The Afterlife of Holly Chase

Stories let us see and hear and feel what someone else does,” she explained. “They build bridges to the other islands. That’s why stories are so important. They create true empathy.

But love doesn’t always have to be about the happy ending. Love can be about beginnings, too.

Without stories, we’re all just lonely islands.

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of it for anyone else’?

You can try to keep the worst things down inside you. You can shove them away, not think about them, not deal. But they bubble up to the surface. They always do.

My fortune read, It’s never too late to become what one could have been.

it's about family," I said to answer his question. "It's about how, even when we know it's a mistake or that things are going to end badly, we still choose to fight for the people we love.

Anything’s possible, I suppose. It’s a wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.

A loving heart is the truest wisdom.

Without stories, we're all just lonely islands...stories let us see and hear and feel what someone else does...they build bridges to the other islands. That's why stories are so important. They create true empathy.

A day wasted on others is not wasted on one's self.

Well, you know, vices are sometimes only virtues carried to excess.

There are two ways to respond when life hands you something unpleasant,” the grandmother said, smiling down at the infant in her lap. “You can get soft or you can get tough. Our Ethan has just decided to get tough, it seems. But he’ll come around eventually, I think. He’s got a good heart under there somewhere. And he has time—God knows, he’s, what, seventeen now? He has time to get himself on the right path again.

It's never too late to become what one could have been.

Everyone started sniffling at that point. Everyone, that is, except me. I never did the crying thing. It would have ruined my makeup.

There is nothing so strong or safe in an emergency of life as the simple truth.

I just think, we don't get promised anything good in this life. Bad things happen all the time. They're happening right now, somewhere out there. They'll keep happening. Who knows? Maybe this moment, right here, is as good as I'm every going to be.

Even though he knew the Shadow King would trap them both, he couldn't just leave her to her fate. There's such a beauty in that. Choosing love, no matter what it costs.

Because that’s what it’s all about, right? Connection. Togetherness. Love.

Sometimes all a person needs to turn themselves around is one good friend.

All you need is love.

But love doesn't always have to be about the happy ending. Love can be about beginnings, too.

Because I'm like the opposite of Cinderella. My ball only starts after midnight.

It’s never too late to become what one could have been.

You're the best person, Ro. You're awesome. You're so smart. I love the way you love books. And you're funny and you're honest and you're kind. I'm not saying you don't have flaws, because you do. You're too sarcastic sometimes, and you have a short temper, and questionable fashion sense, and you don't like Indian food. But you are like the best person ever. I'd be crazy to not want to be your friend. I've missed you so much. I love you. I know that sounds weird coming from a friend, maybe, but it shouldn't, really. You're like the best friend version of the love of my life.

Love can be an excellent motivator for change.

Just put a big fat F in the middle of my forehead. Right then I could have punched Boz for bringing up Elena and Nika. And Dave for smiling at me so sympathetically. And Stephanie just because.

Because Ethan’s not like the other Scrooges,

He said, Without stories, we’re all just lonely islands.