The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue follows Henry "Monty" Montague, a young British lord embarking on his Grand Tour of Europe in the 1700s, accompanied by his best friend Percy and his sister Felicity. What begins as a last hurrah before settling into the responsibilities of nobility transforms into an adventure across the continent. The trio finds themselves caught up in a dangerous pursuit involving theft, alchemy, and pirates as they flee across France, Spain, and Italy. Their journey forces them to navigate complex relationships, family expectations, and societal constraints while racing against time to uncover a mysterious secret. During their escapades, Monty confronts his feelings for Percy and grapples with his own identity as a bisexual nobleman in 18th century Europe. Felicity challenges gender roles of the era through her pursuit of medical knowledge. The novel explores themes of privilege, identity, and breaking free from societal expectations through a historical lens. Through its blend of adventure and romance, the story examines how people can transcend the limitations placed upon them by their time period and social status.

Readers describe this as a fun historical romance that balances humor with deeper themes of sexuality, privilege, and identity. Many praise the witty banter between characters and the authentic portrayal of a queer protagonist in a historical setting. Liked: - Character development and relationships - LGBTQ+ representation in historical fiction - Mix of adventure and romance - Audio narration by Christian Coulson - Fast-paced plot Disliked: - Main character can be frustrating/immature - Some found the plot meandering - Historical accuracy issues - Romance overshadows adventure elements - Side characters need more development Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (131,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,900+ ratings) BookPage: 4/5 Common reader comment: "A fun romp through 18th century Europe with complex characters dealing with serious issues while maintaining humor throughout." Critics note the book works better as a romance than an adventure story, with the relationship aspects receiving stronger reviews than the plot.

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🎩 Author Mackenzi Lee worked as a bookseller while writing this novel and used customer feedback about what teens wanted to read to help shape the story. ⚔️ The novel's portrayal of Grand Tour traditions is historically accurate—many young aristocratic men in the 18th century did embark on lengthy European tours as a rite of passage. 🏳️‍🌈 The book was groundbreaking in YA historical fiction for featuring an openly bisexual main character and exploring LGBTQ+ themes in a period setting. 🎭 The story was partially inspired by Lord Byron's famous travels through Europe and his reputation for scandal and adventure. 🌟 The novel won multiple awards, including the 2017 New England Book Award for Young Adult Literature and a Stonewall Honor Book designation from the American Library Association.