Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

June 7th, 2018 Kimberly Review 32 Comments

7th Jun
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
Love and Other Words
by Christina Lauren
Narrator: Erin Mallon
Length: 8 hours and 21 minutes
Genres: Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame
Narration: 5 cups

Macy Sorensen is settling into an ambitious if emotionally tepid routine: work hard as a new pediatrics resident, plan her wedding to an older, financially secure man, keep her head down and heart tucked away.

But when she runs into Elliot Petropoulos—the first and only love of her life—the careful bubble she’s constructed begins to dissolve. Once upon a time, Elliot was Macy’s entire world—growing from her gangly teen friend into the man who coaxed her heart open again after the loss of her mother…only to break it on the very night he declared his love for her.

Told in alternating timelines between Then and Now, teenage Elliot and Macy grow from friends to much more—spending weekends and lazy summers together in a house outside of San Francisco reading books, sharing favorite words, and talking through their growing pains and triumphs. As adults, they have become strangers to one another until their chance reunion. Although their memories are obscured by the agony of what happened that night so many years ago, Elliot will come to understand the truth behind Macy’s decade-long silence, and will have to overcome the past and himself to revive her faith in the possibility of an all-consuming love.

Truffles well written friends ROMANCE

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren was her first attempt at Women’s Fiction and it’s safe to say she nailed it. Narrated by Erin Mallon, Lauren allowed me to become caught up in this captivating, heartwarming and poignant story that had me vested from the first chapter.

Caffeinated Reasons to Grab Earbuds and Listen to Love and Other Words

  • Told from the voice of Macy Sorensen, a pediatric doctor, living and working in the San Francisco area. When we first meet Macy she seems to have a perfect life but we quickly learn she has been just going through the motions of life. Macy world turns upside down when she bumps into Elliot, her best friend and first love, whom she hasn’t seen since New Year’s Day eleven years before. Lauren shares their current interaction as they reconnect, but also gives us chapters from their past.
  • Macy lost her mother at an early age but her mother left her father with instructions and tips to help him raise their daughter.  These little tips made me laugh and occasionally weep. It is something I could see myself doing had I faced a similar fate with young children. One thing was to take her away from the city, and her father ends up purchasing a summer/weekend home. It is here that Macy meets Elliot.
  • I absolutely adored young Macy. She is a bookworm, shy, sweet and awkward. She and Elliot immediately clicked with their passion for the written word. A tiny closeted alcove became a magical place where they shared, talked and experienced loves firsts. Lauren allows us to understand Macy, and I enjoyed moments from the past, even as I longed to know what drove them apart.
  • The romantic development in their youth was delightful.  Wait until you see Elliot and Macy together. It will make you belive in soulmates! Lauren delightfully shared precious, heart-melting moments. She gave us all the awkwardness of young love. With youth comes fears, uncertainty, and mistakes.
  • Knowing something tore this young couple apart created an underlying edge to the story. It left me hoping that maturity would allow them to face their past.  If two people belong together it was Elliot and Macy.
  • I worried in the beginning, and if I am honest almost set the book down, because Macy was involved in a serious relationship. But Macy was going through the motions and playing it safe. Once Lauren shared that relationship with us and the way it all was handled I could focus on Macy and Elliot.  The drama was kept low as the two worked up to understanding exactly what happened that drove them apart. I laughed, wiped tears from my eyes and felt for not only Macy but Elliot too.
  • Erin Mallon narrates, and she totally rocked this one. She enhanced my connection and the emotions of these characters. I loved how it brought their story to life. This was my first experience with her, and I will gladly listen to books narrated by her again.

A friends to lovers romance by this wickedly talented writing duo left me smiling and hugging myself. Love and Other Words is the perfect romance to devour this summer whether you listen or toss it in your tote to take to the beach.

Grab your earbuds because you'll want to listen to Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren this summer. All the feels and a stellar narration from Erin Mallon. #JIAM #loveaudiobooks Click To Tweet

 

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

32 Responses to “Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren”

  1. Sam@WLABB

    I am getting all emotional just reading this review. THAT is how much I loved this book. I love when characters share so much of a past, and these two had an epic one. I am so glad to hear the narrator was able to properly translate this story, because it was a great one.

    Sam@WLABB recently posted: Discussion: Let's Jump Ahead
  2. Heidi

    I think my review for this one goes up tomorrow. I really liked this one too even though it tugged at my heart strings a time or two. You really need to try Autoboyography by these two.

  3. Anne

    You make me want to go get this one right now and yet I’m so on edge about what broke them apart. Excellent review! Anne – Books of My Heart

  4. Katherine

    Reading the blurb I had serious concerns because of Macy’s relationship. Any kind of cheating is usually a deal breaker foe me but it does look like it was handled well and the characters sound wonderful. I’m adding to my TBR.

    • Kimberly

      I am the same way.. She wrote no physical lines were crossed, and the author handled it in such a way I was ok.

  5. Sophia Rose

    Neat that their first WF was a hit. What a poignant story, it sounds like. I do enjoy Erin Mallon’s narration work in the two I’ve listened to.

  6. Melliane

    I haven’t tried this one but I enjoyed one of her books and I have their new release to read as well

  7. Lorna

    I am reading one by these authors right now. I am thinking I am going to buy this one eventually. Thanks again for all your help!

  8. Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

    I absolutely *loved* this one. It’ll easily be among my favorites for the year. I fell in love with Macy and Elliott – and you’re right, if two people belonged together, it was them. 🙂 It’s great to hear that the audio was done so well!

    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books recently posted: WWW Wednesday #9 | June 6, 2018
  9. verushka

    I like Macy already — and I particularly love that she and Elliot are bookworms. This sounds like such a LOVELY romance!