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kktaylor11's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't have a witty or creative opening line because this book was just "good." I enjoyed it, I don't resent the time I spent reading it (which wasn't much - very low reading level vocabulary and predictable plot meant it read very fast.) It's something I'll most likely never think of again, but it was a good escape for a few hours.
General overview? Georgie, the slightly unfocused main character is returning to her home town (where she never felt she fit) when her successful stint as a personal assistant in Hollywood draws to a close and her former boss encourages her to "find herself." She uses the trip home to help her best friend (Bel) adjust to impending motherhood and unpack her house. In the process, Georgie meets Levi, the dark and brooding older brother of her high school crush and essentially falls into immediate lust. Over the course of the expected few highs and lows the two fall in love.
Yes, this plot is pretty generic and nothing unpredictable happens, but there were enough errors or overlooked elements in the book to make it feel even more rushed and "pulp" fiction (push it out fast so it can be consumed fast and forgotten fast.) If you want to read them - here they are:
1) Carlos. For a man who literally saved Levi's life and brought him back from the emotionally and nearly physically dead, he sure is scarce in this book. He is referenced a number of times, but never actually enters the book aside from a BRIEF mention at Levi's party. If someone had really put that much effort and love into someone, they wouldn't disappear at retirement. There would be phone calls, or drop ins, or meeting for coffee -- or at the very least a call for advice at some point. Instead, Levi just "self reflects" and suddenly decides to open up or recognize his weakness and fix it. It's not believable.
2) Remy. So the "forced diversity" in this book bugged me. The use of "them" to indicate Remy is non-binary is literally unnecessary and performative. "Look at me!! I used a very minor non-binary character!!" Same with Levi's rescuer being "Carlos" and Bel marrying "Harry Yoon" -- it's like some editor said "make sure you check all the diversity boxes so we can sell more books" -- yet none of these characters were anything more than a minor supporting character. That's not actually diversity.
3) Parenting. So this is one of the areas I felt like COULD have been developed more to add SOME level of literary depth. It's fairly obvious from the beginning that the author is introducing opposing parenting styles. Georgie's parents are complete hippies - hands off, more her friends than her parents. Zero guidance or leadership -- they want her to just "figure it out" and they seem to happily sit by slightly high while she rises or falls. On the other hand, Levi's father is strict to the point of abusive, with a plethora of rules and expectations for his children. There was SUCH an opportunity here to really drive home how important it is to find a blend of the two for successful parenting, and for the first half of the book it seemed headed there, with both Georgie and Levi struggling to figure out their path and both recognizing the elements of their struggle that stemmed from their parents. But then suddenly, when the kissing on the couch scene happened, the tone changed and Georgie's parents were amazing and perfect and Levi's father was horrible. It was too trite and weak.
4) The Ending. I hate - HATE it when a book just falls apart, and that's what I felt happened here. It was way too easy. Georgie leaves Levi, but three sentences with Olivia and she's ready to go back. Evan walks in from 15 years of estrangement and in one short conversation he understands Levi entirely and things are great. Even the confrontation in the restaurant isn't a confrontation it's barely even a conversation. There was a running hint of environmentalism with Heidl and the water samples and the waterfront where Levi wouldn't build docks...but that just disappears. Bel is just suddenly going to move back to DC because she doesn't like her house. It was just like she ran out of time and said "OK, that's all folks!"
That said, I didn't hate it...It was like watching a cheesy reality TV show: totally scripted, cotton candy light, and an easy way to kill a few hours.
General overview? Georgie, the slightly unfocused main character is returning to her home town (where she never felt she fit) when her successful stint as a personal assistant in Hollywood draws to a close and her former boss encourages her to "find herself." She uses the trip home to help her best friend (Bel) adjust to impending motherhood and unpack her house. In the process, Georgie meets Levi, the dark and brooding older brother of her high school crush and essentially falls into immediate lust. Over the course of the expected few highs and lows the two fall in love.
Yes, this plot is pretty generic and nothing unpredictable happens, but there were enough errors or overlooked elements in the book to make it feel even more rushed and "pulp" fiction (push it out fast so it can be consumed fast and forgotten fast.) If you want to read them - here they are:
1) Carlos. For a man who literally saved Levi's life and brought him back from the emotionally and nearly physically dead, he sure is scarce in this book. He is referenced a number of times, but never actually enters the book aside from a BRIEF mention at Levi's party. If someone had really put that much effort and love into someone, they wouldn't disappear at retirement. There would be phone calls, or drop ins, or meeting for coffee -- or at the very least a call for advice at some point. Instead, Levi just "self reflects" and suddenly decides to open up or recognize his weakness and fix it. It's not believable.
2) Remy. So the "forced diversity" in this book bugged me. The use of "them" to indicate Remy is non-binary is literally unnecessary and performative. "Look at me!! I used a very minor non-binary character!!" Same with Levi's rescuer being "Carlos" and Bel marrying "Harry Yoon" -- it's like some editor said "make sure you check all the diversity boxes so we can sell more books" -- yet none of these characters were anything more than a minor supporting character. That's not actually diversity.
3) Parenting. So this is one of the areas I felt like COULD have been developed more to add SOME level of literary depth. It's fairly obvious from the beginning that the author is introducing opposing parenting styles. Georgie's parents are complete hippies - hands off, more her friends than her parents. Zero guidance or leadership -- they want her to just "figure it out" and they seem to happily sit by slightly high while she rises or falls. On the other hand, Levi's father is strict to the point of abusive, with a plethora of rules and expectations for his children. There was SUCH an opportunity here to really drive home how important it is to find a blend of the two for successful parenting, and for the first half of the book it seemed headed there, with both Georgie and Levi struggling to figure out their path and both recognizing the elements of their struggle that stemmed from their parents. But then suddenly, when the kissing on the couch scene happened, the tone changed and Georgie's parents were amazing and perfect and Levi's father was horrible. It was too trite and weak.
4) The Ending. I hate - HATE it when a book just falls apart, and that's what I felt happened here. It was way too easy. Georgie leaves Levi, but three sentences with Olivia and she's ready to go back. Evan walks in from 15 years of estrangement and in one short conversation he understands Levi entirely and things are great. Even the confrontation in the restaurant isn't a confrontation it's barely even a conversation. There was a running hint of environmentalism with Heidl and the water samples and the waterfront where Levi wouldn't build docks...but that just disappears. Bel is just suddenly going to move back to DC because she doesn't like her house. It was just like she ran out of time and said "OK, that's all folks!"
That said, I didn't hate it...It was like watching a cheesy reality TV show: totally scripted, cotton candy light, and an easy way to kill a few hours.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Gun violence
Minor: Drug use
Levi's stories his childhood include what could be considered verbal abuse, and there is one story that involves a gun (though no gun use in the actual story).milesofkiles's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Gun violence
meganpbell's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There was a lot I really enjoyed about this small town romance between an ex-Hollywood personal assistant who doesn’t know what she wants and a bad boy turned small business owner still struggling with his old reputation. The first spicy scene was fantastic, for one. But the last hour took me forever to read, I was just bored by that point and knew how it would end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Abandonment
Minor: Chronic illness, Drug use, Gun violence, 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: Child abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Violence
jessgj's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book is so lovely. It feels a bit strange to call a romance book lovely but it is. This is my first Clayborn book and I'm definitely picking up more of her books. My taste in romance runs more dramatic (One could even say chaotic and messy) but this book, y'all.
I'm about the same age as Georgie and Levi so Georgie's confusion and feelings landed a little too close to home. I was also someone who had no idea what I wanted to do or be when I got older. I've seen people my age (Or younger) get married, get divorced or have kids. Meanwhile, I'm just strolling through life, knowing what I didn't want but not knowing what I did want. Wondering if everyone has their lives together. It can be frustrating and lonely and Clayborn's writing really captures that feeling.
This isn't a big, flamboyant book about finding yourself but a soft, comforting, slow burn of finally sitting with your thoughts and feelings. Those moments aren't flashy but god, they feel so triumphant.
Clayborn's writing style is so natural and easy, it's stunning. The slow reveal of Levi's past worked so well because it almost feels like you already knew it. The scenes with the natural and familiar back and front between Bel and Georgie or the settled quirkiness of Georgie's parents were just so good. I have read so many other books trying to do the same thing and it can feel flat or sitcom-ish but this? Clayborn shines. (As a writer, I both want her to teach me her ways and cry about how I'm never going to be that good, lol)
Also, as a reader, one of my pet peeves is characters (Read: Writers) using outdated pop culture reference/slang. No matter how good the book is, it will always be jarring when a 25-year-old character makes a reference to something like Matlock. Thankfully, Clayborn knows her stuff and I was spared. Her references to Twilight and the Jonas brothers landed with the perfect level of nostalgia and embarrassment.
If I had to nitpick, I'd say this is a slow burn of a book. Not just with the romance (Although that too) but the pacing. It took me about to get really get into the groove and get attached to Georgie and Levi. I mostly stuck around for Hank the dog. I cannot stress enough how much I love Hank. He is the best boi, TEAM HANK 5EVER!!!
I give this 4.5 stars. Highly recommend it if you need a slower, gentler read that packs a big emotional punch.
Trigger warning: drug use, offscreen drug abuse, offscreen violence, parental abuse, offscreen death of parent
This book is so lovely. It feels a bit strange to call a romance book lovely but it is. This is my first Clayborn book and I'm definitely picking up more of her books. My taste in romance runs more dramatic (One could even say chaotic and messy) but this book, y'all.
I'm about the same age as Georgie and Levi so Georgie's confusion and feelings landed a little too close to home. I was also someone who had no idea what I wanted to do or be when I got older. I've seen people my age (Or younger) get married, get divorced or have kids. Meanwhile, I'm just strolling through life, knowing what I didn't want but not knowing what I did want. Wondering if everyone has their lives together. It can be frustrating and lonely and Clayborn's writing really captures that feeling.
This isn't a big, flamboyant book about finding yourself but a soft, comforting, slow burn of finally sitting with your thoughts and feelings. Those moments aren't flashy but god, they feel so triumphant.
Clayborn's writing style is so natural and easy, it's stunning. The slow reveal of Levi's past worked so well because it almost feels like you already knew it. The scenes with the natural and familiar back and front between Bel and Georgie or the settled quirkiness of Georgie's parents were just so good. I have read so many other books trying to do the same thing and it can feel flat or sitcom-ish but this? Clayborn shines. (As a writer, I both want her to teach me her ways and cry about how I'm never going to be that good, lol)
Also, as a reader, one of my pet peeves is characters (Read: Writers) using outdated pop culture reference/slang. No matter how good the book is, it will always be jarring when a 25-year-old character makes a reference to something like Matlock. Thankfully, Clayborn knows her stuff and I was spared. Her references to Twilight and the Jonas brothers landed with the perfect level of nostalgia and embarrassment.
If I had to nitpick, I'd say this is a slow burn of a book. Not just with the romance (Although that too) but the pacing. It took me about to get really get into the groove and get attached to Georgie and Levi. I mostly stuck around for Hank the dog. I cannot stress enough how much I love Hank. He is the best boi, TEAM HANK 5EVER!!!
I give this 4.5 stars. Highly recommend it if you need a slower, gentler read that packs a big emotional punch.
Trigger warning: drug use, offscreen drug abuse, offscreen violence, parental abuse, offscreen death of parent
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Gun violence, and Abandonment
emmas_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really loved this book! It’s the first one I’ve read by Kate Clayborn and I absolutely loved the two main characters. Going on Georgie’s journey to figure herself out was really satisfying, and Levi is such a sweetheart who deserves all the good things!!!! And Hank! Definitely would recommend! Have the tissues ready though, I cried so much reading this on the plane!
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Pregnancy