows what she wants and out of necessity she will get it but she does it in such a manner that we are cheering for her from the beginning. True to such romances, we know how the end will be but it is a most agreeable journey.

I can't recommend this highly enough. If you are a fan of Jane Austen, this is the book for you. Light, witty, with entertaining characters, to charm you, and a delightful plot involving an impoverished, but genteel lady needing to marry a rich man to save her sister. Does she succeed - there are twists, turns - read it and see.

With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC.