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gcoulsxn's review
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
elsez326's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
Loved the male narrator on the audiobook especially! Such a heartfelt story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Emotional abuse
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
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
swhence's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Addiction
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
macykey's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
I love Georgie’s character!! And honestly, Levi’s too. I’m sure we all know someone who has a hard exterior because of the way the world has beat them down, but they’re really soft and squishy inside. Even if that’s us. I also love how Georgie wasn’t the perfect FMC. She didn’t excel at school, she wasn’t super talented at anything like sports or music or writing or anything. She’s just a loving, selfless, adaptable person who’s biggest strength is herself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Pregnancy, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Minor: Gun violence
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
knunderb's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
3.5
A cute romance for sure. I liked that Georgie realized that she didn't need to change, but rather lean into who she already is. That seemed to be a departure from typical romance scripts for the female love interest. I didn't like how the author used the concept of "blankness" to describe how Georgie viewed herself and her future. It was reminiscent of being on drugs or depressed or something and it didn't seem to accurately describe her inner state. Also, Georgie vaguely referred to something embarrassing or terrible that happened before moving away from Darentville, but that never gets explained.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Drug abuse
Minor: Vomit
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