Review: Yes, of course I loved it; another 5 stars for JL; beautiful story in all
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 30, 2014
At 3%, I thought, "I'm already laughing, I'm already intrigued in the plot, and I'm in good writing heaven. This is why I love Josh Lanyon."At 21%, I came up with a theory to how the book was going to end, but doubted it because I thought it was too cliche for Lanyon. (But then, it turned out to be right anyway.)But regardless of the predictability of certain threads of the book, I didn't find out the whole story or the later startling twists until they hit me in the face. And regardless of the specifics, I was engrossed in the story and emotionally attached to the characters from around 3% onwards. That's the magic of a Lanyon story, and this one definitely delivers.It featured younger men (well, at least one) than I'm used to associating with JL's works, and seemed new and fresh in that way, among a few others. It also had the same trademarks and usual plot sequence that most of his works I've read do, though: MC is introduced to mystery, handsome/forbidding man opposes him, they eventually fall into it with each other, MC has some feelings surface but is unsure, meanwhile both MC and his lover get dragged deeply into the mystery, MC gathers clues, figures it all out close to the end, gets life threatened, solves it, gets the man, and I don't guess it all beforehand. But this sequence works. Every. Single. Time. I always fall for the MC and the other man, I always get reeled in and stay caught in the plot, I rarely (twice now?) figure it out before the reveal, I always learn awesome random facts that are sown in, and I always get taken on a beautiful journey."He walked him into his room and the whole way Brian was dragging his heels and pleading and kissing Pierce's hand." (I just had to add this quote--you'll understand how touching and saddening that image is once you've reached that part.)Stranger on the Shore is no different, and in fact just shows Lanyon's polished writing style and masterful story-telling in an even brighter light. Shown in the suspense I felt while uncovering Griff's emotions and his confusion, the vehemence I felt towards the supposed and unknown antagonists for much of the book, and how I cracked up laughing at random lines throughout it."Griff left the shelter of the trees and the house stood before him, lights blazing in welcome. Of course, it wasn't actually in welcome. It was in complete disregard for natural resources and indifference to utility bills.""'He came to one of her art shows when he got out of prison. Isn't that romantic?'"I read until 3:40am and I have work tomorrow, that's how much I loved reading this, and couldn't put it down. I felt rush after rush, I was excited, angry, happy, sad, and curious, and I don't know much more I could expect from a story.All that being said, this is not one of my favorite books (by Lanyon or otherwise), but it is definitely worth the read, I loved it, and highly recommend it.And I adore the cover. Absolutely gorgeous scene with the border created by the rounded arches, the unyielding stone pathway leading away to the water, and the muted colors and feel to the scene. Plus, I just noticed the far-off blinking light across the water, another reference to The Great Gatsby. How brilliant.Lastly, because my dad's a lawyer, I must add this quote too:"Right. He's conservative by nature. Well, he's a lawyer. That pretty much sums it up.":D