Honestly, it’s rare for a book to basically explode onto the scene and stay relevant for years, especially in the crowded world of Young Adult historical fiction. But Mackenzie Lee did exactly that. When The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue hit shelves in 2017, it wasn't just another Regency-era romance. It was loud. It was messy. It felt like a punch to the gut and a warm hug at the same time.
Monty is a disaster. Let's just start there. Henry "Monty" Montague is the kind of protagonist who makes you want to scream into a pillow while simultaneously wishing you could join him for a drink. He’s entitled, hedonistic, and deeply insecure. He’s also the heart of a story that tackles some pretty heavy-duty themes—colonialism, chronic illness, homophobia, and abusive family dynamics—all while dragging the reader on a chaotic Grand Tour of 18th-century Europe.
People love this book. It’s got that specific "found family" energy that makes readers obsessed. But if you look closer, the reason The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue actually works is that it refuses to play by the rules of traditional historical fiction. It doesn't sanitize the past. It doesn't pretend that queer people or people of color didn't exist in 1700s London or Paris. Instead, it puts them front and center, messy flaws and all.
What Most People Get Wrong About Monty and Percy
There is a common misconception that this book is just a fluffy rom-com. It’s really not. While the banter between Monty and his best friend (and secret crush) Percy is top-tier, the emotional stakes are incredibly high.
Percy isn’t just a love interest. He’s a young Black man navigating a world that is actively hostile toward him, even within the protective bubble of his proximity to Monty’s aristocratic family. Mackenzie Lee does something really smart here. She doesn't let Monty's "well-meaning" ignorance off the hook. Throughout their journey from London to France and beyond, Monty has to confront the fact that his privilege—as white, as wealthy, as able-bodied—blinds him to the dangers Percy faces every single day.
Then there’s Felicity. Monty’s sister.
If Monty is the chaos, Felicity is the precision. She’s arguably the most capable person in the entire trilogy, yet she’s constantly sidelined because she’s a woman in the 1700s. She wants to be a doctor. In a world that wants her to be a quiet wife, that’s a revolutionary act. The way their sibling dynamic evolves is one of the strongest parts of the narrative. It’s not just about Monty’s crush; it’s about a family trying to survive the expectations placed upon them by a cruel father and a rigid society.
The Grand Tour Was Never This Stressful
In the 18th century, the Grand Tour was a rite of passage for wealthy young men. It was supposed to be educational. You’d look at some art in Florence, drink some wine in France, and come back a "refined gentleman."
Monty’s version? Not so much.
From the moment they leave England, things go sideways. There’s a highway robbery. There are escapes from high-society parties. There’s a mysterious alchemical box that might actually be magical—or at least very dangerous. This "adventure" element keeps the pacing fast, but it’s the character development that keeps the pages turning.
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue uses the backdrop of the Grand Tour to highlight the vast inequality of the era. We see the opulence of the French court and the grit of the docks. We see how the Enlightenment era's obsession with "progress" often stepped right over the bodies of the marginalized. It’s an effective way to ground the humor. Because, yeah, the book is funny. Monty’s internal monologue is a riot. But the humor acts as a shield for the trauma he’s carrying from his father’s "discipline."
Real Historical Context That Matters
It is fascinating how much research Lee clearly poured into the setting. Take the medical knowledge of the time. Felicity’s obsession with anatomy isn’t just a quirk; it reflects the actual burgeoning medical sciences of the 18th century, which were often gruesome and inaccessible to women.
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Or consider Percy’s epilepsy. In the 1700s, this wasn't well understood. It was often treated with "cures" that were more dangerous than the condition itself. The book handles Percy's illness with a lot of dignity, showing the physical toll it takes on him and the emotional toll of trying to hide it from a world that views "imperfection" as a moral failing. This isn't just window dressing. It’s central to who Percy is and why he protects himself the way he does.
Why the Fans Are Still Obsessed
If you spend any time on BookTok or Bookstagram, you'll see fan art of the "Monsters" (the fan nickname for the trio) everywhere. Why? Because the book feels contemporary despite the corsets and carriages.
The dialogue doesn't feel like a stiff period piece. It feels like how people actually talk—or how we wish we could talk—when we're tired and stressed and in love with our best friend.
- "I’m not a gentleman," Monty says at one point.
- And he’s right.
- He’s a disaster.
But he’s a disaster who is trying to be better. That’s the "Virtue" part of the title. It’s not about being a perfect person; it’s about the grueling work of unlearning your own toxicity.
The relationship between Monty and Percy is one of the most celebrated "slow burns" in YA. It works because it’s built on a decade of friendship. They know the worst parts of each other. Percy knows Monty is a drunk and a flirt; Monty knows Percy’s deepest fears. When they finally confront their feelings, it feels earned. It’s not a fairy tale. It’s two people choosing each other in a world that doesn't want them to exist together.
The Legacy of the Guide
Since the first book, the "Guide" universe has expanded. We got The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, which focuses on Felicity (and is, frankly, just as good if not better depending on who you ask). Then came The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks, following the younger brother, Adrian.
Each book keeps the same DNA:
- High-stakes adventure.
- Complicated family trauma.
- Subverting historical tropes.
- A deep, abiding love for the characters' flaws.
What Mackenzie Lee achieved was proving that historical fiction doesn't have to be "dry." It can be inclusive, it can be hilarious, and it can be deeply, painfully human. She took the "gentleman" archetype and dismantled it.
Actionable Insights for Readers and Writers
If you’re coming to this book for the first time, or if you’re a writer trying to capture this same magic, there are a few things to keep in mind.
For Readers:
- Don't skip the Author's Note. Lee usually includes a section at the back explaining what was real and what she fudged for the plot. It’s a masterclass in how to use history as a playground rather than a prison.
- Trigger Warnings are real. Despite the humor, the book deals with physical abuse and systemic racism. Go in prepared for the "Vice" as much as the fun.
- Check out the audiobooks. Christian Coulson (who played Tom Riddle in the Chamber of Secrets movie) narrates the first book, and his "Monty voice" is absolutely definitive.
For Writers:
- Voice is everything. Monty’s voice is the engine of the book. If your protagonist is "unlikeable," make sure they are at least interesting and vulnerable.
- Research the margins. History is full of people who weren't "supposed" to be there. Find them. Write them.
- Tension isn't just plot. The best tension in The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue comes from what the characters aren't saying to each other. Use subtext to your advantage.
The story of Monty, Percy, and Felicity reminds us that the past was just as colorful, queer, and complicated as the present. It’s a book that encourages you to be a little more reckless with your heart and a little more critical of the world around you.
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Whether you're in it for the 18th-century pirate ships or the heartbreakingly soft moments between two boys in a carriage, there's no denying the impact this story has had on the genre. It’s a modern classic for a reason.
If you've finished the trilogy, the best next step is to look into the actual history of the Grand Tour and the diverse populations of 18th-century Europe. Many libraries and academic databases now offer digital exhibits on the "Black Georgians" and queer history in the Enlightenment, which provide an incredible real-world foundation for the fiction Lee created. Diving into the memoirs of 18th-century figures like Olaudah Equiano or the letters of Lord Byron can give you a deeper appreciation for the narrow tightrope the characters in The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue had to walk.