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blewballoon's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
This was pretty good. I am not sure it quite met my expectations, but I think I wanted something different than what this book set out to do. This is predominantly a love story despite the other plot beats kicking around, and it's a small scale, low stakes one. That's not necessarily a bad thing, I prefer that over unnecessary injected drama just for the sake of drawing a story out. I also appreciate romances where we get chapters from both characters perspectives, so that was a point in favor here. I enjoyed Levi's chapters the most, but felt like there was a slight dissonance between how Georgie came across in his chapters than how she came across in her own; it was almost like she was two different characters. Overall I'd recommend to contemporary romance readers who want a more chill book to relax with. It worked well on audiobook.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol
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, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Forced institutionalization
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: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
elsez326's review
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 abuse and Drug use
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: Gun violence, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
swhence's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Drug abuse
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, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Bullying, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
macykey's review against another edition
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: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Pregnancy
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: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, and Pregnancy
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail