The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Guide #1) by Mackenzi Lee -- Restarting September 20th 2023

[Grace =^_^=]

I'm rewinding a bit. Need to re-read the beginning.
Ch. 1-2 (view spoiler)[ I really like Lee's writing voice. The opening scene in Monty's bedroom is easy to picture in my mind. She quickly establishes Monty's character as a spoiled but charming & wise-cracking scoundrel. I already have an idea of what he sounds like while I'm reading his POV.

How old is he? 17? Felicity's 15. And I imagine Percy's about the same age as Monty - old enough to be starting law school at the end of their tour of the Continent. I'm still curious to know exactly how Monty and Percy got to be friends. Not too many details are given at this point.

Monty's father is awful. So cold & cruel - threatening Monty of disowning him if he hears about him "mucking around with boys." (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Jamie wrote: "Ch 7 [spoilers removed]"

OMG YES I LOVE THIS COMPARISON!!!

[Dr. Andy]

Grace wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Ch. 5 [spoilers removed]

Andrea- I agree that He and Percy also really need to talk and figure out what is up between them."

[spoilers removed]"

Yeah Grace it is a coming of age story with some adventure/mystery. (view spoiler)[ Monty does have at least one struggle but you might not have gotten to it yet (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Grace wrote: "I'm rewinding a bit. Need to re-read the beginning.
Ch. 1-2 I really like Lee's writing voice. The opening scene in Monty's bedroom is easy to picture in my mind. She quickly establishes Monty's ..."

(view spoiler)[ Yeah Monty is between 17 and 19 I think. Honestly with that opening scene I thought Monty and Percy were already involved because I never thought two men could sleep together like that and have it be okay with the time period. It was interesting!! (hide spoiler)]

[Grace =^_^=]

Andrea wrote: "Grace wrote: "I'm rewinding a bit. Need to re-read the beginning.
Ch. 1-2 I really like Lee's writing voice. The opening scene in Monty's bedroom is easy to picture in my mind. She quickly establi..."

(view spoiler)[ Maybe their privileged class has something to do with what was accepted - in the privacy of their own homes? Clearly, his father is not okay with Monty being w/ guys, though. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace =^_^=]

Ch. 7 - 8: (view spoiler)[ The tone has gotten more serious. Monty's father beat him to a pulp!

Monty's an alcoholic. He seems desperate for a drink all the time.

Percy probably had an epileptic seizure. Felicity's a smart girl; she knew what to do. If it was an epileptic seizure, I'm surprised that Monty hadn't known sooner. They've been friends since childhood. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Ch 12 (view spoiler)[Really liking Felicity a lot. Glad to see Monty is willing to risk his future to hopefully help Percy. Although it is almost like Percy doesn't want that.... (hide spoiler)]

[Grace =^_^=]

Ch. 15 -17 (view spoiler)[ I like the scene b/w Felicity & Monty having a brother-sister conversation. I'm liking Felicity. She's growing on me. She's showing empathy & compassion toward Monty. Even though she's currently of the mind that being gay is "unnatural", she's trying to understand, trying to open her mind.

To think that being gay was illegal! The book is set in the eighteenth century but there's still a prevalent mindset today that "humans are made to be attracted to the opposite sex. Not the same one. That's how nature operates."

I have a feeling they're going to run into Bourbon at the opera. Why didn't Helena shoo them away after they returned the puzzle box? I was surprised she asked them to stay on longer at her home.
I don't think Mateu Robles is dead. Dante keeps forgetting to use the past tense when speaking about his supposedly dead father. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace =^_^=]

Final thoughts (view spoiler)[ I actually feel bad about admitting this, but I didn't like it as much as I hoped I would. It started off great. I was having a good time, but my enthusiasm kind of plateaued after awhile. Their trek across Europe to get the cure-all wasn't that interesting to me.
I am glad that Monty decides not to return home at the end. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Grace wrote: "Ch. 15 -17 I like the scene b/w Felicity & Monty having a brother-sister conversation. I'm liking Felicity. She's growing on me. She's showing empathy & compassion toward Monty. Even though she's ..."

(view spoiler)[I don't think so either at this point. Helena seems fishy to me. Not sure of Dante. I was expecting a bigger meet of someone at the Opera though. Got hyped for a confrontation.. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Grace wrote: "Final thoughts I actually feel bad about admitting this, but I didn't like it as much as I hoped I would. It started off great. I was having a good time, but my enthusiasm kind of plateaued after ..."

Done (view spoiler)[I am glad Percy was strong enough in person to refuse the cure-all. I am happy that Monty choose Percy over this set future but I wish he had confronted his father in person (instead of letter) one last time and finally stood up to him. Plus maybe her his hands on some of his belongings, jewels etc that where his so he and Percy would have a slightly easier start. They will have a tough future ahead sadly and however unfair it is. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting April 1st 2018. Happy Reading ☺

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[Lee]

30% (view spoiler)[ I'm really enjoying this so far! It started off pretty light and fluffy and has definitely gotten darker.

Monty may be privileged, but living with a dad like he does definitely doesn't make his life easy. I mean good lord he beat him. :c

I'm really liking Felicity. She's so intelligent and can definitely hold her own!! (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

38% (view spoiler)[ I really hope they figure out how to get Percy out of going to the aslyum because in this time that's the worst thing that could happen. Save Percy!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

68% (view spoiler)[ this needs to slow down please. i'm enjoying this too much. and monty crying was just.... a really nice touching scene. (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

78% (view spoiler)[ and now they are captured by pirates??? hahaha. they are just incredibly unlucky. (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ This is really funny so far. I really like Henry and the way he talks about Percy. I am interested to hear more about them. Henry's family seem so mean, particularly his Dad and Felicity. (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ wow that kiss after the poem! I am glad they kissed, but it crumbles quite quickly. They both obviously feel more for each other than just “messing around”. I thought the way they handled it was funny. Like how Henry pushed him and then asked are you alright haha (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ that was so funny how Henry says he wanted to run away but everyone else is being brave so he had to be.

I wonder what this trinket box is holding! (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I just really enjoyed that. Like a lot. I'm not sure I have the proper words to describe how much I enjoyed that. Monty grew up so much and that letter he wrote to his father, the end of it definitely made me chuckle. I'm glad they finally got their feelings towards one another sorted out too!! That was such a long time coming. (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

Chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ so Percy has epilepsy. I don’t see what the big deal is, like maybe because it’s a whole other time and it’s looked upon as a serious condition. These days it is manageable and so common. (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Shae wrote: "Chapter 9 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yessssss. Like this really isn't that big of a deal today and idk if it discusses it in that chapter, but I never knew that they explained epilepsy like that. (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

Erin wrote: "30% I'm really enjoying this so far! It started off pmake ..."

(view spoiler)[ I can’t believe his dad beat him! It’s so sad.

I am really liking felicity too now. Especially how she just goes with their plans even when she thinks they are ludicrous. She reminds me a little or hermione (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

Erin wrote: "38% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I can’t beleive they get sent to an asylum either!! I hope they can save him (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ I love Felicity! I love how she drinks the cognac and Henry says it’s an acquired taste and she says why would you want to acquire a taste for something so horrible! Hahahahha!


I love how she talks to him about is bisexuality as well. It’s sad though how in that time it’s not accepted (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ that’s so sad how everyone usually leaves Percy when he has a seizure! I hope they can find the thing that could help Percy get better (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Ch 1-3 (view spoiler)[ THIS IS SO DAMN CUTE. I love Monty, he's such a scoundrel but the way he thinks about Percy is adorable. Monty's father is an ass though, and while I appreciate Felicity's love for reading, she seems very rude. (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

Erin wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I really enjoyed it too!! It was amazing. How good was the line

“We are not broken things, neither of us. We are cracked pottery mended with laquer and flakes of gold, whole as we are, complete unto each other. Complete and worthy and so very loved.”

Man the feels there!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Shae]

✨Skye✨ wrote: "Ch 1-3 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ his dad is an arse!! I felt like that about felicity early on too! (hide spoiler)]

[Lee]

Shae wrote: "Erin wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

[Spoilers removed]

(view spoiler)[ Yesssssss!! I loved that. The quote and the fact that that fact about pottry was brought up because it's so beautiful and it makes the line beautiful and ughhhh. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Ch4-7 (view spoiler)[ Felicity is growing on me, She seems very competent. Monty is rude and has problems but I hate how the others at the ball treated him. The kiss between him and Percy was so sweet. My favourite scene so far is Monty talking about how his father treats him for his sexuality, it's so heart breaking but so important. When he said if his father could beat it out if him, he'd let him, I nearly cried. I hate how people see Percy as a commodity because of his skin colour. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Ch 8-13 (view spoiler)[ Oh no, Percy can't go to an asylum! That's so awful. Epilepsy may not have a cure, but it's a manageable illness. Poor Felicity too, she just wants to study medicine but can't because she's a woman. This is all historically accurate and so frustrating to read about. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Shae wrote: "✨Skye✨ wrote: "Ch 1-3 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Some great character development going on though :D

[✨Skye✨]

Ch 14-20 (view spoiler)[ Aw, Monty's so desperate to heal Percy. It's sweet but also super ableist-I'm hoping there'll be a whole positive message about that. Helena really gives me the creeps, I had bad vibes from her from the start. I wonder if Felicity is asexual? (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Ch 21-26 (view spoiler)[ Oh Monty, it hurt so much when he flinched from Scipio's friendly touch. Scipio seems like a good guy and he creates a lot of important discussions around race. This book is so deep but also sweet-moments like those plus the moment when Percy admitted he liked Monty too. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Finished, and I loved it! So cute, but so important.

[Maddie]

Shae wrote: "Chapter 4 [spoilers removed]"

But (view spoiler)[the denial!! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Erin wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

Agree with (view spoiler)[the letter and Percy :D (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Shae wrote: "Chapter 9 [spoilers removed]"

Yeah clearly they don't have the medication :( But so true how (view spoiler)[he's the same as he's always been but Monty now views him differently :( (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Shae wrote: "Erin wrote: "38% [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

He isn't even (view spoiler)[crazy. not the way we view crazy to be. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Shae wrote: "Chapter 15 I love Felicity! I love how she drinks the cognac and Henry says it’s an acquired taste and she says why would you want to acquire a taste for something so horrible! Hahahahha!


I lov..."

Haha YES I love how (view spoiler)[she's totally so blunt and such a great character. You go girl, not wanting to drink alcohol because it tastes gross :D Like me XD (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Finished. Review: I'm disappointed that I didn't like this book as much as everyone else. It's raged and raved about so much, and I had high hopes, but I was let down :( I didn't like Monty as a character, he was too (view spoiler)[casual about everything, especially how he's happy to drink and whore around. And he never has consequences for his actions. I feel like without Percy he would easily have turned into his father. (hide spoiler)] The sister was awesome, how she (view spoiler)[was pretending to read novels but actually be reading medical books :p (hide spoiler)] And Percy is just a sweetie. Although the (view spoiler)[denial in this book is something I always rate very low. I can't stand it. (hide spoiler)] Probably won't be continuing this series.

[Gabi]

I'm going to be starting this book today! I've heard amazing things about it and I'm really excited!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting June 6th 2018. Happy Reading ☺

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[CallMeSensei]

Anyone still planning to pick this up? Just started this morning.

[Ari]

Yup! I'm planning to start it tomorrow

[CallMeSensei]

Ari wrote: "Yup! I'm planning to start it tomorrow"

Yay! okay :)

[Natalia]

I'm also starting it tomorrow

[CallMeSensei]

Closing of chapter 7: (view spoiler)[ Monty's situation simultaneously makes me want to hug him and tell him to just WAKE UP already. His dad's a jerk and the situation sucks but, with regards to Percy, I just want him to grow up a little.

I love Felicity so far? She seems really resourceful. And fiesty.
And I don't really feel like I've gotten a good glimpse at Percy yet. But he kinda seems too good for Monty so far.

Not sure really where the story will go but I'm enjoying Monty's voice as he narrates the story. (hide spoiler)]

[CallMeSensei]

Closing of chapter 13: (view spoiler)[

Oookay... the plot of this novel is not all going how I thought it was going to go. So the thing Monty stole, on a whim, might be a cure all for Percy's epilepsy? That's really convenient. Also, they just automatically trust every person they run into will help them? That doesn't really seem smart. I'm just not sure how plausible this plotline is... we'll see.

And Monty is frighteningly unaware of what's going on with his sister and his best friend. Also, he seems to have no idea what effect his casual jokes have on them despite his own issues...? Just how dense can you be? (hide spoiler)]