The Gentleman's Book of Vices: A Gay Victorian Historical Romance

by Jess Everlee

Overview

Is their real-life love story doomed to be a tragedy, or can they rewrite the ending?

London, 1883

Finely dressed and finely drunk, Charlie Price is a man dedicated to his vices. Chief among them is his explicit novel collection, though his impending marriage to a woman he can’t love will force his carefully curated collection into hiding.

Before it does, Charlie is determined to have one last hurrah: meeting his favorite author in person.

Miles Montague is more gifted as a smut writer than a shopkeep and uses his royalties to keep his flagging bookstore afloat. So when a cheerful dandy appears out of the mist with Miles's highly secret pen name on his pretty lips, Miles assumes the worst. But Charlie Price is no blackmailer; he’s Miles's biggest fan.

A scribbled signature on a worn book page sets off an affair as scorching as anything Miles has ever written. But Miles is clinging to a troubled past, while Charlie’s future has spun entirely out of his control…

Carina Adores is home to romantic love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.


Lucky Lovers of London
Book 1: The Gentleman's Book of Vices

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780369722515
Publisher:	Carina Press
Publication date:	11/29/2022
Series:	Lucky Lovers of London , #1
Sold by:	HARLEQUIN
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	87,921
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Jess Everlee writes decadent romance from the Northeast Ohio split-level she shares with her small family of furballs and fellow humans. She holds a B.A. from The Ohio State University, where she studied English and Gender Studies, focusing on Victorian Literature and public health topics. She has a deep love of interesting art, offbeat communities, and admittedly pretentious coffee brewing systems. Find her at www.jesseverlee.com.

Editorial Reviews

09/05/2022

Everlee’s sparkling debut finds rakish Charlie Price, a collector of erotic novels in 1883 London, falling for his favorite author, Miles Montague, who writes under the pseudonym Reginald Cox. Struggling bookshop owner Miles is initially wary of the handsome stranger who tracks him down for an autograph, convinced that Charlie intends to blackmail him for his tales of queer sex—until, as insurance, they each confess “something damning” to insure mutual destruction should either come forward. When Miles returns Charlie’s visit, poor timing has him comically mistaken by Charlie’s soon-to-be mother-in-law for a sommelier and he’s tasked with selecting wine for Charlie’s dreaded impending nuptials. The two men act on their passions in Charlie’s library later that day, and their budding secret relationship inspires Miles to write, but there’s a clock on their romance. Though Charlie’s marriage is a loveless match to get him out of debt, Miles refuses to have an affair with a married man. As Charlie plots to call off the wedding and pursue a future with Miles, a bid to buy Miles’s shop threatens the men’s happiness. Charming supporting characters and vivid period detail enhance this enchanting romance. Everlee shows real promise. Agent: Laura Zats, Headwater Literary. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

Everlee crafts a scorching affair between the two damnably decent men and delivers a delicious deus ex machina that allows them the happiness they crave and deserve.... All it takes is a healthy degree of eroticism, a loving family, even better friends, and a desire to risk it all for the one you love.”—Entertainment Weekly

“[A] sparkling debut… Charming supporting characters and vivid period detail enhance this enchanting romance. Everlee shows real promise.” –Publishers Weekly

“What with its brilliantly blended notes of nuanced characterization, beautifully evoked Victorian setting, scorchingly sensual yet sweetly romantic love story, and slyly witty writing, readers will want to savor every word of Everlee’s splendid debut, the launch of her Lucky Lovers of London series, like a fine vintage wine.”—Booklist

"Everlee creates an intriguing cast of found family for Charlie and truly thorny obstacles for the lovers to overcome. Fans of Cat Sebastian and Olivia Waite will enjoy this queer Victorian romance".—Library Journal

“With its potent blend of queer eroticism, found family and unabashed swoon, this romance is a resonant winner.”—BookPage

"This is a joyful, spicy romance; but with an emotional upheaval of pain and trauma you feel for both of the lovers.”—Buzzfeed

From the Publisher

10/01/2022

DEBUT A decadent dandy on the way to the altar and a reclusive author of erotic novels find unexpected love in Victorian London in Everlee's debut and series launch. Debt-ridden Charlie Price is six weeks away from a marriage that will ensure financial support from his family, but it will also mean an end to indulging many of his pleasures, including locking away his prized collection of erotic novels. When he has a chance to get a signature from his favorite author, he jumps at the opportunity to make his collection complete. Miles Montague is a reclusive bookstore owner and author, fearful of potential notoriety and the long arm of the law. When someone who knows his alter ego comes calling, he is frightened, concerned, and angry, but Charlie's charm and honest admiration for his work ends up propelling the two men into a fiery affair that will make them question their previous plans. VERDICT Everlee creates an intriguing cast of found family for Charlie and truly thorny obstacles for the lovers to overcome. Fans of Cat Sebastian and Olivia Waite will enjoy this queer Victorian romance.—Sierra Wilson

Library Journal