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Love and Other Words

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Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren is a heartwarming story of Macy and Elliot, childhood friends turned lovers whose bond is shattered by a mysterious event, leading to years of separation. The book alternates between the past and present timelines, unraveling the deep connection between the characters and the emotional journey they undertake to rediscover their love and friendship. The writing style seamlessly weaves together themes of first love, loss, second chances, and personal growth, creating a captivating narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed, showcasing growth and emotional depth, particularly focusing on Macy and Elliot's profound connection.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is immersive and emotional, utilizing alternating timelines to build depth and connection between characters.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative intertwines two timelines, centering on childhood friends who have not seen each other for a decade due to a significant misunderstanding.

Setting:

The setting is contemporary and relatable, with a focus on locations significant to the characters' past and present experiences.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally fast and engaging, with alternating chapter styles fostering suspense and sustained interest.
Sabrina wipes a smudge of foamy milk from her upper lip. As much as she understands my avoidance of cars, I know there’s a part of her that thinks I should just power through it and get a Prius or Sub...

Notes:

The book alternates between two timelines: the present and Macy's childhood memories with Elliot.
Macy is a pediatrics resident with a complicated relationship history, including a fiancé.
Elliot was Macy's childhood best friend and first love, and they had an intense bond over their love for books.
The story reveals a heartbreaking event from the past that caused their separation 11 years prior.
Macy's character experiences significant growth as she navigates grief and her relationship with her father.
The book explores themes of loss, love, and the misunderstandings that can occur between young lovers.
There are mixed reviews about the portrayal of sensitive topics in the book, including sexual assault.
Readers are captivated by the emotional depth and connections between the characters.
Elliot is portrayed as a deeply devoted and supportive friend, embodying qualities that make him a beloved character.
Many readers express a desire for an epilogue to see the characters' future after the conclusion of the story.
The story's emotional impact leads to significant book hangover experiences for many readers.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains high content warnings due to themes of grief, death of a parent, and the sensitive depiction of sexual assault.

Has Romance?

Yes, the book contains a high level of romance, showcasing the deep emotional and romantic connection between the main characters.

From The Publisher:

After a decade apart, childhood sweethearts reconnect by chance in New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren's touching, romantic novel Love and Other Words…how many words will it take for them to figure out where it all went wrong?

The story of the heart can never be unwritten.

Macy Sorensen is settling into an ambitious if emotionally tepid routine: work hard as a new pediatrics resident, plan her wedding to an older, financially secure man, keep her head down and heart tucked away.

But when she runs into Elliot Petropoulos-the first and only love of her life-the careful bubble she's constructed begins to dissolve. Once upon a time, Elliot was Macy's entire world-growing from her gangly bookish friend into the man who coaxed her heart open again after the loss of her mother...only to break it on the very night he declared his love for her.

Told in alternating timelines between Then and Now, teenage Elliot and Macy grow from friends to much more-spending weekends and lazy summers together in a house outside of San Francisco devouring books, sharing favorite words, and talking through their growing pains and triumphs. As adults, they have become strangers to one another until their chance reunion. Although their memories are obscured by the agony of what happened that night so many years ago, Elliot will come to understand the truth behind Macy's decade-long silence, and will have to overcome the past and himself to revive her faith in the possibility of an all-consuming love.

Ratings (145)

Incredible (36)
Loved It (55)
Liked It (24)
It Was OK (17)
Did Not Like (9)
Hated It (4)

Reader Stats (260):

Read It (154)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (81)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (21)

2 comment(s)

Loved It
1 month

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren is a heartfelt and emotional novel about love, friendship, and second chances. The story follows Macy Sorensen and Elliot Petropoulos, who were once inseparable childhood friends and first loves. Through alternating timelines, the novel reveals how their deep bond blossomed over shared books and heartfelt conversations in Macy's family cabin. However, a misunderstanding shatters their relationship, leaving them estranged for years.


When Macy and Elliot unexpectedly reconnect as adults, they are forced to confront the painful past and the unresolved feelings they still hold for each other. Macy, now a pediatric resident living a carefully controlled life, must decide whether she can open her heart to Elliot again, while Elliot is determined to uncover the truth behind their fallout and win back her trust.


The novel is beautifully structured, switching between their tender childhood memories and their present-day interactions, allowing readers to understand the depth of their connection. Themes of love, loss, regret, and healing are explored with sensitivity and emotional depth. Lauren’s writing captures the nuances of vulnerability, the ache of lost time, and the hope of reconciliation.


Much like All I Ever Wanted, Love and Other Words delves into the complexities of relationships and the lingering impact of past decisions. Both stories highlight the journey of rediscovery and the courage it takes to forgive and embrace a second chance at happiness.

 
Hated It
3 months

the way it represents sexual assault is just PLAIN INSULTING!. he's past out drunk, a friend of that time took advantage of that situation and when the MC discover she's mad and jealous?! hate it!

 

About the Author:

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of longtime writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, the New York Times, USA TODAY, and #1 internationally bestselling authors of the Beautiful and Wild Seasons series, Dating You / Hating You, Autoboyography, Love and Other Words, Roomies, Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating, My Favorite Half-Night Stand, The Unhoneymooners, Twice in a Blue Moon, and The Soulmate Equation. You can find them online at ChristinaLaurenBooks.com, @ChristinaLauren on Instagram, or @ChristinaLauren on Twitter.

 
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