Holly S’s Reviews > New Year's Eve > Status Update

“For Andy Lawson, goodness is effortless. It’s a shame the same can’t be said for me.”

“For the next two hours, I allow myself to inhabit a lightness of being so addictive it has me wishing it could be more than temporary.”

It’s heartbreaking how little Eve values herself, like she doesn’t believe she’s worth happiness or ease

“ ‘I want to know you,’ he says. ‘Will you let me?’ “

The exchange with the pharmacy assistant and the way I can picture this exact scene and dialogue playing out in a small town is perfection

“Instinct has me wanting to reach across, grab his big, freckled, calloused hands and squeeze them tight. But I do nothing. Why am I like this.”

“To Dad I’m some kind of twenty-first century warrior. His daughter, the badass who keeps kicking goals in her career while male colleagues fall behind because she’s confident of her worth and refuses to apologise for it. I love that he sees me this way. I hate that the reality isn’t half as impressive.”

“A smile lights up his face, one that could overthrow kingdoms.”

“ ‘You’re dangerous, Eve Anderson.’
My heart does a little breakdance at his compliment. “

“Oh how I can’t wait to be rid of this goddamn town. I’m so ready to leave everyone here sleeping in their ignorance of the outside world while I get busy exploring it.”