How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days by Sophie Irwin

                                              

Ebook: 384 pages

Genre: Historical Romantic Fiction 

Publisher: Harper Collins July 2025

Source: NetGalley

First Sentences: 'Who wishes to marry me?' Lydia demanded, looking up from her novel in some alarm.

Setting: Regency London 

Review Quote: ‘Such style, wit and beautiful story-telling … Better than Bridgerton, as good as any Heyer’ Susan Lewis, Author 

My Opinion:  Sophie Irwin has a fresh approach to historical romance, so far her novels all being set in regency England, of which this is her third. They are very reminiscent of Georgette Heyer of whom I was fan, in my teens, many years ago. It did not come as a huge surprise, after reading her first novel, that Sophie Irwin actually wrote her university dissertation on the author Georgette Heyer.

In 'How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days' we meet Lydia Hanworth, a wealthy long woman, whose parents are determined she marry well. The highly eligible Lord Ashford is the perfect match in the opinion of her family when he proposes and Lydia finds herself engaged to him. Lydia however thinks differently and is determined not to marry him. The interactions between her and Ashford as the story progresses are amusing and as they slowly get to know each other, so do their opinions. Does hate turn to love though?

Definitely a fun read that at times is pure farce, but in a good way, written in a clever humorous style .This will appeal to fans of historical romance, particularly those that enjoy the Regency period and something that will make them smile.

With thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Sophie Irwin for giving me the opportunity to read and review. 

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting comes a delicious new Regency romance…

Rich, handsome, and titled Lord Ashford, has every lady in England longing for his hand in marriage.

Everyone, that is, except Miss Lydia Hanworth – the only young woman Ashford wishes to marry.

Pressured into accepting Ashford’s proposal, Lydia has just ten days to free herself from her obligations before the engagement is publicly announced… what can go wrong?

Previous Reviews:   A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting    A Lady's Guide to Scandal

Author Profile:         

                                              

Photo Courtesy of Twitter                                                                         

Sophie Irwin grew up in Dorset before moving to south London after university. She has spent years immersed in the study of historical fiction, from a dissertation on how Georgette Heyer helped win World War Two, to time spent in dusty stacks and old tomes losing herself in Regency London while researching this book. Her love and passion for historical fiction bring a breath of fresh air and a contemporary energy to the genre, and Sophie hopes to transport readers to a time when ballrooms were more like battlegrounds.

Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Twitter Profile   Sophie Irwin - Instagram  Goodreads Profile  Amazon Author Page

A Lady's Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin

 

                                               

Hardback: 388 pages

Genre: Historical Romantic Fiction 

Publisher: Harper Collins 2023

Source: Tywyn Public Library

First Sentences: 'Come now, Eliza, surely you can manage one tear? Mrs Balfour whispered to her daughter. 'It is expected from the widow!'

Favourite Quote: “Was she really to allow any man to make such demands of her, anymore? Allow her life to be ordained, in perpetuity, by their high-handed judgements or capricious moods?”

Setting: 1819, London and Bath England

Review Quote: ‘A delicious Regency romp for fans of Bridgerton.’ Red

My Opinion:  Sophie Irwin has a fresh approach to historical romance, with her first two novels being set in regency England. They are very reminiscent of Georgette Heyer of whom I was fan, in my teens, many years ago.

In A Lady's Guide to Scandal we meet Lady Eliza Somerset, a widow in her late twenties. Eliza finds herself part of a love triangle, but barely out of full mourning she is required to behave in a very modest fashion. With plenty of humour and strong characters facing the prejudices of the era, it is an entertaining read.

This will appeal to fans of historical romance, particularly those that enjoy the Regency period.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

When shy Miss Eliza Balfour married the austere Earl of Somerset, twenty years her senior, it was the match of the season--no matter that he was not the husband Eliza would have chosen.

But ten years later, Eliza is widowed. And at eight and twenty years, she is suddenly left titled, rich, and, for the first time in her life, utterly in control of her own future. Instead of living out her mourning quietly, Eliza heads to Bath with her cousin Margaret. After years of living according to everyone else’s rules, Eliza has resolved, at last, to do as she wants.

But when the ripples of the dowager Lady Somerset’s behavior reach the new Lord Somerset—whom Eliza knew, once, as a younger woman—Eliza is forced to confront the fact that freedom does not come without consequences, though it also brings unexpected opportunities . . .

Previous Review:   A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting

Author Profile:         

                                        

Photo Courtesy of Twitter                                                                         

Sophie Irwin grew up in Dorset before moving to south London after university. She has spent years immersed in the study of historical fiction, from a dissertation on how Georgette Heyer helped win World War Two, to time spent in dusty stacks and old tomes losing herself in Regency London while researching this book. Her love and passion for historical fiction bring a breath of fresh air and a contemporary energy to the genre, and Sophie hopes to transport readers to a time when ballrooms were more like battlegrounds.

Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Twitter Profile   Sophie Irwin - Instagram  Goodreads Profile  Amazon Author Page

A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin

 

                                        

Hardback: 337 pages

Genre: Historical Romantic Fiction 

Publisher: Harper Collins 2022

Source: Tywyn Public Library

First Sentences: 'You're not going to marry me?' Miss Talbot repeated disbelievingly.

Favourite Quote: “There was nothing hesitant about the kiss, nothing uncertain. It was as if they'd both read the script beforehand and had—all along—simply been waiting for the cue.” 

Setting: 1818, London, England

Review Quote: 'Charming, witty and infectiously exuberant...absolute perfection. I only wish it hadn't ended!' Santa Montefiore

My Opinion:  It was not until I finished reading this novel that I discovered the author had written a university dissertation on Georgette Heyer. This did not come as a huge surprise as I found 'A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting' to be very reminiscent of the novels of Georgette Beyer, of whom I was a great fan in my late teens.

Kitty Talbot the novels female protagonist feels like a 21C heroine in this period novel as she makes no real effort to hide her search for a rich husband to save her and her sisters from financial ruin. As a person she might easily have come across as mercenary, but in fact turned out to be vulnerable and I loved her character. Despite Lord Radcliffe giving her such a hard time in her quest, the love-hate relationship between them makes the novel so animated.

Though maybe a little predictable, this Regency Romance was a pleasure to read. As a debut novel it has been a great success with fans of historical romantic fiction and has already been sold in 35 countries worldwide. Recommended for fans of the genre, Sophie Irwin is going to be an author to watch, bringing a fresh approach to historical romance.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. This is 1818 after all, and only men have the privilege of seeking their own riches.

With only twelve weeks until the bailiffs call, launching herself into London society is the only avenue open to her, and Kitty must use every ounce of cunning and ingenuity she possesses to climb the ranks.

The only one to see through her plans is the worldly Lord Radcliffe and he is determined to thwart her at any cost, especially when it comes to his own brother falling for her charms.

Can Kitty secure a fortune and save her sisters from poverty? There is not a day to lose and no one—not even a lord—will stand in her way...

Author Profile:         

                                                       

Photo Courtesy of Twitter                                                                         

Sophie Irwin grew up in Dorset before moving to south London after university. She has spent years immersed in the study of historical fiction, from a dissertation on how Georgette Heyer helped win World War Two, to time spent in dusty stacks and old tomes losing herself in Regency London while researching this book. Her love and passion for historical fiction bring a breath of fresh air and a contemporary energy to the genre, and Sophie hopes to transport readers to a time when ballrooms were more like battlegrounds.

Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Twitter Profile   Sophie Irwin - Instagram  Goodreads Profile  Amazon Author Page