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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
Recovering from a suicide attempt classical pianist Jude falls for artist/tattooist Faron with a lot of reflection on how mental illness affects relationships along the way. The book suggests that Jude has depression and anxiety, but it also strongly reads like he is autistic and felt like a good portrayal of that experience, so I'd be interested to know if that was intentional.
I did like this romance, but it's biggest issue for me was the lack of Faron's perspective meaning that little of his interiority was revealed, leaving his character to verge on a 'magical negro'/wise and silent black guy saves troubled white dude trope. If we could have had alternating perspective chapters and got more of a feel for what was going on for Faron/more of his character this might have been different, but it certainly left me feeling uncomfortable at times and I'd be interested to know what black readers thought.
I did like this romance, but it's biggest issue for me was the lack of Faron's perspective meaning that little of his interiority was revealed, leaving his character to verge on a 'magical negro'/wise and silent black guy saves troubled white dude trope. If we could have had alternating perspective chapters and got more of a feel for what was going on for Faron/more of his character this might have been different, but it certainly left me feeling uncomfortable at times and I'd be interested to know what black readers thought.
4.5 stars
Love love love this book.
The mental health rep was accurate and done tastefuly.
Both characters were nuanced and lovable.
Their chemistry was off the charts.
Their sex scenes were emotional and hot.
A near perfect book with a perfect narration from Greg Boudreaux.
Love love love this book.
The mental health rep was accurate and done tastefuly.
Both characters were nuanced and lovable.
Their chemistry was off the charts.
Their sex scenes were emotional and hot.
A near perfect book with a perfect narration from Greg Boudreaux.
4.5 stars
Okay, so I put this on my TBR for...reasons (I'll explain below)....but I ending up loving it for completely different reasons.
Invitation to the Blues is a story about Jude, a piano prodigy with pretty severe depression and anxiety who's trying to figure out his life after being hospitalized for a suicide attempt and losing his job in the Boston symphony orchestra as a result. The book is completely from Jude's POV and it's one of the best depictions of depression I think I've ever read. I also love that Jude is a bit older than most mmcs (he's 36).
The love interest is Faron, a painter and tattoo artist who looks like a model and is really good at communication and listening and just loving Jude the way he needs to be loved. Their story gave me all the feels. It's low on plot but heavy on romance with a big emphasis on hurt/comfort.
Another thing I loved about Faron and Jude is that they are both artists, and they relate to each other in very artsy ways (I know that sounds super vague but I don't know how else to put it) and it's beautiful.
Also, the author is local in my city (Philly), and the book takes place in Philly, and I am a dork and loved all the Philly references! This was one of the reasons I put this on my TBR, the other reason was because I heard there was a hot masturbation scene...and...there is...and....it's very hot. Speaking of, all of the sex scenes are incredibly hot, but also very well done, building very naturally from the characters wants and needs.
It was almost 5 stars, but I felt like I personally wanted a little more angst and/or conflict (there is some...but not much). But anyways, if you are looking for something that's just more of a feel good read - this is the one. I loved the writing style too!
TW: suicide attempt (off page)
Okay, so I put this on my TBR for...reasons (I'll explain below)....but I ending up loving it for completely different reasons.
Invitation to the Blues is a story about Jude, a piano prodigy with pretty severe depression and anxiety who's trying to figure out his life after being hospitalized for a suicide attempt and losing his job in the Boston symphony orchestra as a result. The book is completely from Jude's POV and it's one of the best depictions of depression I think I've ever read. I also love that Jude is a bit older than most mmcs (he's 36).
The love interest is Faron, a painter and tattoo artist who looks like a model and is really good at communication and listening and just loving Jude the way he needs to be loved. Their story gave me all the feels. It's low on plot but heavy on romance with a big emphasis on hurt/comfort.
Another thing I loved about Faron and Jude is that they are both artists, and they relate to each other in very artsy ways (I know that sounds super vague but I don't know how else to put it) and it's beautiful.
Also, the author is local in my city (Philly), and the book takes place in Philly, and I am a dork and loved all the Philly references! This was one of the reasons I put this on my TBR, the other reason was because I heard there was a hot masturbation scene...and...there is...and....it's very hot. Speaking of, all of the sex scenes are incredibly hot, but also very well done, building very naturally from the characters wants and needs.
It was almost 5 stars, but I felt like I personally wanted a little more angst and/or conflict (there is some...but not much). But anyways, if you are looking for something that's just more of a feel good read - this is the one. I loved the writing style too!
TW: suicide attempt (off page)
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
Reading about mental health or characters who suffer from mental health issues can be extremely heavy and taxing. It is definitely something that should be portrayed, it is important to see that all people can and do deserve love and Roan Parrish does it so beautifully in Invitation to the Blues. Jude, introduced first in Small Changes, has suffered from depression since his teens and returns to his hometown after a failed suicide attempt and involuntary admittance to a facility. Feron the spellbinding tattoo artist caught my eye from the very first page he appeared (also in Small Change) so I was stoked to see he got a book. Their chemistry and extreme intimacy was HOT, there were elements of light BDSM would have enjoyed seeing them go farther down that route. I am happy they don't dance around issues of interracial relationships, I know some people may take issue with it being written by a white writer but as it was told from the perspective of the white partner I think it was very well done.
Jude & Faron’s story is beautiful and real. It’s been awhile since I’ve said this but, This one absolutely destroyed me in the best way. It was one of those stories where I didn’t want to put it down and the words stay with you long after you stop reading.
Reread - totally forgot about the fucking with a paintbrush scene in this! More pain and heart ouchie moments in this, so many CWs to check out. Also, yay for so much parallel play between the MCs.
4.5 rounded up
No surprise this was wonderful, and a great follow-up to the first book. I loved getting to see everybody from this 'verse again, but it never felt like the familiar characters were overshadowing the main storyline.
The connection here between Jude and Faron was fantastic and I just loved the build and evolution of their feelings. The smut was fantastic hot, and despite dealing with some pretty heavy issues, the book never felt overwrought or overly angsty. Just the right amount of tension to keep me engaged! I'm not sure if the author is planning more in this series, but there was a character in the epilogue that it seemed like maybe she was setting up for a future book, which would be fan because this series is great!
Merged review:
4.5 rounded up
No surprise this was wonderful, and a great follow-up to the first book. I loved getting to see everybody from this 'verse again, but it never felt like the familiar characters were overshadowing the main storyline.
The connection here between Jude and Faron was fantastic and I just loved the build and evolution of their feelings. The smut was fantastic hot, and despite dealing with some pretty heavy issues, the book never felt overwrought or overly angsty. Just the right amount of tension to keep me engaged! I'm not sure if the author is planning more in this series, but there was a character in the epilogue that it seemed like maybe she was setting up for a future book, which would be fan because this series is great!
No surprise this was wonderful, and a great follow-up to the first book. I loved getting to see everybody from this 'verse again, but it never felt like the familiar characters were overshadowing the main storyline.
The connection here between Jude and Faron was fantastic and I just loved the build and evolution of their feelings. The smut was fantastic hot, and despite dealing with some pretty heavy issues, the book never felt overwrought or overly angsty. Just the right amount of tension to keep me engaged! I'm not sure if the author is planning more in this series, but there was a character in the epilogue that it seemed like maybe she was setting up for a future book, which would be fan because this series is great!
Merged review:
4.5 rounded up
No surprise this was wonderful, and a great follow-up to the first book. I loved getting to see everybody from this 'verse again, but it never felt like the familiar characters were overshadowing the main storyline.
The connection here between Jude and Faron was fantastic and I just loved the build and evolution of their feelings. The smut was fantastic hot, and despite dealing with some pretty heavy issues, the book never felt overwrought or overly angsty. Just the right amount of tension to keep me engaged! I'm not sure if the author is planning more in this series, but there was a character in the epilogue that it seemed like maybe she was setting up for a future book, which would be fan because this series is great!
I cried because somehow I had landed somewhere I wanted to be and I realized perhaps it was the first time I'd wanted to be somewhere.
I cried because I finally knew what it was to love someone more than I hated myself.
[4.5] y’all know i relish books centered around mental health, and once again, Roan Parrish did not hesitate in bringing forward yet another poignant and accurate mental health portrayal, this time with Invitation to the Blues.
Jude, a recovering pianist back home after a failed suicide attempt. from the depiction of his downward spirals of depression, his anxiety’s impact on his day-to-day life, his ever-present negative self-talk, you can imagine his internal monologues aren’t a walk in the park, but they carry with it a real rawness that is bound to have you feeling for him, especially if you’ve been in a similar place.
i think it’s awfully easy to relate to Jude’s incessant fear of being a burden to our loved ones, and as a consequence of this belief, we either consciously or unconsciously put distance between ourselves and others to prevent our darkness from spreading and tainting them. but Faron, UGH what a soothing balm to the soul he was.
“I don’t want you out of generosity. Or because I’m some kind of angel or savior. I want you because something inside you vibrates just so with something inside me.”
he is just so remarkably accepting of and attuned to Jude’s everything. so what if he suffers from Perfect Boyfriend Syndrome (LET A GIRL DREAM
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Jude and faron were so comforting. This story was difficult to read at times but I loved seeing both of them grow together and I always love how Parrish writes mature characters who can talk about their feelings and challenges in a realistic way.