Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
Published: January 11th, 2011 | Delacorte Books
Age: Young Adult
Pages: 368
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author
Acquired: Public Library
Overall: 
Review: Ari has been trapped in others shadows for most of her life. First her beautiful and popular sister and now her beautiful and popular best friend. But when her family unexpectedly inherits a small fortune Ari is able to go to the elite prep school along with her best friend, and just as she feared, she just doesn't fit in with her crowd. Which leads her to meet to interesting and quirky Leigh who then introduces Ari to her gorgeous and older cousin Blake.
As Ari learns a whole new side of 1980s New York and the romance she never thought was possible, her ideas of life begin to change as this new world begins to consume her. Especially this budding romance with Blake. But when tragic strikes Blake and his family, he ends his relationship with Ari and she in turns begin to lose her way in life. Now she has to try to see what this relationship with Blake was and try to salvage any relationship with both her family and friends that were put on the back burner while Blake began to take over everything she once did and loved.
I won't lie, when I read the summary of this book, I figured it'd just be another lovey-dovey fluff read that left me void of any emotion or attachment towards it... I was wrong. The depth of this book will definitely leave an impact with me in the long list of debut authors this year!
When Ari describes her pain or any feelings she has, you feel them, you understand them. When we read about the small and meticulous things Ari did... You wanted to know about them. Everything. But the things that made you continue reading are what mattered the most. Like her falling in love and experiencing everything that comes along with your first love. Having feelings that are otherwise forbidden in the eyes of the world. Being in the shadow of your best friend who may always be there for you but just doesn't understand who you are and why you are that person. I believed it all.
I knew from the first few pages that this book would be different. And it wasn't just the year (set in the late 1980s) or that the world they lived in is different from ours... The author knew how to speak to me and let me know exactly how things were. We're not only introduced to characters, but we get to
know these characters. And that's done without having their biography laid out for us.
The way Ari would describe
her feelings towards someone would allow you to develop your own feelings and judgement towards them, openly -- non biased.
Especially her family... And her sister's husband. Though she liked him, a lot, I was actually annoyed by him. And her sister? Boy, that woman's got a mouth on her. But it was hilarious!
I did want more of Leigh however. I found her fun, refreshing, and real. And Blake, her cousin, was hot and weird at the same time. "Nice" this "nice" that... Agh!! However the love scenes between Ari and Blake--ow, ow--I would
love to read an
adult romance book from Lorraine!! Them scenes were hot! ^_^"
The interaction between Ari and her parents, especially her mother, were real and honest. Who doesn't get annoyed with their parents and though they hold it in just want to tell them exactly how they feel. We all have at some point, and sometimes things get so serious that you just
have to. And when Ari finally does, you cringe, you feel both Ari's anger and her mother's pain.
The ending, let me just tell you... I
loved it and from the moment Blake and Leigh came into the picture, that is exactly what I hoped happened. I can't say much more, but I will say I wouldn't mind a sequel to see more into Ari's world! Though it's wrapped up very well that you feel perfectly fine with guessing what may happen in everyone's future.
I cannot wait to read more from Lorraine Zago Rosenthal!!
When I read a book I usually don't associate the cover with anything that happens in this book, but this is exactly how I imagined New York and Ari herself. Gorgeous cover with soft colors that draw you in and make you want to pick it up!
With this book you not only get the contemporary young adult romance book but you get honesty, realness and believablitiy (redundant & made up words for the win)! I definitely recommend this to everyone--no matter your usual genre choice. It's a breath of fresh air and leaves you feeling good!
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Author's Info:
Lorraine Zago Rosenthal was born in New York City where she went to high school in Queens at St. Francis Prep. She graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Education. She has also earned a Master's degree in English, with a concentration in American and British Literature, from Northern Kentucky University.
In addition to writing she also enjoys reading, exercising, watching movies and spending time with her husband.
in February 2011 Lorraine became a contributing writer for
PopMatters, an international popular culture webzine for which she reviews new DVD releases in film and television.
Other Words for Love is her first novel. She is currently working on another Young Adult novel that will also be set in NYC!
