Love and Other Words

First love is difficult, and you never forget it. But, not everyone has a chance to go back again and experience those firsts with the person they left behind years ago. Macy and Elliot met over books years ago: sharing favorite moments, lines and scenes, that common thread turned to friendship which soon turned to love. Their first love. But now, years later, Mary is a resident in pediatrics with a settled plan, engaged to an older, successful man and setting herself up for an ‘expected’ life. She’s content and secure – both elements she feels are most important at this time, even if her fiancé doesn’t make her heart skip a beat. Then after an eleven year absence, Elliot appears. Bringing up all of those long-buried feelings of hope, butterflies and excitement that she thought weren’t for her. And of course, Elliot is even more attractive now than before: now that she knows that life isn’t always full of potential and excitement, and finding that one person you can share your deepest secrets and fears with is rare. Of course Elliot is everything she’s missing with her fiancé, things she didn’t even realize she wanted or needed, having pushed the emotions and feelings of that first love into a box. The authors have used a present / past device here that puts those emotions for both Mary and Elliot (and readers) into easy reach, smoothly presenting the development of their relationship as it happened, as they are restructuring and reacquainting themselves with who they are now, and then adjusting and allowing for the connection, built so long ago to reappear. There are bits of mystery surrounding the end of their young romance, as well as moments that show how both have grown and matured, and perhaps even matured in ways that could find them reliving the past while building to the future. Charming from the start, completely engaging and easy to see the relationship as it builds on two levels: past and present, keeping readers cheering them on and remembering their own firsts. A favorite read for characters, depth of story and the beautiful inserts of ‘past moments’ that help to both deepen and inform their present. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

This was really such a good book. Up to this point y only experiences with author(s) Christina Lauren was their 'Boss' series. Which was also very good, but definitely deeply the risqué end of the romance genre. This novel read totally differently and told a more serious and sweeter story their other work. Sometimes it can throw me off when an author writes a story totally different from their more typical style I didn't find that to be the case with this book at all. I was sucked in from the first page and devoured the book in its entirety in under 24 hours. The books begins with an adult Macy Sorenson desperately trying to avoid a man sees in a local coffee shop. A man she hasn't seen in 11 years but also describes as the love of her life. Flashing back and forth between current day and an 15 year countdown from her summer before 8th grade and the years leading up to their 11 year break the novel addresses the importance people play in a life both with their presence and by leaving us. At it's heart this book tells the tale of a second chance romance but also tells a coming of age story of every kind of love, loss heartache and growing up. This book made me laugh and cry and I didn't want it to be over so quickly. I would absolutely recommend this book to others and look forward to catching up on the authors backlist.

Christina Lauren is one of my go to one-click authors. I haven't read a book by this duo that I haven't loved. Love and Other Words is yet another magnificent masterpiece by these ultra talented ladies. Macy and Elliott's story is more than just a romance. It is a coming of age, second chance, best friends and family story with a hint of romance. Told through present day and flashbacks this story will grab a hold of your attention and your emotions, running you through a gauntlet of real life experiences. If you are new to Christina Lauren's writing then this is the perfect book to get your feet wet. Not as steamy as their Beautiful series and not a rom-com like Dating You/Hating Youbut thoroughly enjoyable all the same. 5 stars **Review by Amy W., Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night w/ Books**