Thursday, February 23, 2023

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

 Both of Kitty's parents are dead, leaving her with their huge debt and four younger sisters. How can Kitty keep the family cottage, pay off the debt and support her sisters in the 1800s? Why, marry a wealthy man, of course! She hauls her sister Cecily to London to stay with Dorothy, a family friend, so the girls can be part of the Season (where ladies of age attend numerous balls and parties to hopefully find a husband). The search is on. Kitty is determined and clever. Then Lord Radcliffe arrives on the scene. Can Kitty's wit and guile outmaneuver this maddening man?!

Although the plot was predictable, Ms. Irwin wove in some surprises which made the story delightful and propelling. I loved the witty banter between Kitty and Lord Radcliffe. I looked forward to reading this novel and even squeezed in time to read it outside my "normal reading time"! Another plus for this new novel is no "bedroom scenes" exist. I vacillated between thinking that Kitty was manipulative and selfish  and then respecting her unselfishness to marry not for love but to help her sisters and save the family home.

Very-well written. I hope to read more by Ms. Irwin.

I am not highly recommending this novel because it is alluded that Kitty's mother and her friend Dorothy (where the girls stay during the London Season) had some affairs with wealthy men when they were younger and in the theater, almost like "gentlemen's ladies".

Also consider-some swearing, Archie develops a gambling habit and frequents a faro with a bad reputation.

-Borrowed from the library.




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