3.5 stars rounded up. This book was adorable and light, the perfect summer read that handled some interesting topics. Although the story never mentioned the pandemic, I think the story really tackled some very relevant, very real issues people are having.

Georgie is coming home. She's moving back home after she's lost her current job and isn't sure what she wants anymore. She feels like a mess, a mess she's always been, and doesn't know who she is anymore or what she wants from life.

Levi is our other POV. He's had a rough upbringing and has just recently really carved a spot out for himself in the world. As long as he can keep to himself, keep is life simple, it will keep going well and he can just keep on keeping on.

But Georgie and Levi collide right in the beginning of the story and their journey together, to sort out who they are and what they want - was a cute ride. I like that Levi's and Georgie's lives felt very different and their struggles unique. I like that Georgie's best friend is also dealing with some very real issues - is she leading the life she wants or the one she always thought she should?

And Hank. The most adorable character in the whole story is the dog and he honestly rounds out the story in a way that will make it stick with me. He was just so cute and I loved that both Georgie and Levi had full conversations with Hank about their lives.

all in all, this is a good Book club book and I'm looking forward to chatting with my book club tonight about it. I love that there is a discussion guide in the back. ( )

Maybe at another time in my life I would have enjoyed this more. I really wanted to like this one.

It took me almost a year to finish, not a good sign, but not a nail in the coffin. I kept going thinking it would start getting interesting and ended up wanting to skim page after page. It felt "cluttered" - too many side characters of little impact and long inner monologues that started to get repetitive. Both the "fic" and the revelation of Levi's history were underwhelming. I suppose a 1 star is harsh, but it's rare that I look back wishing I would have dnf'd a book after finishing it.

I see plenty of other readers like this one, which is great. If you're looking for a lighthearted Hallmark-style romance, this could be a good one for you. ( )

Maybe at another time in my life I would have enjoyed this more. I really wanted to like this one.

It took me almost a year to finish, not a good sign, but not a nail in the coffin. I kept going thinking it would start getting interesting and ended up wanting to skim page after page. It felt "cluttered" - too many side characters of little impact and long inner monologues that started to get repetitive. Both the "fic" and the revelation of Levi's history were underwhelming. I suppose a 1 star is harsh, but it's rare that I look back wishing I would have dnf'd a book after finishing it.

I see plenty of other readers like this one, which is great. If you're looking for a lighthearted Hallmark-style romance, this could be a good one for you. ( )

If you’re a fan of Emily Henry’s Book Lovers or Abby Jimenez’s Part of Your World, you should try Kate Clayborn’s Georgie, All Along, about a PA who returns to her small, Virginia hometown a little bit directionless after years of living in LA.

Here are some things you can except and love:

( )

Confession: I read this book 10 days ago and forgot to write a review. I couldn’t remember one single thing about the book when I tried to wrote one today besides a general feeling of relaxation and sweetness while reading it.

Clearly I liked it enough to give it four stars in the moment. In the BOTM app I called it “very Hallmarky”

( )

Really enjoyed this one and plan to read more books by Clayborn. ( )

This was a good book with a really great cast. However, for some reason I did not love it as much as prior Kate C books. I enjoyed so many aspects of it including the awesome sismance between Georgie and Bel and Georgie’s parents, especially Hank! Actually, I liked all the characters minus the dad. There was something missing overall though. Some minuses included how fast but slow Levi and Georgie’s relationship developed, also the book didn't have enough conflict. These and more dulled my enjoyment and I found it boring in parts.

Overall though, I would still recommend this for anyone who wants to read a low-angst rom-com.

Huge thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC. ( )

Happy Publication Day!

4 ⭐

When her famous screenwriter boss decides to make big changes in her own life and step away from the limelight, personal assistant Georgie Mulcahy finds herself unemployed and unsure of what she wants to do next, Georgie decides to head home to the small town of Darentville, Virginia, where her parents still reside, to take some time for herself and make plans for her future . Georgie is more that a little surprised to find that she has a temporary housemate. It appears Georgie's father forgot to inform her that while they are away, they have invited Levi Fanning (who was also unaware of Georgie's plans to visit) to housesit while Levi’s house is undergoing some repair. Levi (the older brother of Georgie's teenage crush) was known as a troublemaker in his youth and is a loner, estranged from his influential family, running his own business. Needless to say, Georgie and Levi are opposites but as the story progresses we see how these two very different people bring about positive changes in each other's lives, ultimately bringing them closer together. Georgie’s best friend from school Bel also just moved back with her husband and is expecting her first child. While going through some old boxes they find their “friend-fic” diary from their high school years where Georgie had jotted down a wish list of high school adventures - some dreamy fictional stuff and some she had hoped to experience. Encouraged by Bel she decides to follow through on some of those adventures in an attempt to rediscover herself and fill in the blanks for what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Initially Bel and later Levi, help her go through her list and what follows is a beautiful journey of love, friendship and self-acceptance.

The narrative is shared from PoVs of Georgie and Levi in alternating chapters. I loved Georgie! She is so real and relatable. Quirky and sweet, she is a good friend, a loving daughter and someone who is always willing to lend a helping hand. But underneath she suffers from insecurity and confusion about what her next step should be and is more than a tad hard on herself. The author’s portrayal of Georgie and Bel’s friendship is grounded in reality. Even the most enduring of friendships go through ups and downs and moments of resentment and envy along with a deep level of understanding and love for one another. Georgie’s journey is one of self-discovery and more importantly self-acceptance, becoming comfortable with who she is and doing what makes her happy with the love and support of her family and friends. Not everyone has to have lofty ambitions to be happy and Georgie’s realization that she was happy being just the way she is and all she needed was the space to be herself is a beautiful message that this story offers. Levi is an admirable character and I liked how the author gives us insight into his character and his family dynamic without reverting to melodrama. Touching upon themes of loneliness, isolation, family, friendship, love and kindness, this is a story that will strike a chord in your heart.

With a perfect dose of humor, wisdom and insight and an endearing cast of characters, Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn is an emotional, heartwarming and feel-good read that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Many thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. ( )

I didn't really click with this book and I'm not sure why. It's a slightly spicier Hallmark - but I just didn't love any of the characters. When Georgie Mulachy finds herself out of a job she decides to try and "find herself" by moving back to her hometown and in with her parents. The biggest perk is that her best friend has recently moved back and is expecting a baby so she can pretend she's just in town helping her BFF get the house ready for her kid, but really there is a hole in Georgie's life. While unpacking boxes in her friend's house she discovers the friend fic that they worked on in 8th grade and Georgie is convinced that if she does all the things she aspired to do and never did - she will find some sort of purpose in life. Things don't work out as planned, but she does meet her high school crushes older brother and things get interesting. Again - totally fine storyline - I just didn't like Georgie... and I don't know why. ( )

A young woman returns to her hometown after the rug has been pulled out from under the life she built for herself meets a not quite as young man who has slowly and carefully built a life for himself in that mutual hometown after having trashed the privileged life he was born to. As he finds her and she tries to find herself the attraction is palpable but the troubles are just as clear. The characters are clearly drawn and attractive, and the story is fun, though it does employ all the overly romantic and unrealistic tropes of this century's romances. ( )

Oh I needed that hit of sun and oxygen. Levi is so unpleasant in the beginning it is hard to imagine what Georgie sees in him. We see his good heart but she cannot, and her interest made me question her judgment. But as he shows more and more to her and others, becomes vulnerable, it is just so lovely. I have been reading super bleak books lately. Good books, even one great book, but dark, things that make one abandon all hope. I needed optimism and boy did I get it. ( )

Georgie has made a successful career for herself in Hollywood as a PA but after her latest employer retires, Georgie returns to her hometown in order to house-sit for her parents, support her pregnant best-friend, and above all to try to figure out what she really wants to do. In the boxes at Bel’s house, she finds the notebook in which she and Bel wrote stories imagining what high school would be like -- and to Georgie, it’s proof that she once had dreams and ambitions for her own future.

One of the things I love about Clayborn’s stories is how important the friendships, and the other non-romance parts of the characters’ lives, are, not just to the characters, but to the narrative. In this particular story, what stands out is Georgie building a better understanding of herself, her long-standing friendship with Bel, Levi’s relationship with his estranged siblings, and the way Georgie and Levi are able to share the vulnerable, messy parts of themselves with each other. And I like how those two help each other, but that falling in love isn’t framed as the answer to their respective dilemmas. It’s just this… good thing which happens, and that feels very realistic.

I liked this one (if not quite as much as Luck of the Draw or Love Lettering). ( )

When Georgie loses her job as a Hollywood personal assistant because her boss wants to embrace a more simple life, Georgie returns to her Virginia hometown. Ostensibly, she's there because her best friend Bel is about to have a baby, but she also hopes to figure out what she, Georgie, really wants. When she finds a notebook that she and Bel wrote with their dreams for high school, she decides to try and make some of those teenage dreams come true. With the help of Levi, former town bad boy, can she figure out what she wants in the future by living out some of the things she wanted in the past?

This was a very sweet romance told in alternating points of view (Georgie/Levi). I loved the characters and how much of the story involved Georgie's friendship with Bel and Levi's strained family relationships. The author openly plays with the Hallmark movie trope of the big-city heroine returning to her hometown, which is a fun touch. Fans of this kind of story should definitely take a look! ( )

Georgie Mulcahy's life has been upended when her job as a personal assistant ends after her long-time boss decides to leave Hollywood. After years of fulfilling and anticipating her boss's every need, Georgie is left with the question of what she actually wants from her life. As a result, she returns to her small hometown in Virginia where she'll housesit for her traveling parents and provide support to her pregnant best friend, Annabel, who has moved back as well. The unexpected hiccup is the appearance of Georgie's unexpected roommate, Levi Fanning, who was also asked to housesit by Georgie's parents. As Georgie figures out who she wants to be now by exploring some goals in an old notebook from her teen years, she also finds herself interested in learning more about Levi and exploring who they could be to each other.

Yay for cute romances! Georgie and Levi are both wonderful characters and watching them grow into themselves and their relationship is delightful. They also have a cute as all get out meet cute. Plus there's a dog, who is a pure delight every time he appears. Recommended for contemporary romance fans. ( )

3.5 stars

I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review

When Georgie's boss decides she's going to take a different direction in life and slow down, it leaves Georgie at a loss as to what to do. For years she's been a Personal Assistant, but when her boss tells her to go enjoy all the things she's wanted to do for years, Georgie draws a blank. So when her childhood bestfriend, Bel, tells her to come back to their hometown and help her get settled into her new house and help her prepare for her new baby, Georgie agrees. But Bel seems to have things under control and her flighty parents forgot they double booked housesitters and now Georgie has a quiet, hot roommate who she can't help wanting to get to know more.

That's how Georgie Mulcahy becomes, for now at least, both my roommate and my dog sitter.

Georgie, All Along was a sweet Chik-lit story told in alternating first person povs from Georgie and her now roommate Levi. Levi was a couple years older than Georgie so she never really knew him, only of him and his black sheep reputation, however, she had a big crush on his younger brother. Georgie comes off a little chaotic and flighty herself but as the story goes on, it's clear that she dances just fine, it's just to the beat of her own drum. Pairing her with Levi, a character who is quiet, keeps to himself, and likes order, delivered a sweet opposites attract feel. The povs were close to stream of conscious (they did go off on tangents that felt a little pointless at times and ruined the flow of the story for me) and you're going to have to like characters who are in their heads a lot because the vast majority of the story is told that way. I can struggle with those two things but I did round up my 3.5 rating because of Levi's dog Hank, he made the story irresistibly cute to me.

I hadn't been thinking.
I'd been feeling. Feeling like someone finally understood me and feeling strangely thrilled it was him. Feeling like he was strong and sensitive and sweeter than I expected. I'd been feeling, for once, like I was full of wanting.

With Georgie in town to figure out what she wants out of life, she decides to use an old fic book full of stories she and Bel wrote in eighth grade about dream scenarios they were going to have in high school. Dates, getting asked to prom, jumping from docks, hanging out at popular spots, etc. has Georgie seeing she did have personal dreams and goals at one time and yet in high school, they never did the things they wrote about, so Georgie sees it as a good jumping off point. Bel, being at the end of her pregnancy, can't do some of the things, and that has Levi coming into the picture. Levi now owns a dock building and repair business but still keeps to himself in the small town because of how people still see him as the troublemaker he was in highschool. It takes until the second half to be let in on fully what happened between Levi and his father that caused his father to forbid him to be around Levi's brother and sister. There's some tension there when Levi and Georgie start to build their friendship and start acknowledging their attraction when Georgie ends up working at Levi's family business and readers knowing Georgie had a big crush on Levi's brother and we all know that's going to come into the picture as a some kind of dark moment.

I like the way we fit.

I really liked Georgie and Levi's characters and all the side characters that helped fill them out, Bel, Georgie's parents, Levi's professor and work friends, but, as I mentioned, the first person povs had Georgie and Levi in their heads a lot. They were both characters that took their time working through and resolving their issues and this had the second half feeling a little slow at times.

Georgie Mulcahy, making he mark on me.

The ending gave us a third act break-up that lead to a really cute romantic moment. It was feel good the way Georgie realized, admitted, and accepted what type of person she is and knows she can live her in the moment way and Levi worked through stop letting past hurts interfere in his present life and getting some family resolution. This had a few steamy open door moments but the overall tone was overall sweet. If you like introspective characters in their heads a lot, opposites attract, and adorable pitties, you'll want to pick this one up. ( )

This was a cute contemporary read. Georgie Mulcahy heads home to small town Virginia after her most recent personal assistant job in LA ends. Her folks are out of town but are excited she is coming back and that she can take care of the plants. Parental forgetfulness enters the story when her father lets local carpenter/dock builder Levi stay at their house while his is being repaired. It was a good story, with Georgie rediscovering high school Georgie's dreams and trying to accomplish them. People from the past and present help Georgie figure out the next phase of her life. ( )

I started out thinking this was about a woman trying to figure out who she was and finally stop being a "mess". But really it was about healing and self acceptance - and there was a lovely "falling in love" storyline as well. Going home can be brutal in terms of breaking free of who others see you as, but more important is breaking free of how you see yourself. ( )

Georgie Mulcahy returns to small town Virginia to stay in her parents' house and take care of their houseplants while she figures out her next move after the Hollywood person she was a PA for ups and leaves Hollywood. But at home, she discovers Levi Fanning - elder brother of her high school crush Evan and black sheep of the Fanning family - is also house-sitting for her parents while his house is under construction. The two get off to a rocky start, but pretty quickly realize their mutual attraction. Levi agrees to do some of the things on Georgie's "how to conquer high school" list, from her "friend fic" notebook with her longtime best friend Annabel (Bel), who has moved back to their hometown also, with her husband, and is very pregnant. Levi is estranged from his family - both parents and his younger siblings Evan and Olivia - which presents a small wrinkle for Georgie, who agrees to work at the family business, the Shoreline.

This follows all the typical romance tropes (it's somewhat grumpy/sunshine), but all characters have real depth, and Georgie's "flaw" is a really interesting one, and something that Bel helps her come to terms with and see as an asset and a gift. Also, there is a dog named Hank (nothing bad happens to the dog).

Quotes

"My job let me...stay distracted," I continue. "It made it so the only future I focused on was the one that mattered for the people I was working for. And right now, I have this slice of time where I don't have to do that." (Georgie, 64)

...well, that's what I do these days. I make things sturdy; I made them stable. (Levi, 156)

A dream I didn't know I had, coming true. (Levi, 192)

"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 thing about you, the way you adapt. I think maybe - maybe the world takes advantage of that quality in you.....But it isn't your flaw. It's your gift..." (Bel to Georgie, 266)

...I've always lived for making things better in the moment....I've been waiting to realize I'm okay, and that I've probably always been okay. (Georgie, 267) ( )

wasn't sure what to expect from it, but it wasn't a bad bath read. One unexpected graphic part, but nothing out of the ordinary for a book like this. Some of the descriptions from the brain of the male lead made me laugh really hard. ( )

Another great book by Kate Clayborn. Our MCs both learn to let go of what other people have said about their younger selves and to accept they don't move the way the rest of the world does. Their romance is quite sweet and I do love the people surrounding them. And Georgie's journey has helped give me a little clarity on my own. There is value in just being present. ( )

Easy to read ( )

I gotta say, it was refreshing reading a romance that isn't about a high-powered career woman trying to have it all. Who doesn't get dropped into a Hallmarkized plot that exists to deliver sweetness overload so she can have it all. Just an average girl, trying to figure life out as she goes, without having to break up with her boyfriend to "find herself." Apparently a lot of modern romance tropes are getting on my nerves lately, haha. (Though to be clear, this is definitely still a heart-warming, cozy read, just one that feels little more real and relatable.) ( )

I had read Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn and had really enjoyed it, and those same reasons are why I loved Georgie, All Along. I’m so glad that Clayborn’s romance writing seems to be consistent, and when I need a dose of romance I know which author I’ll be picking.

There are two main reasons why I enjoyed the book so much, and they are the same as to why I liked Love Lettering. The first is there is not a lot of fighting between the characters, a little bit of mixed signals,, and none of the I love him but can’t tell him. All of these tropes drive me nuts when they just keep going and going and going.

And I really enjoyed that Clayborn focused so much on the character development and their stories. I had stopped reading romances for awhile because of their lack of character development and how whatever trope they decided to focus their storyline on just kept going.

Georgie was a refreshing character with how in the moment she was, and I could relate to how she just wants to fix people’s problems because she really does know what they need. Levi was a cute grump who really does the work to make himself a better person. And even the supporting characters like Bel (BFF) and Georgie’s parents were super fun.

If you are looking for a sweet romance with great characters and an actual story, check out Georgie, All Along! ( )

Georgie, 28 years old, in spite of being highly successful at her job as a personal assistant has recently been let go by her latest employer. She takes a break and comes home to her rural hometown due to feeling like huge parts of her are simply “blank”. She finds an old notebook she created when she was 13, shortly before entering high school. So what’s a successful 28 year old to do? She decides to do what her thirteen year old self considered great ideas: Like jumping into a river from a dock that was probably “safe enough” some 15 years ago but has been neglected since… What could possibly go wrong, eh?

In the process, Georgie meets Levi and proceeds in her teenage rampage with him - including heavy petting and extensive dry-humping on her parents’ couch… I could certainly relate to that - not at 28, though.

Then there’s Levi. For most of the book, Levi “who is very nearly in [his] midthirties” is brooding, angsty, anxious and insecure. He, too, has come a long way: From local troublemaker to local dock builder, Levi rose to many occasions - just not confronting his toxic father and, thus, he’s also estranged from his siblings for no good reason at all.

Yes, I get it, it’s certainly possible to deeply and thoroughly internalise parental abuse but Levi is in therapy and yet never addressed his daddy issues?! Sorry, that’s hard to believe…

Also, dear Levi acts immensely immature at a certain point. That scene was so mind-numbingly stupid I could hardly believe what I had read. The “big reveal” about the “blankness” Georgie feels was another major let-down; the explanation of it all is so ridiculously simple that only our 28-year-old going on 13 could come up with it.

At several points I wondered how those two people had even made it alive to 28 and mid-thirties respectively…

Thankfully, there are some redeeming qualities: Once everyone starts actually talking with each other, things start making some sense at least. A certain scene between Levi and his brother actually felt real and believable.

All in all, this read like a shallow “dramedy” rather than the romantic comedy I expected but this novel failed to realise its potential.

A generous three stars out of five.

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Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam ( )

A more serious spin on a romance, similar to an Emily Henry book.

I really enjoyed both the main characters, Georgie and Levi. There were several points in this book where the author could have fallen back on the trope where the characters don't talk to each other to create conflict and she doesn't. The characters are continually challenging each other to grow and confront who they are and why they are where they are in life. (PG13) ( )