“
You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
You can’t leave yet. I’m not finished falling in love with you.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
If we’re going to kiss, it has to be book-worthy.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
It took four years for me to fall in love with him. It only took four pages to stop.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
She’s not the kind of girl you choose your battles for. She’s the kind of girl you fight to the death for.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
She “loved me” in quotations She kissed me in bold I TRIED TO KEEP HER in all caps She left with an ellipsis . . .
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I would never let anyone else borrow my heart if I know there’s a chance in hell you might want it back.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I thought I was stronger than a word, but I just discovered that having to say goodbye to you is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Sigh"
"Did you just say sigh? out loud? instead of actually sighing?
"Eye roll
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Whoever said the truth hurts was being an optimist. The truth is an excruciatingly painful son of a bitch.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
It’s easy to fall in love, Ben. The hard part comes when you want out.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Loving someone means accepting all the things and people that person loves, too.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I think about you every second of every day and I don’t know how to get over you,” she says.
“Don’t,” I beg her. “Please don’t get over me.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I don’t want to be your first, Fallon. I want to be your last.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
You left with my soul in your fists and my heart in your teeth, and I don’t want either of them back.” ~Ben
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
In her darkness, she is silent.
In my darkness, she screams.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
One of the things I always try to remind myself is that everyone has scars,” she says. “A lot of them even worse than mine. The only difference is that mine are visible and most people’s aren’t.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I’m in love with her. Like, really in love with her. Crippling, debilitating, paralyzing love.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
If she’s not careful, I might just fall in love with her. Tonight.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
We don't get to choose our parents, and parents don't get to choose their children. But we do get to choose how hard we're willing to work in order to make the best of what we're given.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Because when you love someone, you owe it to them to help them be the best version of themselves that they can be. And as much as it crushes me to admit this, the best version of you doesn’t include me.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Whether or not the couple ends up together at the end of a book doesn’t determine whether that book has a happy ending or not. As long as the two people end up happy, it doesn’t really matter if they end up happy together.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Why do you look like you’re in pain?” she asks.
“Because keeping my mouth off you hurts like hell.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I missed you,” he says. “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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
If you don’t show up today, I’ll be there next year. And the next. Every November 9th I’ll wait for you, hoping one day you’ll be able to find enough forgiveness to love me again. But if that doesn’t happen and you never show, I’ll still be grateful to you until the day that I die. You saved me the day we met.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
But anyone who sees your scars before they see you doesn’t deserve you.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Youth and beauty fade. Human decency doesn’t.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Don't stop" I tease in a seductive voice. " Give me more, Ben. Did you read eBooks or..." I run my finger slowly down his chest."Hardbacks?"
He pulls his hands behind his head and a smug look washes over his face. "Oh, they were hardbacks, all right. And I'm not sure if you're ready for this, but...I have my own TBR pile. You should read it, Fallon. It's huge"
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I am translucent, aquatic. Drifting, aimless. She is an anchor, sinking in my sea. —BENTON JAMES KESSLER
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Why didn’t you tell me that the foundation you taught me to stand on is made from quicksand?
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
But for the first time, I don’t feel like the English language has developed enough letters in the alphabet to adequately express the words I want to say to you.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I’ve never loved someone I hate so much, and I’ve never hated someone I love so much.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I wrap my arms around her and pull her against me and when I feel her arms go around me, I do the most non-alpha thing I can possibly do. I cry like a fucking baby.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
if you tell me you want to spend every single day on the calendar this year falling in love with me, then I’m going to kiss you. And I promise it’ll be an eleven.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I hope they laugh at you, Fallon. If people are laughing at you, it means you're putting yourself out there to be laughed at. Not enough people have the courage to even take that step.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I don’t even want to be with anyone if there’s even a remote possibility that there’s a third party at play. Love should be between two people, and if it isn’t, I’d rather bow out than take part in the race.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I need you to to know that it was always you who had my heart.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Fallon, we have been dating for two hours now. I can read you like a book, and right now i do believe that book is full of erotica.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
All I care about is you. Being with you every day. Seeing you every day. I’m not finished falling in love with you yet.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Because who wants an incredibly written book sitting on their bookshelf if they have to stare at a shitty cover?
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
So whether or not you can find it in your heart to love me again, I needed to thank you for saving me. And if there is any part of you capable of forgiving me, you know where I’ll be. Tonight, next year, the next, for eternity. The choice is yours.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
And I hold her for so long, I have no idea if it’s still November 9th anymore or if it’s the 10th now. But the date doesn’t matter, because I’m going to love her through every single one of them.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
And I’m in love with her. Like, really in love with her. Crippling, debilitating, paralyzing love. So please accept my sincerest apologies, because she’s coming home with me tonight. I hope. I pray.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
All I want is for you to be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. And I’ll do anything to make that happen for you, even if it means helping you to forget me.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
How the hell am I supposed to say goodbye to her tonight, knowing I’ll never talk to her again?
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
He grins. “Can I keep you?
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
My flaws are draped in her mercy Revered by her false perception And with her lips upon my skin She will undress my deception. —BENTON JAMES KESSLER
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I’m not sure if sex is supposed to make you feel like you’ve just lost a part of yourself to the person inside you, but that’s exactly what it felt like. It felt as if the second we joined together, a tiny piece of our souls got confused and a piece of his fell into me and a piece of mine fell into him. It was by far the single most intense moment I’ve ever shared with another person.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Maybe I don’t know the first thing about falling in love, because I’ve been telling myself I’m not falling for him yet. That it’s too soon. But it’s not. What’s happening inside my heart right now is way too consequential to deny.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
You have a lot of explaining to do, though.A lot. And even more groveling."
"I'm very capable of those things," Ben says, following after me.
"And you have to cook me breakfast," I add. "I like well-done bacon and over-easy eggs."
"Got it," Ben says. "Explain myself, then grovel, then Nakey-nakey, eggs, and bakey.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
So just because I like reading about those kinds of guys, doesn’t mean I need my real-life guys to act like that.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
We’re only given one mind and body at birth. And they’re the only ones we get, so it’s up to us to take care of ourselves.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
My mother isn’t famous. She doesn’t have an incredible career. She isn’t even married to the love of her life. But there’s one thing she’s always been . . . Right.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Because it’s easy to fall in love, Ben. The hard part comes when you want out.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Fate.
A word meaning destiny.
Fate.
A word meaning doom.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
You were just thinking dirty thoughts.”
“Was not,” I quip.
“Fallon, we’ve been dating for two hours now. I can read you like a book,and right now I do believe that book is full of erotica.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
It's good. Things are great, Fallon.The only thing not going right in my life is the fact that you aren't part of it every single day.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Fallon, I’m worked up so damn tight. I’m going to kiss you now and I’m not sorry.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
He hasn’t spoken a single word to me yet, but his actions have said a million thank yous.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
He presses his mouth to mine and kisses me with so much emotion, I forget all the things. Everything. I forget where I am. Who I am.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
She “loved me” in quotations She kissed me in bold I TRIED TO KEEP HER in all caps She left with an ellipsis . . .
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Because I could tell with that one simple movement that you were really insecure. And I realized—since you obviously had no idea how fucking beautiful you were—that I just might actually have a chance with you. And so I smiled. Because I was hoping if I played my cards right—I might get to find out exactly what kind of panties you were wearing under those jeans.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
But I would never want to be with anyone because I had to beg.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Goals are achieved through discomfort and hard work.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
You can't pursue the willing, Fallon.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
His hand squeezes my waist and he eyes me hard. “Fallon.” He says my name like it’s an entire lecture in itself.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
He’s put his scars on full display for you, and you need to show him the respect he showed you by not turning away from them.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I can still feel the wounds your tears left in my chest every time I breathe.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
When one burns one’s bridges, what a very nice fire it makes.” —Dylan Thomas
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Seriously though. This female attraction to the alpha-male throws me off a little bit, because I’m not anything like the guys you read about.”
Yeah. You’re better.
“I could never drive a motorcycle, or fight another man just for fun. And as much as I’ve fantasized about having sex with you this year, I don’t think I could ever say, ‘I own you’, with a straight face. And I’ve always wanted a tattoo, but probably just a small one, because no way in hell I could endure the pain. Overall, the books were interesting but they also made me feel highly inadequate.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Love should be between two people, and if it isn’t, I’d rather bow out than take part in the race.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
But 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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Maybe the grand gestures don’t matter nearly as much as all the inconsequential things between the two main characters.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
You’re beautiful. Every inch of you is so beautiful.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I seem to have a one-track mind, and that track leads straight to the two things I shouldn’t even be thinking about right now. Her boobs. Both of them.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
People can't miss what they've never been introduced to.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
She “loved me” in quotations She kissed me in bold I TRIED TO KEEP HER in all caps She left with an ellipsis . . . —BENTON JAMES KESSLER
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Do you even have a job, Ben? I can’t believe I don’t know that about you. I let you fondle my breasts and I don’t even know what you do for a living.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Her tears and my soul, they live parallel lives. Run, ache, burn. Repeat. Her tears and my soul, they live parallel lives. —BENTON JAMES KESSLER
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I try not to imagine what it would feel like if I leaned forward and kissed her, but with her this close, I’m really wishing I’d have already somehow read every romance novel ever written, because what the hell makes a kiss book-worthy? I need to know so I can make it happen.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
She’s startled by my words. 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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
When you swing upon a memory So dark and far away You get caught upon a mystery That guides you through the day. Although you’re standing weak And don’t know your way around I will always be there For you when you’re down.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
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.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I’ve never needed to wrap my arms around someone more than I do right now, and I’d give anything to have her here with me. To just be able to press my face in her hair and feel her arms around my waist, her hands on my back. There isn’t a single thing in this world that could comfort me like she could, but I didn’t tell her that. I couldn’t.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
People say not to judge a book by its cover, but what if you somehow read the inside of the book without seeing the cover first? And what if you really liked what was inside the book? Of course when you go to close the book and are about to see the cover for the first time, you hope it's something you'll find attractive. Because who wants an incredibly written book sitting on their bookshelf if they have to stare at a shitty cover?
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
That's what love is, Ben. Love is sacrifice. I got this tattoo the day I felt that kind of love for your father. And I chose it because if I had to describe love that day, I would say it felt like my two favourite things, amplified and thrown together. Like my favourite poetic line mixed into the lyrics of my favourite song. 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
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
I enjoy reading books like that because it’s not at all the life I lead. It’s completely different than any situation I’ll ever be in, thank God. But I get entertainment out of it. Because as much as I like to read about a guy telling a girl she’s so, so wet for him...if anyone ever said that to me during sex, I wouldn’t be turned on by it. I would be terrified I accidentally peed on myself.'
Ben laughs.
'And if you and I were having sex and you told me you owned me, I would literally crawl out from under you, put on my clothes, walk out of your house, and go puke in your front yard.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Fallon,” he whispers, moving his lips slowly across mine. “Thank you for this beautiful gift.” As soon as his words brush over my mouth, he covers me in a deep kiss. My whole body tenses from the burst of pain that ripples through me as he pushes inside of me, but the perfection of the way we fit together makes the pain a mere inconvenience. It’s beautiful. He’s beautiful. And somehow, with the way he’s looking down at me, I even believe I’m beautiful. He presses his mouth against my ear and whispers, “No combination of written words could ever do this moment justice.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)
“
Theodore," Ben says, interrupting him. " You seem like a... nice guy."
"Thanks," Theodore says, smiling.
"Let me finish," Ben says, holding up a finder in warning. "Because you're about to hate me. I lied. I'm not writing a paper." He points at Glenn. "This guy told me earlier today where to show up tonight so that I could find the girl I'm supposed to spend the rest of my life with. And I'm sorry, but that girl just so happens to be your date. And I'm in love with her. Like, really in love with her. Crippling, debilitating, paralyzing love. So please accept my sincerest apologies, because she's coming home with me tonight. I hope. I pray." Ben shoots me an endearing look. "Please ? Otherwise this speech will make me look like a complete fool and that won't be good when we tell our grandkids about this.
”
”
Colleen Hoover (November 9)