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_myliteraryobsession's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.0
library_kb's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I was highly annoyed with our main character for the first half of the book, but was extremely happy when she finally figured out her hangups and gave in to Liam! I liked the representation of endometriosis in this book (though I can't speak to it's accuracy). Recommend for readers of Chloe Liese.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Medical content, Body shaming, and Panic attacks/disorders
bekkabenjamin's review against another edition
4.0
I’m feeling 3.5 stars here but rounding up.
I loved the representation in the novel, and felt like I could truly understand and feel the emotions of each character. The depictions of endometriosis are raw, vulnerable and real, and I respect so much that this stories Jean used a Romance novel to show such true struggles for many.
Spoiler**
The ending just seemed too rushed and unrealistic for me. I know they have known each other since childhood, but moving back to the states, opening your own business (being business partners), and moving in together, is a lot.
Cute read. Love the location (if it takes place in Paris you know I’m reading it
I loved the representation in the novel, and felt like I could truly understand and feel the emotions of each character. The depictions of endometriosis are raw, vulnerable and real, and I respect so much that this stories Jean used a Romance novel to show such true struggles for many.
Spoiler**
The ending just seemed too rushed and unrealistic for me. I know they have known each other since childhood, but moving back to the states, opening your own business (being business partners), and moving in together, is a lot.
Cute read. Love the location (if it takes place in Paris you know I’m reading it
turnthepages_nl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
4.75
Let me start off with saying, I love books set in Paris, especially when the MC loves food. Because helloooo donuts, patisserie, bread, BREADDDD. And our MC Evie loves bread and donuts. She loves to bake too, her biggest wish is to open a shop with home made goods. But having a chronic illness makes chasing your dreams hard, it can sometimes feel impossible. Evie has endometriosis, and although I don't have the diagnosis myself, I sure do have quite a few symptoms, more than I'd like to admit...
Torie Jean has endo too, she writes books with endo rep, lived experience. Own-Voices representation is so so important. And Torie is doing amazing work! Creating awareness, validating peoples pain, struggles, emotions, hardships. Finding Gene Kelly is a bit graphic at times, but I loved that. It doesn't sugarcoat it. It shows how much pain Evie is in but also how hard it is to ask for and even more so to accept help from the people around you. Evie is someone who wants to take care of herself. She doesn't want to need other people. But sometimes you can really benefit from leaning on others when you are having a hard time. It was beautiful to see how she and Liam grew together, in life but also regarding her chronic illness.
Liam is 100% a cinnamonroll and I loved that. He is sunshineeeeee. But filled with puns. How Torie managed to find all these puns is beyond me, but it had me giggling tons. The chemistry between Liam and Evie was so fun, lots of banter but the further you get into the book, the more sweet moments are being thrown at you. I awwwed a lot at Liam, haha. His Gene Kelly moment?!!! Ughhhhh I want one of those!
As you maybe know, fake dating is one of my fav tropes. And it was executed to well in this story! The. Tension. Was. Off. The. Charts. Honestly loved every second of it.
Combine that with food, lots of puns, nicknames, Parisian architecture, loving friendships, old hollywood movies and you got yourself the story of Finding Gene Kelly. Or at least a big chunk of it.
Because another aspect I loved (but also hated) was Evie's family. Her grandma was absolutely amazing, but sadly isn't with her anymore. But her mother?!!! Big yikes. Her mum is a fatphobic, gaslighting, disrespectfull human being. And one of the reasons Evie is literally living on a different continent. Her mum, Caroline, is always talking crap about her. Snarky remarks, stabby comments. Seeing Evies Endometriose as a problem and a reason she hasn't got a husband yet. Because she obviously is broken and has a problem. Because baring children is the most important task for a woman right? Wellllll no Caroline it is not! And eventhough Evie knows her mum is wrong, it still hurts. A lot. Being seen as broken, wrong, a problem. That is painfull! Especially when it is your own mother who talks about you like that. When your own mother disregards your pain and hardships whilest also gossiping about you(r lack of a partner and children) to other people. That freaking hurts. But I think the gaslighting and comments from Caroline (and other people too) were displayed beautifully. This is raw and honest representation of what it's like living with a chronic illness. People who (usually) mean well, but say stuff that hurts so much. But still feeling like you have to be polite. Torie really really hit the nail on the head.
So, if you like a sweet romance story with fake dating, chronic illness rep (endometiosis), nicknames, FOOD and old hollywood movies, this is absolutely the book for you. And if not, give it a try anyway because the Endometriose rep was amazing and I think people can really learn from it!
Torie send me a copy of the new edition of Finding Gene Kelly, as part of her ARC team in exchange for an honest review. This does in no way influence my opinion.
Torie Jean has endo too, she writes books with endo rep, lived experience. Own-Voices representation is so so important. And Torie is doing amazing work! Creating awareness, validating peoples pain, struggles, emotions, hardships. Finding Gene Kelly is a bit graphic at times, but I loved that. It doesn't sugarcoat it. It shows how much pain Evie is in but also how hard it is to ask for and even more so to accept help from the people around you. Evie is someone who wants to take care of herself. She doesn't want to need other people. But sometimes you can really benefit from leaning on others when you are having a hard time. It was beautiful to see how she and Liam grew together, in life but also regarding her chronic illness.
Liam is 100% a cinnamonroll and I loved that. He is sunshineeeeee. But filled with puns. How Torie managed to find all these puns is beyond me, but it had me giggling tons. The chemistry between Liam and Evie was so fun, lots of banter but the further you get into the book, the more sweet moments are being thrown at you. I awwwed a lot at Liam, haha. His Gene Kelly moment?!!! Ughhhhh I want one of those!
As you maybe know, fake dating is one of my fav tropes. And it was executed to well in this story! The. Tension. Was. Off. The. Charts. Honestly loved every second of it.
Combine that with food, lots of puns, nicknames, Parisian architecture, loving friendships, old hollywood movies and you got yourself the story of Finding Gene Kelly. Or at least a big chunk of it.
Because another aspect I loved (but also hated) was Evie's family. Her grandma was absolutely amazing, but sadly isn't with her anymore. But her mother?!!! Big yikes. Her mum is a fatphobic, gaslighting, disrespectfull human being. And one of the reasons Evie is literally living on a different continent. Her mum, Caroline, is always talking crap about her. Snarky remarks, stabby comments. Seeing Evies Endometriose as a problem and a reason she hasn't got a husband yet. Because she obviously is broken and has a problem. Because baring children is the most important task for a woman right? Wellllll no Caroline it is not! And eventhough Evie knows her mum is wrong, it still hurts. A lot. Being seen as broken, wrong, a problem. That is painfull! Especially when it is your own mother who talks about you like that. When your own mother disregards your pain and hardships whilest also gossiping about you(r lack of a partner and children) to other people. That freaking hurts. But I think the gaslighting and comments from Caroline (and other people too) were displayed beautifully. This is raw and honest representation of what it's like living with a chronic illness. People who (usually) mean well, but say stuff that hurts so much. But still feeling like you have to be polite. Torie really really hit the nail on the head.
So, if you like a sweet romance story with fake dating, chronic illness rep (endometiosis), nicknames, FOOD and old hollywood movies, this is absolutely the book for you. And if not, give it a try anyway because the Endometriose rep was amazing and I think people can really learn from it!
Torie send me a copy of the new edition of Finding Gene Kelly, as part of her ARC team in exchange for an honest review. This does in no way influence my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Vomit, Chronic illness, and Drug use
Moderate: Ableism, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, and Sexual content
Minor: Death
Mentiones that grandma passed away. The death is not on the page.leann0330's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
This book was stunning and I’m still thinking about it days later. Such a beautiful love story and wonderful disability rep.
vohak's review
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Fantastic example of the miscommunication trope done exceedingly well. I was rooting for both characters and it is clear to the reader (as well as all of the side characters) that they love the heck out of each other from the get go. Also, I learned a lot about endometriosis and it was refreshing to see a character with it front and center in a romance!
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
kellyjcm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
Great rep for chronic disease.
madibellewest's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
oolymee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Evie (eh-vee not ee-vee) O'Shea and Liam Kelly hate each other. For sure. Definitely. Or do they? Evie moved all the way to Paris just to get away from him after all. But when Liam Kelly unexpectedly arrives in Paris, Evie is left with a lot more than just a headache.
Here's the thing. The chronic illness representation in this book is brilliant. Wonderfully done. On that front, this book is five stars . The romance in this one is just not for me. I can't put my finger on what I didn't vibe with in the romance. I will definitely be recommending this book to people I think might enjoy it though!
Here's the thing. The chronic illness representation in this book is brilliant. Wonderfully done. On that front, this book is five stars . The romance in this one is just not for me. I can't put my finger on what I didn't vibe with in the romance. I will definitely be recommending this book to people I think might enjoy it though!