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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
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Now, I've heard about this book a lot and I was genuinely interested in what Jean had to offer for her debut novel. While it took awhile to grab my attention, I nevertheless agree that Finding Gene Kelly is worth the reading.
I guess my main issue with the book early on was that the chapters were long and tended to be unnecessarily drawn out. For me, I'm not a huge fan of books with really long chapters for no apparent reason. It also didn't help that you don't see as much character development or plot action to get your attention early on in Finding Gene Kelly. Yet, the rest of the book makes up for the slow start.
First, I really like Evie as MC in the book. I felt that she was very relatable and I think you get to see her grow as she learns to address her past trauma and avoid having it spill out in her current relationships. I also felt that the endo representation was great and I feel that readers that have endometriosis would enjoy feeling seen as a rom-com heroine.
But I think the star of Finding Gene Kelly is the romance. With Liam as a lovable grump with a secret soft side, he perfectly complements Evie's personality. You'll also get to see a lot of pining and longing between the two that by the time you get to their big feelings confession, you can't help but cheer for them.
Overall, I do think Finding Gene Kelly is worth the read. Jean really takes the fake dating trope into a new dimension with the soulmates/childhood crush components and the Parisian setting that brings the story to life.
I guess my main issue with the book early on was that the chapters were long and tended to be unnecessarily drawn out. For me, I'm not a huge fan of books with really long chapters for no apparent reason. It also didn't help that you don't see as much character development or plot action to get your attention early on in Finding Gene Kelly. Yet, the rest of the book makes up for the slow start.
First, I really like Evie as MC in the book. I felt that she was very relatable and I think you get to see her grow as she learns to address her past trauma and avoid having it spill out in her current relationships. I also felt that the endo representation was great and I feel that readers that have endometriosis would enjoy feeling seen as a rom-com heroine.
But I think the star of Finding Gene Kelly is the romance. With Liam as a lovable grump with a secret soft side, he perfectly complements Evie's personality. You'll also get to see a lot of pining and longing between the two that by the time you get to their big feelings confession, you can't help but cheer for them.
Overall, I do think Finding Gene Kelly is worth the read. Jean really takes the fake dating trope into a new dimension with the soulmates/childhood crush components and the Parisian setting that brings the story to life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Chronic illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Death and Pregnancy
banksa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Ableism, Infertility, Medical content, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, and Fatphobia
anniereads221's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, Body shaming, Vomit, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Infertility, and Ableism
Endometriosis chronic illness Toxic relationship with mother Survivors guiltcrackedspines_'s review
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
CONTENT WARNING: I discuss diet culture and weight loss briefly in the “themes” section.
OVERALL: I really enjoyed Finding Gene Kelly! I had some issues with certain scenes and characters but they were mostly minor and I still 100% recommend this book.
PLOT: This is a really fun storyline. In addition to the romance it revolves around the way Evie’s endo affects her life. Jean did a fantastic job balancing realism and honesty with hopefulness - Evie isn’t magically cured by love but there is some reasonable happiness and hope infused into her life.
STRUCTURE: I didn’t love the pacing. The entire plot builds up to Evie’s brother’s wedding but the event doesn’t take place until fairly late in the book, which made the entire first part feel quite slow.
SETTING: Both settings - Paris and Portsmouth - were so fun to read about. Both were charming in their own way and it definitely tempted me to book a flight to Paris immediately 😂
THEME: The endo rep was SPOT ON. My experience is different than Evie’s in some ways but it hit me really hard, even the parts I didn’t specifically relate to. It was both comforting and painful to see endo laid out on page. I also appreciated the body positive/body acceptance themes in the book - Evie is a size 14 and faces a lot of shaming but it is challenged and she continues to eat what she wants freely. It’s also really nice to see Liam tell her she is beautiful directly in response to her overhearing some fatphobic comments towards her. There is one discussion that bothered me about Liam cutting out carbs, which is later revealed to be to impress Evie. This is so unnecessary and furthers harmful diet culture . It was especially jarring in a book that is otherwise pretty body positive. The author addressed this briefly but she said it was “never a conversation on the body” but when Evie and Liam discuss it later Liam says “It was worth it watching you gape at me” which is a clear indication he did it to lose weight. I also want to note that Torie Jean did state she modeled Evie’s body off her own so be mindful with critiques of Evie’s body and behavior.
CHARACTERS: Evie and Eli are two of my favorite characters. I find Evie very relatable in a lot of ways, and Eli was basically the best friend ever. I also thought his romance was really cute. However, Maria was a toxic friend. She was condescending and often acted like she knew Evie better than she did. Evie talks a lot about how she’s an amazing friend and I just didn’t see it. I also thought there were some issues with Liam, namely that he too acted like he knew Evie’s illness better than she did. Evie has a tendency to downplay her symptoms and push through and while I know from experience it helps to have loved ones remind you to take care of yourself, Liam was too pushy and almost treated her like a child. They clearly needed to discuss this more than they did so Liam understood a bit better.
I hope you consider picking up this book! If you do please comment/dm me your thoughts because I’d love to hear.
OVERALL: I really enjoyed Finding Gene Kelly! I had some issues with certain scenes and characters but they were mostly minor and I still 100% recommend this book.
PLOT: This is a really fun storyline. In addition to the romance it revolves around the way Evie’s endo affects her life. Jean did a fantastic job balancing realism and honesty with hopefulness - Evie isn’t magically cured by love but there is some reasonable happiness and hope infused into her life.
STRUCTURE: I didn’t love the pacing. The entire plot builds up to Evie’s brother’s wedding but the event doesn’t take place until fairly late in the book, which made the entire first part feel quite slow.
SETTING: Both settings - Paris and Portsmouth - were so fun to read about. Both were charming in their own way and it definitely tempted me to book a flight to Paris immediately 😂
THEME: The endo rep was SPOT ON. My experience is different than Evie’s in some ways but it hit me really hard, even the parts I didn’t specifically relate to. It was both comforting and painful to see endo laid out on page. I also appreciated the body positive/body acceptance themes in the book - Evie is a size 14 and faces a lot of shaming but it is challenged and she continues to eat what she wants freely. It’s also really nice to see Liam tell her she is beautiful directly in response to her overhearing some fatphobic comments towards her. There is one discussion that bothered me about Liam cutting out carbs, which is later revealed to be to impress Evie. This is so unnecessary and furthers harmful diet culture . It was especially jarring in a book that is otherwise pretty body positive. The author addressed this briefly but she said it was “never a conversation on the body” but when Evie and Liam discuss it later Liam says “It was worth it watching you gape at me” which is a clear indication he did it to lose weight. I also want to note that Torie Jean did state she modeled Evie’s body off her own so be mindful with critiques of Evie’s body and behavior.
CHARACTERS: Evie and Eli are two of my favorite characters. I find Evie very relatable in a lot of ways, and Eli was basically the best friend ever. I also thought his romance was really cute. However, Maria was a toxic friend. She was condescending and often acted like she knew Evie better than she did. Evie talks a lot about how she’s an amazing friend and I just didn’t see it. I also thought there were some issues with Liam, namely that he too acted like he knew Evie’s illness better than she did. Evie has a tendency to downplay her symptoms and push through and while I know from experience it helps to have loved ones remind you to take care of yourself, Liam was too pushy and almost treated her like a child. They clearly needed to discuss this more than they did so Liam understood a bit better.
I hope you consider picking up this book! If you do please comment/dm me your thoughts because I’d love to hear.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Ableism, Alcohol, Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Vomit, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Medical content
Minor: Infertility
toxic mother/daughter relationship, details of endometriosis, depictions of depression and anxietyclairophy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Vulnerability is like a weapon when you have a chronic illness, and the author does an amazing job at highlighting this.
However she also highlights the joys of allowing yourself to find love and a support system despite your so-called “flaws.”
I absolutely adored this book from the cheesy puns, the romance that makes you kick your feet and giggle, and the endo representation.
If you are going to read this book and have a chronic illness, I recommend reading the content warnings and being kind to yourself <3
However she also highlights the joys of allowing yourself to find love and a support system despite your so-called “flaws.”
I absolutely adored this book from the cheesy puns, the romance that makes you kick your feet and giggle, and the endo representation.
If you are going to read this book and have a chronic illness, I recommend reading the content warnings and being kind to yourself <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Chronic illness
Moderate: Body shaming, Ableism, Toxic friendship, and Medical trauma
Minor: Medical content, Pregnancy, and Infertility
kbairbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
Thank you Netgalley, and the publisher, for giving me an ARC of this book and allowing me to experience it in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author for being so incredibly vulnerable and sharing this piece of you with us.
This book has me speechless. I normally don’t rate books that have no magic/fantasy elements with five stars but this… THIS. Is beyond five stars. The humor had me genuinely laughing out loud. Multiple times. Genuinely the funniest book I’ve read in a long time if ever. There was so much personality and soul this book felt like a hug. The own voice chronic illness representation was incredibly honest, vulnerable, and raw. I want to put myself in financial distress to buy a copy for every single person I love so they can experience this magic for themselves. Beautiful. Brava!
Thank you to the author for being so incredibly vulnerable and sharing this piece of you with us.
This book has me speechless. I normally don’t rate books that have no magic/fantasy elements with five stars but this… THIS. Is beyond five stars. The humor had me genuinely laughing out loud. Multiple times. Genuinely the funniest book I’ve read in a long time if ever. There was so much personality and soul this book felt like a hug. The own voice chronic illness representation was incredibly honest, vulnerable, and raw. I want to put myself in financial distress to buy a copy for every single person I love so they can experience this magic for themselves. Beautiful. Brava!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcohol, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Bullying, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Blood
heather_freshparchment's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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: Chronic illness
Moderate: Vomit, Body shaming, and Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Pregnancy
I received a free ebook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I'm not a huge reader of contemporary romances, but the references to classic movies drew me in. I'm so glad it did. It's not high literature, but it's engaging and honest. The thing I appreciate most is its no-holds-barred descriptions of life with endometriosis. I thought I understood it, but I clearly knew nothing. There was clear communication between our love interests in the second two thirds of the book, too, which I really appreciated. Any problems they encountered were realistic, as were their solutions. Overall, it was a highly enjoyable read.britreadsbooks_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
CWs pinned on the author’s Instagram & on storygraph.
HEART ON FLOOR. HEART ON FLOOR. Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I’m just gonna tell you how much I adored this. Torie Jean has delivered a total emotional gut punch that also lends itself to humour and chaos. Let me just say if you’re looking for a story with unrequited love and pining, this will be right up your alley. Did I mention Liam’s love language is taking care of Evie? Any man who would drop everything to bring a woman in need bread is a total keeper. Would I have appreciated this more if I had an attachment to Gene Kelly and Audrey Hepburn? Probably. But that didn’t stop me from absolutely swooning into oblivion. Especially every time Liam blushed. I was also weak in the knees every time a pun was delivered. Word play is my soul food. I also love that Evie’s character gives insight into life with endometriosis. Torie doesn’t paint a pretty picture either; she gives a raw, uncensored look into life with chronic illness. We need more of that in romance. If you enjoyed books like Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert, The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez, and Always Only You by Chloe Liese then you might want this on your tbr.
CWs pinned on the author’s Instagram & on storygraph.
HEART ON FLOOR. HEART ON FLOOR. Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I’m just gonna tell you how much I adored this. Torie Jean has delivered a total emotional gut punch that also lends itself to humour and chaos. Let me just say if you’re looking for a story with unrequited love and pining, this will be right up your alley. Did I mention Liam’s love language is taking care of Evie? Any man who would drop everything to bring a woman in need bread is a total keeper. Would I have appreciated this more if I had an attachment to Gene Kelly and Audrey Hepburn? Probably. But that didn’t stop me from absolutely swooning into oblivion. Especially every time Liam blushed. I was also weak in the knees every time a pun was delivered. Word play is my soul food. I also love that Evie’s character gives insight into life with endometriosis. Torie doesn’t paint a pretty picture either; she gives a raw, uncensored look into life with chronic illness. We need more of that in romance. If you enjoyed books like Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert, The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez, and Always Only You by Chloe Liese then you might want this on your tbr.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Pregnancy and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment, Infertility, Sexual content, Vomit, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
josephinecatherine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
Disclaimer: I was given an ARC of this release by the author in return for my honest opinion and review.
This is an Own Voices review for endometriosis representation.
I was in love at first sight (sigh of the dedication and the content warnings).
Over a year ago, I ventured into a university project which was entirely self-inflicted. The unit I was taking focused on disability and inclusivity and the coordinator asked us to create an assignment which related to the unit theme in some way. As an avid romance reader and person with disability, I decided to read the good, the bad, and the ugly of romance novels with disability representation.
The ten books I read largely fell into the ‘bad’ or ‘ugly’ category and left me feeling rather pessimistic. Even books I classified as ‘good’ were limited in their representation of my disability experience. I believe many sufferers of chronic pain will relate to the wider chronic pain and disability experience, but ache to feel drawn with detail. Detail that is not simply the pages of our medical history. Endometriosis is nowhere in romance books. In saying this, I discount those instances wherein endometriosis is used as a throwaway plot point to explain infertility or miscarriage. It is never explored or defined in a manner representative of most endo-sufferers. It is, in those cases, simply a means to justify tragedy by one’s own body.
As a young woman who is in daily pain, Finding Gene Kelly is a lifeline. I was diagnosed with endometriosis when I was 14 years old. Six years later, I am still learning how to navigate a life shadowed my condition. In order to picture myself as a romance novel heroine, I must omit endometriosis from my character background. It is another way in which my invisible disability remains invisible. I want to give my fourteen-year-old self a copy of this book before her diagnosis. I want that girl to have known that spending half your high school in hospital does not deem you in any way ‘unlovable’.
This could have easily been an angst-filled romance novel which represented the darkness of endometriosis. Torie Jean’s decision to lean against the inherently dark content was an expert one. I admit my hesitation when I saw a pink cartoon cover attached to the tag ‘endometriosis representation’. I thought that my condition could never be represented authentically in a romantic comedy, or any romance with ‘soft’ connotations. I never imagined an endometriosis romance could take place in the City of Lights as opposed to my hospital room...of fluorescent lights. I will forever be grateful to Torie Jean for proving me wrong.
Romance comes from your partner noticing the timer on your heat pack. Romance is being recognised for your strength when you feel your most fragile. Romance is writhing in pain but being held. Romance is being loved through pain with words and with actions.
For Evie, Liam is her Gene Kelly. This book, however, shows every Endowarrior (and disabled person) that we will not only experience love platonically, nor will we only experience romance through a television or book. We will find our Gene Kelly. A person who we love and who loves us in return.
The book not only explores romantic relationships, nor does it explore chronic pain from a purely romantic lens. It explores how endometriosis bleeds (pun intended) into every part of life.
Moments of celebration are simultaneously moments of pain.
The realities of pacing.
Surrendering to your body.
The anger, the sadness, the isolation, the self-loathing.
The pregnancy announcements.
The fatigue.
The nausea.
The bloating.
The brain fog.
The feeling out of control… constantly.
The relationships with family.
The relationships with friends.
The perseverance.
The constant decisions (if I take this medication now, I can’t do this, but if I don’t take it now etc).
This book could have been written had it not been for the author’s lived experience. You can feel the pain through these pages, but you can also feel the power. No one else can articulate the endometriosis experience like endometriosis sufferers can. Torie Jean writing this book has taken her pain and given us her heart. This would have been physically and emotionally draining, and yet I am grateful. I never thought this book would exist. If I did, I thought it would be my own.
This book made me cry and I am so glad that they were mostly happy tears. Happy because this book even exists. It hugged me through a flare up and understood. Torie – thank you for showing me my story can exist outside the tragedy genre. I wish I were more eloquent in my gratitude, but I look forward to seeing you grow. Thank you.
This is an Own Voices review for endometriosis representation.
I was in love at first sight (sigh of the dedication and the content warnings).
Over a year ago, I ventured into a university project which was entirely self-inflicted. The unit I was taking focused on disability and inclusivity and the coordinator asked us to create an assignment which related to the unit theme in some way. As an avid romance reader and person with disability, I decided to read the good, the bad, and the ugly of romance novels with disability representation.
The ten books I read largely fell into the ‘bad’ or ‘ugly’ category and left me feeling rather pessimistic. Even books I classified as ‘good’ were limited in their representation of my disability experience. I believe many sufferers of chronic pain will relate to the wider chronic pain and disability experience, but ache to feel drawn with detail. Detail that is not simply the pages of our medical history. Endometriosis is nowhere in romance books. In saying this, I discount those instances wherein endometriosis is used as a throwaway plot point to explain infertility or miscarriage. It is never explored or defined in a manner representative of most endo-sufferers. It is, in those cases, simply a means to justify tragedy by one’s own body.
As a young woman who is in daily pain, Finding Gene Kelly is a lifeline. I was diagnosed with endometriosis when I was 14 years old. Six years later, I am still learning how to navigate a life shadowed my condition. In order to picture myself as a romance novel heroine, I must omit endometriosis from my character background. It is another way in which my invisible disability remains invisible. I want to give my fourteen-year-old self a copy of this book before her diagnosis. I want that girl to have known that spending half your high school in hospital does not deem you in any way ‘unlovable’.
This could have easily been an angst-filled romance novel which represented the darkness of endometriosis. Torie Jean’s decision to lean against the inherently dark content was an expert one. I admit my hesitation when I saw a pink cartoon cover attached to the tag ‘endometriosis representation’. I thought that my condition could never be represented authentically in a romantic comedy, or any romance with ‘soft’ connotations. I never imagined an endometriosis romance could take place in the City of Lights as opposed to my hospital room...of fluorescent lights. I will forever be grateful to Torie Jean for proving me wrong.
Romance comes from your partner noticing the timer on your heat pack. Romance is being recognised for your strength when you feel your most fragile. Romance is writhing in pain but being held. Romance is being loved through pain with words and with actions.
For Evie, Liam is her Gene Kelly. This book, however, shows every Endowarrior (and disabled person) that we will not only experience love platonically, nor will we only experience romance through a television or book. We will find our Gene Kelly. A person who we love and who loves us in return.
The book not only explores romantic relationships, nor does it explore chronic pain from a purely romantic lens. It explores how endometriosis bleeds (pun intended) into every part of life.
Moments of celebration are simultaneously moments of pain.
The realities of pacing.
Surrendering to your body.
The anger, the sadness, the isolation, the self-loathing.
The pregnancy announcements.
The fatigue.
The nausea.
The bloating.
The brain fog.
The feeling out of control… constantly.
The relationships with family.
The relationships with friends.
The perseverance.
The constant decisions (if I take this medication now, I can’t do this, but if I don’t take it now etc).
This book could have been written had it not been for the author’s lived experience. You can feel the pain through these pages, but you can also feel the power. No one else can articulate the endometriosis experience like endometriosis sufferers can. Torie Jean writing this book has taken her pain and given us her heart. This would have been physically and emotionally draining, and yet I am grateful. I never thought this book would exist. If I did, I thought it would be my own.
This book made me cry and I am so glad that they were mostly happy tears. Happy because this book even exists. It hugged me through a flare up and understood. Torie – thank you for showing me my story can exist outside the tragedy genre. I wish I were more eloquent in my gratitude, but I look forward to seeing you grow. Thank you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Infertility, Ableism, Pregnancy, Body shaming, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Vomit and Toxic friendship
Tense relationship with mother
More...