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280th out of 1,095 books
—
1,378 voters
Blue Notes (Blue Notes #1)
by
Shira Anthony (Goodreads Author)
A Blue Notes Series Novel
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 fiancée, 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...more
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 fiancée, 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...more
Paperback, 1st Edition, 230 pages
Published
December 30th 2011
by Dreamspinner Press
(first published December 29th 2011)
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Jan 03, 2012
Ami
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mm-contemporary,
mm-romance-or-erotica
3.75 stars (rounded up)
I don't think I can add other things that haven't been mentioned before by my other reviewer friends. Yes, the repetitive terms older man/younger man, American/Frenchman is off-putting. In fact, I actually counted around 35 mentions of older man, 60+ mentions of younger man/young man (not to mention the term 'kid' that Jason sometimes also use to describe Jules). I know Jason is older and Jules is younger, can we get on with it?
Oh, and I'm also pretty annoyed with Jason's...more
I don't think I can add other things that haven't been mentioned before by my other reviewer friends. Yes, the repetitive terms older man/younger man, American/Frenchman is off-putting. In fact, I actually counted around 35 mentions of older man, 60+ mentions of younger man/young man (not to mention the term 'kid' that Jason sometimes also use to describe Jules). I know Jason is older and Jules is younger, can we get on with it?
Oh, and I'm also pretty annoyed with Jason's...more
3.75 Stars
This was a sweet story. A man travelling to Paris to do some thinking about his life, only to find possibilities he never knew he had for himself.
Jason is an attorney in Philadelphia and after finding his fiancee in bed with another man. He decides he needs time off. He goes to Paris. He has a history with that city and it might be the best place to do some thinking about his future. The night he arrives he walks into a jazz club and is totally taken by the young man playing the violi...more
This was a sweet story. A man travelling to Paris to do some thinking about his life, only to find possibilities he never knew he had for himself.
Jason is an attorney in Philadelphia and after finding his fiancee in bed with another man. He decides he needs time off. He goes to Paris. He has a history with that city and it might be the best place to do some thinking about his future. The night he arrives he walks into a jazz club and is totally taken by the young man playing the violi...more
13 likes
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I really loved this story. It hit me just right. This is a GFY (although his sexuality is questionable to begin with) where we get to meet Jaz the toppy lawyer who meets a young cute submissive violin player. There are some really decent surprises to the story that keep it moving in a great direction. It does have the traditional secrets, miscommunication and Jules tend to be a 'runner', but other than that the story was solid. A plus to the story is that at least 80% of the story is based in Pa...more
Dec 30, 2011
Anders
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
music-themed,
series,
glbt,
gay-for-you,
first-time-gay,
contemporary,
foreign-locale,
angst,
favorites
A great read! Sexy, sweet, with a wonderful HEA that make me tear up. The Paris backdrop was wonderful and realistic, almost like another character in the story. It made me wish I was there. And Jules, he was so sweet. Strong, and fragile, too, and a perfect match for Jason. I especially enjoyed the music references (I need to go listen to a few of them now!) and the way the author described them. I look forward to reading more of this series!
"Blue Notes" is the first in the "Blue Notes" series of interrelated, music-themed gay romances. Each book is stand-alone, but the characters all inhabit the same corner of the classical music world. Book Two in the series,The Melody Thief, was released by Dreamspinner Press on August 24, 2012.
"Blue Notes" is loosely based upon my life growing up in France and my career as a classical musician (violinist and opera singer). Jason's background is similar to my own, and I've even given him my home...more
"Blue Notes" is loosely based upon my life growing up in France and my career as a classical musician (violinist and opera singer). Jason's background is similar to my own, and I've even given him my home...more
4 likes
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4.5 stars
Not much to say about this that hasn’t been said before. I loved it!
From the characters, the setting and the music references – I loved it from start to finish. The writing was very good. I enjoyed how the characters developed throughout the story and how the author managed to give insight into both characters to make me want to cheer them on. Jason was a great characters to get to know, but it was Jules who won my heart. He wore his heart on his sleeve and I just wanted to take him ho...more
Not much to say about this that hasn’t been said before. I loved it!
From the characters, the setting and the music references – I loved it from start to finish. The writing was very good. I enjoyed how the characters developed throughout the story and how the author managed to give insight into both characters to make me want to cheer them on. Jason was a great characters to get to know, but it was Jules who won my heart. He wore his heart on his sleeve and I just wanted to take him ho...more
"Blue Notes" is the first in the "Blue Notes" series of interrelated, music-themed gay romances. Each book is stand-alone, but the characters all inhabit the same corner of the classical music world. Book Two in the series,The Melody Thief, was released by Dreamspinner Press on August 24, 2012.
"Blue Notes" is loosely based upon my life growing up in France and my career as a classical musician (violinist and opera singer). Jason's background is similar to my own, and I've even given him my home...more
"Blue Notes" is loosely based upon my life growing up in France and my career as a classical musician (violinist and opera singer). Jason's background is similar to my own, and I've even given him my home...more
Absolutely LOVED it!! Totally looking forward to the other books that are expected to follow!!
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book! Jason, a successful lawyer in Philadelphia, walks in on his fiancee in bed with another man and immediately calls off the engagement. Needing to clear his head, he decides to take sabbatical in Paris for a couple of months. While at a jazz club, he meets an enigmatic and hugely talented violinist, Jules. Even though it was his music that first captured Jason's attention, he is soon enchanted by the young musician.
Blue Notes is a great romance novel that mixes...more
I really enjoyed this book! Jason, a successful lawyer in Philadelphia, walks in on his fiancee in bed with another man and immediately calls off the engagement. Needing to clear his head, he decides to take sabbatical in Paris for a couple of months. While at a jazz club, he meets an enigmatic and hugely talented violinist, Jules. Even though it was his music that first captured Jason's attention, he is soon enchanted by the young musician.
Blue Notes is a great romance novel that mixes...more
Blue Notes ist eine schöne Geschichte, manchmal zwar etwas langatmig, aber dafür waren die Charaktere richtig toll. Gestört haben mich nur die einzelnen französischen Wörter zwischendurch, die ich jedesmal erst googlen musste, da ich kein Wort verstanden habe. Wer Paris und klassische Musik mag, dem wird das Buch gefallen.
I really enjoyed this story. The way Jason and Jules began their relationship just seemed very believable. It was easy to feel the varying emotions from Jason when being with Jules for the first time. Even though there was a pretty big age gap, and they seemed to be very different on the outside (Jason being a successful lawyer and Jules being a struggling musician from the streets), they turned out to be quite the good fit for each other.
The only real thing that bugged me about this was the fre...more
The only real thing that bugged me about this was the fre...more
I loved the story...but got quite tired of the author constantly describing the main characters as the "younger man" and the "older man". Enough already. We know there's 12 years difference in their age...move on. I wished this book came with a audio play button...to hear their music.
Highly recommend. Wonderful storytelling. 4.5 stars.
Stars: 2.5/5
Overall
While this story has some shining moments, the writing, the "rich man rescues poor kid" trope, and the beginning kept me from rating it too high. Initially I was concerned the book was going to end up on my rare DNF shelf, but it kept my attention enough to read through to the end. It picks up after its rocky start and some readers may be more forgiving of the negatives I point out, especially those who love Paris stories with music focuses and a slight age gap between protago...more
Overall
While this story has some shining moments, the writing, the "rich man rescues poor kid" trope, and the beginning kept me from rating it too high. Initially I was concerned the book was going to end up on my rare DNF shelf, but it kept my attention enough to read through to the end. It picks up after its rocky start and some readers may be more forgiving of the negatives I point out, especially those who love Paris stories with music focuses and a slight age gap between protago...more
3 likes
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Shira Anthony delivers an exquisite story in BLUE NOTES and one I found myself reading twice in one weekend. Superb characters to root for, a backdrop of the famed city of Paris, and a passion that is born of friendship. What Shira Anthony has done is deliver a story that will stir the senses, steal your heart and make you long to follow the paths Jason and Jules walked in Paris. With the right amount of simmering sexual tension, mystery, romance and a few twists to keep the reader on the edge o...more
I'm going to start with writing about Diane. She was Jason's (or Jaz's) fiancee at the start of the story and she appears towards the end. The author made her a reasonable woman and not the usual strung out (not on drugs) harridan that is usually present in m/m writing (which I HATE). It was nice to see that she was level headed and tried then was mature enough to know when things were over. Good for her (even if she was a cheating ho LOL).
I hated that Jules was so quick to give up when he saw...more
I hated that Jules was so quick to give up when he saw...more
1 like
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I absolutely loved this book! This was my first time reading a full MM novel, and I have to say I'm in danger of becoming addicted to the genre.
The characters were very relatable and so well described that I could picture them easily. Even the secondary characters rang true and brought warmth and depth to the story. The romance was passionate and logical, nothing felt forced, and while love scenes were a bit graphic for my personal taste, they were tastefully done and pulse-inducing. I found mys...more
The characters were very relatable and so well described that I could picture them easily. Even the secondary characters rang true and brought warmth and depth to the story. The romance was passionate and logical, nothing felt forced, and while love scenes were a bit graphic for my personal taste, they were tastefully done and pulse-inducing. I found mys...more
After walking in on his fiance and a strange man in his bed, Jason Greene needs a break. A long break, far away from his Philadelphia home. So he arranges a two month sabbatical from the law firm he is with, and makes plans to stay at his sister's apartment in Paris.
Yes, two months in Paris, the city of lights and love could be just what he needs.
On his first night there, he stumbles on a small jazz club, and decides to stay for the show. The relaxation is just what he needs, and jazz soothes hi...more
Yes, two months in Paris, the city of lights and love could be just what he needs.
On his first night there, he stumbles on a small jazz club, and decides to stay for the show. The relaxation is just what he needs, and jazz soothes hi...more
I have to fully disclose that I've met Shira Anthony and found her adorable and lovely. So in the spirit of full disclosure, I have to declare that I went into reading Blue Notes with her sparkling personality and wit in mind.
And oh the book did not disappoint.
I love Paris (for the most part). It's not one of my deep loves like Venice or San Francisco but Paris has a certain flavour to it and Blue Notes captures that perfectly. Paris does love its music and certainly, has an intense love affair...more
And oh the book did not disappoint.
I love Paris (for the most part). It's not one of my deep loves like Venice or San Francisco but Paris has a certain flavour to it and Blue Notes captures that perfectly. Paris does love its music and certainly, has an intense love affair...more
I have to admit to getting this book for free from dreamspinner for their giveaways, as it probably wouldn’t have been something I would have bought for myself.
But it was an enjoyable read all in all. I have to agree with some reviews that the use of younger/older man and Frenchman/ American was annoying as hell but I managed to get over it.
I kind of hated the misunderstanding in the end.....but not as much for it to ruin the book for me- it could have been worse :)
What I did like very much was...more
But it was an enjoyable read all in all. I have to agree with some reviews that the use of younger/older man and Frenchman/ American was annoying as hell but I managed to get over it.
I kind of hated the misunderstanding in the end.....but not as much for it to ruin the book for me- it could have been worse :)
What I did like very much was...more
3.5 stars.
This was a very sweet story about Jason "Jaz", a lawyer who is taking a 2 month sabbatical from his corporate job after catching his fiancee cheating on him. Since his sister owns a flat in Paris, Jaz decides that would be a good place to spend some time. While visiting jazz bars, he hears Jules, a young violinist playing and they strike up a friendship even though it's clear that Jules is interested in more than friendship. This is a gfy romance, but Jaz admits to some latent tendenci...more
This was a very sweet story about Jason "Jaz", a lawyer who is taking a 2 month sabbatical from his corporate job after catching his fiancee cheating on him. Since his sister owns a flat in Paris, Jaz decides that would be a good place to spend some time. While visiting jazz bars, he hears Jules, a young violinist playing and they strike up a friendship even though it's clear that Jules is interested in more than friendship. This is a gfy romance, but Jaz admits to some latent tendenci...more
Blue Notes - at first sight a GFY is more like the journey of a man discovering what he wants from life and love by falling for a much younger man on a visit to Paris.
Tourist attractions,delicious food,jazz and classical music galore,lots of terms in French language - this book really got the French-vibe...
Jonas and Jules were an adorable couple that fell in love quickly but they both needed their time to get comfortable in their relationship,especially the older Jonas who fled to Paris after a...more
Tourist attractions,delicious food,jazz and classical music galore,lots of terms in French language - this book really got the French-vibe...
Jonas and Jules were an adorable couple that fell in love quickly but they both needed their time to get comfortable in their relationship,especially the older Jonas who fled to Paris after a...more
12 likes
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I won't...
The imbalance of power in the relationship was so severe in the beginning of the book that I nearly gave it up, and although it got better as things progressed, it never reached truly believable levels for me. (view spoiler)...more
No, French don't make quiches for breakfast. It's lunch or dinner, with a salad on the side. Not for breakfast. And we don't brunch except on Sundays and/or in some specific bobochic circles. And someone born in Nanterre's bad part and is currently in his 20 has more chance to be called Kevin than Jules (Julien yes, Jules ... probably not).
But, to be fair, besides those above, there is not much clichés piled up for us and for that I'm grateful.
Otherwise, as been said in other reviews, there are...more
But, to be fair, besides those above, there is not much clichés piled up for us and for that I'm grateful.
Otherwise, as been said in other reviews, there are...more
Feb 03, 2012
Sandra
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
M/M romance lovers
From the blurb:
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 fiancée, 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 v...more
This was a bit of a surprise, it was insightful and thoughtful and made me smile most of the way through. I found the constant references to their ages a little tiring because with in the story it is not a real issue but by using it as part of the narrative it made it stand out. The thing is this is a story about a man finding himself with the help of music and love not about age. The story is emotional and it is really interesting to see Jaz get back to the man he was before he allowed people t...more
1 like
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This is the first book I'm reading with a more "critical eye"; if you read my blog, you'll have seen that up until now, I've read purely for pleasure or research. What I'm doing, starting with Blue Notes, is to take my time and actually analyze the writing, the elements of story, the characters and POV--rather than just tearing through it a kid whose just found giant chocolate Santa in their stocking and devours it all before breakfast! (And if that comparison gives you the idea that I'm enjoyin...more
Jason is an older, "straight", wealthy, American attorney. One day he returns home to find his fiancée in bed with another man, and decides to take a leave of absence from work. He flies to Paris and meets Jules on his first night. Jules is a homeless, gifted French violinist and composer. He is young - 22 y.o and a flirt. He pursues Jason and after a few days of feeble protesting, Jason allows Jules to get him into bed.
What irritated me the most with this story (amongst many other things) were...more
What irritated me the most with this story (amongst many other things) were...more
Picked up this story because honestly, how could I resist: Lovers in Paris who are immersed in music?! Was I ever happy that I did pick it up(and could barely put it down)- what a wonderful story.
Jaz is a Parisian educated American who returns to Paris as an escape, and in doing so ends up coming to terms with his sexuality and his past demons with the accompaniment of Jules, a gifted violinist with a troubled history. I absolutely loved both Jaz and Jules and found their actions to be completel...more
Jaz is a Parisian educated American who returns to Paris as an escape, and in doing so ends up coming to terms with his sexuality and his past demons with the accompaniment of Jules, a gifted violinist with a troubled history. I absolutely loved both Jaz and Jules and found their actions to be completel...more
The story is more like a 3.5, but Paris deserves that plus half star, so it's a 4 in the end.
I liked the story very much. It had many things in it that I love; music, older man/younger man lovers, different cultures and -of course- France, which is beautiful even in the winter.
The frequently used younger man, older man, American, Frenchman terms were a little annoying, and the sex while hot, a little too much. My other complaint and why I knocked off a star was the lack of good supporting chara...more
I liked the story very much. It had many things in it that I love; music, older man/younger man lovers, different cultures and -of course- France, which is beautiful even in the winter.
The frequently used younger man, older man, American, Frenchman terms were a little annoying, and the sex while hot, a little too much. My other complaint and why I knocked off a star was the lack of good supporting chara...more
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| Dreamspinner Press: Blue Notes by Shira Anthony | 2 | 15 | Dec 31, 2011 10:00pm | |
| yaoiholic: Release Party and Contests Today for "Blue Notes" 12-30-11 | 1 | 6 | Dec 30, 2011 07:02am |
Shira Anthony is a complete sucker for a happily-ever-after, and rarely reads or writes a story without one. Never a fan of instalove, Shira likes to write stories about real men with real issues making real relationships work.
In her last incarnation, Shira was a professional opera singer, performing roles in such operas as “Tosca,” “Pagliacci,” and “La Traviata,” among others. Her Blue Notes Ser...more
More about Shira Anthony...
In her last incarnation, Shira was a professional opera singer, performing roles in such operas as “Tosca,” “Pagliacci,” and “La Traviata,” among others. Her Blue Notes Ser...more
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“Jules sidled over to Jason and, without warning, slipped a single finger under the waistband of Jason’s pants. “I like the clothes,” he said as he looked up at Jason with a challenge in his eyes. Jason calmly extricated Jules’s hand, bringing it up between the two of them.
“You don’t quit, do you?” Jason chuckled, realizing that he’d not only gotten used to the kid’s flirting, but that he was beginning to find it a little bit flattering. His face grew warm with the thought, and he hoped that Jules hadn’t noticed.
“Nah. Quitting’s not my style.”
—
2 people liked it
“You don’t quit, do you?” Jason chuckled, realizing that he’d not only gotten used to the kid’s flirting, but that he was beginning to find it a little bit flattering. His face grew warm with the thought, and he hoped that Jules hadn’t noticed.
“Nah. Quitting’s not my style.”
“Jules rested the violin and bow on the case and sat down next to Jason. He hesitated for a moment, watching the older man with uncomfortable intensity, then reached for Jason and brushed a single tear from his cheek. For Jason, the touch was electric, and his physical response unexpected.
“Bach always touches my soul,” Jules half whispered. His fingers still rested against Jason’s cheek. “He must have known great love, and great pain, to write something so powerful.” Jason realized that his own pain must be showing on his face, because Jules, too, looked sad.
"I’ve never been religious,” Jules said, his eyes never leaving Jason’s, “but I played this piece in a tiny church once. It was like God was there with me, speaking through me.”
When Jason remained silent, Jules leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. At a loss to explain the intense emotional and sexual response of his own body and equally unable to stop himself, Jason
reached for Jules and returned the kiss. The younger man’s lips tasted of wine and musk, and Jason realized that he was hungry for more.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
“Bach always touches my soul,” Jules half whispered. His fingers still rested against Jason’s cheek. “He must have known great love, and great pain, to write something so powerful.” Jason realized that his own pain must be showing on his face, because Jules, too, looked sad.
"I’ve never been religious,” Jules said, his eyes never leaving Jason’s, “but I played this piece in a tiny church once. It was like God was there with me, speaking through me.”
When Jason remained silent, Jules leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. At a loss to explain the intense emotional and sexual response of his own body and equally unable to stop himself, Jason
reached for Jules and returned the kiss. The younger man’s lips tasted of wine and musk, and Jason realized that he was hungry for more.”
I think DSP doesn'...more
Jan 03, 2012 09:44pm
Jan 10, 2012 06:02am