The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (June 2020) Buddy Read Discussion - Raquel & Bopeep & Samantha & April

[Aless, Discord/Readathon Procrastinator]

Welcome to The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on June 21st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each week we will be reading by chapters. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 6/21
June 21: Chapters 1-5
June 22: Chapters 6-9
June 23: Chapters 10-15
June 24: Chapters 16-19
June 25: Chapters 20-24
June 26: Chapters 25-28
June 27: Chapters 29-30


PARTICIPANTS
~ Raquel
~ Bopeep
~ Samantha
~ April

[⚡️Samantha⚡️]

I would like to join as well!

[Bopeep]

Nice! Anyone is welcome here!

[Aless, Discord/Readathon Procrastinator]

⚡️Samantha⚡️ wrote: "I would like to join as well!"

You are added!

[⚡️Samantha⚡️]

Thank you!!

[Aless, Discord/Readathon Procrastinator]

⚡️Samantha⚡️ wrote: "Thank you!!"

No problem!

[Jeeya]

Hi can you add me too? Thanks!

[Aless, Discord/Readathon Procrastinator]

April wrote: "Hi can you add me too? Thanks!"

Of course!

[Raquel]

That last chapter was kind of hard to get through with how long it was but I did it! Hopefully the rest of the chapters are a more decent size 😅 Here are my thoughts on the book so far!

(view spoiler)[I'm enjoying this book quite a bit. Childhood friends to lovers is a favorite trope of mine so I love the romance going on between Monty and Percy. I was surprised it moved so quickly though, I was expecting more pining and obliviousness from both sides before they did anything together.

The last chapter made me really frustrated with Monty though. I started this book feeling bad for him since his father is so mean to him, and he lives in a time period where being bisexual is looked down upon. After the racist comments he made toward Percy and the sexist comment he made about Jeanne I'm feeling little love for him now. He is way too self-absorbed.

I love characters who have amazing character growth though, so hopefully that'll be the case with this book. Monty better have a SUPER great apology for Percy after what was said to him because I would not hesitate to end a friendship over comments like that.

Not exactly sure what to expect next. I'm curious about that box Monty stole from the duke...
(hide spoiler)]

[⚡️Samantha⚡️]

Finished reading for today! And yeah @Raquel, chapter 5 was a lot longer than I was expecting. Quick thoughts on the book:

(view spoiler)[
{This book is really entertaining so far! Monty's rapscallion/troublemaker/player personality intrigued me at first, but I was a little shocked by his racist and sexist comments in chapter 5. I feel less sorry for him and more irritated with his arrogance. I really hope he grows up and realizes that the world he lives in is different for individuals like Felicity and Percy. But excited for more adventurous things for sure...}
(hide spoiler)]

[Bopeep]

I'm a little behind, yesterday I forgot the book x.x

I'm on chapter 4 right now~ It's so fun, and I want to know a bit more about Felicity :) In fact it caught my attention her book than this one hahaha
(view spoiler)[And reading chapter 4 I thought "wow, it would be a story were Monty declares and kisses Percy when the journey ends" and then NOPE. Hahaha fool me. But in fact the problems start now... (hide spoiler)]

[Raquel]

@Bopeep I'm liking Felicity too! She seems to be the most level headed one of the whole group and I can't wait to learn more about her!

This is not the best week for me to be experiencing book burnout 😅 I'm glad there's only two chapters on the last day in case I fall behind. I did make it through chapter 9 though so here are my thoughts!

(view spoiler)[I continue to feel bad for how Monty's father has treated him, but it's hard to sympathize when he uses that as an excuse to not care about anyone else's pain. I don't understand how he keeps on getting truth bombs thrown at him from all directions but he continues to not do anything to improve his personality. Come on Monty! Your closest friend and love of your life is in pain and you still can't get rid of that self-centered personality of yours 😡

On another note, I really want to know what's inside that puzzle box. (hide spoiler)]

[Bopeep]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[At first it really reminded me to "Red, White and Royal blue" because all the decadance with alochol and so.

But then Monty, on chapter 5, I could see Monty is so selfish that he doesn't even know how privileged he is. So totally agree with you about this.
I think he would probably have a great development... But in any case I like Monty being punished like this. Being a victimist is no good.

Anyway apartfrom being an asshole, I laughed a lot of the situation of Monty being naked in front of all the aristocracy LOLOLOL (hide spoiler)]

Later today I'll read more, but I have to do some homework now! Not sure what will happen, and I'm so curious. I don't feel it would have a bad ending though... but a lot of problems.
Oh, I think buddy reads are quite nice for book burnouts, but you can read at your own peace if you don't feel like it ^^

[Bopeep]

Do you know about what I was so excited about reading Chapter 8?
THE CATALAN. OMG I read the sentence two times and I got excited because omg I FOUND MY OWN LANGUAGE IN A BOOK WRITTEN BY AN ENGLISH PERSON. OMG. AAAAAH

... Sorry about that, but it was so rare!

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[Oh, totally true, it's so hard to emphatize... It's like a rollercoaster. And this is how we know that life isn't black or white, there are a lot of greys in the middle. I feel bad because of his depression, and feeline useless. Sometimes I feel so related, though I think when I'm honest I try to soften my words. And yes, even if the others told him he does anything to change his mentality.
Also... Percy has had an epileptic attack? x.x
I feel so nice about this book. This isn't just a love story, but a nice adventure too! I like it too because of the politics of that moment, that are so relatable. (In fact, the actual king of Spain is a Borbon... and it has been a problematic period during its war, that takes place on 17xx XD).

(hide spoiler)]

[Raquel]

@Bopeep I was actually kind of confused about the whole Spain has a Bourbon king and the prime minister of France is a Bourbon. Do you know if they are from the same family? I have studied European history but all the kings and queens have always gotten me confused...

Here are my thoughts through chapter 15!

(view spoiler)[
That scene where they had to dress up as women was funny and clever! I'm surprised they got away with it. I love that the grandmothers and Pascal were so willing to help though I feel bad about their fair. I hope Monty is able to repay them someday.

The rooftop scene was really cute. I'm glad we're kind of out of the awkward period of Monty and Percy's romance. I was starting to worry this book would be all fights and awkward moments between them. I also really liked the scene between Monty and his sister. I'm glad they're using this time to get close because they're more alike then they realize.

I'm enjoying the adventure of this book too! I'm hoping that at the end of it all Monty discovers something that he wants to do outside of running the family estate. I really don't want him to go back to such an abusive father. Also, screw Percy's aunt and uncle for making him feel bad about his epilepsy.

I wonder what's up with Dante and Helena? (hide spoiler)]

[Bopeep]

Yep, probably they are from the same family. I can't tell you right now but they had a war for the throne in Spain on XVIII century against... Carlists? not sure. And the different regions of Spain agreed to one or the other, so when the Bourbons won, they attacked and conquered the other regions.
I'm probably wrong but that's what I remember from my history classes haha

[Bopeep]

ok, not carlists but austriacs (Habsurg family) xD looked it on wikipedia

[Raquel]

@Bopeep Thanks! That makes more sense to me now. I love how well researched this book seems to be!

[Raquel]

Made it through chapter 19! Chapter 18 was another 40+ page chapter so beware for those who approach it lol.

This book is going in all kinds of directions I wasn't expecting. Here are my thoughts.

(view spoiler)[
I loved all the soft moments between Percy and Monty in this chunk of the book. That footsy scene was just so cute! I also kind of like Felicity with Dante even though I know it's probably not gonna happen.

So much has been happening in this book that it really feels like the beginning of the book happened forever ago. Despite not expecting where this book was going I'm enjoying it! Everything just fits together perfectly.

Dante and Helena are such interesting and contrary characters. They both care so much about their father even if what they're doing will destroy their mother. I really hope Monty doesn't go through with the plan to eat the mother's heart. At least Percy seems against it thank goodness. I get that Monty wants to help Percy but he's not giving Percy any say in the matter which is annoying.
(hide spoiler)]

[Bopeep]

last chapter read: 15! I slowly advance in this haha

Raquel, I totally agree with you with the lovely scene between Percy and Monty. With her sister too. He's so selfish and doesn't think about the consequences of his actions, but I tink that slowly he would empathise with them.
The adventure feels so nice, I didn't expect it but I'm so glad to be reading this!
Yep, I want to know more about Dante and Helena... Maybe his father isn't dead at all...? But with somehow maybe he is because all his obsession with death. Hmmm...
I'll probably read a lot on the weekend to go as we planned jeje

[⚡️Samantha⚡️]

Made it through chapter 24! I'm a little behind schedule, but doing my best to push through. I've been listening to the audiobook as well as physically reading this book, and I just want to give a quick shoutout to the audiobook reader for all his beautifully funny voices and for getting me through the book.

Here are my rambly thoughts so far:

(view spoiler)[
Dante and Helena are such interesting characters, and oddly enough, I'm really liking their sibling dynamic. I like how Monty's character is beginning to shift from "it's all about me" to actually thinking about the welfare of other people.

I went from feeling bad for Monty because he is bisexual in an era that views it as sin, to feeling disgusted with him for his behavior and racist/sexist comments, and now I'm beginning to warm up to him. The scene where he was slapped by one of the guards for stealing and it reminded him of the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father was such an eye-opening scene. His character definitely has more layers than I originally thought.

Monty and Percy's relationship is JUST SO CUTE! I did not think I would be rooting so hard for them, but I just love it. I just love it so much. I also am really appreciating the diversity of the languages in this book and the way in which racism and sexism are discussed--especially pertaining to the group of black pirates that capture Monty, Percy, and Felicity.

Felicity is GOALS! Arguably my favorite character of all time. I mean stitching up her own arm for the first time ever after getting wounded? What a bold move. She would make an absolute amazing doctor if she ever has the chance to be one.

Alright. Rambly thoughts are over :)
(hide spoiler)]

[Raquel]

Finished it! This book was a wild ride.

(view spoiler)[
Pirates, yes!!!!!!!! I love pirates so much. I couldn't stop reading when they were introduced. I really hope they got their letters of marque and that Felicity goes with them. I can't wait to read her book!

I am so so so happy about the ending. For the longest time I was worried it would be a bittersweet ending with Monty and Percy admitting their feelings for each other, but Monty deciding to go home anyway. I'm glad he decided to run away with Percy and I hope their lives aren't full of too many difficulties. I love how the story came full circle when they broke up the Kintsugi pottery again. It was so beautiful 😭

I'm surprised by how quickly everything was wrapped up in the end though. I wonder if the duke is really dead and if we'll ever see Helena again?

I am so impressed with the author's knowledge of this time period. Reading the Author's Note at the back made me realize all over again the magnificent job Mackenzi Lee did bringing 18th century Europe to life.
(hide spoiler)]

Here's my review if anyone is interested in reading it! Raquel's Review
This book made me feel a lot of things so it's pretty long 😅

@Samantha This book does handle the topics of abuse, racism, sexism, and ableism really well. Mackenzi Lee is a fantastic author. I'm looking forward to reading her other books.

[Bopeep]

Finished it too ^^

(view spoiler)[I loved the ending of chapter 17, when Felicity says that women couldn't have the luxury to feel aprehensive about blood. Most of our lives we see it each month...

I LOVE PIRATES TOO. I expected them on the sequel, but not here. I'm glad they appeared <3 I loved the part of "the boys are useless, but you are not!" hahaha Also they were lucky to stay with some good ones instead of cruel. I love the tripulation, and Scipion specially.

Oh, I didn't feel it could be a bittersweet ending... But I was expecting the boys to go with the pirates too. That comparison with the kintsugi was nice :)
From the beggining I thought that Monty wouldn't return home. And the fact that he has known something new from his father... Checkmate.

Well, the author is an historian, and when something catches your eye... you can't stop reading about it. I had a bit of history knoledge -as I said before- and I also feel some kind of aprehension for the Bourbons IRL too.
(hide spoiler)]

[Raquel]

@Bopeep I won't be able to do it in July since I already have so many other books I'll be reading, but if you want to buddy read the next book at some point I'm all in! This book was super good and I'm interested in seeing where Felicity's story takes her (and to hopefully get more pirates 😉).

Anyone else is welcome too of course 😊

[Bopeep]

Booh I read it translated in Spanish and I don't know when they'll be releasing the second one... It's horrible waiting when you have buddies that want to read them too!
It happens the same with The Toll, they didn't release it yet here... *cries in Spanish*

[Raquel]

That's does suck, I hate having to wait for books to get translated 😔 I probably won't be getting to the second book any time soon since I have so many other books I need to read, so when I do get around to reading it I'll reach out again and hopefully it'll have been translated!

[⚡️Samantha⚡️]

Finally finished the book! Here is my review if any of you are interested:

Samantha's Review!