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bookedinsideout's review
5.0
I loved that we got to see someone with major depressive disorder find love and friendship, but I also love that we got to see the ways that he can support his partner and that his partner isn't always in the caretaking role. The challenges that he deals with weren't fixed, but managed and accepted as being a part of who he is.
teenykins's review against another edition
DNF @ 20%
Nope, sorry. Jude was too flawed, Faron was too perfect, Jude's parents annoyed me and not even Greg's voice could get me to continue listening.
Nope, sorry. Jude was too flawed, Faron was too perfect, Jude's parents annoyed me and not even Greg's voice could get me to continue listening.
oursisthefairy's review
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? Yes
4.0
steiner's review
3.0
This was just ok for me. Author always constructs a nice sentence but I thought that Jude was a character I had seen a lot of times before and Faron was a bit under-developed. I didn't feel their initial connection or understand why they liked each other. Some of the dialogue was nicely worded but implausibly formal or literary in everyday speech. Not awful by any means but I didn't really want to spend time with the main characters. I think the appearance of Daniel and Rex highlighted a good connection. I wanted the story to follow them home instead.
riverreads's review
4.0
4.5
I was a bit wary going into this story because a lot of things were happening that had nothing to do with the book but I was afraid it was going to affect my enjoyment of the book.
I shouldn't have worry because if there's one thing Roan knows how to do is write stories that steal your heart and make you invest all your feelings in them. This was completely the case with Invitation to the blues for me.
The narrative was beautiful as usual, the way Roan makes you see their characters in the world is so well done, you feel like you are there with the characters.
Both characters were magnificent and I loved reading about Jude's struggles, I feel like the author did an amazing job portraying depression and anxiety. Faron was such a lovelt characters I swear he brought the tears to my eyes because he is such beautiful soul.
I lvoe reading the connection between the main characters and see their relationship develop, I didn't wanted this book to end because I was just so comfortable with this couple. I know need to get me someone that braids my hair T_T
This can perfectly be read as a standalone, I read that way. I would advise for people to at least read In The Middle of Somehwere though that way you get more of an idea of how everything started.
I was a bit wary going into this story because a lot of things were happening that had nothing to do with the book but I was afraid it was going to affect my enjoyment of the book.
I shouldn't have worry because if there's one thing Roan knows how to do is write stories that steal your heart and make you invest all your feelings in them. This was completely the case with Invitation to the blues for me.
The narrative was beautiful as usual, the way Roan makes you see their characters in the world is so well done, you feel like you are there with the characters.
Both characters were magnificent and I loved reading about Jude's struggles, I feel like the author did an amazing job portraying depression and anxiety. Faron was such a lovelt characters I swear he brought the tears to my eyes because he is such beautiful soul.
I lvoe reading the connection between the main characters and see their relationship develop, I didn't wanted this book to end because I was just so comfortable with this couple. I know need to get me someone that braids my hair T_T
This can perfectly be read as a standalone, I read that way. I would advise for people to at least read In The Middle of Somehwere though that way you get more of an idea of how everything started.
plz2daysatan's review
5.0
Read the authors warning and make sure you listen or are in good place to read this material. This main character deals with a few depressive episodes and explicitly discusses his anxiety and depression and addresses his suicide attempt.
I felt like this was a little too happy ending, but I’m glad the relationship didn’t “solve” Judes mental health. Overall, it felt genuine. The voices occasionally meshed a bit and Jude sounded a little young closer to 30 than 40.
I felt like this was a little too happy ending, but I’m glad the relationship didn’t “solve” Judes mental health. Overall, it felt genuine. The voices occasionally meshed a bit and Jude sounded a little young closer to 30 than 40.
melonreads's review
5.0
I don’t even know what to say about this book, truly. Sometimes books are light and fluff - let me be clear, NOTHING wrong with those books - I read a lot of them and love them. But this is not THAT book. This is a book that is both heartbreaking and hopeful, full of raw pain and love and there’s so much in this book that made me feel...well, just feel.
The mental health representation in this book is one of the best I’ve ever read. Professional pianist Jude has depression, months before the start of the book, he had to be hospitalized after attempting suicide. Now back in his hometown, he’s struggling to slowly rebuild his life.
Tattoo artist and painter Faron works at Small Change, the tattoo place owned by Jude’s brother’s girlfriend. He has his own backstory and is the caretaking, nurturing hero we all need in our lives.
There’s a plot point in the book that involves Faron getting Jude this broken down piano and Jude spends much of the book essentially taking apart and fixing and rebuilding the piano and it’s such a beautiful metaphor for how, if you love something that’s so inherently broken and damaged, you try to fix it and even if it’s never perfect, it still has value and use. And so, while Jude carefully works on this piano, Faron’s love is the healing balm Jude needs to sort of get his life back. It’s really the loveliest book.
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 felt like to love someone more than I hated myself.
CW for mental health, depression, attempted suicide (off page), emotionally abusive ex.
The mental health representation in this book is one of the best I’ve ever read. Professional pianist Jude has depression, months before the start of the book, he had to be hospitalized after attempting suicide. Now back in his hometown, he’s struggling to slowly rebuild his life.
Tattoo artist and painter Faron works at Small Change, the tattoo place owned by Jude’s brother’s girlfriend. He has his own backstory and is the caretaking, nurturing hero we all need in our lives.
There’s a plot point in the book that involves Faron getting Jude this broken down piano and Jude spends much of the book essentially taking apart and fixing and rebuilding the piano and it’s such a beautiful metaphor for how, if you love something that’s so inherently broken and damaged, you try to fix it and even if it’s never perfect, it still has value and use. And so, while Jude carefully works on this piano, Faron’s love is the healing balm Jude needs to sort of get his life back. It’s really the loveliest book.
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 felt like to love someone more than I hated myself.
CW for mental health, depression, attempted suicide (off page), emotionally abusive ex.
words_i_read's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Eating disorder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Emotional abuse
moatzilla's review
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Toxic relationship