Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Georgie, All Along

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.

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quasinaut's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

Cute, cute, cute. I adore how Kate Clayborn builds the world and writes her characters, with main characters and side characters alike having their own dynamics and interactions and lives.

At times, things felt too unrealistic, with moments written just so, with things falling into place to seamlessly help the plot or explain a character quirk. Like, why would the high school music teacher remember her students over a decade later - and why would Georgie care so much about her opinion?

And another thing, slightly spoiler-y:

Why wouldn't Georgie just tell Levi that Evan is in the notebook?

Clearly, by not mentioning it, that's going to become the big point of contention - though truly I'm grateful that it was resolved by them both figuring out how to navigate their hurt in a way that didn't feel overblown and dramatic.

An enjoyable read, though I'm curious how memorable I'll find it in a few months to be honest!

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laheath's review

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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.

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edhyndman's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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mtnest's review

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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

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btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition

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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

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kirareadssometimes's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

4.25

While I really enjoyed this book I found the premise to be a bit odd and everything moved a bit faster than is my ideal. Any time the main characters are together is wonderful. They have sweet, playful chemistry as well as tender, poetic moments of love and honesty. Those are the parts where this book really shines. I felt like the “fic” was a weird focal point for the story. It just felt childish where Georgie was more scattered and chaotic. It also didn’t come to be that useful or meaningful in the end and felt like that aspect was unfinished. The ending overall felt a bit rushed. I think if this book had a more stable storyline and was longer it would really be up there for me.

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