A review by writtenechoes
Invitation to the Blues by Roan Parrish

4.0

”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 felt like to love someone more than I hated myself.”

I hate how much I saw myself in Jude. I loved him and hated him and isn’t that just… kinda funny? It was tiring at times having the entire book from his pov bc he’s so sad and miserable and thinks everyone is unbearably weighted down by his existence. Which, I understand. His slow friendship with Faron to more was beautiful. Two artists speaking different languages but meeting at the middle with love. It was beautiful. But Faron at times felt almost … too perfect? Despite that, this story felt oddly important to me. The balance of anxiety and depression being a part of you and just learning to go through life. And Faron not loving Jude in spite of it but alongside it.

I also very much appreciate showing how depression medications and depression affect libido. Sometimes the want to be intimate is there but the body cannot read the signals. And some partners can be cruel about it but Faron was perfect (still almost too perfect!).

Will I ever reread this? Probably not. It hit a little too close to home. But it was lovely and typical Roan.