What do readers think of Ordinary Love by Marie Rutkoski? Write your own review.

Ordinary Love is a transcendent and butterfly-inducing love story. I could not put this one down, and I'm normally not attracted (pun intended) to domestic love stories. The themes of regret and repression are redolent, but yet there's this poignant whiff of hope that keeps the reader pushing on through the characters' questionable choices. Even though the love story is one between two women, it is ultimately a story about dealing with the consequences of our decisions. Powerful and potent, this tale will stay with you long after you put it down.

Emily is the central character of Marie Rutkoski's novel "Ordinary Love." We met her at her country home in upstate New York with her husband Jack, 10-year-old son Connor, and his younger sister Stella. Emily's confronting Jack concerning an incident with the children provides our entry into an examination of her marriage, relationships with childhood friends, her parents, acquaintances, and sexual partners. As is true of most relationships, Emily struggles with communicating, building trust, and resolving conflicts.

Rutkoski writes memorably about these interactions, but the relationships are fraught with …more missed opportunities for resolution. At a few points I dreaded reading what happened next—would she fail? We get glimpses throughout the book into lives of the elites—wealthy families and top-level athletes—that sometimes made me feel more excluded than informed. Overall, the author compellingly portrays the perils and rewards of the quest for ordinary love. (less)

Ordinary Love is a beautifully written depiction of love, loss, and struggling to find yourself and your way through adulthood. Marie Rutkoski's writing pulls you in from the very first chapter, and convinces you to root for her characters as though they are your friends. She balances a heart-snagging love story with a tale of becoming a prisoner to the 'perfect life.' Ordinary Love is tender, brutal, and a stunning depiction of navigating life.

This book was about the ups and downs of love. It was about first love, friendship love, marriage love, motherhood love and being comfortable when you discover your true love. I found myself wondering which direction the book would take. I was also empathetic to the main characters and their feelings as they changed throughout the story. It was a page turner, and I was sad to see it end.

I would recommend this book to high schoolers and up. It may give clarity to the difficulties one faces when dealing with love gone right or wrong. It will make you laugh and cry.

Most importantly, I strongly urge you to read this book and encourage your fellow readers to do so. Marie Rutkoski has a gift for writing "take your breath away" prose as evidenced in her novel Ordinary Love. Her characters are so well fleshed out that you feel you know them, their best and worst selves. Nella is my favorite --- hers is a wisdom that is enviable.

The symbol of seeds runs throughout the book: :"seeds can live a long time." All readers, regardless of preconceived ideas, can learn much about compromising and confronting loss. The author's skill with understanding children, their thoughts and speech, are unparalleled.

In spite of what the title says, this is not an “ordinary love” story. As one of the characters, Gen, says near the end, “nothing in life is ordinary.” This book is a love story of contrasts: Emily and Gen, high school sweethearts and Emily and Jack, the traditional man-woman love story. Each is fraught with problems, and each offers Emily choices as she grapples with discovering who she really is and what she wants out of life and love. In between these alternating stories, we see the impact of Emily’s love choices on her parents, her friends, and her children. As she grows and assumes responsibility for her …more decisions, we learn that she understands that in accepting a “second chance” at love, love can be ordinary in its truth but extraordinary in its honesty.

This is a beautifully written book. I was surprised how I was drawn to it as it was at times outside my comfort zone, but there was such a deep, searing honesty to it, I simply had to know the ending. It was a splendid read! (less)

This is not an “ordinary” love story per se in spite of what the title says. But then as one character, Gen, says near the end of the novel “nothing is ordinary.” Tackling a love story with intelligence and depth, this book contrasts two loves: Emily for Gen, her first love from high school, and Emily and Jack, the traditional man-woman love story. Both are fraught with problems but both offer Emily a chance to be her “real” self: one who’s loved and appreciated for who she intrinsically is not who she is expected to be.

In between the alternating love stories, we get a glimpse into how Emily’s parents view her …more and her love choices, how her friends do as well, and the impact of ending her marriage to Jack on her children. All along the way Emily is faced with grappling as to who she really is and how her choices affect others. Deciding to embrace a “second chance,” Emily commits to a love that can be ordinary for its commitment to truth but extraordinary for its honesty.

This book is beautifully written and very poignant. I was surprised how I kept being drawn to it each time I set it down because I had to know how it ended. (less)

I enjoyed this a lot--addressed gay and traditional relationships. But mostly I enjoyed the detailed development of the two main characters and the struggle to understand the nuances of each. The women were vibrant and realistic and helped me understand the subtleties of love and nuances of female/female relationships.