A review by red3horn
Jefferson Blythe, Esquire by Josh Lanyon

3.0

That’s the way it is with a trip to Europe. Or should be, anyhow. It’s a tremendously stimulating, exhilarating experience, but it’s also demanding. You’ve got to be up for it. You’ve got to be alert, keen, tuned in, ready. You’ve got to want it more than anything else you could possibly do right now. If not, all the excitement will just be that much irritation, and the fun will curdle and turn flat and sour to your taste.

You took the words right outta my mouth!

I am going to be totally honest, it took me almost 40% to really get into this book. I usually take a bit of time to settle in to most Lanyon stories but this one took longer. BUT, the minute I got into it, felt the connection with Jefferson I realized I was going about this all wrong. This is new Lanyon, this is New Adult Lanyon and I shouldn’t expect the characters to have the maturity that Lanyon’s characters normally do, even when they get themselves into numerous and ridiculous life threatening situations. Once I smacked myself and got on board with that thinking I began to enjoy the book much more than I anticipated.

I will also be honest and say there was a bit of this that I skimmed because when I feel that it should have been engaging and a bit of a history lesson and being with Jefferson on his journey guided by his grandfather’s copy of Esquire Magazine's Europe in Style, it was tedious and felt more like info dumping. I get it, the whole trip and its purpose but for me, I really just wanted to be with Jefferson as he grew and accepted who he was and to witness George being an asshole because well…

You see, I seem to have a thing for the asshole jerks that Lanyon writes regardless of age. Case in point, the famous Jake Riordan owns my heart completely. Sure, he was awful and deserved a kick in the nards but come on, it’s Jake and George, well, and George grew on me like the callous on my third toe I get from long distance running. *shrugs* I liked George and liked him more and more but…

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.

But I am so conflicted with this story. I loved Jefferson once I settled in and I really liked George. I loved the romantic moments that only Lanyon can provide and the mystery was good and yet, it wasn’t the best or my favorite from the author and that’s not because it’s New Adult. There was simply too much information going on that took me out of the story and made me frustrated.

But along with all the information, there is the smidge of romance and the traditional way Lanyon makes you wait for the good stuff, oh boy. That was worth it. To a point.

Argh.

Maybe it was my mood and maybe it was the book who knows? I am curious if this will be a series though because… reasons.

I have no real way to review this and not make you more confused so I will just say, it was good and then it wasn’t. It crushed my heart and then pissed me off with all the information – I personally – did not want and then it made me swoon and then… and then… ugh.

*** ARC provided by Carina Press via NetGalley ***