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A review by _thelitlibrarian
Finding Gene Kelly by Torie Jean
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
3.75
3.75 stars
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TW: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Ableism, Infertility, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Death, Sexual content
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Endo rep in a love story? I'm here for it! Our main character Evie is obsessed with old Hollywood movies, and Gene Kelly. When given the chance she relocates her life to Paris - the city of love. As much as I wanted to love Evie I just couldn't. She's judgmental as a character, holds a grudge for far too long, and has no growth throughout the novel. Evie has an endometriosis diagnosis and has given up on having a happily ever after of her own. I did enjoy how endometriosis was represented in the novel and not just swept under the rug as a "condition our main character has", we see how it affects her day-to-day life.
Just when Evie can't think of things getting worse, in walks her brother's best friend: Liam Kelly (back into her life). It's clear the two have some unresolved tension, and we get hinted that Liam has wronged Evie in their past. I won't lie, I think I judged Liam a bit too quickly as I hated him immediately, but Liam is pinning hard for Evie. He was the perfect supporter and even had me swooning over the things he said. He also was amazing at taking care of Evie during her flare-ups.
What does Liam have to do with the story? Evie's brother is getting married and her (even more judgemental) mother can't help but ask when Evie will settle down and plans on setting her up for the wedding. My issue with the mother is she's so ashamed that her daughter has endo and tries to control everything she does. In hopes of taking the attention off her, Evie and Liam decide to enter a fake dating relationship and accompany her to the wedding. The couple quickly realizes they were meant for each other, far before the wedding. I would have liked to perhaps see them playing it up at the wedding in fear of someone calling them out.
Like any other story, we need a conflict. Evie realizes she shouldn't drag Liam down as she most likely won't be able to give him the relationship that he deserves. I don't know what else Liam could have done to prove that he was head over heels for you girl. I will say I thought it was nice that the female was the one who pulled off the grand gesture and it does reconnect our two lovebirds. Overall, this was a cute read. Evie is tolerable, but please, read it for Paris vibes alone!
-
TW: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Ableism, Infertility, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Death, Sexual content
-
Endo rep in a love story? I'm here for it! Our main character Evie is obsessed with old Hollywood movies, and Gene Kelly. When given the chance she relocates her life to Paris - the city of love. As much as I wanted to love Evie I just couldn't. She's judgmental as a character, holds a grudge for far too long, and has no growth throughout the novel. Evie has an endometriosis diagnosis and has given up on having a happily ever after of her own. I did enjoy how endometriosis was represented in the novel and not just swept under the rug as a "condition our main character has", we see how it affects her day-to-day life.
Just when Evie can't think of things getting worse, in walks her brother's best friend: Liam Kelly (back into her life). It's clear the two have some unresolved tension, and we get hinted that Liam has wronged Evie in their past. I won't lie, I think I judged Liam a bit too quickly as I hated him immediately, but Liam is pinning hard for Evie. He was the perfect supporter and even had me swooning over the things he said. He also was amazing at taking care of Evie during her flare-ups.
What does Liam have to do with the story? Evie's brother is getting married and her (even more judgemental) mother can't help but ask when Evie will settle down and plans on setting her up for the wedding. My issue with the mother is she's so ashamed that her daughter has endo and tries to control everything she does. In hopes of taking the attention off her, Evie and Liam decide to enter a fake dating relationship and accompany her to the wedding. The couple quickly realizes they were meant for each other, far before the wedding. I would have liked to perhaps see them playing it up at the wedding in fear of someone calling them out.
Like any other story, we need a conflict. Evie realizes she shouldn't drag Liam down as she most likely won't be able to give him the relationship that he deserves. I don't know what else Liam could have done to prove that he was head over heels for you girl. I will say I thought it was nice that the female was the one who pulled off the grand gesture and it does reconnect our two lovebirds. Overall, this was a cute read. Evie is tolerable, but please, read it for Paris vibes alone!