Blame it on jet lag. Jason Greene thought he had everything: a dream job as a partner in a large Philadelphia law firm, a beautiful fiancee, and more money than he could ever hope to spend. Then he finds his future wife in bed with another man, and he’s forced to rethink his life and his choices. On a moment’s notice, he runs away to Paris, hoping to make peace with his life.
But Jason’s leave of absence becomes a true journey of the heart when he meets Jules, a struggling jazz violinist with his own cross to bear. In the City of Love, it doesn’t take them long to fall into bed, but as they’re both about to learn, they can’t run from the past. Sooner or later, they’ll have to face the music.
I think for 2/3 of this book, I was in heaven…swept away to Paris (Parheeeee), at a little sidewalk cafe, drinking a cafe au lait, wearing a beret (<-ok, maybe not that far). But, I was THERE with Jason Greene. I wanted to run away from my work and my life and take a sabbatical and ENJOY another country. Jason, this overworked lawyer who suddenly finds himself single after his fiance, Diane, cheats on him, does just that…he escapes to Paris.
While in Paris, he meets musician Jules, much younger, and *ahem* a DUDE (!!!!), Jason finds himself smitten by this brave and strong and determined young man and gives in to his buried cravings for manly lovin’.
Jason, Jules, Paris…I mean C’MON! This is good stuff. And I was eating it up like a flaky croissant with fresh berry jam! The story, for the most part, was tasty! Jason was protective of Jules and his hardships. He was, in every way, the knight in shining armor. Until he faced his own demons, returning to the town where he grew up as a child, and Jules suddenly finds himself supporting big, strong Jason.
And the music…the description of the music was heavenly and I felt it…I could hear it…Shira Anthony (obviously a pro at the music angle…) killed it. It was powerful. The scenes where Jules plays his violin and where Jason plays the piano were their own love language.
So all that is GREAT right?
*hesitates* …yes, it was great. The book is great…for the most part. It just started to draaaag on for me for a bit. And after about halfway, I was kinda hoping they’d get a move on to the end. I was…losing attention.
Granted, the author throws in a bit of a wrench towards the end and I was back IN and engaged to find out what happened to our too-perfect-to-be-true couple. And that kept me going. So, strong start, meh in the middle, and strong ending. Enjoyed it.
And if you want to be swept away into a French love affair with music and some mayhem…Blue Notes is recommended for you!
Title: Blue Notes (Blue Notes #1)
Author: Shira Anthony
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages: 227
Release Date: December 30, 2011
Purchase Links: Dreamspinner, Amazon