I'm actually so sad this book is over. I'm so happy with the way it ended and that just makes me feel even more like crying. I want more. I want it all over again. It was completely and utterly brilliant, one of the best books I've read (or listened to) this year, and I will abso-bloody-lutely be getting a hard copy to reread until the pages fall out. 
 And now I've had a chance to digest it, here's a proper review: 
 At first glance you'd take this book to be a hilarious romp of a historical romance, which just happens to have a queer protagonist and diverse cast. And as far is it goes, that's all true. Monty is an absolute riot of a narrator, with one of the strongest, most distinct character voices I've come across lately. I don't think the author's British, but she's captured the dry British sense of humour brilliantly, and there's a multitude of laugh-out-loud moments as Monty generally makes a hash of everything, says the worst thing possible at any given moment and makes rash, ridiculous and plain dangerous decision at every turn. All of that is entirely within character and doesn't stop him being completely adorable - for an absolute idiot, I never once stopped rooting for him. Not in the adventure stakes or in the romantic ones, even when he and Percy were completely exasperated with each other. Also, can we have a cheer for friends-to-lovers? Not insta-love, not lust at first sight, but a really deeply rooted, complex and realistic friendship which is edging towards being something more. 
 Percy, by the way, is an actual ray of sunshine, despite having so many odds staked against him you really couldn't blame him for become bitter. The third of the trio, Monty's sister Felicity, is just goals. I'm so glad the sequel is going to focus on her. 
 BUT. 
 The book also tackles some really hard-hitting issues, not simply the historical view of homosexuality which obviously colours Monty's life and his approach to his relationship(s) but racism, sexism, ableism, and the legacy of abuse. That's a pretty heavy list. It doesn't weigh the story down or feel preachy but comes across as a natural consequence of who the characters are, the world they live in and the choices they make. And while it's firmly rooted in the historical attitudes, it still feels real and relevant. Within the space of a few pages the story could take me from those hilarious moment to being choked up with feels to tooth-achingly adorable romance and back again. And all wrapped up in enough adventure and magic to keep the story zipping along. One of my favourite tropes is when the plot is driven by character mistakes, not by some external force, and this is an excellent example of that. Mainly Monty's mistakes, it has to be said. 
 One of the best books I've read this year. Also, the audiobook narrator (young Tom Riddle from the Harry Potter films!) was brilliant.