Reviews with content warning for Death - Love and Other Words

Reviews tagging 'Death'

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

118 reviews

livvmarks's review against another edition

emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The spicy scenes with them as teenagers was just a bit odd and felt uncomfortable, especially when Macy was 3/4 months away from turning 18. Like how hard would it be to just wait a little bit in the storyline? Ruined the book for me personally, also just not a fan of main characters being separated for a long time- especially 11 years :(

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madinotmaddie's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful sad medium-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

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imskylow's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional 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? No

5.0

This books was so much more than I ever could have expected. I guess I really do get caught up judging books by the covers and so when I was recommended this one I didn't think it would get this high of a rating out of me. I also don't generally like second chance romance but this was something else. I was blown away.
First of all, I love the rhythm and pacing of this story. I absolutely love how the story unfolds flipping back and forth between timelines of the characters teenage days to their late twenties. The slow discovery and peeling back of what has happened to Macy and Elliot to have them lose contact kept me strapped in, binge listening to this book. I laughed out loud, was embarrassed for the characters during awkward childhood moments and, towards the end, I even got a little teary-eyed. The love that Christina Lauren weaves into her book is so thick and palpable. This book honestly took me on a ride and it's easy to feel what a passion project this was.
Lauren does a great job building up these characters and their personalities and fears. She really unfolds their likes and dislikes and interests in a way that you really feel like you know them and grew up alongside them in the closet library. It's honestly made me want to ask everyone and anyone what their favorite words are. (Currently, mine is susurration). You get to see the characters young and geeky grow into themselves and know what has impacted them into becoming the people they are at the end. Though the love they share is dreamlike and almost too idyllic (the key word is 'almost') it feels real and right that they should feel the way they do. Too often these days, romance books will summarize relationship building scenes to just skip to the romantic or steamy moments. This book doesn't do that. There are INDEED steamy moments but it's built on the all of the foundation of little conversations and experiences Macy and Elliot have gone through together.
I highly recommend this book.

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meroei's review against another edition

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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

1.5

It’s a cute book at first. I liked how Macy and Elliot got along, and the progression of their relationship. I found Elliot to be refreshingly open and honest, and yet an awkward teen at times, while Macy was earnest and shy.

I really did not like the end—the pace significantly slowed around 2/3 through, and it felt like the suspense was contrived. The reveal ruined my opinion :/

Elliot was raped, and except for a throwaway line about Macy knowing it wasn’t his fault, the story just moved on. Worse, it left the blame mainly on Elliot!

I disliked Macy, perhaps because we spent the whole time in her head. She was very tentative, constantly waffling about what she wanted from Elliot and her life, and pushed off the big conversation until the very very end. I did enjoy Elliot’s character, however.

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