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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
Very well-written book but I just found reading a realistic portrait of depression to be too depressing to enjoy it.
pragya try not to crack up everytime someone says "babe" "baby" or "sweetheart" challenge
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
challenging
dark
emotional
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
This book was sooooo good!!
TROPES:
-M/M
-Interracial couple
-Tattoo artist/ Musician(piano)
-Age Gap(9yrs)
-Praise kink
-Foreplay for days
-No third act break up
CW: depression, anxiety, toxic partner, mentions of su*cide
TROPES:
-M/M
-Interracial couple
-Tattoo artist/ Musician(piano)
-Age Gap(9yrs)
-Praise kink
-Foreplay for days
-No third act break up
CW: depression, anxiety, toxic partner, mentions of su*cide
emotional
inspiring
slow-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
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I loved this book and wanted to revisit it. Since I didn't write a review the first time I read it, here are some words:
As always, Greg Boudreaux did a great job as an audiobook narrator. His velvet voice fit perfectly to this syrupy, slow and achingly emotional tale about self-acceptance.
The story was told from the perspective of Jude, a pianist trying to navigate life after a suicide attempt, an unhealthy relationship ending, and also losing his job. While also having sensitivities that were somewhat audhd-coded, and struggling to accept them and feel like he was good enough to be loved.
Jude was 36, but came across as younger at times, likely at least partly due to trauma reactions and insecurities. Imo that made him believable, and Roan Parrish did an excellent job of capturing his experiences with depression and anxiety. To be honest, the exhaustion he felt about making the slightest effort, was almost too relatable. I also connected to how he could get caught in loops of angsty thoughts, shame and worries.
Jude's love interest, Faron, was a painter and tattoo artist with a special knack for listening and being conscious, honest and supportive. He suited Jude well, and I loved how Jude and Faron connected through their art and music.
Their story was emotional, intense and hot, and with quite a bit of hurt/ comfort. Jude's fight to get back to life was a big part of that. As Jude and Faron spent more time together, Faron shared some of his history and struggles, too. I would have loved to learn more about Faron's thoughts and emotions too, though. His support of Jude made him seem almost too perfect.
I could easily forgive that, because the chemistry between Jude and Faron was amazing; building so slowly and intensely that it felt tangible. When they came together, their intimate moments were incredibly hot, sweet and well-written, building naturally from what they both wanted and needed. It was all about consent and communication.
I appreciated the secondary characters, and especially that I got to meet Ginger, Daniel and Christopher again. The artistic and diverse group of people gave the story a found-family vibe, and I loved it.
The ending was lovely without glossing over anything, making it real and believable. This book was exactly what I needed today.
Content Warnings: There were discussions of depression, anxiety, and an off-page suicide attempt, there were gaslighting and sanist/ ableist language from a secondary character, as well as the mc having feelings of worthlessness and internalised sanism/ ableism. These themes were handled respectfully.
As always, Greg Boudreaux did a great job as an audiobook narrator. His velvet voice fit perfectly to this syrupy, slow and achingly emotional tale about self-acceptance.
The story was told from the perspective of Jude, a pianist trying to navigate life after a suicide attempt, an unhealthy relationship ending, and also losing his job. While also having sensitivities that were somewhat audhd-coded, and struggling to accept them and feel like he was good enough to be loved.
Jude was 36, but came across as younger at times, likely at least partly due to trauma reactions and insecurities. Imo that made him believable, and Roan Parrish did an excellent job of capturing his experiences with depression and anxiety. To be honest, the exhaustion he felt about making the slightest effort, was almost too relatable. I also connected to how he could get caught in loops of angsty thoughts, shame and worries.
Jude's love interest, Faron, was a painter and tattoo artist with a special knack for listening and being conscious, honest and supportive. He suited Jude well, and I loved how Jude and Faron connected through their art and music.
Their story was emotional, intense and hot, and with quite a bit of hurt/ comfort. Jude's fight to get back to life was a big part of that. As Jude and Faron spent more time together, Faron shared some of his history and struggles, too. I would have loved to learn more about Faron's thoughts and emotions too, though. His support of Jude made him seem almost too perfect.
I could easily forgive that, because the chemistry between Jude and Faron was amazing; building so slowly and intensely that it felt tangible. When they came together, their intimate moments were incredibly hot, sweet and well-written, building naturally from what they both wanted and needed. It was all about consent and communication.
I appreciated the secondary characters, and especially that I got to meet Ginger, Daniel and Christopher again. The artistic and diverse group of people gave the story a found-family vibe, and I loved it.
The ending was lovely without glossing over anything, making it real and believable. This book was exactly what I needed today.
Content Warnings: There were discussions of depression, anxiety, and an off-page suicide attempt, there were gaslighting and sanist/ ableist language from a secondary character, as well as the mc having feelings of worthlessness and internalised sanism/ ableism. These themes were handled respectfully.
INVITATION TO THE BLUES was a tough but beautiful book to read and Roan Parrish spins an emotional tale about accepting yourself, even when the person you are is imperfect. I knew going in this would cover a lot of hard topics but overall I felt the story was very uplifting and hopeful. Though I have no personal experience with depression, Parrish writes Jude's experience so well and the reader can really understand the spiraling nature of depression and anxiety. One small complaint -- the more flowery prose to some of Parrish's writing made it difficult to completely grasp everything Jude was going through.
I enjoyed both Jude and Faron as individual characters and as a couple. Jude came across younger than this actual age but this comes mostly from his vulnerability and his natural gentle nature. Jude isn't miraculously cured by the end of the book but you can tell that he's found acceptance in his story and that he's not going to give up on himself or on his relationship with Faron. Since this is told completely from Jude's point of view we really get in his head and I wish we had this deep connection with Faron as well. As Jude and Faron spend more time together we learn about Faron's history and some of his struggles and I felt that depth but I wanted to know about Faron's thoughts and emotions too. His support of Jude and his understanding of how to be with Jude, even when the depression gets the best of him, makes Faron seem almost too perfect. Intellectually, I know that Faron must have concerns and doubts and fears but we don't see that -- we only see his near perfect reactions to everything.
I so enjoyed the bonus of seeing Ginger and Christopher from SMALL CHANGE, especially because it was clear how much Christopher loved his brother and wanted him to be happy. I'm really looking forward to more in this series because we've met some pretty intriguing characters along the way and I can't wait for more!
Content Warning: Discussion of depression, anxiety, attempted suicide, and feelings of worthlessness; discussion of anti-military beliefs
I enjoyed both Jude and Faron as individual characters and as a couple. Jude came across younger than this actual age but this comes mostly from his vulnerability and his natural gentle nature. Jude isn't miraculously cured by the end of the book but you can tell that he's found acceptance in his story and that he's not going to give up on himself or on his relationship with Faron. Since this is told completely from Jude's point of view we really get in his head and I wish we had this deep connection with Faron as well. As Jude and Faron spend more time together we learn about Faron's history and some of his struggles and I felt that depth but I wanted to know about Faron's thoughts and emotions too. His support of Jude and his understanding of how to be with Jude, even when the depression gets the best of him, makes Faron seem almost too perfect. Intellectually, I know that Faron must have concerns and doubts and fears but we don't see that -- we only see his near perfect reactions to everything.
I so enjoyed the bonus of seeing Ginger and Christopher from SMALL CHANGE, especially because it was clear how much Christopher loved his brother and wanted him to be happy. I'm really looking forward to more in this series because we've met some pretty intriguing characters along the way and I can't wait for more!
Content Warning: Discussion of depression, anxiety, attempted suicide, and feelings of worthlessness; discussion of anti-military beliefs
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide attempt