The Making of Jonty Bloom

Reading the title of the book along with the series name, I thought this was a spy story, some exciting police business at least, some investigation, detective work, guns, bad guys, stuff like that. ‘The Making of Jonty Bloom' was nowhere close to what I was expecting. I might have expected something like that because the last Barbara Elsborg book I read featured some of those things.

I am not at all disappointed I didn't get that, don't get me wrong. I loved this book, I loved Jonty and I loved Devan and I want to write this review then go right back to continuing reading the series.

Barbara Elsborg is definitely one of my favourite authors, I don't have a neat ordered list, but her books are not a miss with me, so far at least. All of her characters are unique and the plots are amazing. Barbara Elsborg makes up some really intriguing and entertaining story lines and manages to keep me glued to her books. Here, in ‘The Making of Jonty Bloom', I wanted to both keep reading, see what's happening next and thread carefully because I was worried about what might happen next.

While the plot made me worry, I had no doubt about Devan and Jonty, they were clearly made for each other, I loved seeing them together, although they sure took their sweet time. I so wanted to finally see them get on with it, and when it finally happened it was great.

I usually lean more towards one of the main characters, but here I loved both of them just as much. And I loved the way they talked openly, honestly, and about everything. How they simply asked if there was something they wanted to know, how good listeners they both were and how they learned so much about one another just by paying attention. They started great and kept being great and they were great together.

Needless to say Brad made me anxious for a good portion of the book. I was expecting him to pop up almost every page and that was not fun. Griff sucked, Ravi sucked, everyone else was okay. Ish. I'm still debating about Willis, Alan, and the sous-chef, and I'm not convinced about half of the parents either, the other half sucked. Felt sorry for Tay, and the lady from the salon opposite the laundrette was cool.

I think I covered most of what I wanted to say (although I am wondering what's the deal with the parents. I see it's common in Barbara Elsborg's books for the parents to be awful) and I'm off to check out the next of Jonty's adventures.

3.5 stars. Loved Jonty to pieces, but thought Devan was a stereotypical “hurt millionaire,” and that trope does not impress me. Plus his melodrama was too OTT and unrealistic even for this type of book (not only did his fiance cheat on him with his brother, but they're now engaged and the brother asks Devan to be the Best Man at their wedding? And nobody in the family can understand why Devan can't let bygones be bygones? Come on!)I loved the other Elsborg book I read [b:The Story of Us 42645127 The Story of Us Barbara Elsborg https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541552860l/42645127.SY75.jpg 65459659], so it might just be that I am cranky and difficult to please these days with the pandemic and the decline of American democracy, etc. So YMMV.