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linguistique's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
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relatable — Georgie in all of her impulsive, chaotic mess and not knowing what she wants to do and Levi in his quiet, withdrawn introversion.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
alysereadsbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
4.25
Loved the audiobook of this with the 2 narrators! I enjoyed the characters and felt like their development and conflict was realistic and believable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Sexual content
bookworm247's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Pregnancy
eleek0609's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
Georgie is probably the most relatable heroine of a romance that I’ve ever read. I love how real and messy she is as she’s trying to figure out her life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content, Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Pregnancy
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
Taylor swift songs: “jump then fall (tv)”, “mine”
This is the ideal version of small-town grumpy(mmc)-sunshine(FMC)! Where he is actual just grumpy bc he is jaded but he’s also the sweetest, softest, kindest cinnamon roll man there ever was who is a vegetarian, goes to therapy, and is best friends with his rescue dog hank🥹. I usually don’t love grumpy sunshine because when they say that, usually it means the man is just an a**hole, and they make the female character delusionally and annoyingly positive. However, that is definitely NOT the case here!!
This is told in dual POV, which for this story really works well!! We get to hear Levi and his perspective and how he is literally so in love with Georgie it is actually so precious. When I say he falls first and falls harder, I MEAN IT! Everyone needs a Levi. Their love story is just so precious.
I feel like a lot of people can relate to both characters!! Georgie spent her life as a PA (personal assistant) and has made a career out of making other people’s lives easier/better but never thought about/knew what she actually wanted. Levi is very introverted and scared of getting close to and letting people know him because he is afraid he will let them down.
Overall, I highly recommend if you want a really sweet, heartwarming small-town romance that feels like “sweet tea in the summer” (lol Taylor Swift reference, from “seven”)
*also fun side note, Georgie’s mom has RA just like me!
Age rating: 15+ (one very brief spicy scene, 0.5/5🌶️)
This is the ideal version of small-town grumpy(mmc)-sunshine(FMC)! Where he is actual just grumpy bc he is jaded but he’s also the sweetest, softest, kindest cinnamon roll man there ever was who is a vegetarian, goes to therapy, and is best friends with his rescue dog hank🥹. I usually don’t love grumpy sunshine because when they say that, usually it means the man is just an a**hole, and they make the female character delusionally and annoyingly positive. However, that is definitely NOT the case here!!
This is told in dual POV, which for this story really works well!! We get to hear Levi and his perspective and how he is literally so in love with Georgie it is actually so precious. When I say he falls first and falls harder, I MEAN IT! Everyone needs a Levi. Their love story is just so precious.
I feel like a lot of people can relate to both characters!! Georgie spent her life as a PA (personal assistant) and has made a career out of making other people’s lives easier/better but never thought about/knew what she actually wanted. Levi is very introverted and scared of getting close to and letting people know him because he is afraid he will let them down.
Overall, I highly recommend if you want a really sweet, heartwarming small-town romance that feels like “sweet tea in the summer” (lol Taylor Swift reference, from “seven”)
*also fun side note, Georgie’s mom has RA just like me!
Age rating: 15+ (one very brief spicy scene, 0.5/5🌶️)
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Cursing, Drug use, and Sexual content
meredith_williams_'s review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.25
This book was recommended to me as an “Emily Henry adjacent” type of read. Main character Georgie finds herself out of a job and out of ambition. She returns to her hometown and rediscovers an old high school notebook full of her childhood dreams. She decides to make each of them come true as an exercise in inspiration for her adult future. I really enjoyed the small town setting and cast of quirky characters in this story. It reminded me a lot of my own hometown. The story was also full of funny, heartwarming moments and I liked that the main love interests communicated with one another in a realistic and healthy way. Some of the dialogue was a bit corny and for me personally, the male love interest’s dog was featured too much. Overall, this was a light and easy read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use, Cursing, and Violence
lisersaurus's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy
gkaltam's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content