This book was absolutely fantastic!! Liam will make you swoon right alongside Evie! It is everything you could ask for in a romance book! Right after finishing I immediately went and purchased a physical copy for my home library and will be forcing everyone I know to read it!

I definitely struggled getting into this book in the beginning. It just seemed like a lot of words, but as the book continued to flow I fell more in love. This book is just something else. I really enjoyed every aspect of it. I also love Liam and Evie. Liam is literal goals. He’s so sweet and the way he cares for her. I 100% recommend reading this story!! It also represents chronic illness so well!!

Finding Gene Kelly is a contemporary masterpiece!

Torie Jean masterfully writes a love story that chronicles the struggles of endometriosis. While I do not personally suffer from endometriosis, Jean articulates the disease brilliantly. Her first hand experiences have allowed her to shed a light on the everyday hardships women and couples face. The quality of life, or lack there of, was painful to read.

The pain of reading Evie O’Shea’s story could only be tolerated knowing she was being taken care of by, Liam Kelly. Liam is the book boyfriend we all need. He is the perfect concoction of a tender romantic and swoon-worthy heart-throb.

Just when you think the book can’t get any better, it leaves you feeling nostalgic. I loved the references to old Hollywood movies such as Roman Holiday, Singing In the Rain, An American In Paris, etc. Rest assured that I have plans to binge watch all of these and more after finishing this delightful read.

Special thanks to NetGalley.com and Sunset and Camden Creative for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

"...and I love how you look at me-like you see my faults and think they're actually these beautiful, magical parts of me."
"They are. You are." Liam blinks. "Magic."

the ✨highlights✨
+ fake dating 🤝 childhood crush turned enemy
+ Liam "Cinnamon Roll" Kelly
+ Paris and desserts
+ THE PUNS
+ "Peaches"
+ the postcards (the freaking postcards)

I truly can't believe this is Torie Jean's DEBUT NOVEL. It's so incredibly well done. There's so much humor intwined with real-life struggles throughout the whole story that you can't help but fall in love with Evie in Liam. (Even when there is some miscommunication that is scream-inducing😜)

Evie and Liam go way back. Like married-at-age-five back. But their childhood crush turned to enemies and they've loathed each other for years. Or so Evie thinks...

Evie never expected for Liam to show up in Paris. Or that she would need his help getting her mom off her back. Enter: FAKE DATING.🤭 And what's fake dating without a little practice beforehand, right?

Putting the pieces of Evie and Liam's past together was truly something special. And following Evie's journey to self-acceptance and through her struggles with endometriosis was eye-opening.

Absolutely could not recommend this book more!

Read if you like:
+ cheese puns
+ Paris history and architecture
+ character driven stories
+ Gene Kelly
+ cinnamon roll heroes gone for their girl
+ anonymous letters
+ OwnVoices rep🤍

Finding Gene Kelly was an overall enjoyable romance, though at times I found it frustrating with how clueless Evie could be at and I felt her mother was a little over the top as well. I adored Liam, however, he was so sweet and understanding and never complained when Evie was having pain from her endometriosis, a perfect prince charming. Finding Gene Kelly was full of happy couples, happy moments, but some difficult moments as well. You had to give it to Evie for pushing though the pain each and every day... I'm not sure I would be able to do it. She deserves everything she received in her happily ever after.

this book was beautiful, wonderful. it was full of pining and longing and just felt so real. from the beginning I was hooked and couldn’t wait to see how everything unfolded with Evie and Liam, like we’re talking I was anxiously staying up reading this to get to the end.

the chronic pain and endometriosis representation was so authentic and just made for an authentic read that I can’t even say enough good things about.

Thousands of miles away from her home in Massachusetts Evie O'Shea has made a life for herself in Paris though lately she isn't sure where that life is headed. At twenty-six, a chronic illness now forcing her dreams to the sidelines, Evie feels the weight of her parent's disappointment more now than ever. With her brother's impending wedding inching closer, Evie finds herself desperate enough to ask for help from the one person she would rather never cross paths with again, Liam Kelly. The actual boy next door from her childhood, the boy she married at five who grew into the bane of her existence is here in Paris, on her turf and now Evie must tolerate Liam long enough to convince her family that they are in love, long enough to survive her brother's wedding and get safely back to Paris where she belongs. Liam agrees to go along with her plan but with conditions of his own - Evie must agree to an elaborate backstory and practice date him all over Paris before the two return home but what Evie doesn't expect to learn is the hard exterior her illness has helped build up over the last ten years is costing her more than she realized. I have so many emotions about "Finding Gene Kelly". First, as a former dancer who had hearteyes for Gene Kelly I loved all of the references to his movies sprinkled into this book. Second, the music pun chapter titles, amazing. Third, highlighting a disease that 1/10 women are diagnosed with but doesn't get enough attention, author Torie Jean puts a spotlight on what living with endometriosis looks like. Fourth, Paris, pastries, Portsmouth...I don't need to say anything more. If you are a rom-com reader I highly recommend picking up "Finding Gene Kelly". You won't be disappointed. Thank you to NetGalley and Sunset & Camden Creative for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Just when Evie's life needs to be shaken up, Liam, the guy she married when she was 5 and divorced when she was 7 shows up, more handsome than ever. When she is finally convinced to attend her brother's wedding, she has no choice but to ask him to be her plus one...
Classic fake dating I need a date to a wedding, enemies to lovers trope. Sadly, the story never really grabbed me, I found the FMC to be immature, and there were too many puns for my liking. However, the writing is really good, and I loved the MMC, Liam, and the fact that the author touches some dark subjects like a toxic mother/daughter relationship and chronic illness, that are well integrated to the story without bringing the mood down too much.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This story didn’t grab me right away. The writing felt a little frantic, and while I know some of that is due in part to the personality of the FMC, it was still just a bit much. It took me a while to really care for the characters and the love story never fully connected for me.

The main thing I did enjoy about the story was Evie’s journey with and through endometriosis. Representation in this form was absolutely beautiful.

DNF. Writing is very good but story isn’t for me at this time. Thanks for the opportunity to read the story. Will still support via social media

Emotional Rollercoaster with an important lesson to learn!

I really enjoyed reading this book! Like mentioned above, it's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, because of the MC's constant struggles with Endometriosis. I'm priviliged and lucky enough to never have experienced anything even remotely close to Endo myself, and as far as I'm aware I don't have anyone in my closer circle of friends and family with this condition. Therefore my knowledge on the topic is unfortunately very limited. So I would like to express a thank you to the author, Torie Jean, for educating and raising awareness to her readers, while also very successfully writing a heart-warming love story. Beautifully done!

Well written characters! Liam, the love interest, makes me believe there are actual good people out there. I realise that's almost always the case when fictional men are written by women, but still. He's so thoughtful and caring towards Evie, it makes my heart swell.

Evie is also well written and I sympathise so much with her and the pain the diagnosis brings her. Yeah, she's annoying at times, but honestly, who wouldn't be if having to fight battles with their own body on a daily basis? Despite her struggles, she's so selfless and protective of her friend's well-being that I don't know what to do with myself. I can't believe she has the energy to take care of others when she's in so much pain. Bless you for being so lovely, Evie – but for the love of the goddess, let yourself be taken care of every now and then.

The only thing I felt was underwritten was the relationship between Evie and her mother. It's incredibly toxic, with the mother leaving mean and unwarranted comments for no apparent reason. I felt like we didn't get a proper explanation to why she's acting like this or what happened in the past in order for that kind of behaviour to occur.

Thank you so much to Torie Jean and Netgalley for granting me an eARC ahead of publication, in exchange for an honest review.

Evie and Liam's story started with imaginary weddings and fake dating. A lot of romantic-comedy books deal with fake dating but this book is not your typical story as it also presents a back story of family conflict, deranged marriage, and series of heartbreaks. It highlights how Evie was able to transform herself from a vulnerable woman into a strong woman that she ought to be.

I loved this book!

I think it's a really important book too, a plus sized main character who suffers with endometrioses. I love the informative nature of the book, the way the book doesn't shy away from the negative of the chronic illness but without making it seem like an icky thing. The comparesion of endometrioses and still having a sunshine character who's funny and love puns. It's a really important duality I enjoy. There is the point though, of all this normalization and Liam still suffers an eating disorder in a positive light to impress the fmc via his body image.

I loved the childhood best friends to "enemies" to lovers. Her connection to her Nana is adorable and seeing the flashbacks of Nana repeating how much she'll one day need Liam as much as Liam currently needs her. I think it's so cute that Liam brings up her Nana so much, in a fond way. Like when Evie handed Liam an apron he's instantly like "You kept Nana's?" His hard upbringing and his connection to Nana is almost like he was another one of her childern (not in a - that making them like siblings kinda thing though.)

Four out of Five Stars!

Finding Gene Kelly was a sweet read and an amazing love story! Evie and Liam are first married at the age of five, before misunderstandings and circumstances tear them apart. Years later, Evie is living her best An American in Paris life in the City of Lights, battling endometriosis and wrestling with the decision whether to risk her mother’s constant disapproval for the sake of her brother’s wedding. When her now-enemy Liam shows up in Paris on a work trip, he and Evie can’t stop running into each other- and other things, like light poles and social-media-influencer former friends. Over the course of Liam’s stay, he and Evie are forced to face the events (and people) in their past that shoved them apart. Will Evie survive her voyage back across the Atlantic, and the painful memories and reminders that come with it? More importantly, will her recently rekindled friendship (and newfound something more) with Liam do the same?

A cross between Love on the Brain and Get a Life, Chloe Brown, Finding Gene Kelly is perfect for fans of old movies, Paris, Henleys, and the childhood friends to enemies to lovers trope. I adored this book! It was so sweet, and I loved the movie references. Very well-written!

I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK! This book was so sweet but also talked about some important topics such as mental health, endometriosis, following both one's dreams and one's heart. Evie is a dreamer who has become jaded because of pain and past experiences but I love how she is also such a powerhouse because she is living with this disorder but she can still be herself and push through. Liam Kelly is getting ALL of the heart eyes I can do because I LOVE how he just wants what's best for Evie and just how I want all my future relationships to have the dynamic these two have.

This is the kind of debut that gets me excited about what's next from an author, because there was so much good stuff going on with the story. It's ideal for fans of Elena Armas and Chloe Liese, sort of the perfect combo of both of their vibes - featuring a deliciously smitten hero, bickering that just might be bantering, and a strong focus on living with chronic illness (complete with OwnVoices rep). Sure, the heroine's insecurities grated on my nerves and the miscommunication made me want to shake someone, but those smaller issues were greatly outweighed by the swoony love story at the heart of this. There are so many little tender moments that enriched it, and the history behind this relationship gave it so much extra weight. Plus, the hero is almost too good to be true - I loved him. It's a well developed and one-of-a-kind love story that makes a phenomenal debut.

The story follows Evie, a woman who lives with endometriosis. It's a chronic illness that impacts her daily life, and it also seems to be getting in the way of her dreams. Not only has Evie's dream of opening a bakery been sidelined, but she also resists relationships - she doesn't want to be a burden. So when the man who has driven her crazy since childhood shows up in her current hometown of Paris, it's a shock to the system. Evie hasn't seen Liam in years, but she hasn't forgotten the way he's broken her heart... or the way she still crushes on him. But the years seem to have changed Liam, and it's not long before he's assuming the role of her fake boyfriend. Pretending to be in love with the man you've been pretending NOT to be in love with for years is complicated, and that's before you add Liam's feelings into the equation.

If you loved the dynamic in The Spanish Love Deception or The Hating Game, then this should be right up your alley. Though the story is told exclusively from Evie's POV, it's easy to see that she might just be getting everything wrong. That's also partially why the story is frustrating; not only is Evie dealing with a chronic illness that significantly impacts her every day, but she also refuses to see what is right in front of her. Her insecurities and self-doubt kinda drove me crazy after awhile, I will fully admit that. But Liam makes it SO easy to root for the relationship; he is such a dream guy, and I could feel how deeply he loved Evie. Evie's health is front and center throughout the story, which might be tough for some readers, but it adds a layer of realness and depth that surely enhances the experience. The writing itself is a little rough (this is a debut, after all), but filled with so much potential that it was easy to overlook small things. Honestly, there's a ton that I loved about this - which is why a 5-star rating was the obvious choice.

This was such a great read! The story follows Evie, who suffers from Endometriosis and it shows how life is day to day for her and how she copes. I found the book to be eye opening and interesting! Evie eventually runs into Liam Kelly, a childhood friend. After she asks him to be her fake date to her brothers wedding, the two realize how much they actually like each other. They fought and bickered but also teased each other! They would flirt and often use puns about cheese, which I found really funny!

This book had a lot of fun moments between Evie and Liam but also realistic ones too. Nothing is perfect and life always throws curveballs. For the first half, they didn’t get along but WE could tell that they liked each other a lot. Both of them were stubborn!

I loved everything about this. A great easy and fun read. I will definitely read this again! I also really liked the chapter names and little doodles of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, I thought it was a nice touch!

Thank you for the preview of this book! Finding Gene Kelly was a quick, light hearted read that interweaves the fantasy of romance with the reality of endometriosis. While I personally don’t suffer from endo, Jean very descriptively detailed all of the pain and heartache that endo can entail.

One of the most beautiful covers ever! Loved the endo rep as well. Unfortunately the main character Evie was not very likable, she was surrounded by people constantly loving her and praising her but always assumed the worst. I really wanted to adore this book but the constant “I’m so sad” got annoying quickly.

5 ⭐️
Lotsss of TW, be sure to check them out. The author had a lovely TW page at the beginning too!
Also, I feel like it’s hard to judge the spice level on this given the Endo rep, but Torie Jean is giving Mariana Zapata a run at her title of Slow Burn Queen

I LOVED this book; I’m not going to lie and say it was the easiest to get into from a personal level since so many things hit wayyyyy too close to home, but once I did I couldn’t put this book down. I devouredddd it, in basically one sitting. Such a well-written, well thought out debut from Torie.

Evie and Liam were childhood best friends. Then hormones (aka Evie’s big ass crush on Liam), and external circumstances lead them to be enemies. Years later, somewhat living out her life in Paris, Evie runs into her teenage crush and bane of her existence, Liam, who has moved to Paris for a month for work. Chaos and antics ensue, personal growth is had, and a fake relationship turned real relationship is born.

Evie’s personality and quick wit was HILARIOUS to read; her and Liam’s banter was *chef’s kiss*. I loved it all so much. Evie’s personal growth throughout the book was so great to see, along with her improving relationships with others such as her mom. Her supportive friend group was envious, and I really hope we can see more of these characters in some capacity!

The romance + spicy side of the book, along with the Endo representation, was so great. While I don’t have endometriosis, I had a better understand of what Evie was going through and how exactly that could effect a romantic relationship. Seeing Liam’s love and understanding of Evie was so great to see. ALSO CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE SLOW BURNNNN. I get why it was there, I love me some slow burn, but DAMN. This was gooooood.

You’ll definitely enjoy this book if you like:
Friends to Lovers
Enemies to Lovers
Second Chance
Fake Dating
Found Family
And big ol’ Cinnamon Roll, ooey gooey insides, boys