Title: The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue
Author: Mackenzi Lee
Publication: June 27, 2017
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: YA Fiction, Romance
Pages: 518
SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
Henry “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.
REVIEW:
I had heard a lot about this book. Lots of chatter on various book sites. The fact that it was also a young adult novel helped. So when my state started to go on lockdown I decided to treat myself to some new books even though I had massive stacks of books laying around. I was so excited when it came in the mail but then it took me a few months to get around to read it….oh well….
Henry Montague “Monty” for short, lives a wild life. Drinking, carousing all sorts of stuff that makes his father angry. He convinces his father to take a Grand Tour of mainland Europe, after getting kicked out of Eton, before returning home and learning how to run his father’s estate. With him on this trip is Percy whom he has harboured a long time crush on for years. One night at the Palace of Versailles he steals something as a momento of his evening…..after that his whole life changes….. First before we go any farther, this book does have a LGBTQ romance, so if that bothers you then this book isn’t for you, but you are missing out on an amazing adventure. The book did start a little slow and caused me to take longer to read it but once it really got going I hammered right through it.
This book is an amazing sweeping adventure. There is romance, pirates, and alchemy just to name a few. It is a times I think a little more advanced for young adults but I have to remember that is basically 13+. The book made me giggle at times and feel sorry for Monty. The reason I have it 4 stars was because of the way the main character acted like a petulant child most of the time. He was selfish most of the book and didn’t act like he really cared and after a while it just sort of wore on me. But by the end of the book he was definitely more tolerable. I put so much stock into liking this book that I after I bought the first one pre-ordered the second one that revolves around his sister Felicity that is also in this book. I was excited when it showed up. I have the third book on my wishlist for Amazon and it comes out on Dec! I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. It will definitely be soon rather than later.
STAR RATING: 4/5
Pick up your copy of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and check your local bookstore. Also make sure to add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads and leave feedback for the author when you are finished. Make sure to check out more from author Mackenzi Lee on Amazon here.
