I should preface by saying I’m not a huge mystery/thriller fan. The fortune seller was ok. I think it was maybe trying to do too many things at once and failed to capitalize on any of them. There is the ivy league culture, the clique of horse riders, the study of class differences, a bit of family drama, maybe even a tiny bit of crime? And at the center of it: the tarot cards. All thrown together in what felt like a pretty random way.

Annalise is this mysterious new girl that gets forced on to our main character Rosie. She’s a great rider and well loved by the roommates (at first) but is real mysterious. She is also a tarot card reader which leads to a lot of foreshadowing in this but didn’t really do much else for me. We go a very very long time before we really learn anything of substance about Annalise but when you do it is meant to be really shocking (I didn’t expect it but also was not that excited by the reveal).

In between hearing about the secretive Annalise and her antics we also spend a little learning about Rosie’s other roommates which to be frank are all shitty people and I don’t understand how they ever became friends besides maybe forced proximity of all being on the Yale horse riding team. All her friends are very rich but poor Rosie is only kind of rich - I mean come on she goes to Yale and has two veterinarians for parents and grew up horseback riding - that is not a cheap sport.

So again, lots of different things going on, some worked some didn’t. It took awhile to get interesting and once it did it wasn’t like a big BOOM it was more like a blip. Worth reading it you want a low stakes mystery but this will not blow your socks off. 2.5 stars.

Rosie is a Yale student. She’s also an equestrian, and her friends are all weathly girls. Rosie, attending on scholarships and student loans, has a hard time fitting into the world of designer clothes and parties. It’s something she struggles with most of the book while she watches those around her throw money at literally everything. When their ringleader, Cress, introduces a new girl into their circle, Annelese’s arrival threatens to disrupt the balance of their delicate lives. However, Rosie and Annelese form an unlikely friendship, bonding over tarot cards.

I think this book caters to a very specific audience. I also don’t think I’m that audience. If you like horses and tarot cards, you might be that audience.. I will say that I enjoyed the elements of tarot in this book. I think the author did her research. However, I could not empathize with Rosie at all. In fact, as time passed through the book, her moaning over not having any money or assuming a degree equals instant success just got to be too much. I did not like her nor did I like any of the “mean girls.” I thought Annelese was super interesting and she was the only character I really liked. Unfortunately, she’s only in the first half of the book. The second half takes the book in a completely different direction, and it felt like I was reading a new book after that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Stephanie Cannon was a great narrator and really brought the story to life. However, this book just was not for me.

This novel was about a group of female college friends in their final year at Yale and how their friendships changed as they moved into their post college lives. Even though this was a realistic fiction novel, there was a bit of mystery woven in. Each chapter began with the description of a tarot card and its meaning, provided by the character Annelise. The tarot readings set up the chapters nicely and added to the overall story as Annelise was a main character. There were some really intense plot points that were well written and others that I didn’t feel were necessary. Overall, it was a well-written, enjoyable story and I would read another book by this author in the future. 3.5 stars rounded to 4

I enjoyed the narration of this novel. The pacing was well done and the narrator used distinctive voices for each character which made it easy to tell who was talking. I would definitely listen to another audiobook read by this narrator.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MacMillanAudio for an audio ARC of #TheFortuneSeller by #RachelKapelke-Dale and narrated by #StephanieCannon in exchange for honest feedback.

I was a nationally ranked rider for years until my early 20s so this book really resonated with me (this was my amazing horse Allegria (Arnie) who was the best show horse ever

Main character Rosie Macalister works so hard to fit in with her ultra rich Yale equestrian friends Cressida Tate, Andra Cooper and Lila Farrow; harder than you think for someone who comes form a middle class family. Back from junior year abroad in Argentina, Rosie finds their group now includes a newbie: Annelise Tattinger-enigmatic, tarot card reader, brilliant rider. When a friend’s money disappears, Annelise is suspected, roommates turn against each other, tensions and assumptions lead to devastating consequences - nothing like a bunch of spoiled kids fighting right?. After graduation, Rosie goes to work for a Manhattan hedge fund, and uncovers Annelise's true identity. Her place in their elite Yale set was no accident. Is it too late for Rosie to put right what went wrong?

The author has written a book that shows the power of destiny and luck in the complex, dangerous friendships between the privileged elite and the less wealthy. Rosie claims to see past the wealth and manipulations, but desperately wants to be part of their world. Kapelke-Dale creates naive, scrambling Rosie to play off the thoughtless, amoral, ultra-wealthy roommates. t’s haunting, shocking, it’s over-privileged young women living without consequences which is a recipe for complete disaster. There are no heroes in this story. Ultimately, it makes one ponder America’s wealth-based class system.

This book is definitely not what I thought this would be. I didn't hate this and I didn't love this it was more a middle of the road book for me. I felt like this entire book was just the main character, Rosie, complaining about being poor while living among her rich friends, going to Yale, and riding on the equestrian team. I was hoping for more twists and turns involving the mysterious character of Annelise and her tarot cards but I was really disappointed in her storyline.

I enjoyed hearing about the different tarot cards but that was the only aspect of this book that I really enjoyed.

I listened to this in audiobook form and I thought the narrator Stephanie Cannon did a good job performing this book.

3.5⭐️

The Fortune Seller is a generally entertaining story, with a commentary on class mixed in with a mystery and plenty of horse talk and tarot reading. That said, it drags in some parts, I saw the twists and solution to the mystery elements a mile away, and the romantic side story felt unnecessary and lacking in spark. I enjoyed this enough to see it through to the finish, and would recommend it for a light quick read.

Stephanie Cannon did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Rachel Kapelke-Dale, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a doozy of a book. The two main mysteries unfolded very well and I enjoyed seeing how the character’s dealt with the aftermath. Each chapter begins with an explanation of how tarot cards can be interpreted and I found it very enlightening. There was a lot of talk about class and the differences between wealth which Kapelke Dale handled well. I did the audiobook and really enjoyed Stephanie Cannon’s narration.

I really enjoyed this book! Easy 4 stars from me. This book is filled to the brim with mystery, murder, betrayal, prestige, and wealth. I was hooked from start to finish. The Fortune Seller was a SLOW BURN mystery but in the best way. The only thing I wish I could have had more of was character development. All of the characters felt very one dimensional to me. No one in specific resonated with me. I didn't feel attached to anyone. Aside from that, it was a great story. I loved the incorporation of Tarot.

Huge thank you to the publishers are Macmillan audio for the gifted audiobook of The Fortune Seller. The audio was fantastic. I really enjoyed the narrator. I thought they did a fantastic job bringing this story to life.

A story of secrets, murder, betrayal, money, and entitlement, each one of the five girls sharing an apartment, going to Yale, and being on the Equestrian team, they each had their dreams, their own goals, and after their senior year, one of them will have blood on her hands.

With friendships that are as fickle as the stock market, these five young women have more ups and downs than I could count, and yet somehow they all ended up where they were meant to, even if it's not where they planned on being.

Since I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook let's talk about our narrator Stephanie Cannon for a moment, she has brilliant tone and inflection and was able to give distinct voices to all of our characters and managed to show their growth as the story went on. She truly is talented in her craft.

While I'm not sure if it's intentional or not, the level of entitlement of some of these characters was beyond anything I've read and I'm still reeling from our billionaire shoplifter, if you're looking for a young adult book that puts wealth and what it actually into perspective this is the book for you.

This is a 3.5-star book for me, I'll be rounding up to a four for review purposes.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing a copy of this audiobook, I have voluntarily listened to it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!

Rosie is a college student in her final year at Yale and finds it difficult to relate with her wealthy peers. She finds kinship with a new teammate who mysteriously disappears during the day with trips to NYC. A dramatic event changes the trajectory of her life and that of her teammates.

I enjoyed the inclusion of tarot cards at the beginning of each chapter but felt the beginning dragged on. Fortunately, the story picks up speed towards the end. The inclusion of a love interest near the end of the story felt rushed and unnecessary. I would have preferred more character development for Rosie without him.

The audio quality was great and I enjoyed the narrator’s voice.

This novel was my first foray into the writings of Rachel Kapelke-Dale and overall I give it pretty good reviews. I was drawn to this book with the referencing of Tarot and possible dark academia themes. However, I did not seem to get too much dark academia though there are a lot of references to the tarot and meanings as well as being a horse-girl or riding with an equestrian team.
The story opens with Rosie returning from a year abroad in Argentina and joining her ivy league friends in their new lodging for their senior year at Yale. Though Rosie and her family seem to struggle financially, I had a hard time identifying with many of the characters. The relationships between the girls seems to ebb and flow like the tides; sometimes they are on great terms and sometimes they are at each other throat or unable to relate with each other due to their differences in financial class.
Nevertheless, the story was incredibly enjoyable and the way the author weaves the narrative is intriguing. I did have an issue with pacing and figuring out what the other all plot of the book was going to be. It was not until the second half of the book we actually figure out the path we are taking and where we are going with the story.

Rachel Kapelke-Dale returns following The Ingenue and The Ballerinas with her latest coming-of-age novel, THE FORTUNE SELLER— a haunting and gripping portrayal of class, desire, privilege, and ambition. (no one masters it better than Rachel)!

I LOVED THIS BOOK! A huge fan of the author.

Rosie Macalister (small-town Illinois) grew up middle class and has worked hard to try and fit in with her wealthy friends at Yale and the equestrian team.

Rosie is on a scholarship, unlike her wealthy roommates. When she returns to Yale for her senior year, she discovers a new roommate in the house she shares with four others.

Annelise Tattinger is a skilled rider, and Rosie is obsessed with her—her family, money, power, prestige, clothes, sophistication, and riding skill. She keeps everyone at arm's length and is secretive about her past.

Annelise is enigmatic, mysterious, and alluring. Plus, she is a master, gifted in the art of Tarot cards and fortune telling. Who is the real Annelise?

Soon, competition and rivalry change the dynamics between the teammates. Something happens, and accusations are made. One of the girls notices money disappearing from her bank account, and Annelise's place in the circle is questioned. Can they trust her? As the girls turn against each other, the group’s unspoken tensions and assumptions lead to devastating consequences. Rosie suspects there is more to Annelise and begins sleuthing.

Then, shortly thereafter, someone dies in a riding accident. However, was it an accident?

Rosie leaves Connecticut to take a finance job in NYC at a hedge fund (not what she exactly wanted- as an assistant), but she thinks it will be a way into the world she wants. However, there is betrayal, lies, secrets, and deceit. Has Rosie made a deal with the devil? Is someone setting her up to take the fall or buying her off to keep secrets?

Does someone want revenge? Rosie will soon learn some difficult life lessons and what it takes to be truly happy.

"Fortune sounds like a wonderful thing, but that's just not how things work because we've told ourselves fairy tales about it for so long. Fortune is nothing more and nothing less than the idea that there are some things in our lives—so much more than we'd like to believe—that are out of our control, no matter how hard we try. And that's why you have to ask, but almost nobody ever does. Because they don't really want the answer. Do you really want to know?"


Wow! The author has outdone herself!

THE FORTUNE SELLER is twisty, alluring, dark, sinister, and atmospheric, and I was glued to the pages to see how this would turn out! (in one sitting). I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook, which was fantastic and narrated by the talented Stephanie Cannon—perfect for all voices for an engaging performance. I Highly recommend the audiobook.

I would also recommend buying the hardcover or e-book, as well. I highlighted many pages with the Tarot cards. You do not want to miss this.

CAPTVATING! The best part, and my favorite, is the innovative and creative introduction of each chapter with the title of a Tarot Card, its description, and how it fits with what is happening in the novel. BRILLIANT!

I loved Chapter 39: The Ten of Pentacles (Reversed)
"Everybody wants something. And the way that we go after those things determines who we are. Ten of Pentacles, when it's reversed, is all about the traps we get ourselves into. About what we've let define ourselves and our self-worth; about how we've forced ourselves into certain roles because of the compromises we thought we had to make."

Fits so well with the novel. I am a huge tarot card and equestrian fan, so this book had it all! After all, I live in Wellington, FL, the equestrian capital of the world. For real, I had a tarot card reading in New Orleans, and five years later, everything she predicted came true, which was spine-chilling!

If you have yet to read this author, you are missing out. I have loved all three of her books, and THE FORTUNE SELLER is my favorite! I love the author's writing style! —a mix of coming-of-age, literary (beautiful lyrical prose), suspense, mystery, thriller, and academia. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. #SMPInfluencers

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Feb 13, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
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On paper, I was really interested in this story- the fortune telling and other components. But for some reason, the pacing of the story didn't resonate with me. Most of the time, it felt like things were moving very fast, or very slow.

Overall, I don't think the book was bad, but I just wasn't the right reader.

I did listen to the audio arc of The Fortune Seller, and I did feel that the audio narration was well done. Thank you #NetGalley for this audio ARC.

Very different indeed!

This one is loosely based around the reading of Tarot Cards (which I was obsessed with in HS...so, there's that...) and a group of college girls going to Yale.
Most of them are very wealthy/rich, but some are there on scholarships, like Rosie...who loves horses and riding...and is very good at it!
She's trying to make a name for herself and is studying hard...
But when she returns to school after a year abroad, she finds a new girl in their circle...Annelise.
She's not sure who she is, but she sees right away that she's more like her than the other girls (in that, she's NOT rich)... AND, she is gifted in reading Tarot Cards...and so, Rosie wants to learn how to read too...

So each chapter begins with one of the cards in the deck, and then goes on to whatever is going on in that chapter, but, you are learning as you go...and learning more insights into each of these girls...and their upbringing...and just how much money they have...

And sometimes, money is NOT everything...
And sometimes, it can even make things worse...

Secrets are revealed. Lies are told. Money is stolen, AND being swindled... and, Rosie seems to be in the middle of it all.

When she realizes that SHE has to change in order for her life to change, it is truly a revelation.

Sweet at times. Heartbreaking at times. Smack people in the head at times...so there's truly a lot going on here.

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, but rounding up to 5... because, Tarot Cards, Friends, Horses, Love, AND a dog!!! ❤️🐾❤️

#TheFortuneSeller by #RachelKapelke-Dale and narrated beautifully by #StephanieCannon.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which releases tomorrow, 2/13/24.

Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr or
My Facebook Book Club @ Book Reviews With Elaine.

Thanks so much for reading!📚⭐️📖

I think the description of this book led me to expect a different type of story than I was given, which made me not like it as much as I thought I would. I did enjoy the tarot reading part of the story, equestrian stuff not as much. The narrators voice was a pleasant surprise.

Book that take place in an academic setting are a draw. This seemed like a story that has been done many times: mean girls, someone who isn't who she says she is, and overall bad behavior. The addition of the equine sport and tarot cards made it unique. I have never really been interested in tarot readings or cards, but I found the explanation of the cards fascinating. The pacing was good, so i never really got bored and I liked the way it wrapped up. Stephanie Cannon's narration was great and I will definitely check out the backlist from Rachel Kapelke-Dale.

A slow burn mystery that dives into the lives of 5 members of the Yale equestrian team and the drama that comes with being from drastically different social classes.

Every one of the girls in this book has to decide who they, themselves, want to be as a person. Naturally, some are inherently brats and only seem to stir up problems.

This book deals with loss and betrayal and at some points you will question if there will truly be any justice or if people will just always get what they want with no consequences.

I listened to this one on audiobook and truly loved the narrator - she did an incredible job depicting each character and keeping the reader interested.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, Rachel Kapelke-Dale. I enjoyed The Ballerinas and The Ingenue, but I loved The Fortune Seller. I'm not a believer in tarot or a lover of horses, but I didn't need to be to thoroughly enjoy Rachel's latest. I did suspect the twist fairly early in the book, but I think that was the idea, to be the behind-the-scenes observer as it all unfolds. There are going to be some readers that say The Fortune Seller is a slow burn, but that's why it works. It's just a really good story told in the perfect way.

This book would be the perfect buddy read/book club choice, because there's so much to think about and to discuss with other readers. Do you believe in fate and destiny? Revenge? An eye-for-an-eye?

This book is perfectly narrated by Stephanie Cannon. She's the absolute perfect choice.

The narrator did a great job - it was easy to differentiate characters, and she had good diction and expression.
For me, the first half of the story drug a bit. The second half was more interesting, but I didn't find myself all that interested in how everything turned out. I felt like everyone just basically got away with the terrible thing that happened, and were just supposed to accept that's how wealthy society works. I also struggled a bit to like the main character - she was sure she suffered a life of hardship because she was only middle class.
An okay read - reasonably interesting plot, but mostly unlikeable (and therefore hard to make a connection with) characters.

Fortune Seller lures you in with a summary that promises mystery and social commentary, but it ends up letting you down in both respects. The "mystery" was bland and predictable.