The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee - Book Review

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Seventeen year old Henry Montague, or 'Monty' to his friends, was born into a wealthy family, as the son of an earl, but disappoints his father by being given to gambling, drink, and, most scandalously, a tendency to fancy other boys. Monty is being sent on a grand tour of Europe with Percy, his best friend. Monty's sister, Felicity is also coming with them, to be taken to her finishing school abroad. Monty expects the trip to be his last hurrah, a final opportunity to have fun with Percy before being forced to come home and take over the family business and marry a woman of his father's choosing. However, an impulsive misdeed on Monty's part lands the three teenagers in much more trouble than they could have imagined.

This book is an exciting historical romp, complete with pirates, alchemy and romance. It was a nice change to find some historical fiction that isn't solely about straight white people; Percy is black, which causes several inns to refuse lodging to the band of travellers, and Monty is head over heels in love with his best friend. Then there's Felicity, the no-nonsense girl who hides medical textbooks inside romance novels and dreams of becoming a doctor, in an age when women aren't allowed to do anything of the sort.

The audiobook version, available on audible , is narrated by British actor, Christian Coulson, who played Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. He does a terrific job of bringing the characters, especially Monty, to life.

If you enjoy this book, there is a sequel about Felicity's adventures, called The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, and a novella called The Gentleman's Guide To Getting Lucky, which follows Percy and Monty after this book leaves off. I adored Felicity, so I will definitely be picking up the sequel to read more about her.

The romance is sweet and awkward, as teenage love is wont to be, and the plot is full of action and adventure. All in all, this book is a lot of fun. I'd definitely recommend it to fans of historical romance and young adult readers who like a happy ending.

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