Goodreads says, "The acclaimed author of Love Lettering weaves a wise and witty new novel that echoes with timely questions about love, career, reconciling with the past, and finding your path while knowing your true worth. Longtime personal assistant Georgie Mulcahy has made a career out of putting others before herself. When an unexpected upheaval sends her away from her hectic job in L.A. and back to her hometown, Georgie must confront an uncomfortable truth: her own wants and needs have always been a disconcertingly blank page. But then Georgie comes across a forgotten artifact—a “friendfic” diary she wrote as a teenager, filled with possibilities she once imagined. To an overwhelmed Georgie, the diary’s simple, small-scale ideas are a lifeline—a guidebook for getting started on a new path. Georgie’s plans hit a snag when she comes face to face with an unexpected roommate—Levi Fanning, onetime town troublemaker and current town hermit. But this quiet, grouchy man is more than just his reputation, and he offers to help Georgie with her quest. As the two make their way through her wishlist, Georgie begins to realize that what she truly wants might not be in the pages of her diary after all, but right by her side—if only they can both find a way to let go of the pasts that hold them back. Honest and deeply emotional, Georgie, All Along is a smart, tender must-read for everyone who’s ever wondered about the life that got away . . ."
Georgie Mulcahy is heading back home after losing her job as a personal assistant to a celebrity. She is starting over at her coastal hometown in Virginia and she plans to help her best friend, Annabel, who just moved into a new house and is due with her first baby any week now. While at home, she is faced with seeing all those familiar (and judging!) faces, but at least she has a soft place to land at her mom and dad's house while they are away on vacation in their RV. Except things don't go as simply as planned. It turns out her parents told their friend Levi Fanning that he could crash at their house while his was being renovated. This is a majorly awkward moment, because Levi is her high school crush's older brother and Levi has a major bad boy reputation around town. Also, while Georgie is helping Annabel organize and move into her new house, they come across their high school journal filled with plans, dreams, and a bucket list. Georgie uses this as inspiration for finding out what she wants and what will make her happy. After years of being a celebrity personal assistant and doing what others want, she is now faced with the big question of what does she want? Georgie, All Along is a delightful romance I thoroughly enjoyed.
Georgie is just the kind of character I love. She is quirky, messy, caring, loyal, and a bit lost. Obviously leaving her stressful job in LA and moving back home will take some adjusting. I desperately wanted to find herself a little more while she was at home. The discovery of her high school "friendfic" definitely pushed her to do some of those bucket list items that she never pursued and provided her with a map of finding out not only what she wants, but who she is outside of being a people-pleaser. I really enjoyed her friendship with Annabel and that aspect of the story as well.
Once Levi entered the picture in Georgie, All Along, I was smitten. I really enjoyed his rough facade, but he is a softy inside. His dog, Hank, stole my heart and had me missing my dog. As their relationship evolved, I was rooting for them! I also liked his backstory of how he was trying to get past all of his missteps as a rebellious teenager and make a new name for himself around town, not to mention mend the bridges with his family. He was definitely a complex character with a difficult past, but he is such a good guy deep down. I really enjoyed him.
The coastal setting of a small town in Virginia was wonderful in Georgie, All Along. I read this book on a mini vacation of my own and it was absolutely perfect for that. The descriptions of the river, the restaurants, the homes on the river, the small town stores, and the docks Levi builds all added to the small town coastal charm.
This is the first novel I've read by Kate Clayborn, but it won't be the last. It definitely had its rom-com moments, but felt like such a fresh and real romance. I definitely recommend this one! Have you read it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
I've been meaning to read Kate Clayborn, this might be a good place to start!
ReplyDeleteThis was such a delightful novel, Angela! I hope you can read it soon. I think you'll like it. Thanks for visiting!
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