The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by K.J. CharlesMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
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.
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