Moa has said that her partner, burlesque dancer Azaria Universe, with whom she entered into a civil union in February 2010,[1] was a major inspiration for the album.

[4] The writing and recording of Love in Motion was documented in the film In Bed With Anika Moa by filmmaker Justin Pemberton for the TVNZ documentary series Artsville.

[21] The sound of "I Am the Woman Who Loves You", noted as a standout track by critics,[21][22] was called "big but not overblown...stylish and swooning".

The title track centres around "pure, unguarded joy", and sexual innuendo exists during "Love Me Again",[21] while "Two Hearts" contains harsh lines and "Secrets and Lies" includes "don't-mess-with-me outpourings".

[24][25] During the week of the album's release (6 – 10 April), Moa toured several Westfield shopping malls in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, playing for free to the public.

[29] Moa said that "I've chosen to record an acoustic version of the album because I believe in the vulnerable, simplistic side of music and writing.

The way you connect the songs the first time you hear it, no drums, no effects, no funky bass lines, just your voice and a guitar... it feels like magic.

"[13] The lead single from Love in Motion, "Running Through the Fire (Storm)", was released in New Zealand on 5 April 2010, the same day as the album.

[34][35] Chip Matthews, Geoff Maddock and Nick Gaffaney, who all played on the album, joined Moa on the tour.

[38] Vicki Anderson of The Press lauded the accompaniment by Matthews, Maddock and Gaffaney for giving songs "new energy",[39] while the Waikato Times' Kate Monahan called the show "a high-energy, emotionally powerful performance".

Tom Cardy of The Dominion Post called the album "near faultless" and gave it a rating of five-out-of-five stars, commenting that "Moa's risky decision ... to follow her own path ... was the right one.

[20] Simon Sweetman from North & South described the album as "an almost understated collection of love songs – possibly Moa's strongest effort.

"[19] The Bay of Plenty Times' Kristin MacFarlane said that "Anika Moa fans...certainly won't be disappointed".

"[43] However, Graham Reid from Elsewhere wrote that "it is...a lot of very personal love being revealed and explored here and some will doubtless find that introspective nature and narrow wavelength less appealing than what has preceded it.

"[42] The Otago Daily Times' Shane Gilchrest gave Love in Motion three stars, saying that Moa "ends up playing it a bit too safe.

"[22] James Thompson from the Waikato Times commended "the power of the lyrics", but said that "regrettably, Love in Motion will not be ... a hugely successful album.