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kiki124's review against another edition
3.0
Cover bothers me.
Too young, hair's too short. Faron's
also too perfect.
Too young, hair's too short. Faron's
also too perfect.
jennyoli96's review
4.0
I had 1 major issue with this one. But first...
The plot is great. Really, it's a beautiful story. And Roan Parrish is probably my favorite author when it comes to sexual scenes - they're never boring, they're super creative/unusual and they always leave my cheeks on fire. It's not just in this book, I'd already noticed Roan's gift for writing smut in The Remaking of Corbin Wale. So, that coupled with an amazing story makes for a very good book.
That said, I can't give it 5 stars. I would have, if the characters were all aged down. They are older characters but the way in which they're written does not make them act their age. At all. The main character is (is his age a spoiler? probably not but I'm gonna say it so be warned) thirty-six. We don't figure that out right away, and I had not ever painted him a year over twenty-five. And it is not because of his mental health, or his peculiar habits, or because he is just someone who acts younger.No, I felt that about the other characters as well. That was just the biggest example.(Ive read other reviews and no one really seems to have mentioned this so, maybe it's just me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
That's it, though. It's still a very good book.
The plot is great. Really, it's a beautiful story. And Roan Parrish is probably my favorite author when it comes to sexual scenes - they're never boring, they're super creative/unusual and they always leave my cheeks on fire. It's not just in this book, I'd already noticed Roan's gift for writing smut in The Remaking of Corbin Wale. So, that coupled with an amazing story makes for a very good book.
That said, I can't give it 5 stars. I would have, if the characters were all aged down. They are older characters but the way in which they're written does not make them act their age. At all. The main character is (is his age a spoiler? probably not but I'm gonna say it so be warned) thirty-six. We don't figure that out right away, and I had not ever painted him a year over twenty-five. And it is not because of his mental health, or his peculiar habits, or because he is just someone who acts younger.No, I felt that about the other characters as well. That was just the biggest example.(Ive read other reviews and no one really seems to have mentioned this so, maybe it's just me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
That's it, though. It's still a very good book.
lost_windsock's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this book a great deal. Reading about Jude's struggles with depression and self acceptance was important. A few echos of what he felt resonated with me, and made the story feel deeper. His relationship with Faron was difficult, and perfect. I loved the way Faron was written. He was a solid, loving presence. Having read all of the Middle of Somewhere books now, I can say I highly recommend all of them. Roan Parrish's writing is beautiful, and I could not put these books down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
belacerina's review
5.0
I just reread this hauntingly beautiful book and I can't recommend it enough!
Roan Parrish is one of my favourite authors and this book just proves she deserves her place in my heart.
It really touches you and if you're anything like me this book will make you cry several times, in the best way possible. Love love love it!
Roan Parrish is one of my favourite authors and this book just proves she deserves her place in my heart.
It really touches you and if you're anything like me this book will make you cry several times, in the best way possible. Love love love it!
darkestdreamer's review
4.0
Good writing. Great characters. Gripping romance. Really, what more do I need in my romance books?
alyssadokusho's review
5.0
I cried because somehow I had landed somewhere I wanted to be and I realized perhaps it was the first time I'd wanted to be somewhere.
I cried because I finally knew what it was to love someone more than I hated myself.
[4.5] y’all know i relish books centered around mental health, and once again, Roan Parrish did not hesitate in bringing forward yet another poignant and accurate mental health portrayal, this time with Invitation to the Blues.
Jude, a recovering pianist back home after a failed suicide attempt. from the depiction of his downward spirals of depression, his anxiety’s impact on his day-to-day life, his ever-present negative self-talk, you can imagine his internal monologues aren’t a walk in the park, but they carry with it a real rawness that is bound to have you feeling for him, especially if you’ve been in a similar place.
i think it’s awfully easy to relate to Jude’s incessant fear of being a burden to our loved ones, and as a consequence of this belief, we either consciously or unconsciously put distance between ourselves and others to prevent our darkness from spreading and tainting them. but Faron, UGH what a soothing balm to the soul he was.
“I don’t want you out of generosity. Or because I’m some kind of angel or savior. I want you because something inside you vibrates just so with something inside me.”
he is just so remarkably accepting of and attuned to Jude’s everything. so what if he suffers from Perfect Boyfriend Syndrome (LET A GIRL DREAM
chocolatemeerkat's review
5.0
This is one of the best depictions of depression that I have seen in a long time
penguinsquack's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Ableism