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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
This was a great read! Very well written, with some beautiful sentences throughout. I really liked Miles and Charlie's characters, and I appreciated that Alma wasn't just an obstacle for them to work around. Looking forward to reading more by this author!
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found this historical m/m slightly more historical than a lot of the genre I've read. It tackles some issues that would affect a same sex couple in a country and era where that was very much illegal - the looming threat of imprisonment or even death for "deviant behaviour" is constant throughout the story - rather than just focusing on a HEA ending. While this book does provide that HEA at the end, there's plenty of angst and drama before to keep the plot rolling - even in parts you think that HEA isn't coming at all.
This also might be a good starting m/m novel as the sex isn't too graphic (though described as graphic off-page) and there is a good mix of characters here. The book could have focused on the setting a bit more but this is very much a character-driven narrative. I appreciated that while there is diversity in the characters here that it doesn't feel forced or just to check boxes. It's also only the 2nd book I've read that tackles the rampant pornography trade during the Victorian and Edwardian eras when, outwardly, sexuality was something shoved into the smallest of boxes for the sake of appearances.
However, the sex scenes can be a little frustrating for seasoned readers as, well... there aren't really any sex scenes. We're TOLD rather than shown what has happened after the initial coupling within the first 30 or so pages. Miles is constantly described as being into more extreme sex acts based on the fact that he writes very graphic narrative pornography for an underground publisher. Whips, chains, restraints, etc. However, none of that is ever described happening between Miles and Charlie, just referenced to in dialogue or referenced to as a past event.
Despite that, I enjoyed Miles and Charlie as a couple and felt they had chemistry as they got to know one another, but they aren't one of my favourites after this single book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading the next installment in the series.
This also might be a good starting m/m novel as the sex isn't too graphic (though described as graphic off-page) and there is a good mix of characters here. The book could have focused on the setting a bit more but this is very much a character-driven narrative. I appreciated that while there is diversity in the characters here that it doesn't feel forced or just to check boxes. It's also only the 2nd book I've read that tackles the rampant pornography trade during the Victorian and Edwardian eras when, outwardly, sexuality was something shoved into the smallest of boxes for the sake of appearances.
However, the sex scenes can be a little frustrating for seasoned readers as, well... there aren't really any sex scenes. We're TOLD rather than shown what has happened after the initial coupling within the first 30 or so pages. Miles is constantly described as being into more extreme sex acts based on the fact that he writes very graphic narrative pornography for an underground publisher. Whips, chains, restraints, etc. However, none of that is ever described happening between Miles and Charlie, just referenced to in dialogue or referenced to as a past event.
Despite that, I enjoyed Miles and Charlie as a couple and felt they had chemistry as they got to know one another, but they aren't one of my favourites after this single book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading the next installment in the series.
04/16/2023 || Review for chapters 1-5 thanks to Net Galley ||#TheGentlemansBookofVicesPREVIEW #NetGalley
I will be updating my review once I am able to read the entire book.
As of today, I have placed a hold to my local library~
My overall rating so far is 4 stars
I have no complaints following the story between Charlie Price and Miles Montague, except I wish the introductions to both characters were a bit more detailed. But I guess that is the price I must pay for only receiving chapters 1-5 I suppose! I am assuming more character details, stories, and interactions will follow into chapter 6 and beyond, as I was already smitten with dearest Alma (Charlie's fiance), as well as Miles and Charlie, our dual narrators. I am hopeful to learn the past of all these characters and how it affects the current story line, and I am very excited to know their futures!
We meet Charlie in a gentlemen's club of a sort. He is extremely standoffish and refuses to be involved with someone for long, only really returning to read and reread his favorite smut books written by some of his favorite authors. One book in particular is written by a Mr. Reginald Cox, a pen-name for Miles (out of safety of course), that is Charlie's favorite and he is desperate to meet Cox for his signature before he is to be wed and forced to hide away his depraved, queer book collection for all time.
In a chance encounter, the two are thrust into each other lives and that is where chapter 5 leaves off.
The writing style is glorious and easy to devour. I love the descriptions and witty banter and general warmth the beginning of this novel has.
I will be updating my review once I am able to read the entire book.
As of today, I have placed a hold to my local library~
My overall rating so far is 4 stars
I have no complaints following the story between Charlie Price and Miles Montague, except I wish the introductions to both characters were a bit more detailed. But I guess that is the price I must pay for only receiving chapters 1-5 I suppose! I am assuming more character details, stories, and interactions will follow into chapter 6 and beyond, as I was already smitten with dearest Alma (Charlie's fiance), as well as Miles and Charlie, our dual narrators. I am hopeful to learn the past of all these characters and how it affects the current story line, and I am very excited to know their futures!
We meet Charlie in a gentlemen's club of a sort. He is extremely standoffish and refuses to be involved with someone for long, only really returning to read and reread his favorite smut books written by some of his favorite authors. One book in particular is written by a Mr. Reginald Cox, a pen-name for Miles (out of safety of course), that is Charlie's favorite and he is desperate to meet Cox for his signature before he is to be wed and forced to hide away his depraved, queer book collection for all time.
In a chance encounter, the two are thrust into each other lives and that is where chapter 5 leaves off.
The writing style is glorious and easy to devour. I love the descriptions and witty banter and general warmth the beginning of this novel has.
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
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
A wonderfully warm romance which goes above and beyond in its portrayal of historical LGBT identity in London, granting the reader not only a sizzling romance at its core but multiple well-fleshed-out side characters and subplots that kept me feverishly turning pages. Sweet, cheesy, and ultimately a deeply refreshing read; one which kept me cozy and comfortable the entire time.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was looking for a "turn your brain off" kinda romance story, and this fit the bill so well. It was funny, emotional, and somehow represented a whole variety of queer identities while being set in the 1800s. brooding bookstore owner/author meetcutes with annoying rich boy felt almost like an old-timey, queer Emily Henry (and I mean that in the best way imaginable)