3.83 AVERAGE


AAAAAAA netgalley thank you I'm going to sob now.
THIS? HAS BEEN AN EXPERIENCE, an exquisite one at that.
No because the premise is so cool and you'd think the beginning was so good it'll only get worse from there but?? NO it kept getting better.
And like, i have a soft spot for writers (smut or otherwise), so MILES MY BELOVED <3
Charlie is such a nice person, seeing him fall in love with a person he already felt so close to through writing? POETIC.
I'm pretty sure i liked every single character? Except Alma's parents i don't care for the Merriweathers.
again, I'm so honored i got to read this book <3
would recommend.

I loved how this seemed to be written in very period-accurate verbiage, especially when it came to queer slang of the era. Some lines were just so breathtakingly beautiful, and they felt so fitting for the flowery language and emotional montages. There were slow moments and some moments that flew by too quickly, but still it’s a really fun read and very unlike anything I’ve read before.

[I received a digital arc for an honest review]

The Gentleman’s Book of Vices by Jess Everlee is the first book in the Lucky Lovers of London Series. Charlie Price has always happily given into his vices with very little regard to how it could impact him. He has dug himself in too deep and the only way to save himself is to marry a woman and become an upstanding member of society. His final indulgence is to meet his favorite smut author before his wedding. Miles Montague has hidden behind his pen name for years penning pornography while trying to keep his failing book shop alive. He is bombarded by Charlie Price and finds himself becoming obsessed with the charming man. Charlie is equally entranced by grumpy Miles but will he put aside the life plan set for him for love or will the two end tragically like Miles’ characters.

Charlie Price is a bit of a mess. He knows he lives dangerously, regularly going to his club and enjoying men while a wedding is planned to a woman he is fond of but doesn’t love. Miles is this breath of fresh air wrapped in a grumpy disheveled package. The two find their intimate connection hard to deny and their emotional one even more so. When Alma admits to her reason for marrying him, Charlie finds himself unable to walk away even if everything in his heart says so.

Oh God, it had been so long and Charlie… Charlie felt like pure heaven after so many months in an isolated hell. Charlie kissed wickedly, his body searing through the fine fabric of his clothes.

Miles Montague is a man who doesn’t live for himself. He continues to run his deceased lover’s book shop and writes under a pen name, in constant fear of being caught. Charlie is exactly what he needs to bring him out of his shell and into the world of color. Unfortunately Charlie’s chivalry is trying as the wedding approaches and Miles stands his ground about continuing on with a married man. Miles refuses to allow his intense feelings for Charlie to overpower his morals.

Not for the first time, he felt a bit like he’d lost his mind, playing with unstable fire in the form of Miles Montague, but those flames were too hot to escape now.

This book is a historical romance about an arranged marriage. This time period specific situation allows me to forgive the fact that Charlie and Miles carried on while he was engaged to Alma. This may not be OK for all readers so approach with caution. That being said I loved Charlie and Miles and how they brought out the best in each other. Miles helped Charlie calm down and start planning a future while Miles was able to start embracing life and happiness with Charlie leading the way. I enjoyed all the side characters who helped the two find their way together and meddled in all the best ways.

4 stars for Charlie hunting down Miles and discovering their own happily ever after.

chelle_thebelle's review

4.0

After seeing some other reviews, I need to make some things clear…
Was this the sexiest romance I’d ever read? No, though there were some steamy moments.
But did it provide a rich queer history of Victorian London? Absolutely. Did the found family make me laugh and melt my heart? Better believe it. Was I rooting for these characters to overcome their pasts and find happiness together? Hell yeah. And would I recommend this book? Definitely.

nikki_maple's review


Not gonna give any rating, cause the ARC only has the first 5 chapters. But it looks really PROMISING!! The plot and the charcaters seem great - can't wait to see how things unveil! Charles' obsession with erotica books!!! The wine tasting scene is also amazing!

'He settled on giving Alma an indulged smile he'd been working on for the benefit of anyone who might question his husbandly affection' - this was wonderful writing and had me laughing out loud imagining it in my head.

*Received as a free ARC*
This book wasn't my favorite, but I think that given the right reader it would be perfect. I did like the interplay between the hidden queer community and I surprisingly loved Charlie and Alma's dynamic. I've seen that there's going to be a follow up which I'd definitely be interested in checking out.

3.5 stars! The first half was really good, and then I was let down a little by the second half- I liked the story, it just felt a bit rushed by the end.
emotional funny lighthearted medium-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

This was a really endearing book to read! I loved that it was queer story in the Victorian times!! And the concept of Miles writing smut was just delightful!! I love Charlie too! And I certainly appreciated that it was not a love triangle and you were not made to hate Charlie's fiancee! The side characters were a delight and I am excited to read the second one in this series! 

3.5/5
lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes