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 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. It was a fast-moving, joyful book and I really enjoyed it. I’ll definitely be looking out for more books by Sophie Irwin.

Home - Ladys Guide

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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting - Publishers Weekly A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting - Publishers Weekly

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

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

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 Lady’s Guide To Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin Review A Lady’s Guide To Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin Review

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. 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. 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.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. 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. 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.