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taryn_a's review against another edition
5.0
Classic musicals, enemies (but were they really?)-to-lovers, trusting other people's love for you, loving yourself, piiiiiiining. What's not to love?
dianaandthebookhunt's review against another edition
5.0
This book was special. I am sucker for a pining hero & Liam just melted my heart with his fierce love and patience & understanding for Evie. Evie has been dealt a shitty hand by life having to deal with the painful reality of daily suffering through endometriosis. Also, her Mom is insufferable, which makes her want to live an ocean away in Paris. Fortunately for her, she has amazing friends who form a great support system for her. I love her shared love of classic romantic films with Liam and how this love shone through the plot. I loved how Liam helped Evie shed her reserves and insecurities. I love how their love had the last say. I love this book. It's a top favorite of 2023.
idkatie's review against another edition
5.0
GOD. THIS. BOOK.
This might be included in my fave books of the year holy cow it was so good!!!! Our Quick Katie Summary: Evie lives in France and is going through life and loves baking, but BAM the boy she married when she was five and was super close with but then became her MORTAL ENEMY SHOWS UP, and she has to find it in her to fake a relationship with him despite hating him but also not really hating him to appease her mother all while having to navigate her journey with endo.
WOW. Okay, this book was incredible. Seriously. Like, I cannot think about more that I love about this book that I legit just made a list as I was reading it because my heart could not take it. Here is that list:
✨ THE WRITING. WHAT THE HELL. The writing of this book was BEAUTIFUL. The descriptions and just the way that you could FEEL every characters' emotions was AMAZING.
✨ The start. The beginning of this book INSTANTLY hooked me into wanting to read more
✨ Having the Imperial March as the ringtone from when Evie's mother was calling: IN.CRED.I.BLE
✨ PEACHES (FUCK ME UP)
✨ You can tell throughout the book how painfully into her he is and it is just soul crushing (the scene when she shows up at his door and he legitimately slammed the door in her face for *reasons* literally made me scream)
✨ THE. FIRST. KISS. Literal butterflies in my chest
✨ The entire book
But seriously, this book was amazing. If I had to even think of one thing that I didn't like about this book was that the confession happened so early on, but like, I'm not even mad about that. It felt so raw and real when it happened that it didn't feel rushed at all which is why I normally don't like it in a book, but I ended up actually preferring it.
Also, the third act conflict felt so REAL. I feel like so many times, books make it come out of nowhere or make it seem so ridiculous that I can't even believe that it would be an actual conflict. This one felt real. This one felt raw. This one felt legitimate, and I loved the reasoning behind why it happened if that makes sense? (I'm trying not to give spoilers, and like while I don't love that the character felt that they had to do what they did, I get why).
Watching Evie also move along with her endometriosis was so interesting and fascinating and so heart-wrenching to read. I have never met with or interacted with anyone who has endo, and I can't even imagine what it's like, but I feel like the author really did an excellent job of showing what it's like and how much of a person's life it can affect.
A SUPER HUGE thank you to NetGalley and Xpress Book Tours for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review!!! I will absolutely be recommending this book to everyone I know, and I just went and pre-ordered myself a physical copy to have when it eventually comes out!
This might be included in my fave books of the year holy cow it was so good!!!! Our Quick Katie Summary: Evie lives in France and is going through life and loves baking, but BAM the boy she married when she was five and was super close with but then became her MORTAL ENEMY SHOWS UP, and she has to find it in her to fake a relationship with him despite hating him but also not really hating him to appease her mother all while having to navigate her journey with endo.
WOW. Okay, this book was incredible. Seriously. Like, I cannot think about more that I love about this book that I legit just made a list as I was reading it because my heart could not take it. Here is that list:
✨ THE WRITING. WHAT THE HELL. The writing of this book was BEAUTIFUL. The descriptions and just the way that you could FEEL every characters' emotions was AMAZING.
✨ The start. The beginning of this book INSTANTLY hooked me into wanting to read more
✨ Having the Imperial March as the ringtone from when Evie's mother was calling: IN.CRED.I.BLE
✨ PEACHES (FUCK ME UP)
✨ You can tell throughout the book how painfully into her he is and it is just soul crushing (the scene when she shows up at his door and he legitimately slammed the door in her face for *reasons* literally made me scream)
✨ THE. FIRST. KISS. Literal butterflies in my chest
✨ The entire book
But seriously, this book was amazing. If I had to even think of one thing that I didn't like about this book was that the confession happened so early on, but like, I'm not even mad about that. It felt so raw and real when it happened that it didn't feel rushed at all which is why I normally don't like it in a book, but I ended up actually preferring it.
Also, the third act conflict felt so REAL. I feel like so many times, books make it come out of nowhere or make it seem so ridiculous that I can't even believe that it would be an actual conflict. This one felt real. This one felt raw. This one felt legitimate, and I loved the reasoning behind why it happened if that makes sense? (I'm trying not to give spoilers, and like while I don't love that the character felt that they had to do what they did, I get why).
Watching Evie also move along with her endometriosis was so interesting and fascinating and so heart-wrenching to read. I have never met with or interacted with anyone who has endo, and I can't even imagine what it's like, but I feel like the author really did an excellent job of showing what it's like and how much of a person's life it can affect.
A SUPER HUGE thank you to NetGalley and Xpress Book Tours for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review!!! I will absolutely be recommending this book to everyone I know, and I just went and pre-ordered myself a physical copy to have when it eventually comes out!
lillyofthenally's review against another edition
2.0
Port royale is not quartier latin lol she should’ve went off at Luxembourg take it from a Parisian (me)
Anw it was a good read
Anw it was a good read
audie_reads's review against another edition
5.0
My comfort movies include Singing in the Rain, An American in Paris, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, On the Town...basically anything Gene Kelly or Audrey Hepburn. And that being said, my comfort book list will now include the lovely, heartwarming, not to mention sweet as a pain au chocolat Finding Gene Kelly by the endo-warrior goddess Torie Jean. I devoured it in practically one sitting and I didn't want it to end!
Finding Gene Kelly is about Evie O'Shea, an American in Paris, who has been struggling. Not only with some grief as well as some grudges, but with her disease endometriosis. Endometriosis has a myriad of symptoms, and Jean's description of them in Evie's life made me realize just how the chronic pain and daily battle with this disease can be for those who have to face it in their day to day living. Evie while trying to live her life in the City of Love, she comes face to face with her childhood-crush-turned-mortal-enemy, she has some tough decisions to make. Liam Kelly may look as handsome as the suave and magnetic Gene Kelly did dancing across the screen, but Evie knows she cannot trust his dimples or toned-forearms, no matter how enticing they may seem. When ad invitation arrives family event back home in the states (along with some surprising news), Evie begrudgingly must ask Liam Kelly a favor...be her wedding date. Liam, ever the charmer, agrees, but has some conditions to their fake-dating ruse: elaborate backstories, practice dates, and few other things that make Evie realize what she has been truly craving in her life.
Not only was this story hilarious with Evie's antics, Liam's punny banter, and movie references ranging from the beloved classics like Lina Lamont in Singing in the Rain to Disney's Emperor's New Groove and Kuzco's poison, but the substance was truly what made it special. Books truly are my favorite form of art - not only do they serve as a way to escape or educate, but as a pathway to helping to shape readers into more compassionate and aware people. This book has truly done that for me! Endometriosis is not something that people can just "get-over". It is a constant battle of pain management that is physically AND emotionally draining to the warriors who fight against it day after day. This book will not only be a source of comfort or encouragement for those endo-warriors, but will hopefully spark a change in how the rest of the world views the brave individuals fighting this invisible illness day after day.
Finding Gene Kelly made me feel a range of emotions and I truly enjoyed every page. There were a some points toward the end where the pacing felt a little off, and even though a good chunk of the book took place in beloved Paris, I could have done with more descriptions of the setting there to truly feel transported to the city. I know that I will be purchasing a copy of Finding Gene Kelly when it hits the shelves September 20th, 2022 for gifts as well as to read again and again! I hope that Torie Jean keeps writing about the friends that I fell in love with reading Evie's story.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the author, Torie Jean, for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 Stars)
I don't often give 5 Stars, but when I do, know it means that I will be reading this book again and recommending it to anyone who will listen. This book has been the warm cup of coffee and croissant I have needed this week!
Ease of Reading:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4 Stars)
I did receive an ARC of this story - with it being an ARC I did notice some grammatical errors, but it didn't take away from the story!
Banter:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 Stars)
Liam and Evie's puns...just they are *chef's kiss*. Liam isn't just an attractive love interest in this book - he is what all men should strive to be!
Maturity Rating:
Adult
Trigger Warning:
Concussion, Endometriosis, Adult Content and Language
Finding Gene Kelly is about Evie O'Shea, an American in Paris, who has been struggling. Not only with some grief as well as some grudges, but with her disease endometriosis. Endometriosis has a myriad of symptoms, and Jean's description of them in Evie's life made me realize just how the chronic pain and daily battle with this disease can be for those who have to face it in their day to day living. Evie while trying to live her life in the City of Love, she comes face to face with her childhood-crush-turned-mortal-enemy, she has some tough decisions to make. Liam Kelly may look as handsome as the suave and magnetic Gene Kelly did dancing across the screen, but Evie knows she cannot trust his dimples or toned-forearms, no matter how enticing they may seem. When ad invitation arrives family event back home in the states (along with some surprising news), Evie begrudgingly must ask Liam Kelly a favor...be her wedding date. Liam, ever the charmer, agrees, but has some conditions to their fake-dating ruse: elaborate backstories, practice dates, and few other things that make Evie realize what she has been truly craving in her life.
Not only was this story hilarious with Evie's antics, Liam's punny banter, and movie references ranging from the beloved classics like Lina Lamont in Singing in the Rain to Disney's Emperor's New Groove and Kuzco's poison, but the substance was truly what made it special. Books truly are my favorite form of art - not only do they serve as a way to escape or educate, but as a pathway to helping to shape readers into more compassionate and aware people. This book has truly done that for me! Endometriosis is not something that people can just "get-over". It is a constant battle of pain management that is physically AND emotionally draining to the warriors who fight against it day after day. This book will not only be a source of comfort or encouragement for those endo-warriors, but will hopefully spark a change in how the rest of the world views the brave individuals fighting this invisible illness day after day.
Finding Gene Kelly made me feel a range of emotions and I truly enjoyed every page. There were a some points toward the end where the pacing felt a little off, and even though a good chunk of the book took place in beloved Paris, I could have done with more descriptions of the setting there to truly feel transported to the city. I know that I will be purchasing a copy of Finding Gene Kelly when it hits the shelves September 20th, 2022 for gifts as well as to read again and again! I hope that Torie Jean keeps writing about the friends that I fell in love with reading Evie's story.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the author, Torie Jean, for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy.
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 Stars)
I don't often give 5 Stars, but when I do, know it means that I will be reading this book again and recommending it to anyone who will listen. This book has been the warm cup of coffee and croissant I have needed this week!
Ease of Reading:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4 Stars)
I did receive an ARC of this story - with it being an ARC I did notice some grammatical errors, but it didn't take away from the story!
Banter:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 Stars)
Liam and Evie's puns...just they are *chef's kiss*. Liam isn't just an attractive love interest in this book - he is what all men should strive to be!
Maturity Rating:
Adult
Trigger Warning:
Concussion, Endometriosis, Adult Content and Language
rfrockwood's review
3.0
This really had the potential for 4 stars. Unfortunately, the FMC's decision to hold a grudge and be so defensive really had me ready to quit at around 48% of the book. Fortunately, I decided to hold on and the rest of the book really did not disappoint.
belellcollins's review against another edition
4.0
Review:
Evie and Liam's story is so magical. Part of that is the setting of the romance and magic of Paris but part of it is the way they come back together after a lifetime of being forced together and neither one being able to admit their feelings. Evie's stuggle with her endometriosis was gut wrenching to follow. For every moment Evie suffered, Torie Jean explained the true nature of this disease and what its like everyday for some people who have it. It was heart warming to watch Evie standing up for herself and demanding that her life is more difficult than it has to be and she's not willing to only focus on the cloudy parts of her life.
A lot of that comes from Liam's support. It's unwavering and so freaking cute, and I can't say enought about how awesome he is and we need more people, in real life and in books, like him.
Synopsis:
When five-year-old Evie O’Shea married her next-door neighbor in the wedding of the century, she had no idea she was swearing an oath to love the man who would grow into the bane of her existence until the end of time. Or that in ten years time, she’d start a long and winding journey to an eventual endometriosis diagnosis.
Now, aged twenty-six, Evie O’Shea lives in Paris, balancing precariously close to her Charlotte Lucas birthday. A burden to her parents, with no prospects and no money, Evie’s humdrum life needs a shake-up.
Enter Liam Kelly, the man Evie married at the age of five and promptly divorced at seven when he had the audacity to throw a muddy football at her while she was reading Eloise in Paris. Clad in a Henley and equipped with toned forearms and eye crinkles that rival Gene Kelly himself, Evie is determined to keep her ultimate temptation at a distance while she flails wildly navigating life, love, and endometriosis on the banks of the Seine.
But when a family announcement shakes up Evie's world weeks before her brother’s wedding, Evie seeks Liam’s help to get through the wedding with some semblance of sanity intact.
Her request? Fake date.
Making a deal with the Devil always comes with a cost, though, and when Liam’s conditions which include elaborate backstories and practice dates, reignite passions her disease smothered long ago, Evie has to learn to fight for her dreams and break free from her life measured in ibuprofen pills and heating pad settings. Or else risk being alive but never truly living.
Evie and Liam's story is so magical. Part of that is the setting of the romance and magic of Paris but part of it is the way they come back together after a lifetime of being forced together and neither one being able to admit their feelings. Evie's stuggle with her endometriosis was gut wrenching to follow. For every moment Evie suffered, Torie Jean explained the true nature of this disease and what its like everyday for some people who have it. It was heart warming to watch Evie standing up for herself and demanding that her life is more difficult than it has to be and she's not willing to only focus on the cloudy parts of her life.
A lot of that comes from Liam's support. It's unwavering and so freaking cute, and I can't say enought about how awesome he is and we need more people, in real life and in books, like him.
Synopsis:
When five-year-old Evie O’Shea married her next-door neighbor in the wedding of the century, she had no idea she was swearing an oath to love the man who would grow into the bane of her existence until the end of time. Or that in ten years time, she’d start a long and winding journey to an eventual endometriosis diagnosis.
Now, aged twenty-six, Evie O’Shea lives in Paris, balancing precariously close to her Charlotte Lucas birthday. A burden to her parents, with no prospects and no money, Evie’s humdrum life needs a shake-up.
Enter Liam Kelly, the man Evie married at the age of five and promptly divorced at seven when he had the audacity to throw a muddy football at her while she was reading Eloise in Paris. Clad in a Henley and equipped with toned forearms and eye crinkles that rival Gene Kelly himself, Evie is determined to keep her ultimate temptation at a distance while she flails wildly navigating life, love, and endometriosis on the banks of the Seine.
But when a family announcement shakes up Evie's world weeks before her brother’s wedding, Evie seeks Liam’s help to get through the wedding with some semblance of sanity intact.
Her request? Fake date.
Making a deal with the Devil always comes with a cost, though, and when Liam’s conditions which include elaborate backstories and practice dates, reignite passions her disease smothered long ago, Evie has to learn to fight for her dreams and break free from her life measured in ibuprofen pills and heating pad settings. Or else risk being alive but never truly living.
colleengarrity's review
5.0
FIVE STARS!!!!!!!!
“I look at you how you should be looked at.” He shrugs.” GODDD the man that Liam is.
I came across a tiktok video recommending this book, and I instantly knew I needed to read. I dropped everything and began.
This story was absolutely beautiful. As someone who is struggling with figuring out a diagnosis and going through the struggles of doctors telling me there's nothing wrong or it's all in my head, the amount of connection I had to this story was strong. Some may think Evie is the typical annoying main character because she's always "negative" , but being chronically ill and with all the stereotypes and what not people with endo go through is the reality of it all. It affects every decision you have to make and it's always going to be a topic of conversation. Evie deserves the love that Liam gave her. She needed someone to not pity her but to truly care deeply about her and not view her differently because of her chronic illness. Seeing her journey unfold about rediscovering love and her journey throughout endo was beautiful and inspiring. She is so strong and I'm forever in awe of her.
Torie - Thank you thank you thank you for this book. Words cannot describe how much this book has meant to me and so many other people. I've never seen any representation in books, especially romance books, in regards to endo when in reality it affects so many people. You wrote this book in a way that made us readers feel the highs and lows of Evie's day. Seeing the lowest of lows and the highest of highs is something that needs to be written more in books. I'll stop rambling now but I'm genuinely so grateful for this book and I will now be recommending it to every single one of my friends. I never leave long reviews like this but this book truly impacted me so much, and I hope you know that. Thank you thank you thank you.
“I look at you how you should be looked at.” He shrugs.” GODDD the man that Liam is.
I came across a tiktok video recommending this book, and I instantly knew I needed to read. I dropped everything and began.
This story was absolutely beautiful. As someone who is struggling with figuring out a diagnosis and going through the struggles of doctors telling me there's nothing wrong or it's all in my head, the amount of connection I had to this story was strong. Some may think Evie is the typical annoying main character because she's always "negative" , but being chronically ill and with all the stereotypes and what not people with endo go through is the reality of it all. It affects every decision you have to make and it's always going to be a topic of conversation. Evie deserves the love that Liam gave her. She needed someone to not pity her but to truly care deeply about her and not view her differently because of her chronic illness. Seeing her journey unfold about rediscovering love and her journey throughout endo was beautiful and inspiring. She is so strong and I'm forever in awe of her.
Torie - Thank you thank you thank you for this book. Words cannot describe how much this book has meant to me and so many other people. I've never seen any representation in books, especially romance books, in regards to endo when in reality it affects so many people. You wrote this book in a way that made us readers feel the highs and lows of Evie's day. Seeing the lowest of lows and the highest of highs is something that needs to be written more in books. I'll stop rambling now but I'm genuinely so grateful for this book and I will now be recommending it to every single one of my friends. I never leave long reviews like this but this book truly impacted me so much, and I hope you know that. Thank you thank you thank you.
lifeasmrsbaker's review against another edition
5.0
ENEMIES TO LOVERS! My favorite trope. I love the endometriosis representation in this novel. A super cute book about a blogger and her enemy and how they fall in love. I also really got vibes similar to the Hating Game. A very good read.
Thank you to Sunset and Camden Creative and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Sunset and Camden Creative and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
taryn_a's review
5.0
Classic musicals, enemies (but were they really?)-to-lovers, trusting other people's love for you, loving yourself, piiiiiiining. What's not to love?