The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting

     

Title: The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting

Series: Gentle Art World #1

Author: KJ Charles

Publisher: KJC Books, February 24, 2021

Pages: 288

Genre: LGBTQ Historical Romance

Robin Loxleigh and his sister Marianne are the hit of the Season, so attractive and delightful that nobody looks behind their pretty faces. 

Until Robin sets his sights on Sir John Hartlebury's heiress niece. The notoriously graceless baronet isn't impressed by good looks, or fooled by false charm. He's sure Robin is a liar - a fortune hunter, a card sharp, and a heartless, greedy fraud - and he'll protect his niece, whatever it takes. 

Then, just when Hart thinks he has Robin at his mercy, things take a sharp left turn. And as the grumpy baronet and the glib fortune hunter start to understand each other, they also find themselves starting to care - more than either of them thought possible. 

But Robin's cheated and lied and let people down for money. Can a professional rogue earn an honest happy ever after?

KJ Charles does not disappoint. Robin and his sister, Marianne, are making a splash in London. Where were they before London? Unclear. What do they want from the good people of London? Very clear. Marriages and reliable income. Well....reliable income is what they want. Marriage is the easiest way to secure that. And if Marianne gets a coronet out of the deal, well, that's the gilded cherry on top!

Robin has set his sights on Alice, niece of Sir John Hartlebury. Hart takes umbrage with this choice. He doesn't trust Robin with his niece and he is out to prove Robin's ill will. Which proves easy to do considering Robin's frequenting the gaming hells around town, and his inability to pay debts. How they agree to settle their score is what proves most interesting!

Alice is definitely one of my favorite parts of this book. You would think that as a target of a fortune hunter, she would be the innocent victim in all of this. But she never way. She is a smart, independent young woman who just wants to go to Germany to study mathematics. If she has to marry Robin to gain access to her inheritance, she's willing to do that. Robin just gives her a better way to do that, without needing to tie herself to someone who may respect her, but doesn't love her. 

Then there's Hart. He's so grumpy and it's so cute! He just wants to brew beer and protect his family. And maybe find a friend to blow off some steam with along the way. When he does blow off some steam, it is hot!

Ratings

Stars: 4/5

Spice: 5/5

BONUS:

Title: A Thief in the Night

Series: Gentle Art World #1.5

Author: KJ Charles

Publisher: KJC Books, April 14, 2023

Pages: 91

Genre: LGBTQ Historical Romance

Toby never meant to be a highway robber, but needs must. He didn’t plan to impersonate a top London valet either, but when the chance comes to present himself as the earl of Arvon’s new gentleman's gentleman, he grabs it. Unfortunately, the earl is the man he seduced and robbed on the road to get here. Oops.

Miles, Lord Arvon, is not impressed. But he’s faced with a tumbledown home and lost family fortune, and desperate times call for desperate measures. Toby—shameless, practical, and definitely desperate—may be just the man he needs.

To steal back a priceless bracelet, that is. What else were you thinking?

This was exactly what I needed this afternoon. A brief jaunt to distract me just enough that I could get through the last few hours of my workday without totally crashing!

This was really cute, really quick, and very satisfying. Miles and Toby are adorable. Though I am a little miffed that I still don't know if Toby is his real name. Maybe that just adds to the allure. I've been meaning to check out K.J. Charles stuff, and this feels like a perfect introduction. Maybe I'll actually read that book I purchased last year... One can hope!

Ratings

Stars: 3/5

Spice: 4/5