Book Review: Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  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?

My thoughts:  I wasn't sure if I would love this book or hate it but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really enjoyed it.  I was not disappointed at all!

Taking place in the 1980s, this story is about a normal teenage girl, Ari.  She is self-conscious and her best friend is also her worst enemy (isn't that how it always is in high school?).  She transfers from her public school into a private school (after receiving some money when her uncle passes away)and there she meets Leigh and Leigh's cousins (Blake and Del).  Blake and Ari become involved and I really enjoyed reading about their relationship.  Blake was not pushy about sex at all and I liked that about him.  The 1980s was the beginning of the big AIDS scare and Ari witnesses the effects of a teenage pregnancy when her sister gets pregnant at 17.  Luckily for her sister, the baby's father, Patrick, marries her and she is having another baby.

I really liked Ari.  She was SO real!  I remember feeling exactly how she feels sometimes.  She is desperate for some male attention (her father is very distant) and develops a crush on her brother-in-law.  Then she meets Blake and all her dreams get pushed aside and her grades drop.  I loved how the story wasn't your typical "happily ever after" unrealistic ending.  I felt for Ari but she ended up becoming a very strong character at the end.

I loved that the book dealt with some depression issues as well.  Evelyn, Ari's sister, spent some time in the psych ward and is constantly battling depression.  Ari has to deal with growing apart from her sister and her sister's horrible insults. 

I thought this book dealt with a lot of tough issues and it dealt with these issues beautifully.  The characters (all of them!) were well developed and awesome.  The ending was (in my opinion) perfect and I would highly recommend this to young girls and adult women!  I look forward to reading more from Rosenthal!

**I received this book from Good Golly Miss Holly ARC tours**