April 2020 First in a Series BOTM - The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, by Mackenzi Lee

[Alaina]

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.

[Erica]

Ch 7 (view spoiler)[ well this is definitely not a genre I would normally read but it is going pretty good so far. I was not expecting there to be books with gay men in the past. I feel horrible for Monty, his dad literally tried to beat the gayness out of his son :( (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

Ch 13 (view spoiler)[ poor Percy not only in this time period he is at a disadvantage due to skin color but he has epilepsy too :( I am so glad that things have changed in our society over the years. I hope that they are able to get the box to the proper person in Spain. Although I do still wonder why the king had it (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

Ch 20 (view spoiler)[ well this has turned into quite a mystery book. I wonder how someone may be dead but not dead at the same time lol I hope that they get to the tomb and are able to get the heart in time. Also I feel like this should count for something and that the Bourbon guy gets found out being evil. (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

finished (view spoiler)[ well that was a great book. I wasn't sure in the beginning being such a different genre than I was accustom to but it turned out great. I love Percy and Monty together. It takes lots of courage to be together even though it is still a crime during that time period. I hope his sister goes to medical school, she seems very talented in the medical field. (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

13% in and I'm loving the audiobook. (view spoiler)[I'm so sad he messed up everything by saying "I don't know, maybe" when Persei asked if it was a joke to kiss him. I'm excited to listen to the rest of the story! (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

26% (view spoiler)[At first I was feeling bad for Percy because he's clearly in love with Monty but Monty doesn't figure it out and they're both flirting with other people. Now we got a bit more information about Monty and the way his father treats him. I'm loving them more and more. The book is also funny at time and I love that. (hide spoiler)]
31% (view spoiler)[my heart... Percy's sick and I did not expect that.I can't believe his family want to send him in an asile. (hide spoiler)]
38% (view spoiler)["So long as you don't fall in love with me." Why did you say that Monty ??? Even as a joke, Percy's reaction made me want to hug him :( (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Erica wrote: "Ch 13 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yeah, I just wanted to hug Percy the entire time! It must have been so scary not to know why it was happening and having people thinking you're possessed. That's crazy! (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

Erica wrote: "finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I really liked it too. The audiobook did a pretty good job at immersing me into the story. I'm excited to read Felicity's story :) (hide spoiler)]

[Monica]

Ch 1 - I'm a procrastinator and just started yesterday, but definitely stayed up late and read through chapter 18. From the first 2 or 3 pages this book was not what I was expecting, but it was a happy surprise.

[Monica]

Ch 4 - (view spoiler)[I was struggling with Monty up until this point because he's so stuck on himself. But then the kiss happened. And I guess I'm still struggling with him because why does he say the worst possible things at the worst possible times? I felt like this should change their entire relationship... (hide spoiler)]

[Monica]

Ch 5 - (view spoiler)[So, so cringeworthy. I have no idea how you come back from presenting your naked self to a party at Versailles. I was traumatized for him, but also annoyed at him for still not taking anything seriously. (hide spoiler)]

[Monica]

Kelly wrote: "Erica wrote: "Ch 13 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I felt the same way. And Monty definitely could have responded better. I'm still struggling to find reasons why Percy sticks around when Monty seems to be such a jerk to him sometimes. Here's hoping that this starts Monty's redemption arc, otherwise I'm going to be quite upset. (hide spoiler)]

[Monica]

Ch 20 - (view spoiler)[I really hope that Monty gets over this idea of cutting a women's heart out of her chest and feeding it to Percy. It speaks badly of him, and it doesn't really sound like something that Percy would allow. I'm also not sure that I'd want to read that. (hide spoiler)]

[Erica]

Monica wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Erica wrote: "Ch 13 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

There is a very good reason you will find out as you keep reading ;)

[Monica]

(view spoiler)[Awwwwwww. That was worth it! I already got the sequels as ebooks from the library :D :D :D (hide spoiler)]