Reviews with content warning for Cancer - Love and Other Words

Tender. Sweet. Devastating. A story of young love that outlasts and withstands all the obstacles life throws in its path. A story of two people who love words almost as much as they love one another.

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j_emerson18's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-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

Was recommended this by a coworker as her top romance read. This was everything I was hoping for and more. Tore out my heart and shredded it in front of me at times. Beautifully done with the depth of love from grief, loss, romance, familial, friendship, and more. This book went above and beyond in discussing grief after losing a parent and I thank the author for providing something so authentic that I finally felt heard in my own.

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kaitlyn552's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

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proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

Macy Sorensen is busy with life as a pediatrics resident and planning her wedding. She's not prepared to suddenly stand face to face with Elliot Petropoulos - her first and only love - for the first time in 11 years. Once he was her everything. Until he broke her heart.

Wow, this got all the feels! When I was done I wanted to start over, because I wanted to spend more time with Macy and Elliot! I can't really believe I haven't read Christina Lauren before, but that's gonna change!

The story alternates between two timelines, THEN beginning when our protagonists are 13 and 14, and meet for the first time. We get to see them become friends, and how they spend their time reading books and exchanging favorite words. As time goes their feelings start to change, and it's both cute and sometimes awkward to follow. In the NOW Macy is trying to avoid Elliot, but when he insists on meeting she finally gives in.

Besides the characters, there are other things I love about this book. Macy and Elliot both being booklovers and spending a lot of their teenager years reading together is an obvious thing. Also their "routine" asking for each other's favorite words. I also love how present Macy's dad is in her life. Her mom died of cancer and she left him with a long list of things to do in various situations. He might not feel completely comfortable at all times, but he follows the list and gives Macy all he's got. I wish every child could have a parent like that!

Of course, you're also curious about what really happened 11 years ago, why Macy never talked to Elliot again. Some things you can guess, but there's always another layer. I have a strong feeling that these two will keep living in my head for a long time! Highly recommended!

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thefatpaperback's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

5.0

While this book has romance elements (childhood friends to lovers and a happily ever after) this book is fiction. It’s specifically marketed as “women’s fiction,” but I don’t really care for that genre name category so I’m going with fiction. And damnit this book is good. It feels nostalgic, mainly because the chapters alternate between the present and the past. I loved the tension between Elliot and Macy, and “soulmate” quality of their relationship. I’ve read a couple Christina Lauren books that I’ve enjoyed, but this one is the best I’ve read by them. I want more fiction works from them with romance elements, rather than just purely romantic stories. They captured so many emotions in this book, that I’m already tempted to read it all over again.

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andreweaver88's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I read this with my book club and I will say that if I read it alone, I would have gobbled this up in a day. It was such a great read! I loved the back and forth and you learn what happens as you go. The ending choked me and almost killed me. I absolutely loved it.

TW/CW

*death
*alcohol

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averydriver's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

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christinemcgoveran's review against another edition

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funny hopeful sad 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

4.5

This was a delightful and fun read. It was hard at points because it does deal with death and loss. I liked the idea of the two timelines, past and present. The story of Elliot and Macy going through their teenage years together and how they reconnected was really touching. I loved how books, reading, and words plays a role in the story. I will remember this books and recommend it to other people.

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