Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “The Fortune Hunter” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Read Excerpt

The Fortune Hunter

Daisy Goodwin (Goodreads Author)

3.51 · Rating details · 12,130 ratings · 1,545 reviews

In 1875, Sisi, the Empress of Austria is the woman that every man desires and every woman envies.

Beautiful, athletic and intelligent, Sisi has everything - except happiness. Bored with the stultifying etiquette of the Hapsburg Court and her dutiful but unexciting husband, Franz Joseph, Sisi comes to England to hunt. She comes looking for excitement and she finds it in the ...more

Get A Copy

Hardcover, 473 pages

Published July 29th 2014 by St. Martin's Press (first published November 7th 2013)

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Fortune Hunter, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon

The Collector of Dying Breaths by M.J. Rose

Historical Fiction 2014

368 books — 2,464 voters

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero

The Sorrows of Young Mike by John Zelazny

Best Book Cover Art 2014

58 books — 54 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.51 ·

Rating details

· 12,130 ratings · 1,545 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of The Fortune Hunter

Jan 05, 2014 Historical Fiction rated it it was ok

Shelves: historic-fiction-1800s

Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

There aren't many novels available to those interested in the nineteeth century Austo-Hugarian Hapsburgs so I was understandably ecstatic to learn that author Daisy Goodwin was fictionalizing a chapter of their complex history. I’m not exaggerating, there was some pretty embarrassing fangirl-like squealing the day I got my hands on The Fortune Hunter and that is not something I admit lightly.

So what happened? How did a piec Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

There aren't many novels available to those interested in the nineteeth century Austo-Hugarian Hapsburgs so I was understandably ecstatic to learn that author Daisy Goodwin was fictionalizing a chapter of their complex history. I’m not exaggerating, there was some pretty embarrassing fangirl-like squealing the day I got my hands on The Fortune Hunter and that is not something I admit lightly.

So what happened? How did a piece that generated so much initial enthusiasm garner a paltry two star rating? I'll be happy to explain, but you might want to make yourself comfortable and I urge you to proceed with caution as illustrating my opinion requires references that may spoil your experience with the novel.

Looking back on The Fortune Hunter, I can't deny a certain admiration for Goodwin's portrayal of Bay, Charlotte, Caspar, Queen Victoria, John Brown, Augusta, Fred, Chicken and even the unfortunate Major Postlewaite. I think Miss Baird's passion for photography a stroke of genius and I loved watching the whirlwind of emotional drama inflicted on poor Middleton. Unfortunately, I don't feel these strengths outweighed the weaknesses I noted in the novel's tone, structure and accuracy.

(view spoiler)

By the end of my reading I was so disillusioned that I couldn't care a whit for Goodwin's finale. I wanted only to be done so I could move on to my next read with a clear conscious. If Goodwin explained herself in the author's note I might have made allowances for the liberties she assumed, but my ARC bears no such justification and at the end of the day, that oversight hurts more than any other and leaves such a poor impression that I can't see myself recommending The Fortune Hunter forward. ...more

flag 45 likes · Like · see review

Jun 01, 2015 Heather rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Hated it. You know you're in for a bad time when the dashing hero comes across as a self-involved prick within the first 5 pages of his introduction. He didn't improve, either, no matter how much the writer tried to paint him as conflicted yet sensitive. We were clearly supposed to sympathize with him and his infatuation with the Empress, but I was just annoyed with him, because he was SO ready to marry Charlotte, the heroine, but the NEXT DAY, he met the Empress and was like, "Ooh, shiny!", and ...more

flag 38 likes · Like · see review

Aug 03, 2014 Lori rated it liked it

Well, I'm not sure what to think about this; on one hand, it's a 'juicy' potboiler of a read, a high class beach novel about an overwrought love triangle in Victoria's England. On the other hand, a lot about it just annoyed me. So here is what I learned from this novel, which I'm giving three stars, but two and a half is probably more accurate:

1. Always a sucker for a book with a beautiful cover, this one does not disappoint even though it highly resembles a more lovely one: Horan's 'Under the W Well, I'm not sure what to think about this; on one hand, it's a 'juicy' potboiler of a read, a high class beach novel about an overwrought love triangle in Victoria's England. On the other hand, a lot about it just annoyed me. So here is what I learned from this novel, which I'm giving three stars, but two and a half is probably more accurate:

1. Always a sucker for a book with a beautiful cover, this one does not disappoint even though it highly resembles a more lovely one: Horan's 'Under the Wide and Starry Sky.'

2. An ending right out of 'An Officer and a Gentleman'--with horses.

3. While beautifully written in general, the story contains longish stretches of fox hunting details that bogged me down, and being the animal person I am, I found myself skimming. While Goodwin does not get horribly graphic, there are still plenty of moments which just reinforced my passionate belief that such blood sports are horrific--and I'm really not a fan of steeple chasing results, either.

4. The Empress comes across as cardboard--beautiful, tragic, but nothing about her character really reached me or touched me (except Goodwin's end note on her life after the events of this novel--Good Lord)

5. Bay Middleton, the dashing suitor to both the Empress, and Charlotte, the heiress, is a manipulative womanizer I never warmed to--not even by the end. This is a man who can rationalize any of his deceits with married women, at least one possible love child, the Empress (like he didn't know what he was getting into there?), and the virginal heiress he charms. In fact, he's only deeply devoted to his horse, Tipsy, much more so than to any of his lovers--and I ended up feeling like Tipsy deserved better.

6. While recognizing the Victorian setting and the fact women were highly bound to societal expectations and rules, especially in these rarefied socio-economic circles, I wanted to shake Charlotte silly for her devotion to a cad. Sorry; while other reviewers have found the Bay-Charlotte romance believable--I didn't despite the historical facts surrounding it--and wanted THIS Charlotte to have more backbone and smarts, which she does at times..then goes off on "Oh, Bay..." Crap.

7. Even Victorian heiresses needed their gay BFF to guide them, dress them, advise them, and generally be back up in all things romantic. This BFF, Casper, (and I'm not giving anything away here) is more talented, world wise, and generally, smarter than the heiress and anyone else around. Additionally, Casper is FAR more interesting, soulful, with a potentially FAR more fascinating back story than any of the suffocatingly boorish snobs who are the main characters. Casper needs a book ASAP.

8. Felt the ending was quite rushed in the last 20 pgs or so and left me with questions I was still not sure of like how did Charlotte's money finally play into things? What the hell is the 'Chicken' story all about? And most importantly, who's taking care of Tipsy?

Overall, a guilty pleasure but with all the pre-publication hype, the author's reputation, and the general pedigree the novel seems to sport, I was looking for something--more, I think.

...more

flag 30 likes · Like · see review

Nov 08, 2016 Lori rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, historical-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Jun 13, 2017 Blondish And Bookish rated it really liked it

This was pretty good! I didn't actually realize that it was based on a true story and real people until I was about halfway through. I enjoy historical fiction and this book was very readable.

There were three main characters, the Empress Elisabeth (aka “Sisi”), Bay Middleton, and Charlotte Baird. Sisi was obsessed with her looks, is one of the best female riders in the world, and is bent on having an affair with Bay (despite her Emperor husband Franz back in Hapsburg). Her beauty regimen include This was pretty good! I didn't actually realize that it was based on a true story and real people until I was about halfway through. I enjoy historical fiction and this book was very readable.

There were three main characters, the Empress Elisabeth (aka “Sisi”), Bay Middleton, and Charlotte Baird. Sisi was obsessed with her looks, is one of the best female riders in the world, and is bent on having an affair with Bay (despite her Emperor husband Franz back in Hapsburg). Her beauty regimen includes sleeping with raw veal on her face. Surprisingly, she is still somewhat likable. Charlotte is heiress to a very large fortune (hence the title) and is constantly courted by opportunists. She is plain and clever, and is falling in love with Bay. Bay is courting Charlotte, and bedding Sisi at the same time.

The story was very interesting, it held my attention well and was a quick read despite the length. Knowing that is based on actual events made me want to read more about the characters. As a horse lover, I especially enjoyed the horse scenes, particularly the Grand National steeplechase at the end, with Bay racing on his 15 hand mare Tipsy.

However, none of the main characters were truly likable. Sisi and Bay were sorta likable in spite of their flaws—Sisi is arrogant, conceited, spoiled. Bay is kind of a bad guy for courting an innocent young girl while having an affair (although to be fair it's probably difficult to turn down an Empress no matter what your feelings are), and he seems also sort of spoiled and arrogant. Charlotte unfortunately seems a very simplistic character who has no depth to her and you never know enough about her to like her. There were some other minor characters who were great—Charlotte's friend Caspar from America was wonderful! Also Charlotte's brother Fred and his fiance were not likable but were fun to hate as the “bad guys”.

I was intrigued enough to read more about Bay Middleton and about Sisi, so the book did inspire that. However it kind of fizzled out at the end and didn't really resolve everything, and I wasn't sure that I agreed with the decisions that the characters made.

Overall a decent read, that made me want to learn more. ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Aug 22, 2016 Reviews May Vary rated it liked it

Shelves: audio-books

The ending ticked me off and thus I shall never speak of this again.

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Feb 11, 2015 Isidora rated it it was amazing

Šta se dobija kada spojite troje ljudi, različitih po svemu osim sklonosti prema kršenju konvencija strogog, visokog društva dve najmoćnije evropske imperije druge polovine XIX veka? Šarlot Berd je bogata naslednica, koju više od dosadnih prijema zanima tada pionirska oblast fotografije. Bej Midlton, privlačni kapetan i najveštiji britanski konjanik, sanja o pobedi na prestižnoj Nacionalnoj trci, a prezire stege i etikeciju. Austrijska carica Elizabeta "Sisi", najlepša i najnesrećnija vladarka s Šta se dobija kada spojite troje ljudi, različitih po svemu osim sklonosti prema kršenju konvencija strogog, visokog društva dve najmoćnije evropske imperije druge polovine XIX veka? Šarlot Berd je bogata naslednica, koju više od dosadnih prijema zanima tada pionirska oblast fotografije. Bej Midlton, privlačni kapetan i najveštiji britanski konjanik, sanja o pobedi na prestižnoj Nacionalnoj trci, a prezire stege i etikeciju. Austrijska carica Elizabeta "Sisi", najlepša i najnesrećnija vladarka svog vremena, iz krutih i licemernih dvorskih krugova neprestano beži u svoje omiljene aktivnosti - putovanja i lov, te upoznavanje novih kultura, istovremeno marljivo radeći na očuvanju mladosti i nadaleko čuvene lepote. Svaka od ove tri osobe poseduje želju za bekstvom od utvrđenih društvenih uloga, ali će ih splet čudnih okolnosti smestiti u okvire neobičnog ljubavnog trougla.

Roman Dejzi Gudvin, kod nas preveden kao "Lovac na bogatstvo", za svoje protagoniste uzima istorijske ličnosti i delimično potvrđena zbivanja, ali ostatak priče je izmaštan i, ruku na srce, povremeno dosta klišetiran: fizički neugledna, ali inteligentna i bezobrazno bogata devojka zapada za oko britanskom "Kazanovi". Njegovo interesovanje je, uprkos tome što izdaleka deluje kao klasičan sindrom "lovca na bogatstvo" (što je i naziv romana), iskreno i bez zadnjih namera. Međutim, buđenje prve ljubavi narušiće spektakularni dolazak "ledene kraljice", kontroverzne supruge Franca Jozefa, koja obilazi svet u potrazi za slobodom. Naravno, navikla je da dobije sve što poželi, a ni njen novoimenovani "putovođa" u gostima ne može da odoli blistavoj, dvostruko krunisanoj zvezdi. I tu se javljaju komplikacije.

Roman odlikuje filmična, uzbudljiva radnja, veoma autentičan prikaz epohe i istorijskih ličnosti koje su je krasile. Uprkos čestoj predvidljivosti zapleta, priča vas naprosto "nosi" i teško je odložiti knjigu iz ruku. Autorka pripoveda na zanimljiv, šarolik i detaljan način, pružajući protagonistima životnost i podrobnije se baveći nekim interesantnim i važnim, a retko tematizovanim, tada popularnim aktivnostima, poput fotografskih udruženja ili izgleda lovne sezone. Dok je Šarlot na momente zaista iritantna - skoro koliko i njen polubrat Fred u paketu sa budućom suprugom Ogastom ("karakondžula" koja kao da je iskočila sa stranica Džejn Ostin), a Bej Midlton vrlo šarmantan u svojoj kolebljivosti iza "fasade" Ostrvskog lafa, ona koja zaista unosi sjaj i pometnju u priču jeste carica Sisi. Epizodne ličnosti su takođe upečatljive, baš kao i pojedine vrlo efektno dotaknute, a zabavne epizode - poput kratkog susreta kraljice Viktorije i austrijske carice, gde isplivavaju sve razlike u odnosu prema kruni i pogledu na svet; fotografskih izložbi sa popriličnim karikiranjem britanskih manira i uštogljenosti - posebno iz perspektive ekscentričnog američkog fotografa Kaspara Hjuza; latentno edipovskog odnosa prestolonaslednika-tada tinejdžera Rudolfa, prema majci; ili naprosto opisa kaljavih londonskih ulica na kojima se začas zaglibe kočije džentlmena što hitaju u klubove na malo prepucavanja, kad je već dvoboj zabranjena "zabava".

Svi ljubitelji fine istorijske proze bez pretenzija na potpunu tačnost, a sa dobrom i doziranom romansom kao okosnicom priče, svakako će uživati u čitanju! ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Jul 22, 2014 Samantha Trillium (Just Reading in the Rain)☂ rated it did not like it

I was initially drawn to this book because of its stunning cover. It was so beautiful, I just picked it up and wanted to read it. But unfortunately, the story didn't enchant me like the cover did...

This story is about a great many characters, whose lives circle around each other for a period of time in 1875/76. The characters in this book are actually based on actual people, and some of the storyline is true, but most of it is fictitious...

So we have Charlotte Baird, who is a comely girl who is I was initially drawn to this book because of its stunning cover. It was so beautiful, I just picked it up and wanted to read it. But unfortunately, the story didn't enchant me like the cover did...

This story is about a great many characters, whose lives circle around each other for a period of time in 1875/76. The characters in this book are actually based on actual people, and some of the storyline is true, but most of it is fictitious...

So we have Charlotte Baird, who is a comely girl who is about to inherit a fortune. She either has to marry, or turn 25 to gain access to it. In the meantime, her older brother, Fred is her caretaker. Her mother died in a tragic hunting accident, but not before leaving all the fortune to her daughter. (After reading the Wideacre Trilogy by Philippa Gregory, and reading what a complicated business and scandal it was to leave money and property to a daughter instead of a son, I'm a bit confused why no one seems to be bothered by this detail...) Fred is about to marry Augusta, a woman on the verge of being too old to be a catch, yet still carries a worthy title with her name. Both Fred and Augusta try to control and influence Charlotte in the way she acts, and who she should associate herself with, much to the annoyance of poor Charlotte.

One day at a party, Charlotte meets Captain Bay Middleton, a notorious horseman, and ever more notorious womanizer. For some reason, the two are very taken with one another, and begin courting, which Fred and Augusta immediately forbid. There could be no one worse for their dear Charlotte. He is a cad, and doesn't even have any money or title to offer. They dub him "The Fortune Hunter."

Charlotte and Bay ignore Fred and Augusta as best as they can, and agree to wait until Charlotte turns 21 so they may marry without Fred's consent. In the meantime, the Empress of Austria, Elizabeth (everyone calls her Sisi) has come to England to experience a hunting season. She recruits Bay as her pilot to show her around and guide her, and Bay suddenly finds himself infatuated with the Empress; indeed, he has never seen a rider quite like her, never mind that she is a woman to boot!

I'm sure you can guess the way the rest of this story goes. The story is quite predictable, but that wasn't even the worst of this book for me. None of the characters felt real to me. They all fell flat. I couldn't really identify with Charlotte, even though we are meant to sympathize with her. She really annoyed me. She started out independent and strong minded enough - then instantly falls in love with the first man that shows her a bit of attention, and completely falls apart when things don't work out right away. I wanted to give her a great slap.

Sisi was also very annoying. She was portrayed as a vain and spoiled woman. I'm not sure if that is what she was like in real life, but I know that she was very unhappy with her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph, and she fled to England to try and live a little. But in this book she would through tantrums or sulk when she didn't get her way. I didn't find that she had much chemistry with Bay; I found their love affair to be quite crigey.

The whole idea of Bay Middleton did not work for me. He is described as handsome, and I was having trouble picturing him as such considering her would tug on the ends of his mustache... ick. (Beards are a completely different story, by the way!) I didn't find him charming, and I struggled believing that he was truly in love with Charlotte so quickly, considering he was a womanizer before meeting her. Its not like they had a stimulating conversation, or anything in common... I just didn't buy it.

The book fell flat for me, I really didn't enjoy it that much. Such a shame, because that cover really is gorgeous. ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Oct 09, 2013 MaryannC. Book Freak rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, england, favorites, romance, relationships

I decided to redo my review on this, because my first one was a quick, slap-dash affair and I want to give this more credit than I did.
I did totally enjoy this novel. Daisy Goodwin has a wonderful way with details when she writes her books, this my second novel by her and like her first one, I was enthralled with all the sumptuousness of her details. The beautiful gowns and finery were vividly imagined, the excitement of the fox hunt, the splendour of the social gatherings of the rich and snobbi ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Apr 30, 2014 Britany rated it it was ok

Shelves: first-reads

Charlotte Baird lives in London in 1875, she's into photography and is about to make her debut in the social scene, when she meets Captain Middleton. Captain Middleton falls for the meek Charlotte, and just as suddenly, also becomes dazzled by the Empress of Austria. This makes for an awkward situation for our narrator Charlotte...

I didn't completely hate this one, and the fact that it is based on real characters is intriguing to me. However, the point of view frequently changes, so it makes it ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Aug 09, 2014 Laurel rated it really liked it

A spirited English heiress, a dashing cavalry officer and a beguiling Austrian Empress form a love triangle that on first glance may look like characters from a romance novel, but in reality are based on actual people: Charlotte Baird, Bay Middleton and Elizabeth, Empress of Austria. Set in 1875 Victorian England, The Fortune Hunter, by the bestselling author Daisy Goodwin (The American Heiress), is the fictionalization of the life of an ambitious horsemen John “Bay” Middleton and the two women ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Apr 29, 2014 Stephanie Shearer rated it it was ok

Shelves: first-reads-books

I think that this book lacked the rhythm to keep the reader engaged. I had a hard time getting through the book, because there was nothing that really enticed me to keep reading. I found that there was little to like of any of the characters: Bay, Sisi, or Charlotte.

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Aug 08, 2014 Becki rated it it was ok

Shelves: historical, novelties, commercial-fiction

Irritated by love triangle plot devices, but the last 100 pages had me completely enthralled. Good historical read.

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Feb 28, 2014 L rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

A sparkling sensational new novel from the author of ‘My Last Duchess’

Daisy Goodwin’s refreshingly original outlook on historical fiction is wonderfully engaging, highly readable and deliciously evocative. In this brand new novel she combines with assured in-depth insight; clashing cultures set in 19th-century England. I thoroughly enjoyed this uplifting treat, having been suffering from withdrawal symptoms after the end of hugely popular ‘Downton Abbey’. Light-hearted, unpretentious and likea ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Jan 14, 2017 Sina & Ilona Glimmerfee rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Charlotte reiche Erbin und Fotografin aus Leidenschaft, macht sich nichts aus den Heiratskandidaten, die sich mehr für ihr Geld und die berühmten Lennox-Diamanten interessieren als für sie. Doch dann trifft sie auf den charmanten Bay Middletone und fühlt sich sofort zu ihm hingezogen. Er bittet sie, mit ihm durchzubrennen aber Charlotte hat noch zu viele gesellschaftliche Skrupel und das Schicksal nimmt in Gestalt der Kaiserin Elisabeth ihren Lauf, die Bay ganz in Beschlag nimmt.

Ein sehr schöner ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Jul 05, 2014 Deb rated it did not like it

Shelves: book-group, europe, historical-fiction

A friend of mine won 10 copies of this for our book group.

The general consensus was that the characters were shallow and the plot predictable. We did have some fun looking up pictures of Sisi to see her long hair and clothing - but you can do that for free. Apparently there was an old movie about Sisi too.

This kind of predictable historical romance is just not my cup of tea. There's so much better stuff available. Save your money - or at least use the library. ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

May 20, 2014 Melinda rated it liked it

Good historical fiction. I am well versed regarding Sisi and Goodwin's dates throw a major curve preventing me from giving it a higher rating. If I lacked the knowledge of Sisi I would place this at a solid 4 stars. ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Sep 05, 2018 Hallie (Hallie Reads) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, mount-tbr-2018

3.5

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Jan 18, 2017 QNPoohBear rated it liked it

Shelves: clean-romance, historical-fiction, historical-romance, victorian-gilded-age

July 1875 Charlotte Baird, heiress to the Lennox Diamond fortune, is tired of being hunted for her fortune. She feels restrained by the conventions her soon-to-be sister-in-law swears by. Through the aegis of her godmother, a talented photographer, Charlotte has discovered the new medium as an art form. She loves it because photographs don't lie. Unfortunately, her family dismisses her passion as a mere hobby. Her brother wants Charlotte to marry his army friend, "Chicken" Hartopp but what Charl ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 11, 2015 Annette rated it it was amazing

Shelves: setting-england, historical-fiction-1800s

Set in 1875. In a very skillful language, the author weaves a story based on historical characters of a young heiress, Charlotte Baird, to the Lennox fortune, who meets a young impoverished gentleman, Captain Bay Middleton, the finest horseman in England.

When their courtship is at a very early stage, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, arrives in England for the legendary hunt organized by Earl Spencer. The finest horseman of England is presented to the Empress as her pilot to guide he ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 04, 2014 Angela M marked it as abandoned-not-for-me

Not for me . Felt like historic chick lit.

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Apr 26, 2014 Julia Fivash-henderson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A great big treat of a book. Engaging characters, great story and beautifully written. What more could you want? Highly recommended.

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 08, 2015 Mary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance, own

This was a terrific book. One that will be on my Top 2015 Reads. The story is supposed to be about Empress Elizabeth (Sisi) of Austria. But I felt the pull of Charlotte Baird, an heiress who has captured the interest of Captain Bay Middleton. Charlotte is plain and quiet, a girl who is just coming out into society. She's also an orphan, heir to a fortune and whose brother has recently become engaged. Charlotte's mother died from a riding accident and so her father forbids riding so Charlotte mus ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jun 13, 2014 Elisabeth rated it did not like it · review of another edition

This book is loosely based on the true story of Elisabeth ‘Sisi’, Empress of Austria visiting England and her relationship with Bay Middleton. Bay Middleton is a fantastic rider and is asked by the Empress to be her pilot whilst she is hunting in England. However, the more time that Bay spends with Sisi, the more enraptured he becomes to her even though he also has feelings for Charlotte Baird, a young lady who is the heiress to a huge fortune.
The book is basically a lot of hunt scenes and an ex ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 08, 2017 Brooke rated it liked it

I found to have mixed emotions about this story. I enjoyed parts of it and then other parts mainly the romance fell flat for me. I did enjoy the photography aspect and the writing was fairly engaging, but Bay drove me nuts!

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Dec 01, 2018 Susan rated it it was ok

Shelves: 18tbr, fiction

The story got off to a slow start as the main characters and their situations were laid out. Charlotte is a socially awkward rich heiress, who is attracted to Bay, a poor British Army officer who loves to ride and hunt. The attraction is mutual, but Bay becomes entangled with Elizabeth, the aging but still attractive Empress of Austria, who is foxhunting in England. The story picked up some steam about half-way through as it focused on Charlotte’s involvement with a royal photography exhibition ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

May 17, 2018 Chrissie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, 2-stars

Telling a fictionalized version of a mashup of true stories, The Fortune Hunter played with my emotions a little but overall was a bit of a let down.

On a whim, I borrowed the audiobook version, as narrated by Clare Corbett, from my library before I hurried outside for a walk—trying to get in the neighborhood course before the summertime afternoon thunderstorms hit. I knew of Daisy Goodwin's name both from having seen the cover of her first book, The American Heiress, out and about (especially he Telling a fictionalized version of a mashup of true stories, The Fortune Hunter played with my emotions a little but overall was a bit of a let down.

On a whim, I borrowed the audiobook version, as narrated by Clare Corbett, from my library before I hurried outside for a walk—trying to get in the neighborhood course before the summertime afternoon thunderstorms hit. I knew of Daisy Goodwin's name both from having seen the cover of her first book, The American Heiress, out and about (especially here on Goodreads), and because I have avidly watched the UK television series Victoria served by Goodwin as creator, producer, and writer. Just after the premiere of the series a book, Victoria was subsequently published. Regardless, I was aware of her contributions to television as well as the book industry.

I kind of went in with this Downton Abbey expectation for the atmosphere, but having really no idea what the book was about. Set much earlier than Downton Abbey, the summary states it taking place in 1875, and containing the lives of real people I never knew existed.

Admittedly, fictionalized accounts are always a little muddled and a tad bit messy...and Goodwin's version was no exception. Great liberties were taken with the dates and timelines, so much so that I'm sure it partly led to my middling feelings about this one. While still listening to the book, as I searched for the true accounts for these events and these incredible people, I found it increasingly more difficult to care about the outcome—despite my attempts at not spoiling the "ending" for myself.

Paradoxical timelines aside, after the first few chapters, there was a distinct lack of humor. Playful banter that I may have felt was amping up in the opening went nearly no where and all but disappeared later in the book. As a rather independently minded young woman, Charlotte flattened out and somehow became less interesting as the book plodded on.

The only realness of this book was that, behind this veil of fiction, the characters were real people and most of the events (in whatever way they were shaped and rearranged to conform to the story's timeline) and interesting tidbits were true. I think I'll leave Goodwin off my radar for now. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 18, 2017 Sue Smith rated it liked it

Shelves: books-read-in-2017

Well , this was not the book I was expecting it to be. It started out as a fine & frivolous romance (which is why I picked it up in the first place), only to find it morph into something else entirely. Then reading the inside book cover synopsis, I further discover that this book isn't about what the first 125 pages covers - but about the ‘Princess Diana’ of her day, the Empress Elizabeth of Austria & her dubious relationship with her English riding pilot Bay Middleton.

Okay. Didn't see that one ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 07, 2014 Heather rated it liked it

Charlotte Baird is the young heiress to the Lennox fortune; an aspiring photographer who wants nothing more than to be left to her own devices. Captain Bay Middleton is notorious as a ladies man but his true passion lies in riding and the hunt; making him the best rider in England. When the two finally meet sparks fly, and despite protestations from her family that Bay is a fortune hunter, Charlotte is determined to set her own destiny. But then enters the Empress Elizabeth "Sisi" the Queen of A ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 27, 2014 Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews rated it liked it · review of another edition

Wealthy families, the right marriage, the proper husband, dancing balls, horse racing, fox hunting, proper seating at dinner parties, and proper everything is what you will find inside THE FORTUNE HUNTER.

Charlotte is the heiress to the Lennox fortune, and her brother and new sister-in-law to be must make sure the proper suitor is selected for her. Not just anyone can be the husband of the heir to the Lennox money.

Charlotte is a bit of a rebel, though, and wants to choose the man she loves not ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
College Prepster ...: Pace	12	288	Feb 09, 2016 01:46AM
College Prepster ...: Week 1	7	176	Feb 04, 2016 08:15AM
Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish	1	1	Feb 24, 2015 10:17AM
What hilariously bad goodreads ads!	1	36	Aug 13, 2014 07:24PM
Book Giveaways: Win The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin	1	7	Aug 06, 2014 12:24PM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Videos About This Book

1 comment

Genres

Historical > Historical Fiction

646 users

Romance

186 users

Fiction

175 users

Historical

122 users

European Literature > British Literature

44 users

Romance > Historical Romance

38 users

Adult

33 users

Audiobook

27 users

Adult Fiction

23 users

Historical > Victorian

22 users

See top shelves…

About Daisy Goodwin

Daisy Goodwin

1,823 followers

DAISY GOODWIN, a Harkness scholar who attended Columbia University’s film school after earning a degree in history at Cambridge University, is a leading television producer in the U.K. Her poetry anthologies, including 101 Poems That Could Save Your Life, have introduced many new readers to the pleasures of poetry, and she was Chair of the judging panel of the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction. That w ...more

Books by Daisy Goodwin

Victoria and Albert - a Royal Love Affair: Official Companion to the ITV Series

More…

30 New and Upcoming Books Absolutely Everyone Wants to Read

There are readers who like to discover obscure titles and then there are readers who want to read the books that have everyone abuzz with...

Trivia About The Fortune Hunter

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from The Fortune Hunter

“The first thing to realize is that it is is a country that is still being imagined. Here every patch of earth has a story, all your places have nuances; if you say Cornwall to an English person, they think of smugglers, and King Arthur and fish. But there are great parts of my country about which American's know nothing beyond an idea of unimaginable vastness. Of course the Indians that live there know the spirits of these places, but that is not the point. You can't imagine how blue the sky is out West, Charlotte. So much space. It's really wild, not like your Lake District with its little stone walls. In the West the landscape is unmarked by man.” — 2 likes

“But a man will only make you happy for a while, while a skill, an occupation – learning something – will always satisfy you.” — 2 likes

More quotes…