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

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

I'm a little late. I'm starting this today. :)

[Karen]

Read the opening chapter-irreverent style. Wanted to wait until the thread was up so I'm going to finish Every Last Breath then get onto it.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Karen wrote: "Read the opening chapter-irreverent style. Wanted to wait until the thread was up so I'm going to finish Every Last Breath then get onto it."

KK. :)

[Karen]

Ch1-3. (view spoiler)[ Very light-hearted tone, but the bigotry revealed is depressing. They've left Cheshire and the plan seems to be coming rather unstuck. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch5-I admire the gusto with which this is told, but the incident with Percy ends on an 'ouch' note.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Karen wrote: "Ch1-3. [spoilers removed]"

I agree about the bigotry. :/

[Karen]

Up to ch7. Things haven't gone quite where I expected them. The opera and party scenes reminded me of something from the TV show Queer as Folk, but now we're into more serious territory.

[Karen]

Up to ch12. (view spoiler)[ Dangerous territory, but it's good to see Felicity getting more involved now. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch19. (view spoiler)[ Felicity is probably my favourite character-she's sparky, in spite of her position in society. Story makes more sense now we've worked out a little more about the box and its purpose. (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Karen wrote: "Up to ch5-I admire the gusto with which this is told, but the incident with Percy ends on an 'ouch' note."

I completely agree. I actually had to stop reading for a while after that incident as it was too emotionally fraught for me. :(

[Karen]

Up to ch25. Worst pirates, ever!

[Karen]

Can't wait to see what you make of this. Not what I expected, but that's no bad thing.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

I have to DNF this. I can't get back into it. Sorry. :/

[Abi]

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Reading from the 7th of September 2017

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[Lisa]

Hi :)
I'm excited to start this book :)

[Mimmi]

Oohhhh I think I'll join in for this one! Ordered the book a few days ago so it should be here until then :)

[Tavia]

I think I'm going to join you guys for this one!

[cors]

Im gonna read this one now, my copy just arrived and I need to start it. ASAP

[Mimmi]

Starting this now! I'm so hyped for this one oml

[Mimmi]

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ Dear lord I was like: "No way the ship is going to sail already..." and then it crashed and... Why did I even get my hopes up?? That was a sweet scene though. (hide spoiler)]

Really enjoying it so far! I've found myself not knowing whether to laugh or feel sad quite a lot already. One sentence is funny and then the next one is just heartbreaking and I'm going to be a real emotional mess if it continues like this...

[Lisa]

Forgot to post updates, sorry :)

Chapter 1-4: (view spoiler)[I like the concept of 2 "friends" taking a year of and traveling Europe together, want to do that too... :( Okay, so far i really like Felicity! She seems like a very independent woman in this society that's still only for men and she likes reading :) I like the story so far (Percy and Henry are sweet) - even it was a frustrating ending of chapter 4 :) (hide spoiler)]

[Mimmi]

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[Man I really wasn't expecting the book to take these turns. Especially how dark everything became in chapter 9. Uuugggghhh I really like the characters so far and reading about them in pain just got the feels out of me :( So well, not quite expected, but I really like it! (hide spoiler)]

[Mimmi]

Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[ Oh my god that scene where Monty started crying was so touching :( I'm also somewhat distraught by how quickly these pages are flying by~ I don't want it to end! (hide spoiler)]

[Mimmi]

Chapter 27: (view spoiler)[ This chapter was so extra ;-; So sweet and hilarious and then all of a sudden wrong and dark :( The dialogue is so incredibly and I think I'll have to admit that drunk Monty is one of my favorite things (not SAD drunk Monty though poor baby) (hide spoiler)]

[Mimmi]

Finished! Messy review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (It's basically just me squealing. )

[San]

I didn't know that there was a BR. I'm starting this book right now. Hope to enjoy it! :D

[Lisa]

I'm a bit behind with this book, so you don't have to read it alone :)

[cors]

I did not finish this book, it's just not my mood rn. Hope you guys enjoy it tho!

[Lisa]

@Coreen: yeah, totally understand you :)

[San]

I have similar problem with Queen of Shadows. It's such a good book but somehow I can't read it. :(

[Lisa]

Queen of Shadows is a book i have on hold :)
It always, if i don't continue for some time i just can't get back into it.

[San]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[ So far so good :) It's such an easy reading. I adore main characters and I already ship them so much. (hide spoiler)]

[San]

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ I was so shocked that they kissed already and I was starting to fangirling but then this ship sank :( (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

totally with you on this one :(

[San]

Lisa wrote: "totally with you on this one :("

But I still hope that this ship will sail again!

[San]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[ Chapter 5 was such an emotional rollercoaster. At first I was angry how these stupid rich snobs treated Percy. It was heartbreaking how hard his life is because of colour of his skin. And then I was sad because Monty and Percy didn't talk with each other. And then I was laughing because Monty wouldn't be himself if he didn't fall in troubles.
I was sure that stealing from Duke will bring more troubles. Glad that I was right. :D (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[Henri is a big ass! nothing more to say :) (hide spoiler)]

[San]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ Oh, no... Why everything bad is happening to Percy? :( (hide spoiler)]

[San]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[ Monty and Percy are so adorable together. When Monty started to cry I wanted Percy to hug him and never let him go. I need so much this ship to sail!
The story with the box makes more sense now. But I don't like that Monty tricked Mateu by promising to help. I hope that he will change his mind. But on the second hand I want Percy to be cured. Is there a way to get both? (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

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Reading from the 2nd of March 2018

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[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 6 (view spoiler)[ God sometimes I want to smack Monty. He’s so stuck up and full to the brim of prejudice. It’s like he doesn’t care how the world works unless it affects him. And that horrible scene at the party, yeah I get that he’s trying to have fun or whatever, but can’t he have some decency?? I feel horrible for Percy and Felicity, kudos to them for putting up with Monty. The night at the theater between Monty and Percy was pretty intense, I feel like they should actually talk about that rather than pretend it didn’t happen. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 12 (view spoiler)[ I’m glad Percy got an earful from Lockwood, he deserved being yelled at for once. The highwaymen chasing them was pretty intense and I’m surprised to hear/see Percy has epilepsy!! Monty’s reaction to Percy telling him was kind of horrible. Monty needs to stop thinking about himself for like 5 seconds and try to care about his friend. Come on ugh. I’m definitely starting to like Felicity a lot and things seem to be moving faster now. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 18 (view spoiler)[ I knew Helena and Dante were acting suspicious!! Their father isn’t even dead. What’s up with this heart and alchemy business. I’m really fascinated by it all. Hope we learn more about it soon. And jesus the sexual tension between Percy and Monty really needs to be worked before Monty explodes from lust or something. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 24 (view spoiler)[ Pirates!! Or fake pirates, I like it!! The fight with Helena had me super worried for Monty. He’s been so abused it makes me want to cry. He is better than what his father has been telling him, but he does have flaws/weaknesses. I want Monty to strive to be better and to be happy with himself. He’s slowly coming around and seeing the other problems people face which I’m enjoying. I really hope Percy and he give their relationship a chance, I think it would be so cute!! I wish Felicity could understand Monty’s attraction for both sexes, it’s totally natural and there’s nothing wrong with it. At this point Felicity seems a little asexual herself so… (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Ugh I was so mad at Monty for getting shit faced drunk at that party and being caught by those soldiers. I also really hated the Duke of Bourban and he deserved to sink with that island. I’m glad Helena came around too, I didn’t think was bad per se but definitely desperate. Maybe now that the Duke is out of the way, she and her father can be reunited. I’m so happy about how things seem to have worked out for the trio. Monty and Percy can finally have a chance at happiness together and Felicity can become a medic with the privateers. I’m overjoyed with the ending of this even if some of it is bittersweet. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Can't wait to see what you think of this one Jamie!

[Grace =^_^=]

Looking forward to chatting about this. I'm only on Ch. 4, just finishing up another book. I think Monty is so funny! And I find myself reading the story w/ a British accent.

[Dr. Andy]

They are English so it's only natural!!

[Jamie]

Alright I am slowly starting this. Sorry, work has done a major change in my work schedule as of Sun and I am having a bit of a hard time adjusting. So combine it with a late start....But new reading it more actively!

[Jamie]

Ch. 5 (view spoiler)[I have mixed thoughts on Monty so far. He is a snob but also a sense low self-worth. He needs to actually decide what he needs. He can't have all the perks of his life or title and money without some 'work' I think he needs to step up a bit, and at least make some efforts with what his father wants (and that he will inherit) or just give it up and live how he wants but be broke and no title. (hide spoiler)]

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

[Grace =^_^=]

Finished Ch. 6 (view spoiler)[ I'm finding Monty's narrative and personality entertaining, but until they got stopped by the highwaymen, I was starting to wonder if there was an actual plot to the story. Not much was happening except for some shenanigans on Monty's part. (hide spoiler)]

[Grace =^_^=]

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."

(view spoiler)[ Monty is definitely very spoiled and has not had to struggle his entire privileged life. I haven't read the synopsis of the story, but maybe this book is kind of a coming-of-age type story? Like Great Expectations - only in reverse? (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Ch 7 (view spoiler)[This might seem like a strange comparison but lately I have been rewatching the tv house House M.D and I cannot help but sort of see Monty as House (he drinks instead of pops pills) with his attitude of others and Percy is like Wilson. His best friend whom cares about his troubled friend but is constantly pissed at his stupid chooses. (hide spoiler)]