Review: Jefferson Blythe, Esquire by Josh Lanyon

Note: This ARC was provided by Carina Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Inspired by his grandfather's copy of Esquire's Europe in Style (the 1960 edition), Jefferson Blythe decides to spend the money he had set aside for his girlfriend's engagement ring to explore the continent accordingly. Only things don't start off too well for Jeff once he arrives at Heathrow Airport when he ends up being hounded by a young woman who seems to be stalking him. Add to that losing the place where he was supposed to stay while in England and Jeff finds himself calling an old friend--one he hasn't spoken to in four years after their friendship suddenly ended after certain revelations were made--named George Sorocco.  The reunion is one George never expected and opens up old wounds that Jeff realizes he needs to make amends for. With unknown elements after him and George keeping secrets of his own, Jeff is having one heck of a memorable vacation--just not quite what Esquire's Europe in Style prepared him for.

Jefferson Blythe, Esquire is a standalone M/M novel from author Josh Lanyon that was far more than what I expected it to be. I went into this book thinking it was going to be about Jeff Blythe and how he discovers himself while traveling around Europe carrying with him an old copy of Esquire's Europe in Style. Yes, he does go several European countries--England, France, and Italy--but I knew there was more to the story when Jeff found himself shadowed by a particularly strange woman hounding him for some sort of egg that was promised her. Then he re-enters the life of George Sorocco, an old friend and neighbor of Jeff's and three years his senior at twenty-five. There's an awkwardness of sorts between the two of them, making it clear that not all is well in their friendship. When Jeff is chased time and again by bad elements, it's George who seems to ready to rescue him, making you wonder what George really does.

I enjoyed this story that had elements of romance, suspense, and mystery all rolled together and the fact that there's a lot more going on than you first suspected makes it an even far more intriguing read. Figuring why people are after Jeff was easier than trying to find out why there was all this tension between Jeff and George. It's difficult to choose which between the two had more of my attention since both the mystery and the romance had me hooked. I liked Jeff, neurosis and all, and while he and George may not immediately strike you as a pair made to be together, there's a great deal of history between the two--both good and bad--and after four years of very little to no communication, the connection between them still exists. Silly me saw the title of the book and assumed that Jeff was some sort of descendant of nobility, but that wouldn't have been as interesting as what actually took place in Jefferson Blythe, Esquire. Five stars! ♥

Date Read: 20 November 2015

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