Love & Lies: Marisol's Story

by Ellen Wittlinger

Marisol Guzman from Hard Love is older and wiser. She has graduated from high school and deferred Stanford for a year so she can pursue her newest dream, writing a novel. She has taken an apartment in Somerville with her best friend Birdie, a waitressing job at the legendary Mug in Cambridge, and signed up for "How To Write Your First Novel" at the adult learning annex.

But on the first day, she isn't sure what is a bigger suprise, that Gio is in her class or that it is being taught by Olivia Frost, the most beautiful, intelligent woman she has ever laid eyes on. Between that; Birdie bringing home his new boyfriend (who is equally afraid of Marisol and the cat) to live with them; and Lee, a high school senior who has fallen head over heels for Marisol, she can hardly keep things straight. Especially once she herself falls into her first real relationship with the twenty-eight year old Olivia.

As Marisol becomes more and more involved with Olivia, she begins to wonder if she is too blinded by love to see the truth.

Genres: Young Adult, LGBT, Romance, Fiction, Queer, Lesbian, Contemporary

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2008

About the author

Ellen Wittlinger is the critically acclaimed author of 15 young adult novels including Parrotfish, Heart on My Sleeve, Love & Lies: Marisol's Story, Razzle, What's in a Name, and Hard Love (an American Library Association Michael L. Printz Honor Book, a Lambda Literary Award winner, and a Booklist Editors' Choice). She has a bachelor's degree from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and an M.F.A. from the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop. A former children's librarian, she lives with her husband in western Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Kasia · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a lot of things I really liked about this book... I liked the setting and the tertiary characters and the way Marisol talked about books writing. It was good to read something that fleshed out her character more than what we saw in Hard Love. This would have gotten at least 3 stars from me if it hadn't relied on my least favorite romance cliche... (SPOILER ALERT!!!) the love triangle that is easily solved by one of the love interests turning out to be a horrible person. This is so over-used in books and movies of the romcom sort, and I think it is usually a cop out on the part of the writer. The protagonist gets to basically have her romantic choice made for her, ending up with the obviously "right" person without hurting anyone that the audience cares about. Relationships rarely, if ever, work out so cleanly in real life. People get hurt, and people have to make hard choices. I think a "realistic" novel about teen relationships like this one should have been more honest in its portrayal. As it stands, Olivia never seems like a real person and the ending seems to easy and clean. It didn't work for me.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

In HARD LOVE, the reader got to meet Gio. Gio fell in love with Marisol Guzman, to no avail. Not that Marisol didn't like Gio, maybe even love him. But not in that way. For Marisol likes girls. Now, Ellen Wittlinger gives the reader a chance to get inside Marisol's head. This is Marisol's story.

Marisol has decided to defer Stanford for a year. She's got the idea that she's going to write a novel. And she can't do that if she's worrying about her schoolwork at the same time. So she moves out of her parents' house and into a grungy apartment with her best friend, Birdie. With some under-the-table financial assistance from her mother, Marisol works a waitress job at a small coffee shop while trying to write her novel.

She signs up to take a Saturday morning writing class to aid her in the endeavor. There, she first encounters her old friend Gio. Things were left unsettled between them after a falling out in the spring when Gio revealed his true feelings for her. Hopefully, they can begin again as friends with a firm understanding between them this time around. Marisol has truly missed Gio, but she knows she never led him to believe anything else would happen between them.

As they settle into their seats, in walks the most beautiful woman that Marisol has ever met, their teacher, Olivia Frost. From the first moment, Marisol is struck and becomes obsessed. Marisol begins to imagine being with Olivia, and before she knows it, Olivia is returning the attention.

But life isn't perfect or easy for Marisol. Olivia is hiding something and none of Marisol's friends trust her. Added to that, Marisol has befriended Lee, a shy girl that has begun to hang out at the coffee shop after school. Lee has recently announced to her family and friends that she's gay, and things haven't been easy for her. Marisol tries to encourage Lee in her new world, without encouraging her affections. She can see the situation turning into a repeat of her troubles with Gio in the spring.

As Ms. Wittlinger crafts her story, Marisol is forced to deal with her own issues and struggles to stay who she is as she struggles with her need to be loved. It's only after Marisol loses what she truly needed that she realizes what she has to do. LOVE & LIES: MARISOL'S STORY is a great continuation to HARD LOVE. Fans of the first one will definitely love this one just as much. And for those that have never read HARD LOVE, they will easily pick up the flow of the story and want to join the crazy bunch of people that are Marisol's friends.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fan's of Wittlinger's Hard Love will be thrilled to know that she has continued the tale of Marisol and Gio in this recent publication. The focus has shifted from Gio as Marisol becomes the narrator. Marisol has now graduated from high school and is taking a year off from college to write a novel.

While she has opted to still live in Cambridge, Marisol has decided to move out of her parent's house and live with her good friend, Birdie. He is a slightly hyperactive guy who has been her friend since they were really young. She is hoping that living with him will bring about some calm, but that is not proving to be the case as he starts to bring every sad case home, from cats to dogs to his new boyfriend.

Besides spending time working at a local cafe to bring in some much needed money, Marisol has opted to take a writing course. It ends up being taught by Olivia, a Harvard graduate with a career of writing a number of short stories. It does not take long for Marisol to not only get a crush on Olivia, but to find herself falling in love with her. Surprisingly, Olivia starts to return the interest and they start a whirlwind secret relationship. Unfortunately, Marisol finds herself in a relationship with a jealous and hot-tempered woman.

In contrast, Marisol has met Lee while working her job in the cafe. Lee has been coming in every afternoon and has a cup of tea. As Marisol and her start talking, Marisol learns that Lee has basically been kicked out of her house in Indiana after she came out to her parents. Lee came to Cambridge to live with her sister, a recent Harvard graduate. The two girls form a strong friendship as Marisol finds herself being a mentor. Unfortunately, the relationship will be tested as their roles aren't what one of them wishes they could be.

I found myself really being drawn back into the stories of Marisol and Gio. It was nice getting her perspective on events, particularly since she has always been a paragon of truth. As she finds herself drawn deeper into the confusions involved with her relationships with Lee and Olivia, she finds that she must sacrifice the truth to try to salvage things.

As with most of Wittlinger's books, the characters are honest and realistic as they face a number of specific challenges that are not uncommon in the world of today's teens. Marisol is an out and proud lesbian who just wants to find her first love. She quickly learns that love is not as easy as everyone hopes it will be.

Marisol is definitely a spicy and sassy character. That means she comes across as a little harsh to those around her, but it fits with her character. On an interesting aside, I kept picturing Vanessa from the show Gossip Girl in the role of Marisol as I was reading it. I am not sure why, though!

This really is a must read for fans of Hard Love.

[Noortje de Graaff · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book because I love me a book about writing... but that was about the only think I enjoyed. I think it would've been better if this had been promoted as a part 2 instead of a companion book, because those you can usually read as a stand alone and here I kept feeling like I was missing vital data. Also wasn't a fan of the ending, but I personally just dislike endings that are too open.

[Arminzerella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marisol is deferring her admission to Stanford for a year so that she can write a novel. To make her experience more authentic, she’s moved out of her parents’ house, gotten an apartment with her best friend and a job at the Mug (a run-down, but beloved neighborhood coffee shop). Now all she has to do is write (and find love)! Marisol finds both her inner author and someone to crush on when she signs up for a novel-writing class through an adult education program. Her teacher, Olivia Frost, is brilliant and breathtaking, and she’s definitely attracted to Marisol. Their relationship, however, is almost immediately problematic. Olivia is controlling, jealous, and parcels out her time like she’s on a meter. Marisol, who’s accustomed to being confident and outspoken, finds herself bending over backwards to appease Olivia when she’s in one of her moods. Olivia’s also putting a lot of strain on Marisol’s friendships with others. She cuts down Gio in class regularly, after she learns that he’s Marisol’s friend, and she actually follows Marisol down to Provincetown to spy on her. Meanwhile, Marisol’s newly *out* friend, Lee, is falling hard for Marisol, and Marisol is unintentionally breaking her heart. While all of these growing pains are providing excellent fodder for Marisol’s novel (she’s written about 120 pages by the end of this book), they’re ripping Marisol to pieces.

Marisol’s self-confidence and poise are refreshing – she knows who she is and she’s comfortable with herself (personality, ambitions, sexuality, etc.). She’s naïve, however, when it comes to relationships, which makes her easy pickings for Olivia. It was disappointing to see Marisol fall so hard for someone who wasn’t worthy of her affection – it was pretty obvious from the get go that their relationship was doomed. The ending is a bit rushed – Olivia dumps Marisol, Marisol finds out that Olivia’s curriculum vitae is a complete sham (she’s lied about everything), and Lee flees Cambridge for the reassuring farms of Indiana. Marisol gets over everything pretty quickly after she’s comforted by her roommates, and finds solace in the task of completing her novel. She’s not, apparently, one to mope for days following a break-up. While the cast of characters could use some additional detail to make them noteworthy, and the plot (with its many love triangles) doesn’t really cover any new ground, this was an entertaining read. Those, like myself, who missed Hard Love, may be intrigued enough to want to find out what happened before Love & Lies.

[Charleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast and uncomplicated read

Love & Lies is the story of Marisol, a spunky, funny lesbian girl from Massachusetts who just graduated from high school. She defers Stanford for one year to accomplish two goals: write a novel and fall in love. She and her gay best friend Birdie, move into an apartment in Cambridge. Living with your best friend is not easy, especially when he has the tendency to pick up strays of all species, human included. Enter Damon, Birdie's crush who just moved in and Marisol has trouble accepting.

Marisol also has a job at The Mug, a historic place in Harvard Square where T.S. Eliot supposedly sat to write poetry. There she meets Lee, a young lesbian girl who moved from Indiana to Cambridge because it was too difficult for her parents to deal with her sexual orientation. She befriends Lee and tries to get her to have fun.

To accomplish one of her goals, Marisol enrolls in an adult education course about writing a novel. There she finds her friend Gio, who had previously declared his love for her (in the first book, Hard Love) and she had turned him down. Missing Gio's friendship, she tries to mend the relationship. The class is taught by Olivia Frost, a name so fitting. Marisol falls head over heels in love with her teacher and seems that goal number two is well underway. What Marisol was not expecting was that she would have to deal with more unrequited love, jealousy, Damon, Gio, love and lies.

The book was a quick and uncomplicated read. Maybe too uncomplicated. The book was a quick and superficial read. Except for the character of Marisol, none of the other characters were truly developed. Thus, I was unable to understand, or care about, Marisol's crush, Lee, or even Gio. We are merely presented with fleeting images of these characters that are never fully fleshed out.

Regardless, the book is quite funny. There are some truly laugh-out-loud moments and I found myself enjoying some hilarious moments. And although I enjoyed the funny parts of the book, the character and story development left me unsatisfied. The story seemed rush and willing itself to end. The coincidences at the end were way too obvious and unnecessary. The book is predictable enough; we did not need further confirmation of what we already knew. And the end, well, I guess we will have to wait until Lee's story comes out.

[Sadaya Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a girl name Marisol. She lives in Cambridge. Marisol wants to write a novel, that's the only reason why shes not attending college yet. Marisol meets Lee. Both of them start to become good friends. Lee is only one year younger than Marisol. Since Marisol wants to become a writer she takes a writers class. That when she meets Olivia. Marisol and Olivia starts to fall in "love". But their love doesn't turn out so good when Marisol says one lie to Olivia, and Lee ends up getting hurt. Soon Olivia and Marisol brake up and finds out she should have been with Lee. But by that time its too late for Lee to come back.

Marisol was hoping to find peace in her apartment in order to focus on writing her first novel. However, she doesn't get her wish. Her gay roommate, Birdie, who is her childhood best friend, has fallen head over heels over a man and asked him to move in without talking with her first. In addition, while enrolling at an adult continuing education class on novel writing, she discovers that Gio has also enrolled. Marisol is awkward because Gio was once in love with her and he seems to be trying to get over her.

I think love&lies is an amazing book it has its sad and exciting moments. I fell that it is a great book for teens because its relates to what teens are dealing with today. Love&Lies is a must read book.

[Lizzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a girl name Marisol. Shes eight-ten, and she lives in Cambridge. Marisol wants ro write a novel, thats the only reason why shes not attending college yet. Marisol meets Lee. Both of them start to become good friends. Lee is only one year younger than Mariso. Since Marisol wants to become a writer she takes a writers class. That when she meets Olivia. Marisol and Olivia starts to fall in "love". But their love doesnt turn out so good when Marisol says one lie to Olivia, and Lee ends up getting hurt and moves back to Indiana. Soon Olivia and Marisol brake up and finds out she should have been with Lee. Buth by that time its too late for Lee to come back.


The book was okay. I didn't like it that much. Some pages were exciting, but the rest weren't. For me the book was a little to predictable. The one thing i like about the book was it could really happen to someone. But the book wasn't someting that wanted me to keep reading to see what would happen next. I pretty much figured what was goin to happen. So that kind of left the book boring for me.

[Shaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I was really impressed by Hard Love but Love and Lies isn't quite as good.

Things I liked about it:
1) I like Marisol as a character
2) It's set in Cambridge and I recognized many of the places and the band Girlyman (that was exciting to see the name of one of my favorite bands in print!)
3) I liked having Gio as a secondary character. It was interesting having Marisol as the main character and Gio as the secondary instead of the way around. And he understood her well.
4) I liked the creative, literary parts that are always in Wittlinger's novels

What I didn't like:
1) The plot and eventual ending was sooooooo cliched and predictable. Not original, except maybe that Marisol is gay. And really, that's enough to cut a star.

You can read Love and Lies without having read Hard Love first, there's a summary of Hard Love in the first couple chapters. But Hard Love might be ruined for you.

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think a lot of people, including myself, can relate to falling for someone who, upon reflection, was a major asshole. But somehow at the time, the assholery was charming. I think Wittlinger does a good job depicting this particular situation.

I take issue with calling this a "companion" novel. It's really a sequel. Is that a new code word for sequel?

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first came across this book I did not know it was a companion novel to Hard Love. I just thought it was reviewed for another one of her books on the back, go figure. But this book can act as a stand-alone because it seems to summarize Hard Love in the first couple chapters.

Onto the book. Love And Lies is a love story (but really couldn't you tell from the title?) Marisol has moved out of her home and into an apartment with her gay best friend Birdie, who happens to pick up strays from cats and dogs to people, works at a run-down diner called the Mug, and is trying to write a novel. Oh, and she wants a girlfriend with the capital Love.

Pros of this book include the character development. You get a baby dyke, far away from her home due to circumstances, who fall for the assertive Marisol. You get the hot teacher who is secretive. You get sweet Marisol who just wants to please everyone in life. You see a proud LGBT supportive parent who we all (as LGBT folk at least) want as a mother for themselves. The acing and the development for the characters to act in their world is well done. You felt like you were going through Marisol's days as she was taking them in, while some things were predictable many things were a surprise. Also glad to see that Marisol did not get the relationship she wanted in the end. First from Olvia and then not from the third side in the triangle, Lee the baby dyke

Now the big con, the love triangle. Very predictable once you knew who the cast of characters was. Once the insta love Marisol fell into when she saw Oliva. And this is why I gave it a lower star rating

[Jessica Mather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love and Lies follows Marisol on her adventure to write her own novel before starting college.
I am torn with this book. Marisol is still a teenager, so when she falls for her professor, she can't see the lies through the (selective) love. In this regard, it was written very realistically. Marisol was young and naive, but this also meant that she was rather immature at times, and a bit whiny.

The narrator for this was too old for portraying both Marisol and Olivia. Marisol was a teenager, and Olivia was in her 20's. But the narrator had a voice that significantly aged both of them, especially Olivia who sounded more in her late 30's. She certainly acted that way.

I think the friend relationship between Marisol and Lee was under developed, and I wanted to know more about Gio as well. And I wish there was something more that happened with Olivia (without spoiling it).

This had a lot of potential, but some of the story was under developed and there wasn't really a resolution or ending at all. I think this would have been good as a series (and the title 'Marisol's Story' suggests that it could have been). Overall this receives a 3 star rating, and isn't really a book that i would recommend to people.

[bjneary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read Hard Love this summer as part of a twitter chat (#yearofya - topic books of the 80s & 90s) and was so happy Wittlinger wrote this follow-up as part of Marisol's story. Marisol is out and proud, has taken a year off to make money for Stanford and she wants to write a book. She meets Gio at her creative writing class and even though it is awkward (he proclaimed his love for her & she spurned him) they keep trying the friendship avenue. Gio is now seeing Diana (Marisol likes her, she is a good person) and Marisol's best friend roommate is now seeing a guy. Marisol keeps looking for love and thinks she has found it in their creative writing teacher, Olivia. The title of the book says it all- Marisol is used and bullied by Olivia but she tells herself this is love. What will happen to Marisol as her friends try to warn her what they see and she does not? A perfect follow up to Hard Love!

[Mattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Love is one of my favorite books, period. You ask me my favorite books, it's *probably* the one I'm going to mention first.

So when, years and years after I read it, I found out Ellen Wittlinger had told what happened next, but for Marisol? I was ecstatic. But I was also deeply concerned it wouldn't live up to my expectations, which is probably why I held off on reading it for a decade.

I needn't have worried. Ellen didn't let me down, at all.

Marisol's story is a little more grown up, while still maintaining the vulnerability and sense of only-slightly-jaded optimism unique to one's "escape velocity" period of just post-high school.

The story is poignant, incredibly touching, with a kind of realism few other authors manage to portray. Fans of Hard Love won't be disappointed.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was filled with passion and love. It was very well written with lots of discription. The way Marisol felt for Olivia was like a feeling that has been felt before over all the book had many emotions which is a very good things to have in order to have the reader taken in by it.
This book also had somethings that weren't like the best. I honestly wished that we had more of the charters lives/stories/back round about them because i mean it will probably gives an idea why the charters were like they were.
I would recommend to probably kids my age or people who just want a story that will like make sense. I guess it depends the reader and the person. Its a great book i recommend.

[James Taber · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read a book where I could describe the characters as "vibrant." It's also been a while since I found myself hating a fictional character because they're such a terrible person. (Can't say who, that would be a spoiler.)

Highly enjoyable and relatable. Strong, character-driven writing. My only criticisms are that it feels like it ends too soon, with no resolution of the main story thread, and that the emotional closure/validation at the end is a bit of a Deus ex machina.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading (and jettisoning) books I got copies of on various committees but never read. Its amazing how dated 15 years old can be in Teen years, especially in terms of any kind of depiction of diversity.

So that's why this one gets 5 stars. It felt wildly ahead of its time. Actual gay romance, not a gay problem novel. Characters treated in a nuanced way. Great side characters.

Docked a star because the "big reveal" about Olivia is a bit of a deus ex machina (that I saw coming anyway)

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Marisol very much, but felt that most every plot element was totally unrealistic. One thing that really bothered me was that when she loses her virginity, it's kind of an emotional non-event, despite the fact she has so little sexual experience. Some of her thoughts felt like they were in mom-speak, not the voice of an 18 year old, though the actual dialogue was pretty good. The denouement felt totally unsatisfying and contrived, though I did like how the story ended.

[Tempy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This read like a really bad fanfiction. The only reason it gets more than one star is because it shows a lot of character diversity.

Marisol is such an annoying character. Even more annoying that Olivia. Olivia is awful and cruel. But she’s less annoying than somebody like Marisol who not once showed any redeemable qualities.

[Katie Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a cute book with a decent amount of activities. It's fair value comes from the fact that I had no idea that it was a book about lesbians and I was taken off guard a bit and it also came from BORDERS! Hahaha that made me laugh. It makes me wonder if there's another book with the same characters but I shall have to research that on my own. It's a good read and I have no complaints.

[JaKrysshyanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect anything that happened in this book. It was absolutely fantastic. I was in awe at how real the characters felt. They were written with so much emotion, it was unbelievable. I loved how the novel Marisol was writing was based on her life in a sense. A book in a book! Phenomenal.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the best full of gay people

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Bryndís · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5☆
SO FUN!
Niet briljant, maar het werkt gewoon.
Ik weet alleen niet zeker wat ik van het einde vind. Het is gelukkig niet te happy ending (dat haat ik), maar ook wel.weer erg plotseling

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

If there’s one book I remember reading when I was younger it was Hard Love. Gio meets Marisol. This book is about Marisol. I had higher expectations.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

This was a very quick and easy read, and for the most part the main character, Marisol, was likable and relatable.

The same can’t be said for her love interests. I know that was intentional for one of them, but the other was kind of annoying, too. There were moments when she wasn’t, but mostly she was eh and I didn’t see much chemistry with Marisol. We were told there was chemistry, but it wasn’t obvious from their interactions. Friends, sure. But nothing that felt all that romantic.

Overall I did enjoy the read.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sequel or continuation of the book HARD LOVE. This one is a winner and more than stands on it's own. It is just more enjoyable if you have read the other book first.

I usually try to stay away from books that are Series or have sequels. Usually worrying about the varying degrees of quality and not wanting to be locked in and having to read the whole series to get closure and satisfaction.

I at times get suckered or go in knowing full well what I am getting into and deciding with the first is this something I can continue. This book and series (only two) is more than worth it. They work seperately though can look at it as one whole book with a switch of narrators.

This is a book that I am sad to finish as you never want to leave these characters.

The type of boom you want to prolong just to keep it around, but are so captivated and interested you have to keep reading and before you know it it's over. You also keep reading as you want to see if things get better or worsened how the character will find their way out of this situation and can't stand the cliffhanger of takin time away from the book.

Though you can rest assured that they will be fine. As they are imagined by another person really their creator. They still feel real, personal and close to you.

A good book always stays with you and this one made me feel like i forgot time existed. As it had me reacting to it like an unruly patron at the movie theater who talks back to the screen for whatever reason passion or to be funny. Only in my case not to be annoying, it that was gown invested and connected I was in this book.

While it is a companion book to HARD LOVE. It not only continues the story from another characters point of view MARISOL. The object of affection from the first book. This book also let's you know how she saw the situations and actions from the first book as well as her thoughts and reasoning about it.

As a male I will say that it is easier for me to identify with the first book. As John the male character is describing his feelings and attraction and pining for a girl he/we know can never be with him in a romantic way that he wants. As I Have been there plenty of times. Though the first book and this one shows.
Forgiveness and a one of a kind intimacy in friendships that can happen when you connect with someone. Also how even if not into them how it is a nice self esteem boost to at least know they like you in that way. You don't want to encourage. It don't want to lose then
Either. As it is flattering especially when you have so much self doubt. That someone finds you amazing and attractive.

This is a book most of us can easily identify with, as it is not only about first love, but heartbreak, friendship love that lasts. How sometimes friendships feel like romances with an initial attraction and interest though with more relaxation, trust, intimacy, depth. They last as there is an acceptance. As you are not constantly trying to impress them As you might do with your partner.

This book still Manages to be shocking and heartwarming.

It's a young adult novel so of course everything feels familiar but most of all I love this book because it shows the beauty of writing. The written word can affect and transform you. How the perfect sentence, paragraph, page, pages, chapter can affect you and inspire.

That is one of the reasons I love to read not only to learn, but it also inspires thoughts and scenes different ways of looking at things ways to describe your ideas and imagination

Words mean something. Every one of them that is at there are dictionaries, encyclopedias, thesauruses.

Maybe it was all the talk and appreciation about writing in the book. That helped me realize my own feelings as well as agree. As it is a one of a kind action that is easily to complain about but the actual ritual of doing it and the results which run the gamut of wonderful to terrible. Always is a gamble. Something that should be easy but is a skill you have to constantly work on.

Makes you want to contact all those family and friends that you feel are close and make up the tapestry of your past in a good way. That you have mostly nothing it good memoirs with but haven't seen or heard form in a long time. Reintroduce yourself to and tell them you matter to me and me contacting you shows that you are unforgettable to me. I am sure I am not the only one. I just wanted to let you know. Where it goes from here I can't tell but I care about you and you mean something to me.

[Daniel Weir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having enjoyed Hard Love and its central characters, Gio and Marisol, reading Marisol's story was a good second helping from Wittlinger. Although the plot was in some ways predictable, Wittlinger made the story work. Like Hard Love, Love & Lies accepts, even celebrates, the ambiguity of late adolescent relationships. Don't look for an unambiguous happy ending. Life and this story aren't like that.

[Carolina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ehhh. It’s really badly written. And honestly, the synopsis didn’t even sound good to me, but I picked it up anyways, because it’s gay and it portrays what an unhealthy relationship is, which I think is very important to read about. I loved one of the characters, Lee, she was awesome, she handled things so well, in such a mature way. Loved that about her. Yeah, don’t recommend, there’s way better gay books out there.

[J-mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toxic lesbians 🙄