The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

This book was a pleasant surprise! I didn't expect to like it as much as I did, yet here we are. I was surprised to find that this book deals with a lot of different, heavy themes such as race in the 18th century, diseases and mental illnesses, and of course LGBT. It's as though [b:The Picture of Dorian Gray 5297 The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546103428l/5297.SY75.jpg 1858012] and [b:Around the World in Eighty Days 54479 Around the World in Eighty Days Jules Verne https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1308815551l/54479.SY75.jpg 4537271] had a meeting and produced [b:The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue 29283884 The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Montague Siblings, #1) Mackenzi Lee https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492601464l/29283884.SY75.jpg 49527118].Percy's position as a non-heteronormative, biracial man in a time where both of those labels could get you killed, was refreshing to read, and added depth to the story. On the other hand, Monty's slow but steady progression of 1) understanding his friend's position and 2) understanding his own place in this society was also wonderful to read about. I loved the slow burn between the two, despite the obviousness of their mutual attraction for one another. Percy was especially endearing, and an angel to deal with Monty's antics (however, saying that, I still really enjoyed Monty's personality).As for Felicity, her treatment in the novel was equally satisfying as she did not adhere to the typical social conventions afforded to women in those days. Naturally, everything in this novel is painted over with a rosy hue to allow for a fictional, almost alternate history and society to take place. Still, it was a nice change of pace to read a historical fiction novel that talked about more than just ballrooms and young lords and ladies, and instead focused on important, underdevelopped themes.