Author: Christina Lauren
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Published By: Gallery Books (April 10, 2018)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!
Book Description:
Love, loss, friendship, and the betrayals of the past all collide in this first women’s fiction novel from New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Christina Lauren (Autoboyography, Dating You / Hating You).
The story of the heart can never be unwritten.
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 bookish 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 devouring 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.
I'm so ashamed to admit that this is my first Lauren book and I can honestly say after finishing this, in almost one sitting mind you, what in the heck was I waiting for?
Romance books, heck the genre in general has so not been my thing lately but I saw the description for this and something resonated with me so I picked it up and consequently, barely set it down again.
I was completely and utterly captivated by it from the very first page.
This story. This friendship, this....everything.
I don't even have words to describe how much I am in love with Elliot and Macy. With this book. With their story. Their passion and friendship. Their love and heartache. Their loses and tragedies and their strength and resilience. I just want to thumb through the book again and absorb it all over. It experience it all over again, one emotion at a time.
It was so good. So meaningful and yes, romance and all, exactly and everything, I needed.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
YES! I loved this one. It is my third from Christina Lauren and I have loved them all. Glad you enjoyed this!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely was to read more of her books now!
DeleteAw, I love friends to lovers. This sounds really good!!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Me too, definitely one of my favs!
DeleteI'm reading this next, and I'm so excited to check it out since I loved Roomies and Autoboyography by this duo. This sounds absolutely wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read more!
DeleteI'm glad to see that you ended up enjoying this one as much as I did! I read and loved Roomies recently, so I definitely recommend reading that too! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteThat one is next on my list to read from her.
DeleteI haven't seen this Kindlemom it looks fab! Thanks
ReplyDeleteIt was so good Debbie, I know you would like it!
DeleteI adored her book Roomies and need to add this when the romance genre mood strikes!
ReplyDeleteI so need to add Roomies LOL!
DeleteI haven't read this author either but now I want to pick this one up ASAP.
ReplyDeleteDo it, it was just so good!
DeleteI didn't know about this one but I liked one of her books. I should try more!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
DeleteI heard great things about this author. I have not had the chance to read anything of hers though. I hope to get ot her soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I did so I really hope you do try them!
DeleteOnce again, you've piqued my interest, Ali! Sorry I haven't commented in a while. I've been having a hard time connecting my google address to the blog. I think I've gotten it figured out.
ReplyDeleteOh no, just my blog? Yikes! Sorry it's causing so much trouble, it's always good to see you!!
DeleteI do plan too, Roomies for sure!
ReplyDeleteGlad this one was good! Sometimes the right book just comes along and has an impact. Sounds like that happened here!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! I could't agree more and it's so fun when it happens. :D
DeleteI need this book for sure! I've loved the others I've read by them-not that there's been that many,but enough that I know I will love this one. Glad you enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteI think you will like this one too then Lorna. I know I need to look up all their others and read them now too.
DeleteI haven't read this author before but this book sounds good.
ReplyDeleteIt was so good Mary, I think you would like it as well.
DeleteI've read their YA books The House and Sublime, both supernatural and Gothic, which I really enjoyed. I'm not much into contemporary but given the authors I just might need to try this. So glad you had fun with the romance.
ReplyDeleteOoo I'll look that one up Kim, I haven't heard of it and I had no idea they wrote YA as well.
DeleteI hate betrayals, but dang! I'm curious!
ReplyDeleteVanessa @ Blushing Geek
I do too but this is good, trust me. ;)
DeleteI still need to try my first one of her books. I love how you described your connection to the characters and their romance.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sophia!
DeleteI wasn't a fan of Roomies so I was a little hesitant to pick this up. This sounds wonderful, and I do love a second chance romance. Excellent review! :)
ReplyDeleteI love second chance romances as well which is why I loved this so much. Hopefully you like it better than you did Roomies. ;)
Deleteyeah have not been feeling romance lately myself and yet somehow am reading 2 of them right now oops. I've never read this author but now a bunch of you guys that I trust are loving the books and now I must try
ReplyDeleteIt's weird how that happens right?
DeleteI'm so happy you enjoyed this one! Like you, I've seen it around but never picked it up. I've also never read a book by this author, but it looks like I need to start! I love when books are captivating and meaningful. Maybe it's just what I need, too?
ReplyDeleteDo You Dog-ear?
I hope you do and that it is. ;)
DeleteI haven't read anything by this duo in so long, I definitely need to start again!
ReplyDeleteDo it! I think you will like this one as well. :D
DeleteI've heard a lot of wonderful things about this! It really sounds like a heartfelt and sweet romance! I'm glad it really hot the spot for you! Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteIt really was all those things. :D
DeleteI need to try this author pair. Great review.
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads
You do! I know you would like them.
DeleteAlways Great when a author draws you in and you can finish it at one time.
ReplyDeleteTori @ In Tori Lex
Yes, so true!
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