Matchmaking Schemes, Fortune-Hunters, Reputation-Damaging Scandals – A Typical London Season
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Regency Romance
SERIES: The Hapgoods of Bramleigh #6 (Note: Each book is standalone and can be read out of order, however I would recommend reading #2 A Very Plain Young Man, #3 School for Love, and #5 The Purloined Portrait prior to reading this to understand the story arcs of the main characters better.
THE PREMISE: With her older brother at school and her cousin/dearest friend away on an artist expedition abroad, Harriet Hapgood accepts the invitation to join her cousin Caroline during the London Season and help Caroline make an ambitious match. The matrimonial prize Caroline is hoping to win is the newly minted “Marble Millionaire,” Mr. St. John Rotherwood, who recently inherited a magnificent fortune. Mr. Rotherwood just happens to be Harriet’s brother’s former tutor, and he is eager to enjoy the pleasures of being a man of leisure…but it isn’t Harriet’s cousin Caroline who captures his interest…
MY THOUGHTS: I was so ready for this story! I adore the Hapgoods – what a family! Each member is endearing, diverting, and likable. And to see the series conclude (I’m of course gutted about this) with dear Harriet’s romantic adventures is sure to to end things with a bang!
For those of you who are not yet acquainted (you need to rectify this ASAP), the Hapgoods are an almost impoverished gentry family with four independently-minded daughters, a blustery and unsophisticated squire, and an often indisposed and indolent mother living in Somerset. Their extended family includes a widowed banker with three mischievous and playful children (now almost all grown) and their caring and loving stepmother.
Harriet is a clever sort of girl – one who has spent her time observing everyone and thinks she knows everything. She is perceptive, wise, and a little bit rebellious. She has a real thirst for knowledge in general, and I love her nerdy interests in mathematics, history, and Latin. In Jane Austen terms, I’d describe her as a cross between Margaret Dashwood and Emma Woodhouse with a little bit of Elizabeth Bennet mixed in. I adore Hetty! She makes a most endearing heroine. I love that she is so genuine – that she is herself and doesn’t conform to society’s dictates. Even though she has matured, Hetty still manages to land herself into some scrapes and scandals in this tale, and it was great fun to see how she handled them.
And now a paragraph just about Mr. St. John Rotherwood. What a worthy hero. So well-suited for dear Hetty! I loved his story and his journey. With his mother being disowned by her family, growing up impoverished, and needing to support his mother from a young age it was easy to admire Mr. Rotherwood’s dutiful nature and attentive responsibility. And it was interesting to see how so much changed for him when he became the Season’s most eligible bachelor. I loved that he wasn’t totally swept up by the glitter and power of his new elevation. That he preferred more simple pleasures, valued sincere connections over high statuses, and was more comfortable in anonymous settings. He is indeed, very noble, as we get to see numerous times. But what I might have loved most was seeing how he adorably struggled to speak the words of his heart.
Every aspect of A Fickle Fortune was supremely satisfying! The noble hero, the pert heroine, their journey to love full of surprising twists and turns, the thrilling action of a London Season, the witty repartee and comedic capers, and the happy conclusion for all! Well done, Christina Dudley! This traditional Regency Romance series is brilliantly conceived and expertly executed! What a treasure for us readers! I am all eager anticipation for you next series – The Ellsworth Assortment!
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Meet The Hapgoods!
Book 1 : The Naturalist
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
Book 2: A Very Plain Young Man
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
Book 3: School for Love
My Review I Add to Cart I Add to Shelf
beautiful cover
Oh I need to read these books, got the first one on my shelves.
Well, it looks like I may have to try this series. I’m headed for Amazon to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation, Meredith. Blessings.
I have not read any of these. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, dear Meredith, for letting me know about this wonderful book saga. I haven´t read any of them yet (it´s a shame! LOL) but I have them in mind for later readings and knowing the series is completed I think it´s time to “meet” the Hapgoods 😉
Author’s new series book 1 is out!! Tempted by Folly I am super excited to read it!!!
Forgive me for commenting so wildly late here. This sounds like my cup of tea. In fact the series has been on my wish list for weeks and weeks now. I need to get going on that list. Often the choices are overwhelming and having a review like yours is very helpful to make a choice since we all have a limited reading time budget. Thank you.