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Quick Info
The Lamar St. Jon Experience

• Author: Eliza David
• Publishing House: WriteGirlsProblems Press
• Release Date: 25.12.2019
• Series: The Follow
  book 3, Standalone
• Genre: Contemporary, Romance
• Trigger Warnings: abuse, addictions, arophobia, cancer, cheating, corporal punishment, emotional abuse, emotional blackmail, forced coming out, slurs
• Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Blurb
The Lamar St. Jon Experience

This third installment of The Follow series chronicles the journey of one of its’ most enigmatic characters, celebrity heartthrob Lamar St. Jon.

And he is saying goodbye to stardom for good…at least, he hopes.

Boasting a successful career in modeling, television, & film, Lamar leaves the glitz of celebrity behind to find his own way – without the paparazzi and online buzz surrounding his elusive persona. Then he meets Giovanni ‘Gi’ Hughes: a self-proclaimed ‘Renaissance Negro’ by day and a strip club bartender by night. The unconventional Gi shows quiet Lamar a side of New York the reluctant star never experienced as a national heartthrob. Lamar finds himself immersed in Gi’s bohemian scene, enamored with his carefree spirit and defiant nature. Soon, the two handsome creatives find themselves tangled in a passionate affair.

The moment Lamar starts forgetting about his turbulent superstar past, his estranged parents come barreling back into his life after coming into financial ruin. When they beg him to step back into the spotlight for a quick buck, Lamar has to choose between stepping back into his old role for his family and forging a new life for himself with Gi.

The Queer’s Review

I’ve got a love-hate-relationship with this one.

Because I like our main character Lamar and I really feel with him regarding his anxiety and how he begins to try and take back the control over his life. I don’t see with him eye to eye on an issue that I’m commenting on later.

Gi? Not so much. Or at all, really. One of my notes maybe describes it best:

Fuck off, Gi.

I was hoping that I could come to accept him, because liking him wasn’t possible, but I don’t know. He and I didn’t click at all. I get wanting to have a partner who is out, but I don’t get his way of blackmailing and forcing a coming out. Even worse are his reactions to Lamar coming out again and again and then shying away because he was surprised and overwhelmed.

But I also didn’t get the relationship. I mean, a huge part is thanks to me not liking Gi but an even bigger part stems from it nearly being love at first sight. The feelings between them feel forced and rushed and… more telling them showing.

So why did I read on? Because every now and then I was excited about The Lamar St. Jon Experience. Mainly about Lamar’s exeriences with therapy. And can I just state how much I love that his therapist is voicing what I am thinking?! I’m so onboard with her!

I don’t want to comment on the portrayal of POC here because while the author is ownvoices I am not – at least not with this aspect.

What I do want to comment on, is how Lamar sees being a virgin as being pure (~kindle pos. 1646, Chapter 12). He could have described it as being inexperienced but purity? Come on.

And then there’s a comment by a minor character named Donovan, who states that

Everyone’s meant to be in love

Kindle Pos. 3083, Chapter 23

And I don’t agree with that at all. I mean I’m hoping it’s a language issue on my part and he isn’t talking about romantic love but I’m sure it isn’t thanks to translation. And just. No. Seriously. Just don’t.

Bookish Thoughts

I don’t know if a book’s title has ever been more fitting and summing up the content than the Lamar St. Jon Experience!

Disclaimer

The author provided me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.