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sunshinekmp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Car accident
Moderate: Infidelity and Grief
winterdream1999's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I thought the story was really good and I enjoyed reading the dynamic between reading about the past and present versions of Macy and Elliot. It felt like I grew up with them and experienced their struggles (I loved both of them and loved their love for reading).
While I enjoyed the core part of the story, I felt that the ending was very rushed. It felt like we had just reached the climax, only for the story to declare that it was complete. I went from crying to confusion after realizing the story was done. I feel that Christina Lauren could’ve added more to the revelation part and really tie the loose ends (we did kind of get a closure from the epilogue-ish section but it wasn’t enough to feel complete). The major root of their conflict came and went so fast I wondered if I missed something.
Something I liked about this book was the communication between Macy and Elliot. I liked that they were comfortable enough to communicate with each other and not hold back. Sure it was difficult sometimes, but communication is hard and I respect the fact that they talked. The problem is that they communicate so well sometimes and more often than I’d expect that it felt unnatural. Maybe it’s because I’m used to miscommunication or lack of communication, but the fact that they talked about their feelings and insecurities so often felt so foreign. Honestly I was just shocked. Like even the communication with Sean felt unnatural (if you read the book you’d know what I mean).
Overall the story was really good. Even if the end was rushed, the other parts made it so much worth it. I couldn’t put it down and I fell in love with most of the characters (all of the important ones at least). I would recommend it.
While I enjoyed the core part of the story, I felt that the ending was very rushed. It felt like we had just reached the climax, only for the story to declare that it was complete. I went from crying to confusion after realizing the story was done. I feel that Christina Lauren could’ve added more to the revelation part and really tie the loose ends (we did kind of get a closure from the epilogue-ish section but it wasn’t enough to feel complete). The major root of their conflict came and went so fast I wondered if I missed something.
Something I liked about this book was the communication between Macy and Elliot. I liked that they were comfortable enough to communicate with each other and not hold back. Sure it was difficult sometimes, but communication is hard and I respect the fact that they talked. The problem is that they communicate so well sometimes and more often than I’d expect that it felt unnatural. Maybe it’s because I’m used to miscommunication or lack of communication, but the fact that they talked about their feelings and insecurities so often felt so foreign. Honestly I was just shocked. Like even the communication with Sean felt unnatural (if you read the book you’d know what I mean).
Overall the story was really good. Even if the end was rushed, the other parts made it so much worth it. I couldn’t put it down and I fell in love with most of the characters (all of the important ones at least). I would recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Car accident, Sexual content, and Grief
Minor: Rape
michaela_nelly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Cursing, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Car accident, and Cancer
Minor: Vomit
annieb26's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Sexual content, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Terminal illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Rape, and Medical content
Minor: Drug use, Ableism, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
cmab's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The depth of feeling in this book stuck me in a way lots of my 5* reads don’t. One of the author’s love for the setting really bled through the pages. The way they captured teenage infatuation and the early, gentle stages of young relationships was brilliant. Grief was a constant companion throughout and I was desperate to find out more about Duncan and the first fallout of Macy and Elliot’s relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Car accident, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Vomit
neliasbookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Car accident, and Grief
abidavisf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Tragic and beautiful and hopeful.
The pacing of this tale was perfect. Even with Elliott’s ability to say exactly how he feels at any moment (we can’t help but stan), there was no rush with this romance. Eleven years has passed, so what’s one more day? This tale felt realistic even in its tragedy and overwhelming coincidences.
I devoured Love & Other Words in five hours. Stunning.
The pacing of this tale was perfect. Even with Elliott’s ability to say exactly how he feels at any moment (we can’t help but stan), there was no rush with this romance. Eleven years has passed, so what’s one more day? This tale felt realistic even in its tragedy and overwhelming coincidences.
I devoured Love & Other Words in five hours. Stunning.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Grief, Cancer, Infidelity, Medical content, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
cathyo_113's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Car accident
Moderate: Grief and Infidelity
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders
lawoodworth's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book captured my heart- I loved the dual timelines and all of the characters. This romance book was a mix of friends to lovers and second chances. I adored Macy’s dad, Duncan, and Elliot’s whole family. This book elicited all of the emotions, I was deeply invested and laughed and cried along with the characters. I enjoyed this one!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Car accident, Alcohol, Infidelity, and Grief
takarakei's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
When I’d gotten to 80% in and the past conflict still hadn’t been revealed I knew I was going to feel like the ending would feel unresolved. And I was right.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Grief