I LOVE this book. The core relationship is beautiful and sweet and endearing, but the way it deals with depression and anxiety and the cyclical effect of being someone who has depression, particularly in a creative field, and watching what it does to the people around us, and how that makes the depression worse (or at least doesn't help), and feeds self-defeating impulses... Ah. Painful but so well-written. And Jude's introversion and retreating to his home when it just becomes too much and self-isolating himself for extended periods was just... It's wonderfully written and such an accurate portrayal of depression.

Great book. Great read. ( )

Oh My Gosh! It's a long time since I've read something fresh that grabbed me like this. I'm only 1/3 through the audiobook, so I'm not able to make a full comment about it, but geez.

Invitation to the Blues ... about a musician, specifically a pianist, who suffers from depression, and has done since 13? Jude And a painter who makes his living from tattooing. They are both deeply wedded to their art.

Finished this tender love story. Jude, with his disabling "illness", and Faron, who seems an evolved person if ever there was one, in his ability to really see and communicate with Jude in the best way possible. His communications are so clear, concise and sincere - who doesn't need that? and who is on the receiving end of that!! But more amazingly, who is able to DO that? Faron says such powerful, beautiful words to Jude - the power isn't in their poetry, but in their clarity and sincerity.

The novel is read by the inimitable Greg Bordreaux. It is always easy to distinguish between Jude and Feron.

I remember how much I loved Best Laid Plans, from the Garnett Run series. I wanted to read more by the person with the name Roan. But my libraries were sorely lacking in audiobooks of hers, even though her bibliography is long! I looked again today, and found Invitation to the Blues on Hoopla - I'm sure it wasn't there a few months ago?

Her brief bio on Hoopla says the author is attempting to write love stories in every genre - glad to hear it! I wonder what she means by that though? ( )

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. ( )

I have tried to read everything that I can find that was written by Roan Parrish. This one had been rather evasive but all of a sudden, I found it in paperback at a yard sale. It's an emotional tale...as often her stories are...about accepting yourself, even when the person you are is imperfect and you may not like that person very much. Thankfully I have no personal experience with depression, but I thought that Roan Parrish wrote about Jude's experience so well that the reader had no problem understanding the spiraling nature of depression and anxiety and how unpredictable and sometimes unexpected, the triggers can be. The story follows Jude Lucen and Faron Locklear's friendship and then attraction that eventually turns into a very meaningful connection. Jude fights it at first because by experience he has reason to believe that his depression is a burden to anyone that would or could possibly love him. Faron shows Jude that he is someone who understands him even when Jude can’t find his words. Faron is someone that makes him feel calm, even when his anxieties wage a war inside his head.... when he feels ugly and unlovable. Those are the times that Faron uses his artist skills to show Jude how beautiful he sees him. Faron shows Jude that he loves all parts of him, the good and the bad, because all those parts are what makes him who he is. A sweet and touching love story. I loved the way Faran summed it up...“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 right with something inside of me.” ( )