An achingly romantic and beautifully realized treatize on the power of the past to mold our futures. Clayborn doesn't just write romance, she uses the genre to hold up a mirror to our own vulnerable experiences as she excavates the all-too human emotions of loss, regret and vulnerability --- always through two complicated and exceedingly likeable people who meet at the apex of the past and future and ensure each other is stronger with the connection.


From the very first sentence of a Clayborn novel ( and I have now read every one of her published works), you are given the most confident sense that ah! yes, this is the voice I missed. I am going to turn these pages a better human, my empathy will be tested, my smile will widen. Evoking a marvellous sense of place and playing with the second chance trope, Georgie returns home after a stretch of over-worked life as a hollywood assistant to find herself with an unexpected roommate: town outcast Levi Fanning, who also happens to the be the brother of a high school crush. This is poignant because Georgie's return home is also a return to a fanfic list of experiences she never pursue: always letting life arrive for other people, her pregnant and married friend Bel, her LA boss, Nadia while shelving her own wants and desires. And yet she is hardly forlorn: she is a winsome, warm character and the perfect antidote to Levi's brooding and cuddly grumpiness. You know he has a heart of gold, you know she has a sprightly and unexpected side and together they cross off Georgie's past list while crafting a brand new narrative of common experience.


A Clayborn book is a hug or a cup of tea, it is the type of thing that acts as a medicinal balm and makes you forget the world. It's too easy to say this will appeal to readers of Emily Henry ( it will) and to Ali Hazelwood ( definitely) or that it sews up the emotional depth of Christina Lauren (yep) but what strikes me is that even though she is well-matched by some of my other favourites in the genre, there is something so distinctively Clayborn that she is on a shelf of her own.

She evokes a marvellous sense of place and positions a tale of hopeful yearning. You're not sure why your heart is tugged as he makes pizza over the grill or she sips cider to off-set the adverse effects of a horror film; but you do.

There's a sigh of regret and relief when your heart is your own after Clayborn commands it for so many pages. You want to write hearts around your notebook and carve her characters' initials into a tree all because you can't always express WHY or WHAT you are feeling in her competent word-world, just that you ARE and then some.


I loved this book but I always love Clayborn's books and I highly recommend you find yourself some soul-balm and grab at the chance to learn and love and lose with a story that is not about romantic love alone; but familial love, friendship love and love of self.

A perfect blend of self-realization and letting go.



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When was the last time I stayed up hours past my bedtime to read a book? It was actually last night when I was reading as much of <i>Georgie, All Along</i> as my eyeballs could transmit to my brain before my eyelids shut that down. Before that, though, it had been ages. I can't be surprised it's a Kate Clayborn book that finally did that for me. I've made no secret about how much I love her writing (Luck of the Draw remains tied for my favorite romance novel ever), and her style, sensitivity, and heart are on full display here.

I struggle with how to write a review for this book because reviews put me in an analytical mind but Kate Clayborn books make me FEEL things. I feel what the characters feel: Georgie's unsettledness as she grasps for purpose and meaning when she returns to her hometown after being unexpectedly laid off from her job. Levi's fear of who he'd be outside of the unassuming, "stable" life he's made for himself. Georgie's thrill in having that feeling of wanting something, and that the wanting is to be with Levi. Levi's hope that being with Georgie means he really can be the "stable" guy he's always wanted everyone to see he can be. The vulnerability, sadness, and ultimately joy they both feel in learning to live by their own expectations and not for anyone else's. The warmth that comes with watching them understand they get to do that <i>with</i> someone who loves them and not <i>because</i> of that person.

I wouldn't call this Clayborn's angstiest book or a perfect one. I had some issues with the low moment (mostly that I could see it coming miles off and didn't *completely* buy it) that weakened the ending for me. I would have loved to see the aftermath of the low moment include both MCs going to therapy because they have a LOT to unpack. However, the ultimate resolution did satisfy me and the small meaningful gift included in the big gesture was <i>soo</i> sweet.

There's the usual strong female friendships I've come to expect from KC and one of my favorite fictional dogs I can remember reading for a while. I also freaking loved Georgie's parents, who remind me a little of my own parents (in spirit and life philosophy, though my mother is far too organized to forget she double-booked a housesitter).

Bottom line: it's a Kate Clayborn novel. I loved it.

A soft, romantic, delightful book! Kate Clayborn never disappoints. This book has just the right level of intrigue and angst, without being too much.

This book made my heart so freaking happy! It had such great characters with amazing depth and growth. There were so many dynamics and relationships that were explored in wonderful ways. And Levi and Georgie had one of the best romantic relationships I’ve read in a long time.

I don’t want to say too much and give anything away, so I’ll just say read it and you won’t be disappointed!

Wow, this was a perfect book.

Georgie is the kind of believable chaos and sunshine that comes from being firmly grounded in parents and a best friend who support you, no matter what. Levi is the kind of closed off and grumpy that comes from being hurt by the people you needed to love you the most. Of course their paths intersect and of course they're going to fall in love and of course they're both going to be the better for it.

This book is so <i>tender</i> in every sense of the word, in the way that Georgie's parents make you feel seen and loved when they're seeing and loving her, and in the way where Levi's worries about being enough for anyone, let alone expansive Georgie, prick at your heart just as much as they do his. Every character here is nuanced and imperfect and so much more lovable for it and it's such a joy to watch everyone figure themselves out.

It's a perfect read, particularly for anyone who's a little adrift or off-balance, knowing that something's got to change but not knowing exactly what that is. If you love the wickedly funny banter and deep emotions of an Emily Henry read but mourned that she writes single POV, this is the book for you.

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 2.5/5
REVIEW:
Georgie's been working in LA for several years when she moves back home to be there for her best friend who about to have a baby!

Georgie need to figure out her life and what she wants out of it. While with her best friend, they stumble on an old notebook from when they were kids and it lights a fire inside her.

I loved how both Georgie and Levi were kind of outcasts in their home town but doing their best to build a life they loved. I loved the dual point of view and how Levi speaks of Georgie.

Reading this brought me back to late middle school and early high school years creating a bucket list and dreaming big with my best friend. All the plans we made and how differently our lives are to how we'd imagined them when we were young.

This is my first e-ARC that I cannot wait to buy a physical copy of! I loved it and binge read (is that a thing) it.

Georgie and Levi

I love love Levi! I just want to hug him and hold him. He’s so hard on himself and I’m so proud of how far he stretched himself. And Georgie. Georgie is on her own mission to discover her mission. She do chaotically wonderful. I love their story. Kate Clayborn does it again.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for a fair review.

Kay Clayborn does it again. I love a good return to her hometown trope and Kate manages to do the trope justice and also make it her own. Georgie was a standout protagonist, but it was really Levi that stole the book. His chapters are incredibly well written - soft and vulnerable. My only complaint is that we didn’t get more of his chapters. Kate is truly romance canon, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

All of the stars for this absolutely exquisite romance! Kate Clayborn writes romance like no other. I also have to say that the title of the book is simply perfect.

Georgie movies back home to see her parents and help out her friend Bel who is expecting her first baby. She is lost at this point and trying to figure out her life. She and Bel find an old notebook from high school, and Georgie sees a plan. What she wasn’t expecting was Levi Fanning.

Kate Clayborn writes characters that are so deep and human that they jump off of the page. I loved Georgie and her quirks. Her journey is heartwarming. But Levi stole my heart. His story and journey throughout this book is incredible. This isn’t a cookie-cutter romance. These characters are deep and you will be invested in short order. Like the book “Love Lettering” by this author, you are in for unique characters with a truly original story. I adored this book, and highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the digital advanced reader copy of this book. It releases in January of 2023. Preorder it now.

My goodness this book was such a great time. I had SO much fun reading this delightful read. I found Georgia to be so engaging, and watching her find her voice was so rewarding, I thought the romance was INCREDIBLY swoony and I loved every minute.

Highly recommend!!!

This book is such a treat. Georgie is hilarious and strong. As she muddles through her reinvention in her hometown, her sunshine is a bright contrast to Levi's grumpy. The love of Levi for his dog made me smile, too. Georgie's genuine friendship with Bel, especially when it comes to their love for the friendfic, was also poignant. It is wonderful to see female friendship that transcends time yet gains strength. This book made me stay up all night to finish it but I smiled the entire time. Thank you for the ARC! I cannot wait to buy this book for all of my friends.

Kate Clayborn knocked this out of the park!

After unexpectedly ginding herself unemployed, Georgie returns home to small town Virginia without direction. Feeling like she needs a path, she stumbles on an old friend fic notebook from high school and decides to accomplish all of her past goals while figuring out her next steps. This, of course, is hard to do in the looming shadow of Levi Fanning - who happens to also be crashing at her parents house while his house is being worked on.

Forced proximity with grumpy sunshine GOLD. This gave me Hart of Dixie meets Sweet Home Alabama vibes but with tender moments of growth and sincerity mixed in.

Kate Clayborn's writing reads like an impressionist painting to me; she writes the small, quiet moments that come together into this cohesive masterpiece of beauty.

Love this one. Pre-order.

Perfection. A stunning romantic comedy filled with heart, humor and depth. I absolutely devoured Georgie and Levi's story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

I cannot express how much I loved this book. Kate Clayborn has been an auto-buy author for me ever since Love Lettering and Georgie, All Along is her best book yet. With memorable characters you cannot help but adore, this romance is a must-read.

Georgie, a longtime personal assistant, has spent her life putting others’ needs before hers. When her famous boss suddenly quits the industry, Georgie is faced with trying to figure out what exactly she wants to do with her own life. She returns to her small hometown to be with her best friend. There, she discovers their “friendfic” diary they made in high school that contains a list of all the things they wanted to do before graduation. Georgie grabs this list like a lifeline and believes that by completing it, she may figure some things out about herself. Her plan hits a snag when she is thrown into the forced proximity trope with the town’s former bad boy and current grump, Levi. The two end up forming a connection over the diary.

This. Book. At one point, a character says he feels like he’s “soft all over, [his] shell peeled right off [his] skin” and that is the only way I can describe how this book feels. It is full of soft, vulnerable characters that you feel like you truly get to know and fall in love with. Ones you root for and want to reach inside the book and hug.

Georgie, All Along is already a 2023 favorite. It is emotional, tender, and downright heartwarming. I loved it beyond words.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a beautiful and sweet story about starting over and self discovery! I absolutely adore Georgie and loved how relatable she was. She was spunky and fun even as she's trying to figure out what she does next!

Levi was swoon worthy! I loved the whole forced proximity and his shy/ slightly social awkwardness. Their whole relationship was so sweet! This was just a delightful read that charmed my heart! All of the side characters too especially Georgie's best friend, Bel were so wonderful! If you're looking for a light hearted, charming read this is great!

WOW WOW WOW! I was not sure about this book at first but Clayborn really outdid herself. Utterly perfect I will be reading this again upon publication! Thank you NETGALLEY!

I absolutely loved the unconventional characters in this book. I can definitely relate to Georgie. I also really liked her parents. It took a while for me to like Levi. I devoured this book from start to finish. Highly recommend!

Wonderful, fabulous, can't wait until it's in print! I want my friends to read it so we can discuss! Oh, I love Georgie, her hippie parents and Levi. I understand small-town dynamics and the desire to stretch one's wings. It was a great read!!!!

Georgie Mulchaly has spent the last decade being a successful personal assistant in Hollywood. But when her employer decides to simplify life Georgie returns to her hometown to regroup and decide what she wants to do next. Georgie is a wonderful character. She is messy and a little unsure what her life goal should be. But she is kind and giving and at her best when helping others. Her parents are away on a trip when she arrives at the family home only to learn that they have said a neighbor, Levi Fanning can also stay there while work in done on his house. His younger brother was her middle school dream crush. She finds a forgotten journal/fic where she and her best friend wrote all thier hopes and dreams for high school and the things they want to do. She decides to do some of them in hopes that they will lead her to a new direction in her life. Levi offers to do some of the list with her.

The story takes a little bit to get going but you get a real sense of both of the main characters. Levi was the black sheep of his wealthy family. I’m not usually drawn to reformed bad boys but Levi is so sweet, sensitive and insecure. I half fell in love with him because of the love he has for his dog Hank. He owns his behavior but it doesn’t mean what life gives him is fair. Georgie walks that line between not making Levi her project and helping him make his world bigger. The side characters are good. Georgie’s best friend Bel doesn’t come off as a BF until a in-depth conversation later in the book. And then you know they are going to be in each others life forever. I read this book in a week when I also read a previous series by the author. I found this one a little less steamy but the heat is still there. And because you get chapters from both POV’s you get their passion and feelings and their out and out longing for each other. It is beautifully descriptive. You know what is going to cause the angst before it happens but you also know these two are going to het their HEA. It isn’t my favorite book by the author but I still heartily recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off, thank you NetGalley for giving me and ARC of this book, I greatly appreciate it.

Second, Georgie All Along is a funny, heart felt rom-com about pretty different people falling in love. Georgie and Levi’s chemistry is amazing. This book gave me a few good laughs.

The only reason I didn’t rate this book higher was because the writing format was just not really my style, but otherwise it was a good book.