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A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting
A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting: A Novel | Sophie Irwin
29 posts | 31 read | 21 to read
A whip-smart debut that follows the adventures of an entirely unconventional heroine who throws herself into the London Season to find a wealthy husband. But the last thing she expects is to find love Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. Left with her fathers massive debts, she has only twelve weeks to save her family from ruin. Kitty has never been one to back down from a challenge, so she leaves home and heads toward the most dangerous battleground in all of England: the London season. Kitty may be neither accomplished nor especially genteelbut she is utterly single-minded; imbued with cunning and ingenuity, she knows that risk is just part of the game. The only thing she doesnt anticipate is Lord Radcliffe. The worldly Radcliffe sees Kitty for the mercenary fortune-hunter that she really is and is determined to scotch her plans at all costs, until their parrying takes a completely different turn. This is a frothy pleasure, full of brilliant repartee and enticing wit--one that readers will find an irresistible delight.
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BookNAround
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First romance for Valentine‘s Day. This is also my #bookspin book for this month.

68 likes1 stack add
review
Chrissyreadit
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Pickpick

Poor Kitty has been left poor by deceased parents who were disinherited (father) and a previous courtesan (mother) and no way to support her beloved sisters- so is off to London to charm her way into a wealthy marriage. It is not as easy as she had hoped. But luckily this book has the HEA i completely depend on. Great choice!!!! Julie it is on its way back to you.

Chrissyreadit Also if any of you ever want to read more together I am here for it- i love these books so much- and i know i‘m SLOW these days so i understand also not wanting to. @mabell @julieclair @TheAromaofBooks 5mo
AmyG Your cat model 🙌🏻❤️ 5mo
TheAromaofBooks @julieclair @mabell @Chrissyreadit I was going to ask how you all feel about another round!!! We originally had December built in as our break/catch-up month, so would you all be interested in starting again in January? I am always down for it, but understand if any of you need a break or are just ready to step down from this group 😂 5mo
See All 36 Comments
Chrissyreadit @TheAromaofBooks I‘m always going to be up for it- i love this group and the books we are reading. 5mo
dabbe Hello there, sweet floof! 🖤🐾🖤 5mo
julieclair @TheAromaofBooks @mabell @Chrissyreadit I‘d love to keep going! Maybe we could just plan a catch-up month after each 4-month round, as we have been doing. That seems to work well. 5mo
GondorGirl I briefly thought your review pertained to the Kitty in your picture and I was VERY confused. 😅 5mo
Chrissyreadit @GondorGirl 🤣🤣🤣 5mo
mabell @Chrissyreadit @TheAromaofBooks @julieclair I really enjoy our group and love finding out about new books/authors! I am finding it more difficult to read and make notes in the book, and I would also love the chance to rehash the book with the group! ⬇️ 5mo
mabell Just an idea, but I thought it would be fun for us to choose a book to read together - then chit chat about it on zoom or slack or something. I know that isn‘t the point of LMPBC, but it could be a novel (😆) change just to try. No big deal if this doesn‘t appeal! 5mo
Chrissyreadit @mabell @julieclair @TheAromaofBooks i would love to read a book together and chat about it. i also struggle with finding my pen when i‘m reading…. 🤣 5mo
TheAromaofBooks @Chrissyreadit @julieclair @mabell - I'm definitely up for an alternative way of discussing a book. I'm terrible at video conferencing though 😂 Are you all on Storygraph? I noticed that they just started a new feature called Readalongs. You can set it up to only have people join who have the link, I think. You can create “forums“ i.e. different discussion questions, and then comment/reply. Would you be interested in trying that? I could ⬇ 5mo
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) create a test readalong just to see how the different mechanics work?

And if this does not appeal, we can figure out something else for sure, I just happened to see this feature yesterday!
(edited) 5mo
mabell @Chrissyreadit @julieclair @TheAromaofBooks Yay! We could give it a trial run and see how it goes! I think StoryGraph sounds like a good option, Sarah! It would be great to break it up into book sections, so as we get those sections, we can chime in on that forum! That way we can discuss somewhat contemporaneously, but still avoid spoilers! 5mo
TheAromaofBooks @Chrissyreadit @mabell @julieclair - I made a test readalong for Indiscretion, just so we could check out all the buttons 😂 https://app.thestorygraph.com/readalongs/69ddb58c-2277-46a1-b84c-cb52c20e0efe One thing I'm curious about, if you all join, are you able to create your own “forum“ sections, or can only I do that because I started the readalong? I think we could set it up so each forum is a certain set of chapters, so we could read at ⬇ 5mo
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) our own pace throughout the month and discuss as we go?? Very experimental LOL 5mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks @Chrissyreadit @julieclair I think the StoryGraph readalong is going to work really well!! 5mo
Chrissyreadit @TheAromaofBooks @julieclair @mabell I am excited to try out and see how it works when i get home! great idea Sarah! 5mo
TheAromaofBooks @Chrissyreadit @julieclair @mabell - So things went a little off the rails here and I got distracted. But would we like to pick a book out to read together for January? (Each of us reading her own copy and then discussing on Storygraph.) Any suggestions? 4mo
mabell @julieclair @TheAromaofBooks @Chrissyreadit Oh my, January is coming up soon! Good choices, Julie! I‘ll see if I have any suggestions to add to the selection pool too. 😊 4mo
Chrissyreadit @TheAromaofBooks @julieclair @mabell I‘m ok with any choice- I have a bunch of Heyer books i have not read yet! 4mo
julieclair @Chrissyreadit @mabell @TheAromaofBooks I‘m always up for a Heyer! 4mo
TheAromaofBooks @Chrissyreadit @julieclair @mabell - Okay, I love all the options haha I am wondering - let's each post three options so the others can say if they've already read it recently, or if they are strongly excited about one choice, etc. Then each of us can decide our own final pick from there, and we can read one of them per month January-April. So basically like we've always done, except without the mailing them to each other part haha ⬇ 4mo
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) So I think all of Julie's choices sound good and I haven't read any of them, so I'm down for any. I'm always happy to read a Heyer, but there are a few that I've read really recently, so if Chrissy wants to post a couple options, I could let you know if I've read any in the last three months lol As a side note, @mabell I always address your packages to Elizabeth, and I keep meaning to ask you if you usually go by Elizabeth or if you ⬇ 4mo
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) shorten it?? My middle name is Elizabeth, so I get Sarah Beth sometimes haha

Okay, my three possibilities (with others waiting in the backdrop if none of these are suitable) - All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot (long-ish, and about a veterinarian so some mildly ewwww parts but nothing crazy), The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, and The Alley by Eleanor Estes (both children's books that I've been meaning to reread!)
4mo
mabell @TheAromaofBooks Sarah Beth is cute! I call myself Elizabeth, but everyone calls me something different, so anything is fine! @Chrissyreadit @julieclair I‘ll get the options soon! I wanted to take a look at my shelves for ideas, but I keep not being able to get there 😂 I‘ve never read any of your choices, Sarah, so it could be a great time to get to the Wind in the Willows. 4mo
julieclair @TheAromaofBooks this sounds like a good plan. Of your 3 options, The Wind in the Willows is my first choice by far. I have never read it and it has been in my TBR forever. The Eleanor Estes would be my second choice, and James Herriot a distant third. @mabell @Chrissyreadit 4mo
TheAromaofBooks @Chrissyreadit @mabell @julieclair - Unless Chrissy has an objection, I'll go with The Wind in the Willows for my pick!! I am really excited about rereading it. I always think of it as a spring book, so I don't know if we want it to be our March read, or if we could use some spring vibes in January 😂 4mo
Chrissyreadit @TheAromaofBooks I am fine with Wind In The Willows! I very much want to read the Estes book too just FYI- 4mo
Chrissyreadit @julieclair I also have not read any of your picks- and am totally ok with any of them but also i‘m hoping you do not already have one of them…. 4mo
julieclair @Chrissyreadit I don‘t have any of them! 🤗 4mo
79 likes36 comments
review
iread2much
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Pickpick

Super sad not to get the pretty cover, but this was a fun book, great for enemies to lovers fans and for Pride and Prejudice fans.
Kitty must marry for money, and when she uses a spot of blackmail to protect & advance herself, she plunges into the upper crust and must try to decide if she wants love or money while shouldering her family‘s fortune.
3.5/5 stars weak writing in some places, but an engaging plot and I really enjoyed the characters.

dabbe Cuddly Castle on his bed! #kingofhisdomain 🖤🐾🖤 5mo
iread2much @dabbe the cover is in the wash now, he loves it too much and it gets all slobber covered 😂 5mo
dabbe @iread2much He's spicing it up! A little saliva here a dab of slobber there ... 🤩😃🤗 5mo
25 likes3 comments
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mabell
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The title says it all! 😂😂 A modern take on the Regency romance, complete with headstrong heroine!

I‘ll have it on its way to you soon, Chrissy!

PS Sarah, I just saw your note - Yay for sending 2 books! 🤣

LeahBergen Sweet little toes! 🥰 6mo
Gissy A little reader! ☺️💖🌟✨💫 6mo
TheAromaofBooks I love everything about this post 😂 6mo
See All 13 Comments
TheAromaofBooks @julieclair - This is NOT a nag at all, but I didn't receive a book from you this month, so I just want to make sure that you still have it, and not that it has gotten lost somewhere along the way!!! 6mo
CarolynM So cute😍 6mo
batsy Aww! The tiny little foot 🥺 6mo
julieclair Absolutely adorable! Toes!!! 💙💙💙 6mo
julieclair @TheAromaofBooks Wish I could blame it on the mail, lol! 📭😂 But alas, it‘s all on me. I‘m only halfway through. And it‘s a short book! 😆 I think I‘ll blame it on Scarathlon. 👻😉 6mo
MaureenMc 🥰🥰🥰 6mo
mabell @LeahBergen @Gissy @TheAromaofBooks @CarolynM @batsy @julieclair @MaureenMc *No books were chewed on in the making of this post* But she made the attempt 😂 6mo
julieclair A few teeth marks would only add character! 😃😉💖💖💖 6mo
TheAromaofBooks @julieclair - I know that feeling!! 😂 No rush, I just wanted to make sure it hadn't gotten stranded in Cincinnati or something LOL 6mo
Gissy @mabell She wanted to taste those first pages☺️ 6mo
33 likes13 comments
blurb
SarahBookInterrupted
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Check out my review on Book Interrupted‘s Manuscript Monday. https://www.bookinterrupted.com/post/manuscript-monday-a-lady-s-guide-to-fortune...

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julieclair
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Pickpick

A delightful book! All the fun one would expect of a regency romance. #HappyFiction
It‘s coming to you next, @TheAromaofBooks ! @Chrissyreadit @mabell

mabell Yay! It sounds fun! 8mo
Chrissyreadit 🩷🩷🩷 8mo
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! I am looking forward to this one!!! 8mo
39 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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NikkiCureton
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Pickpick

All‘s well that ends well - lots of maneuvering and manipulation to arrive at a happy ending for two characters (Kitty and Radcliffe) who are very well suited and deserving of joy together.

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angieinwonderland
Pickpick

This was going to get 4 stars till the last third, where it earned more than 5 stars. I usually don't like regency era stories, but this one was better than great. I really enjoyed the story and admired the characters, but I stayed for the sass!

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Gryffleclaw95
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a quick read that started off a touch slow but gradually got better as the story progressed. It took a while for me to like Kitty‘s character as she comes off as selfish and arrogant at times, however I enjoyed her later character arc. I really enjoyed Kitty‘s and James‘ interactions, and I only wish that there had been an epilogue.

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LadyCait84
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Pickpick

I loved! Kitty is a feisty and charming heroine right out of Austen‘s playbook, but still fresh and distinct. I‘ll admit I‘d been initially wary by comparisons to Bridgerton (no offense to those who like it, but ‘tis not my cup of tea), but this feels truer to the wit and subtleties of the classic Regency-era novels I love so much.

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SarahBookInterrupted
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Pickpick

I just flew through this book. It was a fast read and very predictable, but throughly enjoyable. It definitely has a Jane Austen vibe and I adored the leading lady and leading man. Their honest relationship was refreshing. The supporting characters were also entertaining. A very light read but just what I needed! Great book to read after any tough or emotional book.

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CarolynM
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Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this charming modern version of a Georgette Heyer style regency romance. It was just the light, frothy fun I‘ve been needing lately. #Romantsy
#52BookClub23 #TypographicCover

LeeRHarry Sounds fun 😊 12mo
batsy Modern Heyer sounds like a blast 🙂 12mo
squirrelbrain Love that cover! 12mo
See All 7 Comments
Librarybelle Oh! Stacking! 12mo
Tamra Sounds like the perfect palette cleanser! 12mo
Cinfhen What @batsy and all the others said 🩵 12mo
Bluebird I loved this one too! A very fun read 😄 12mo
83 likes4 stack adds7 comments
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Laughterhp
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Panpan

This was pretty boring. Kitty was very blatant in that she needed a rich husband, which is fine. But she spent barely any time with Radcliffe. It‘s mostly them going to balls and events the whole time which seems exhausting. I think I wanted more out of this than I did. Or I‘m used to a lot of other historical romances being much better..And It‘s a clean romance.

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behudd
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book - it was very funny, and while easy to see some Jane Austen & Bridgerton influences, it still felt like something new.
Romance is there but not as much the focus of the book as I was expecting. If you are looking for a fun fiction read, I definitely recommend this one.
I didn‘t realize it was going to be a series, but it looks like book 2 comes out in July!

TheAromaofBooks Oh, this one sounds so fun!! Stacked!! 13mo
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

Kitty, the eldest of 5 daughters is in desperate need of a fortune after her parents die. This regency-style novel has the feel of a Georgette Heyer or Jane Austen romance, though it doesn't quite reach those heights. Kitty feels very mercenary, though her cause is justified. Her antagonistic banter with Lord Radcliff provided my favorite moments. the story starts of slow, but is worth reading if you love Heyer.

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Isy
Pickpick

I loved this book! Irwin is a modern day Austen. I cannot wait until the next one.

1 like1 stack add
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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

So charming! I loved every minute of this book. The characters were familiar yet fresh, of the time but also modern. I listened on #audio (though I also own) as I try to read/listen to the books I already own. This seems to be a debut, can‘t wait to read more by her. #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks #January20in4 #Readathon @Andrew65 #Pantone2023 #AiryBlue @Clwojick

Andrew65 Well done, a good start 👏👏👏 1y
Clwojick Fantastic! Way to go! 1y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 1y
53 likes3 comments
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Nebklvr
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Pickpick

A girl‘s gotta do what a girl‘s gotta do and Kitty Talbot needs to marry a rich man to pay off family debts and keep a roof over her sisters‘ heads. She has the ruthlessness and strategy of a General and she will get her man. This was a fun, rather tame historical romance.

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Kazzie
Pickpick

This was escapist pleasure! Really fit the bill of modern re-telling of regency drama. The heroine was strong and smart and resourceful- surprised to fall in love with the most suitable bachelor. Audiobook listing at its best

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Bluebird
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No five star reads for me this month, but I enjoyed the Sophie Irwin book the best. The narrator was superb. The story was humorous and witty. I‘m a fan of Jane Austen and Regency romances so fell right into this one.

Thanks for the tag @TheSpineView

TheSpineView You're welcome and thanks for playing! 2y
10 likes1 comment
review
Bluebird
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Pickpick

Kitty Talbot finagles her way into the London Season to find a wealthy husband so she can save her family from financial ruin.

I‘m a devotee of Jane Austen and enjoy Georgette Heyer‘s works, so decided to give this a try despite my initial skepticism that it might be too ‘campy‘ for me. I was pleasantly surprised! This is a light, fun read with a delightful narration by Emily Tomlinson. I‘ve no doubt the audio version enhanced my enjoyment.

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veebib
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"Perhaps, we all ought to be a little kinder. Perhaps that's what being "good" is --- trying to pass on kindness, even when it's not convenient."

3 likes2 stack adds
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writerlibrarian
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Pickpick

I liked the classic yet with a twist storyline. Both leads are interesting and loveable. I liked both of them, their bickering and more personal conversations. Both are resourceful and are used to get their way. The secondary characters start out slim but I found myself hoping that I will get to read Cecily‘s view and story, also Archie‘s and Aunt Dorothy‘s.

A good first novel.

I'm coming out of social network hibernation. 🤞🏻

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robinb
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Pickpick

Kitty Talbot must leave her sisters at home to husband-hunt in London after their father left them in debt, and they‘re in immediate danger of losing their home. She woos Arthur, the naive younger brother of Lord Radcliffe but is found out by him as a gold-digging schemer. She moves on, and blackmails Radcliffe into helping her insinuate into the ton to find other fish. While I started out literally hating the devious Kitty, I found myself 🔻

robinb almost grudgingly coming to understand and even respect her as she struggles to wrestle her conscience. I did like the banter between she and Radcliffe. My only complaint was that the turn to love came sort of out-of-the-blue, and there was a sudden leap from tentative friendship to HEA. But overall I found it well-written and quite enjoyable. 4/5⭐️ (edited) 2y
BookNAround What a lovely cover. 2y
robinb @BookNAround I agree! I‘ve really been running across some gorgeous covers lately. 😊 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
53 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
Vansa
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Pickpick

#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView
1.I loved all the supporting characters in this excellent book!Her sister, Cecy, their guardian, all fascinating and subverted tropes. Full review here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4646622926
2.Definitely a strong supporting character! Some of my favourite characters are supporting characters-Iorek Byrnison,Lee Scoresby,Lady Salmakia in his dark materials.
Would love to see everyone's responses!

TheSpineView Sounds good! Thanks for playing! Stacked! 2y
10 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
julesG
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Panpan

Bland story and cardboard cutout characters. I was hoping for witty banter, character development, a grand romance, or lavish descriptions of Regency London, but instead we got one dull scene after another.

Kitty is a scheming young woman who desperately needs to marry a very wealthy man.
Arthur is the younger brother to Lord Radcliffe and the lamb Kitty intends to fleece.
Lord Radcliffe sees Kitty for what she is and wants to foil her plans.
⬇️

julesG The first 20% of the book is Kitty and her sisters bemoaning their circumstances and cursing their father for creating a pile of debts. Then Kitty is wrapping young Arthur around her little finger. The Dowager Lady Radcliffe sees Kitty as a fortune hunter, but since she's the only one paying attention to her ladyship she's not too worried. Lord Radcliffe on the other hand... 2y
julesG And after what feels like one scene where the two of them, Lord Radcliffe and Kitty, have a heart to heart and talk about the deep things in life, they suddenly are in love. 2y
Caroline2 Booo. Unstacked. 2y
64 likes3 comments
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julesG
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Haven't done a #FirstLineFridays in some time. @ShyBookOwl Good thing I just started a new #ARC from #NetGalley.

»'You're not going to marry me?' Miss Talbot repeated, disbelievingly.
'Afraid not,' Mr. Charles Linfield replied,... «

ShyBookOwl Lol fun first line! 2y
48 likes1 comment