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craftyhilary's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
laura_dreams_of_literature's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the best portrayals or depression I've ever seen in fiction!! And it was wonderful to have the hero have this and still find a happy ending that wasn't something along the lines of "and my depression was magically fine and everything worked out perfectly".
I'm in love!
I'm in love!
girvinia's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
shelbanuadh's review against another edition
5.0
I was never really interested in Ginger or her story, so I actually opted to skip Small Change and dive into this one. Seeing as this is told strictly from Jude's POV and Small Change from Ginger's, as opposed to Christopher's, I figured there wouldn't be too much I was missing out on.
The only thing that I would say you miss out on from not reading Small Change is a better physical description of Faron and Jude, which at the halfway mark, I was still having a bit of difficulty in visualizing (seeing as I can't actually visualize things and just end up googling vague descriptions to find a reasonable facsimile)... especially since the model on the cover doesn't match Jude's description at all other than by also being a ginger. So, halfway through, I jumped over to my copy of Small Change and found the parts when Ginger first meets Faron and Jude, and those descriptions gave me a better idea, especially when it came for Faron. So, if you are like me and not keen on Ginger, I think you'd be fine to skip it.
So, yeah, my only complaints about this book is the slightly less descriptive appearance of the MCs than the book in which they are just side characters, and that the guy on the cover doesn't match Jude's description - as if that hair could be braided and where are the freckles that Faron so loves?!!! - which is why I prefer when authors don't have models on their covers. But, I think those are very minor issues to have with a book.
The only thing that I would say you miss out on from not reading Small Change is a better physical description of Faron and Jude, which at the halfway mark, I was still having a bit of difficulty in visualizing (seeing as I can't actually visualize things and just end up googling vague descriptions to find a reasonable facsimile)... especially since the model on the cover doesn't match Jude's description at all other than by also being a ginger. So, halfway through, I jumped over to my copy of Small Change and found the parts when Ginger first meets Faron and Jude, and those descriptions gave me a better idea, especially when it came for Faron. So, if you are like me and not keen on Ginger, I think you'd be fine to skip it.
So, yeah, my only complaints about this book is the slightly less descriptive appearance of the MCs than the book in which they are just side characters, and that the guy on the cover doesn't match Jude's description - as if that hair could be braided and where are the freckles that Faron so loves?!!! - which is why I prefer when authors don't have models on their covers. But, I think those are very minor issues to have with a book.
jefrang's review against another edition
5.0
I have zero negative things to say about this. I thought it was really sweet and thoughtful and plotted right and realistic as far as I know (which is a distant second-hand, so I can miss things). Really enjoyed it.
xanoquita's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. There's something about Roan's writing in this one that feels so soothing and calming, even if the book is dealing with depression and anxiety. It's one of those books that feel like you're reading slowly.
Once more, Roan proves why she's one of my favourite authors.
Once more, Roan proves why she's one of my favourite authors.
ornerybookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Fitting conclusion to series
Enjoyed Jude and Faron’s story. Would have liked and enjoyed more POV scenes from Faron’s perspective, found him compelling and his characterization in this book was a little more than being a magical negro for Jude.
Enjoyed Jude and Faron’s story. Would have liked and enjoyed more POV scenes from Faron’s perspective, found him compelling and his characterization in this book was a little more than being a magical negro for Jude.
qace90's review against another edition
5.0
Way to hit my emotions!
I like my books to hurt, and Roan is masterful
There are so many elements of this book that resonated with me in so many painful but wonderful ways. Jude leaving an emotionally abusive relationship and working through feelings of shame for staying as long as he did, feeling like he “let” his ex treat him that way. And his depression is so viscerally presented, the depressive episodes taking on a dark hue when reading, heavy.
I loved Faron so much. So, so much. He’s so good and so respectful. I loved the glimpses of his family and especially him having a chance to begin rebuilding a relationship with his twin. The scenes where he and Jude can sit in silence, where he gives Jude space make my heart absolutely melt; those were some of the most beautiful expressions of love and caring I’ve come across.
As with other books, found and chosen family are very central to this story, and I love seeing familiar faces. I wonder if we’re going to see more of Phee and Winston, if they’ll be next pairing~ The development of friendship between Jude and Daniel and Ginger are wonderful and I love how they support Jude, basically from the get-go.
This whole book was just so wonderful and I didn’t want to put it down (hence finishing at 2 in the morning lol) because I just felt so much and the writing paints such wonderful, complex images. Love, love, love Jude and Faron so much~
Content notes:
🎵 past suicide attempt
🎵 negative internal thoughts, negative self image
🎵 body image issues
🎵 ex who encouraged makeup to hide/change features
🎵 mention of vomiting
🎵 emotional and mental abuse in romantic relationship
🎵 on page sex - manual stimulation, anal, edging with verbal direction, oral, rimming, no condom, prostate massage, paintbrushes for sensation, object insertion
🎵 ex encouraged viagra because meds affected physical reactions to arousal
🎵 trying to use sex to earn forgiveness - learned behavior from abusive relationship
🎵 abusive ex showing up unannounced
🎵 “I think I can even forgive you for it,” ex referencing suicide attempt
🎵 negative mental spiral, depressive episode
🎵 complicated relationship with food, poor eating habits
🎵 brother in military, contention around military service
🎵 mentions of violence, fighting
🎵 discussions of race and racism
I like my books to hurt, and Roan is masterful
There are so many elements of this book that resonated with me in so many painful but wonderful ways. Jude leaving an emotionally abusive relationship and working through feelings of shame for staying as long as he did, feeling like he “let” his ex treat him that way. And his depression is so viscerally presented, the depressive episodes taking on a dark hue when reading, heavy.
I loved Faron so much. So, so much. He’s so good and so respectful. I loved the glimpses of his family and especially him having a chance to begin rebuilding a relationship with his twin. The scenes where he and Jude can sit in silence, where he gives Jude space make my heart absolutely melt; those were some of the most beautiful expressions of love and caring I’ve come across.
As with other books, found and chosen family are very central to this story, and I love seeing familiar faces. I wonder if we’re going to see more of Phee and Winston, if they’ll be next pairing~ The development of friendship between Jude and Daniel and Ginger are wonderful and I love how they support Jude, basically from the get-go.
This whole book was just so wonderful and I didn’t want to put it down (hence finishing at 2 in the morning lol) because I just felt so much and the writing paints such wonderful, complex images. Love, love, love Jude and Faron so much~
Content notes:
🎵 past suicide attempt
🎵 negative internal thoughts, negative self image
🎵 body image issues
🎵 ex who encouraged makeup to hide/change features
🎵 mention of vomiting
🎵 emotional and mental abuse in romantic relationship
🎵 on page sex - manual stimulation, anal, edging with verbal direction, oral, rimming, no condom, prostate massage, paintbrushes for sensation, object insertion
🎵 ex encouraged viagra because meds affected physical reactions to arousal
🎵 trying to use sex to earn forgiveness - learned behavior from abusive relationship
🎵 abusive ex showing up unannounced
🎵 “I think I can even forgive you for it,” ex referencing suicide attempt
🎵 negative mental spiral, depressive episode
🎵 complicated relationship with food, poor eating habits
🎵 brother in military, contention around military service
🎵 mentions of violence, fighting
🎵 discussions of race and racism
anitalouise's review
4.0
I read what I believe is Ms. Parrish's first book, In the Middle of Somewhere, and was struck by her solid writing. What also stuck out for me were her secondary characters. Though I have them, I didn't read the other books in the Middle of Somewhere series but picked up this book and was so pleased to see old friends. Ginger appeared in that first book and she made such an impression on me. Ginger gets her HEA in the first book in the Small Change series but as it's an MF, I will skip it. Ginger and Christopher appear in this book and I have to say that I love Ginger! We also get to see Rex and Daniel from the Middle of Somewhere to quite the bonus with this book. Faron and Jude, at least according to others, appeared in that first book (Jude is Christopher's brother) and this book focuses on their love. Oh but it is hard won. Jude suffers from crippling anxiety and depression. The book opens as he returns to Philly after a traumatic incident that left Jude hospitalized. He left behind a career as a pianist for an orchestra. Such a well written love story but there are painful parts. Jude struggles so. He feels his illness renders him unlikeable and too much of a burden to others. Faron works in Ginger's tattoo shop and his quiet grace and strength helps Jude cope. Ms. Parrish admirably captures someone in the throes of a depression with all the side effects of the illness and medications. She doesn't sugarcoat the issues. I particularly loved that Jude found his way back through his music as Faron regains his love of painting. Kudos to the author for her deft handling of issues related to race. Well done!