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Love and Other Words
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.
Love, loss, friendship, and the betrayals of the past all collide in this first fiction novel from New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Christina Lauren (Autoboyography, Dating You / Hating You).
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.
Love, loss, friendship, and the betrayals of the past all collide in this first fiction novel from New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Christina Lauren (Autoboyography, Dating You / Hating You).
432 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2018
About the author
Christina Lauren
88 books79.5k followersChristina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced nineteen New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 30+ languages. (Some of these books have kissing. Some of these books have A LOT of kissing.)
We don't respond to private messages here, so please contact us via twitter (@seeCwrite for Christina and @LolaShoes for Lauren) or our site. Thank you!!
We don't respond to private messages here, so please contact us via twitter (@seeCwrite for Christina and @LolaShoes for Lauren) or our site. Thank you!!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65,399 reviews
January 27, 2022
me from two days ago: yooooooooo!!! this is kinda painful????? the heartbreak??? the angst??? could this be… a new favourite?????
me now: lol, anyway.
my favourite thing about reading this were my updates for the first 60% where I was clearly enjoying myself and all of you commenting like “you don’t like it? ☹️“ “why don’t you like it, Jonathan ☹️”, “please don’t write a mean review, Jonathan, this is my comfort book ☹️”
I literally thought I would rate it at least 4 stars at that point, probably more, so idk if you and me were seeing the same updates.
Anyway, y’all clearly jinxed this for me, so don’t complain about what’s to come.
idk what to think about this. I very much enjoyed it for the first like 60%.
I am a big fan of second chance romance because there is just so much opportunity for pain✨. second chance romance always has so much angst and it’s just chef’s kiss. big love. we all know I only read to experience pain✨ and angst✨ because my own life isn’t anxiety inducing enough. hahaha. just kidding, I had like seven panic attacks today.
and this one totally delivered on the pain and angst and anxiety at first and then the tables kinda tabled and now I just don’t even know what I’m feeling anymore.
those two got kinda… annoying after a while.
(there will be SPOILERS)
in the past chapters Macy just kept going on about Elliot’s dick and constantly dreaming about “what’s behind his zipper” and she would NOT SHUT UP ABOUT IT. there is only so much I can take. find another thing to obsess over. or at least use a different phrasing?? idk.
she was just too horny for her own good and, I’m gonna be honest with you, reading about two seventeen year olds fucking is not really my idea of a good time.
and her being like “oh you can go in raw, my dad put me on birth control :)” cool cool cool. kids use condoms please.
in the present chapters those two just refused to talk to each other about things that mattered. they hadn’t seen each other in 11 years and were like “let’s not mention what kept us apart for that long for like another six months, for dramatic effect”
they just kept going on like “oh we’ll talk next month about this”, “oh let’s talk next week”
even during their super emotional (not really super emotional because they obviously had to have sex outside before this and were talking about half of the things that kept them apart while Elliot still had his dick inside her, which was very awkward because at one point he was like “I never wanted to be inside another woman, only in you” and then they made me believe he actually cheated on her, but we’ll get to that. anyway, fantastic conversation to have while his limp dick is still inside “lmao, remember when you thought I slept with another girl and then didn’t talk to me for 11 years? what do you mean there’s actually more?”)
even during that Macy is like “let’s talk tomorrow” NO BITCH JUST FUCKING HAVE THIS CONVERSATION NOW, MY DAYS ON THIS PLANET ARE LIMITED, YOU ARE WASTING MY TIME.
and then she actually left??? we really had to drag this drama out, huh
every normal person would have been like “oh yeah my dad died exactly on the day I stopped talking to you” the moment he brought her dad up (on like the first day of meeting again).
honestly, they could have resolved this even faster. she wasn’t even mad about him “cheating” on her, she just said she was very depressed about her dad. I get it, but Elliot was allegedly your soulmate and your rock and the only one you ever trusted, and you really didn’t even want his support? he reached out multiple times? idk. the drama was dragged out so much that you'd think Elliot literally stabbed her dad himself.
everything about his could have been resolved fifteen years ago. even though it was only eleven since it happened.
I also did not appreciate the author trying to sell what was a very obvious r*pe situation as Elliot cheating on Macy (accidentally). he was very drunk and passed out and he thought he was sleeping with Macy, meanwhile Emma just took advantage of him. he even admitted to being afraid of intimacy many years down the line but that was just shrugged off. who cares about male r*pe victims, am I right fellas.
idk. I’m really disappointed in this one as it showed promise in the beginning. 2 stars? 2.5 stars? 3 stars? 1 star? I’ll roll a dice.
(btw, I read this as my January book for the 12-challenge. thanks to shell for the recommendation, you were so close but -)
April 28, 2018
Yikes.... I guess I'm in the minority here with my opinion, but I did not enjoy this one. If you know me, you know I LOVE Christina Lauren, I consider them one of my favorite authors, but this book was just so meh. This is their first "women's fiction" novel, even though I don't know how this is different from a new adult romance.
This story follows Macy and Elliot, who met when they were kids. The story alternates chapters between when they were kids and now, years later when they are both adults. Macy's Mom died when she was a kid, and her Dad got them a "getaway" house at the lake, and they moved in next door to Elliot's family. This house has a special closet that's like a mini-library and they spend most of their summers and weekends reading in there together. In the present chapters, Macy and Elliot haven't spoken in years and now Macy is a nurse and she is engaged to this guy who has a daughter that she's only known for six months. Macy runs into Elliot randomly again and she gets blasted with feelings for Elliot and questions whether she really wants to marry Sean.
I think my main problem with this book is that I didn't like Macy or Elliot as characters. They were both impulsive and annoying, and irritating to read about. I liked their reading closet and how they both loved books, but that's literally the only thing I liked about this story. They spent most of their teenage years talking about kissing and sex and masturbating and 'omg who are you dating?' and 'do you have a girlfriend?' and 'omg why aren't we together???' and I just got annoyed really fast. And then don't even get me started on the adult Macy and Elliot. I know I wasn't going to like this book from the moment Elliot in general just bothered me and I couldn't figure out exactly why. Their romance was so bland and forgettable.
I still love Christina Lauren, and I'm still going to read everything they publish in the future, but this book was a major disappointment.
This story follows Macy and Elliot, who met when they were kids. The story alternates chapters between when they were kids and now, years later when they are both adults. Macy's Mom died when she was a kid, and her Dad got them a "getaway" house at the lake, and they moved in next door to Elliot's family. This house has a special closet that's like a mini-library and they spend most of their summers and weekends reading in there together. In the present chapters, Macy and Elliot haven't spoken in years and now Macy is a nurse and she is engaged to this guy who has a daughter that she's only known for six months. Macy runs into Elliot randomly again and she gets blasted with feelings for Elliot and questions whether she really wants to marry Sean.
I think my main problem with this book is that I didn't like Macy or Elliot as characters. They were both impulsive and annoying, and irritating to read about. I liked their reading closet and how they both loved books, but that's literally the only thing I liked about this story. They spent most of their teenage years talking about kissing and sex and masturbating and 'omg who are you dating?' and 'do you have a girlfriend?' and 'omg why aren't we together???' and I just got annoyed really fast. And then don't even get me started on the adult Macy and Elliot. I know I wasn't going to like this book from the moment Elliot in general just bothered me and I couldn't figure out exactly why. Their romance was so bland and forgettable.
I still love Christina Lauren, and I'm still going to read everything they publish in the future, but this book was a major disappointment.
November 1, 2021
BRUV WTF !?!? HOLY SHIT THE THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD!!
ok y’all i’m telling you, childhood best friends to lovers to second chance romance to lovers is such an under appreciated trope!! fuck !! i loved this book !
it was so beautifully written, it felt very lyrical, and vivid. perhaps my favorite part about this book was how the writing-only being in one POV- still kept me engaged and engrossed. the detail and scene building was down flawlessly, at times my heart was racing.
i was on the edge of my seat wishing the best for these characters. i love how the authors connected the dots together at the end. really made it full circle. shit like that makes me all giddy and giggly inside. istg i love it so much.
these characters deserve the WORLD!!! bro!! fucking Elliot was such a beautifully written character. and the chemistry between Macy and Elliott was tangible since the first day they met.
some parts were predictable and some parts came out of nowhere. but i ended the book was the biggest smile on my face. these characters have king heart ❤️
ok y’all i’m telling you, childhood best friends to lovers to second chance romance to lovers is such an under appreciated trope!! fuck !! i loved this book !
it was so beautifully written, it felt very lyrical, and vivid. perhaps my favorite part about this book was how the writing-only being in one POV- still kept me engaged and engrossed. the detail and scene building was down flawlessly, at times my heart was racing.
i was on the edge of my seat wishing the best for these characters. i love how the authors connected the dots together at the end. really made it full circle. shit like that makes me all giddy and giggly inside. istg i love it so much.
these characters deserve the WORLD!!! bro!! fucking Elliot was such a beautifully written character. and the chemistry between Macy and Elliott was tangible since the first day they met.
some parts were predictable and some parts came out of nowhere. but i ended the book was the biggest smile on my face. these characters have king heart ❤️
August 12, 2021
its been said that beautiful things dont ask for attention. and oh, how humbly beautiful this book is.
it is also simple, but its an elegant simplicity. the story itself isnt flashy; it doesnt rely on gimmicks or beg for the reader to notice it. it is just a quiet story about boy and a girl who grew up to love each other.
a book like this deserves a thousand word review, but all i have to say is how grateful i am that stories like this have been written - stories that create an honest moment of beauty and love - and make the world just a little bit better, just a little bit more lovely.
↠ 5 stars
it is also simple, but its an elegant simplicity. the story itself isnt flashy; it doesnt rely on gimmicks or beg for the reader to notice it. it is just a quiet story about boy and a girl who grew up to love each other.
a book like this deserves a thousand word review, but all i have to say is how grateful i am that stories like this have been written - stories that create an honest moment of beauty and love - and make the world just a little bit better, just a little bit more lovely.
↠ 5 stars
October 8, 2021
I would die for this book. I would just simply DIE.
if God told me “pauline, walk into an erupting volcano or I’m erasing this book from the world” I’d take a running head start into the lava
if God told me “pauline, walk into an erupting volcano or I’m erasing this book from the world” I’d take a running head start into the lava
May 26, 2022
i will never find love like this
October 31, 2022
can the other words please be an apology to me?
July 19, 2023
— 3.75 stars ✰
“favorite word?”
“you”
crying throwing up banging my head against the wall
nothing more heartbreaking than a book with flashback and present pov‘s where you see them falling in love in the first time frame, and finding their way back to each other in the second one. and let’s not forget the inevitable fallout they had in the past 😭 this book is just so heart wrenching and so much better than anticipated
elliot is just perfect. considerate, thoughtful, attentive, kind, sweet elliot. there isn’t even much left to say about him besides that i loved their banter in the flashback scenes. him breaking up with his girlfriend after seeing macy for the first time in eleven years? big green flag, i mean at least he didn’t lead the other girl on since he realized he’ll never be over macy.
macy is.. what exactly is macy? i‘ve read everything through her perspective but do i really know her? everything was about elliot, how they met, how they bonded, how unhappy she was in the present scenes, how dull her life was without elliot.. but other than that i can’t say much about her which is pretty sad. i felt with her near the end of the book but i wish i could’ve bonded more with her.
elliot and macy were made for each other. i think childhood best friends to lovers is such a cute trope and now add in second chance and you will have the heartbreak of the century.
“you had to have known
that i’d be here, waiting”
their flashbacks were so swoon worthy. the way they were asking about each other‘s love life in a way to not be obvious but were exactly that, how macy got jealous whenever elliot mentioned another girl and vice versa.
“but it will be hard for me to just
be your friend, macy. it’s not in my dna.”
heart wrenching, soul crushing, gut twisting, the ending ended me and i really wasn’t ready for that. reading the first 80% of the book i knew my heart will shatter any second now, and it did.
i must say that there’s not exactly that much plot. i find it to be an easy and quick read & I just finished the book but i couldn’t really tell you what actually happened besides them falling in love lol
spoilers!!
i don’t get why no one is talking about the SA at the end of the book. emma clearly took advantage of him and i don’t understand how that topic was just brushed over like it was nothing. that’s why my rating for the book is low in comparison to what it could’ve been if the ending would’ve been better.
“favorite word?”
“you”
crying throwing up banging my head against the wall
nothing more heartbreaking than a book with flashback and present pov‘s where you see them falling in love in the first time frame, and finding their way back to each other in the second one. and let’s not forget the inevitable fallout they had in the past 😭 this book is just so heart wrenching and so much better than anticipated
elliot is just perfect. considerate, thoughtful, attentive, kind, sweet elliot. there isn’t even much left to say about him besides that i loved their banter in the flashback scenes. him breaking up with his girlfriend after seeing macy for the first time in eleven years? big green flag, i mean at least he didn’t lead the other girl on since he realized he’ll never be over macy.
macy is.. what exactly is macy? i‘ve read everything through her perspective but do i really know her? everything was about elliot, how they met, how they bonded, how unhappy she was in the present scenes, how dull her life was without elliot.. but other than that i can’t say much about her which is pretty sad. i felt with her near the end of the book but i wish i could’ve bonded more with her.
elliot and macy were made for each other. i think childhood best friends to lovers is such a cute trope and now add in second chance and you will have the heartbreak of the century.
“you had to have known
that i’d be here, waiting”
their flashbacks were so swoon worthy. the way they were asking about each other‘s love life in a way to not be obvious but were exactly that, how macy got jealous whenever elliot mentioned another girl and vice versa.
“but it will be hard for me to just
be your friend, macy. it’s not in my dna.”
heart wrenching, soul crushing, gut twisting, the ending ended me and i really wasn’t ready for that. reading the first 80% of the book i knew my heart will shatter any second now, and it did.
i must say that there’s not exactly that much plot. i find it to be an easy and quick read & I just finished the book but i couldn’t really tell you what actually happened besides them falling in love lol
spoilers!!
i don’t get why no one is talking about the SA at the end of the book. emma clearly took advantage of him and i don’t understand how that topic was just brushed over like it was nothing. that’s why my rating for the book is low in comparison to what it could’ve been if the ending would’ve been better.
April 17, 2018
This was close to being a 3 or 3.5. The story was compelling enough to keep me reading quickly, though in hindsight the characters themselves were kind of...bland. I wanted to like Elliott more than I did, as he was a sweetheart, but something was just missing for me. But I really wanted to know the twist/conflict that led to the 11-year radio silence between the two MCs.
About 90% in we finally get there, and it is...super problematic.
About 90% in we finally get there, and it is...super problematic.
March 15, 2023
Yes, I love it, I love it, I love it!
After the frustration of “Twice in a blue moon” and “Honey don’t list”, I finally found a story to fall in love with from one of my favorite author duo! Hell, yeah! Of course “Josh &Hazel’s Guide to not dating” will always be my number book of these writers but at least I found my number two!
I loved Macy and Elliot, how grew up together, formed an amazing friendship, their love for the books, their quirkiness and common tastes and how they realized they fell for each other. But at the very same night, when Elliot comes clean about his feelings, everything turns into something messy and Macy’s heart gets broken. They never see each other for 11 years. I kept screaming and wanted to know why the reason Macy got so much hurt. (I hardly to restraint myself not to skip now and then part and read the end of the story to learn more!)
Macy suffers a lot and tries to gather her broken pieces, starting a new life in San Francisco, she becomes a pediatric critical care resident and she’s engaged with an older but trustworthy, caring man who has a young daughter. She seems fine and she’s coped well. But when she sees Elliot at the cafeteria close to her hospital, her past slaps her one more time that she realizes that she’s not over him.
What happened that night? Why two people who are crazy in love ruined everything? Why any of them tried to make things right? And now, what’s gonna happen? Will Macy forgive Elliot and learn to trust him again? Will Elliot do something to take this girl back? Macy knows he is her destiny, he is her person. She didn’t love anybody even her fiancée as much as she loved him!
Oh boy! This book is so emotional, sweet and also sad, heartbreaking! My emotions are everywhere and I cannot blame any of these characters. They are not flawless. They made big mistakes and both of them are equally guilty for ruining the special relation they had. I both love them so much and I hurt for them and I ache for their painful 11 years. And the revelation part was nice touch. This was angsty but also touchy, lovely story.
I’m so thankful after so long I’m giving full 5 stars for this power duo’s wonderful book and so happy to read good romance. (I feel like I waited for decades.) 2019 was so frustrating year for my romance reads ( Well met, Get a life Chloe Brown and Regretting You are best books.) And it’s too early to say something about this year so for my romance craving, I started to read relatively old and recommended books from my pile for being better safe then sorry. And thankfully I’m not sorry right now! I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!
After the frustration of “Twice in a blue moon” and “Honey don’t list”, I finally found a story to fall in love with from one of my favorite author duo! Hell, yeah! Of course “Josh &Hazel’s Guide to not dating” will always be my number book of these writers but at least I found my number two!
I loved Macy and Elliot, how grew up together, formed an amazing friendship, their love for the books, their quirkiness and common tastes and how they realized they fell for each other. But at the very same night, when Elliot comes clean about his feelings, everything turns into something messy and Macy’s heart gets broken. They never see each other for 11 years. I kept screaming and wanted to know why the reason Macy got so much hurt. (I hardly to restraint myself not to skip now and then part and read the end of the story to learn more!)
Macy suffers a lot and tries to gather her broken pieces, starting a new life in San Francisco, she becomes a pediatric critical care resident and she’s engaged with an older but trustworthy, caring man who has a young daughter. She seems fine and she’s coped well. But when she sees Elliot at the cafeteria close to her hospital, her past slaps her one more time that she realizes that she’s not over him.
What happened that night? Why two people who are crazy in love ruined everything? Why any of them tried to make things right? And now, what’s gonna happen? Will Macy forgive Elliot and learn to trust him again? Will Elliot do something to take this girl back? Macy knows he is her destiny, he is her person. She didn’t love anybody even her fiancée as much as she loved him!
Oh boy! This book is so emotional, sweet and also sad, heartbreaking! My emotions are everywhere and I cannot blame any of these characters. They are not flawless. They made big mistakes and both of them are equally guilty for ruining the special relation they had. I both love them so much and I hurt for them and I ache for their painful 11 years. And the revelation part was nice touch. This was angsty but also touchy, lovely story.
I’m so thankful after so long I’m giving full 5 stars for this power duo’s wonderful book and so happy to read good romance. (I feel like I waited for decades.) 2019 was so frustrating year for my romance reads ( Well met, Get a life Chloe Brown and Regretting You are best books.) And it’s too early to say something about this year so for my romance craving, I started to read relatively old and recommended books from my pile for being better safe then sorry. And thankfully I’m not sorry right now! I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!
April 10, 2018
➳A second chance at finding the honest truth but also, discovering the beauty of what friendship does to enhance a new romantic relationship between two soul mates...
➳I don't think there are enough words to describe how soul-soothing amazing the words that Christina Lauren create bring to my life. It's indeed very hard to find a novel that will not only connect with you in an entertainment kind of way, but also emotionally when it comes down to sensible topics such as second chances at finding the honesty of the past, family lose, finding a new family for comfort, and also being with the one true person that has showed tenderness, joy, and sadness all in one bundle since the moment you have met. That's who Macy and Elliot are in this flashback of a romance story that fascinate and swoop you off your feet, making you not want to get up from whatever comfortable reading position you read in just so you find out what happens in the next chapter, and the chapter after that, and after that one, and after that one, and so on...
➳This romance novel is not like your any day romance novel that's for sure. With the history that Elliot and Macy have, it is that same reason that makes this novel so worth of being enamored by it in ways that one would not expect. That one mystery that makes you question "what happened to them?" is always there as well, drawing you to the page and their flashbacks. The contentment between Elliot and Macy is there, even after years of not seeing each other, the warmth and recognition is still there. As an advocate of romances with possessive alpha males, love at first sight, strong held friendships that lead to a romantic affair (in the good way), and finding an ending that doesn't lead you to questioning what happens next, I can declare this new CLo book a masterpiece that is no surprise to me will become a hit for many who adore their writing.
➳The emotional side of CLo has one hundred percent shown in this new novel, and to many may enjoy it, but it is indeed a romance that no one should pass along and forget about. It comforts you, it soothes you, it gravitates towards you to continue and enjoy the chemistry that Elliot and Macy have. The messages of the lose, the gain, and the remembrance of family is one that certainly makes you stop and think about what you truly have and the who are the people that surround and care for you. Personally, I have taken my family for granted for so many years, but with the presence of this novel I have succumbed to the realization that family will always be there, through the thick and thin, the enjoyable times and downfall times, and the confusing and understandable times, family will always be there to show us how love truly enhances in an individual.
➳Overall, this fictional romance novel that has gained so much of my respect this year and has become one of my favorites can officially be declared as a unique story that so many should read. Those who are fans of Christina Lauren and for those who are not but still rehash to the romance genre, Love and Other Words is a story filled with unique and unforgettable moments. Thank you to my favorite publishers at Gallery Books for providing an early copy that I will forever take advantage of re-reading over and over again.
➳ARC kindly provided by Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review...
➳Follow Me On:
Blog ♕ Instagram ♕ Facebook ♕ Twitter
➳I don't think there are enough words to describe how soul-soothing amazing the words that Christina Lauren create bring to my life. It's indeed very hard to find a novel that will not only connect with you in an entertainment kind of way, but also emotionally when it comes down to sensible topics such as second chances at finding the honesty of the past, family lose, finding a new family for comfort, and also being with the one true person that has showed tenderness, joy, and sadness all in one bundle since the moment you have met. That's who Macy and Elliot are in this flashback of a romance story that fascinate and swoop you off your feet, making you not want to get up from whatever comfortable reading position you read in just so you find out what happens in the next chapter, and the chapter after that, and after that one, and after that one, and so on...
➳This romance novel is not like your any day romance novel that's for sure. With the history that Elliot and Macy have, it is that same reason that makes this novel so worth of being enamored by it in ways that one would not expect. That one mystery that makes you question "what happened to them?" is always there as well, drawing you to the page and their flashbacks. The contentment between Elliot and Macy is there, even after years of not seeing each other, the warmth and recognition is still there. As an advocate of romances with possessive alpha males, love at first sight, strong held friendships that lead to a romantic affair (in the good way), and finding an ending that doesn't lead you to questioning what happens next, I can declare this new CLo book a masterpiece that is no surprise to me will become a hit for many who adore their writing.
➳The emotional side of CLo has one hundred percent shown in this new novel, and to many may enjoy it, but it is indeed a romance that no one should pass along and forget about. It comforts you, it soothes you, it gravitates towards you to continue and enjoy the chemistry that Elliot and Macy have. The messages of the lose, the gain, and the remembrance of family is one that certainly makes you stop and think about what you truly have and the who are the people that surround and care for you. Personally, I have taken my family for granted for so many years, but with the presence of this novel I have succumbed to the realization that family will always be there, through the thick and thin, the enjoyable times and downfall times, and the confusing and understandable times, family will always be there to show us how love truly enhances in an individual.
➳Overall, this fictional romance novel that has gained so much of my respect this year and has become one of my favorites can officially be declared as a unique story that so many should read. Those who are fans of Christina Lauren and for those who are not but still rehash to the romance genre, Love and Other Words is a story filled with unique and unforgettable moments. Thank you to my favorite publishers at Gallery Books for providing an early copy that I will forever take advantage of re-reading over and over again.
➳ARC kindly provided by Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review...
➳Follow Me On:
Blog ♕ Instagram ♕ Facebook ♕ Twitter
April 2, 2018
Loved Loved Loved!!! This book is pure bliss on so many levels. Not only do we have amazing characters to love, we have amazing characters who love books and words, and their favorite books and favorite words fuel their romance!
Love and Other Words is an enthralling read about friendship, first love, and broken hearts.
I am not including a summary--just read this book!
Oftentimes, I find romance novels tend to not go beyond the surface and are often just formulaic. Love and Other Words is a little formulaic, but what makes this so enjoyable is that the characters have depth. While they have their flaws, they are both likable and I loved reading about Elliot and Macy’s friendship and how they came to fall in love. There is also a level of emotional intensity that I was not expecting. While there is a happy ending, there are some unexpected tragedies.
I was obsessed while reading this and I had to force myself to put it down! It was a surprisingly good and satisfying escape from the dark thrillers that I normally read. This is the first book by Christina Lauren that I have read and I now plan on reading ALL of their books asap!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.
Love and Other Words is an enthralling read about friendship, first love, and broken hearts.
I am not including a summary--just read this book!
Oftentimes, I find romance novels tend to not go beyond the surface and are often just formulaic. Love and Other Words is a little formulaic, but what makes this so enjoyable is that the characters have depth. While they have their flaws, they are both likable and I loved reading about Elliot and Macy’s friendship and how they came to fall in love. There is also a level of emotional intensity that I was not expecting. While there is a happy ending, there are some unexpected tragedies.
I was obsessed while reading this and I had to force myself to put it down! It was a surprisingly good and satisfying escape from the dark thrillers that I normally read. This is the first book by Christina Lauren that I have read and I now plan on reading ALL of their books asap!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2024
★ 4 stars
I love this book. I'm in love with this book. I dreamt about this book last night. You're probably thinking, well why didn't you give it 5 stars? Unfortunately, I can't tell you why without spoiling so I've included a spoiler warning towards the end of the review with the reason. The rest of the review is spoiler free.
❥ The Plot
Love and Other Words follows Macy Sorensen's POV as she navigates life from her early teenage years up until adulthood. Macy lost her mother to cancer at 10 years old and is finding her way through this grief and the reality of being a young girl growing up without a mum with a father who is trying his best, but can't replace the female figure she lost. When life got too much, Macy's mother wanted her to have an escape, so her father purchased a holiday property where she could recharge. At 13 years old, she then meets her new next-door neighbour, Elliot Petropoulos.
Macy's story is told in dual timelines which alternate from 15 years prior to present. The flashbacks gradually give you a glimpse into Macy and Elliot's childhood bond from 15 years prior up until 11 years prior when they stopped speaking. Flashback to current time, they run into each other after 11 years apart and you begin to see their story unfold.
❥ Tropes
➸ Friends to lovers
➸ Childhood firsts
➸ Second chance romance
╰⪼ Thoughts
This book made me feel like a teenager again, giddy and falling in love. I was kicking my feet and squealing watching these two in the flashbacks fall in love with each other in their awkward years. Every little girl needs an Elliot in their life, I can only imagine what adult life would look like for women if all of our first loves were like this one. Elliot was wise beyond his years at just 14 years old up until 18, when it was then cut back to present time. He was beacon for Macy and filled the void in every way that her father couldn't.
I loved their secret reading closet, where they escaped and shared their love for books. Their exchange of impromptue favourite words was touching as they used this as a way to speak with each other when they were too young to understand to voice how they were really feeling. Elliot also didn't shy away from topics most boys his age would be insecure about as he understood how hard it must be to be in Macy's position without her mother. Their rawness and honesty was beautiful.
I thought the letters her mother left her were stunning, she truly did think of everything and I can only imagine how hard to read but precious those words would have been when Macy needed them through each milestone as became a woman.
In present tense we learn in the first chapter that Macy is engaged to Sean and is a paediatric doctor when she runs into Elliot for the first time. I liked Sean to begin with but as we learned more about their relationship this changed. I think this relationship sent an important message about trauma bonding and how sometimes we are just passengers in our life, following a routine, moving through motions but not actually feeling and living.
As the story unfolds in present tense we watch Elliot and Macy reconnect as friends but they share such a deep connection that it can never be just friends. He sees right through Macy's denial and isn't afraid to be honest with her about it. I loved how they communicated so effortlessly on hard topics and how Macy reflected on her choices without getting defensive. I was flying through this book at the end as the tension was building and we were starting to find out what happened to pull them apart.
The Ending
This book was 5 stars for me up until the last 40 pages which makes me so sad to write, but the event was significant enough that I had to reduce a star. I don't have it in me to lower it anymore than that because of how much I loved the other 90% of the book.
**SPOILER WARNING**
-
-
-
I didn't like how the book dealt with Elliot's assault. There's nothing else to call it than that. The author left things intentionally vague on the details, we didn't get a deep conversation about it. Elliot didn't express how he felt about it but there was enough of an allusion that he was sexually assaulted. When he later described his next sexual experience after this and broke down in hysterics it made me feel physically ill. I just wish there was a few extra chapters dedicated to Elliot's trauma before it was wrapped up because it was entirely skipped over and the word 'cheating' was still being thrown around. This discussion would have added a lot more depth to the story.
-
-
-
**END OF SPOILER**
Overall, I fell in love with Christina's storytelling and beautiful writing, it captured the essence of grief, first loves and heartbreak perfectly. I love the characters she created with all my heart, this book is just truly so beautiful. I haven't felt this way about a contemporary romance for a long time and despite my qualm, I encourage everyone to pick this up off the shelf if you've been putting this off.
❥ Quotes
"Do you think of her in this room? Is that why you love this room?"
"I love this room because I love reading." And because when I find a book that makes me lose myself for just one hour, I forget. And because my dad thinks of my mom every time he buys me a book. And because you're here and I feel about a thousand times less lonely with you. 🫠
“I told you that once like five months ago.”
"Shouldn't you only have to tell me once.” Oooof 🥺
“Why can’t everyone be like you?”
“I can be enough of your world that it feels like everyone is.” 💔
“Treat your body carefully. Take care of it. Don't let anyone abuse it, and don't abuse it yourself. Every inch of your skin I made diligently, months I slaved over you. You are my masterpiece.” 🤧
“When Elliot walked up to us… I swear that was the first time I’d seen you smile like that – with your entire body – and it made me question everything about your personality before then.” 🥹
“I'm not going anywhere Mace. I need you the same way you need me, okay?” 💘
“I like your kind of quiet. Your heart isn’t quiet.” 🥰
“You’re the love of my life. I assumed i would get over you eventually, but seeing you yesterday?” He shakes his head. “I couldn’t go home to someone else and pretend to love her with everything I have.” 😩
“I want us to move past this closet.” ‼️This was so metaphorical for their relationship
“Favourite word?” he whispers.
I don’t even hesitate: “You.” 😭
⎯⎯ ୨ Pre-review: ୧ ⎯⎯
I'm going from a creepy thriller to a book I'm expecting to make me cry 👀 tell me you're a mood reader without telling me you're a mood reader 🤭
Thanks bby Nina for helping me pick my next read 💗
"I love you, and I lust you and I want you. I love you as the person I want to be with forever."
I love this book. I'm in love with this book. I dreamt about this book last night. You're probably thinking, well why didn't you give it 5 stars? Unfortunately, I can't tell you why without spoiling so I've included a spoiler warning towards the end of the review with the reason. The rest of the review is spoiler free.
❥ The Plot
Love and Other Words follows Macy Sorensen's POV as she navigates life from her early teenage years up until adulthood. Macy lost her mother to cancer at 10 years old and is finding her way through this grief and the reality of being a young girl growing up without a mum with a father who is trying his best, but can't replace the female figure she lost. When life got too much, Macy's mother wanted her to have an escape, so her father purchased a holiday property where she could recharge. At 13 years old, she then meets her new next-door neighbour, Elliot Petropoulos.
Macy's story is told in dual timelines which alternate from 15 years prior to present. The flashbacks gradually give you a glimpse into Macy and Elliot's childhood bond from 15 years prior up until 11 years prior when they stopped speaking. Flashback to current time, they run into each other after 11 years apart and you begin to see their story unfold.
❥ Tropes
➸ Friends to lovers
➸ Childhood firsts
➸ Second chance romance
╰⪼ Thoughts
This book made me feel like a teenager again, giddy and falling in love. I was kicking my feet and squealing watching these two in the flashbacks fall in love with each other in their awkward years. Every little girl needs an Elliot in their life, I can only imagine what adult life would look like for women if all of our first loves were like this one. Elliot was wise beyond his years at just 14 years old up until 18, when it was then cut back to present time. He was beacon for Macy and filled the void in every way that her father couldn't.
I loved their secret reading closet, where they escaped and shared their love for books. Their exchange of impromptue favourite words was touching as they used this as a way to speak with each other when they were too young to understand to voice how they were really feeling. Elliot also didn't shy away from topics most boys his age would be insecure about as he understood how hard it must be to be in Macy's position without her mother. Their rawness and honesty was beautiful.
I thought the letters her mother left her were stunning, she truly did think of everything and I can only imagine how hard to read but precious those words would have been when Macy needed them through each milestone as became a woman.
In present tense we learn in the first chapter that Macy is engaged to Sean and is a paediatric doctor when she runs into Elliot for the first time. I liked Sean to begin with but as we learned more about their relationship this changed. I think this relationship sent an important message about trauma bonding and how sometimes we are just passengers in our life, following a routine, moving through motions but not actually feeling and living.
As the story unfolds in present tense we watch Elliot and Macy reconnect as friends but they share such a deep connection that it can never be just friends. He sees right through Macy's denial and isn't afraid to be honest with her about it. I loved how they communicated so effortlessly on hard topics and how Macy reflected on her choices without getting defensive. I was flying through this book at the end as the tension was building and we were starting to find out what happened to pull them apart.
"I never got to fall out of love. I just had to move on."
The Ending
This book was 5 stars for me up until the last 40 pages which makes me so sad to write, but the event was significant enough that I had to reduce a star. I don't have it in me to lower it anymore than that because of how much I loved the other 90% of the book.
**SPOILER WARNING**
-
-
-
I didn't like how the book dealt with Elliot's assault. There's nothing else to call it than that. The author left things intentionally vague on the details, we didn't get a deep conversation about it. Elliot didn't express how he felt about it but there was enough of an allusion that he was sexually assaulted. When he later described his next sexual experience after this and broke down in hysterics it made me feel physically ill. I just wish there was a few extra chapters dedicated to Elliot's trauma before it was wrapped up because it was entirely skipped over and the word 'cheating' was still being thrown around. This discussion would have added a lot more depth to the story.
-
-
-
**END OF SPOILER**
Overall, I fell in love with Christina's storytelling and beautiful writing, it captured the essence of grief, first loves and heartbreak perfectly. I love the characters she created with all my heart, this book is just truly so beautiful. I haven't felt this way about a contemporary romance for a long time and despite my qualm, I encourage everyone to pick this up off the shelf if you've been putting this off.
❥ Quotes
"Do you think of her in this room? Is that why you love this room?"
"I love this room because I love reading." And because when I find a book that makes me lose myself for just one hour, I forget. And because my dad thinks of my mom every time he buys me a book. And because you're here and I feel about a thousand times less lonely with you. 🫠
“I told you that once like five months ago.”
"Shouldn't you only have to tell me once.” Oooof 🥺
“Why can’t everyone be like you?”
“I can be enough of your world that it feels like everyone is.” 💔
“Treat your body carefully. Take care of it. Don't let anyone abuse it, and don't abuse it yourself. Every inch of your skin I made diligently, months I slaved over you. You are my masterpiece.” 🤧
“When Elliot walked up to us… I swear that was the first time I’d seen you smile like that – with your entire body – and it made me question everything about your personality before then.” 🥹
“I'm not going anywhere Mace. I need you the same way you need me, okay?” 💘
“I like your kind of quiet. Your heart isn’t quiet.” 🥰
“You’re the love of my life. I assumed i would get over you eventually, but seeing you yesterday?” He shakes his head. “I couldn’t go home to someone else and pretend to love her with everything I have.” 😩
“I want us to move past this closet.” ‼️This was so metaphorical for their relationship
“Favourite word?” he whispers.
I don’t even hesitate: “You.” 😭
⎯⎯ ୨ Pre-review: ୧ ⎯⎯
I'm going from a creepy thriller to a book I'm expecting to make me cry 👀 tell me you're a mood reader without telling me you're a mood reader 🤭
Thanks bby Nina for helping me pick my next read 💗
June 20, 2023
spoiler below
god i love best friends to lovers trope and this was IT. it is a cute love story and i just adored their love for each other from when they were teenagers to now, there’s just something so precious about how they interact w each other <3
it was a bit of a slow read but i finally got out of the slump to finish this book bc i rly needed the answer to what broke macy and elliot up and what happened to macy’s dad :((
— im normally not a fan of alternate timelines, but i ate it up here. this was the best aspect of the book imo — i was so invested in both the past and the present storylines that I couldn’t wait to find out what actually happened between elliot and macy when they were teenagers and the anticipation of finding out why they broke up.
i love elliot sm — when will i find a cute book nerd neighbour who is hopelessly in love with me!!
spoiler:
elliot’s story was so tragic i don’t get why the authors brushed it off and never addressed it fully. they painted it like he cheated on macy and completely overlooked elliot’s trauma, he was SA’d and many details indicated he was taken advantage of while he was blackout drunk. i hate how he had to apologise for what happened between them, it was NOT HIS FAULT!! there was a very misandrist undertone w the way elliot’s SA was handled!! i wish we got elliot’s POV of what happened that night, the authors only focused on how it affected macy and that literally broke my heart bc there is already so little representation for male sexual assault victims, and this novel handled such a serious topic so poorly.
god i love best friends to lovers trope and this was IT. it is a cute love story and i just adored their love for each other from when they were teenagers to now, there’s just something so precious about how they interact w each other <3
it was a bit of a slow read but i finally got out of the slump to finish this book bc i rly needed the answer to what broke macy and elliot up and what happened to macy’s dad :((
— im normally not a fan of alternate timelines, but i ate it up here. this was the best aspect of the book imo — i was so invested in both the past and the present storylines that I couldn’t wait to find out what actually happened between elliot and macy when they were teenagers and the anticipation of finding out why they broke up.
i love elliot sm — when will i find a cute book nerd neighbour who is hopelessly in love with me!!
spoiler:
elliot’s story was so tragic i don’t get why the authors brushed it off and never addressed it fully. they painted it like he cheated on macy and completely overlooked elliot’s trauma, he was SA’d and many details indicated he was taken advantage of while he was blackout drunk. i hate how he had to apologise for what happened between them, it was NOT HIS FAULT!! there was a very misandrist undertone w the way elliot’s SA was handled!! i wish we got elliot’s POV of what happened that night, the authors only focused on how it affected macy and that literally broke my heart bc there is already so little representation for male sexual assault victims, and this novel handled such a serious topic so poorly.
November 29, 2021
LOVED THIS!!! Love and Other Words is impossibly sweet. I just love when a book reminds me of how single I am in every page. Truthfully, Elliot is like top 5 book boyfriends of all time; he is perfect. And Macy is a pretty relatable MC. I also enjoy the format of the book, how the chapters alternate from past to present. Nothing really major or shocking happens (veryyyy slow burn, but satisfactory), but it is such a cute read that I couldn’t put down!! The whole thing just feels very intimate, and you can feel the passion emanating from the words. Amazing.
November 11, 2018
What is your favorite word?
Love and Other words is a second chance love story told in alternating timelines about two people who met and fell in love while growing up and then re-met eleven years later. Macy and Elliot met during an open house when Macy found Elliot reading a book in a closet. Macy's father purchased this second home for them after his wife (Macy's mother) passed away. Macy and her father would go to their cabin home on weekends and spend their summers there. Since the day they first met, when she was 13 and he was 14, Macy and Elliot bonded over their love of books and became best friends who fell in love during their teenage years. They could talk about anything and shared a very close bond. Then their relationship ended, and they had not seen or spoken to each other in eleven years. Then the two meet accidentally in a coffee shop, eleven years later. and the spark is still there. There is a complication of course, isn't there always with romance books - and yes, this is a romance book and a coming of age story rolled into one -even if it is classified as something else.
I enjoyed this book from the get-go even though it looks as if it took me 5 days to read. I started this book and had to finish other reading obligations but then tore through this one yesterday. This book is very easy to become absorbed in. I literally could not put this book down. I really enjoyed both characters and really rooted for them, wanting desperately to know what tore them apart eleven years ago.
Love and other words is an easy fast read which sucked me in. There was a time or two while reading this book that I wanted to shake both characters - one more than the other. I enjoyed reading about their friendship when they were younger where it was evident that both wanted to be more than friends and the reader could see them flirting with the idea and watch them get close then retreat, get close, hint around at it, then retreat, until finally they became a couple and then.... READ THE BOOK!
There is a bit of a reveal which I have mixed feelings about. I can't go into detail, so I won’t give any spoilers away, but I thought "you have got to be kidding me" and "seriously, come on". Grrr In some ways this felt cliched but it was successful in making me feel several emotions – just as the characters felt several emotions as well.
This is the type of book that can easily be read in one day! It pulls at the heartstrings and delivers! I could feel their friendship, their angst, their chemistry, the love, the heartbreak, the spark, the re-connection. While reading this book I felt as if I were on this emotional journey with Macy and Elliot.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Love and Other words is a second chance love story told in alternating timelines about two people who met and fell in love while growing up and then re-met eleven years later. Macy and Elliot met during an open house when Macy found Elliot reading a book in a closet. Macy's father purchased this second home for them after his wife (Macy's mother) passed away. Macy and her father would go to their cabin home on weekends and spend their summers there. Since the day they first met, when she was 13 and he was 14, Macy and Elliot bonded over their love of books and became best friends who fell in love during their teenage years. They could talk about anything and shared a very close bond. Then their relationship ended, and they had not seen or spoken to each other in eleven years. Then the two meet accidentally in a coffee shop, eleven years later. and the spark is still there. There is a complication of course, isn't there always with romance books - and yes, this is a romance book and a coming of age story rolled into one -even if it is classified as something else.
I enjoyed this book from the get-go even though it looks as if it took me 5 days to read. I started this book and had to finish other reading obligations but then tore through this one yesterday. This book is very easy to become absorbed in. I literally could not put this book down. I really enjoyed both characters and really rooted for them, wanting desperately to know what tore them apart eleven years ago.
Love and other words is an easy fast read which sucked me in. There was a time or two while reading this book that I wanted to shake both characters - one more than the other. I enjoyed reading about their friendship when they were younger where it was evident that both wanted to be more than friends and the reader could see them flirting with the idea and watch them get close then retreat, get close, hint around at it, then retreat, until finally they became a couple and then.... READ THE BOOK!
There is a bit of a reveal which I have mixed feelings about. I can't go into detail, so I won’t give any spoilers away, but I thought "you have got to be kidding me" and "seriously, come on". Grrr In some ways this felt cliched but it was successful in making me feel several emotions – just as the characters felt several emotions as well.
This is the type of book that can easily be read in one day! It pulls at the heartstrings and delivers! I could feel their friendship, their angst, their chemistry, the love, the heartbreak, the spark, the re-connection. While reading this book I felt as if I were on this emotional journey with Macy and Elliot.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
April 9, 2022
I'm sleeping on the highway tonight
February 17, 2021
i just finished this and it's 2 a.m. and i cried significantly
for some reason this book made it to the list of books i've owned the longest that I haven't yet read. I think it's because I heard that it's not CL's best work and it's more character-based than smutty, but this still flew by and as mentioned, it made me weep by the end. it's been so long since i've read a good romance book that im just out here mourning my lack of an elliot.
for some reason this book made it to the list of books i've owned the longest that I haven't yet read. I think it's because I heard that it's not CL's best work and it's more character-based than smutty, but this still flew by and as mentioned, it made me weep by the end. it's been so long since i've read a good romance book that im just out here mourning my lack of an elliot.
January 3, 2021
cool cool cool I should make a new shelf and call it "all my friends loved it, but I did not". 🙈
I thought this book was a sure win until the last 20% came and completely ruined the book for me *cough* I love cheating *cough*
I thought this book was a sure win until the last 20% came and completely ruined the book for me *cough* I love cheating *cough*
August 17, 2022
5 FUCKING STARS OMFGGGG. I want someone to love me like this
August 28, 2022
"𝑳𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆."
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏.
1𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝, 10.12.2018 : 4.75🌟
𝐑𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 2019 : 4.75🌟
𝐑𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 2019 : 5+🌟
𝐑𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 2020 : 5+🌟
𝐑𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 2020 : 5 ⭐️
before i start with the review, i just want make something clear— i breathe, eat, sneeze, sleep, and shit for this book so i’m here to warn you that i will deadass come for you if i see any *hate* specifically on Elliot and Macey.
lol i’m kidding!
ⁿᵒᵗ
⚠︎︎ i strongly discourage any of you to pick this up if you DON’T fancy an easy simple sweet romance that hs second chance and friends to lovers tropes!! bc i will pretend to not see any ratings below 3 stars and continue with my day goodbYEE
yes i staN haRD
**********
on to the review ~
Have you ever loved a book so freaking much with your whole entire heart that you sometimes hesitate to mention or recommend it to anyone because the possibility of them hating it personally hurts you or the thought of them loving it just as much spurs jealousy deep inside of you? (i’m petty betty, i know)
— yeah, that’s LaOW for me.
𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬༄⁂
This warm love story begins with Macey’s (h) dad getting a summer house that’s neighbored beside Elliot’s (H) and from there they both form a heartfelt friendship and a profound bond through books and words. Over the years during weekends spending inside a closet, their sacred haven, one day an irreversible tragedy causes Macey to disappear on Elliot and leave him and their relationship at lost for 11 years.
Suddenly, fate leads them back to each other to restore their faith in their love and Macey is finally forced to confront the past and give closure to Elliot’s decade of agony.
*The book is told in alternating time lines between then and now.
꧁ 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 ꧂
I’m gonna give you guys my shitty summarized thoughts bc yall already know how i feel about this book and plus, i don’t want to give away too much so you guys can just enjoy the cute, emotional ride.
Words can never explain how much i cherish the characters in this book and adore and desire the relationship that Elliot and Macey have. The bond they've created together is so deep, genuine, innocent and all-consuming that i'm always in awe whenever i do a reread. At this point, no one can understand how desperate i am to have what they have✊🏻😞
*Look, read it or don’t read it, thats up to you. I’m just here to leave a review for the softest romance book to ever exist in my petty life 🥺 ♥️*
———xxx———xxx———
⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️
*for real, don’t cross this section if you haven’t read this and are interested to pick this up someday bc this section will discuss the last 15% which involves the ‘reveal’ of the book.
As you can see at the top of this review, i originally rated this 4.75 stars because like others, i was unsatisfied with how the book ended. it felt rushed and too convenient. I’ve seen some reviews saying that Macey shouldn’t have forgiven him but honestly, all i felt was that Elliot should’ve been given more time to digest the reason why she left him all those years ago. Bc like it or not, technically he did a play a factor to why Macy’s dad got into an accident and died. But i get it, it’s not entirely his fault.
I totally 💯% understand why Macey left him with a long-decade of silence bc by the time she realized that he deserves a chance to explain himself and that the supposedly ‘cheating’ thing was small compared to the accident, she didn’t know how to reach out to him and was afraid to face the past that wounded her deeply.
Ok now, did Elliot really cheat on her?
I guess that depends on ones perspective of the situation. Personally, i don’t think so bc he was shitface drunk with disappointment that Macey didn’t give an assuring response to his proposal and didn’t say she loved him back. He already explained that he thought that Emma was her when he slept with Emma (sounds shitty, i know but if you reaLLY know Elliot and where his mind and heart is solely at, you’d believe him too bc he. would. never .
my KING? cheating?! nu'uh, never!
EDIT❗️:
Anyway~
On my 2nd reread, i read the book following its timeline chronologically; starting with all the ‘Then’ chapters first and then moved to the ‘Now’ chapters. Ergo the 5+ stars.
Rereading it this way really helped me to understand why Christina Lauren wrote the ‘reveal’ scene and left the ending the way that they did. I was able to feel the 11 years of lost time and detachment when they bumped into each other at the cafe— The decade of silence suddenly became deafening, the buried disappointments and sadness immediately felt heavier. Only then was I able to understand more on how Elliot was able move on from the past without holding any grudges against Macey for the lost time and welcomed her back into his life with opened arms.
It also helped me to separate the overload cuteness from the ‘Then’ chapters and the ‘Now’ chapters which are more focused on regrets and longing for one another.
So i'd highly recommend any of you to reread this following its timeline chronologically, if you ever plan to
*****************************
EDIT (24/12)
since i’m too young, dumb and broke~ to treat myself on my birthday 🤠 i know one thing that can leave me beaming and heart swelling for the entire freaking day—rereading my ultimate fave book of ALL. TIME.
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏.
1𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝, 10.12.2018 : 4.75🌟
𝐑𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 2019 : 4.75🌟
𝐑𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 2019 : 5+🌟
𝐑𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 2020 : 5+🌟
𝐑𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 2020 : 5 ⭐️
before i start with the review, i just want make something clear— i breathe, eat, sneeze, sleep, and shit for this book so i’m here to warn you that i will deadass come for you if i see any *hate* specifically on Elliot and Macey.
lol i’m kidding!
ⁿᵒᵗ
⚠︎︎ i strongly discourage any of you to pick this up if you DON’T fancy an easy simple sweet romance that hs second chance and friends to lovers tropes!! bc i will pretend to not see any ratings below 3 stars and continue with my day goodbYEE
yes i staN haRD
**********
on to the review ~
Have you ever loved a book so freaking much with your whole entire heart that you sometimes hesitate to mention or recommend it to anyone because the possibility of them hating it personally hurts you or the thought of them loving it just as much spurs jealousy deep inside of you? (i’m petty betty, i know)
— yeah, that’s LaOW for me.
𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬༄⁂
This warm love story begins with Macey’s (h) dad getting a summer house that’s neighbored beside Elliot’s (H) and from there they both form a heartfelt friendship and a profound bond through books and words. Over the years during weekends spending inside a closet, their sacred haven, one day an irreversible tragedy causes Macey to disappear on Elliot and leave him and their relationship at lost for 11 years.
Suddenly, fate leads them back to each other to restore their faith in their love and Macey is finally forced to confront the past and give closure to Elliot’s decade of agony.
*The book is told in alternating time lines between then and now.
꧁ 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 ꧂
I’m gonna give you guys my shitty summarized thoughts bc yall already know how i feel about this book and plus, i don’t want to give away too much so you guys can just enjoy the cute, emotional ride.
Words can never explain how much i cherish the characters in this book and adore and desire the relationship that Elliot and Macey have. The bond they've created together is so deep, genuine, innocent and all-consuming that i'm always in awe whenever i do a reread. At this point, no one can understand how desperate i am to have what they have✊🏻😞
❥ Elliot was, is and will forever be my top-tier fictional husband. periodt. Attentive, loving, caring, emotionally intelligent, and a hot nerd? Fuck yes.
"𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖?"
"𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒔."
me @ Elliot:
"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒎𝒆," 𝑰 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒎.
𝑯𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔, 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅. "𝑰 𝒅𝒐."
𝑰 𝒈𝒓���𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒅. "𝑶𝒓 𝒃𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒗𝒆."
"𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅." 𝑯𝒆 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌, 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒍𝒃𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒔. "𝑰 𝒂𝒎."
The devotion and adoration Elliot has for Macey is honestly so beautiful that it evokes jealousy and frustration inside me bc i realize now that there is zero to no chance for me to ever come across a man like Elliot Petropoulos on this earth. And that’s some sad shit, man
❥ Macey’s a sweetheart through and through. The deep loss she endured as a child breaks my heart and i’m so glad that Elliot is her Godsend. Not to forget the pain she went through after leaving Elliot 🥺 i’ll forever stan a chick like her with all that i have.
"𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑰 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏."
me @ Macey:
❥ The Petropoulos family is my dream family. They're so wholesome that my long abandoned heart aches. Don't come for them too bc I’m always ready to protecc and attacc for them
*Look, read it or don’t read it, thats up to you. I’m just here to leave a review for the softest romance book to ever exist in my petty life 🥺 ♥️*
———xxx———xxx———
⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️
*for real, don’t cross this section if you haven’t read this and are interested to pick this up someday bc this section will discuss the last 15% which involves the ‘reveal’ of the book.
As you can see at the top of this review, i originally rated this 4.75 stars because like others, i was unsatisfied with how the book ended. it felt rushed and too convenient. I’ve seen some reviews saying that Macey shouldn’t have forgiven him but honestly, all i felt was that Elliot should’ve been given more time to digest the reason why she left him all those years ago. Bc like it or not, technically he did a play a factor to why Macy’s dad got into an accident and died. But i get it, it’s not entirely his fault.
I totally 💯% understand why Macey left him with a long-decade of silence bc by the time she realized that he deserves a chance to explain himself and that the supposedly ‘cheating’ thing was small compared to the accident, she didn’t know how to reach out to him and was afraid to face the past that wounded her deeply.
"I wasn’t thinking clearly—after—I wasn’t able to separate—you. And it."
Ok now, did Elliot really cheat on her?
I guess that depends on ones perspective of the situation. Personally, i don’t think so bc he was shitface drunk with disappointment that Macey didn’t give an assuring response to his proposal and didn’t say she loved him back. He already explained that he thought that Emma was her when he slept with Emma (sounds shitty, i know but if you reaLLY know Elliot and where his mind and heart is solely at, you’d believe him too bc he. would. never .
my KING? cheating?! nu'uh, never!
' "I was so drunk, Mace. I remember touching your hair, talking to you, encouraging. And when I look back, I still see your face when she climbed on me."
....I remembered what Brandon started to say, something about how Elliot wouldn’t. '
EDIT❗️:
A wonderful friend of mine here on GR, Julia have pointed out something really important on this 'cheating' matter and i feel like it's important for others to understand this and see the logic from this perspective because Elliot did not cheat. Instead, he was taken advantage of by Emma when he was vulnerable and not sober. Can you imagine if roles were reversed and it was Macey who was in his position? Do you think it'd be fair to say that she cheated on Elliot? Would you say she 'cheated' if she were so drunk and got approached by a guy who manipulated her into thinking that he's her boyfriend, then proceeded to take full advantage of her?
Think about it. Just bc Eliot's a dude doesn't mean he's any less of a victim in this situation.
Anyway~
On my 2nd reread, i read the book following its timeline chronologically; starting with all the ‘Then’ chapters first and then moved to the ‘Now’ chapters. Ergo the 5+ stars.
Rereading it this way really helped me to understand why Christina Lauren wrote the ‘reveal’ scene and left the ending the way that they did. I was able to feel the 11 years of lost time and detachment when they bumped into each other at the cafe— The decade of silence suddenly became deafening, the buried disappointments and sadness immediately felt heavier. Only then was I able to understand more on how Elliot was able move on from the past without holding any grudges against Macey for the lost time and welcomed her back into his life with opened arms.
It also helped me to separate the overload cuteness from the ‘Then’ chapters and the ‘Now’ chapters which are more focused on regrets and longing for one another.
So i'd highly recommend any of you to reread this following its timeline chronologically, if you ever plan to
*****************************
EDIT (24/12)
since i’m too young, dumb and broke~ to treat myself on my birthday 🤠 i know one thing that can leave me beaming and heart swelling for the entire freaking day—rereading my ultimate fave book of ALL. TIME.
January 16, 2024
4.5⭐️**** ok well I didn't expect this book to have me sobbing on an airplane???
April 19, 2022
4.5 stars!! Ahhh I loved this book so much. I was hooked the entire time. I felt a little bit conflicted about the ending which is why I’m giving 4.5 instead of 5 stars but overall SO good. I absolutely adored the characters and the flashbacks to them in high school and their love for books were chefs kiss. And such a heartbreaking reveal at the end. Such a good read!
May 5, 2019
I'm not a fan of the term "chick lit," because I think it's often used to downgrade a book, to connote that it shouldn't be taken seriously or it's not as well-written as "real" novels. But the truth is, whether you call Christina Lauren's new book, Love and Other Words, "chick lit," "women's fiction," or whatever, I absolutely loved it—gender label be damned!!
Macy and Elliot were inseparable as teenagers. Elliot's family lived next door to the house her father built for the two of them to escape to on weekends and holidays, while mourning the death of her mother. Macy and Elliot's shared love of reading, their quiet, contemplative, even sensitive nature, drew them together quickly, and cemented a friendship that was the biggest thing in their lives.
But as they grew toward adulthood, their feelings blossomed. Elliot was no longer the awkward, gangly kid she used to know—he was becoming a man she couldn't get out of her mind, one with whom she wanted so much more than companionship, and trading favorite words. He felt the same thing about Macy, and hated the fact that he only was able to spend time with her on weekends and holidays, when he wanted to be with her always.
And on the night he finally declared his love for her, something they both felt so intensely, he wound up breaking her heart, leaving her a complete wreck. Macy never spoke to him again, never returned to the house, and left Elliot wondering how things could have changed so drastically, how he was going to live without the person he thought about every day. Macy, too, had to rebuild her life, and she coped by keeping everyone at arm's length, never letting anyone close enough to hurt her, never giving anyone a chance.
Eleven years later, Macy feels like she's pulled herself together. She's a pediatric critical care resident, and she's engaged to an older, well-established man with a young daughter. Maybe there's not a lot of passion, but the sex is great, and she feels, well, secure. Isn't that enough? It seems that way until she runs into Elliot one day at a coffee shop near her hospital.
"He's my person. He's always been my person. My best friend, my confidant, probably the love of my life. And I've spent the last eleven years being angry and self-righteous. But at the end of the day, he tore a hole in us, and fate ripped it wide open."
As Macy and Elliot try to catch up on the last 11 years, the intensity of their feelings for one another come rushing back instantly. But is she willing to throw away the security she's found for a chance to get hurt again? Would they even work as adults anyway, when so much within and between them has changed? And how can they get past what happened 11 years ago if she's not sure she can even talk about it, let alone deal with it?
I thought this book was excellent—every heartfelt, emotional, sexy, melodramatic second. Love and Other Words takes the story of best friends who become something more and then throws them into utter discord. You may have your suspicions about what happened but you can't understand what would necessitate not speaking to one another for so long, and building barriers around your life like Macy did.
I loved these characters, even when they were being selfish, petulant, or just plain ridiculous. There is just so much heart and emotion in this book, so much love, and I couldn't get enough. I would've devoured the entire book in one day if I wasn't in the middle of my busiest time at work. I know when I pick up my Kindle while I'm sitting at traffic lights so I can squeeze in a page or two, I'm hooked.
Christina Lauren, the authors (it's a pen name for two friends) of one of my favorite books from last year, Autoboyography (see my review), once again prove they're excellent storytellers who want you to feel and think and grow along with their characters. Don't worry about what genre this might fall in—just call it "great fiction," or even, "lit lit." (See what I did there?)
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com, or check out my list of the best books I read in 2017 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html.
August 14, 2023
My first 5-star rating of the year! I devoured this book, reading it within a day.
Christian Lauren's book, Love and Other Words, is worthy of attention for wonderful character development and great writing.
Macy has a full schedule. Not only is she a pediatric resident, she is also engaged to a prominent artist who happens to have a child. Her life is going pretty smoothly until one day she come across Elliot, in a coffee shop. A plethora of emotions overtakes her. Elliot is a reminder of everything wonderful and heartbreaking in her past.
Love and Other Words, tells a story of two teens, bonding through all the angst and fury of life's pubescent horrors and wonders. Macy and Elliot form a bond that makes them inseparable--eventually each other's comfort.
They embark on a friendship that slowly grows into a passion with the tides of growth and understanding. With time, we come to understand why Macy and Elliot ended their friendship so abruptly.
The story is told between present day and eleven years, when the two meet at an open house for a summer home intended for Macy and her widowed father.
Macy and Elliot have amazing once-in-a-lifetime chemistry and their slow-burn romance is perfect.
It is Macy and Elliot's shared love for books that brings them together. Falling in love, over books and words! What's not to love about that? The beauty of true friendship and beautiful love--a combination worth reading.
I just finished this book and have a huge smile on my face! An epic escape from the current madness of life.
5 fabulous starts for this page-turner!
***Reread! Still my favorite book by Christian Lauren!
Christian Lauren's book, Love and Other Words, is worthy of attention for wonderful character development and great writing.
Macy has a full schedule. Not only is she a pediatric resident, she is also engaged to a prominent artist who happens to have a child. Her life is going pretty smoothly until one day she come across Elliot, in a coffee shop. A plethora of emotions overtakes her. Elliot is a reminder of everything wonderful and heartbreaking in her past.
Love and Other Words, tells a story of two teens, bonding through all the angst and fury of life's pubescent horrors and wonders. Macy and Elliot form a bond that makes them inseparable--eventually each other's comfort.
They embark on a friendship that slowly grows into a passion with the tides of growth and understanding. With time, we come to understand why Macy and Elliot ended their friendship so abruptly.
The story is told between present day and eleven years, when the two meet at an open house for a summer home intended for Macy and her widowed father.
Macy and Elliot have amazing once-in-a-lifetime chemistry and their slow-burn romance is perfect.
It is Macy and Elliot's shared love for books that brings them together. Falling in love, over books and words! What's not to love about that? The beauty of true friendship and beautiful love--a combination worth reading.
I just finished this book and have a huge smile on my face! An epic escape from the current madness of life.
5 fabulous starts for this page-turner!
***Reread! Still my favorite book by Christian Lauren!
November 28, 2022
this book was just not for me i think. this wasn’t the kind of second chance romance that i like, i like a lot more angst and longing and this book didn’t have that. i feel like the boyfriend was just there to keep the story going and to keep them apart. also the reason they stopped talking was poorly written to the fact that it kinda disgusts me. i think the love story was cute but it just wasn’t an absolute favorite for me.
July 29, 2023
“Favorite word?” he whispers.
I don’t even hesitate: “You.”
This was very cute and emotional read. I absolutely loved it it was so good and addicting I couldn't put it down.
“You loved me, too, you know,” he says quietly. “It was everything.”
Elliot he was so adorable and thoughtful, open and honest with her. and so hopelessly in love. He wasn’t ashamed of the way he loved her. Even after everything that happened he still risked everything for her. he put it all there for her because he believed that she was the love of his love and he didn’t want anyone else🥹🥹 he was literally everything and he deserves the best 🫶🏻
“It never occurred to me that love could be anything other than all- consuming.”
Macy i have to admit that I didn’t like her at the beginning. She annoyed me so much even when they were children I didn’t understand why she was so hesitant to be with him when it was so obvious that she was in love with him. And she was so rude and mean sometimes. but when i got to see the reason behind all of this. I got it. why she acted the way she did. Why she was so reserved. Why she was in the type of adult relationship she was in. Why she wanted to just feel nothing. And my heart shattered for her.
“You make me feel so many things ” I admit in a hush.
their relationship I loved both the past and the present of their relationship. The flashbacks were so adorable and overwhelming🥹 their obsession with books and words was so cute and relatable🤭 their banter and chemistry was so innocent and pure.🫶🏻
“1. Don’t spoil her with toys; spoil her with books.
2. Tell her you love her. Girls need the words.
3. When she’s quiet, you do the talking.”
I liked her father a lot even though we didn’t really get to see a lot of him. He was quiet and comforting and was always looking out for her, their relationship was so beautiful and i cried so much at the end it was so cruel 🤧
spoilers and things I didn’t like
1. I didn’t like the way the author made what happened to elliot sound like he cheated he was unconscious and didn’t know what was happening to him. There was no consent there so it sounded more like rape to me.
2. Macy engagement with sean was so unrealistic it would’ve been better and more real if they were just boyfriend and girlfriend. They had nothing in common and they didn’t know anything about each other it was so weird. And the way he proposed 🤢🤢 i would’ve blocked him from my life.
I don’t even hesitate: “You.”
This was very cute and emotional read. I absolutely loved it it was so good and addicting I couldn't put it down.
“You loved me, too, you know,” he says quietly. “It was everything.”
Elliot he was so adorable and thoughtful, open and honest with her. and so hopelessly in love. He wasn’t ashamed of the way he loved her. Even after everything that happened he still risked everything for her. he put it all there for her because he believed that she was the love of his love and he didn’t want anyone else🥹🥹 he was literally everything and he deserves the best 🫶🏻
“It never occurred to me that love could be anything other than all- consuming.”
Macy i have to admit that I didn’t like her at the beginning. She annoyed me so much even when they were children I didn’t understand why she was so hesitant to be with him when it was so obvious that she was in love with him. And she was so rude and mean sometimes. but when i got to see the reason behind all of this. I got it. why she acted the way she did. Why she was so reserved. Why she was in the type of adult relationship she was in. Why she wanted to just feel nothing. And my heart shattered for her.
“You make me feel so many things ” I admit in a hush.
their relationship I loved both the past and the present of their relationship. The flashbacks were so adorable and overwhelming🥹 their obsession with books and words was so cute and relatable🤭 their banter and chemistry was so innocent and pure.🫶🏻
“1. Don’t spoil her with toys; spoil her with books.
2. Tell her you love her. Girls need the words.
3. When she’s quiet, you do the talking.”
I liked her father a lot even though we didn’t really get to see a lot of him. He was quiet and comforting and was always looking out for her, their relationship was so beautiful and i cried so much at the end it was so cruel 🤧
spoilers and things I didn’t like
1. I didn’t like the way the author made what happened to elliot sound like he cheated he was unconscious and didn’t know what was happening to him. There was no consent there so it sounded more like rape to me.
2. Macy engagement with sean was so unrealistic it would’ve been better and more real if they were just boyfriend and girlfriend. They had nothing in common and they didn’t know anything about each other it was so weird. And the way he proposed 🤢🤢 i would’ve blocked him from my life.
July 15, 2023
Re-read #2 (7/14/2023) 4.5 Stars.
I was craving something sweet. This is probably one of the cutest childhood friends to lovers stories. Those two were so precious.
4.5 stars
This is a case of ”The right book in the right time.”
I needed the fluff and sweetness of this book in my life more than anything. This was story about young love and how fragile it could be. A story about grief and heartbreak. A captivating second chance romance. A story about an innocent friendship that could turn into soulmates.
This book was so simple and heartwarming. This is definitely not the typical lighthearted Christina Lauren book. It was such a sweet romance with an impactful story and delicate characters. Honestly, Elliot and Macy are so precious and they deserve to be happy and in love. I loved their friendship, their quirkiness, and their love for books. I loved seeing them in their little bubble. Surprisingly, the change in the timeline between then and now didn’t bother me that much. I loved seeing them in both times.
While reading their story, I was so freakin scared to reach the end. I was scared to know the reason why two people who were insanely in love would break up and never talk again for eleven years. And I know that this might sound harsh, but after knowing, I think that she has every reason to stop talking to him. I have to say that I had an issue with the reason why those characters broke up in the past tho. It seemed so out of character and it was forgiven so easily, kinda. But The whole book was so sweet, so I chose to ignore that. This book was so simple, yet so beautiful.
After reading this again years later, I find myself seeing it from another perspective? I was so concentrated about “how could he do that?” But what about what has been done to Him? I think even the author brushed it off. However this is still such a cute sweet story that have my heart.
Song recommendation:
September song by JP Cooper
Photograph by Ed Sheeran
We don’t talk anymore by Charlie Puth ft. Selena Gomez
Everything has changed by Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran
“Favourite word?” He whispers.
I don’t even hesitate. “You.”
I was craving something sweet. This is probably one of the cutest childhood friends to lovers stories. Those two were so precious.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4.5 stars
This is a case of ”The right book in the right time.”
I needed the fluff and sweetness of this book in my life more than anything. This was story about young love and how fragile it could be. A story about grief and heartbreak. A captivating second chance romance. A story about an innocent friendship that could turn into soulmates.
He’s my person. He’s always been my person. My best friend, my confidant, probably the love of my life.
This book was so simple and heartwarming. This is definitely not the typical lighthearted Christina Lauren book. It was such a sweet romance with an impactful story and delicate characters. Honestly, Elliot and Macy are so precious and they deserve to be happy and in love. I loved their friendship, their quirkiness, and their love for books. I loved seeing them in their little bubble. Surprisingly, the change in the timeline between then and now didn’t bother me that much. I loved seeing them in both times.
I never got to fall out of love. I just had to move on.
While reading their story, I was so freakin scared to reach the end. I was scared to know the reason why two people who were insanely in love would break up and never talk again for eleven years. And I know that this might sound harsh, but after knowing, I think that she has every reason to stop talking to him. I have to say that I had an issue with the reason why those characters broke up in the past tho. It seemed so out of character and it was forgiven so easily, kinda. But The whole book was so sweet, so I chose to ignore that. This book was so simple, yet so beautiful.
“You’re my best everything.”
After reading this again years later, I find myself seeing it from another perspective? I was so concentrated about “how could he do that?” But what about what has been done to Him? I think even the author brushed it off. However this is still such a cute sweet story that have my heart.
Song recommendation:
September song by JP Cooper
Photograph by Ed Sheeran
We don’t talk anymore by Charlie Puth ft. Selena Gomez
Everything has changed by Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran
January 5, 2024
– 4 stars ★
“Favourite word?” He whispers.
I don’t even hesitate. “You.”
Firstly I want to thank my bestie Cara for reading this amazing book with me. I had so much fun doing it together with you<33
This was by far the cutest and most heartwarming book I've read this year. Elliot and Macy are so precious and they deserve the world. If you're searching for a cute fluffy second chance romance then you're on the right address!
The chemistry and tension these two had from the day they met is immaculate. The love they had for each other was so pure and innocent to a point they had me melting and swooning from happiness. They were just so adorable🥹
About Macy, her dad. I actually wanted to see so much more about Macy´s dad. The way he was always there for Macy and really listened to what her mom wrote down on that note was so wholesome. The fact that her mom made this letter for Macy was so sweet, she really wrote down all the things her dad had to do so she would know everything her mom couldn't tell her herself. Her mom really made sure that her dad wouldn't forget anything🥹🫂
—When she’s quiet, you do the talking
—Don’t spoil her with toys; spoil her with books.
—Tell her you love her. Girls need the words.
I'm usually not really a big fan of flashbacks but I´m so glad that this book did have them. Seeing how they were each other's first, him buying her books and just all the sweet little moments they shared was so adorable to read.
“You loved me, too, you know,” he says quietly. “It was everything.”
⤷ Elliot My sweet sweet baby. I love how he never gave up on his love for Macy, even after everything they went through. From the minute he saw her again after 11 years it was clear to him that his mission was to make her his forever. The things he did for her are just so 💘✨He broke up with his girlfriend after seeing her for just a few minutes😩This man has loved her for so long and has never ever given up on her. He even kept the same phone number for 12 years so that if she ever called he could pick up. He has never ever been ashamed of his love for her and that's what I admire and love the most about him. Also the younger him was so adorable🥺
“I'm sorry. I'm nervous.”
The way he flushed when he was nervous around Macy was so cute🤧. I love love love how he always stayed shy even when he was older.
“He’s my person. He’s always been my person. My best friend, my confidant, probably the love of my life.”
⤷ Macy My gorgeous girl. We started off on the wrong foot since I didn't really like her in the beginning. But this really has changed throughout the book. She has really grown on me. She was a bit too harsh on Elliot sometimes, but after seeing what she has been through that changed, It still doesn't justify how she acted towards him but now I know why she did the thing she did. Also she was so sweet for staying with Sean just because of his little daughter, somewhere she wanted to give the girl a mother figure, because she didn't want her to feel the way she felt herself. She is just so precious🥹🥹
“i’ve been waiting for you to come home for eleven years. I'll go anywhere you go.”
----------
Br with my bestie Cara💗✨
“Favourite word?” He whispers.
I don’t even hesitate. “You.”
Firstly I want to thank my bestie Cara for reading this amazing book with me. I had so much fun doing it together with you<33
This was by far the cutest and most heartwarming book I've read this year. Elliot and Macy are so precious and they deserve the world. If you're searching for a cute fluffy second chance romance then you're on the right address!
The chemistry and tension these two had from the day they met is immaculate. The love they had for each other was so pure and innocent to a point they had me melting and swooning from happiness. They were just so adorable🥹
About Macy, her dad. I actually wanted to see so much more about Macy´s dad. The way he was always there for Macy and really listened to what her mom wrote down on that note was so wholesome. The fact that her mom made this letter for Macy was so sweet, she really wrote down all the things her dad had to do so she would know everything her mom couldn't tell her herself. Her mom really made sure that her dad wouldn't forget anything🥹🫂
—When she’s quiet, you do the talking
—Don’t spoil her with toys; spoil her with books.
—Tell her you love her. Girls need the words.
I'm usually not really a big fan of flashbacks but I´m so glad that this book did have them. Seeing how they were each other's first, him buying her books and just all the sweet little moments they shared was so adorable to read.
“You loved me, too, you know,” he says quietly. “It was everything.”
⤷ Elliot My sweet sweet baby. I love how he never gave up on his love for Macy, even after everything they went through. From the minute he saw her again after 11 years it was clear to him that his mission was to make her his forever. The things he did for her are just so 💘✨He broke up with his girlfriend after seeing her for just a few minutes😩This man has loved her for so long and has never ever given up on her. He even kept the same phone number for 12 years so that if she ever called he could pick up. He has never ever been ashamed of his love for her and that's what I admire and love the most about him. Also the younger him was so adorable🥺
“I'm sorry. I'm nervous.”
The way he flushed when he was nervous around Macy was so cute🤧. I love love love how he always stayed shy even when he was older.
“He’s my person. He’s always been my person. My best friend, my confidant, probably the love of my life.”
⤷ Macy My gorgeous girl. We started off on the wrong foot since I didn't really like her in the beginning. But this really has changed throughout the book. She has really grown on me. She was a bit too harsh on Elliot sometimes, but after seeing what she has been through that changed, It still doesn't justify how she acted towards him but now I know why she did the thing she did. Also she was so sweet for staying with Sean just because of his little daughter, somewhere she wanted to give the girl a mother figure, because she didn't want her to feel the way she felt herself. She is just so precious🥹🥹
“i’ve been waiting for you to come home for eleven years. I'll go anywhere you go.”
----------
Br with my bestie Cara💗✨
January 1, 2024
「 ★ ★ ★ ★ ¾ 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 」
“favorite word?” he whispers.
i don’t even hesitate: “you.”
AAH what a great way to end 2023. i‘m in love !
yet this book has been on my tbr for so long.
this was a childhood best friends to lovers, a second chanced romance, with all the heart-wrenching nostalgic feelings that go along with it. it was full of fear, heartache and a whole lot of angst. i was only on the first few chapters when i knew this book was reviving me.
༘⋆｡˚ about the book ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
⤷ macy sorensen and her father bought a house next door to the petropoulos family.
macy and elliot grow up together and start falling in love as they mature together - until elliot stops hearing from her, as if she had vanished.
“i called you,” he says. “like a million times. and then that number changed.”
so many questions arose as to why they lost touch with each other all those years ago
“i’m not going anywhere, mace.” he picked up my hand. “i need you the same way you need me, okay?” “okay.”
though macy is a character you don't learn much about during the book. she's very introverted and a rather calm person. once you read about what goes on inside her, it becomes much easier to understand her personality.
and elliot, the man that you are, a part of my heart belongs to him. i was already in awe of him from the very first page. can i please have my own neighbor who sits in the closet with me and reads books? thank you very much. i can't say much about him except that he is perfect.
the amount of butterflies this man set free in me is outrageous. the things he said, the things he did.
i was S-W-O-O-N-I-N-G !!
༘⋆｡˚ my fav quotes ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
⤷ “i want you in my whole life, i think all the time about how my real fear isn’t other girls, it’s losing you. i’m terrified of what it would feel like if you weren’t in my life anymore.” his eyes grew tight, his voice reverent: “that won’t ever happen.”
⤷ “when elliot walked up to us… i swear that was the first time i’d seen you smile like that – with your entire body – and it made me question everything about your personality before then.”
⤷ “i like your kind of quiet. your heart isn’t quiet, you’re an amazing girl, macy lea.”
⤷ “you’re the love of my life. i assumed i would get over you eventually, but seeing you yesterday?” he shakes his head. “i couldn’t go home to someone else and pretend to love her with everything i have.”
‧₊˚✧[ ! trigger & spoiler warning ! ]✧˚₊‧
i don't know why rarely anyone talks about the fact that elliot was SA. it has kind of drifted into the background. he was so blackout drunk that he didn't realize he was being taken advantage of.
to me, it would have been very important to bring this topic a little more to the fore. i therefore feel somewhat obliged to reduce my rating by a few stars.
“favorite word?” he whispers.
i don’t even hesitate: “you.”
AAH what a great way to end 2023. i‘m in love !
yet this book has been on my tbr for so long.
“why can’t everyone be like you?”
“i can be enough of your world that it feels like everyone is.”
this was a childhood best friends to lovers, a second chanced romance, with all the heart-wrenching nostalgic feelings that go along with it. it was full of fear, heartache and a whole lot of angst. i was only on the first few chapters when i knew this book was reviving me.
༘⋆｡˚ about the book ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
⤷ macy sorensen and her father bought a house next door to the petropoulos family.
macy and elliot grow up together and start falling in love as they mature together - until elliot stops hearing from her, as if she had vanished.
“i called you,” he says. “like a million times. and then that number changed.”
so many questions arose as to why they lost touch with each other all those years ago
“i’m not going anywhere, mace.” he picked up my hand. “i need you the same way you need me, okay?” “okay.”
though macy is a character you don't learn much about during the book. she's very introverted and a rather calm person. once you read about what goes on inside her, it becomes much easier to understand her personality.
and elliot, the man that you are, a part of my heart belongs to him. i was already in awe of him from the very first page. can i please have my own neighbor who sits in the closet with me and reads books? thank you very much. i can't say much about him except that he is perfect.
the amount of butterflies this man set free in me is outrageous. the things he said, the things he did.
i was S-W-O-O-N-I-N-G !!
“then come over here,” he said in that same quiet voice. “you kiss me.”
my eyes flew to his. “what?”
“kiss me.”
༘⋆｡˚ my fav quotes ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
⤷ “i want you in my whole life, i think all the time about how my real fear isn’t other girls, it’s losing you. i’m terrified of what it would feel like if you weren’t in my life anymore.” his eyes grew tight, his voice reverent: “that won’t ever happen.”
⤷ “when elliot walked up to us… i swear that was the first time i’d seen you smile like that – with your entire body – and it made me question everything about your personality before then.”
⤷ “i like your kind of quiet. your heart isn’t quiet, you’re an amazing girl, macy lea.”
⤷ “you’re the love of my life. i assumed i would get over you eventually, but seeing you yesterday?” he shakes his head. “i couldn’t go home to someone else and pretend to love her with everything i have.”
‧₊˚✧[ ! trigger & spoiler warning ! ]✧˚₊‧
i don't know why rarely anyone talks about the fact that elliot was SA. it has kind of drifted into the background. he was so blackout drunk that he didn't realize he was being taken advantage of.
to me, it would have been very important to bring this topic a little more to the fore. i therefore feel somewhat obliged to reduce my rating by a few stars.
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