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A review by yourbookishbff
The Fortune Hunter's Guide to Love by Emma-Claire Sunday
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy of A Fortune Hunter's Guide to Love, by Emma-Claire Sunday. I loved this follow-up to her sapphic historical romance debut (and the little nod to book one's characters that we get on page in this unrelated, stand-alone story!). Sunday's prose is gentle and descriptive and perfectly suited to this cozy homesteading story of one woman who desperately loves cheese and the woman who desperately loves her. This takes a classic historical romance set-up - genteel aristocratic family turned out by inheriting relative and forced to live in newly reduced circumstances turns to fortune hunting via marriage - and builds from there. Our fortune hunter suffers the perils of the hunt and must ultimately choose between love and status, but more than that, she has to learn her own worth, and who better to teach her than a Quaker cheesemaker who takes as religious principle the inherent worth of every person (even one as vain and haughty as Lady Sylvia).
This is one of few historical romances I've read that center a Quaker main character, and in contrast to the most memorable of these (Flowers from the Storm, by Laura Kinsale), we see how a country Quaker might have lived in the smaller, far-flung villages along the coast, removed from London society and its larger religious movements and more structured communities. We see Quaker principles reflected in dialogue and in practice, specifically the inward light, or inner light, discussed by Hannah and Amos as the foundation for her belief in the naturalness of her own love for women, the practice of (and comfort in) silent, expectant waiting/worship, the rejection of social hierarchies and a firm belief in the equal value of all people. As a Quaker, I loved seeing how Hannah's religious practice shapes the happily-ever-after, in particular, as it reflects Quaker ceremonies I've personally witnessed and participated in, and because it feels authentic to these characters and to the resilient joy of queer folks throughout history. I would note for Quakers that these characters do NOT use plain speech on page, as Kinsale's characters do, and honestly, I'm a-ok with this, because it's so hard for modern readers to contextualize it anyways.
I would also note these characters are young (19) and can feel immature at times, though I love how the narrative recognizes the inexperience of each and focuses on realistic character development. What a lovely story (that had me snacking on cheddar at midnight).
This is one of few historical romances I've read that center a Quaker main character, and in contrast to the most memorable of these (Flowers from the Storm, by Laura Kinsale), we see how a country Quaker might have lived in the smaller, far-flung villages along the coast, removed from London society and its larger religious movements and more structured communities. We see Quaker principles reflected in dialogue and in practice, specifically the inward light, or inner light, discussed by Hannah and Amos as the foundation for her belief in the naturalness of her own love for women, the practice of (and comfort in) silent, expectant waiting/worship, the rejection of social hierarchies and a firm belief in the equal value of all people. As a Quaker, I loved seeing how Hannah's religious practice shapes the happily-ever-after, in particular, as it reflects Quaker ceremonies I've personally witnessed and participated in, and because it feels authentic to these characters and to the resilient joy of queer folks throughout history. I would note for Quakers that these characters do NOT use plain speech on page, as Kinsale's characters do, and honestly, I'm a-ok with this, because it's so hard for modern readers to contextualize it anyways.
I would also note these characters are young (19) and can feel immature at times, though I love how the narrative recognizes the inexperience of each and focuses on realistic character development. What a lovely story (that had me snacking on cheddar at midnight).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent