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goatsbookgarden's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rosalieverstreken's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Het boek was herkenbaar en confronterend maar ook hoopvol. Ik voelde mij gezien. Ik begreep Evie haar angst en gevoelens omtrent haar ziekte goed. De twijfels en het feit dat dat echt overheersend is is echt zo en het is mooi om te zien hoe ze hier aan wil werken. Wat ik jammer vond waardoor het geen 5 sterren is was dat het einde snel ging. Het ging relatief traag om tot de plot twist te komen maar het effectief werken aan haar onzekerheid werd niet uitgebreid verteld en dat vond ik wel jammer. Maar het was echt realistisch beschreven hoe de pijn voelt maar ook hoe dat dit effect heeft op de mentale gezondheid. Soms was het irritant hoe veel het overheerst maar ik voel dat soms ook echt zo aan dus ook het minder leuke aan het karakter was realistisch jammer genoeg. De relatie was ook echt lief hoe dat hij wil zorgen voor haar. De quote op het einde van voor elkaar zorgen en tweerichtingsverkeer vond ik ook mooi en belangrijk. Echt mooi, jammer dat het door omstandigheden zo lang duurde om erdoor te geraken.
quiinnaaa's review against another edition
5.0
one of the most enjoyable book i’ve read this year. easy 5/5 ❤️
misspippireads's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great romcom with solid serious moments. Jean shares the struggle of endometriosis which I have not seen in stories, but know people who battle it. The classic elements of Gene Kelly were also fun and endearing.
_thelitlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
3.75 stars
-
TW: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Ableism, Infertility, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Death, Sexual content
-
Endo rep in a love story? I'm here for it! Our main character Evie is obsessed with old Hollywood movies, and Gene Kelly. When given the chance she relocates her life to Paris - the city of love. As much as I wanted to love Evie I just couldn't. She's judgmental as a character, holds a grudge for far too long, and has no growth throughout the novel. Evie has an endometriosis diagnosis and has given up on having a happily ever after of her own. I did enjoy how endometriosis was represented in the novel and not just swept under the rug as a "condition our main character has", we see how it affects her day-to-day life.
Just when Evie can't think of things getting worse, in walks her brother's best friend: Liam Kelly (back into her life). It's clear the two have some unresolved tension, and we get hinted that Liam has wronged Evie in their past. I won't lie, I think I judged Liam a bit too quickly as I hated him immediately, but Liam is pinning hard for Evie. He was the perfect supporter and even had me swooning over the things he said. He also was amazing at taking care of Evie during her flare-ups.
What does Liam have to do with the story? Evie's brother is getting married and her (even more judgemental) mother can't help but ask when Evie will settle down and plans on setting her up for the wedding. My issue with the mother is she's so ashamed that her daughter has endo and tries to control everything she does. In hopes of taking the attention off her, Evie and Liam decide to enter a fake dating relationship and accompany her to the wedding. The couple quickly realizes they were meant for each other, far before the wedding. I would have liked to perhaps see them playing it up at the wedding in fear of someone calling them out.
Like any other story, we need a conflict. Evie realizes she shouldn't drag Liam down as she most likely won't be able to give him the relationship that he deserves. I don't know what else Liam could have done to prove that he was head over heels for you girl. I will say I thought it was nice that the female was the one who pulled off the grand gesture and it does reconnect our two lovebirds. Overall, this was a cute read. Evie is tolerable, but please, read it for Paris vibes alone!
-
TW: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Ableism, Infertility, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Death, Sexual content
-
Endo rep in a love story? I'm here for it! Our main character Evie is obsessed with old Hollywood movies, and Gene Kelly. When given the chance she relocates her life to Paris - the city of love. As much as I wanted to love Evie I just couldn't. She's judgmental as a character, holds a grudge for far too long, and has no growth throughout the novel. Evie has an endometriosis diagnosis and has given up on having a happily ever after of her own. I did enjoy how endometriosis was represented in the novel and not just swept under the rug as a "condition our main character has", we see how it affects her day-to-day life.
Just when Evie can't think of things getting worse, in walks her brother's best friend: Liam Kelly (back into her life). It's clear the two have some unresolved tension, and we get hinted that Liam has wronged Evie in their past. I won't lie, I think I judged Liam a bit too quickly as I hated him immediately, but Liam is pinning hard for Evie. He was the perfect supporter and even had me swooning over the things he said. He also was amazing at taking care of Evie during her flare-ups.
What does Liam have to do with the story? Evie's brother is getting married and her (even more judgemental) mother can't help but ask when Evie will settle down and plans on setting her up for the wedding. My issue with the mother is she's so ashamed that her daughter has endo and tries to control everything she does. In hopes of taking the attention off her, Evie and Liam decide to enter a fake dating relationship and accompany her to the wedding. The couple quickly realizes they were meant for each other, far before the wedding. I would have liked to perhaps see them playing it up at the wedding in fear of someone calling them out.
Like any other story, we need a conflict. Evie realizes she shouldn't drag Liam down as she most likely won't be able to give him the relationship that he deserves. I don't know what else Liam could have done to prove that he was head over heels for you girl. I will say I thought it was nice that the female was the one who pulled off the grand gesture and it does reconnect our two lovebirds. Overall, this was a cute read. Evie is tolerable, but please, read it for Paris vibes alone!
obx_mt's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
abidavisf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? No
4.0
I’ve waited thirteen years for a book like this. As someone with suspected endometriosis who lives everyday in pain, who consistently feels misunderstood, like a burden, and worries what those in my life really think when I have to cancel plans or tell them I’m hurting or stumble over my words because I can’t catch my breath let alone form a sentence, Finding Gene Kelly was the reassurance I needed.
For one, several of Evie’s symptoms are things that I’ve experienced but nobody else in my life has, even my friends with endo. To read about Evie having the same issues reassured me that it isn’t just me and also that I am right to keep pushing for a diagnosis. The mental journey that Evie goes through hit me so hard, from never feeling like it’s possible to have a normal day to feeling like attempting to make or hold down relationships is pointless because who would want to stick around for this?
Thank you, Torie Jean, for sharing this story with us. I feel so seen. I cannot begin to explain how much I needed these words.
For one, several of Evie’s symptoms are things that I’ve experienced but nobody else in my life has, even my friends with endo. To read about Evie having the same issues reassured me that it isn’t just me and also that I am right to keep pushing for a diagnosis. The mental journey that Evie goes through hit me so hard, from never feeling like it’s possible to have a normal day to feeling like attempting to make or hold down relationships is pointless because who would want to stick around for this?
Thank you, Torie Jean, for sharing this story with us. I feel so seen. I cannot begin to explain how much I needed these words.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Infertility, Medical content, and Pregnancy
orenta's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0