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A review by stitchsaddiction
The Gentleman's Book of Vices by Jess Everlee
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Gentleman's Book of Vices by Jess Everlee is a MM romance set in Victorian London during a time as many may know, that not only was homosexuality illegal but also the ownership and creation of homosexual materials and what I found evident was that Everlee had done research into the matter which added a layer of truth to our story.
This adds so much to the story, knowing just why Charlie Price, whose vices are many and Miles Montague, a struggling bookshop owner who writes such material that would endanger his life if discovered; are both so keen to do all they can to ensure their secrets remain secret. This was what men faced, having been forced into marriage, and having to hide in various discreet clubs as it was their only option to meet those who were like-minded.
I loved how you see the true meaning of found family in The Gentleman’s Book of Vices because it’s a common thing even now in the LGBTQ community as you often sadly find your own family lacking and certainly for people in 1883 when the book is set, you couldn’t let anyone know what you were and your proclivities.
Everlee brings not only the necessity of this to life, but also brings each character to life along with wonderful world-building that ensures this moment in time comes to life for us, with the abundance of visual delights that Everlee describes along with giving the reader an idea of the various smells we’d encounter as we wove through the discreet locations were many a lesbian, or gay man would frequent. From page one, you’re there in London alongside Charlie as he tries to put off the reality of circumstance with another drink, the attention of a pretty face and a friendly word or two.
Charlie and Miles are so different, and yet I loved their connection, with one being effervescent and one much preferring the quiet, from their first encounter in Miles’s bookstore you know life will never be the same for the two of them again and I was there for it. It is somewhat of a slow start for the two, and the story as a whole but it’s worth sticking with because you just know you’re going to be chuckling at times, and then quietly despairing as their journey unfolds.
This is the first in the Lucky in London series, with characters that carry a sense of realism with them, they’re Queer in a time when being so is beyond dangerous but living your life as such has always been that way it seems so I am so happy to expect more happy ever after's for couples that deserve it more than most.
This adds so much to the story, knowing just why Charlie Price, whose vices are many and Miles Montague, a struggling bookshop owner who writes such material that would endanger his life if discovered; are both so keen to do all they can to ensure their secrets remain secret. This was what men faced, having been forced into marriage, and having to hide in various discreet clubs as it was their only option to meet those who were like-minded.
I loved how you see the true meaning of found family in The Gentleman’s Book of Vices because it’s a common thing even now in the LGBTQ community as you often sadly find your own family lacking and certainly for people in 1883 when the book is set, you couldn’t let anyone know what you were and your proclivities.
Everlee brings not only the necessity of this to life, but also brings each character to life along with wonderful world-building that ensures this moment in time comes to life for us, with the abundance of visual delights that Everlee describes along with giving the reader an idea of the various smells we’d encounter as we wove through the discreet locations were many a lesbian, or gay man would frequent. From page one, you’re there in London alongside Charlie as he tries to put off the reality of circumstance with another drink, the attention of a pretty face and a friendly word or two.
Charlie and Miles are so different, and yet I loved their connection, with one being effervescent and one much preferring the quiet, from their first encounter in Miles’s bookstore you know life will never be the same for the two of them again and I was there for it. It is somewhat of a slow start for the two, and the story as a whole but it’s worth sticking with because you just know you’re going to be chuckling at times, and then quietly despairing as their journey unfolds.
This is the first in the Lucky in London series, with characters that carry a sense of realism with them, they’re Queer in a time when being so is beyond dangerous but living your life as such has always been that way it seems so I am so happy to expect more happy ever after's for couples that deserve it more than most.