Holly Bryant-Simpson

“But I’m not sure she’d even know how to play it if life gave her a hand she actually wanted.”
― Rosie Danan, The Intimacy Experiment

“I’m far more interested in the beaux you have left mournful in your wake.” His fingers trapped one of the loose curls that bounced around her face, sliding the strands between the pads.
“They were legion. But they were all honorable gentlemen—unlike yourself, I may add.”
He gasped his faux outrage.“Are you saying my behavior is anything less than exemplary?”
She slid her gaze to the fingers that were still toying with her hair.
His free hand flew to his heart. She stifled a wholly unladylike giggle at his shocked and offended expression. “I demand satisfaction for this insult. Pistols at dawn,” he roared into the swaying carriage.
She wrinkled her brow. “I believe, as the challenged party, I get to choose the weapon.”
“A thousand apologies, my lady.” He cut a small bow in her direction. “Would you rather it be slow and tortuous?”
“I am not cruel,” she said loftily. “I can take mercy on you if you so humble yourself before me.”
“What if I like it slow and tortuous?” he murmured.”
― Brianna Labuskes, One Step Behind

“recalled a concept from the Jewish mystics—rishima—“the imprint an experience leaves.” They believed that if you endured something and let it pass without memory or reflection, if you didn’t change after having gone through it, it was as if the event had never happened. But if an experience left an imprint, if it inspired growth or altered the course of your life, then, according to the mystics, even the most painful and challenging experiences become a blessed teacher.”
― Rosie Danan, The Intimacy Experiment

“Love is kind, love is patient but also, mainly, above all—yes—Love is perverted.”
― Caroline Kepnes, Hidden Bodies