The Fortune Hunter

by Bonnie Dee

A man with nothing finds everything.
Abandoned at birth, WWI veteran Hal Stanton faces bleak employment prospects in post-war London. Desperation spurs him to reinvent himself to hook a wealthy wife, one he will be devoted to even if he feels no real passion. But when he meets his fiance’s cousin, Julian Needham, it’s all he can do to keep his heart in check and his eye on the prize.


From the moment he’s introduced to the charming stranger Margaret plans to marry, Julian suspects the man’s motives yet fights a relentless attraction. He’s determined to reveal Hal as a fraud but must handle the matter delicately to protect his sweet cousin’s feelings. A weekend at the family estate should allow time and opportunity for him to expose Halstead Wiley.


Even as the men match wits in a battle of attempted unmasking, powerful sexual attraction threatens to overcome them both and win the day. Can a true love connection possibly grow between these adversaries without destroying lives and loved ones?

Genres: Historical, M M Romance, LGBT, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, Gay

ebook

First published January 2, 2018

About the author

I began telling stories as a child. Whenever there was a sleepover, I was the designated ghost tale teller. I still have a story printed on yellow legal paper in second grade about a ghost, a witch and a talking cat.

I enjoy dabbling in many genres. Whether you're a fan of contemporary historical or fantasy romance, you'll find something to enjoy among my books. I'm interested in flawed, often damaged, people who find the fulfillment they seek in one another. To stay informed about new releases, please sign up for my newsletter. You can join my street team at FB. Learn more about my backlist at http://bonniedee.com and find me on FB and Twitter @Bonnie_Dee.

Reviews

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.75 stars

The Fortune Hunter is a fine return to form for author Bonnie Dee and an excellent addition to her repertoire of historical fiction. Set just after World War 1 and the Spanish flu epidemic, The Fortune Hunter captures the harsh realities of life amidst the chaos of change. The landed class is struggling to keep up with times and Julian’s family has turned to offering tours of their dusty old home to stay afloat. Julian hasn’t been home since the death of his brother, but to protect his cousin, he agrees to meet and visit her fiancé. Hal has nothing, not even his name. He came back from the war hoping to find a clerk position, but things haven’t panned out. Marrying Margaret for her money seems like a way out of his situation. And he cares for her and enjoys her company so that assuages his guilt. Julian and Hal are men from different sides of life, but there’s an easy companionship between them, as well as romance. Julian wants the truth about Hal, but finds himself reluctant to actually accept it.

Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of M/M historical romance and I especially enjoy Bonnie Dee's historical books set in the years around the turn of the 20th century (The Tutor - set in 1893; The Masterpiece - set in 1909). The Fortune Hunter is set in London, 1920 shortly after the end of WWI. It's a time when life was changing for the upper class, as well as the men returning home from the war.

30-year-old Julian is a fairly unlikable character who hasn't visited his family or their ancestral home Barton Park in years. When he meets his beloved cousin Margaret's new fiance Hal, he is immediately distrusting of Hal and determined to learn his motives. A weekend invitation to Barton Park seems like a perfect way to suss out details.

War veteran Hal has a heartbreaking backstory and while he could be considered a con artist, he's a fortune hunter with a heart of gold. He genuinely adores Margaret for her brains and her passion for women's rights and is willing to let her follow her dreams as long as he achieves his dreams of a family and home. He is determined to be a kind and loving husband to Margaret, vowing to himself to never stray from his wedding vows.

Yet ... there is a frisson of tension and sexual interest between Julian and Hal that leads both men to second guess their plans. Bonnie Dee does a beautiful job of fleshing out characters and making you feel their passions, and even secondary characters are nicely developed. This is not a story with insta-love but rather a slow steady build and the outcome just feels right (and the ending is all sorts of perfect and fitting for the time period).

My only complaint is that the pacing was slow at times, and that Julian had a long way to go to become likable (but finally got there) Bonnie Dee and M/M historical romance is a great fit and I give The Fortune Hunter 4 solid stars.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews

[Ele · Rating 4 out of 5]

-3.75 stars-

"He loved Hal Stanton with the sort of poetic, romantic, serious love he’d never believed in.

Until now."

I went through various stages while reading this book. I had a rough time with the beginning, then I started engaging more and more, then my interest diminished because I felt that it dragged, but I LOVED the last 30%. Yup, various stages.

For starters, the time frame of this book is the main reason I wanted to read it. The Fortune Hunter takes place during the Interwar period, these sort of awkward years when the world is wrecked but at the same time it tries to ditch anything obsolete. Not a lot of MM books are set in that period.

The author sets herself a challenge with these unlikeable protagonists. Hal is a fortune hunter and Julian comes off as a self-absorbed prick who walked in on his high horse demanding explanations and judging everyone. But somewhere along the way, without even noticing, these two characters became relatable, and against all odds, they started forming a connection with each other. And somewhere along the way, I started rooting for them. Because I was finally able to see the veteran and the foster kid behind the fortune hunter, and the underdog, the "not strong enough" behind the egotistical prick.

I liked how the issue with Hal's future wife was handled. There is no cheating and this woman is not ignorant or weak. I can't even say that Hal strung her along. But I won't spoil the out come of this storyline although I saw it coming a mile away.

I loved the stolen moments that Hal and Julian spent in Barton Park, bonding. I admit that this is the part where I started getting bored. I think that the story dragged a little or that it needed tightening or at least a little tension.

But then 70% happened and it got me really hooked. This is where the MCs' true colours and feelings for each other really showed. I loved the brief seperation period (off page), I loved how Julian went to great lengths to reunite with Hal and I loved the way he treated him afterwards. And I absolutely loved the ending; very realistic for the time period, but a HEA nevertheless.

If you 're a fan of Bonnie Dee's historical books, you should add this one to your list.

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

With two men who have diametrically opposed interests yet feel attracted to each other, the stage is set for conflict and a confrontation that might end in disaster – or lead to a very passionate relationship, even in difficult circumstances. ‘The Fortune Hunter’ is set in the 1920s, and from the language to the customs to the clothing to the food and the characters’ behavior, this story calls to life a time of the past when high society and its rules just began to lose their grip, when men loving men was a criminal offense, and when getting married for money was often the only way people without a wealthy family could amount to anything. I was pulled right into the main characters’ struggles after they first meet in chapter one, and fully immersed myself into this historical world wanting to find out what Fate has in store for them.


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my last review from my 2017 reads.

I love my historical, that's why I really enjoyed it when I came to UK and explored. This brings back memories when I was in Windsor Castle. I felt like I went there again and and met Julian and Hal.
Of course there's never easy living in past life as 'confirmed bachelor' like Julian, but he managed it anyway. Hal came with his intention to marry Julian's cousin, Margaret. They're engaged. Not like many of MM books with annoying female characters, Margaret is a sweetheart.
With Hal, she didn't expected romantic marriage life, but just a convenient marriage. Not until she met her childhood best friend again, at least.
Then Hal met Julian and everything felt wrong with all the engagement thing, because heart can change in mere second, you know :)

But tehre's something about Hal that Julian need to know, but found that after he knew, not that he hated Hal, but he's even getting his feeling involved and confused, would he betrayed his dear cousin and take Hal for himself, or let them happy.
Something's about Hal's past made everything more confusing. Good thing is, Margaret did what I expected before everything went down.

I felt sorry for Hal, I never dislike Hal, not even when I knew his motives to marry Margaret in a first place.
He's just did it to survive, sure he's a liar and a fortune hunter, but really. All he wanted is a good life, a peaceful life and a family. Something he craved since his childhood.
There's a few weeks apart from each other that made me sad and wanted to hug Hal, 'seeing' what he suffered after he left Julian. Good thing Julian never gave up and tried his hardest to have Hal's back.

I really enjoyed this story. Julian and Hal are beautiful together. The struggling between them is captivating and I felt like I wanted to talk to them to get what their hearts wanted. I'm just a soft heart like that :)
For Bonnie Dee fans and MM historical lover (like me), I recommend this book the first day it's comes out!

* ARC is provided by the author for an honest and unbiased review.*

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one took some time to warm up to me. We have the Fortune Hunter, Hal, who wanted to marry Margaret, despite his own sexuality. Hal is a character I sympathize with, he is alone and penniless and just came back from war. He wanted to find a nice lady with money and settle down and be faithful to her. His plan sounds neat and nice but he didn't count on meeting Margaret's suspicious cousin, Julian.

Julian was suspicious of Hal from the get go, but he didn't have any concrete evidence. Thus, Julian decided to spend more time of getting to know Hal and uncovered his motives. They spent time together while visiting Margaret's relative at the countryside.

The first half of the book was moving at a relatively slow pace. We saw Hal and Julian getting to know each other, while feeling the lust coursing them. But being a historical novel, there ain't anything happening at all beside of being damn courteous to each other. Damn. I need something to happen soon.

I like how the story handle Margaret and she is a lovely lady. I'm glad the story give her a satisfying ending. The second half of the book is much better with Hal and Julian finally showing and acting out their attraction. A bit more tension going on that always keep me wondering how does the author going give the much needed HEA to both men in a historical m/m romance.

[Tess · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

Loved the time period and the very, very slow burn.

[The Novel Approach · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s nothing quite like a Bonnie Dee historical to remind me why I love the genre. This author ranks right alongside Charlie Cochrane, Tamara Allen and some of my other favorite writers in the historical romance category. Her latest novel, The Fortune Hunter, is a love story that evolves wrapped in familiar and reliable tropes, and succeeds in the delivery of a happy ending that remains true to the post World War I setting.

Set in 1920 England, the one-two punch of the war and the Spanish Flu pandemic adds a backdrop of pathos to the storyline. These two events cast a long shadow over the characters and the plot, the losses attributed to both events still particularly resonant for the Needham family. The stiff upper lip of the elders who still cling to the comfort of tradition as they mourn a lost son, play out against the winds of change that were strengthening at the time. Women’s suffrage was gaining traction, and Margaret Gresham blows in challenging the status quo, bringing with her a surprise—her new fiancé, Halsted Wiley.

Julian Needham and Margaret are cousins but are as close as any brother and sister, so it’s unsurprising that Julian would be suspicious of the stranger who has not only offered a quick proposal to his headstrong and progressive cousin, but is also planning to pack Margaret off to New York just as soon as Hal can get a ring on her finger and arrange for passage. The suspicions continue to grow the longer Hal spends on the family estate, and Julian makes it his primary mission to find out everything he can about the stranger in his midst, and then out Hal for a gold digger who is only after the family fortune. The fortune that no longer exists.

The slow burn works to great effect in this forbidden romance between two men of divergent circumstances. Julian and Hal are both honorable men—even in spite of Hal’s subterfuge, he truly does care for Margaret—and the lust, denial, and eventual fulfillment of their undeniable connection is a payoff worth waiting for. The secrets exposed are as poignant as the truth of Hal’s past and the horror of his own experiences in the war, and I liked the added friction and tension this caused for Julian, who wants nothing to do with the tender feelings he’s developing for the liar in his midst.

The Fortune Hunter is a lovely comfort read, and the certainty of Julian and Hal’s relationship is where the comfort of this story lies. There’s something about going into a book and knowing before you’ve read the first paragraph that the happy ending you’ll be working towards will be delivered in a setting rich in details of the time, and by characters whose trials and triumphs are genuine and enrich the story. This is reliable Bonnie Dee, and I appreciated the romantic moments entangled in the complications of Hal’s plan to marry his way into a better life.

Fans of this author, fans of a well written period piece, fans of a forbidden love that survives, thrives, and endures, should find a lot to embrace in this book.

Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hal Stanton is an orphaned nobody who is trying to marry into wealth and prestige. So he hooks up with spinster, Margaret, with whom he shares a pleasant friendship, but his ship doesn't sail that direction if you catch my drift. Margaret doesn't know this, so Hal is really worried that by going after the money to live the life he wants, he'll end up hurting Margaret in the process. When he meets Margaret's family, Hal becomes an object of suspicion to her cousin Julian, who instantly senses that Hal isn't interested in women. In fact, the two share an attraction and a tentative liking for one another, but Julian is determined not to trust Hal. Despite this, the two develop a friendship and even come to love each other. When Julian finally learns of Hal's deception, he feels betrayed. And when Hal disappears, Julian realizes what he's lost and sets off to get it back.

This was a pretty solid read. It did drag a bit in parts, with a pretty slow start and middle, but once Julian takes off, things get much more interesting. I definitely appreciate that there wasn't really any cheating going on here. Even though Hal felt nothing but friendship for Margaret, he refused to betray her with Julian and the two shared nothing but friendship and a kiss before the engagement ended . This also allowed Julian and Hal to really focus on developing a friendship first...which they sort of did, but I'm not sure to the extent they should have. When Julian learned Hal's secret, it felt like his reaction was a bit over the top... The anger I got, but the sense of personal betrayal, when they'd spent so little time together and Julian sensed that Hal was being dishonest anyway, didn't feel like the right degree of reaction. But that's probably just me. I did enjoy their HEA and was really happy that Margaret got her own. I was a bit disappointed that Hal doesn't get to have kids since he wanted them so badly.

[Ekollon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm having a lot of trouble deciding on how many stars I want to give this book. You see, as I get older, I'm having increasing difficulty with people who have the mentality of, "I don't struggle to survive, but I'm going to sit here and judge the methods that you use to literally struggle to survive," which is basically the premise of this book. Hal Stanton isn't seeking a fortune because he thinks it would be neat to be rich, he's seeking a fortune because his alternative is literally death via dangerous working conditions or lack of the resources that one needs to survive. Julian Needham, coming from a financially secure background, seems not to understand the gravity that potentially dying lends to Hal's situation.

I mean, yes, no one wants to be used for their money. No one wants to be denied the opportunity for true love. But do you know what someone wants even less? To starve to death in a gutter while injured and in the throws of a terrible fever something that Hal almost does. If I had to choose between not finding true love and starving to death, which do you think I would pick? Which would basically anyone pick? Worse, in Hal's case he wouldn't have found true love if he'd starved to death anyway, so he would have had neither.

So the idea that Hal was the one in the wrong here bothered me. What was Hal supposed to do? Die? He quite clearly was unable to save himself, even in the end, where he was saved not through is own efforts, but via Julian's good will. No, what Hal was seeking to do by marrying Margaret wouldn't have been a harmless thing, but it wasn't like he was swimming in good options.

This compromised my ability to view to the romance. Yes, at the end, Julian did insist that he would make sure that Hal was taken care of, even if Julian and Hal weren't together but I was sitting there focused on, "Holy crap, Hal is literally in danger of dying here, and Julian doesn't seem to understand the gravity of that." It was incredibly anxiety inducing.

[Alex Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the blurb for this book I was so excited. It promised to deliver something that sounded right up my alley. And it did not disappoint. In fact, it was even better than I could have hoped for.
The writing, as always from Bonnie Dee, was excellent and the story itself was delightful. That is if you like a slow burn plot that you know in your heart must end happily but you spend most of the story not knowing how that could possibly happen between the two main characters. I don’t want to give anything away, but I truly laughed aloud in places and shed a tear too. Romantic moments abound, heartbreak, and beautifully flawed characters that I loved.
I can’t give it anything but five stars as I know I’ll be reading this again when I need something comforting with a love story worth waiting for.

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!
Bonnie Dee is a good writer. This is one of her better books.

I did not like that Hal, during several times of the book, thought of some others as low, e.g. Julian's neighbor as being beneath Margaret's rank, war veterans missing limbs need not have bothered to try working as laborers because they wouldn't have been chose, etc. That is one of the 2 things that kept me from giving this book a 5 star rating

[Amy (I'd Rather Be Sleeping) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost stopped twice early on, and just refunded the book - because the first 30-40 % was kind of not fun to get through. Once the characters settled down - and quit with the insta-lust - things improved. The supporting cast was good, the romance turned out well and the early obvious 'twist' could be forgiven for just how well the character were handled later in the story.

(Something like 2 stars for the first 30%, 3 stars for the next 30 % and 5 stars for the final 40%.)

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. A good, historical M/M novel set at the turn of the 19th century to the 20th. Automobiles were starting to happen, telephones also and English society was starting to relax (somewhat) its rigid rules of class and working folk getting together. In this story we have an upper class brother trying to protect his plain but wealthy cousin from a perhaps unwise marriage to a man with a questionable (low class) past trying to pretend to be a gentleman worthy of the cousin. Important facts: the two men are gay and attracted to each other and the cousin is really in love with someone else.

This book started off well but got a little OTT toward the end but it was still an enjoyable read.

[Skirmish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2018/04/19/...
Rating: 4 Stars - minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspicion and loathing turns to love.

I need to start off this review with an apology to the author, Bonnie Dee, and Signal Boost Promotions who provided me with an ARC of this book over a year ago. At the time I had every intention of reading and reviewing The Fortune Hunter but things just happened and I kept pushing this one further down on my To Be Read List (TBRL), along with a few others I'm trying to catch up on.

So, now that I've read this story what do I think? I think it was a wonderful romance. It's set in a period of time that I haven't read many stories about – the early 1900's after the end of WWI. Lots of things are changing in London and the strict rules separating the wealthy from more common people are beginning to change.

Hal Stanton was raised in an orphanage and escaped that horrible life at age 16 to join the war. Now he's retuned after being injured with no prospects for a job and he's tired of selling himself to survive. He buys used gentleman's clothing and passes himself off as well-to-do to snag a wealthy fiancé. He doesn't want to take all of her money and leave her; he just wants to be comfortable and have children with her. He has convinced himself that he can permanently suppress his desire for men in exchange for companionship and comfort.

Julian is the cousin to Hal's fiancé and he suspects that Hal isn't quite what he seems to be. He's determined to unmask him and force him to break his engagement to Mags. At the same time, he is having trouble fighting the attraction he feels for Hal.

This story was so much more than what I thought it would be. There's a lot of depth to it and we learn a lot about Julian's family and the estate he grew up on. What could have been a quick story without much detail ended up being a very meaty read and kept me totally entertained from start to finish.

It's a very slow build up for Hal and Julian's relationship but once it happens it's so romantic and wonderful. I was a bit afraid for a while that things might never go right for them but Bonnie Dee did a wonderful job of breaking my heart and then putting it back together again.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com*** (posting on 5/18/19)

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly Dee-lightful

Despite many little bumps in the road to romance, my headline on this review is straight-on: Bonnie Dee has given us another perfectly drawn historical M/M drama with a good deal of sweetness, a large dose of frustration, and a group of characters who will make you smile every step of the way (OK, most of the time).

You will not particularly like Julian for a while due to a number of circumstances, and despite the fact that he is an imposter you will likely fall in love with Hal (on the cover, one supposes). You will also find Julian's cousin Margaret, to whom Hal is engaged, a total hoot, and Julian's parents perfectly drawn considering the era and their circumstances.

And, if you have some foresight, you will also know how this incongruous engagement of spinster Margaret and gay Hal (which she does not know about) will likely be resolved quite early in the book. Getting there is part fun and frustration, especially for Julian who is struggling with so many guilt trips that you eventually come to the conclusion that he is not such a bad person as he is one whose life has been dogged by feelings, and demonstrations, of inadequacy.

As for Hal, when we get to know more about him and where he's from and what he's gone through we have a character who stands apart, first as a paragon of duplicity, and then as a paragon of love. Like Julian, you will slowly get to the point where you fall in love with him.

And that's a very good point, indeed.

[Mari Cardenas · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!

War Veteran and orphan Hal Stanton is determined to marry for money and has found the perfect candidate in Margaret, but her family, especially her cousin Julian might not be too happy about their match and is equally determined to expose Hal.

I will be honest, I wasn't too sure I was going to like this book at first, it dragged a little and frankly, both Hal and Julian were quite unlikable. They did get better eventually and by 60%, I was rooting for them to find a way to be together.

Even if Hal's reasons to marry Margaret weren't exactly altruistic, he'd had a very hard life, so it was understandable, and really, he liked Margaret, although maybe not in that way and was determined to be a good husband and father to their children. Now, Julian, he was more like a little kid throwing a tantrum, at least until he realized his parents really needed him to step up and took his rightful place as their heir. It was nice to see the two of them connect and help each other, while trying to fight their attraction and when they finally got together, it was even more than expected.

Ms. Dee did a fantastic job with the writing and drawing the reader into the time period this book is set in. The book was enjoyable, especially the second half, and I recommend it to anyone who likes historical romances.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

[Stella ╰☆╮╰☆╮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely read historical mm books, but once in a while a blurb or a cover or an author’s name catches my interest and I have a go. The Fortune Hunter by Bonnie Dee was simply amazing. I will definitely reread it and reread again and again. A huge success. It has all the elements I look for in a historical story, not necessarily in the mm world. It’s a romance, a pure romance, the kind of story that lets you dream and brings you into the MCs’ world. I simply adored it, that’s why it deserves all the five stars.

I’m often dubious about characters set in a non contemporary time, because what I want to find in my books is the chance to empathize with them or to fantasize, and more than once it doesn’t happen. In this case I got both, maybe because the story is set in a not so far away historical period, just after WWI, maybe because the author is very good at writing. Anyway I read her new release in a one sitting, I savoured every single scene, every word, and I deeply loved it.

I saw the attraction between Hal and Julian, I followed them while they struggled with their fears and doubts, and I cheered on them to finally find a way to be together. I learned their pasts and started to love both of them, and actually the second characters too, from the first chapters. Every single one well developed and defined.

I enjoyed the plot, I think the author delivered an amazing story, there is no cheating here, which is something I’m not comfortable with, on the contrary, not just the MCs will get their HEA. I felt every feeling Hal and Julian felt, their desire to be in each other arms. And more important, to me the story seemed very realistic.

I feel to recommend The Fortune Hunter, even if you are not a huge fan of historical romance like me, I’m sure you will love it.

The cover art is likeable and well done.

[Page Crusherz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Bonnie Dee for ages, and I was so excited to get a sneak peek at her newest release, and I was not at all disappointed!

In the Fortune Hunter we meet Hal, desperate to make his life into something better than he has had, he is looking to join the Needham household, a landed gentry family. When he comes to meet Julian, the cousin of his betrothed, sparks fly. Hal is so wonderfully sweet and strong, and Julian is so proper and yet so much in need of love and acceptance. Ms. Dee masterfully walks the line with each character, and these men jump off the page. I understood Hal and yearned for him to find the stability he had always been denied, and I wanted Julian to find the love he had denied himself.

The secondary cast of characters were great additions, and I loved the setting of the novel which really captures high society in the midst of major changes and adaptations. I loved the nuances of the setting that really made this novel so realistic.

I cannot recommend this novel enough, especially for historical fans. If you are an MM historical fan, no doubt your already know Ms. Dee by her work, but make sure not to let this one slip by you!

[Trin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read two other Bonnie Dee books and found them fun and diverting, which was what I was hoping for here. Sadly, while The Fortune Hunter isn't terrible or offensive by any means, it's nevertheless pretty darn dull. I never got a sense of any spark of attraction or connection between Julian and Hal. All in all, this is a remarkably proper and dispassionate book. I feel like Dee came up with her enjoyably soapy concept -- poor orphan trying to pass himself off as higher class to marry an heiress; heiress' cousin attempting to unmask him; but oh no! THEY WANNA BONE -- but then came down with a case of moral squeamishness and made her eponymous fortune hunter a pretty much pure-hearted and blameless human being. Which results in there being no real tension between Hal and Julian, because all Julian has to do to get Hal to give up his claim Julian's cousin is ask nicely. Maybe this could be considered a victory for the angels, but if you're looking for some fun and mischief with your romance -- raises hand -- alas, you're out of luck.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this book, and what a treat it was. Interwar England isn't as common a setting for historicals as perhaps it should be, with the societal and technological changes of the time providing different opportunities and challenges than characters would encounter in earlier or more recent eras.

I wasn't familiar with Bonnie Dee's writing before I opened The Fortune Hunter, but the first sentence told me I was in good hands. Both protagonists were developed with skill, and the plot unfolded enjoyably. There was enough risk/tension to keep things moving along, though I never felt true nail-biting fear for either Julian or Hal. All in all, this was a comforting read for a cold winter's night... with the bonus of introducing me to a new author whose backlist I expect I'll soon be reading.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading from the author and was not disappointed at all.
The story starts us off at a slow pace as the author introduces us to the characters and their world they made for them. I loved all the characters the author also made in their story. I couldn’t stop reading once I picked up the book.
When things started to unfold, I wondered how all would be happy. I so wanted to see Hal and Julian to get together, But I also wanted to see Margaret happy to.
Julian right off suspects Hal characters is hiding something and doesn’t want to see his cousin marry to someone that might use her. He spends time with Hal and truth starts to show and feelings start to surface.
I loved the story and hope to read more from the author’s book shelf. Its nice to find a new author to read from.

Thank you for sharing your book with us.
Got for an honest review.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Positively delightful. Moving and complex historical that takes place in the 1920's after the war. Halstead Wiley is engaged to be married to Margaret, a woman of substance who a staunch Suffragette and supports causes. She has Hal meet her cousin Julian. Margaret grew up with Julian and his family at a country estate. Julian immediately knows that something is off about Halstead and means to find out. This was slow moving and slightly melancholy at first but then it takes a complex turn and focuses on people and how they must lie to survive in life. Julian and Halstead are attracted to each other but Julian is torn. This is his cousin's fiance whom he knows is a fraud but what is he to do. Very suspenseful combined with lots of emotion but the conclusion is brilliantly done. Just loved it.

[Daniel Mitton · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Originally reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews.)

I always enjoy stories by this author, particularly the historical ones. And so that there isn’t any misunderstanding…I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction, but for some reason, this lady writes ones that I really like.

In The Fortune Hunter we’re introduced to a young man on a mission. He is a WW1 veteran who joined the military at age 16 to escape the horrid conditions he was living in at a Catholic orphanage in London, and the beyond horrid conditions he was forced to work in as a child laborer in a mill. He saw a lot of terrible things while in the army and was discharged after he was wounded by enemy fire. When he got back to London there just wasn’t anything for a young and poor man to do. He didn’t have the educational background and social background to get a job. Instead he made his way servicing other men for money. He needed to reinvent himself.

Now he has found a way out. The way out is a plain late twenties spinster with money of her own. But how will he manage to convince not only her, but her extended family, that he is who his invented background says he is. When he meets the gorgeous cousin Julian, and it becomes obvious they are both interested in each other, things could get dicey.

I liked how the author pulled me along through the tale. There was never any doubt in my mind how the story would end…even from the very beginning, but that didn’t detract from my read at all. I found myself drawn into Hal’s story, imagining what it would be like to be in his shoes. I enjoyed the peep inside what life might have been like for two gay men in England in the early 1920’s. It was an enjoyable read, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction…or even to those like me that don’t really, but do enjoy the heck out of this author!

[Milly Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface Julian and Hal seem two very different people, they experience an initial physical attraction to each other and once they start to open up to each other they find they have a lot in common after all.
They are in a sticky situation though because Hal is engaged to Julian's cousin, who he regards as a sister.
Bonnie does a great job of slowly unfolding the story, as we get to know Julian, Hal and Margaret I couldn't see how there could be a way for everyone to end up happy with Julian and Hal together. However a way is found to get to a HEA, although it was touch and go at times.
The moments I enjoyed most in the book were those that were Julian or Hal sharing their past and how they felt about it with each other.
A very enjoyable read.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy endings for everyone.

I especially liked the view into the life of owning a manor house in post-WWI era England. The upper class figuring out their former tenant farmers are more prosperous than they are and they'll have to become a tourist attraction to make enough money to keep the house.

My favorite quote from Hal's (who was raised by nuns) thoughts about anal sex: People in the bible were always anointing each other with oil for one reason or another. He bet they never had this in mind.

[Bb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story. Did not go the way I thought it would, but had a good ending. I understood Julian's dilemma and I felt so bad for Hal. Enjoyed the other characters too. Their HEA was really heart warming and was a neat solution to how they could be together.

[MaelleMaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt the need for a good mm story, historical if possible, and ilmediately my brain went to the author of so many titles I enjoyed. I was not disappointed: her story is fluid, her characters embodied. A pleasure !

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julian Needham thinks there is something not quite right with his cousin Margaret's new fiance and is determined to prove he is a fortune hunter. However he finds himself attracted to the enigmatic Halstead Wiley.
This is a lovely story which follows up on what happens to Hal after he is discovered to be a fraud