Let’s Discuss! A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting
Let’s Discuss! A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting
Let’s talk about Kitty Talbot and her quest…
We’re getting ready to dive in to the details of the book. Haven’t read it yet? Get acquainted with our latest selection here.
Hello! It’s the end of October which means it’s time to talk about the delightful Kitty Talbot and her quest to find a fortune by way of a husband. I just loved Kitty and her spunk! She was so focused on saving her family home and providing for her sisters… it was truly endearing. Her humor and quick wit made me want to sit down to tea with her, and enjoy all the more, the banter between her and Lord Radcliffe as he sussed out her intentions for the season.
The Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin was the perfect cozy historical fiction novel for October and I can’t wait to discuss it further in the comments.
As always, remember the Ashley Brooke Book Club exists to be fun and thoughtful, so please be kind and respectful in the comments below.
Discussion Questions
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
1.
Kitty faces challenges because of her gender, her social standing, and her lack of parental support. How is she able to work within these limitations in order to achieve her goal?
2.
Sibling relationships—Kitty’s with Cecily, Lord Radcliffe’s with Archie—play an important role in the story. How do these relationships evolve over the course of the novel? What do Lord Radcliffe and Kitty have in common in their roles at siblings?
3.
At the start of the novel, Kitty and Lord Radcliffe are at each other’s throats, unwilling to see eye to eye. What do you think is the turning point in their relationship? Is there more than one moment that causes a shift in their dynamic?
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Wrapped up in the holidays…SO late on finishing the October pick! But it was excellent!
1. I loved how Kitty used her wit to get the information she needed out of Lord Radcliffe. Their alliance helped her to really develop her character’s need to support her sisters at all costs, even if it means openly voicing her selection of a partner was initially intended to only be for financial gain rather than a love match.
2. It was so nice to see that Kitty finally acknowledges what Cecily wants for her own life by the end of the book. I love how both Kitty and Lord Radcliffe would do absolutely anything for their siblings, even if they at times put their own preferences for their siblings lives first in their plans to protect them.
3. I think the turning point in their relationship was when they realized how much they would risk for the others happiness – Kitty by putting herself in danger and Lord Radcliffe for protecting Kitty’s sister and being there for her during the carriage accident. When they realize just how far the other would go for them it helps them realize how their bond could help them both navigate life side by side
1. At first it seems like Kitty was so ruthless and it came from a bad place, but as we got further into the book, her demeanor softened and it revealed how she was ruthless out of love and selflessness to provide for her family. I loved how she didn’t let societal rules stop her from reaching her goals. It was a matter of survival, so she had no other choice. It’s inspiring to see her determination to reach her goal and how she didn’t let anything stop her!
2. I loved how the relationships with the younger siblings became paralleled and it brought a way for Miss Talbot and Lord Radcliffe to relate to each other, but in the end, it also helped to show their affection for the other through a true act of selflessness for caring for each other’s families.
3. I will be honest, I didn’t read the dust cover before diving in, so I had no clue Miss Talbot might end up with Radcliffe at the beginning! I loved watching their relationship morph from hostility into Miss Talbot’s desperation causing her to open up and be vulnerable which helped them feel more comfortable with each other. I think they both had very tall walls up and over time, at each encounter, they let those walls come down bit by bit. I loved watching it unfold! This book was an unexpected delight! I usually don’t love historical fiction, but this book surprised me. What a fun read!
1. Kitty is a force to be reckoned with as I think we all learned! I’ve never seen such undeterred ambition, there was no questioning herself or insecurity, it was just a matter of getting in and making each interaction work for her. Truly inspiring! I loved her interactions with Radcliffe in “training” her for the ton.
2. Kitty and James both feel the weight of their responsibility and duty undeniably throughout the book, but by the end, they are able to relate and converse with their siblings for the purpose of understanding them, not just to provide and make decisions for the rest, which helps them be true to themselves as well!
3. When Kitty scans the room for James just to make eye contact and circulate the room, for him to come talk to her later, I knew her heart wanted him more than she was willing to admit! And when James realizes Kitty is willingly looking for another proposal that he is so uneasy about it, that’s when I knew, they were destined for each other!!
Love love loved this book!
1. Kitty faces challenges because of her gender, her social standing, and her lack of parental support. How is she able to work within these limitations in order to achieve her goal?
I loved the way she thought about things. Nothing seemed to deter her from her mission and she never saw a door as completely closed. I think it was her attitude that helped her achieve her goal of providing for her family.
2. Sibling relationships—Kitty’s with Cecily, Lord Radcliffe’s with Archie—play an important role in the story. How do these relationships evolve over the course of the novel? What do Lord Radcliffe and Kitty have in common in their roles at siblings?
They both take their role as oldest sibling very seriously. They serve as protector and provider in so many ways to their younger siblings.
3. At the start of the novel, Kitty and Lord Radcliffe are at each other’s throats, unwilling to see eye to eye. What do you think is the turning point in their relationship? Is there more than one moment that causes a shift in their dynamic?
I think there are several moments at the balls where they (and we) saw glimpses of how they were starting to feel about each other, but the night they both had to rescue the other’s sibling was the game changer in my opinion.
1. Relationships. She used who she knew to meet others in society. First her aunt, than Amelia, than Lady Radcliffe & James.
2. They are both the head of their families. Loved that he saved her sister & she saved his brother. I was rooting for them the whole book, but that’s when I knew they would end up happily ever after.
3. Every exchange between them makes them each see the other differently. But from the beginning, feel like they each knew society was a little frivolous.
Excited to see the next read. Love your selections! I’m impressed you’re finding time to read in this season of life. It took me awhile after baby to get back to reading.
I loved this book so much! I agree with you that Kitty’s spunk is like no one else! I also really loved how she and Lord Ratcliffe despised each other in the beginning and I loved how Kitty broke his shell by forcing him to be the first one to dance with her at the opening ball. It was such a fun read! I’ve recommended it to everyone! Thank you for picking it and brightening up my October!
1.
Kitty 100% had a “what matter’s most” mentality and I loved it. She was on a mission and nothing was getting in her way! I really enjoyed her confidence and persistence.
2.
The oldest siblings just carry so much weight on their shoulders. But I seeing each of them take on a parent like mentality was honorable… yet exhausting!
3.
They understood each other. Once they realized that, it was all over! 😉
Can someone tell me the ending of the story? If Kitty Talbot’s motivation (need to marry someone rich) changed at the end of the story, and what did Kitty Talbot do to reach her motivation (need to marry someone rich). I need it for a project. Thank you!