Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Love and Other Words
- Author: Christina Lauren
- Narrator: Erin Mallon
- Length: 08:22:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 10/04/2018
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Genre: Romance, Fiction & Literature, Rom-Com, Contemporary Women
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something about a good romance audiobook that feels like a companion on a long drive through unfamiliar terrain. ‘Love and Other Words’ by Christina Lauren, narrated by Erin Mallon, is exactly that kind of companion. This contemporary women’s fiction and rom-com hybrid pulled me in from the first chapter, unfolding like a well-worn map of the heart, full of creases and hidden routes. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio, it’s a story of childhood sweethearts – Macy Sorensen and Elliot Petropoulos – reconnecting after a decade apart, wrestling with the ghosts of a love that once defined them. It’s a tale told in alternating timelines, weaving between the innocence of ‘Then’ and the bittersweet complexity of ‘Now,’ and let me tell you, it hits hard.
I stumbled upon this audiobook while driving through the misty hills of Northern California, not far from the kind of setting where Macy and Elliot spent their formative years devouring books in a house outside San Francisco. It reminds me of a time when I was a teenager myself, sneaking away with my first love to read poetry under a sycamore tree in a quiet park in New Jersey. We’d trade favorite lines, just like Macy and Elliot with their shared words, building a secret language no one else could crack. Listening to this story brought back the ache of those early connections – the kind that shape you forever, even when they fracture. So, as I listened to Erin Mallon’s voice through my car speakers, I wasn’t just hearing a story; I was reliving pieces of my own.
The content of ‘Love and Other Words’ is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, a hallmark of the romance and fiction & literature genres. Christina Lauren crafts a narrative that’s both tender and raw, exploring themes of grief, first love, and the courage it takes to rebuild after heartbreak. Macy, a pediatrics resident, has cocooned herself in a safe, predictable life – complete with a fiancé who checks all the practical boxes. But when she runs into Elliot, her first and only true love, the walls she’s built start to crumble. The dual timeline structure is brilliant, showing us how their teenage friendship blossomed into something deeper, only to shatter on a night that’s left them both scarred. You can almost feel the weight of their unspoken pain, the way every word they exchange as adults carries the echo of what was lost. It’s a story about whether love can survive the wreckage of the past, and I found myself rooting for them with every mile I drove.
What elevates this listening experience, though, is Erin Mallon’s narration. Her performance is like sitting across from an old friend who’s confiding in you over a late-night conversation. She captures Macy’s vulnerability with a softness that breaks your heart, while giving Elliot’s longing a quiet intensity that lingers. Mallon’s pacing is impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect – much like the grandmother I stayed with in Oaxaca, whose storytelling taught me the power of silence in oral tradition. Her voice shifts seamlessly between the youthful exuberance of the ‘Then’ chapters and the heavier, more guarded tone of the ‘Now,’ making the audiobook experience feel immersive and intimate. The audio quality itself is crisp, with no distracting background noise, letting Mallon’s narration shine as the centerpiece. Whether you’re listening through headphones on a crowded bus or speakers on a quiet evening, it’s a performance that draws you in close.
That said, no story – or audiobook – is without its bumps in the road. While I adored the depth of Macy and Elliot’s connection, there were moments where the pacing in the ‘Now’ timeline felt a tad slow, as if the authors lingered too long on certain emotional beats. I wanted just a bit more momentum to carry me through the present-day tension. Additionally, while Mallon’s narration is stellar, there were a few instances where I wished for a slightly wider range in vocal distinction between characters during dialogue-heavy scenes. These are minor quibbles, though, in an otherwise captivating rom-com audiobook that stands tall in the contemporary women’s fiction space.
If you’re familiar with other works in the romance genre, ‘Love and Other Words’ might remind you of novels like ‘The Hating Game’ by Sally Thorne for its blend of humor and heartbreak, or ‘Me Before You’ by Jojo Moyes for its exploration of love shadowed by past trauma. But Christina Lauren’s focus on the power of words – literal and emotional – sets this story apart, giving it a unique flavor that’s both literary and deeply personal.
For me, this audiobook experience was a journey of rediscovery, much like the long drives I’ve taken through surreal landscapes like the Atacama Desert, where I first listened to ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude.’ There, the narrator’s voice wove magic into the air, just as Mallon’s does here. ‘Love and Other Words’ isn’t just a story you hear – it’s one you feel, taste, and remember. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s ever loved and lost, who’s ever wondered if a second chance is worth the risk. It’s perfect for fans of romance and contemporary women’s fiction, or for anyone looking to get lost in a heartfelt listening experience on a quiet night or a long road trip. If you can snag this audiobook free through a promotion or trial, even better – don’t miss the chance to dive in without spending a dime.
Reflecting on this story, I keep coming back to how it mirrors the human connections I seek out in my travels. Just as I’ve sat with strangers in far-off places, sharing stories that bridge our differences, Macy and Elliot’s journey reminds me that love – messy, imperfect, and sometimes painful – is the most universal language of all. It’s a reminder to hold tight to the words that matter, whether they’re spoken aloud or carried silently in our hearts.
So, my friends, that’s my take on ‘Love and Other Words.’ I’m curious – what stories have stolen your heart on the road? Drop me a line or leave a comment on my podcast, ‘Stories from the Road.’ Until then, keep wandering, keep listening, and keep chasing the tales that make you feel alive. Catch you on the next journey, Marcus Rivera.
