Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
I absolutely adored this book. There's something about Roan's writing in this one that feels so soothing and calming, even if the book is dealing with depression and anxiety. It's one of those books that feel like you're reading slowly.
Once more, Roan proves why she's one of my favourite authors.
Once more, Roan proves why she's one of my favourite authors.
Fitting conclusion to series
Enjoyed Jude and Faron’s story. Would have liked and enjoyed more POV scenes from Faron’s perspective, found him compelling and his characterization in this book was a little more than being a magical negro for Jude.
Enjoyed Jude and Faron’s story. Would have liked and enjoyed more POV scenes from Faron’s perspective, found him compelling and his characterization in this book was a little more than being a magical negro for Jude.
Way to hit my emotions!
I like my books to hurt, and Roan is masterful
There are so many elements of this book that resonated with me in so many painful but wonderful ways. Jude leaving an emotionally abusive relationship and working through feelings of shame for staying as long as he did, feeling like he “let” his ex treat him that way. And his depression is so viscerally presented, the depressive episodes taking on a dark hue when reading, heavy.
I loved Faron so much. So, so much. He’s so good and so respectful. I loved the glimpses of his family and especially him having a chance to begin rebuilding a relationship with his twin. The scenes where he and Jude can sit in silence, where he gives Jude space make my heart absolutely melt; those were some of the most beautiful expressions of love and caring I’ve come across.
As with other books, found and chosen family are very central to this story, and I love seeing familiar faces. I wonder if we’re going to see more of Phee and Winston, if they’ll be next pairing~ The development of friendship between Jude and Daniel and Ginger are wonderful and I love how they support Jude, basically from the get-go.
This whole book was just so wonderful and I didn’t want to put it down (hence finishing at 2 in the morning lol) because I just felt so much and the writing paints such wonderful, complex images. Love, love, love Jude and Faron so much~
Content notes:
🎵 past suicide attempt
🎵 negative internal thoughts, negative self image
🎵 body image issues
🎵 ex who encouraged makeup to hide/change features
🎵 mention of vomiting
🎵 emotional and mental abuse in romantic relationship
🎵 on page sex - manual stimulation, anal, edging with verbal direction, oral, rimming, no condom, prostate massage, paintbrushes for sensation, object insertion
🎵 ex encouraged viagra because meds affected physical reactions to arousal
🎵 trying to use sex to earn forgiveness - learned behavior from abusive relationship
🎵 abusive ex showing up unannounced
🎵 “I think I can even forgive you for it,” ex referencing suicide attempt
🎵 negative mental spiral, depressive episode
🎵 complicated relationship with food, poor eating habits
🎵 brother in military, contention around military service
🎵 mentions of violence, fighting
🎵 discussions of race and racism
I like my books to hurt, and Roan is masterful
There are so many elements of this book that resonated with me in so many painful but wonderful ways. Jude leaving an emotionally abusive relationship and working through feelings of shame for staying as long as he did, feeling like he “let” his ex treat him that way. And his depression is so viscerally presented, the depressive episodes taking on a dark hue when reading, heavy.
I loved Faron so much. So, so much. He’s so good and so respectful. I loved the glimpses of his family and especially him having a chance to begin rebuilding a relationship with his twin. The scenes where he and Jude can sit in silence, where he gives Jude space make my heart absolutely melt; those were some of the most beautiful expressions of love and caring I’ve come across.
As with other books, found and chosen family are very central to this story, and I love seeing familiar faces. I wonder if we’re going to see more of Phee and Winston, if they’ll be next pairing~ The development of friendship between Jude and Daniel and Ginger are wonderful and I love how they support Jude, basically from the get-go.
This whole book was just so wonderful and I didn’t want to put it down (hence finishing at 2 in the morning lol) because I just felt so much and the writing paints such wonderful, complex images. Love, love, love Jude and Faron so much~
Content notes:
🎵 past suicide attempt
🎵 negative internal thoughts, negative self image
🎵 body image issues
🎵 ex who encouraged makeup to hide/change features
🎵 mention of vomiting
🎵 emotional and mental abuse in romantic relationship
🎵 on page sex - manual stimulation, anal, edging with verbal direction, oral, rimming, no condom, prostate massage, paintbrushes for sensation, object insertion
🎵 ex encouraged viagra because meds affected physical reactions to arousal
🎵 trying to use sex to earn forgiveness - learned behavior from abusive relationship
🎵 abusive ex showing up unannounced
🎵 “I think I can even forgive you for it,” ex referencing suicide attempt
🎵 negative mental spiral, depressive episode
🎵 complicated relationship with food, poor eating habits
🎵 brother in military, contention around military service
🎵 mentions of violence, fighting
🎵 discussions of race and racism
I read what I believe is Ms. Parrish's first book, In the Middle of Somewhere, and was struck by her solid writing. What also stuck out for me were her secondary characters. Though I have them, I didn't read the other books in the Middle of Somewhere series but picked up this book and was so pleased to see old friends. Ginger appeared in that first book and she made such an impression on me. Ginger gets her HEA in the first book in the Small Change series but as it's an MF, I will skip it. Ginger and Christopher appear in this book and I have to say that I love Ginger! We also get to see Rex and Daniel from the Middle of Somewhere to quite the bonus with this book. Faron and Jude, at least according to others, appeared in that first book (Jude is Christopher's brother) and this book focuses on their love. Oh but it is hard won. Jude suffers from crippling anxiety and depression. The book opens as he returns to Philly after a traumatic incident that left Jude hospitalized. He left behind a career as a pianist for an orchestra. Such a well written love story but there are painful parts. Jude struggles so. He feels his illness renders him unlikeable and too much of a burden to others. Faron works in Ginger's tattoo shop and his quiet grace and strength helps Jude cope. Ms. Parrish admirably captures someone in the throes of a depression with all the side effects of the illness and medications. She doesn't sugarcoat the issues. I particularly loved that Jude found his way back through his music as Faron regains his love of painting. Kudos to the author for her deft handling of issues related to race. Well done!
I didn't know how Parrish was gonna pull it off with a guy who never wanted to leave his room :P but she did it.
This book was....fine, I guess. Not my favorite by Roan Parrish, but not a disaster either. There wasn't much of a dramatic arc to it. Jude has depression, he and Faron get involved, and Jude learns not to hate himself so much. I guess it's important to have a depressed MC to decrease the stigma of mental illness, but as a fellow person who has dealt with depression all my life, I can tell you it's not that interesting to read about. Point to the author, however, for not taking the easy way out - Faron's love doesn't magically cure Jude's depression. But it would have been preferable if Parrish had given Faron some quirks or faults, or some personality traits besides artsy and beautiful.
Nice to see Daniel and Rex from [b:In the Middle of Somewhere|25687508|In the Middle of Somewhere (Middle of Somewhere, #1)|Roan Parrish|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1433927277s/25687508.jpg|45515563] and of course Ginger from [b:Small Change|34878010|Small Change (Small Change, #1)|Roan Parrish|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1494424431s/34878010.jpg|56130556] still kicks butt.
Nice to see Daniel and Rex from [b:In the Middle of Somewhere|25687508|In the Middle of Somewhere (Middle of Somewhere, #1)|Roan Parrish|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1433927277s/25687508.jpg|45515563] and of course Ginger from [b:Small Change|34878010|Small Change (Small Change, #1)|Roan Parrish|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1494424431s/34878010.jpg|56130556] still kicks butt.
I'm a sucker for romance novels featuring characters with a mental illness and I'm a sucker for Roan Parrish, so it's not shocking that I decided to reread this recently. While I don't know that I would give it the five stars I originally did, it's a solid, satisfying romance that also does a terrific job of portraying depression as real but not something that should prevent you from having the life you want. The two main characters are perfect together and the sex scenes are...very good (emotionally charged and specific to this couple).
I'm not sure I've ever read a more deeply sympathetic MC who suffers depression and anxiety. The glimpses of Jude from Small Change barely hint at his inner life. Here, we are right there with him. It is not easy, but it has its own beauty, because that's how Roan Parrish rolls.
And then there is Faron, and how perfect he is for Jude specifically.
Christopher's sympathy, Ginger's brashness, Daniel's sharp observations - the whole cast of this series and the Middle of Nowhere series are just awesome.
If you are new to Roan Parrish's work, I envy you. READ THEM ALL.
And then there is Faron, and how perfect he is for Jude specifically.
Christopher's sympathy, Ginger's brashness, Daniel's sharp observations - the whole cast of this series and the Middle of Nowhere series are just awesome.
If you are new to Roan Parrish's work, I envy you. READ THEM ALL.
Loved it, but never wrote about it. Here's the review from when I re-read this book: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/9003eb6c-a76b-440e-ac48-6f8976145005
Still thinking about this one a few days after finishing. First person pov where the narrator falls in love and has great sex (phew the sex!) while also living with depression, anxiety and disordered eating - all of which the author treats with sensitivity. Heart-achy and romantic. Makes me want to read everything else by this author.