Fabulous reads – Romance novel breaks boundaries

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue (Montague Siblings #1), Mackenzi Lee, ISBN: 9780062382801

HENRY Montague, or Monty to his friends, is the epitome of someone who grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth.

He lives a carefree, promiscuous lifestyle, says what he feels no matter the repercussions, drinks all night and sleeps for most of the day. His character, at this early point in the book, is hardly endearing or relatable.

Before he embarks on his Grand Tour through Europe with his caring friend and companion, Percy and his level-headed sister, Felicity, you see another side of the young protagonist.

His father beats him. Simply because he prefers the company of men.

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There is a line in the book where Percy said that if it was possible for his father to beat it out of him, he would have let him do it ages ago. The sadness of his situation struck home and it instantly gave his character depth. Not a lot, but enough to want to read more.

His feelings for Percy, his best friend and soon-to-be travelling companion through Europe, were introduced in the first paragraph of the book. Monty described it as a “great tragic love story” and goes on to say it “is neither great nor truly a love story, and is tragic only for its single-sidedness.”

Monty had planned for a year-long party before taking up the family estate upon his return, but his father insisted on a chaperone throughout the journey to keep him on the straight and narrow.

Monty being Monty, stole something from someone important out of spite. The object in question sets off a wild adventure for the trio as they encounter armed highwaymen, corrupt politicians and travelling gypsies.

Despite the book’s hefty size, the writing style is so easy flowing that the pages will pass you by in a blur.

The book tackles many issues, from homosexuality, racism and sexism to epilepsy and alcoholism.

If you’re wanting a different take on a love story, this book is for you. Mackenzi’s book is absolutely perfect in every single way.

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