A superb, madcap, soul stirring adventure

I listen to a great many audio books -- mostly MM of late -- including all of Josh Lanyon's offerings. Aaron Landon is hands down in my top tier of top tier performers. His animated and nuanced narration here is captivating. No caricatured voices, no over-dramatizing. Just pure talent for breathing voice to an already superb story. Mr. Landon graced each character with a distinctive and utterly appropriate voice. I was 100% engaged and entertained and will be looking up more of his work.

Blythe: Happy; merry. People with this name have a deep inner desire for travel and adventure, and want to set their own pace in life without being governed by tradition. ~ Book of Gaelic Names

From the opening paragraph I was hooked on this superbly written, madcap, yet soul stirring adventure. Jefferson Blythe was a character I was immediately rooting for and intrigued by. The manner in which he followed his grandfather's old guidebook - in fact the inclusion of text from an actual 1960 copy of Esquire’s Europe In Style – was a brilliant thread throughout the story. It served to illustrate how important it was for young Jefferson to honor his grandfather while experiencing the world through his own eyes; while carving his own way. It also helped to make me feel as though I were smack in the locales of the story – during the 60s as well as now.

The whacky -and at times surprisingly dark - mystery surrounding Jefferson’s mistaken identity dovetailed perfectly with the poignant mystery surrounding his back story with George. And then there was the current mystery surrounding George’s employment… I must say I was a bit thrown by the seriousness of some incidents which occurred fairly early in the story. I was expecting a bit lighter fare regarding the mystery elements, but one knows what is said about expectations! Lanyon is certainly a deft hand at serving up entertaining - and often unexpected - twists! Jefferson's mixture of fortitude and vulnerability were something that really hit me in the heart.... I even cried a few times when Jefferson was feeling so confused and dejected about George. The pain and confusion experienced by both of them on their tentative road to romance was very moving.

The humor running throughout felt spot on and provided a great balance to both the emotional ups and downs and the seriousness of Jefferson's predicament with his pursuers. Throwing Colin (a character from a different Lanyon story) in as Jefferson’s savior in Paris had me grinning like a fool. I'm so glad in the end Jefferson brought his obvious trait of courage forward to embrace his own heart, and to help George do the same. This was a wonderful coming of age story wrapped in a zany mystery. The foundation is there for a solid romance between Jefferson and George. I have a good feeling about their future. I also have a feeling trouble may came looking for them both again!

5 people found this helpful

Well this is different

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would. there is mystery. Crazy girl. Russian mafia, and a nervous kid.

What did you like best about this story?

the mystery. And the funny way the MC found himself in trouble. over and over

Which character – as performed by Aaron Landon – was your favorite?

Jeff. Aaron was perfect for this book. I always wonder how narrators are chosen.
I must say Aaron was great all the way. Since the MC was only 22 his voice was perfect. And it was easy to hear the book without needing to read it (like some books where voices blend together wondering who is talking now?)

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

How to get in trouble in Europe?

Any additional comments?

this book is Josh Lanyon mystery book. Different from his other books:
MCs are young men, other books they were in their 30s or 40s.
No one was an artist, writer, cop, or professor/teacher.

3 people found this helpful

Engaging mystery, lackluster romance

Having read the reviews before listening to Jefferson Blythe, Esquire, I was aware that although most people loved it in general, there were two criticisms I kept seeing repeated: first, that the mystery was unrealistic and full of too many unlikely coincidences, and second, that the romance was pretty lukewarm and ended on an unsatisfactory conclusion.

Dealing with the first one first (naturally), I have to say that I disagree. The mystery is fun. Granted, the solution a bit anticlimactic (I was thinking there would be more of a twist, but this is a rare Lanyon novel where with a couple exceptions, everything really is pretty much as it seems) but I really don't have any complaints about the mystery, which takes up the bulk of the novel. That leaves the second criticism, that the love story between Jefferson and George didn't live up to Lanyon's usual standard. Lanyon has always deftly been able to balance romance and suspense in her novels, far more so than most M/M writers, to be honest. But because so many people were critical of that aspect of this novel, I was bracing myself for a dissatisfying conclusion to that aspect. And I certainly got it. And you can't even actually blame either of the characters; they both act perfectly reasonable given their situations. I might be able to rate the romance higher if we had a sequel or even a damn epilogue. but as far as I can tell this is a standalone and this is all we're going to get, alas.

No complaints about the narrator, Aaron Landon, who is fantastic enough that I'm perfectly willing to give this another listen even though I wasn't crazy about the romance arc. He gets an easy five stars from me. The well-crafted mystery, wonderful prose, and the superbly-realized protagonist who comes of age during the course of the novel all add up to four stars, but buyer beware, if you're expecting another Adrien and Jake you'll end up disappointed.

1 person found this helpful

Good enough

Would you try another book from Josh Lanyon and/or Aaron Landon?

The first 3 chapters I needed to speed through after a short while, with their extended crime and kidnapping journey. Way too much unpleasant detail.
I just told myself, that I wanted to know what happened after some violent mistreatment of a character. After a while I started getting interested in the story. But it was only marginally worthwhile.

What was most disappointing about Josh Lanyon’s story?

dragged out mystery that wasn't very interesting in the first place.

What does Aaron Landon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Fantastic work

1 person found this helpful

Love it! And Colin!

I love it. Great story! I especially love the audible narration, the best reader I had ever heard. I just realized that the side character Colin in this book must be the same Colin from one of Josh's Novellettes "The French Has the Word For It". I was very excited to discover that!

1 person found this helpful

Improbable but cute

Look, anytime you pick up a Josh Lanyon book you know you're going to roll your eyes at some of the plot elements, his characters are as charming as they are bumbling. Just suspend disbelief and go with it and you'll enjoy the ride.

1 person found this helpful

Light listening

I wasn't sure what to think of this story. Based on the blurb I figured it would be a comedy. Well it wasn't, but the story was very improbable. I had to seriously suspend belief on most of it. Having said that, it was enjoyable listening to it.. I hadn't heard anything narrated by Aaron Landon and he is someone I will be looking out for. I guess my biggest complaint is the ending. I like my stories tied up in nice bows with epilogues that let me know how things work out. This story just ends. I don't think I'd have bought it on its own, but I got it during the buy one get one sale, so I have no regrets.

Fun, Silly, but Enjoyable

This was a fun, crazy, silly, sexy, unbelievable story, but I loved it. The narrator, Aaron Landon, did a great job with the different voices. Jefferson came across as sincere but naive and George as confident, and at times, vulnerable. The plot was over-the-top, but it was simply too much fun to get on my nerves the way some silly stories do. I was quite surprised at how much I enjoyed this, in large part because of the great narration.