i like adrian and felicity just fine, but monty still owns my heart as he has since i read Gentleman’s Guide. he is my favorite historical fiction character ever, i adore percy too (very much! it’s just monty whose character really deeply sticks with me), and

the wedding scene at the end nearly had me in tears. such a stunning ending to this series.

. i could easily make an entire video essay on monty’s near-perfect character arc/development.

not sure why i wasn’t expecting this book to be as emotionally intense as it was. not where it makes you cry, but it really makes you reflect.

i can see the issues others have brought up with Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke (such as iffy pacing, that story would’ve been incredible as a full novel), but that doesn’t change my own opinion: i love it dearly and it is likely my favorite novella i have ever read.