A review by asread_bymerisha
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

challenging emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I can’t believe I waited this long to read this book, but so glad I started yesterday. I started reading again right after work today because I kept thinking about the characters and needed to know how their story ended. I didn’t expect the plot twist and I’m so glad that 1) there was no third act break up and 2) there was no epilogue ending in marriage or a baby. I know that might be unpopular opinion, but romance books these days are so over saturated with both of those and this book shows why they aren’t really necessary. 

The love between Elliot and Macy was so palpable I could feel it through the pages. I am an absolute sucker for a second chance romance with a dual timeline that shows how the two main characters fell in love over time. Throw in a book loving, glasses wearing, MMC and I’m a goner.

My only criticism of this book is that Elliot clearly didn’t give consent to Emma—meaning he was sexually assaulted, but I think there was too much ambiguity around what really happened. He didn’t “make a mistake.” He was drunk and assaulted, which then led to him literally not being able to be with anyone physically for years and even braking down when he did get physical with someone. It was never revealed if this was because of what happened to him, him equating those things with losing Macy, or both.
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