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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
kaitrates's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
INFINITY STARS.
That thing you always think is a liability. You not making plans. You not always knowing the exact thing you want for the future. It's wonderful. It's the most magical thuing about you, the way you adapt. I think maybe—maybe the world takes advantage of that quality in you, Georgie. I know I have, and I know Nadia did. But it isn't your flaww Its your gift, and the only reason people don't tell you all the time is because they're too caught up in their own shit.
This one's for all the ones who've been told they're both too much and not enough. Whose brains work a little differently. Who make connections others don't and who work well under pressure. Who don't fit the mold of what was expected of them, of how a "good" student/worker/etc acted.
This one's for the ones who thrive in a little (or a lot) of chaos. Who are prone to clumsiness and messiness and who've spent much of their lives being excoriated for it.
For the ones who are always there when their friends need them but never receive the same energy back.
This one's for us.
I don't know what else to say about this beautiful, stunning, gorgeous book. Its both irreverently funny and deeply emotional. I cried so hard at times my partner texted me from another room to make sure it was *just* the book.
Georgie goes back home after her boss decides to retire. She's made a life for herself doing the things that comes naturally to her: being an agent of calm in chaos aka an assistant to Hollywood types. Being home is deeply challenging for her, something I think we don't see done well enough in most Hallmark movies and small town romances. She's unsure, doesn't know what comes next, and is haunted by a blankness she perceives in herself and is sure others see in her too.
Levi well he's got ghosts too, so similar and so different from Georgie's. He's his well-off and well-known family's black sheep. Driven by a desire to prove his abusive and negligent dad wrong, he's made a life for himself. He's quiet and spends his time working and caring for his rescued pit bull Hank (who BTW I would do literally anything for). Two misunderstood creatures keeping to themselves and making their way in a world that wants to think the worst of them.
Together, they create a a perfect little family of three.
Along the way there's an old diary with a teenager Georgie's bucket list, a lot of kissing, and a fabulous cast of characters who are so flawed and human and real.
Though Clayorn's writing is quite lyrical, its never overdone. Every word is thought out, intentional, giving exactly what the moment needs.
The spicy scenes are spicy. The tense scenes will have you crawling out of your skin. The funny scenes will have you crying with laughter. And the heartbreaking ones? Well just have tissues ready.
I want to be myself. My in-the-moment self.
This was the absolutely perfect book to start a year in which one of my big goals is to "Be Kait" (h/t Gretchen Rubin).
Georgie, All Along is a story of finding yourself again and of two people with very different broken parts fitting together and creating a greater whole. Its about coming home to your most authentic self yet, making peace with all that's been, and creating a richer, more love-filled future, together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual content
callmekt's review
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
wilybooklover's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
Wow, what a gorgeous, gorgeous book. I've said many times that I really love books that are quiet and slow and character-driven, and this is the most perfect rendition of that. There are so many soft little domestic scenes that are just quietly romantic and intimate. Such a lovely heartwarming story full of growth and forgiveness.
One thing that really stood out to me while I was reading was the absolute total vulnerability that the characters were allowed to feel and showcase. It's quite rare to see in romance, especially in male characters, and I loved it. Georgie and Levi had such depth to them and were written with such care. Kate Clayborn has such a gift for writing characters that feel real. I personally found both characters very relatable — Georgie in all of her impulsive, chaotic mess and not knowing what she wants to do and Levi in his quiet, withdrawn introversion. The characters feel like complete opposites at first (the archetypal grumpy and sunshine) but as the story continues and they communicate with each other (such great communication in this) you begin to see that deep down they are very alike in their strength and softness and worldview. I saw one review compare Levi to Cash Wall from Against a Wall and I am so offended on Levi’s behalf. Cash was a petty bully mired in toxic masculinity and unwilling to take accountability for his actions (please excuse me while I take any chance I can to hate on him). Levi is basically the exact opposite of that, just shy and socially awkward. He categorically refuses to let others make excuses for his past behaviour. Oh, and he's a dog dad and it's just so CUTE.
One thing that really stood out to me while I was reading was the absolute total vulnerability that the characters were allowed to feel and showcase. It's quite rare to see in romance, especially in male characters, and I loved it. Georgie and Levi had such depth to them and were written with such care. Kate Clayborn has such a gift for writing characters that feel real. I personally found both characters very relatable — Georgie in all of her impulsive, chaotic mess and not knowing what she wants to do and Levi in his quiet, withdrawn introversion. The characters feel like complete opposites at first (the archetypal grumpy and sunshine) but as the story continues and they communicate with each other (such great communication in this) you begin to see that deep down they are very alike in their strength and softness and worldview. I saw one review compare Levi to Cash Wall from Against a Wall and I am so offended on Levi’s behalf. Cash was a petty bully mired in toxic masculinity and unwilling to take accountability for his actions (please excuse me while I take any chance I can to hate on him). Levi is basically the exact opposite of that, just shy and socially awkward. He categorically refuses to let others make excuses for his past behaviour. Oh, and he's a dog dad and it's just so CUTE.
Another thing I really loved about this was the portrayal of strong female friendship. The friendship plotline is one of the things I really disliked about Love Lettering, and I'm so pleased that wasn't the case here. Bel and Georgie are always there for each other, supporting and caring for one another in the most authentic way. The scene where Bel confesses that she hates small town living and Georgie is immediately supportive was so wonderful (and another great example of vulnerability in this book).
I also appreciated the lack of drama in the family plot. A lesser author would have created a lot of melodrama out of the situation but instead it felt calm, mature, and just well-suited to the characters.
I also appreciated the lack of drama in the family plot. A lesser author would have created a lot of melodrama out of the situation but instead it felt calm, mature, and just well-suited to the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Violence, Terminal illness, Cancer, Chronic illness, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence
themoonshinegirl's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
Could barely put the book down, absolutely loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Drug abuse
isotope_s's review
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
3.75
She does it again
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
kmaron's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
oceanwriter's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don't know how I'm feeling about this one. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't like it either.
Georgie finds herself back home and reevaluating her life. Having spent a life of people pleasing, she's ready to start figuring out her own wants and needs after rediscovering a 'friendfic' she wrote as a teenager. An old high school acquaintance, Levi, helps her along on her journey of self-discovery.
The concept of this book is wonderful. I had really high hopes. Unfortunately, it felt like a strange mishmash of genres. The main plot felt like it wanted to be literary, but it was not written in a literary style. The romance plot felt like it wanted to be a romcom, but it wasn't comedic. While I liked the Georgie/Levi pairing, I grew bored of them quickly. I also found some of their romance scenes far too graphic for my taste. Disappointing overall, but ultimately comes down to a matter of preference and wrong assumptions of what the book was going to be.
Georgie finds herself back home and reevaluating her life. Having spent a life of people pleasing, she's ready to start figuring out her own wants and needs after rediscovering a 'friendfic' she wrote as a teenager. An old high school acquaintance, Levi, helps her along on her journey of self-discovery.
The concept of this book is wonderful. I had really high hopes. Unfortunately, it felt like a strange mishmash of genres. The main plot felt like it wanted to be literary, but it was not written in a literary style. The romance plot felt like it wanted to be a romcom, but it wasn't comedic. While I liked the Georgie/Levi pairing, I grew bored of them quickly. I also found some of their romance scenes far too graphic for my taste. Disappointing overall, but ultimately comes down to a matter of preference and wrong assumptions of what the book was going to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Addiction
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
saliwali's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Excrement, Vomit, Drug use, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
sohma4uesugi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Sexual content, Gun violence, Child abuse, and Violence