You know that feeling when you come across a book that makes you wince, laugh, and, unexpectedly, feel seen? That was my experience with "Getting Clean With Stevie Green" by Swan Huntley—a messy journey through one woman’s late-thirties meltdown-turned-reboot.

Stevie Green is not your typical leading lady. She’s 37, freshly sober (ish), and back in her hometown of La Jolla, California, trying to piece together a life that fell apart decades ago. Her new decluttering business is a metaphor in motion: she’s helping others purge their mess while struggling to sort through her own. And oh, what a mess it is. Think high school scandals, a strained sisterhood, a father’s death cloaked in secrecy, and sexuality questions that are as tangled as a box of holiday lights you swore you organized last year.

But here’s the thing: as much as I enjoyed Stevie’s arc, I couldn’t shake the feeling that her high school memories and relationships, especially with Chris, felt oddly misplaced in time. The styles, references, and overall vibe seemed like they belonged to people who came of age in the late 1970s, not the late 1980s. It gave the narrative an anachronistic undertone that was hard to ignore. Honestly, I found myself wishing the book had leaned into that timeline and been about people nearing 50 instead of 40. It would have felt more natural, especially given how deeply the characters are rooted in their pasts. And also, the fact that Stevie's artist mom is just mysteriously wildly rich (if that was explained, I missed it. For work, she just makes crappy art that wouldn't pay the bills.)

But overall, the book is a quirky, feel-good read for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re late to the “having your life together” party.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Stevie can't seem to outrun her past, but she is sure trying. She has quit drinking and recently moved back home to start a cleaning business with her sister at her mother's advice. Why can't she let go of what happened in high school? If she's done drinking, why can't she remove the little bottles from her car?

This book is about coming to terms with who you are, and dealing with your sometimes ugly past.

Getting Clean With Stevie Green by Swan Huntley, Swan Huntley is a perfect fit for readers who enjoy lighthearted, emotional, and reflective stories about self-discovery, personal growth, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly those who appreciate quirky, feel-good novels that explore themes of identity, acceptance, and the power of embracing one's true self.

This book had good moments, funny moments, relatable parts, but as a whole, Stevie Green, an adult stuck in her teenage years wasn't very compelling.

This book was entertaining but didn't seem to have much substance. I had a really hard time trying to root for the main character.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I requested this book because I loved the quirky cover and the description I read about it. And I am happy to say that I loved it just as much as I was hoping I would. I'm not gonna lie...Stevie is a mess of a human but I love the growth that happened with her character...she turned her life around. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes quirky contemporary books with imperfect characters and a little bit of romance :)

I loved this book so much!!!!!!!! I had to read all of Swan Huntley books and I loved each one. Truly delightful author who had found her niche as a writer.

Thanks for the advanced copy of this book so we can read it before having Swan on our podcast, Recovery Rocks. Stevie's writing is powerful with a balance of fun, just like their popular Instagram account.

The main character, Stevie, is a relatable and flawed protagonist who struggles with her own demons while trying to navigate her way through life. The author does an excellent job of portraying the challenges and triumphs of recovery, and the supporting characters are also well-developed and add depth to the story.

I read #gettingcleanwithsteviegreen in an attempt to clear out some backlogged #netgalley books, and I have to say this was a surprise delight. The book reminded me of a Jennifer Weiner novel, but in nice concise package. The sister storyline was the highlight of the book and totally sucked me in. I recommend this if you want a quick story that still has some depth and heart.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Just okay. A little hard to connect to. Felt incomplete.

Loved the book. Such a truthful, down to earth telling about recovery from addiction. Highly recommend.

It’s been said that 40 is the new 30—that, today, people are taking more time to figure out who they are and what they want out of their life. That’s definitely the case for the title character in Swan Huntley’s Getting Clean with Stevie Green, who’s spent 20 years avoiding growing up and is finally ready to settle down...

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com - and aired on Shelf Discovery

This book was not what I expected lol. But it was good. I watch these types of shows all the time so I am not mad.

It had some slow parts but overall the story flowed well.

I tried to get into this novel but it just wasn't working for me and I decided to not continue reading. Stevie was a very dry character and I thought the writing was pretty bland as well. Maybe I just went into this one thinking one thing and it ended up not meeting my expectations.

Stevie Green is a mess, but she's amazing at decluttering other people's messes. This was a pretty interesting book. Some parts were funny, but a lot of the story was just sad. Stevie is epitome of someone who really just needs a fresh start. After a traumatic event in high school, her life just spirals down, and you feel all her aches and pains. I was rooting for her to come out victorious.

I was attracted to this book immediately. I loved the idea of a woman who gives up alcohol and starts a decluttering business in her late thirties. It felt very relevant in 2022. Stevie was a complicated character. At times I loved her and at times I needed to step away from her. I couldn't relate to her specific issues, but I could get on board with the universal themes of starting over, trying to let go, and discovering who you are, even later in life. Huntley's characters were messy, quirky, and full of heart. The California setting is wonderful and the overall story was very enjoyable.

Getting Clean with Stevie Green was entertaining but sometimes I didn't feel connected. I loved the bonding during the decluttering parts and it was fun reading about the clients. I will say that I relate to being able to help others try and get their lives together while my own is a mess. Stevie is a character that I enjoyed but also felt that I times I needed a break from her. I would still recommend this book.

This book was a delignt to read. I was surprised at how much i liked it. i can;t wait to recommend this book in a future podcast episode.

The premise was interesting and the author captured my attention with Stevie's decluttering business. I'm all for taking down Ursula with Stevie and her sister! However, Stevie is such a hot mess at age 37 that I couldn't truly connect with her, the other main can or the evolving love stories.