Fortune's Final Folly

Fortunes of Fate #10

by Christina McKnight

A TWIST OF FATE...

Miss Katherina Elliott leads a simple life, teaching impoverished children, just as her parents did before her. Kate knows little of her family’s only that every three months, a mysterious benefactor sends her enough money to pay the school’s mounting bills. The envelope is brought by the solicitor across the street—a man Kate knows she shouldn’t want but can’t resist.

Lord Joshua Stuart, the second son of the Duke of Beaufort, has never fit in with the rest of his family. Though he has a practice on Bond Street, he’s always preferred working in Cheapside, where he can make a real difference. It has nothing to do with his attractive, sweet neighbor across the street, or so he tells himself. But when Kate’s school is threatened, Joshua knows he must help her.

As Joshua and Kate work to save the school, they grow closer, until their love for each other can no longer be denied. Their search brings them to the famed fortune teller, Madame Zeta, who holds the key to Kate’s past. But when Kate’s fate intertwines with Madame Zeta’s, nothing will ever be the same. Will her love for Joshua survive fortune’s twists, or will they end up as the final folly?

Genres: Historical Romance

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2019

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author Christina McKnight writes emotional and intricate Regency Romance with strong women and maverick heroes.

Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books...don't forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.

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Reviews

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋

Katherina is a teacher , Joshua is the son of a Duke also a doctor .

The two fall for each other whilst working in close quarters trying to save her school and the people of Cheapside where they work .

Everything ticks along well till and unexpected letter arrives from Kate’s Family.

This is a great end to a great series and I found it very enjoyable.
I’ve always enjoyed Christina’s books so this was a must for me .

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

[Lana Birky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read/reviewed all the books in this series & they all centered around fortunes told by Madam Zeta with a travelling band of people entertaining at town fairs. She read the future of our main characters in each of the books & their fortunes had all transpired. The final book in the series is Fortune's Final Folly & it brings this series full circle as it finally connects Madam Zeta with her child that was ripped from her arms almost 20 years ago & she had been searching for in every little town she traveled to. Finally, she gets some much needed information that leads to her to Cheapside, to a schoolmarm, Kate Elliott, who teaches poor children in the area after her father & mother died.

Lord Joshua Stuart is a solicitor & second son of a duke & has chosen to practice law in Cheapside where he can help the poor. He has watched Kate for many years as his father was her father's solicitor before they both died & he became her solicitor after that. He has always been attracted to her but it has never gone farther the friendly greetings & delivering her quarterly stipend from an unknown donor.

Questions begin to arise after Kate's school & apartment are purposely set on fire with her trapped inside. The questions & investigations lead Kate, Joshua & Madame Zeta on a quest that keeps you flipping pages until all is answered. This was a sweet, loving story of a Mom that never gave up finding her baby daughter & a couple that were meant to be together. Christina McKnight wrote such a lovely story & it left me feeling so happy! I highly recommend this book & the whole series!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Katherina Elliott leads a simple life, teaching impoverished children in Cheapside, just as her parents did before her. Kate knows little of her family's past: only that every three months, a mysterious benefactor sends her enough money to pay the school's mounting bills. The envelope is delivered by the solicitor across the street--a man Kate knows she shouldn't want but can't resist.
Lord Joshua Stuart, the second son of the Duke of Beaufort, has never fit in with the rest of his family. Though he has a practice on Bond Street, he's always preferred working in Cheapside, where he can make a real difference. It has nothing to do with his attractive, sweet neighbour across the street, or so he tells himself. As Joshua and Kate work to save the school, they grow closer until someone from Kate’s past arrives as well as a letter from her grandfather.
What a lovely finale to this multi author series. I love the author’s books - she’s one of my must read authors as I know I’m always in for a treat & once again she doesn't disappoint. I love Joshua & Kate & how their relationship developed & how they realised how they felt. A well paced story that tugged at the heart strings. Kate’s world is turned upside down but she knows Joshua will be there to see her through all the trials & tribulations
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Fortune's Final Folly Miss Kate Elliott seems to be the orphaned daughter of a vicar and his wife. When they dies, they left her a house in Cheapside where she continues the school that her mother started. Across the street, Joshua Stuart, solicitor watches her from afar. He inherited the job of being her solicitor when his uncle dies. That entails delivering a quarterly envelope that came ro her parents before her.
Nothing is quite as it seems and everything starts to come out after someone sets fire to the school. Joshua sees the flams and saves her life. He then takes her to his home so she has a place to live. The feelings that had been simerring as friendship also start to grow.
Kate's background is much more interesting that either of them could have imagined and it is also what puts her in danger.
This was an exciting read and the characters were all well written and you couldn't help but pull for these two to have their Happily Ever After.
I received a free advanced copy of this book.

[Deb Diem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortune's Final Folly by Christina McKnight is a fantastic historical romance. I do suggest readers read Fortunes of Fate (free at the time of this review) before starting this book. Ms. McKnight has produced a well-written book furnished with an excellent cast of characters. Katherina Elliott is the daughter of a vicar and his wife, serving the poor and teaching children alone since her parents are both dead now. Joshua is the second son of a duke and a solicitor and works part of the time for the poor. Joshua and Katherina's story is loaded with drama, humor, action and suspense. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to reading more from Christina McKnight in the future. Fortune's Final Folly is book 10 of the Fortunes of Fate Series. It can be read as a standalone but like I said, I do suggest reading the prequel. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lori D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I have not read them all, this Fortunes of Fate series has been awesome. All written by authors well know in the historical romance genre. This, the final one, brings us full circle to Madame Zeta, who has played an intrical part in each story. Bestowing a fortune on each hero or heroine with fate seeming to take place. Now, her story comes out but the focus is on two people who may tie into her.
A schoolteacher who works teaching poor children in Cheapside, Katherine's parents had both passed away but she did not know a lot about her family history. Lord Joshua Stuart, the second son of a Duke focuses mainly on his law practice in Cheapside where he can help people. Their paths cross at least every three months when a package arrives for him with instrutctions to give to Kate.
A sweet story that takes you on a journey of Kate, Joshua and Madame Zeta that will keep you turning the pages. Christina McKnight is one of my favorite athors and I am always glad to read one of her fabulous stories!!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story, with a little bit of everything. Romance, suspense, renewed love and connection. Rewarding conclusions worth the wait.

[Tabetha Waite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great end to the series! The prequel was just heart wrenching, so I was happy to see that everything worked out in the end.

[Phylis Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

An awesome book. Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, characters.

[Anissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madame Zeta has been tormented and has searched the countryside for her lost child. Her precious daughter was ripped from her arms from a cruel mother-in-law. She then was dumped in the cold alongside a road. That is where the travellers had found her and cared for her. She is now approached by servants whos once served her and told the old woman is dead, no news on her good for nothing husband son of a duke and that the whereabouts of her daughter is unknown. BUT this time the servants will find her if they received any news.
Fast Forward seven years and we meet the beautiful Kate Elliot the daughter of the vicar and school teacher to students in Cheapside. Her parents are gone but left her the school room with her living space up the stairs. She is content and receives money every month but doesn't know who it is from. Her neighbor next store wants the building and bullies her often. On one such occasion her friend Joshua (Lord Joshua Stuart, the second son of the Duke of Beaufort) comes to her aid. He is an attorney with an office across the street. Even though he is nobility he chooses to live in her maternal grandmother's townhouse and travels to work everyday. He has a deep need to help those less fortunate. One night tragedy strikes and Kate is without a school room or place to live. Joshua saves Kate and brings her home where she learns who he is. They come up with a plan to rebuild her home/school and decide to ask the bank (where the money comes from) for help. That contact opens up a whole new world to Kate. With her contacting the bank, the cards unfold and Madame Zeta goes and finds her daughter....Lady Katerina De Vere daughter of the Countess of Holderness....now a Duchess... Not only does that one contact with the bank bring mom back but a letter and a WILL brings Kate and Josh a whole new set of problems....Things get even more complicated when dear old nasty dad/husband shows up and wants what he thinks he deserves!

Lovely story, gentle, exciting and with a lot of love!!!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 10th and final book in this multi-author series. I have read only the prequel and this one book but I do own a couple more from the series.

Although each book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone I feel you would like them much more read in order of publication.

There is a little bit of mystery that is hinted at in the beginning of the book.

We, unlike our heroine, know that her past is a lofty one even though she was brought up as a vicar's daughter.

Their search for Katherina's past and where the funds she receives comes from brings them to the famed fortune teller, Madame Zeta, who holds the key to Kate's past. 

When Kate's fate intertwines with Madame Zeta's, nothing will ever be the same. 

The real danger starts when the father she never knew decides that her death is the only way he will get what he feels is rightly his. Will he succeed in his quest to kill her and who is Madame Zeta to Katherina?

The answer to this last question is actually answered in the prologue but unless you are reading carefully you may miss this tidbit.

I gave this book 4.25 of 5.0 stars for story line, plot and characterization.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet & heartwarming with a bite of malice!

A compelling end to a highly captivating series that satisfactorily deals with the sinister ploy that resulted in the cruel abusing of A'laya (aka Madame Zeta) and her subsequent quest to find her innocent daughter, Katherina/Kate.
Unlike the others this read has a different feel to it. The emphasis has shifted from the fun, lighthearted whimsy of the other books and sweeps you along down a path of revelation, under a lingering shadow of menace. Keeping you hooked as the honourable, kind and  protectively besotted Joshua, rescues the beguilingly caring and selfless Kate as he helps her to rebuild her home and schoolroom.
As the pair ultimately seek answers through the unravelling of dark secrets, their fight to explore their deep connection will lead them down a bigger path to self discovery, happiness and a feeling of belonging neither dreamed possible.
A sweet, touching romance with believable characters which you instantly care for and champion. I just wish the leads spent less time questioning their fate and more time engaging with each other on a deeper more profound level as their connection in places remained a little flat when it promised to be so much more. That said, this remains an enjoyable read that's well worth your time to read it!!!

[Roslyn Stillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Fortunes of Folly series and what a wonderful way to finish. This series has been written by a number of different authors who all did a magnificent job and this one is the perfect ending. What a wonderful name for the finish with a true gentleman who is how all gentlemen should act, a real lady full of compassion, love and meekness and then there is Madame Zeta who we now get to see her story. This book had me hooked from the moment I read the first page and I found I couldn’t read it fast enough. I wasn’t really sure where the story would go but was only a little disappointed in the end but that would be a spoiler if I said why. The story had mystery, suspense, joy, sadness and romance. I loved the relationship between Kath and Joshua, the sparks where there but they behaved as they should. It was a very heart warming story and had me tearing up a couple of times. As usual it was well written and easy to read, there was no sex in this book. This book can be read as a stand alone book but the rest in the series is well worth reading. I received this as an ARC and freely give my review.

[Patricia Wissore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate the book between 3.5-4 stars for this read. I really liked Kate and how she knew what she was doing with her life and such. Joshua was a sweet, sensitive guy in the story. I liked how he watched out for Kate and how they both had feelings for each other that they had never spoke of. Their histories were well explained and you got a lot of information about why the characters were acting like they were and who they were! I disliked the inner monologue that seemed a constant throughout the story. I also disliked how after the Kate started learning things about her past and started thinking about her future, she almost became wishywashy and needed Joshua's guidance to tell her what to do. His response I loved, was always he'll do whatever she needs him to and will be there for her. I felt the ending was rushed a little. You spend the whole book with the heroine asking herself all these questions, and suddenly All the questions are answered in the last little bit of the book! I liked the characters, but didn't Love the characters, although Joshua remained constant throughout the whole book. Thank you for the advanced copy, the read was enjoyable!

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic, suspenseful and a mystery to be solved, this well-written novel keeps the reader riveted from the opening chapter through to the end. Katherina Elliott always wondered why she was different, despite having grown up in a loving home. The quarterly allowance that is delivered by the solicitor across the road from where she has her home and her school raises her curiosity, but Kate is not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Joshua, the second son of a Duke, has found his way in the world as an attorney and chooses to help those in an impoverished area rather than serving the rich members of society. When Kate's life is endangered, Joshua comes to her aid, resulting in the process of unraveling her past and the surprises just keep rolling in. The romance in this novel is sweet and clean, but the mystery is well thought out and the book comes to a very satisfactory conclusion. I received a copy of this most enjoyable novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Martha B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

They loved each other from afar.

I love to read a book and either like it or love it. Sadly, I did not feel either emotion while reading Fortunes Final Folly by Christina McKnight. The best way to explain my rating is to simple list my likes and dislikes.

I really liked both Katherina and Joshua, as well as the supporting characters.
I also really liked the sweet, almost shy chemistry between Katherina and Joshua.

I disliked:
that the characters had way too many thoughts and not enough dialogue.
that the pace was so slow.
that there were a number of flaws in the plot (i.e. a single unrelated woman did not live with a bachelor without severe social consequences).
that the attempt to include danger in the plot fell flat.
that a crucial question was raised that was never resolved.
that neither the ending or the epilogue were smile-worthy or satisfying, which would have had added a star..

Content: This book is very clean and free of offensive language or sexual content.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the author. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.

[Steph · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not impressed. The characterizations were across-the-board inconsistent. Kate’s adoptive parents loved her as much as any parent could ever love their child but yet never fully accepted her or included her in their family. The solicitor would not acknowledge the legitimacy of Kate’s birth and then just minutes later in the story, did so “warmly”. So many factual errors that could have been avoided with like 5 minutes of research, including many basic errors about the peerage. I’m no expert on historical currency values, the laws of primogeniture and rules of address, but I have google and that’s all it would take to make a moderately accurate work of light fiction. Bottom line: I will avoid this author in the future.

[Debbie Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Katherina Elliott parents have passed away, but she knows little of her family's past except a mysterious benefactor send her money every three months. Money she has needed to survive and help others. Lord Joshua Stuart, the second son of the Duke of Beaufort, has never fit in with the rest of his family. His office is across from Katherine’s school. Joshua and Kate work to save the school, they grow closer even as they search for her real father and family and fate intertwines with her life Madame Zeta's the fortune teller. Kate’s world is turned upside down by the unexpected news her father was a lord, and her parents were not really her family. I loved excellent story and one I voluntarily read and reviewed.

[Kelly Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fate brought these two together at just the right time. The mystery of who is sending the money brings them closer and leads them answers they didn’t expect. You’ll never see who is behind the threat to the school coming or any of the surprises that pop up. Their love is a strong one that can withstand anything thrown at them.

Kate just wants to teach the local children and be happy, but fate has other ideas. I loved her from the start because she didn’t back down from anything. She didn’t run when she realized her feelings.

Joshua lives to help people and helping Kate is at the top of his list. I loved the work he did and how he treated everyone like family and friends. He wasn’t going to let her do anything alone.

Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review.

[Sophie Koufes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Review:
Fortune's Final Folly (Fortunes of Fate Series, Book 10) is the first book in this series that I listened to, so I missed out on some important factors that tie them all together. As I am a fan of historical romance author Christina McKnight I was elated to listen to this audio. A sweet regency romance with compelling characters. Miss Katherine Elliott & Lord Joshua Stewart are sweet together. Romantic and suspenseful with a mystery to solve. The unraveling of dark secrets swirling through the pages.
Fate entwines them with Madame Zeta (a fortune teller) sailing you along down a stroll of revelation under a enduring umbra of peril. The ending wrapped up the series and brings you back to the beginning

Narator Katherine Anderson tonality gave the right vibes of the time period. Her pace and tone flows through smoothly. Her english brogue fits the narrative perfectly. A entertaining listen.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 ½ - 4 Stars! Book 10 in the Fortunes of Fate series. Can be read and enjoyed as stand-alone, but it is better if you have read the Fortunes of Fate: Prequel story first. The prequel really sets up this book well. Sweet and clean historical romance with some mystery. Kate is left with many questions after her parents passing. After her home is damaged in a fire, she apprehensively accepts help from her solicitor neighbor. They work together to unravel the mysteries of her past while fighting their mutual attraction. I would have liked more romance and less hesitation and reluctance from both the H & h!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

Fortune’s Final Folly by Christina McKnight was a fantastic book and a fantastic conclusion to the Fortune’s of Fate series. I loved the connection between Kate and Joshua and how their stations in life didn’t determine how they conducted their lives and the relationships in their lives. Christa McKnight has written a tale that is emotional, heartfelt and brings Madame Zeta the happiness for which she’s been searching.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall this was a very Sweet Regency Romance with some hidden dangers and past unsolved mysteries. I liked the underlying message the two main characters bring to the story that no matter your standing in life you can live to give back to those less fortunate and be happier for it! Lady Katherina and Lord Joshua were made for each other!

[Lori Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed everything about this book. This was a stay up all night to finish type of book. I thought the characters were well written. We have lost family coming together, danger throughout, attempted murder, and so much more. Lovely story.