The Gentleman’s Book of Vices

In 1883 London, well-dressed but nearly always drunk Charlie Prince is engaged to a woman who is convenient and proper but certainly not the love of his life. In an attempt at a last hurrah, Charlie seeks out Miles Montague, a writer of the erotic novels that Charlie has cherished and curated for so long. Sparks fly when Charlie and Miles meet, and the two must decide if their love is enough to sustain them against societal dictates. The first in a series, Everlee’s debut is a historical romance with an intriguing premise but disappointingly little depth. Though sexy, the characters are shallow, and their chemistry occasionally falls flat. Listeners may be exasperated by Charlie’s wastrel tendencies and the tidy way in which the story wraps up. Narrator Tommy Hawthorne provides a sparkling delivery, although listeners may struggle to distinguish between different characters.