Review for Other Words For Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

"When an unexpected inheritance enables Ari to transfer to an elite Manhattan prep school, she makes a wealthy new friend, Leigh. Leigh introduces Ari to the glamorous side of New York--and to her gorgeous cousin, Blake. Ari doesn't think she stands a chance, but amazingly, Blake asks her out. As their romance heats up, they find themselves involved in an intense, consuming relationship. Ari's family worries that she is losing touch with the important things in life, like family, hard work, and planning for the future. When misfortune befalls Blake's family, he pulls away, and Ari's world drains of color. As she struggles to get over the breakup, Ari must finally ask herself: were their feelings true love . . . or something else?" Gosh…Where to start with this book? Love is not a strong enough word to describe how I feel about it. Ok let me start off by saying any girl who’s ever been in love should read this book and if you’re going through a break up- specially if it’s with your first love- this is the book for you. Reading this book was kind of therapeutic for me. Lorraine Zago Rosenthal captures the ups and downs of being in love so perfectly and describes them so honestly in her writing. From start to finish it was like reading one of my own diaries. I’ve never felt so personally connected to a character as I have with Ari. When she was happy I felt that happiness and when she was sad it was as though somebody had ripped my own heart out. I understood and connected with her on a level I never have with a character before showing what a powerful debut novelist Lorraine Zago Rosenthal is. Other Words For Love is a very character driven book. Whilst the plot if basically just the ins and outs of a teen girls first experience with love don’t be deceived because this book is so much more than that. The characters are the most real and complex characters that I’ve ever come across and whilst you read this book it feels so realistic like you are actually Ari living out her day to day life. Lorraine Zago Rosenthal has a real talent for making her characters as raw and humane as possible. So much so that you actually feel the emotions that their going through. Other Words For Love documents the most realistic account of falling in love that I have ever read. Lorraine Zago Rosenthal explores the euphoria of being in a relationship and the complete devastation when you’ve given your entire self to a boy only to find you have nothing left. Ari’s journey to mend her broken heart is endearing, hopeful and uplifting. This book made me cry happy tears and sad tears and I learnt so much from my time with Ari. This book is a real emotional whirlwind and I cannot imagine any girl not being able to relate to this book in some way. I feel like this is the ultimate coming of age story and the best fictional break up bible out there. Lorraine Zago Rosenthal has incredible talent as a writer, her voice is so strong that if I didn’t know beforehand that this was her debut novel I never would have guessed it. I’m so glad that I picked this book up because it touched me in such a deep way and it’s definitely up there with my favourite books of all time. Every girl needs to read this book, and it comes with the highest of recommendations from me. Read it, pass it on to your girlfriends and fall in love. My Rating 5/5 stars ***** Synopsis taken from goodreads