4 Stars

Solid score for high adventure!

Admittedly, I’m sorta kinda the odd man out as I didn’t love this hard like most, and I didn’t find it all that funny. Monty drove me bonkers with his self absorbed attitude, his womanizing and manizing alike, the excess drinking, flagrant partying, and flippant attitude toward any responsibility at the ripe old age of 18. However, Monty has good reason. He’s been told his whole life he’s a fuck up so why even attempt to change such perceptions?

As per the blurb, this starts out with Monty and his bff Percy, who are on their year long tour before things must get serious - Monty to start training to take over the responsibilities of running his father’s estate, Percy to go off to law school in another country. Things go awry when Monty, in a flight of fancy, steals a priceless box and embroils himself, Percy, and his sister Felicity, in a run for their lives across Europe. Ensue terrifying chase after chase, all the while trying to hide one's feelings for their bff.

So again, all the points go toward this trio’s shenanigans as I was never bored. It doesn’t hurt that the underlying UST and pining love that Monty has for Percy were pitch perfect and with just the right amount of swoon. This kept me on my toes and for that, I look forward to another adventure that’s sure to be present in the sequel!

Audio highly recommended ( )

this was fun. not the romp i was hoping for and maybe a kidnapping or two more than felt strictly necessary, but still fun. ( )

4.5* ( )

My gosh the way the book deals with abuse made me CRY. It didn't matter that there were plot holes, it didn't matter that the author really needed to check off every possible disadvantage/disability in the world, I still cried like a baby every time Monty's trauma came up. My gosh, Mackenzie Lee handled that topic so well. I'm astounded. ( )

A really delightful romp of a book; I came to love all the main characters so much! It's a very vibrant story that, although a bit unevenly paced in the first half, will absolutely be enjoyed by fans of witty historical YA fiction. The plotline that blended alchemy/magic and science felt a bit watery to me, and I think it could have been stronger in that respect, but I nonetheless look forwards to reading the sequel!
(Also, on a totally personal note: the descriptions of Venice made me so wistful! I've been fortunate enough to travel there once for a few days and reading about the city in this book made me want to go back so badly!! ( )