PURE PLEASURE WHETHER YOU ARE A HISTORICAL FICTION OR ROMANCE FAN OR NOT: This is a fun, escapist dive into Regency England, filled to the brim with brilliant characters. The tongue-in-cheek humour and deft handling of gender roles ensure that this novel goes far beyond the genre and will speak to readers of smart women’s fiction of all kinds. 

FABULOUS NEW HEROINE: Kitty acts with the independence of a modern woman making her way in the world. She’s strong-willed and unconventional, happy to flout the social customs of the era. Readers will cheer for her all the way.

BUT DON’T FORGET BRIDGERTON, OR JANE AUSTEN: The success of Bridgerton shows that there is an eager audience for clever, romantic stories that whisk you away to a fresh version of the world that Jane Austen so timelessly fictionalized: Sophie Irwin knows the foundations impeccably and plays with them brilliantly.

DEBUT AUTHOR WITH A HUGE FUTURE: We, and our partners, bought two books and expect the second “Lady’s Guide” to follow a year after this one. We hope that these two are only the beginning… 

BRILLIANT PARTNERS WITH A RECORD OF MAJOR INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERS: We bought this in a heated auction in partnership with Pamela Dorman at Penguin US following a pre-empt in the UK by Martha Ashby at Harper, the very team behind Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, from superstar agent Madeleine Milburn, who represents Ashley Audrain and Nita Prose in addition to Gail Honeyman. The novel has sold in 16 translations territories and counting.

OTPB: We will publish in an elegant, accessible original trade paperback format.

SOPHIE IRWIN grew up in Dorset, England before moving to London after university and working in publishing. A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting is her debut novel.

Author Residence: London, UK

Author Hometown: Dorset, UK

*A WINNER OF THE ALA ALEX AWARDS*

One of Amazon’s “Best romance books of 2022”

“This book captivated me. What a sassy, witty, delicious tale. Kitty Talbot is a fabulous, fearless heroine and I cheered for her all the way through this brilliant romp.”
—Sophie Kinsella, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Party Crasher

“Plucky, witty and bright…Readers of Jane Austen and fans of Bridgeton will swoon and fan themselves as they devour this fun, frolicking romp.”
—Nita Prose, New York Times bestselling author of The Maid

“Bridgerton fans will devour Sophie Irwin’s delightful Regency debut… A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting is a confection to be savoured!”
—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code

“Delightful…Full of Austen-esque wit and just enough sizzle.”
—The Globe and Mail

“A scintillating, swash-buckling debut…terrifically fun.”
—Sunday Times (UK)

“The diamond of the season, A Lady’s Guide To Fortune-Hunting is a Regency-style romcom with all the classic character tropes, plenty of scandals, and more than a dash of sass. Sophie Irwin’s well-timed debut is the perfect salve for Bridgerton fans on the lookout for a new heroine…. Parodying the high society pecking order with its endless trifling rules, Irwin’s modern take on Austen is pure entertaining escapism.”
—The Herald (UK)

“Bridgerton fans will love this laugh-out-loud romance.”
—The Saturday Evening Post

“[C]harming…. A sweet Regency debut for contemporary fans of classic romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Move over, Mr. Darcy! Readers of Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and my own novels will adore this hilarious, sparkling debut! Utterly irresistible.”
—Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author of How to Be A Wallflower

“I cheered for Kitty as she continually confronts the whole of polite society in her outrageous pursuit of a rich husband….an impressive debut novel.”
—Mary Balogh, New York Times bestselling author of Someone Perfect

“Georgette Heyer fans will devour this fun, fast-paced comedy of manners. Kitty is an unapologetically ambitious fortune-hunter and a fabulous heroine, full of tenacity, surprises, and love of family. Our strong, suspicious hero is her perfect match, leading to laugh-out-loud interactions and banter that sparkles. A delightful debut!”
—Erica Ridley, New York Times bestselling author of The Duke Heist

“I have not read such a satisfying and entertaining book in a very long time. It is beautifully-written, charming, witty, moving and infectiously exuberant. Irwin has a delightfully light touch and an acute eye for snooty early-nineteenth century London society with all its glamour, elegance and ruthless ambition—it reminded me a little of my favourite author, Edith Wharton.”
—Santa Montefiore, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret of the Irish Castle

“A complete joy! Irwin’s fresh take on Regency romance is a timeless masterpiece featuring a whip-smart heroine who shares sizzling chemistry with a reluctant lord, and an ending that I promise will move you to tears. Irresistible.”
—Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace

“A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting is a Regency romance with a bit of 21st-century wisdom. Delightfully well written.”
—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake

“A diamond of the first water! Shades of Heyer with a dash of modern roguishness that belongs to Sophie Irwin. The grand Kitty is a splendid heroine—plucky and resolute—and her story is full of heart and swooningly romantic. In short, I bloody loved it.”
—Beth Morrey, international bestselling author of The Love Story of Missy Carmichael

“I absolutely, loved, loved loved, this book. The characters are so fantastically well drawn, the period detail gives the perfect atmosphere. It was like finding a long, lost Georgette Heyer, only better. Stayed with me after, keeping a smile on my face. A triumph.”
—Susan Lewis, international bestselling author of I Have Something To Tell You

“A lively, unconventional and unapologetic heroine sets out to ensnare a rich man and save her family from ruin. The man determined to block her ambitions is a handsome, hard-nosed earl. Sparks fly and banter ensues. When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, something’s gotta give — and it won’t be our heroine.  A Regency romp to remember.”
—Anne Gracie, bestselling author of The Rake’s Daughter

“A heart-warming story that radiates passion for the Regency era, with a thoroughly modern heroine, navigating Regency romance with wit, style and energy. Sophie Irwin is a formidable Austentacious talent—I can’t rave enough about it.”
—Janice Hallett, international bestselling author of The Appeal

“A huge, warm treat of a book. Refreshing, funny and sparklingly smart, with a brilliant heroine in Kitty Talbot and a central battle of wills that I couldn’t get enough of. You won’t be able to tear your eyes away from the debut of the season.”
—Cressida McLaughlin, bestselling author of The Staycation

“I was utterly charmed by this enthralling romp set in Regency England. For those who love Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen, or Bridgerton…This sumptuous, fast-paced treat is unputdownable, whisking you away to the heady world of gowns, gossip, and gambles.”
—Jennifer Ryan, bestselling author of The Kitchen Front

“This was just divine—an utter delight!”
—Nina Stibbe, author of Reasons to be Cheerful

“A delightful romp—as clever, capricious and charming as the heroine herself….a sparkling debut that reads like a turbo-charged Jane Austen.”
—Joanna Toye, author of The Shop Girls series
 
“This is SO much fun. I’ve already made myself cough by laughing. It’s the most pleasing homage to Georgette Heyer with a thoroughly modern sensibility all of its own. Tremendous stuff.”
—Harriet Tyce, author of The Lies You Told
 
“Funny, fresh and original—with two delicious and loveable central characters—you’ll want to put it straight on your dance card.”
—Cesca Major, author of Maybe Next Time

“Like its heroine Kitty, Sophie Irwin’s debut is full of spirit and gumption as it cracks along like a carriage on its way to the ball of the season … enormous fun and a delight to escape into. Just what we all need.”
—AJ Pearce, international bestselling author of Dear Mrs. Bird
 
“Perfectly charming Regency romance with everything you could possibly want: sardonic lords, principled yet desperate heroines, the ton, the season, exquisite fashion, stinging set downs and of course love. Gorgeous.”
—Jane Casey, author of Let The Dead Speak

“Irwin’s debut is a delicious historical romcom in the vein of Martha Waters and Bridgerton without the smooching.”
—Booklist

“Charming…. A sweet Regency debut for contemporary fans of classic romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“It is clever, funny, wonderfully escapist, and the ending is immensely satisfying.”
—The Bookseller (UK)

“Hits the sweet spot where modern sense meets historic sensibility…. [It] brings a touch of class back to the Regency romance.”
—Business Post

“A fun and biting historical romance that isn’t afraid to put its leading lady first.”
—BuzzFeed

“This romantic comedy offers some smart fun for a summer’s read.”
—Toronto Star

“A glorious dash through the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, with a plucky heroine and a cold villain. Bridgerton fans will love this one.”
—The Sun (UK)
 
“Calling all fans of Bridgerton and Jane Austin, this book is perfect for you…. [A] positively splendid read.”
—Daily Hive

“[A] perfect beach read.”
—The Straits Times