By: Sophie Irwin
Genre: Fiction, Regency Romance
Publication Date: 2022
Publisher’s Description
Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. Left with her father’s 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 genteel—but she is utterly single-minded; imbued with cunning and ingenuity, she knows that risk is just part of the game.
The only thing she doesn’t 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….
Our Take
A Lady’s Guide to Fortune hunting was a breath of fresh air to our little book club. We appreciated that the author kept true to the history of the time period in this modern novel. Witty and charming, we found ourselves admiring Kitty’s determination, thoroughly entertained at the banter of our two main characters, and swooning with satisfaction as romance unfolded. Though conflicted a bit over whether it was admirable to marry for money, we saw that there was more at stake than met the eye. in the end, needless compromise wasn’t necessary, and it was a good reminder of how important it is to surround ourselves with wise friends and family, listen to the advice they have to share, and never ignore what’s in our own hearts when it comes to love. After reading a lengthy classic like Great Expectations, this lighthearted romance was just what we needed!
food to share
We chose to keep it simple with finger foods. I can’t help but remember how disappointed Kitty was at the lack of food provided at the coveted Almack’s ball. Even Lord Radcliff commented on the scantiness. Ours, however simple, was not lacking in variety or flavor!
on the menu:
- Egg salad sandwiches
- Herbed Cream Cheese and Tomato Sandwiches
- Puff Pastry Brie Bites
- Veggies with hummus
- Grapes with Cheese
- Buckeye Candies
Atmosphere
What would a Regency book pick be without an elegant tea setting? We planned to play a Pride & Prejudice themed game called Marrying Mr. Darcy. however, we ran out of time for such a lengthy game, So we settled on a not so regency era, but oh so fun, game called “For the Girls”. And, yes, it was as silly and fun as it sounds, but definitely not literary! In a way, the game was a lot like this book pick: Lighthearted and Girly.
discussion
- Did Kitty’s decision to marry for money seem admirable to you or not?
- Kitty had limitations because of her gender and social status. How do women today still face similar struggles? How are things better for women today?
- We discussed what a good apology is and why the declaration of love made by Kitty’s soon to be love (Not naming names for spoiling purposes!) was so good.
- How did Kitty almost lose herself in her determination and devotion to her family?
quotes
“They paused there for a beat, looking at each other with mutual calculation. It occurred to them both, then – though of course they did not know it – that they might equally have agreed to pistols at dawn.”
“One must never begin a game by conceding,” he warned. “Play to win, my dear, always.”
“There was nothing hesitant about the kiss, nothing uncertain. It was as if they’d both read the script beforehand and had—all along—simply been waiting for the cue.”
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