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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you are interested in reading about white queer men in Victorian England, this book is for you. Otherwise it’s a pretty mediocre read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism
medium-paced
It was a little dark for my taste but had a happy ending. The pace in the middle dragged a little but it picked back up.
I think I'm spoiled by some excellent queer histrom authors but this was underwhelming on several counts - the plot and its resolution are silly, the character's motivations don't make sense half the time and while I try not to be nitpicky with historical accuracy, this just completely ignores how a society in 1887 would work, making one question what the point of the setting actually is.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story is told in third person dual points of view from Charlie and Miles. The adorable and lovable Charlie sets out to procure an autograph from his favorite smut author, Reginald Cox, in 1883 London and manages to scare the poor hermit, Miles Montague, hiding his identity in his late lover’s bookshop. Miles would rather be writing his smutty stories than keeping track of transactions and register drawers but letting go of the bookshop means letting go of Ethan. Miles assumes Charlie is there to shake him down but upon realizing his mistake, sets off to apologize and ends up the sommelier for Charlie’s wedding party. Wait, what?
Charlie keeps his carefully curated smut locked away in a cabinet destined for a bank vault since in order to make good on his insurmountable debts, he is preparing to marry the lady his family has arranged. But what if he could find happiness with Miles and another way out of debt. Charlie is surrounded by a cast of colorful characters that hide many things about their personal lives even as they meet in secret and share vices. I enjoyed the characters in this book, especially Charlie’s sense of loyalty to his friends, including his fiancée Alma and the atrocities she might face were he to leave her at the final hour. I felt his love for Miles and his despair over his friendship with Alma and what would happen to her if he made the selfish choice. Will definitely read the next book in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Adores for a copy provided for an honest review.
Charlie keeps his carefully curated smut locked away in a cabinet destined for a bank vault since in order to make good on his insurmountable debts, he is preparing to marry the lady his family has arranged. But what if he could find happiness with Miles and another way out of debt. Charlie is surrounded by a cast of colorful characters that hide many things about their personal lives even as they meet in secret and share vices. I enjoyed the characters in this book, especially Charlie’s sense of loyalty to his friends, including his fiancée Alma and the atrocities she might face were he to leave her at the final hour. I felt his love for Miles and his despair over his friendship with Alma and what would happen to her if he made the selfish choice. Will definitely read the next book in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Adores for a copy provided for an honest review.
MM historical romance between a wealthy young fellow trying to avoid an arrange married and falling for the brooding author of his favorite illegal smutty gay romance novels.
Absolutely charming, and introduced a fun and interesting cast of side characters that will be the main characters of future novels. Some great spicy scenes, but particular adept in describing the mutual attraction and desire between our two lovers. Love me some well-written longing and desire you can feel!
Listened to the audiobook and the audio was very charming.
“The Gentleman’s Book of Vices” by Jess Everlee.
Absolutely charming, and introduced a fun and interesting cast of side characters that will be the main characters of future novels. Some great spicy scenes, but particular adept in describing the mutual attraction and desire between our two lovers. Love me some well-written longing and desire you can feel!
Listened to the audiobook and the audio was very charming.
“The Gentleman’s Book of Vices” by Jess Everlee.