Who Would Like This Book:
If you're a sucker for second chance romances, childhood friends-to-lovers, and stories that tug hard on your heartstrings, this book is for you. Christina Lauren weaves together the past and present so well you can practically feel the nostalgia and longing leap off the pages. The connection between Macy and Elliot, built on a shared love of books and deep, authentic friendship, is touching and believable. The dual timeline format keeps the suspense alive, slowly unveiling the reasons behind their years-long separation. If you love stories with emotional depth, heartbreak, family bonds, and gradual healing, you'll probably devour this in one sitting. Bonus: If you enjoy a little (purposeful!) steam and emotional rollercoasters, you're in for a treat.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the plot a bit too angsty or dramatic, especially if you're not a fan of long-standing miscommunication or a heavy sense of longing. The frequent timeline jumps can break immersion if you prefer a more straightforward narrative. Several people also felt that the 'big twist' or reveal about the couple's separation felt overwrought or inadequately handled, especially with difficult topics not getting the depth they deserved. If you like concise, clear-cut endings or well-rounded side characters, you might be left wanting a bit more. And if you have zero tolerance for any melodrama, this one might not win you over.
About:
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.
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Notes:
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 (279)
Incredible (71) | |
Loved It (103) | |
Liked It (46) | |
It Was OK (40) | |
Did Not Like (14) | |
Hated It (5) |
Reader Stats (517):
Read It (299) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (159) | |
Did Not Finish (6) | |
Not Interested (51) |
8 comment(s)
sad. lots of grief. dont love how they were like i would never be able to love anyone else. same problem i had with the colleen hoover where i just dont want super depressing things in my romances
It was a masterfully written novel that shows how magical words are. The importance of what you say and what you fail to say speaks volumes. It was packaged with emotions that no one would imagine. The past and future entwined; this book shows how the saying ‘things happen for a reason’ is real. My favorite word: mesmerized. ✨
3.5 stars
“his kiss is an aching prayer; devotion pours from him.”
it was pretty cheesy but i ate it up
A light read that I needed after reading Betty with a cute and sweet childhood friends to lovers romance and so much healthy conversation about relationships and sex. Definitely worth a read honestly.
I loved this whole story. Macy and Elliot had an interesting relationship I thought we saw flourish really well throughout the book. The plot twist at the end, and the reasoning for the disconnect on Macy's end was something I didn't see coming, and while a lot of people had negative thoughts about- I thought it tied everything together well.
Overall, a great story!!!
One of my fav Christina Lauren books
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.
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!
What can you read after
Love and Other Words?
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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