I normally love KJ Charles’ writing and this was no exception! Brilliant world building and development of the central relationship. I enjoyed the female side characters who are independent and likeable characters. I am curious as to the next book in the series and look forward to reading more of Charles’ work in the future

A gorgeous captivating romance with a lovely premise and delightful characters. I really enjoyed Charles' writing and found myself gliding through the story.

I thought this book was a beautifully written regency love story—which doesn’t start out as a love story. Robin and Hart are the main characters, and Hart doesn’t trust Robin at first, but I thought the author did a fantastic job of showing the development of both their relationship, and the development of the other characters in the book, for example, Robin’s sister Marianne. I was gripped and really enjoyed reading this, and would recommend to anyone looking for LGBT+ historical fiction with a sort of rivals to lovers storyline.

"The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting" by KJ Charles is a captivating historical romance filled with intrigue and passion. Charles skillfully weaves a tale of love and adventure, set against the backdrop of Victorian England. A delightful read for romance enthusiasts.

The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, by god this was not a gentle book. The drama and relationships grab you, hold you and don't let go. In the end they must have really got to me as I cried at the end (with happiness). The depth of friendships as well as the romance is what makes this special.

A thing I don't like so much about this book is that it goes from using Regency Era type language to very modern language quite quickly, which can whiplash you a little bit, almost taking you out of the story.

Thank you Orion Books & Netgalley for a copy of this book for review.
All thoughts are my original and my own.

I had a lot of fun, loved Robin and Marianne, rooted for Sir John and Robin. An excellent Regency romance full of intrigues, an enemy-to-lover romance and a vivid and festive background.
Very entertaining story I thoroughly enjoyed
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Delightful! Siblings, Robin and Marianne, charm their way into London’s high society determined to secure wealthy spouses that will set them up with comfortable futures. However, after a few twists and turns, they both find more than they bargain for and discover their happy endings in more unusual ways.

The book takes a little while to get to the heart of the story, it’s approximately 25% into the book that Robin and Hart realise their attraction for one another, but all of that build up is so, so worth it and their story from there is utterly divine. I loved both of their characters so much, and the complexities that KJ Charles has woven into their intentions and desires feels so realistic. All of the characters feel completely three-dimensional, full of conflicting motivations and complicated, tangled feelings, that makes this book a gripping read.

The backdrop of charming Regency era balls, gaming hells, and walks in the park, feels very historically grounded and lets you get swept away with the romance.

I have adored every single one of KJ Charles books that I’ve read so far, and this is another stunning example of a gay regency romance.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting
by KJ Charles

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (adult), Romance

I love KJ Charles writing, have read many of her books now and they are such fun. The historical setting, the gentle art of rebuff, the hypocrisy in all things, and the dangers of being at the top of society but not what society wants to see.....I love it.
It took me a while to get the Robin Loxleigh etc part, in fact I didn't get there until Hart points it out. How embarrassing ;-) It fits perfectly with that whole regency type say one thing, mean another aspect though.
I loved Robin, Marianne took a bit for me to warm up to. As did Hart. There are some terrific side characters too. I couldn't help liking Robin in spite of his actions, but of course we're all shaped by our pasts and for him and Marianne it had been particularly grim. I'm trying to think of a phrase Nan used to say – ah got it. Pride butters no parsnips. Had Robin and Marianne kept their pride and not taken the route they did they'd likely have starved. In those times to survive was tough and sometimes people just did whatever they could. Its easy to judge from a nice warm home, but in their place – well, I suspect many may have taken the same decision. Does it make you a bad person if to survive you do things that society doesn't like?
I really enjoyed the story line, very simple and straightforward, in as much as Regency times allow of course, spiced up with some pretty intense scenes between Robin and Hart. And as always happy endings ;-) brought about by some devious machinations and surprising revelations.

Stars: Five, as always a fun, spicy story.

ARC supplied by netgalley and publishers

4.5 stars rounded up

This is possibly the first pure Romance I've read from KJ Charles, though I've enjoyed lots of her mystery/romance books (do the Doomsday books count as genre Romance just with bonus violence? I'm not sure). It's a great premise with a fortune hunter on one side and an uncle trying to save his niece from fortune hunters on the other. Everyone has their own struggles — Hart had a difficult time with family in the past, Robin has a fraught relationship with both the concept and need for economic security — but the angst didn’t overwhelm the mostly feel-good flow of their relationship.

Overall I had a fun time with this book. In a comment left on Goodreads, the author describes it as “tropetastic,” which is certainly accurate. This was more of a porn setup, for lack of a better phrase, than I'm used to with KJ Charles - after some push-and-pull tension I really enjoyed at the beginning, Robin gets himself into a bit of trouble, the solution for which is making himself.... available to Hart for a month. There was a meaty enough plot that this still felt like Erotic Romance rather than straight (pardon the pun) Erotica, but the contrivance is there.

The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting is the first book by KJ Charles I have ever had the pleasure to read, and it was utterly fantastic. I raced through this. Robin and Hart were two of the most rounded, well-drawn, and delightful romantic leads I have ever read, and I read a lot of romance books! They both have incredible innner-worlds, real insecurities, and genuine character development. The romantic arc in this book was utterly swoon-worthy, and I loved how Charles addressed the concerns both men would have about their future together, and was still able to give them a happy ending.

I will say this had a little more smut than I was expecting, even with them premise. I don't tend to seek out sex-heavy books, but it was well written, and I do think totally necessary to the plot. I loved how Charles used the physical intimacy between Hart and Robin to nurture their emotional intimacy. I always think it's deeply impressive in an open-door romance when the author can still make their first kiss into something squeal-worthy.

I loved the wider-cast in this novel as well, Marianne was a joy to read about, Alice was just a ray of sunshine. Even the villains in this felt so wonderfully rendered, and hate-able.

Overall an absolute joy to read, could not more highly recommend this book. It is so fun, and so funny.

I loved every part of this. Robin Hood and Maid Marian mixed in with Bridgerton sequel Regency England is the perfect setting for a wonderful story in all areas.

Having previously enjoyed the Doomsday Books by KJ Charles, I jumped at the chance to read a review copy of The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting ahead of its re-release with a gorgeous new look.

Robin and Marianne Loxleigh arrive from Nottingham for a London season with little apart from a clever scheme: they set out to conquer London society with their good looks and pleasant manners and are both angling to secure their future on the marriage mart. Robin uses his gambling skills to finance their lifestyle while they’re on the hunt for their fortunes.
Before long, Marianne is wooing a marquess, and Robin has set his sights on Sir John Hartlebury’s heiress niece, Alice. But the baronet isn’t fooled by Robin’s looks and charms and is convinced that Robin is a fortune hunter and a fraud. He makes it his mission to protect his niece from her smooth-tongued and manipulative suitor. But his determination to halt the match throws him into Robin’s path, and the two slowly get to know each other and start to enjoy each other’s company…

This was a fabulous read, with everything I enjoy about queer historic romance: a rich regency setting and fabulous social events, rigid society expectations and protagonists who elegantly bend them to their own benefit, sparkling dialogue teeming with both wit and charm, and some very spicey scenes for good measure. The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting delivers on all I’ve come to expect from KJ Charles. This will appeal to fans of Alexis Hall and Cat Sebastian’s historic romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orion for providing me with a digital review copy - opinions expressed are all my own, and I post this review voluntarily.

‘The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting’ by KJ Charles was originally self-published by the author and is now getting a traditional publisher release with a beautiful new cover (which is what attracted me to the book!) and a bonus epilogue. It’s a sexy, historical and clever m/m romance that blends enemies-to-lovers and forbidden love tropes with a Bridgerton-esque setting, and I really enjoyed it!

Robin and Marianne Loxleigh are fortune hunters who arrive in London for the season with beautiful faces, tactical omissions, their life savings, and dreams of securing financial success in the marriage mart. As Marianne works to woo a Marquess, Robin sets his sights on a young woman named Alice. Unfortunately for him, Alice’s uncle Sir John Hartlebury has suspicions about Robin’s motivations and makes it his mission to halt the match. Fortunately for both of them, the unfriendly interactions between Hart and Robin slowly become warmer (and end up very hot indeed!)

My favourite aspects of the novel were:
- ALICE!!! I adored her love of mathematics, her practicality, and her loyalty. She reminded me a little of Eloise Bridgerton - a smart modern woman situated in a constricted era but doing her best to meet her goals
- Robin and Hart’s physical and emotional intimacy growing in step… hardly a meet-cute, but it was so fun to watch their relationship blossom
- The epilogues were perfect

I did find that I wasn’t really gripped until almost half way through the book - it took me a while to feel connected to the main characters - but the second half was fantastic, building to a four star rating from me overall.

I received a free review copy of this ebook from the publisher Orion Books via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book was delightful. I spotted it on Netgalley and requested it immediately. I've read a few K J Charles books and have enjoyed every single one. This is no exception.

Robin is a fortune hunter. We know that from the start. He is set on marrying Hart's niece.
Hart is fiercely protective of his niece and does not trust this Robin chap one little bit. When Robin loses quite a lot of money to Hart in a card game, Robin comes up with an interesting arrangement to pay it off.
Hart is just lovely. He's so very socially awkward and gruff, but he's also extremely kind and protective. Robin tends to act first, think later, which can get a bit annoying at times, but is so smitten by Hart, I'll forgive him.
As always, the books are warm hearted and tender. Spicy too, but all the scenes are important to the story as they tell us something more about the characters each time. This was exactly the sort of comfort read I needed after a stressful couple of weeks.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the next one!

I have enjoyed all of the KJ Charles books I've read. This one starts with a brother and sister Robin and Marianne who are trying to fake it till they make it. They are both looking for advantageous marriages so that they can feel secure. Hart is trying to protect his niece from Robin as he doesn't trust him. Hart and Robin are attracted to each other and start an affair. The story is a great read. I hadn't read the prequel and you don't need to. The epilogue is like getting another short story which I loved.

I really enjoyed this book overall, I don't usual read romance novels around this era but it pleasantly surprised me.

I’ve not had the best of luck with KJ Charles’s books, and if I’d looked past the pretty cover to see the author's name, I probably wouldn’t have requested this ARC, but I did and here we are.

I don’t know what to say about this book other than it was a kind of Robin Hood retelling, set in Regency England and was quite smutty. Those three things together sound great, but for me, they didn’t work together here. Robin was trying to be too suave; Hart was too grouchy and the deal they struck between them was not my vibe. The other characters in this book are all ok, except for Verney, who can get lost, and this wasn’t a bad book, I read the whole thing and had some fun, but I just wouldn’t recommend it.

I make no secret of the fact K.J. Charles is a favourite of mine, and her books have dominated my 2023 reads. I snapped up the chance to read this ARC of The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting with its stunning new cover, and preordered it as soon as I could.

My absolute favourite thing about this book is the character growth. Everyone grows and learns and it is so utterly believable. K.J. Charles is an absolute master with her characters, and Robin and Hart are no different. They are rich and fleshed out and feel completely believable - even the minor characters have an astounding level of development.

The spice levels in this book are high, but they complement the book rather than the book relying on it.

I loved the addition of an epilogue giving us a glimpse 2 years into the future (and a delightful crossover with another of Charles books!) and I actually loved that this wasn’t from the viewpoint of one of the MCs. Perhaps slower growth and development for this character, but lovely to see.

I am as surprised as anyone at how much I enjoyed this book! 2023 has been my year of discovering historical romances and I'd had a 'start and then stop because I got annoyed' with another of KJ Charles' books, so I was a smidge skeptical. But, my friends. This had everything I wanted. Enough plot to satisfy - it follows two fortune-hunting siblings who plan to scam London out of everything it has - but with so much heart and romance between the two leads. It's grumpy and sunshine (though, Robin's sunshine isn't saccharine or sweet). It's so steamy, but it doesn't just rely on sex to keep the plot going, it actually uses it PROPERLY. And all the period details were so wonderfully thought out.

There's a theme in historical romance sometimes where the characters (especially the female ones) just get battered by life and other men and yet all their problems are solved by a Duke/Earl/Lord who knows where the clit is - and I really don't like it. I've read too much, it's spoilt. This book reminded me why I love this genre. It immerses you in the world of regency England with all the wit and charm and hilarity of Austen, but goes so much deeper than the more traditional novels.

Another reviewer said it best - it's Hayer, but gayer. And who doesn't want that?

When Robin and Marianne Loxsleigh arrive in London from Nottingham (it took me way too long to cotton on that these were not their real names), the beautiful brother and sister take society by storm, despite having neither noble birth nor fortune to recommend them. When Robin's attentions to Sir John 'Hart' Hartlebury's niece Alice Hart and his sister's suspicions are aroused. While Alice is a delightful girl, she is not pretty and is not sociable, without being unkind, Hart can only assume the reason that Robin is pursuing her because of her £20,000 fortune, although he had hoped that they had kept that a secret. For his part, Robin is not actually attracted to women, but he would make Alice a kind husband if she accepted his proposal.

Hart is a big, brutish-looking man. He has had to provide for himself and his older sister since he was just fifteen years old and he now runs his sister's brewery. He has few social graces and fewer friends, especially after his mother's cousin poisoned society with lies about how he and his sister had mistreated their mother. He finds it difficult to find lovers, given his appearance and lack of grace, particularly since homosexuality is illegal.

Hart's interactions with Robin confirm his suspicions that Robin is nothing more than a fortune hunter and a card sharp. He strong-arms Robin into playing cards for high stakes under the careful scrutiny of the club's proprietor where Robin loses £4,000 - a sum he has no chance of paying. When Robin goes to Hart to throw himself on his mercy, Hart intends to forgive the debt in return for Robin agreeing not to offer for Alice. But things take a strange turn and Robin offers a slightly different bargain - to be John's lover for one month in return for Forgiving the debt, Robin promising not to offer for Alice, and Hart not interfering in Marianne's marital prospects. Hart should be shocked at the offer, but he can't deny that he has thought long and often about Robin. As the month progresses the two men share more than just a bed, but there are soooo many secrets that could blow things apart, can these two find their way to love?

I have only just 'discovered' KJ Charles and I have to say I am loving their writing, their characters, and their plots. This is no exception, although I see it seems to be a re-issue of something that was published a few years ago.

I have literally just finished writing a review of another historical romance, m/f this time, which dragged and was frankly unbelievable. What a joy then to devour this book with great characters, a believable plot, it was fast-paced and I loved it.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.