Reviews

Vespertine by Indra Vaughn, Leta Blake

teresab78's review against another edition

4.0

difficult in parts but great end

This book deals with a few different issues, addiction, mental disorders, and faith in God, to name a few. I did feel that they were all handled well. I wasn’t sure how it would work in the end but it has a very happy ending!

lalauren04's review against another edition

5.0

What a wonderful surprise this turned out to be - it has been on my Kindle for a long time, but I’ll admit that it was forgotten about and I kept passing over it. I finally sat down to read it, and boy do I regret how long it took me to do that, because I absolutely fell in love with the story. It is beautifully written, such a perfect slow-burn, with a wonderful ending and characters I genuinely cared about.

missysreadingcorner's review against another edition

5.0

This was a great story. I enjoyed the slow burn as Jasper and Nicky reconnected. I decided to read this on a whim and wasn't disappointed.

liza5326's review against another edition

4.0

Rock stars and priests... You wouldn't think they would have much in common, but this story proves otherwise. Nicky and Jasper were childhood friends and lovers before Jasper left to become a priest and Nicky became Nico Blue of the rock band Vespertine. Years later, Nicky is home, working on his sobriety, and learning that his love for Jasper is just as strong as it was before.

I love the struggle in this story. The struggle between addiction and sobriety, the crisis of faith, the fighting with the church over the shelter. There was a lot of religious talk, but it worked for the story and didn't become preachy. You could feel Jasper's deep struggle with his faith and his love for Nicky. I loved the kids at Blue Oasis and their stories are all too real. Overall, a great read!!

robazizo's review against another edition

4.0

A beautiful story of love lost and found. I loved Nicky from the start (that confession!) and Jasper really grew on me. I usually stay away from stories involving religion, but this one handled the issue well. I also liked how the authors managed to incorporate the boys' past without the use of flashbacks. The denouement felt a bit like a deus ex machina and Jasper's issues surrounding his priesthood and Blue Oasis were solved a bit too quickly and easily, but overall I really enjoyed this one.

missawn's review against another edition

4.0

Au-ugh! Original review got deleted. Luckily enough, this book is amazing and I still remember much of it MONTHS after I read it. It easily makes it on my list of favorite books of the year -- and all time favorites in this genre. I particularly loved the setting and the use of Gaelic -- adding a breathtaking poetry to a poignant romance that got under my skin and shimmered with light and emotion. I adored this book ... I loved the characters ... definitely recommended (again!) ...

nicola949's review against another edition

5.0

I was intrigued to see how a relationship between a priest and a recovering drug-addicted musician would be handled and I wasn't disappointed. The hard issues are tackled, not just glossed over. Such a lovely story and with a sense of realism.

aimora's review against another edition

5.0

I did not expect to like this as much as I did. Both main characters well developed and their childhood friendship broke my heart.

maggiec25's review against another edition

5.0

This book is definitely a work of art. I have no words, it is inexplicable. It's not enough for me to give it 5 stars. The way it is written, goosebumps all the time. The characters, the story, the ending. It's perfect. I love you Leta Blake and Indra Vaughn.

"You have a lot of beautiful gifts. And, maybe someday you can share some of those with a man who loves you"

friends2lovers's review against another edition

emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction and Sexual content

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Religious bigotry, and Homophobia

Minor: Death