I finished This Modern Love by Will Darbyshire in less than 24 hours. 

It is a quick read. A collection of letters around the world, from people at the beginning, middle and end of love. Crushes, romance and heartbreak. A cycle everyone can relate. Some more than others. Love is, perhaps our most primal emotion. 

As I stared blankly at the last page, I thought about love in this modern age. My first love, to be specific, and its cycle. The early infatuation when I saw him on stage, the years spent together, and the eventual heartbreak. 

Sometimes I have to remind myself. I was in love once. 

There was a boy, two years older but acted much younger. Childish but charming. I never thought we would grow old together, but we lasted through college. 

I saw his face through my computer screen every Thursday night, laughing into the early hours. He texted me in the morning before school, and I answered back by lunchtime. We sent silly selfies back and forth. With every message received, my heart jumped.

I knew, to my core, this was love.

Modern technology had helped our relationship. When it ended, modern technology hindered our heartache.

I saw his face on Instagram every other week, grimacing as I scrolled past. I wrote passive-aggressive tweets in 140 characters, and he 'liked' them the next day. We messaged in the same group chat, never to each other. With every notification lit in green, my heart dropped.

This love was gone, and modern technology reminded me.

In many ways, this modern age hasn't changed love. Love evolved with us.

We are the paradoxical generation. More cynical about romance but still searching for our soulmates. Assured there will be The One, someone for us, anyone. With technology, it becomes easier to find them, connect with them, and stalk their social media profiles until you know exactly what they had for brunch in June 2013. 

Yet the feelings remain the same. 

The butterflies in your stomach still flutter. 

Your lingering stares still hold passion. 

Their 'I love you' still matters. 

The book carried me through an emotional process. This Modern Love reminds me that today's form of love is no worse nor better than love of the past. Love is love is love. Regardless of time and place.

This modern love is still love, and it is beautiful. 

This Modern Love is available on Amazon.

Despite the title of this post, I wanted to recreate a 70s inspired outfit. 

I wore this Topshop Flared Top during London Fashion Week, pairing it with a thrifted black swing dress. I noticed modest fashion bloggers wearing long sleeves tops over sleeveless dresses. Though hesitant at first, I conceded. Now, I can't stop wearing them.

To finish off, I wore Adlina Anis Chiffon Onesie in Dusty Rose. Though I'm not a fan of pink, the colour brought a sense of romance. One needed when writing about this modern love, both the book and concept. 

“What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person.” - John Green

I watched Paper Towns yesterday. Having read the novel and enjoying it, I had my expectations exceeded. Though I did not love it, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Albeit for different reasons than most.

Paper Towns is not a cinematic masterpiece. More often than not, it's slow and pretentious. Like every John Green novel ever. It still captures the heart and soul that makes them so popular. Like every John Green novel ever. Paper Towns is not the next Fault In Our Stars. It doesn't try to be.

What Paper Towns is, is a fine, better-than-average, coming-of-age comedy. It also deconstructs the Manic Pixie Dream Girl archetype and explores themes of idealization and identity.

“You can be noble and brave and beautiful and still find yourself falling.” - Ava Dellaira

Rating ||  4/5