The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks

I'm probably not the best person to be posting an early review of this book, because I'm a casual fan of the series at best (I read [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] and gave it 3.5 stars, didn't read Felicity's book). But for better or for worse, Net Galley gifted me with an ARC, so here we are.The Nobleman's Guide is narrated by Adrian, who was just an infant when Monty and Felicity left home; in fact, he doesn't know they exist. His mother has recently died under mysterious circumstances, and the lifelong anxieties and compulsive thoughts that have plagued him have worsened. When his cruel, autocratic father gives him a box of his mother's belongings, including a spyglass that she always kept with her, Adrian decides to track down its origin, hoping it will give him a clue to how and why she died. That leads him to the shocking discovery that he has an older brother, who is not at all happy to see him, and starts him on a journey of adventure and discovery. Adrian is a sympathetic character but at times being in his head is almost too much. He is wracked with anxiety and self-hatred, catastrophizing everything possible and apologizing profusely for his very existence. In 18th century England, there is no name for his illness and no sympathy for his odd behavior. Yet he is also a brilliant writer of radical political treatises, and somewhere along the line he managed to become engaged to a smart, understanding woman. The gradual development of his relationship with the still outrageous Monty (and to a lesser extent Felicity) is at the heart of the book, as is his realization that he is worthy of love, anxieties and all. The adventure plot is fun, as the siblings travel to Morocco, Portugal, Amsterdam and Iceland, facing natural and human dangers. I assume that many of the people they encounter were first seen in Monty and Felicity's books, but although I don't remember many details about #1 and skipped #2, I didn't feel lost. I don't think this book entirely stands alone, though; if I hadn't read Gentleman's Guide I would have been horrified at Monty's behavior (I still find him less charming than Lee thinks he is) and the epilogue would not have had the same emotional impact. There is a touch of paranormal flavor, although it's never fully clear if it's real or part of Adrian's mental illness (perhaps that's the point). Lee's writing style is energetic and humorous, but serious enough to inspire the reader's investment in the characters. The book did suffer from a few nagging weaknesses. First, we never learn how Adrian met his fiancé Louisa, or how he overcame his self-doubts enough to get close to her. Secondly, Monty's beloved Percy is absent for 95% of the book. While that allows the focus to be on the siblings, I missed his presence and his singular ability to keep Monty from being The Absolute Worst. Finally there is a missed opportunity for the siblings to bond that inexplicably doesn't happen (Adrian actually punches Richard Peele,but Monty never learns that he and his little brother are charter members of the We Hate Richard Peele club). But overall Nobleman's Guide was truly enjoyable; a rollicking adventure helmed by a hero whose mental illness doesn't prevent him from achieving his goals and finding a flawed but definitely loving family. ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for objective review.