The Fortune Seller is a story that discusses or illustrates the reading of fortune through the use of tarot cards. I personally do not know a lot of about tarot cards, but I liked how the author opened each chapter with the significance or meaning of a particular tarot card. I also liked how the tarot card and practice is discussed within the book.
This story takes places on the Ivy League campus of Yale University with a group of young ladies who come to gather through the wealthy and elitism sport of equestrian. I say wealthy because in order for one to gain access to this sport you need to have access to horses, training which come from wealth or engage with a wealthy community that can facilitate one’s ability to ride or own a horse. The story focuses on Rosie Macallister who comes from a middle class family who work as veterinarians in Illinois, and her becoming friends with very wealthy girls on the equestrian team. This story shows the need for people who want to fit in, and shows how class plays are role in how one is viewed in the wealthy echelon of Yale.
Rosie becomes best friends with Cressida whose father is a billionaire and this relationship allows her access to people and activities of the wealthy upper that she can not afford on her own. Then comes Annalise an aspiring equestrian who also has hobby of tarot card reading. Tarot card reading is also tied into the title of thesis book The Fortune Seller. Annalise seems to have a lot of secrets, and who she is and her working class family background. Annalise is considered an asset because of her phenomenal horse riding skills and allows her to hang with wealthy girls on the equestrian team.
This story looks at the fortunes of the young ladies on the equestrian, and how their ambition for position and class causes them to do some very mean girls things. I found this story interesting how the author weaves the reader through this story of wealth, tragedy, success and the judgements made because of class and the role it played in the lives of these young women.
I loved how the author tied up in the end all the women’s stories and allowed the reader to see what happened. I really appreciated that because it allowed the reader to see how each fortune went.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the opportunity to review this arc.

An entertaining coming of age story set in the cut throat privileged world of the Yale horse riding scene and a group of college students whose friendships get tested by their disparities in wealth and ambitions. Okay on audio, this wasn't my favorite book by the author but I did enjoy how she interwove tarot into the story. Recommended for fans of books like Girls and their horses by Eliza Jane Brazier. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

First off, many thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this book as an audio ARC! I greatly appreciate it!
I don't like giving one-star reviews, especially to books that haven't even come out yet, but man. This was not good. The writing was lovely, and that makes it even worse, because then you know the author is capable of writing well. But the characters! And the plot!
On the characters: Our main girl (I literally had to check the description because I forgot her name, apparently it's Rosie, though I may have just forgotten because first-person POV), spends the whole story complaining about being poor even though she has a fancy place to live and nice clothes. Yes, she has to save up for expensive things, but so does everyone else. Suck it up, princess. Then there's Annelise, who's kinda fun, but really just a generic modern hippie. I did like her, though despite the mystery of who she is, we never learn much about her outside of that. Cressida was interesting, at least. Horrible, but interesting.
The plot is the worst part. Nearly three-quarters through the book, this goes from being a really interesting story about a girl who's obviously into this weird, mystical girl to being about a girl who has a thing with a guy she met one time before because he has a cute puppy? It feels like the author got sick of the original story and decided to write a new one instead of finishing the first one? I've never been this disappointed and frustrated by the direction a book took. Shaking my head, man.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. It has dark academia vibes, a slow burning mystery, and interesting characters. I also thought the setting was really unique. I've never read a book set in the collegiate horse riding world. I did think the execution here fell a little flat. The build up to the big event took too long, and then the last third of the book was too rushed. I enjoyed a lot of this, but I felt myself getting frustrated with the pacing and lack of redeemable choices characters made. I would like to read more from this author, this one just may not have been for me!

This is a deep dive into the struggles and bad decisions of a group of 20-something women, each entitled, ignorant, and bratty in their own ways. Their selfishness leads to awful ends and most of the book leaves you wondering if there will be any justice at all.

I really liked this book, though it was tragic and frustrating. Everyone in the story behaved poorly a good chunk of the time and I tried to tell myself they were young, immature women with little or no experience in the real world, carrying unseen burdens. It was the narcissism that really bugged me, which is always so much more offensive when it's coming from rich, powetful, and influential people. For some reason it's less bothersome when it comes from the poor. Perhaps because it's more personally sympathetic. This slow burn story pulls at you in ways not entirely unexpected, but the end brings about some closure.

Fans of Gossip Girl and Becoming Anna, this is your book! This is a gripping and deliberative novel about the struggles of those without wealth competing with and striving to be those with wealth. This book is both shocking and contemplative, keeping the reader on their toes while they ruminate on the immorality of the 1 percent.

Middle-class Rosie Macalister has worked for years to fit in with her wealthy friends on the Yale equestrian team. But when she comes back from her junior year abroad with newfound confidence, she finds that the group has been infiltrated by a mysterious intruder: Annelise Tattinger.

It is not apparent from the description just how much horse vernacular is in this novel. If you're an equestrian, this is a good novel for you. Otherwise, the story was decent but under developed. This felt like the first draft of a novel - good ideas but the execution needed work. The "twists" felt flat and only mildly surprising.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was wonderful, I honestly would have stopped reading it if it hadn’t been for her. It had an incredibly slow lead up but unfortunately not much pay off. I hated the main character who whined the entire book about being poor, life not being fair, etc. I did enjoy learning about the tarot and equestrian parts. I’m sure others will love this one but ultimately, it was not for me.

Set in the early 2000s, The Fortune Seller takes us to Yale, where middle-class Rosie Macalister lives with her much wealthier friends. As members of the Yale equestrian team, Rosie and her friends are a tight-knit group, so Rosie is surprised to return from a year abroad to find a new girl sharing her room. Annelise, with her talent for reading tarot cards and phenomenal riding skills, is unlike anyone Rosie has ever met. It isn't long before Rosie and Annelise become close. But amongst their larger group of friends, shifting alliances, secrets, and betrayals are creating unbearable tension -- with devastating, irreversible consequences.

In The Fortune Seller, Rachel Kapelke-Dale delves into issues surrounding class, wealth and privilege, ambition, and the complexities of female friendships. Kapelke-Dale's writing is nuanced and sinuous as she explores the co-dependent and sometimes destructive nature of early adult relationships, and I think she perfectly captured the feelings of her characters, with all their presumed invincibility and desperation. There's lots of interesting commentary about fate and destiny and the role that luck plays in one's good fortune or circumstances. Each chapter begins with the description of a tarot card that serves as foreshadowing for events to come, and I thought that was such a brilliant way to add texture to the narrative.

I do think, however, that some of Kapelke-Dale's observations, specifically surrounding the power that comes with wealth in the later half of the book, were a bit too on the nose. Her characters are for the most part well-developed, but they all fall solidly into either a "good person" or "bad person" category, which makes them less interesting then they could have been. Rosie herself is frustrating because she is the type of character that just lets things happen to her, rather than going out and making things happen. Who gets into Yale and, hoping to eventually work for an investment firm, fails to secure a single internship before her senior year? That, to me, seems like a form of the entitlement that Rosie herself rails against in her friends. Rosie grew up quite privileged herself, which is something she barely acknowledges as she strives for more and better, which only added to my frustration with her character.

I would have liked more atmosphere outside of the characters' immediate world -- a stronger sense of place with the equestrian competitions, some context about life on Yale's campus. The book is also oddly-plotted, with a major event happening at the 50% mark before the narrative slows way, way down. And I appreciate the twists that the narrative took, but I definitely predicted them well before and spent most of the second half of the book just waiting for Rosie to catch up.

I listened to The Fortune Seller as an audiobook read by Stephanie Cannon, whose voice has a mesmerizing quality that kept me engaged even through the slower parts of the narrative. I always look forward to new release by Rachel Kapelke-Dale, whose plots and prose have reminded me for three books now of Megan Abbott (and I can't really pay a higher compliment than that). The Fortune Seller wasn't my favorite of her novels, but I still can't wait for the next one.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both an audio and digital ARC of the new book by Rachel Kapelke-Dale, perfectly narrated by Stephanie Cannon - 4.5 stars!

Rose Macalister has tried hard to fit in with her wealthy equestrian club peers at Yale. Coming from a much different world than them, she's desperate to earn enough money to help out her parents, both small town veterinarians. When she returns to Yale from a year abroad, things at the house where she lives with her EQ best friends have changed. There's a newcomer in the group who is to room with Rosie, Annelise. Annelise is a talented rider but also reads tarot cards and disappears to NYC periodically. When a prank ends with deadly consequences, Rosie has to take stock of her values and loyalties.

I was a fan of the author's previous works and really enjoyed this one as well. While I know nothing about horses, this was an interesting glimpse into that world. More so, it was a look at classism, trying to fit in, and figuring out what's really important. I liked the look into Rosie's world after graduation, as she tries to achieve her dreams and ends up seeing them in a totally different light. Each chapter begins with a tarot card explanation - just enough to guide readers through the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC copy!

The Fortune Seller was an interesting look into the world of competitive equestrians at Yale University. The book was quite heavy on the horse information which I really enjoyed but I was definitely not expecting it to be so much of a dominate part of the book.

The book gives us a look into the different class systems and just how different life is for the middle class from the elites in Ivy League Colleges and in New York.

The mystery was strong enough to keep me interested and I really enjoyed how the tarot card meanings and descriptions were used to guide us through the story.

Stephanie Cannon did a great job with the narration.

I had very high hopes for this book as I have heard amazing things about this author and the premise was very intriguing. Ultimately, I struggled to connect with the main character and felt very frustrated by her choices, or lack thereof.

Rosie grew up riding horses, but through benefactor programs and without the privilege she discovers her friends at Yale grew up with. All the same, she joins the equestrian team and befriends those more privileged than her. After spending her junior year abroad, she returns to finish her senior year at Yale, moving into a house with three other girls on the team and one new transfer student Annelise. Tensions mount in the house as Annelise is incredibly talented and begins to upset the balance. Rosie, however, becomes close with Annelise, who teaches her to read tarot even as it becomes clear that Annelise may not be who she says she is.

There were many times throughout this book where I struggled to understand the reactions that Rosie had or the decisions that she made. I wanted to feel connected to her, but as she continued to be shown that her privileged friends were not really her friends at all, she continued to cling to them, and it didn’t sit well with me.

When it comes to literary fiction, I need to really connect with the characters or at least the main character, and unfortunately, I just could not connect here. I felt that I could have connected more to Annelise as a character had we gotten more of her perspective.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily.

The book's title intrigued me, and it did not disappoint! The Fortune Seller has a little bit of everything. Friendships, mystery, compelling characters… and it somehow manages to blend the elite world of Yale’s equestrian team with the mysticism of tarot cards.

Rosie Macalister grew up in a middle class family that seemed to always struggle financially. Determined and ambitious, Rosie is now a senior at Yale and a member of the equestrian team, where she struggles to fit in with her ultra wealthy friends and team mates.

When Annelise Tattinger suddenly joins the team at the beginning of senior year, the group’s dynamic shifts. In addition to being a brilliant rider, Annelise is also a talented tarot reader, and she is warmly welcomed into the friend group at first. But events are revealed that cause the friends to start turning against each other, with destructive consequences.

While I absolutely loved the quirky Annalise, I wasn’t initially a big fan of Rosie and her almost incessant desire for wealth and status. But as the story progressed, I found myself rooting for her as her perceptions about who she is and what she wants evolved.

I loved this book, and would highly recommend. Although I have no experience with tarot cards, I was fascinated with how the cards were incorporated at beginning of each chapter to set the tone and help the story progress.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to listen to this ARC.

The Fortune Seller was my second book by author Rachel Kapelke-Dale. The first one, The Ballerinas, was set in the world of elite ballet. This one was set in the world of elite university (Yale), equestrian competition, and Finance. Beyond the "elitism", the other major theme this between the two books I have now read by the author is both are centered on complicated young female relationships. After I requested this book from NetGalley based on the description, I panicked because I remembered not liking The Ballerinas much.

Not to fear, though. I definitely enjoyed The Fortune Seller much more than I did The Ballerinas. Mainly because the book, overall, is a more hopeful reflection of the world at the individual level. I remember just feeling dark and sad after finishing The Ballerinas and wondering if I could ever enjoy ballet with the same enthusiasm again. In The Fortune Seller, you have a similar group of young women, all co-eds at Yale in the early 2000's. Three are from wealthy families. One is from a more modest background than the others. Then there is a new girl who shows up with a mysterious financial past, but who is a dedicated tarot card reader, thus the title of the book.

I loved how the book gave a realistic portrait of what it can look like to be part of a friend group who all have much higher financial means than oneself. None of the girls in the group seemed like a carbon copy of the typical "evil rich girl" that are in so many books. Each character had aspects of their personality that were likable and aspects that were detestable. The things that happened in the book were very realistic and I never felt like I had to suspend disbelief.

Again, I think, just as with The Ballerinas, The Fortune Seller is being mismarketed as a thriller and mystery. My honest opinion was that there were no thrills or even meaningful mystery to the plot of the book. It is a drama about female friendships and the only aspect that would give me pause about calling it "Women's Fiction" is that its tone is darker than that genre tends to be....so maybe literary fiction, but I think that might be too fanciful a description, too.

This book should appeal to readers who are interested in the sometimes dark complications in female relationships, especially between social classes. There is not as much to the equestrian aspect of the plot as the book blurb would have had me believe, but readers who are interested in that sport might also enjoy The Fortune Seller. I enjoyed it for the reasons I have just mentioned and I especially enjoyed the more hopeful tone of this book over The Ballerinas.

Rosie Macallister returns to Yale from a year abroad to find that her friends/teammates have invited a new girl into their group. Rosie is to room w/ Annalise, the mysterious new girl who seems to be just as well off as Rosie's friends, is a champion equestrian and reads tarot. Rosie and Annalise become fast friends to the consternation of the other girls. When a "harmless" prank results in tragedy, secrets and lies come to light. Amongst the New York elite, Rosie must decide where her loyalties lie and how she actually wants to live her life.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio e-arc.*

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

I have to say, I absolutely loved the narrator - she was fabulous. The first half of the book was very interesting, while the second half fell a bit flat.

Rosie is on the equestrian team at Yale, and for years has struggled to fit in with her ultra-wealthy friends. After a year abroad, she returns home to find her friend group has a new member, Annelise, and she will have to be sharing a room with this new stranger. As secrets and lies unfold, is Annelise who she claims to be? Who can Rosie trust within her circle?

This book has a STRONG horse theme throughout, which wasn’t my favorite. However the overall story was enjoyable. I think this novel touched on the differences between the wealthy and middle class in a way that was accurate and helped move the story along. With massive amounts of money comes power, and that is shown in several dilemmas Rosie faces.

I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it especially if you love horses or tarot

I typically do not choose books that are labeled as thrillers, but really ended up enjoying this one! The Fortune Seller gives us a glimpse into the dark, deceptive world Rosie experiences as she mingles with her upper-class peers on the Yale equestrian team. However, it does so without the overly ostentation storylines that often make up stories of the rich.

Throughout the story, there is a vibe that something is off with a few of Rosie’s roommates, but there are not a lot of clues about what it is. Little strange things they did made me ask questions, without making the story predictable. Towards the end of the book, pieces started falling into place and family secrets that explained earlier events were uncovered. As a conflict-averse person, I enjoyed the fact that the main character had a front row seat to the drama that was happening to other people!

1 sentence review: This was like entering into the world of rich kids, ivy leagues, and corruption!

This was like Gossip Girl meets The Cloisters, but less parties and academia and more horses. I LOVED the tarot aspect of this story!! Each of the cards in a tarot deck were explained at the beginning of each chapter, so it was like a little tarot lesson to break up the chapters. The plot was very intriguing, but slow at times. Overall, this story was eerie, engaging, and satisfying but I felt like it was missing that “WOW” factor for me!

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator had such a mystical voice- it made the read even more atmospheric!


Read This if You Like:
- The tarot and mystery from The Cloisters
- Slow, eerie plots
- Trying to fit in with rich kids and ivy leagues

I cannot think of a book that drew me in faster! The beginning of this book was equal parts interesting and engaging. I found myself unable to stop listening despite it being very much about tarot and horses, two things I’m not necessarily into.

After a while though, the shininess did wear off. In some spots, I actually grew disinterested, even though the slow part was for character development of a supporting character.. (which did also develop the main character.) Luckily it picked back up and was good up until the ending.

I think there was supposed to be a twist but it was very obvious from very on. However, it was still an interesting part of the story.

Overall I enjoyed the book and will definitely look at other titles from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley + St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy, however, all opinions are my own.