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A review by _onemorechapter_
November 9 by Colleen Hoover
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
𝑻.𝑾: Grief and loss, Fire-related trauma, Guilt and self-blame
💭Let’s talk about *November 9,* aka the emotional chaos that CoHo wrapped up in 320+ pages and tossed into my lap. This book? A *wild* ride full of heartache, love, self-discovery, and just the right amount of drama to keep you flipping pages like a maniac.
The story centers on Fallon and Ben. Fallon is a former actress whose life took a sharp turn after a fire left her scarred, both physically and emotionally. She’s fierce yet fragile, determined to rebuild her life but unsure of her place in the world. Enter Ben—an aspiring writer, king of charm, and a guy who’s way too good with words for anyone’s emotional stability. Their chemistry is instant and off the charts, and their banter is addictive, but the story isn’t all hearts and roses. CoHo, in true CoHo style, keeps us on our toes with some *serious* twists and turns that had me screaming, “NO WAY!”
The concept of meeting just once a year on November 9? Torturous in the best way. It’s romantic and heartbreaking all at once. It makes you root for them so hard, and every November 9 feels like a milestone in their story. You want them to work, you NEED them to work. And when you find out why Ben is so invested in her? Whew.
But Fallon and Ben’s love story isn’t all cute meetups and butterflies. Oh no. CoHo throws twist after twist, each one hitting harder than the last. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, she flips the script and leaves you gaping. The revelations about Ben’s past? Gut-wrenching. You’ll love him, you’ll hate him, and then you’ll love him again because CoHo makes it impossible not to.
Ben - Any girl would be *lucky* to have a Ben in her life. I mean, the way he sees Fallon? How he constantly lifts her up and makes her feel beautiful despite her insecurities? Dream. Boyfriend. Material. And can we just take a moment to appreciate the level of maturity this man had at *18*?! Like, I know grown men in their 30s who don’t even have half his emotional intelligence. He sets the bar so high that I’m considering sending out applications for my very own Ben. 🥹
Fallon - she’s a relatable queen. Her scars (inside and out) make her vulnerable, but her growth throughout the book? Chef’s kiss.
And the side characters! Let’s give them their moment in the spotlight because they brought *so much* to this story. Fallon’s dad, a big-shot Hollywood actor, is a total piece of work. His complicated relationship with Fallon adds layers to her struggle with self-worth and acceptance. Meanwhile, Ben’s brothers, Kyle and Ian, were standout characters in their own right. Ian, the responsible and grounded brother, felt like a rock for Ben, while Kyle’s presence (or lack thereof) looms over the story in a way that tugs at your heart. Even Jordyn, Kyle’s widow, brings depth and raw emotion to the narrative, showing how grief and family ties intertwine in complex, heartbreaking ways.
The writing? Classic CoHo. Raw, poignant, and unflinchingly honest. Fallon and Ben’s yearly meetings unfold like snapshots of their lives, each chapter bringing a mix of hope, heartbreak, and growth. Fallon’s journey toward self-acceptance and Ben’s struggle to reconcile his past with his future are beautifully intertwined.
But let’s be real—this book isn’t perfect. Some plot twists felt a little over the top, and there were moments when I wanted to scream at the characters (Ben, I’m looking at you). Still, the emotional payoff makes it all worth it. And the final twist? Colleen Hoover really said, “Let me shatter your soul real quick, but don’t worry, I’ll fix it in the last few pages.”
Overall, *November 9* is about more than just love. It’s about forgiveness, healing, pain, a sprinkle of CoHo magic that keeps you flipping pages way past bedtime and learning to embrace the parts of yourself you thought were broken. Fallon and Ben’s story will stick with me for a long time, scars and all.
𝐏.𝐒 *November 9* holds a special place in my heart because guess what? I started reading it ON November 9—my birthday!
November 9 isn’t just my birthday anymore—it’s also the day I fell in love with Ben💕
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Contemporary Romance
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🌶️
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 100% yes.
Will it emotionally wreck you? Also yes. But you’ll also feel whole. And that’s the magic of Colleen Hoover.
Worth it? Absolutely.
"Perfect for anyone who loves messy, complicated romances with all the angst and a bittersweet punch."
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
"Whoever said the truth hurts was being an optimist. The truth is an excruciatingly painful son of a bitch."
“If your daughter is as talented as you claim she is, wouldn’t you want to encourage her not to give up on her dreams? Why would you want her to see the world the way you do?”
My father stiffens. “And how, exactly, do you think I see the world, Mr. Kessler?”
Ben leans back in our booth without breaking eye contact with my father. “Through the closed eyes of an arrogant asshole.”
"As smooth as I tried to be, I didn’t ease into this girl’s life with the discreet grace of a fox. I barged into it with the subtlety of a fifteen-thousand-pound elephant."
"I begin to mentally undress her, and not in a sexual way. I’m just curious. Really curious, because I can’t stop staring at her, and that’s not like me. My mother raised me with more tact than this, but what my mother failed to teach me is that there would be girls like this one who would test those manners merely by existing."
"“What’s your biggest regret in life, Ben?”
An odd question, but I go with it. Odd seems completely normal with this girl, and never mind the fact that I’d never tell anyone my biggest regret. “I don’t think I’ve lived through it yet,” I lie.
She stares at me thoughtfully. “So you’re a decent human being? You’ve never killed anyone?”
“So far.”
She holds back a smile. “So if we spend more time together today, you aren’t going to murder me?”
“Only if it’s in self-defense.”
She laughs and then reaches for her purse. She wraps it over her shoulder and stands up. “That’s a relief. Let’s go to Pinkberry and we can break up over dessert.”
I hate ice cream. I hate yogurt.
I especially hate yogurt pretending to be ice cream.
But I’ll be damned if I don’t grab my laptop and my keys and follow her wherever the hell she’s willing to lead me."
"She sighs. Again. I don’t think I’ve ever made a girl sigh this much in such a short amount of time. And they aren’t the kind of sighs that make a guy feel good about his skills. They’re the kind of sighs that make him wonder what the hell he’s doing wrong."
“I’m not very good with on-the-spot motivational speech,” I say to her. “Sometimes at night, I’ll rewrite conversations I had during the day, but I’ll change them up to reflect everything I wish I could have said in the moment. So I just want you to know that tonight when I write this conversation down on paper, I’ll say something really heroic and it’ll make you feel really good about your life.”
"“You think I’m pretending to flirt with you to make you feel better about yourself?”
“Aren’t you?”
Does she really think that? Do people really not flirt with her? Is this because of her scars or because of her insecurities about her scars? Surely guys aren’t as shallow as she’s implying. If so, I’m embarrassed on behalf of all men. Because this girl should be fighting off the guys who flirt with her, not questioning their motives."
"I guess I’ll just go with honesty. Mostly honest, anyway. That seems to be the best way to respond to this girl, since she reads through bullshit like it’s written on transparent paper."
“You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else.”
“You seem to favor romance novels, and that’s not up my alley.”
I stop perusing the shirts in my closet and stare at him. “No,” I say with a groan. “Please don’t tell me you’re one of those pretentious readers who judge people by the books they like.”
He immediately shakes his head. “Not at all. I just don’t know anything about writing romance. I’m eighteen. Hardly an expert when it comes to love.”
I walk out of the closet and lean against the door. “You’ve never been in love before?”
He nods. “Of course I have, but not the kind worthy of a romance novel, so I have no business writing about it.” He plops down on the bed and leans against the headboard, watching me.
“Do you think Stephen King was actually murdered by a clown in real life?” I ask him. “Did Shakespeare really down a vial of poison? Of course not, Ben. It’s called fiction for a reason. You make the shit up.”
“People don’t feel uncomfortable when they look at you because of your scars, Fallon. They’re uncomfortable because you make people feel like looking at you is wrong. And believe me—you’re the type of person people want to stare at.” I feel his fingertips graze my jaw and I flinch. “You have the most incredible bone structure, and I know that’s a weird compliment, but it’s true.” His fingers leave my jaw and trail up my chin until he’s touching my mouth. “And your lips. Men stare at them because they want to know what they taste like, and women stare at them out of jealousy because if they had lips the color of yours, they’d never have to buy lipstick again.”
“Fucking beautiful,” I whisper.
She smiles and then ducks her head. “I feel stupid.”
“I barely know you, so I’m not about to argue with you over your level of intelligence, because you could very well be as dumb as a rock. But at least you’re pretty.”
"Because it’s easy to fall in love, Ben. The hard part comes when you want out.”
“You think you can actually control whether or not you fall in love with someone?”
“Falling in love may not be a conscious decision, but removing yourself from the situation before it happens is. So if I meet someone I think I might fall in love with . . . I’ll just remove myself from their presence until I’m ready for it.”
“One of the things I always try to remind myself is that everyone has scars,” she says. “A lot of them are even worse than mine. The only difference is that mine are visible and most people aren’t.”
"comfort can sometimes be a crutch when it comes to figuring out your life. Goals are achieved through discomfort and hard work. They aren’t achieved when you hide out in a place where you’re nice and cozy."
"I’m already dreading the second she leaves, and she just now showed up."
"I suck in a breath as his hand slides over my jaw. “I missed you, Fallon,” he whispers. “A lot. And screw it if I’m not supposed to admit that, but I tried the whole alpha-male thing for two seconds and I just can’t do it. So you don’t get alpha-Ben today. I’m sorry.”
Wow. Is he . . .
He is.
“Ben,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “Are you . . . booksting me?”
He cocks an eyebrow. “Booksting?”
“Yeah. When a hot guy talks books with a girl. It’s like sexting, but out loud and with books instead of sex. Nor does it have to do with texts. Okay, so it’s nothing like sexting, but it made sense in my head.”
“What’s your favorite color?”
“Malachite green.”
I make a face. “That’s a very specific green, but okay.”
“It’s what color your eyes are. Also happens to be my favorite mineral.”
“You have a favorite mineral?”
“Do now.”
I look down to avoid him seeing my embarrassed smile straight on."
“You can’t pursue the willing, Fallon.”
Oh, dang. He deserves a kiss for that comment"
"She’s the only one I wanted with me today, and here she is. Just for me. Because she missed me.
If she’s not careful, I might just fall in love with her.
Tonight."
“I don’t want to be your first, Fallon. I want to be your last.”
I take in a quiet rush of air as his words sink in. He’s not even kissing me, and those words just made this moment a twelve. I touch his cheek with the tips of my fingers and smile up at him. “I want you to be my first and last.”
“You can’t say things like that unless you mean them, Fallon.”
I meant it with everything I am. For the first time, I realize that I don’t care about the five years. I don’t care that I’m not twenty-three. All I care about is Ben and how I feel when I’m with him, and how I want so much more of this. “I want you to be my only,” I say, my voice quieter, but with more resolve."
"I think she expected me to let her go without a fight, but she’s not the kind of girl you choose your battles for. She’s the kind of girl you fight to the death for."
“Meant to be together? Are you listening to yourself? This isn’t one of your fairy tales, Fallon. This is real life, and in the real world you have to bust your ass for the happy ever after!”
“When you find love, you take it. You grab it with both hands and you do everything in your power not to let it go. You can’t just walk away from it and expect it to linger until you’re ready for it.”
"Love should be between two people, and if it isn’t, I’d rather bow out than take part in the race."
"because I need you to know that it was always you who had my heart. And I would have never let anyone else borrow it if I knew there was a chance in hell you’d ever want it back.”
"the only thing that makes me sad—the biggest thing—is that I think about you every second of every day and I don’t know how to get over you.”
“Don’t,” I beg her. “Please don’t get over me.”
She shrugs with a half-hearted smile. “I can’t. I tried, but I think I’d have to go to AA or something. You’re just a part of my chemical makeup now, I think.”
“Loving someone doesn’t just include that person, Ben. Loving someone means accepting all the things and people that person loves, too. And I will. I do. I promise.”
"Most people don’t know what death sounds like.
I do.
Death sounds like the absence of footsteps down the hallway. It sounds like a morning shower not being taken. Death sounds like the lack of the voice that should be yelling my name from the kitchen, telling me to get out of bed. Death sounds like the absence of the knock on my door that usually comes moments before my alarm goes off."
"Though Lovers be lost, love shall not."
“When I say you just know, it’s because you will. You won’t question it. You don’t wonder if what you feel is actually love, because when it is, you’ll be absolutely terrified that you’re in it. And when that happens, your priorities will change. You won’t think about yourself and your own happiness. You’ll only think about that person, and how you would do anything to see them happy. Even if it meant walking away from them and sacrificing your own happiness for theirs.”
She gave me a sidelong glance. “That’s what love is, Ben. Love is sacrifice.”
“You’ll know, Ben. When you’re willing to give up the things that mean the most to you just to see someone else happy, that’s real love.”
"And yes, you have scars. But anyone who sees your scars before they see you doesn’t deserve you. I hope you remember that and believe that. A body is simply a package for the true gifts inside. And you are full of gifts. Selflessness, kindness, compassion. All the things that matter.
Youth and beauty fade. Human decency doesn’t."
💭Let’s talk about *November 9,* aka the emotional chaos that CoHo wrapped up in 320+ pages and tossed into my lap. This book? A *wild* ride full of heartache, love, self-discovery, and just the right amount of drama to keep you flipping pages like a maniac.
The story centers on Fallon and Ben. Fallon is a former actress whose life took a sharp turn after a fire left her scarred, both physically and emotionally. She’s fierce yet fragile, determined to rebuild her life but unsure of her place in the world. Enter Ben—an aspiring writer, king of charm, and a guy who’s way too good with words for anyone’s emotional stability. Their chemistry is instant and off the charts, and their banter is addictive, but the story isn’t all hearts and roses. CoHo, in true CoHo style, keeps us on our toes with some *serious* twists and turns that had me screaming, “NO WAY!”
The concept of meeting just once a year on November 9? Torturous in the best way. It’s romantic and heartbreaking all at once. It makes you root for them so hard, and every November 9 feels like a milestone in their story. You want them to work, you NEED them to work. And when you find out why Ben is so invested in her? Whew.
But Fallon and Ben’s love story isn’t all cute meetups and butterflies. Oh no. CoHo throws twist after twist, each one hitting harder than the last. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, she flips the script and leaves you gaping. The revelations about Ben’s past? Gut-wrenching. You’ll love him, you’ll hate him, and then you’ll love him again because CoHo makes it impossible not to.
Ben - Any girl would be *lucky* to have a Ben in her life. I mean, the way he sees Fallon? How he constantly lifts her up and makes her feel beautiful despite her insecurities? Dream. Boyfriend. Material. And can we just take a moment to appreciate the level of maturity this man had at *18*?! Like, I know grown men in their 30s who don’t even have half his emotional intelligence. He sets the bar so high that I’m considering sending out applications for my very own Ben. 🥹
Fallon - she’s a relatable queen. Her scars (inside and out) make her vulnerable, but her growth throughout the book? Chef’s kiss.
And the side characters! Let’s give them their moment in the spotlight because they brought *so much* to this story. Fallon’s dad, a big-shot Hollywood actor, is a total piece of work. His complicated relationship with Fallon adds layers to her struggle with self-worth and acceptance. Meanwhile, Ben’s brothers, Kyle and Ian, were standout characters in their own right. Ian, the responsible and grounded brother, felt like a rock for Ben, while Kyle’s presence (or lack thereof) looms over the story in a way that tugs at your heart. Even Jordyn, Kyle’s widow, brings depth and raw emotion to the narrative, showing how grief and family ties intertwine in complex, heartbreaking ways.
The writing? Classic CoHo. Raw, poignant, and unflinchingly honest. Fallon and Ben’s yearly meetings unfold like snapshots of their lives, each chapter bringing a mix of hope, heartbreak, and growth. Fallon’s journey toward self-acceptance and Ben’s struggle to reconcile his past with his future are beautifully intertwined.
But let’s be real—this book isn’t perfect. Some plot twists felt a little over the top, and there were moments when I wanted to scream at the characters (Ben, I’m looking at you). Still, the emotional payoff makes it all worth it. And the final twist? Colleen Hoover really said, “Let me shatter your soul real quick, but don’t worry, I’ll fix it in the last few pages.”
Overall, *November 9* is about more than just love. It’s about forgiveness, healing, pain, a sprinkle of CoHo magic that keeps you flipping pages way past bedtime and learning to embrace the parts of yourself you thought were broken. Fallon and Ben’s story will stick with me for a long time, scars and all.
𝐏.𝐒 *November 9* holds a special place in my heart because guess what? I started reading it ON November 9—my birthday!
November 9 isn’t just my birthday anymore—it’s also the day I fell in love with Ben💕
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Contemporary Romance
🔸𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒚: 🌶️
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 100% yes.
Will it emotionally wreck you? Also yes. But you’ll also feel whole. And that’s the magic of Colleen Hoover.
Worth it? Absolutely.
"Perfect for anyone who loves messy, complicated romances with all the angst and a bittersweet punch."
🔸 𝑭𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔:
"Whoever said the truth hurts was being an optimist. The truth is an excruciatingly painful son of a bitch."
“If your daughter is as talented as you claim she is, wouldn’t you want to encourage her not to give up on her dreams? Why would you want her to see the world the way you do?”
My father stiffens. “And how, exactly, do you think I see the world, Mr. Kessler?”
Ben leans back in our booth without breaking eye contact with my father. “Through the closed eyes of an arrogant asshole.”
"As smooth as I tried to be, I didn’t ease into this girl’s life with the discreet grace of a fox. I barged into it with the subtlety of a fifteen-thousand-pound elephant."
"I begin to mentally undress her, and not in a sexual way. I’m just curious. Really curious, because I can’t stop staring at her, and that’s not like me. My mother raised me with more tact than this, but what my mother failed to teach me is that there would be girls like this one who would test those manners merely by existing."
"“What’s your biggest regret in life, Ben?”
An odd question, but I go with it. Odd seems completely normal with this girl, and never mind the fact that I’d never tell anyone my biggest regret. “I don’t think I’ve lived through it yet,” I lie.
She stares at me thoughtfully. “So you’re a decent human being? You’ve never killed anyone?”
“So far.”
She holds back a smile. “So if we spend more time together today, you aren’t going to murder me?”
“Only if it’s in self-defense.”
She laughs and then reaches for her purse. She wraps it over her shoulder and stands up. “That’s a relief. Let’s go to Pinkberry and we can break up over dessert.”
I hate ice cream. I hate yogurt.
I especially hate yogurt pretending to be ice cream.
But I’ll be damned if I don’t grab my laptop and my keys and follow her wherever the hell she’s willing to lead me."
"She sighs. Again. I don’t think I’ve ever made a girl sigh this much in such a short amount of time. And they aren’t the kind of sighs that make a guy feel good about his skills. They’re the kind of sighs that make him wonder what the hell he’s doing wrong."
“I’m not very good with on-the-spot motivational speech,” I say to her. “Sometimes at night, I’ll rewrite conversations I had during the day, but I’ll change them up to reflect everything I wish I could have said in the moment. So I just want you to know that tonight when I write this conversation down on paper, I’ll say something really heroic and it’ll make you feel really good about your life.”
"“You think I’m pretending to flirt with you to make you feel better about yourself?”
“Aren’t you?”
Does she really think that? Do people really not flirt with her? Is this because of her scars or because of her insecurities about her scars? Surely guys aren’t as shallow as she’s implying. If so, I’m embarrassed on behalf of all men. Because this girl should be fighting off the guys who flirt with her, not questioning their motives."
"I guess I’ll just go with honesty. Mostly honest, anyway. That seems to be the best way to respond to this girl, since she reads through bullshit like it’s written on transparent paper."
“You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else.”
“You seem to favor romance novels, and that’s not up my alley.”
I stop perusing the shirts in my closet and stare at him. “No,” I say with a groan. “Please don’t tell me you’re one of those pretentious readers who judge people by the books they like.”
He immediately shakes his head. “Not at all. I just don’t know anything about writing romance. I’m eighteen. Hardly an expert when it comes to love.”
I walk out of the closet and lean against the door. “You’ve never been in love before?”
He nods. “Of course I have, but not the kind worthy of a romance novel, so I have no business writing about it.” He plops down on the bed and leans against the headboard, watching me.
“Do you think Stephen King was actually murdered by a clown in real life?” I ask him. “Did Shakespeare really down a vial of poison? Of course not, Ben. It’s called fiction for a reason. You make the shit up.”
“People don’t feel uncomfortable when they look at you because of your scars, Fallon. They’re uncomfortable because you make people feel like looking at you is wrong. And believe me—you’re the type of person people want to stare at.” I feel his fingertips graze my jaw and I flinch. “You have the most incredible bone structure, and I know that’s a weird compliment, but it’s true.” His fingers leave my jaw and trail up my chin until he’s touching my mouth. “And your lips. Men stare at them because they want to know what they taste like, and women stare at them out of jealousy because if they had lips the color of yours, they’d never have to buy lipstick again.”
“Fucking beautiful,” I whisper.
She smiles and then ducks her head. “I feel stupid.”
“I barely know you, so I’m not about to argue with you over your level of intelligence, because you could very well be as dumb as a rock. But at least you’re pretty.”
"Because it’s easy to fall in love, Ben. The hard part comes when you want out.”
“You think you can actually control whether or not you fall in love with someone?”
“Falling in love may not be a conscious decision, but removing yourself from the situation before it happens is. So if I meet someone I think I might fall in love with . . . I’ll just remove myself from their presence until I’m ready for it.”
“One of the things I always try to remind myself is that everyone has scars,” she says. “A lot of them are even worse than mine. The only difference is that mine are visible and most people aren’t.”
"comfort can sometimes be a crutch when it comes to figuring out your life. Goals are achieved through discomfort and hard work. They aren’t achieved when you hide out in a place where you’re nice and cozy."
"I’m already dreading the second she leaves, and she just now showed up."
"I suck in a breath as his hand slides over my jaw. “I missed you, Fallon,” he whispers. “A lot. And screw it if I’m not supposed to admit that, but I tried the whole alpha-male thing for two seconds and I just can’t do it. So you don’t get alpha-Ben today. I’m sorry.”
Wow. Is he . . .
He is.
“Ben,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “Are you . . . booksting me?”
He cocks an eyebrow. “Booksting?”
“Yeah. When a hot guy talks books with a girl. It’s like sexting, but out loud and with books instead of sex. Nor does it have to do with texts. Okay, so it’s nothing like sexting, but it made sense in my head.”
“What’s your favorite color?”
“Malachite green.”
I make a face. “That’s a very specific green, but okay.”
“It’s what color your eyes are. Also happens to be my favorite mineral.”
“You have a favorite mineral?”
“Do now.”
I look down to avoid him seeing my embarrassed smile straight on."
“You can’t pursue the willing, Fallon.”
Oh, dang. He deserves a kiss for that comment"
"She’s the only one I wanted with me today, and here she is. Just for me. Because she missed me.
If she’s not careful, I might just fall in love with her.
Tonight."
“I don’t want to be your first, Fallon. I want to be your last.”
I take in a quiet rush of air as his words sink in. He’s not even kissing me, and those words just made this moment a twelve. I touch his cheek with the tips of my fingers and smile up at him. “I want you to be my first and last.”
“You can’t say things like that unless you mean them, Fallon.”
I meant it with everything I am. For the first time, I realize that I don’t care about the five years. I don’t care that I’m not twenty-three. All I care about is Ben and how I feel when I’m with him, and how I want so much more of this. “I want you to be my only,” I say, my voice quieter, but with more resolve."
"I think she expected me to let her go without a fight, but she’s not the kind of girl you choose your battles for. She’s the kind of girl you fight to the death for."
“Meant to be together? Are you listening to yourself? This isn’t one of your fairy tales, Fallon. This is real life, and in the real world you have to bust your ass for the happy ever after!”
“When you find love, you take it. You grab it with both hands and you do everything in your power not to let it go. You can’t just walk away from it and expect it to linger until you’re ready for it.”
"Love should be between two people, and if it isn’t, I’d rather bow out than take part in the race."
"because I need you to know that it was always you who had my heart. And I would have never let anyone else borrow it if I knew there was a chance in hell you’d ever want it back.”
"the only thing that makes me sad—the biggest thing—is that I think about you every second of every day and I don’t know how to get over you.”
“Don’t,” I beg her. “Please don’t get over me.”
She shrugs with a half-hearted smile. “I can’t. I tried, but I think I’d have to go to AA or something. You’re just a part of my chemical makeup now, I think.”
“Loving someone doesn’t just include that person, Ben. Loving someone means accepting all the things and people that person loves, too. And I will. I do. I promise.”
"Most people don’t know what death sounds like.
I do.
Death sounds like the absence of footsteps down the hallway. It sounds like a morning shower not being taken. Death sounds like the lack of the voice that should be yelling my name from the kitchen, telling me to get out of bed. Death sounds like the absence of the knock on my door that usually comes moments before my alarm goes off."
"Though Lovers be lost, love shall not."
“When I say you just know, it’s because you will. You won’t question it. You don’t wonder if what you feel is actually love, because when it is, you’ll be absolutely terrified that you’re in it. And when that happens, your priorities will change. You won’t think about yourself and your own happiness. You’ll only think about that person, and how you would do anything to see them happy. Even if it meant walking away from them and sacrificing your own happiness for theirs.”
She gave me a sidelong glance. “That’s what love is, Ben. Love is sacrifice.”
“You’ll know, Ben. When you’re willing to give up the things that mean the most to you just to see someone else happy, that’s real love.”
"And yes, you have scars. But anyone who sees your scars before they see you doesn’t deserve you. I hope you remember that and believe that. A body is simply a package for the true gifts inside. And you are full of gifts. Selflessness, kindness, compassion. All the things that matter.
Youth and beauty fade. Human decency doesn’t."