A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin

The season is about to begin—and there’s not a minute to lose.

Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. This is 1818 after all, and only men have the privilege of seeking their own riches.

With only twelve weeks until the bailiffs call, launching herself into London society is the only avenue open to her, and Kitty must use every ounce of cunning and ingenuity she possesses to climb the ranks.

The only one to see through her plans is the worldly Lord Radcliffe and he is determined to thwart her at any cost, especially when it comes to his own brother falling for her charms.

Can Kitty secure a fortune and save her sisters from poverty? There is not a day to lose and no one—not even a lord—will stand in her way...

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A mixed review on this one.

Obviously, the outcome of the story was never in doubt. Reading that blurb tells you exactly how the story will end. And while there's a lot of wit and snappy remarks in getting there, there's also a lot of covering the same ground over and over. Cecily says something smart that no one recognises, Kitty reiterates the plan, they go to a ball, Radcliffe is suspicious but does something against his better judgement, Kitty reiterates the plan, they go to a ball...I think that a lot of it could have been trimmed away.

That's just my opinion, though, and the descriptions are certainly amazing. I can picture all the dresses, the halls, the fine tables, the ridiculous mating rituals of London's upper crust. I never skimmed any of it, I just kept reading. Kitty and Radcliffe have some great bantering sessions.

So, it's a good read, but could have been trimmed down a little. Overall, I still recommend it. It's certainly very clever.

A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting publishes on the 12th May, 2022 in the UK (top image) and on the  12th July, 2022 in the US (lower image). I receiced a free copy and am giving an honest review.