For What It's Worth


Wednesday, July 26, 2017

review: the gentleman’s guide to vice and virtue by mackenzi lee



viceHenry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.
But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.



Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores. ~
Goodreads

Source: Borrowed (Thank you Brooke!)

Review:
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue was a rip roaring, rollicking 18th century road trip adventure, filled with romance, scandal, pirates, intrigue and just a touch of magic. And as Monty might say – it was abso-blood-lutely hilarious. I was hooked from the very first page and despite it being just over 500 pages – read it in one sitting.

Monty is good looking, arrogant and self indulgent. He drinks, gambles, smokes, has affairs with both men and women – damn the consequences - but he also has a soft marshmallow center when it comes to his best friend, and unrequited love, Percy. Despite his many, many flaws – he is 110% lovable.

Monty's rich father bails him out of most of his scrapes but with his mother giving birth to a new male heir, Monty is given an ultimatum. He is allowed to go on one final Grand Tour around Europe, accompanied by Percy, his sister Felicity and a guardian that's supposed to keep him on the straight and narrow, then he needs to give up all his shenanigans, marry a nice girl or be cut off from the family entirely.

Monty is the definition of needing to get his white male privilege checked and Lee does an amazing job of weaving in the issues of mental health, privilege, sexuality, race, sexism, abuse, PTSD, mental health and disability head on – while never slowing the pace or taking away from the lightness of Monty, Percy and Felicity’s adventures.

Monty gets away with things and tries to drag Percy (bi-racial) and Felicity (a girl) into his schemes without realizing that they don't get the same get of jail free card as it does he does as a white male.

This book is smart and entertaining but with a tender heart at it’s quircky core. 

Monty and Percy were ADORABLE but Monty’s bookish sister, Felicity, damn near stole the show and I’m thrilled to hear that she’s getting her own book!

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for high stakes adventure, humor, romance with heart and EXCELLENT character development. You can read a preview here.

* I had a hard time with this review – as I do whenever I LOVE a book. I get too rambly and in my quest to reign myself in, I don’t include enough information. lol So here’s a few more reviews that capture what I loved so much about this book.

Fine Print: 5 Reasons to Read The Gentelman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
Emily May's Reviews

45 comments:

  1. I am hearing good things, and it does sound fun

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  2. Ahh I need this ASAP! I've read the best reviews for it and it sounds amazing, glad you enjoyed it!

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  3. I always almost HATE to review a 5 star book. I always put it off to the last minute because I feel like I can never do it justice!

    Damn, Ican't believe this is over 500 pages, but I really want it on my bookshelf! Adding to my TBR for sure :)

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    1. It was long but didn't feel long because of all the adventuring lol And you just wanted to spend more time with Percy, Monty and Felicity.

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  4. This sounds awesome. I am glad you enjoyed it.

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  5. oh my gosh....adventure, pirate and romance...sign me up!! And some of my favorite books that I read very quickly in one sitting are some of the longest ones. Especially since more books now are so short now a days, I appreciate the longer length ones.

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    1. Long books usually drag but this one almost non stop action and fun so I didn't even notice really.

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  6. That sounds great. Thanks for the great review.

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  7. Sounds like I need to read this one :D

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    1. It was cute and I think most people would enjoy it no matter what you usually read.

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  8. I just stumbled on your blog and I love it!

    I've not heard of this one until now but I'm adding it to my list because I have to read it!

    Simply Angela

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    1. Hi! Thanks for stopping by Angela!

      I hope you love it too.

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  9. This book keeps snagging my attention with each super positive review. I will definitely have to read it. Enjoyed your review, Karen!

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  10. I've seen a good review or two of this too, and I like the sound of how the white male privilege is weaved into a story like this, with the rakish guy and a Grand Tour (I want a Grand Tour!!). Sounds great. Glad it was a good one for you.

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    1. I liked how she did it too. Monty just doesn't notice that he gets away with things Percy can't - or thinks he should just fight back. Once Monty is n't the sole heir anymore though he starts to understand and we learn more about how his life isn't perfect either. Well done IMO.

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  11. You had me at hilarious. So need a good book that makes me laugh. Then you had to say it was smart and quirky. I need this book NOW! :D Brilly review. Added it to the wishlist.

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    1. I need all the laughs I can get these days!

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  12. It's SO hard to review a book I loved sometimes. I never know what to do without just flailing! I hope to read this one ASAP - thank you by the way - and I'm so glad you loved this!!

    -Lauren

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    1. I think you'll enjoy it Lauren! It's a lot of fun.

      Yeah - sometimes I wish you could just write *flails* for your review and be done with it lol

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  13. I NEED to read this one ASAP! :)

    Would you mind checking out my book reviews blog at El's Book Reviews and possibly give it a follow? Super excited to read your posts!

    - El

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  14. I had so much hopes for this book but in the end, it just wasn't cracked up to be.

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    1. Oh really?? I loved it but I did avoid all the hype so I didn't have any expectations.

      I try to stay away from it all now lol

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  15. I can feel how much you loved this book, Karen. It happens to me too. Sometimes I tend to forget things when I write about the books I love. Awesome review, hon. :)

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    1. I had a lot of fun with it which is kind of rare to find. For me anyway...

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  16. I keep seeing this book. I think I need to have it!

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  17. This happens to me too when I love the story. I've been seeing this book lately and seeing how you loved this story, I think I'll need to have a copy of my own ;)

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  18. Not the book for me but glad you had a good time with it :)

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  19. This sounds like a really interesting book with a bit of everything in it! And when a book is long but reads quickly... well those tend to be my favorites, especially in the summer when I have mush brain lol.

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    1. I saw the size of it and went ahhhh lol but it went fast because it was like going on a fun road trip adventure with friends.

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  20. I feel like 18th Century Road Trip books are few and far between LOL. I've heard nothing but good things about this one though. And I love characters who are flawed but still lovable. This one sounds like a lot of fun, I'm glad you loved it!

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  21. I know exactly what you mean about struggling to review books you love so links are always good. This book sounds completely amazing and I want to read it so bad but I've just decided not to buy anymore (or many more) new books until after my holiday. This will definitely be one of the books which may force me to break my spending ban before it even starts, though. It just sounds like everything I want in a book.

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    1. I'm on a buying ban too! That I broke already but...lol

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  22. Karen! I think this is one of my favourite reviews of yours that I've read. So well written, and really does urge me to read the book! I'm so pumped for this one, and now I kind of know a bit more about what it is? I didn't think there were quite so many things being explored, though I did know that there's a fair bit of representation in it which is super positive! I'm glad that the main character Monty didn't come off as too abrasive for you, like you kind of went along with it all. And one sitting! Wow! Props. I can't say I've read many books in just the one sitting, let alone one that is 500+ pages!

    Cass @ Words on Paper

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    1. Thanks Cass. I always think I sound rambly with books I love but that is probably a good thing in a way lol I know I like it when other bloggers do it.

      I love when a book has something important to say but also lets you have fun along the way.

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  23. YAY! I'm sooo glad you loved this too, Karen. Definitely one of my favourite reads this year, and by far the most fun book I've read in ages. I also loved the fact that this is a silly fun adventure book, yet it still deals with profound topics like racism, homophobia, ableism...the works. And Felicity is THE BEST. I'm dying to read her pirate adventure!

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