A charming story in the style of a Regency romance. I liked how it subverted expectations, with no one quite getting married off, and I liked how the ingenue's pursuit of math (instead of romance) ended up affecting the story in interesting ways. ( )

Very very very enjoyable. Loved the long digression into probability too, because I'm me. ( )

The characters are a delight, the writing is a delight. ( )

I reread from chapter twenty onwards twice. Worth it; every aspect of this book is superb! ( )

Outstanding! What a thoroughly enjoyable story. I knew it would be, KJ Charles never disappoints, but my goodness, it's just perfect. Characters at odds, questionable goals, misunderstandings, building to a narrow escape that is unspeakably satisfying. The growing love is exquisitely messed-up. The epilogue is great. What are you waiting for? Go read it too! ( )

The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting is the story of Robin Loxleigh, a fortune hunter, and Sir John Hartlebury aka ‘Hart’. This is told in third person from both Robin and Hart’s povs.



I hadn’t read a historical in a while so I thought I’d give this one a go. Good covers definitely attract me to taking a further look at a story, and this book has a great cover. The figures are indistinct so readers aren’t thrown off if the characters don’t look like the cover models, instead readers can fill in their own idea of what the characters look like. What really got my attention about the cover is it’s 3-D appearance. I don’t know who created this, but it’s great work.

The blurb does a good job of giving the basic plot of the story without giving too much away. There’s not much I want to add to it because it’s about the growing attraction between Robin and Hart, how Marianne secures a fiancé, and how Hart’s niece has plans of her own and they don’t include getting married. I liked reading about how Robin, Marianne, and the Hartleburys got to know each other and become a sort of family.

The author did a terrific job of creating unique characters with character growth and consistency of their personalities throughout the story. Socially awkward Hart, had the most character growth from grumpy and unaware of his attitudes about how he treated others in a hierarchy. We learn that he had a terrible mother that contributed to this situation and that he was bullied about his looks. Robin helped Hart grow more comfortable with himself, awaken to his prejudices, and grow as a person. Robin appeared like a cunning gold digger at first, but we learn he really isn’t cut out to be ruthless. He’s too kind and just wants someone to love him for who he is. The other side characters also grow in their own way and the author reveals more about them as the story progresses. I’d give an A to the author for the characters.

Something that I had a problem with, is this story’s pace was S-L-O-W. I don’t remember reading other historicals that moved as slow as this one, but I had to actually put the book down multiple times because the slow pace was annoying. Also, I don’t know why, but I wasn’t drawn as deeply into the feel of this book as I wanted. I always felt like I was skimming the top, not really in the character’s emotions or actions. I think it was because the plot moved too slow for me.

Oh, one last thing. We never learn the true names of Robin or Marian. If you read carefully their names and where they are from, you know where they got their names. I wish Robin told Hart what his real name was. I was dissatisfied with the author not revealing their true names.

This is going to be a hard book for me to rate. I loved the characters and the plot, but the pace was too slow, and I think that’s why I wasn’t pulled into the story as much as would have liked. I have to take a half star off for the pace, and another half star for not being drawn in. Therefore, I give The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, 4 Stars, even though it’s probably closer to 4.5 stars, which I can’t because of Goodreads’ rating system. I would however recommend this book to readers who love M/M Historical fiction.

Superb writing from K.J. Charles as always! I love the way she makes me grow to love her characters. The ending had me grinning and almost cheering aloud.
Although I'm not sure I liked Cornell Collins for the audio. His voice suited The Will Darling Adventures perfectly, but it felt too rough here. ( )

Charles is a master of the regency MM romance and they've done it again with this one. I absolutely adored all the characters and, while the premise itself isn't that unique in the genre, it was a really fun read that I didn't want to put down but also didn't want to finish. Robin is such a loveable character even while his intentions are less than savory. ( )

I never thought I would dnf KJC book, but I absolutely hate audiobook narration and can't continue with the story, wich is unfortunate because story is wonderful! ( )

4.5 stars rounded up. Both main characters grew on me. And all the characters were generally pretty believable and reasonable given their circumstances, which I appreciate. There's a part with gambling too deep, and that always gives me sort of a sick feeling, but the ending was so nice that it made up for that temporary upset. Everything just came together so nicely, I almost teared up, and I felt all joyful for them. =) ( )

One of the reasons I typically follow along in a book when I listen to KJC is all the quotes. Now I will have to go back. :

Anyway, this was sweet. I think it's the sweetest book of hers I've ever read! I was also really surprised by how couple-centric this was, the external conflict just wasn't as prominent as it usually feels?

I'm kind of in the mood for suspense so I will admit to being slightly disappointed by that. I'm never disappointed by her writing, generally, even if my own expectations made me feel like this wasn't as meaty as I feel is the typical default for her work. That's a me thing. On my KJ shelf, it's a right in the middle, but on the general romance it's certainly skewed higher rating. I'm giving it a 3, however, while I'm always tempted to revisit her books this is one of the last I can see returning to at the moment.

And wow, for a book that's so delightful isn't this a terrible review??? It shouldn't read as such, it's simply a 3.5 rounded down b/c sometimes I can't help rating an author against their best work. ( )

Look, I’ll be the first to admit I’m a big crier, but damn… I cried so hard. And not a single tear was a sad one. People were kind and good, and they got to be disgustingly happy in the end.

Also every single female character here is fantastic and I love all of them.

Fantastic. ( )

Hart is the type of man who takes care of his family though he might be socially inept and gruff. When Robin starts courting Hart's niece Alice, Hart is suspicious of Robin and his sister Marianne who've come from nowhere into English society. Robin is equally intrigued by Hart, his Roman nose, and healthy thighs.
K.J.Charles always writes great historical romances with interesting characters and historical accuracy. It wasn't a time for two men to be in love, and the story reflects the issues involved. All the characters are nuanced and developed, though I admit that after Hart and Robin, I found Alice to be a delight. It was a perfect ending in a book I really enjoyed.
This is supposed to be a stand-alone novel but I have some hopes for a follow-up with the mysterious Toby (half-brother to Robin and Marianne). ( )

This was amazing, and I adored everything about it. It’s so much about family and what you do for them and how they care (or don't) for you. I loved the Hart and Robin relationship as well as Alice with her numbers and Marianne with her temper and awesomeness. And there really was an HEA for everyone involved, which was lovely to see. ( )

Really more of a 3/3.5 star read, but rounded up to 4 stars because it provided me with some enjoyable escapism during a really rough week, and for K.J. Charles' refreshingly honest admission (for a historical romance) that yes, a financial safety net does actually matter. It's not the strongest of Charles' works, and I don't think the characters will linger super long in the memory, but a fun read.

(One minor point: while I know that finding non-anachronistic terms for genitals and sex acts is a tricky thing for writers of historical romance, and while I know that it's a term that really was in use in the nineteenth century, I find myself incapable of keeping a straight face when I encounter "cockstand" for "erection." Am I the only person for whom it conjures up an anthropomorphic penis with arms and legs doing a handstand?) ( )

This was everything I needed and then some. K J Charles tangles everything up so that my heart hurts and I don’t know how things are going to work out, and then masterfully untangles everything into a perfect happy ending. This is a truly wonderful book. ( )

Two siblings come to town to snag wealthy mates from the ton; they pretend to be well-bred but are merely well-trained. It’s all going well except for the suspicions of the man’s target’s uncle. It will not surprise you to learn that the two men fall into bed, and then into love. Best line: “Robin sat and listened to music for several hours, and was disappointed to learn that only forty minutes had passed on the clock.” ( )

https://tamaranth.blogspot.com/2021/02/2021027-gentle-art-of-fortune-hunting-k.h... ( )

Uncomplicated, kind of sweet regency m/m romance. Very fluffy also, lots of bedroom scenes which can be good or bad depending on preference. ( )