A Kirkus Prize nominee and Stonewall Honor winner with 5 starred reviews! A New York Times bestseller!
Named one of the best books of 2017 by NPR and the New York Public Library!
“The queer teen historical you didn’t know was missing from your life.”—Teen Vogue
“A stunning powerhouse of a story.”—School Library Journal
“A gleeful romp through history.”—ALA Booklist
A young bisexual British … Vogue
“A stunning powerhouse of a story.”—School Library Journal
“A gleeful romp through history.”—ALA Booklist
A young bisexual British lord embarks on an unforgettable Grand Tour of Europe with his best friend/secret crush. An 18th-century romantic adventure for the modern age written by This Monstrous Thing author Mackenzi Lee—Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets the 1700s.
Henry “Monty” Montague doesn’t care that his roguish passions are far from suitable for the gentleman he was born to be. But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quests for pleasure and vice are 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.
So Monty 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, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.
Witty, dazzling, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is an irresistible romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.
Don’t miss Felicity’s adventures in The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, the highly anticipated sequel!
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I liked this one much better than I thought I would. I have to say I liked Monty quite a bit despite his ignorance of how privileged he was both in status, the fact that he is a male in a male run society, and white. He takes everything for granted while living life on the edge without the thought to the consequences. But what I really liked was the fact that Percy and his sister Felicity both called him out on his ignorance, his deplorable behavior, and selfishness. He got no free passes. But I respect that fact that he took these things in stride, he attempted to be better and understand where Percy was coming from and how Felicity felt. He wanted to understand and see their point of views and I can totally respect that.
I also liked Percy a lot. He was a great levelheaded character that tried to keep Monty in check. I liked seeing him through Monty’s eyes and how he once saw him at the beginning of this book gradually changes as he comes to understand him more towards the end. I liked their relationship, even though Monty was always messing things up by not telling Percy how he truly felt. I can see why Percy was so hesitant to open himself up to Monty. I really loved his character.
Felicity was likable as well, although she was a bit annoying to me through most of the book. I get that Monty was a hot mess, but I think she was hard on her brother. Even when he admitted things that he kept secret she kind of brushed it off and had no sympathy for him. She really didn’t show any remorse. She even went so far to suggest that if he stopped fooling around with men, their father wouldn’t be so “hard” on him. She took her own frustration at being a woman and the fact that she isn’t allowed to study medicine out on Monty for the simple fact that he is a male. But other than that I thought she was a very smart character and knew quite a bit about science.
I would have given this book more stars, but I was a little put off by the mystery of the box and all the stuff they went through to get it back to its owner and learning the contents of the box. I thought the book could have done without that bit of mystery and I honestly didn’t pay much attention towards the end because I really didn’t care about all that. I really just wanted to read about Monty on tour with Percy and them getting into trouble and falling in love. I still enjoyed reading this book nonetheless.
What a delightful book! It kept me guessing, it was laugh-out-loud funny, and so, so sweet.
This book was a good story of adventure and growing up. I did enjoy it.
Henry has a lot of growing up to do he drinks he gambles and he is a rake he sleeps around and can’t always remember with who.
It’s time to grow up but he has 1 year if adventure and touring before he must lead to take over his fathers estate but one screw up and he losses everything. Will he behave? Hahahha no!!!
He learns a lot about himself and his sister and best friend on this journey and learns to be less entitled and more compassionate.
Felicity his sister is my favorite character she’s such a hero. I can’t wait to read her story.
I loved the book and I love McKenzie as a writer. She makes it her job not only to have a compelling story and characters who have more traits than physical traits alone [having their own interests and hobbies and ailments to deal with] but she also utilizes having a diverse cast and making everyone love and understand where they come from without sugarcoding.
It’s taken me a while to think of a coherent review for this book, because up until now it would have just been me shrieking about how much I love it. The three main characters–Monty, Percy, and Felicity–are each very fun to start off with, and in every chapter they grow more and more endearing. Monty’s aimless debauchery is fun, and then the magic (?) of the alchemy adds some seriousness. The ending… the ending. Oh, the ending. It’s perfect. Queer historical romance, alchemical magic, political intrigue, and very friendly pirates make for a book I couldn’t put down.
Simply the most fun you’ll have reading historical fiction this year. This endlessly clever, over-the-top romp from Mackenzi Lee will have you grinning & gasping as you follow the adventures of intemperate bisexual lord Monty & his best friend (& crush) Percy through their Grand Tour gone oh-so-entertainingly wrong.
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is a young adult historical fiction novel. In this story you follow Monty who is accompanied by his best friend Percy and his sister Felicity on on his grand tour. When he returns home he will be expected to take over his family’s estate.
I loved this book. At first I was not sold on it, but as I heard others talk about it I wanted to give it a try. I am very happy that I did. There were times that I found myself laughing out loud to some of the witty things that were said. I loved how this story touched on so many things. One of the undertones was abuse, and they way that it was handled by the other characters was on point not once did they excuse it. For personal reasons this meant a lot to me. Those around Monty repeatedly told him it wasn’t okay even when he said he deserved it. I know that the abuse in this book is never talked about when people review it, but it explains a lot of what Monty does and how he thinks about himself. Yes he is in love with his best friend but he thinks that he does not deserve him so he does really stupid things that makes you want to shake him and say just stop and open your eyes. (yes I realize shaking him isn’t right but you know what I mean).
The love story is a slow burn and I really enjoyed it. You know from the beginning that they are in love with each other but they do not know this, so you get to watch the whole thing bloom. The transformation is just beautiful.
I absolutely loved Facility, she was the perfect balance for Monty. He could be so over the top and she was so down to earth. I really can not wait for the next book in this world since she is the lead in it.
I’m giving it a 4 because so much of the behaviour wasn’t reasonable for the time period, but it was a well-crafted, and actually researched story.
I liked how smoothly it went from irreverent Grand Tour story to adventure, and then mysticism. All three of the main characters matured, and I cared about them.
The hero’s letter to his father at the end was a masterpiece.
Even so, I ended up skimming a lot. Just seemed over the top. However, I fully see that this is my feeling, and I would still recommend the book.
Very likeable and funny characters, sarcasm and characters getting in over their heads in trouble. The romance was beautifully done and the brother anand sister relationship was precious. I loved this book!
Excellent adventure! Great characters, fun story, and lots to learn history-wise, even for a history buff. I much enjoyed it.
If I could give this novel 4.7 stars, I would. The ONLY reason I didn’t give it five stars is because I didn’t really connect to the characters for most of the first chapter and struggled to immerse.
But I am *so glad* I stuck it out, because this book is incredible.
From the beginning, the writing was rich and period-perfect, although unlike most 18th Century texts, I didn’t feel like I was muddling through it; it was easy to read although used several period-appropriate and unfamiliar words. Fortunately, they are few and far-between, and common enough that I could just tap the word on my Kindle and the definition would appear.
The characters are easy to empathize with, even if the reader doesn’t relate. Monty’s development and motivations felt natural. Felicity was a joy to read. Percy is outright adorable. Even minor characters are painted in such a way that they pop out of the page and the reader cares for their welfare.
What I loved most about this novel was Lee’s descriptive flare. She had passages that made me salivate for the beauty of them: descriptions of the night sky, the ocean, someone’s freckles.
I recommend this novel without hesitation, and I already have the sequel,
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, pre-ordered.
(originally posted to Goodreads under Anna Lillian Wade)
Very adorable story with great historical accuracy. Enjoyed the story but like the supporting characters more than main character. Looking forward to reading the next book in series.
This is literally my favorite book of all time. Everyone should read it.
If I could cuddle a book, I would. This was a delight to read. Total escapism. I dare you not to fall in love with Monty.
I enthusiastically give this book a five-star rating. I hadn’t enjoyed reading a book as much as I did this one in a long time. Even though it is a YA book I recommend it to adults as well. The characters are different from the norm, the plot is as funny as it is heart-wrenching at times. and the writing is fantastic. Absolutely loved it.
Loved the characters and their adventures afield and in love
What a great book. The main character is such a clueless idiot but so lovable. The adventures just build one upon the other. Who knew an European Tour could get so exciting. A very fun and funny read.
I enjoyed the witty wording and imagery in the first several chapters. The story line did begin to pall by the end, though, and some of the clever phrasing wore thin.
Filled with heart and fun. Don’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t this! Amazing read.
This was a good book. I’d give it more of a 3.5 than a four. The language and writing were beautiful. There was lots of witty dialogue, but I didn’t care much for the characters.
It covered a lot of modern day issues like race, sexuality, and gender without being preachy. Kudos!
I think the black pirates deserve to have their own story.