NOTE. The text provided for review was only the first 5 chapters; thus that is what is covered here. Also note I assume you’ve read the provided book blurb before proceeding to reviews.

The setting (timeframe, city, segment of society) was immediately presented, with interesting characters and scenario immediately at the beginning of the book. The initial premise (the inciting incident) was also quickly established.

The two (I presume) main characters and a small group of likely secondaries were well portrayed so we could begin to project how things might progress, and complications which may ensue. (I assume the author will prove us wrong, and surprise us with different plot turns, as the beginning was well written and therefore I assume it won’t be all that predictable).

The two main characters were given plenty of plausible backstory and we can sympathize with their challenges to live their lives with a degree of authenticity in spite of the social mores – and laws – in their time and place. They are clearly presented as decent people who don’t want to cause unnecessary harm to others despite the social strictures. They are also drawn as intelligent and quick on their feet, mentally.

That’s as far as I got. Well-characterized, well-written, draws the reader into their challenges . . . . I assume it continues at least as well as it began, or improves. I can’t give it 5 stars without reading the whole book, but I give it a solid 4 stars.

This is just a preview, so my overall feelings about the book could be different…. But wow did this start quickly. Immediately, readers are thrown into this historical setting with little to no description. From there, it is very dialogue heavy, so I felt like I couldn’t get a full read on the scene. While I’ve heard about this book a few times and love historical fiction romances, this might not be the one for me. It’s too fast-paced and leaves a lot of gaps in the narrative for me.

This is going to be great! I was immediately engaged by the story and the characters and I am so looking forward to reading the rest of the book.

Compelling start, intriguing story line, engaging characters. Can't wait to read the rest.

I received a copy of this sneak peek through Netgalley. This is my honest review.

This book starts out running. We are immediately treated to a Victorian (?) bar scene with drag queens and rooms you can rent by the hour, which is all well and good, but considering the fact that a person could be arrested for engaging in sodomy, I wonder how the bar was not the scene of constant raids. Like did they not know what went on there? Or were they paid off to leave it alone? I got no answers to those questions from the brief glimpse I got, and I doubt I'd get the answers by reading the whole book because I'm pretty sure that's not the real focus of the story, but where I'm still working on wrapping my mind around the reality of life for gay men back then, I have questions!

We are quickly informed that Charlie is marrying a beard, and his relationship with Alma is one I really want to see more of, honestly. Is he marrying her for the wrong reasons? By today's standards an emphatic yes. But dude picked a woman who seems to be terrorized by her mother as never being good enough for anything, and she's just so beat down by that, and from what little I saw, it seems like all he wants to do is literally whatever he can that will make Alma smile. He had a whole ass cake tasting before those were fashionable because he knew it would make Alma happy. I know their relationship isn't going to be the primary focus of this book, but I'm still here for it because a part of me wants both relationships to happen for Alma's sake.

There is so much I can imagine happening in this book, and at the moment that's all I can do because I do not own a copy of it at this time. But there's a lot more I'd love to see from these characters so this is a book I will definitely be keeping in mind for future reading when I'm not trying to dig myself out of a Netgalley hole.

I'd heard good things about this, but I'm thankful for this short chapter preview to confirm that this book is not for me and that I would not enjoy the full thing. The writing style is a bit too crass for my tastes, and I can see why others would like the humor, but it unfortunately isn't for me.

I enjoyed the sample very much. Fun characters with a secret author and an admiring fan. Off the wall story. Who could ask for more?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The preview of The Gentleman’s Book of Vices was entertaining and daring. I think Jess Everlee has created a unique love story featuring two gents at a time when this behavior was not accepted. I find Charlie to be great good fun. I’m intrigued to read the entire book. Thank you for this five chapter preview. Much like the wedding cakes in the story, this book sampler was tasty.

The writing here moves you along at a nice clip. The pace is pleasantly fast. However, there are points when you know you're deliberately not being given all the background (Jo) and if a gap from the first chapter isn't filled in during the first five, my guess is that it's not going to be in this book.

I personally found Miles an appealing and sympathetic character, but Charlie was harder like, as he seemed self-centered. Charlie mentioning that he "duped" Alma was disappointing, as they could have been described as arriving at their situation by mutual agreement.

omg this was amazing!! love the character development, i am very intrigued by the setting and plot!!

AHHHHH WHY SO GOOD 😭😭
I am obsessed okay. This is so so good!!
A forbidden, secret, grumpyXsunshine book set in a historical era... I can't even... just so so perfect. I need the rest of the book asap.
Generic appreciation aside, this book is literally giving us a romance between an aristocrat and a man who writes some really spicy books on the down low...
Recipe for perfection, executed brilliantly. Kudos to the writer!

The Gentleman's Book of Vices - PREVIEW
Read Chapters 1-5!
by Jess Everlee

Five chapters was enough to introduce the main characters and give a hint of what might happen as the book progresses. We meet Charlie in a pub-men’s club catering to those with proclivities a bit different from the mainstream. A name is given to Charlie that will allow him to collect an autograph he desires to have written in a rather lusty novel. Next is the meet-cute between Charlie and author, Miles. And finally, a scene with the bride-to-be, her mother, Charlie, cakes and wines to taste, and an unexpected showing of Miles at the event. I have no idea how the story but was intrigued by the setting, characters, and wondering what would happen after chapter five.

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Adores for the ARC Preview – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

While I only had an amuse-bouche of the first five chapters, my appetite is certainly whetted for the whole dinner. A little steamy, a little funny, a little wistful - these opening chapters had it all. I can already tell Charlie and Miles are two protagonists who are going to run away with my heart. Jess Everlee's writing easily transports the reader to late Victorian London and immerses them in this tale. I can't wait to get my hands on the full work!

I genuinely cannot wait to read the rest of this novel. As a lover of historical romance, there is not nearly enough queer fiction in the genre. The first five chapters have me hooked as I made an instant connection to these witty, charming characters. If this preview is any indication, this is going to be a marvelous read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this fun preview!

I didn’t expect to like this preview much as I’m not really into stories that are set back to previous times, but I really enjoyed it! The book started strong and the plot right off the bat instead of trying to set the scene for chapters on end. I think the plot is super interesting and something I never thought I’d read, but I will definitely be reading this as soon as it comes out!

After reading just an excerpt of this story, I realized it wasn't for me. Not that the writing was poor or the storyline was foul, but it just wasn't my cup of tea! I am not necessarily a fan of historical fiction type of stories, so that combined with the romance was just outta left field and not in my normal wheelhouse of stories I would pick up. It was a great beginning of a story for those who like that sort of genre, and if I did, I'm sure I would have LOVED the story tremendously, but I just didn't. The story starts out in a club of sorts, but not a club in today's traditional sense. This was a speakeasy sort of club for gentlemen, and the way the protagonist described his "catch" or who he was perusing was a bit off-putting, as though people were just play things for him. Had there been more to the story, it might have led into something, but I'm not 100% sure on this! So, while this was a mega turn off for me personally, it didn't distract me from the storyline itself. The story progressed with the gentleman with a few vices, including some spicy scenes. I can only imagine how much more spicy the story gets as it progresses from here. Not a top of my list book, but I'm sure it will be a wonderful one at that!

Well, the first five chapters were a blast! Witty, nice prose, intriguing plot, unique setting (what a delightful queer side of London!), Charlie is such a charming character, I love them being a bit jaded, a bit vulnerable, yet cheerfully sarcastic; meanwhile Miles seems to be the grumpy one in this sunshine x grumpy pairing. And chapter 5: after this cake tasting scene I am in a dire need of a cake ASAP preferably with a company of rough sommelier writing some serious smut!


Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange of honest review.

I have only read the first 5 chapters which I received as an ARC thanks to Net Galley and the publisher.

It is a M/M romance set in London in the 1880s. Charlie is about to marry and settle down to make his family happy and get out of debt. Before the wedding he aims to meet his favorite smut author. The author, Miles, is a lonely bookstore owner. The two hit it off, but miscommunications and shenanigans ensue.

I really liked the main characters. I could feel how much Charlie liked his fiancé and felt conflicted about marrying her. Miles is still a bit of a mystery, but I look forward to learning more about his romantic past and seeing why he has shut himself off / is so distrustful of Charlie at first.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of the book.

Thank you Netgalley and Jess Everlee for giving me a chance to read the preview.
It has first five chapters of the book. I am so excited to read the whole book. I liked the writing style. There are comparatively less queer period books , so it's good to see more.

I was lucky enough to have received a copy of the book from NetGalley so I will be giving my full review there!

What a splendid first five chapters! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to dive in! Immediately I found the characters to be a joy to read! I also love the historical fiction setting and overall aura of the book already. I can’t wait to get my hands on the full thing! Absolutely entertaining intro to these characters and story!