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A review by jaylinsoto
Ordinary Love by Marie Rutkoski
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
TW: homophobia, death, domestic violence, gaslighting, emotional abuse.
Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book! Ordinary Love by Marie Rutkoski is beautifully written. The protagonist, Emily, is a dynamic and fully realized character, and I found myself deeply invested in her journey. Her experience with emotional abuse and gaslighting in her marriage created a palpable tension throughout the book.
My only complaint is the pacing. There were too many heavy, traumatic events (see: trigger warnings), and it felt like I was being hit with one thing after another without enough space to fully explore each issue.
I did appreciate the flashbacks, Emily’s relationship with Gen, and her friendships, though I wished we saw more of them towards the end. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and first book of 2025 for me!
Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book! Ordinary Love by Marie Rutkoski is beautifully written. The protagonist, Emily, is a dynamic and fully realized character, and I found myself deeply invested in her journey. Her experience with emotional abuse and gaslighting in her marriage created a palpable tension throughout the book.
My only complaint is the pacing. There were too many heavy, traumatic events (see: trigger warnings), and it felt like I was being hit with one thing after another without enough space to fully explore each issue.
I did appreciate the flashbacks, Emily’s relationship with Gen, and her friendships, though I wished we saw more of them towards the end. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and first book of 2025 for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racism, and Gaslighting