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littlebookterror's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.75
I kind of don't want anyone else to read this book. Is that a strange thing to say about something I loved so much?
I knew this story would be it me when we first get introduced to Jude through Christopher's letters in Small Change. Now he's back home after his release from the hospital, his life is a mess and Jude is not really in the state of mind to make any big decisions. The exhaustion he feels at just making the slightest of efforts (eating, dressing, finding work) - I felt that. There is also a larger subplot about his past relationship that went terribly wrong which was equally harrowing to read about, especially when you can see how his depression still twists things around in his mind (that no matter what mistakes he has made, he did not deserve what he got but he cannot see it).
The story is slow, emotional; barely anything happens. But I was captivated. The way Jude's depression manifests in his life, how it influences his thoughts, how it controls his words - it was like looking in a mirror. Seeing the problems it causes in his life as well as the kind of people he had to put with was heartbreaking to read about but it also made every moment with Faron so much more precious.
And speaking of Faron. I love characters like him; who are very deliberate and present at whatever they are doing. While is the stable counterpart to Jude, he's never made out to be this all-perfect, unflappable superhuman coming in to save the day, it's just clear that he has figured out through trial and error how he wants to live his life. (P.S If you liked him, I suggest you might try Courtship: A 'Snowflake' Novel, Ibrahim Carter has many of the same qualities.)
The book has a happy ending and I could not imagine it ending any other way but I love it's not all sunshine and roses at the end and that the time skip in the epilogue was just three months. As much as I want both of them to have it all it would not have fit the overall atmosphere of the book and since depression is not something that will vanish, I feel it would have left the wrong impression if it was all wrapped up.
I also loved that we got to see more of Philly crew (Ginger and Daniel have my heart). And Christopher is still the best younger brother one could have.
(There were a few things I would have loved to come full circle from a story perspective, like the cat situation, Faron's nightmare or a longer conversation between Jude and Christopher, but lives are messy and imperfect and don't always wrap up nicely. And I feel like Jude and Faron's relationship ends up at a good stopping point for readers.)
I knew this story would be it me when we first get introduced to Jude through Christopher's letters in Small Change. Now he's back home after his release from the hospital, his life is a mess and Jude is not really in the state of mind to make any big decisions. The exhaustion he feels at just making the slightest of efforts (eating, dressing, finding work) - I felt that. There is also a larger subplot about his past relationship that went terribly wrong which was equally harrowing to read about, especially when you can see how his depression still twists things around in his mind (that no matter what mistakes he has made, he did not deserve what he got but he cannot see it).
The story is slow, emotional; barely anything happens. But I was captivated. The way Jude's depression manifests in his life, how it influences his thoughts, how it controls his words - it was like looking in a mirror. Seeing the problems it causes in his life as well as the kind of people he had to put with was heartbreaking to read about but it also made every moment with Faron so much more precious.
And speaking of Faron. I love characters like him; who are very deliberate and present at whatever they are doing. While is the stable counterpart to Jude, he's never made out to be this all-perfect, unflappable superhuman coming in to save the day, it's just clear that he has figured out through trial and error how he wants to live his life. (P.S If you liked him, I suggest you might try Courtship: A 'Snowflake' Novel, Ibrahim Carter has many of the same qualities.)
The book has a happy ending and I could not imagine it ending any other way but I love it's not all sunshine and roses at the end and that the time skip in the epilogue was just three months. As much as I want both of them to have it all it would not have fit the overall atmosphere of the book and since depression is not something that will vanish, I feel it would have left the wrong impression if it was all wrapped up.
I also loved that we got to see more of Philly crew (Ginger and Daniel have my heart). And Christopher is still the best younger brother one could have.
(There were a few things I would have loved to come full circle from a story perspective, like the cat situation, Faron's nightmare or a longer conversation between Jude and Christopher, but lives are messy and imperfect and don't always wrap up nicely. And I feel like Jude and Faron's relationship ends up at a good stopping point for readers.)
amphipodgirl's review
5.0
Jude has major depressive disorder. Faron provides a kind of radical acceptance that makes him perfect for Jude without making him be a rescuer or a magic cure.
theunrealerin's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
An excellent story with a realistic portrayal of depression, and a mentally healthy and validating love of the whole person because of who they are not in spite of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Eating disorder
jessmsamuels's review
4.0
The sequel to Small Change was a wonderful follow-up. Darker and a harder read than the first due to the nature of what Jude is dealing with (suicide attempt, anxiety, depression), but also hopeful and sweet. Loved Faron Locklear as a character, and the way they complement each other. Their respect for one another's needs is amazing to take in, and something to emulate in any relationship.
Very well done and such a wonderful way to show how people struggling with mental health are worthy of love and deserve all of the romance afforded to a neurotypical main character.
Very well done and such a wonderful way to show how people struggling with mental health are worthy of love and deserve all of the romance afforded to a neurotypical main character.
trogdor19's review
5.0
Faron is a dream; a standout character with intense charisma. The sex scenes in this book are very unique, blending artistic elements with intimacy and sensuality. They were terrifically memorable. I love the way this author writes about artists and musicians and her books are quickly becoming an auto-buy for me.
reviewerlarissa's review
4.0
Listened to the audiobook, which was awesome and well narrated.
It was a beautiful story that deals with depression and emotional abuse. I thought it was well done and inspiring. Though I did miss the extra dimension of Jude’s depression. Not once did he see a therapist (I know not everyone does, but with what happened...) it was also not mentioned.
It was a beautiful story that deals with depression and emotional abuse. I thought it was well done and inspiring. Though I did miss the extra dimension of Jude’s depression. Not once did he see a therapist (I know not everyone does, but with what happened...) it was also not mentioned.
emlickliter's review
5.0
Invitation to the Blues – Jude, Christopher’s brother, comes home after a failed suicide attempt. As his family realizes how much he sacrificed to balance depression and music, they are all willing to help however they can. The person who is having the best luck actually helping is Faron who works as a tattoo artist with Christopher’s girlfriend. Jude starts giving piano lessons and rebuilding an abandoned piano giving him the time to figure out what he really wants from his musical gift and his life. Watching this community rally around Jude was wonderful even if it punched me right in the feels! Happy Reading!
the_novel_approach's review
5.0
~ 4.5 Stars ~
Wow, you guys. This book was stunning. Roan Parrish’s Invitation to the Blues is so many things… It’s a story about second chances, and about hope. It’s a gorgeous love story. It’s a book about acceptance—both accepting and understanding others and, maybe even more importantly, accepting yourself and believing you’re worthy of that love and acceptance. Parrish handles the story’s tough subject matter with sensitivity and intelligence. Her writing is exquisite; I was immediately taken in by Jude’s story and by Faron’s gentle kindness. I can’t even tell you how many things I highlighted because I was either simply in awe of the words or wanted to be able to go back and swoon over them later. This book had SO much depth and heart.
As with Parrish’s other books, Invitation to the Blues is very character driven. Character development is definitely one of the author’s biggest strengths, and the amount of thought and research that must have gone into her depiction of Jude’s character in particular is incredible. Depression is a horrible thing to have to live with and can be crippling and even baffling at times. Reading about what that was like on a day-to-day basis for Jude was both eye-opening and heart-wrenching. I can’t personally imagine that struggle, but I have several loved ones living with depression and anxiety, and I know how vulnerable it can make a person feel. I saw red several times in the book when Jude revealed how his ex, Kaspar, treated him when they were together. And, by contrast, I loved the way Faron really saw Jude, and the straightforward way he dealt with the depression.
Jude has lived most of his life feeling like he’s disappointing everyone around him. From his parents, to his brother, to his colleagues, and finally, Kaspar, but that begins to change a little bit when he starts seeing Faron. There were maybe a couple of times where Faron seemed a little too good to be true, but he was otherwise so perfect for Jude. He didn’t make Jude feel like he was failing at everything, but instead saw the whole picture, all of Jude’s pieces together. I loved Faron so, so much, and I absolutely loved them together. I think the fact that they were both artists and each felt their craft so deeply was a big part of what drew them together. The scenes where Faron was painting or Jude was either playing or talking about his music were absolutely breathtaking. Parrish’s writing is so masterful and mesmerizing.
This book is the second in a series—it’s the sequel to Small Change—but, it can definitely be read as a standalone. In fact, I haven’t read Small Change yet, but after seeing Ginger and Christopher again here (they were both first introduced in In the Middle of Somewhere) and falling in love with them both, you can bet I’m going to be getting on that soon. Ginger is hilarious and smart, and Christopher is such a sweetheart. I can’t wait to read their story, too.
Go get this book, people! It’s another beautiful Roan Parrish story that you don’t want to miss.
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
Wow, you guys. This book was stunning. Roan Parrish’s Invitation to the Blues is so many things… It’s a story about second chances, and about hope. It’s a gorgeous love story. It’s a book about acceptance—both accepting and understanding others and, maybe even more importantly, accepting yourself and believing you’re worthy of that love and acceptance. Parrish handles the story’s tough subject matter with sensitivity and intelligence. Her writing is exquisite; I was immediately taken in by Jude’s story and by Faron’s gentle kindness. I can’t even tell you how many things I highlighted because I was either simply in awe of the words or wanted to be able to go back and swoon over them later. This book had SO much depth and heart.
As with Parrish’s other books, Invitation to the Blues is very character driven. Character development is definitely one of the author’s biggest strengths, and the amount of thought and research that must have gone into her depiction of Jude’s character in particular is incredible. Depression is a horrible thing to have to live with and can be crippling and even baffling at times. Reading about what that was like on a day-to-day basis for Jude was both eye-opening and heart-wrenching. I can’t personally imagine that struggle, but I have several loved ones living with depression and anxiety, and I know how vulnerable it can make a person feel. I saw red several times in the book when Jude revealed how his ex, Kaspar, treated him when they were together. And, by contrast, I loved the way Faron really saw Jude, and the straightforward way he dealt with the depression.
Jude has lived most of his life feeling like he’s disappointing everyone around him. From his parents, to his brother, to his colleagues, and finally, Kaspar, but that begins to change a little bit when he starts seeing Faron. There were maybe a couple of times where Faron seemed a little too good to be true, but he was otherwise so perfect for Jude. He didn’t make Jude feel like he was failing at everything, but instead saw the whole picture, all of Jude’s pieces together. I loved Faron so, so much, and I absolutely loved them together. I think the fact that they were both artists and each felt their craft so deeply was a big part of what drew them together. The scenes where Faron was painting or Jude was either playing or talking about his music were absolutely breathtaking. Parrish’s writing is so masterful and mesmerizing.
This book is the second in a series—it’s the sequel to Small Change—but, it can definitely be read as a standalone. In fact, I haven’t read Small Change yet, but after seeing Ginger and Christopher again here (they were both first introduced in In the Middle of Somewhere) and falling in love with them both, you can bet I’m going to be getting on that soon. Ginger is hilarious and smart, and Christopher is such a sweetheart. I can’t wait to read their story, too.
Go get this book, people! It’s another beautiful Roan Parrish story that you don’t want to miss.
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
bibliophile_xo's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
As an avid reader, there are often things that make my heart sing (ofc). But few things that do quite as much as accurate and gritty representations of disability in fiction.
As a therapist and as someone who suffers from my own diagnoses, these representations of mental illness---navigating it, living with it, how it impacts our r/ships + interactions---mean the world and a half to me.
Jude is easily the best character I've ever read dealing with depression. Maybe for selfish reasons on my part. Why? Depression has many faces and this character felt like a mirror because he was wearing mine; it was uncanny. When he talked about desperate enthusiasm projected by loved ones, I felt that. Feeling like less of an adult because his brain didn't function like a neurotypical? Felt. Scent sensitivity, check. Difficulty with social interactions? Check and check. Among other things.
Anyway, I didn't mean to turn this to a confessional.
I loved this story because it's poignant, powerful, emotional and evocative. It was gentle, not pushy or recriminatory (much like Faron who I absolutely loved, btw). Maggie was also my favorite and I wish I had local friends like her.
I love that the story didn't frame depression as something "cured" by a romantic relationship but sorta framed Jude's life as a journey more difficult than others because of his baseline and his lows. A journey mitigated by being heard, accepted and cared for AND him caring for, listening to, understanding and learning to accept himself.
100/100 would recommend.
As a therapist and as someone who suffers from my own diagnoses, these representations of mental illness---navigating it, living with it, how it impacts our r/ships + interactions---mean the world and a half to me.
Jude is easily the best character I've ever read dealing with depression. Maybe for selfish reasons on my part. Why? Depression has many faces and this character felt like a mirror because he was wearing mine; it was uncanny. When he talked about desperate enthusiasm projected by loved ones, I felt that. Feeling like less of an adult because his brain didn't function like a neurotypical? Felt. Scent sensitivity, check. Difficulty with social interactions? Check and check. Among other things.
Anyway, I didn't mean to turn this to a confessional.
I loved this story because it's poignant, powerful, emotional and evocative. It was gentle, not pushy or recriminatory (much like Faron who I absolutely loved, btw). Maggie was also my favorite and I wish I had local friends like her.
I love that the story didn't frame depression as something "cured" by a romantic relationship but sorta framed Jude's life as a journey more difficult than others because of his baseline and his lows. A journey mitigated by being heard, accepted and cared for AND him caring for, listening to, understanding and learning to accept himself.
100/100 would recommend.