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. 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. 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. Kitty Talbot's journey to find herself a husband in 12 weeks had me engrossed from the first chapter.

A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting - Madeleine Milburn A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting - Madeleine Milburn

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! 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. 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. She’s got just twelve weeks to find a rich husband and save her sisters – and she must use every ounce of cunning and ingenuity she possesses to climb London society if she is to succeed.

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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. As with Anne Sharp’s predicament in Godmersham Park, Kitty’s financial situation perfectly highlights the position of women in society and how financially dependent they were on men. 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. A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting is a sharp, modern, and absolutely delicious take on the marriage plot. Sophie Irwin's debut is one of the most fun,…” 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.

A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting - HarperCollins Publishers UK

I really enjoyed this book. Kitty was a fantastic character. She wasn’t the meek and mild heroine expected of the time, she was brave, brash and bold. I loved her feistiness and her willingness to do anything to secure her family’s future. No one will ever compare to Elizabeth Bennet, my all-time favourite heroine, but Kitty had the same wit and love for her family that Lizzy displayed in Pride and Prejudice. She also could see through the pomposity of these preening, pretentious men, despite not knowing exactly how to conduct herself in polite society. I loved how she slapped down one of the main characters to protect her sister, much to the horror of ‘the ton’. 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. Irwin's debut is a delicious historical romcom in the vein of Martha Waters and Bridgerton without the smooching.” 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.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.

A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting | Sophie Irwin A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting | Sophie Irwin

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. With just twelve weeks until Kitty and her sisters are made homeless, 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.If you loved the Julia Quinn Bridgerton series or Georgette Heyer, this is definitely the book for you! The MM Agency is a dedicated and passionate literary agency with a global outlook, specialising in launching debut writers, international rights and book to screen adaptations. 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. 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. 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.