Mackenzi Lee holds a BA in history and an MFA from Simmons College in writing for children and young adults. She loves Diet Coke, sweater weather, and Star Wars. On a perfect day, she can be found enjoying all three. She currently lives in Boston, where she works as a bookseller and almost never reanimates corpses. Almost.
★ “The book’s exquisite, bygone meter and vernacular sit
comfortably on a contemporary shelf. And the friction of racism,
tyrannical entitled politicians, and misguided disapproval of
homosexuality also have a relevance rooted in current culture’s
xeno- and homophobia. Austen, Wilde, and Indiana Jones converge in
this deliciously anachronistic bonbon.” — Kirkus
Reviews (starred review)
★ “Tongue-in-cheek, wildly entertaining, and anachronistic in only
the most delightful ways, this is a gleeful romp through history.
Monty is a hero worthy of Oscar Wilde.” — Booklist (starred
review)
★ “This is a witty, romantic, and exceedingly smart look at
discovering one’s place in the world. A stunning powerhouse of a
story for every collection.” — School Library Journal (starred
review)
★ “A gloriously swashbuckling affair.” — Publishers Weekly (starred
review)
★Mackenzi Lee (This Monstrous Thing) combines her knowledge of
European history with a contemporary, comic sensibility to create
an over-the-top romantic adventure complete with cliff-hanging
chapter endings and sometimes outrageous narration. Monty is a
licentious, flawed and engaging 18th-century hero. — Shelf
Awareness (starred review)
“Monty is pitch-perfect as a yearning, self-destructive, oblivious
jerk of a hero who inspires equal parts sympathy, frustration, and
adoration from reader. A genre tribute, satire, and exemplar in
one.” — The Horn Book
“If you’ve ever mentally shouted ‘NOW KISS’ at a pair of fictional
male best friends, this is the book for you.” — NPR
“Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is the queer teen historical
you didn’t know was missing from your life.” (“Best Queer Books to
Celebrate Pride 2017”) — Teen Vogue
“A rollicking ride that also turns a keen eye to issues like class,
racism, homosexuality, and identity.” — Brightly
“Careening from fete to fiasco on a Grand Tour of 18th century
Europe, THE GENTLEMEN’S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE is a dizzying,
dazzling, and roguishly romantic romp. This book makes me want to
unrequite my own love so I can requite him all over again.” — Heidi
Heilig, author of THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE
“Don’t read this book unless you like adventure, hijinks, and
forbidden romance, and if you do, then read it twice.” — Stacey
Lee, author of THE SECRET OF A HEART NOTE and UNDER A PAINTED
SKY
“An outrageously fun, witty, fascinating, and romantic adventure,
starring a memorable trio I’d happily travel with for ages. Lee is
a definite force in diverse historical YA.” — Dahlia Adler, founder
of LGBTQ Reads and author of UNDER THE LIGHTS
“The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is a Grand Tour all its
own. Hilarious and romantic, adventurous and scandalous, Monty’s
adventures are just as delightful as Monty himself. I adored this
book!” — Rachel Hawkins, author of the Rebel Belle series
“Sweet, smart, and powerful, Gentleman’s Guide tackles timely
topics that will resonate profoundly with readers--all wrapped up
in a truly epic road trip. Prepare to laugh, gasp, swoon, and
cheer.” — Claire Legrand, author of the Winterspell series
“A delightful romp of a road-trip through eighteenth century
Europe, packed with witty dialog, razor-sharp pacing, and the
perfect amount of swoon. You should abso-bloody-lutely read this
book.” — Erin Bowman, author of VENGEANCE ROAD
“Vice has never been more charming and virtue never more daring
than in Mackenzie Lee’s superbly written globetrotting adventure.
Not since Hamilton the musical has the 18th century been this much
fun.” — Amy Cherrix, Malaprop's Bookstore
“An incomparably delightful historical romp. I was swept away by
Monty’s incorrigible voice from the very first page, and the rest
of this confident adventure tale did not disappoint. Lee’s
sophomore novel has heart, depth, and an abundance of wisecracks
from a protagonist you can’t help but adore.” — Rebecca Wells,
Porter Square Books
“Simultaneously harrowing and hilarious, everything about this book
from the serious questions posed about sexuality, chronic illness,
and social inequality to the extraordinary journey Monty, his best
friend, and his sister find themselves on make Mackenzi Lee’s
latest the kind of book you’d be a fool to miss.” — Gaby Salpeter,
Books of Wonder
“Monty and Percy are insanely shippable from page one, and quickly
became one of my favorite YA couples of all time.” — Rachel
Strolle, Anderson's Bookshop
“The John Hughes of queer 18th century adventure novels with an
alchemical heart at its center. Lee perfectly captures teen humor
and angst. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!” — Alsace
Walentine, Tombolo Books
“I can’t wait to get this book in my store—I know my customers
looking for historical fiction and LGBTQ stories will adore
GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE as much as I have!” — Clarissa Hadge, Trident
Booksellers
“Filled with highwaymen, pirates, and heart pounding exploits of a
romantic nature, this is the summer road-trip adventure you’ve been
waiting for.” — Marika McCoola, Porter Square Books
“With roguish charm, sly wit, and tender heart, THE GENTLEMAN’S
GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE is a shameless flirt of a novel. If Monty
and Percy hadn’t already stolen my heart, I would surrender it to
them gladly.” — Wendy Darling, The Midnight Garden
“Wonderfully refreshing. A delightful, thoughtful, hilarious read.”
— Maggie Kane, Between the Covers
“An adventurous romp through 18th-century Europe with a trio of
unforgettable characters. Lee weaves together the fun and the
fantastical with a conversation on historical privilege that will
resonate with modern readers. Perfect for fans of LA Meyer’s Bloody
Jack series. Expect to fall in love with this book!” — Nicole
Brinkley, Oblong Books
An elegant, colorful, swashbuckling good time of a read and a
beautiful addition to the LGBTQ+ genre. This is a great novel for
upper YA readers and a great adult cross-over title. I definitely
have a book hangover after finishing this gem. — Amanda Zirn,
Bethany Beach Books
“A Marauder’s Map of the heart, full of pirates, highwaymen, humor
and romance. Mischief managed brilliantly!” — Chris Abouzeid,
Co-Owner, Belmont Books
“Delicious.” — Vulture
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