But 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. I would like to extend a special thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with this amazing digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. Without going into detail, both Georgie and Levi go through some tough stuff at the end, and while I didn't love exactly how those hard moments were catalyzed (this is maybe my only major complaint about the book), the emotional aftermath of the low moment is done really well. When I tell you I wasn't expecting to get an ARC of this book, I mean that I genuinely didn't think the universe would be so kind to me after punching me in the face repeatedly this year.

Maybe not surprise-ghost-pepper-in-your-pad-thai hot, or even last-wing-on- Hot-Ones hot, but a solid level of spice. 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. Even though many of the themes have been done a million times before, it still felt fresh and genuine. I mostly loved the grump and the sunshine as they were both bright and vibrant (in different ways) and I love what they brought out in each other.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.

Both Georgie and Levi are special and extremely likable characters who seem lost and exhausted, unsure of how to move forward with their lives. I'm going to start this review by saying that this was a difficult read for me, and I'm unsure whether it was down to the slump I'm currently in or the book itself. Ultimately her men are always so much more than their tropes and, by the time she has peeled back the layers of them for us, we realise it is no longer the trope we are finding attractive but the person, with all his complexities and frailties and rough human edges.As Georgie and Levi spend time together, Levi also has work to do on more than just building a dock. As the two make their way through her wish list, 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. Since leaving, she’s worked as an executive assistant in LA, where she is known for her dedication and efficiency. Both the story and the romance did pick up for me eventually, but by then I think I was 75% in and I had already been too annoyed by most things.

It is mentioned, but is not a major part of the story beyond explaining the heroine's connection to her best friend's life.She joins forces with Levi to fulfill her bucket list, not expecting to enjoy spending so much time with the grumpy, troubled man, who also happens to be the brother of her high school crush. I read a review on here that said this book is mostly just character thoughts with little to no plot and I would absolutely agree. 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? this is an incredibly internal book and i felt like you got far too much of the characters thoughts and not enough plot. The author delivers a heartfelt romance with occasional spicy scenes that tackles some deeper themes if one reads it in its entirety.

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.

After a disastterous and adorable first and second meeting they ended up living together as roommates. That said, I've read this ages before y'all can, I'm so sorry, but this is going to be my favorite romance of 2023. Clayborn spins a gentle tale of two people who set out to find themselves and stumble into love along the way. Am I ever going to get the feeling back that I had when reading Clayborn's Chance of a Lifetime series? Although I enjoyed the eponymous Georgie’s side I personally really preferred Levi’s story with his troubled childhood and fractured family relationships which added a great dimension to the overall book.