Maya Rodale > Quotes

“When a woman reads a romance novel, she is putting her own pleasure first. That small act of rebellion is perceived as a threat to the status quo. It’s also why this eternally popular and profitable genre has been scorned, ridiculed and dismissed.”
― Maya Rodale

“What are you reading?"

She replied without once taking her eyes off the page. "I am reading the sort of sentimental novel men dismiss as rubbish but could actually stand to learn a thing or two from."

"That's an awfully long title," he remarked dryly.”
― Maya Rodale, The Wicked Wallflower

“I take it back. You're not stupid. But damn, you are insane.”
― Maya Rodale, Seducing Mr. Knightly

“You must be the only woman in the whole entire world who is immune to the Ashbrooke Effect," Olivia said. "Amazing. You are a medical marvel."

"First of all, the Ashbrooke Effect is not an actual medical condition," Emma lectured, after another sip of her drink. "Secondly, I refuse to believe it even exists at all."

"I suffer from it even thinking out him," Olivia said. "My heart is fluttering and my skin feels hot. I must be blushing all over."

"That's probably all the sherry you've been drinking," Emma remarked.”
― Maya Rodale, The Wicked Wallflower

“Romance novels feature nuanced portrayals of female characters having adventures, making choices, and accepting themselves just as they are. When we say these stories are silly and unrealistic, we are telling young girls not to expect to be the heroines in their own real lives.”
― Maya Rodale, Dangerous Books for Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels Explained

“If we are not married by within three months time, we shall be the first batch of spinsters in the history of the school," Olivia said in a small voice. "No one has ever ended their fourth season unwed. Except for us."

(...)"In the one-hundred-year history of the school, it was bound to happen," Prudence said. "Mathematically speaking.”
― Maya Rodale, The Wicked Wallflower

“I cannot believe we had to read it in the paper - when we are your dearest school friends!" Lady Abernathy said sweetly.

"Yes, we were so close," Emma replied, just as sweetly. "Like England and China."

Lady Abernathy paused to puzzle over that.”
― Maya Rodale, The Wicked Wallflower

“There was something nice about a man who was absorbed by a good book.”
― Maya Rodale, What a Wallflower Wants

“Sometimes, you must play by the rules. If only so one can break them more effectively.”
― Maya Rodale, The Wicked Wallflower

“The problem with longstanding friends -- they felt utterly free to go too far and to enjoy every step they took over the line.”
― Maya Rodale, Seducing Mr. Knightly

“No, you are not because I am going to,” Roxbury said darkly, probably still angry about those pesky rumors about his preferences. “How could you deny me that satisfaction?” she asked. “Very well, my dear wife, we shall seek and destroy the Man About Town together,” Roxbury agreed. “That’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me,” Julianna said sweetly, and her husband grinned.”
― Maya Rodale, A Tale of Two Lovers

“When will your wedding be?"
"We haven't set a date yet."
"What of your dress?"
"I'm sure I shall wear one.”
― Maya Rodale, The Wicked Wallflower

“Once upon a time, when she still believed that somewhere, out there, was a man who would love her. Once upon a time, when young girl’s dreams came true and happily ever after was just within reach.”
― Maya Rodale, What a Wallflower Wants

“Wealthy old woman + devious imagination - restraint = Aunt Agatha”
― Maya Rodale, The Wicked Wallflower

“Did love really require grand gestures? Wasn't true love to be found in the little things, like holding one's hand or sitting comfortably around a gentle fire?”
― Maya Rodale, Seducing Mr. Knightly

“If you fainted, I would catch you, my Lady Scandalous,” he murmured.”
― Maya Rodale, A Tale of Two Lovers

“Well, 'I'm sorry' is just a thing to say, you see. I'm trying not to be so apologetic and obsequious all the time. It's just such a habit ...”
― Maya Rodale, Seducing Mr. Knightly

“She knew he would like taking it off; he tended to prefer her dresses on the floor rather than on her person.”
― Maya Rodale, A Tale of Two Lovers

“I hardly have any names on my dance card," Emma said, slightly despairing. This was not how she imagined her debut.

"There are just four names on mine," Olivia said. "But I think the gentlemen only agreed to escape my mother. I really can't blame them.”
― Maya Rodale, The Wicked Wallflower

“In the land of historical romance novels, particularly the Regencies, there is no line more quoted than this: Reformed rakes make the best husbands. It's the sort of pithy one-liner a beloved character dashes off and everyone laughs a sparkling laugh, the heroine knits her brow, and the rogue in question scowls but we all know the truth: That bad boy will soon be reformed. And he will like it.”
― Maya Rodale, Dangerous Books for Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels Explained

“Her curiosity would be the end of them both. “Chess. They are playing chess,” he said, his voice oddly husky. “Chess? I think you meant chest. Yes, he has his hand on her chest,” she murmured.”
― Maya Rodale, Three Schemes and a Scandal

“A picture began to emerge of a woman who possessed hope and optimism and gumption in spades in spite of wretched relatives and a world that never took much notice of her.”
― Maya Rodale, Seducing Mr. Knightly

“In which they are alone now and there doesn’t seem to be anyone around. Sometime”
― Maya Rodale, Chasing Lady Amelia

“novels, like racists, tend to be the same wherever you turn,” writes William Giraldi,”
― Maya Rodale, Dangerous Books For Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels Explained

“It’s simple. Women are raised to be seen and not heard; why, it’s still scandalous for a woman to speak publicly. So we make ourselves heard with our clothes. We wear full skirts to take up space in the world that wants us to be shut away in drawing rooms and kitchens. We wear bright colors to remind mankind that we exist. For example.” “An interesting perspective I had not considered. It does have a ring of logic to it,” he conceded. “But what is the message that a dead bird on a hat is trying to convey?” “That one feels trapped and powerless in their existence.”
― Maya Rodale, Duchess by Design

“Writing love letters was a blasted difficult thing to do, especially with the lady in question commenting on every line.”
― Maya Rodale, The Wicked Wallflower

“Perhaps I shall take my fortune and retire to the country and read novels where other characters must bother with these sorts of troubles.”
― Maya Rodale, The Wicked Wallflower

“Lucy, why don’t you go to the folly and see if perhaps there is a rake we might use to retrieve the bonnet,” Charlotte suggested. She could not help but smirk at her own wit. Lucy would think the rake would refer to a garden implement, when actually Charlotte meant James.”
― Maya Rodale, Three Schemes and a Scandal

“It’s the obvious, painful example, yes. The scandalous thing, really, is that I do not believe the English are the most superior beings to ever breathe air. Do not dare repeat that to anyone or they’ll revoke my title and execute me for treason.”
― Maya Rodale, The Tattooed Duke

“For you, Lady Copley, Lady Agatha wishes you to have her china set, since you complimented it."

Blake bit back laughter at Lady Copley's expression. She had loathed the china set, obviously, and only complimented it as part of the games. But Agatha had known how to discern the truth from the lies.”
― Maya Rodale, The Wicked Wallflower