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bookwxrmvictoria's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Forced institutionalization
miahenry's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
I fell in love with this book and these characters quickly and had decided it was getting a 4 or a 4.5 early on, only because it didn’t have any obvious main characters who weren’t white. But honestly, after finishing it, I gotta give it the full 5 stars. The characters in this novel are diverse in many other ways that I appreciate…I gotta give the book its due.
In this novel, all the dialogue matters. What is said and what is not said are both compelling and move the story along at a lovely pace. It hits emotional notes without being heavy-handed. And all the characters are fantastic. I loved the writing. I had no cringe moments. I shed a few tears. This books deserves all the stars.
The romance at the heart of this story is so good. And it is so much more than a two-person romance. It is also a story about finding yourself, the power of community, the work necessary for healing, and creating healthy definitions of success and happiness. It’s a book I plan to gift to a friend I love, which is the highest compliment I can give any book, especially a romance.
Georgie is one of my favorite female protagonists of all time, in any genre. She simply cannot help being herself. Seeing her through her own eyes, the eyes of her parents, the eyes of her best friend, and the eyes of Levi create such a beautiful picture of a fully alive person. It is easy to love her and relate to her uncertainty, fierceness, and personal growth. I am usually deeply underwhelmed by cis-women hetero characters in rom-coms. They often are just one or two notes and way too focused on the dude. Georgie manages to exhibit great love and respect for both herself and Levi at each and every stage of her journey. She’s awesome.
Levi makes you grow to love him. It is like reader has to work to get to know him like everyone else in the book does. Having his POV was critical to the power of this book. He, like Georgie, knew that he was work in progress and he was always willing to do the work. Also the relationship between him and his dog was the best.
I’m telling you these two are on my short list for favorite couples ever. I was always cheering for both of them apart and together.
Every side character is strong, too, even the minor ones. It is a compliment to the writing. The author weaves in details that give everyone depth and makes the cast of characters diverse in a realistic way - what I could see in a small Virginia town - instead of in a way that is forced and improbable.
There is an immense respect here for working class people that doesn’t discount the few characters who aren’t. Class is explored in subtle and effective ways that I rarely see in romance.
I could go through each character with details about how much I liked them and how they showed up for Georgie and Levi. But you just need to read the book and feel the magic for yourself.
This was just the right amount of spice for me, too. Hot without being super explicit. I do understand everyone has different tastes in this department. I’ll just say I could feel the chemistry here, and sex was had, but this is not Tessa Bailey.
This is a must-read for anyone who likes a romance with awesome characters and a ton of heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
gcoulsxn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
jessversteeg's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Drug use and Drug abuse
kalynnar's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Gun violence
caillie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this. I love Kate Clayborn’s writing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use and Violence
callmekt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use and Grief
laheath's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Sweet, funny romance with a great supporting cast. Both lead characters have made mistakes in their pasts and once they get past their stubbornness, they are able to sensibly move forward with their lives. The real-life issues that they and their friends and family address show that no poor decisions should ever define someone for life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Classism, and Chronic illness
Minor: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Cursing, and Classism
mtnest's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Vomit, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Drug use