5 Wine Glass #Review of Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

Author duo Christina Lauren, delivers a second chance romance unlike any you've read before with their latest title, Love and Other Words.

Macy Sorenson met Elliot Petropoulos when she was just thirteen years old, reading in the closet of the weekend home her father purchased in California's wine country. For the next five years they spend weekends and holidays swapping stories and favorite words, while forging an unbreakable bound of the heart. Until that one night eleven years ago, when Elliot shattered that bound and nothing in Macy's life was ever the same again...

Love and Other Words is an all-consuming, transcending story that I simply could not put down! I read all day, and late into the night, enraptured by it's vivid characters and turmulent emotions. The book follows Macy Sorenson as she drifts through her safe, if somewhat indifferent life. With longs hours spent as a pediatric resident, and short hours with her older, artistic fiance and his young daughter. It may not be the life she dreamed of a decade ago, but her heart's not at risk of being shattered from loss or betrayal. Until Elliot Petropoulos walks into the same coffee shop as her. There was a time when Elliot was Macy's everything, now he's a stranger and he has no idea of the reasons behind her decade long silence. But no matter the time and distance that has been put between them, there is no denying the chemistry and love that they still share. Can Macy take the risk of opening her heart again? Sean is safe, no feeling involved. Elliot is a tangle of past and emotions.

I believe Love and Other Words is classified as women's fiction, and it is a moving coming of age, finding yourself kind of story. However, it is also very much a romance. The female protagonist's relationships is one of the two key points that drive the story as it alternates between Then and Now, teenage Macy and adult Macy. So you have all of those new, pent up adolescent passions as well as the mature second-chance, is it as good as I remember desires. The plot flowed impeccably, transitioning well between timelines, building the story to it's eventual climax. The relationships between characters was all-encompassing, and incredibly engrossing.

Bottom line is; Christina Lauren weaves a flawless, poignant tale that gave me all of the feels and left me completely satisfied at the end. For a majority of the story readers are left guessing, just what happened on New Year's Eve eleven years before?! I both loved and hated reaching that final tell all in the story because it meant that I was that much closer to the end. I would recommend this story to any and all romance fans out there, Love and Other Words is not a book to be missed and will definitely be gracing my Best Books of 2018 List at the end of the year!

Dear Christina Lauren,

You don’t know me. Well, we did meet once, but you don’t really know me know me lol.
I’ve been here. Following you, reading you since your debut. Not every book but most, I’ve seen you grow with each book. And my ladies, with Love and Other Words you just BLEW ME AWAY completely!!!
Love,
Resident #SchmexyStalker, Roxie

What a beautiful and heartbreaking journey!!
I’m having a hard time finding the words to describe what I feel now, after I finished this book and how I felt as I was reading. It was almost too much, the FEELS (just kidding it’s never too much). I was going CRAZY, legit LOSING IT as the story unfolded perfectly with past and present chapters. I don’t recall the last time I felt the urgent need to skip to the end of a book just to stop the agony I was experiencing (I never did this, nor will I ever do, but gosh I was SOOOOOO TEMPTED). From the very beginning, I was drawn in, I just wanted to know Macy and Elliot. The why’s, the how’s, the omg WHAT HAPPENED I CANT TAKE THE ANGST ANYMORE (cue breathing in a paper bag quickly). I felt everything in this second chance/coming of age novel. EVERY SINGLE THING!!! This was truly one of the best books I’ve ever read and a top read this year for me for sure.

“I never got to fall out of love. I just had to move on.”

Christina Lauren created a romance with characters that had depth and flaws. Macy & Elliot just felt so real. They meet as teens and reunite after 11 years. Both past and present chapters gave a different perspective of who they are. We follow them as they become friends and fall in love for the very first time in the past chapters. The present chapters bring even more anxiety!!! On the surface—they both seemed to have moved on, living their own lives. But what you see is not always what you get. Their souls and hearts intwined with a bond that can’t be broken. When you share one heart and your heart doesn’t beat properly without the other. How do you move on? How do you love another person??? How can you possibly fill the gaping hole that your soul mate left? The new and fragile friendship they form literally had my stomach in knots, I wasn’t sure I could continue. I was ready to throw my kindle at times.

I was obsessed, OBSESSED with these two and the choices they made. Worried sick the whole time as the plot progressed. It was real and raw and everything in between.
Be prepared once you start this book you won’t be able to stop. So find a comfortable position and just keep reading! With each page turned, I was completely in awe of Christina Lauren’s words. This is a brilliant tale of love, friendship, broken hearts, forgiveness, and healing. It’s messy, raw, painful at times, but it is by far a beautiful journey of two souls who complete each other. This book was an emotional rollercoaster and I loved every second of it!

“You’re not my outside, you’re my every side.”

I love getting lost in the characters of a book, but I always feel like it's so short lived. While I was still sad to leave these characters, being able to be immersed into so much of their lives was beyond wonderful.

This second-chance story shifts back and forth between Macy and Elliot was so heart warming. I fell in love with the characters and watching each of them grow in their connection to one-another, and as individuals was beautiful. I did not want to put this book down.

Favorite word: restoration.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book about a pair of best friends and how their relationship progresses over time. The book covers the past and the present, a device I always enjoy and I liked both main characters very much! The book led to a "twist" that I saw coming a million miles away, however, I still enjoyed getting to the final revelation. This book flew by for me and was a read I didn't want to put down! Would highly recommend.

I really struggled with my rating for this book. I pretty much loved everything up until the reveal of why they broke up. I was getting all emotional, ready to cry then bam wtf moment.

What I loved:
- This book invokes emotions and reactions from its readers. It is deep and has light and shade.
- The Elliot and Macy in the past, when they were kids, exchanging emails, growing up, loving books, being best friends, starting to fall for each other.
- Macy's dad, Elliot's family, Sabrina
- The lines, the favorite words. There are so many memorable ones, especially the last: "You."

What I didn't love:
- Elliot's excuse/explanation. I loved him up to that point. My reaction to that scene numbed me to what happened afterwards.
- How conveniently they disposed of their current partners so that they could be together. I especially felt for Sean. Macy's emotional infidelity was so unfair to him.

In the end, I gave it a four.

In a vein reminiscent of Colleen Hoover, the writing duo of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings aka Christina Lauren, embark on their first foray into Women’s Fiction with Love and Other Words. This second chance romance, told in alternating past and present chapters, flows with emotion, poetic imagery, and the pain of loss.

“When I lost her, it felt like I was drowning in all the love I still had that could never be given.”

Second-chance love stories always hit me hard, the thought of two people finding their soul mates and then losing them almost too much to take. Macy and Elliot met as young teens, sharing a love of reading. After losing her mother just three years earlier, Macy is emotionally distant with everyone except her father. Elliot is the youngest of 4 boys when they meet, his family loud and boisterous. His no-nonsense approach to everything is exactly what Macy needs. He draws her out during their weekends together, as they hide in Macy’s “reading” closet, growing close, finding their other half in each other.

“I never got to fall out of love. I just had to move on.”

The flashback scenes really carry this story, the young love that grows between Macy and Elliot is rich with their connection. I felt their link, basked in their affection for each other. Hidden away from the world, they explore each other through words and quiet hours spent reading. I loved the intimacy of these moments. Young Elliot has an insight and straight forwardness that’s rarely seen in a young person that’s still finding their way. His bold questions surprise even me, but I adored him for asking them, as did Macy.

“We loved each other, of course, but without Mom we were both sort of lost, arms outstretched as we tried to fumble through each day.”

In many ways, Love and Other Words is really a Young Adult novel. The present day narration from Macy really serves as the window into the love between her and Elliot. With years of heartbreak and misunderstanding overshadowing them, the older Macy and Elliot are strangers when they meet again and I never quite felt their connection. While the flashback chapters could easily standalone, the present day chapters felt empty and never really show me why Macy and Elliot should be together in the now. Even as the book moved toward the revelation of the secrets they’ve both been keeping, I found myself asking questions about who these two characters had become. From Macy’s chosen profession to why Elliot had never searched for her, I felt as though there was too much that was left off the page.

“And because when I find that book that makes me lose myself for just one hour, maybe more, I forget. And because my dad thinks of Mom every time he buys me a book. And because you’re here and I feel about a thousand times less lonely with you.”

The real strength of Love and Other Words is the words. I was captivated by them. The authors capture the sense of loss brilliantly through their imagery. I found myself nodding my head, saying to myself, “yes that is exactly how my heart breaking feels and sounds and looks.”

3.5 Stars for Love and Other Words. Heat level: 2

I enjoyed this story. This is one of those love stories that is full of heart and heartbreak that you totally get invested in whether you know how it is going end up or not. You feel for these characters and that's due to the author's ability to flesh them out properly. There were two times in the story that I felt like I was on the verge of tears and when an author can do that to me they have done their job well. I wouldn't say that this book was groundbreaking or the best thing I have ever read, however I would say that it was completely enjoyable and immersive. I enjoyed the setting of the two bookworms who grew from kids that bonded over books to adults that found love and bonded still with books. I am always up for a good story about books or bookworms and this definitely fit the bill for me.

What an utter delight.

The story of a love that blossomed from young adulthood into the late teens and beyond. This story explores what could have been, what could be and what was meant to be. You get a glimpse of the years leading up to the characters love and their current day selves. It's a sweet (and sometimes VERY hot) story that has you rooting for love from page one.

I fell head over heels for Elliot. Smart, sexy, confident, and a man that knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go for it. I'm extremely jealous of Macy because she's loved by such a wonderful man.

I was blown away by the author's writing style, ability to convey emotions and her ability to describe things in a way that make you feel as if you were right there with the main characters. From the first page, I was hooked by how smooth everything flowed. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

This was my first Christina Lauren novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The revelations at the end were a surprise. Looking forward to reading more by her.

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren is a first love, second chance emotion heavy women's fiction/romance that will keep you turning the page until there's no more. Get your tissues out because it will make you ugly cry.

I don't even know where to start with this book. If I had to describe it using one word I'd say it's bittersweet. Macy is a teen when she meets Elliot, the boy who's a bookworm and who loves the peace and quiet the closet in Macy's new cabin provides.

Macy finds in Elliot everything she needs. They form a strong bond as their friendship blooms. They don't see each other every day but make the best of their time together every weekend that Macy is in town. There isn't anything they don't talk about. The little game of their new favorite word preceded by their updates every time they meet is cute.

Macy tells the story from her POV and draws you into her and Elliot's life and their struggles during their teenage years. Their friendship grows into something neither foresees coming and at first their confused but it doesn't take them long to realize what is happening between them.

It alternates timelines between the "Then and Now" so that you can understand why their love for each other was real and never died even with the years that have passed and the thousands of miles that separated them at one point. Macy's reason for leaving and never going back which is more of a mystery to Elliot and his family is heartbreaking. And that is where you will need to get your tissues out because you will cry.

Like I said, this is a page-turner that you won't regret reading if you pick it up.

Available this month: Love and Other Words

***** 5 stars: Everything you'd want in modern drama - with complex characters you'll fall in love with.



Recommended readers:

If you like Christina Lauren but were hoping for a little more depth in the characters and plot
If you want some good women's fiction
Here's my Rankings:

5/5 for characters
5/5 for plot
5/5 overall
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
Taking a step from their usual romantic chic lit, the writing duo of Christina Lauren dove into a new genre and nailed it! In their emotional and heartbreaking novel Macy Sorensen feels like she's almost rebuilt her life (even if it is a bit stale) - she's a pediatric resident in San Francisco, with a successful, ambitious fiance - when she encounters her childhood love on the street. The encounter forces the two to remember years of love and a fateful day that tore them apart.

Love and Other Words is everything you could want from modern women's fiction. Deeply developed and complex, the contrasting now-and-then storylines are weaved together to tell the story of a shy girl and neighbor boy young romance contrasted with the current day wounded woman and confused man. A definite must-read for any lover of modern day drama. And, I wonder, did the writing duo each write one version of the storyline; did Christina write about the young kids falling in love and Lauren write the adult version?

Available this month: Love and Other Words

I've been a fan of Christina Lauren since the start of my love affair with romance. I've binged all their series but I haven't been as enamored with their standalone titles...Until this one.

<b>Love and Other Words</b> shows a real maturation in their writing & I didn't want to put it down. The principal characters are well realized and I liked how the authors used flashbacks to show the changes as they matured into adulthood (although I wish we had a glimpse of them during the years they were apart). I ached for these two once they reconnected - and was totally hooked into the story, wanting to know what happened between to keep them apart.

In the past, I've loved the heat level in Christina Lauren's books & I always want more, more, more...But I think they got the balance of the slow burn & sexy times just right this time out. Romantic, poignant, special and completely absorbing, I think <b>Love and Other Words</b> might be my favorite Christina Lauren novel.

Word of the day: MAGNIFICENT

Generally speaking, I tend to shy away from women's fiction. I want to KNOW I'm getting a HEA or even HFN at the end of a book and that's not always the case in that genre. But, when you find out one of your favorite author duos is releasing a new book that sounds really good, no matter the genre, you read it. Or at least I do. That's what happened with Love and Other Words. I regret nothing. 

I'm a sucker for a second chance romance and Macy and Elliot's story made me feel all the feels. Told entirely from Macy's POV, but alternating between the present (when they find themselves back in each other's lives) and the past (when they were the best of friends... and more). It was a great way to learn the entire story. Something obviously went down between them in the past, but it's not clear what and waiting on that revelation, all the while watching these two become close again, definitely drove the story. I was invested. Like, couldn't sit the book down because I needed answers invested. Without getting spoilery, I'll just say I thought I knew where the story was going and I was wrong. So wrong. And I sobbed like a baby at the reveal. 

I loved these characters so much. Macy was a wonderful heroine and I liked her more and more the longer I read. I know I should've been skeptical about Elliot because of the allusions to what happened in the past, but I couldn't. It was so obvious he was still in love with her and would basically die before intentionally hurting her that I couldn't even side-eye him. He was so thoughtful, sweet and swoony. My heart broke because these two were apart and I desperately hoped they could work it out. (And that Macy wouldn't end up with Sean, the man she was engaged to at the time.) I thought the "love triangle" aspect was well-written. I never really connected with Sean, but I'm glad he wasn't demonized in some way to move things forward with Elliot. The way it all went down felt more realistic. 

Love and Other Words was a gorgeous book. It was the perfect mix of angsty and romantic, with a little bit of sexy thrown in, too. It pummeled my emotions and left me an utter disaster, but I was happy and content when it was all said and done. While not a traditional romance, it certainly was a beautiful love story. 

FAVORITE QUOTES
It never occurred to me that love could be anything other than all-consuming. Even as a child, I knew I never wanted anything less.

"You're the love of my life. I assumed I would get over you eventually, but seeing you yesterday? I couldn't go home to someone else and pretend to love her with everything I have."

"I love you so fucking much. I love you, and I lust you and want you."

I’m a lover and a teacher of words, so I definitely understand the power they can wield. Words can both harm and heal…both uplift and destroy. Their effect on people is based on the decisions of the speaker and the reactions of the listener, and as Joyce Meyer explains, ‘words are containers for power, you choose what kind of power they carry.’

As childhood friends, Macy Sorensen and Elliot Petropoulos bonded through their love of words and all that came with them, and the more time they spent together, the easier it became to transition from friends to lovers, but as the saying goes, ‘sometimes love just isn’t enough,’ and for reasons, unbeknownst to readers, their love and bond couldn’t last, so when we first meet Macy and fate puts Elliot in her path, the boy she hasn’t seen for more than a decade, all we can do is trust in the words that Christina Lauren use to tell Macy and Elliot’s story because it’s more than apparent from that singular moment in time that their journey together never completely ended, and that’s exactly what the writers give readers, and as we travel back to the whys and hows of Macy and Elliot forming a friendship and then a romantic relationship, we constantly question what went wrong…what could have possibly happened to create a divide that left two people so in love from speaking to one another for over 10 years, and then as readers come back to Macy and Elliot’s present and witness their reactions to one another and how easily the memories of their time together plays out in their minds, the need to understand what happened and push for them to fix it overpowers us, and while readers’ patience will definitely be tested, when the details do come out and the extent of what occurred is revealed, it’s difficult to truly know how Macy and Elliot move forward, knowing that the past unequivocally brought them to their knees.

Love and Other Words is an emotional journey told completely through Macy’s POV, and while Elliot’s perspective probably could have shed light on why Macy has spent the last decade crafting a carefully constructed and ordinary life, I feel like it has to be Macy’s story to tell because that’s the only way she’ll be able to heal and perhaps feel like she’s ready to shake up her routine and uneventful life.

Christina Lauren is such a dynamic duo of storytellers; all of the words they choose to create their stories allow readers to transport themselves to the setting of the book and to place themselves in the minds of the main characters, and even though some readers might find it a bit confusing to switch between then and now when it comes to Macy and Elliot’s story, Christina Lauren uses seamless transitions so that it’s clear why the scenes from the past are next to the scenes from the present, and for a story like Love and Other Words, it is paramount that Macy and Elliot’s history be shared because without it, readers wouldn’t understand why their present turned out the way it did or why they have to fight against their past in order to give themselves a real shot at a future.

4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

What to say about another impeccably written, unique, emotional, heart-felt story from two romance masters? Buy it! Read it! Listen to it! Love it! That pretty much sums it up!

Love and Other Words is a deeply moving story of innocent, bone-deep-love, heartbreaking loss and the wondrous gift of a second chance. The story is a rich and stirring account of first love broken up by misunderstandings, poor decisions, youth, and loss and mended together by devotion, time, and intention.

Macy and Elliot are meant to be and there is really nothing that can completely sever their bond and commitment to one another. Their story is told in chapters alternating between past and present. But, each is gripping and impactful.

I did a combo read and listen of Love and Other Words. Many of the most emotional bits were listened to in the car during my commute. I think that's the only thing that saved me from body-wracking-sobs during parts of the book. Just thinking about it makes my heart both heavy and full of hope. I don't think it's possible to read this story and come away unscathed. It will mark your heart, leaving you stunned and pondering the characters, their love and their second chance for days and weeks to come.

Buy it! Read it! Listen to it! Love it!

An advance copy of this book was received from the author. Receipt of this copy did not impact the content or independence of this review. BFF Book Blog also uses a set of icon ratings. This book received additional icons for: angst, butterflies, hero, heroine, romance, tears and happily ever after.

I have read a handful of Christina Lauren books and I am never disappointed. My blog partner has loved them for years, so I feel like I’m a little late to the party. But better late than never! First, I don't think Love and Other Words is women's fiction. This is straight up second chance romance for me. Period. Yes, it's her POV, but this is a romance. A heartbreaking, heart wrenching, heartwarming romance that left me sobbing and shaking with sadness, happiness and relief. I was hooked from the very first page and only stopped to sleep and eat. Barely. I haven't been this engrossed in a book in a long time. I couldn't read fast enough to see what was going to happen! Macy and Elliot met when they were fourteen. There was an instant attraction in a very innocent way. They shared the love of words and books and Elliot helped Macy talk about the loss of her mother. He was young, but so smart and just knew exactly what to say. It goes back and forth between now and then. They were each other's first loves. First everything. Flashbacks to how their childhood friendship blossomed into young adult love, to the present, when they see each other again after eleven years. Macy just walked away all those years ago and Elliot doesn't really understand why. He never stopped loving her. He never really moved on. It's always been her. Always. Macy has a life now. It's nice. It's normal. But there's no passion or real happiness until she sees Elliot again. Now she can't stop smiling or thinking of him, but the grief from what happened eleven years ago still haunts her. She's not sure she can trust in him again. Elliot isn't going to let her go again. He's not afraid to profess his feelings for her. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Macy is his person. His love. They have a lot to overcome. Decisions need to be made and the past needs to be brought back up. Will the truth tear them apart before they really have their second chance? Or will their love be strong enough to overcome the grief and loss a second time? This story gutted me! I loved it. Not going to lie, I was mad at Macy when I found out what happened, but I get it. She was young. She was lost. She was broken. She didn't trust in Elliot, but it made her who she is. It made him who he is. It brought them to where they are now. Like no time has passed. That sizzle is still there. That affection. That love. That lust. Overall, it was one of the best books I've read this year. I laughed, swooned, sobbed, got my heart broken and then put back together again. Elliot is the perfect sexy, nerdy, smart handsome hero who has all the rights words. Macy is struggling with who she is, was and who she wants to be. I loved going through this journey with her and I know I'm going to be thinking about this book for a long, long time. I want to go around an as everyone I know what their favorite word is.

"Girls want the shy geeks who know everything and have big hands and good teeth and say sweet things." I bit my lips closed, I might have said too much.
"Do you like my teeth?"

"Stop debate-teaming me."
"Who is the one?"
"You know I compare every boy to you. We aren't in revelation territory."
"You do?"
"Of course I do. How could I not? Remember? You're my best everything."

"Why can't everyone be like you?"
"I can be enough of your world that it feels like everyone is."

The author tells the story of Elliot and Macy through a series of flashbacks (then) and present day action (now). Secrets held for years are finally unearthed and true emotions surface. An excellent read!

I am a fan of angsty friends turn lovers books. I am also a fan of the work of Christina Lauren so I was excited when I got Love and Other Words.

Love and Other Words follows the great writing and story line I love from Christina Lauren! The passion I felt for this book was redic.... one minute I was to scream “COME ON” and at other minutes I was like “awwwww yes”. I love books that make me feel like I’m in the story and this book does it!!!

Love and Other Words in another great addition to the Christina Lauren collection. I have really enjoyed their books in the past and this is another good love story. I must admit that sometimes reading about people in their 20's dating and falling in love feels odd since I am much older but I still enjoy a good romance.
Macy and Elliot have a great story of best friends that grow up together, fall in love but then fall apart. I liked Macy even though she had very obvious emotional issues and was rather closed off. Elliot is funny and sweet as her book nerd friend and you can't help but root for them to figure their crap out. If I have to complain, I would say the last few chapters felt a bit rushed because I felt like there was so many emotions involved I would have liked a bit more of a fleshing out of those.
If you like a good angst-y friends-turned-lovers story I think this would be a great one for your beach bag this summer!