Kaylee’s Reviews > That's a Great Question, I'd Love to Tell You > Status Update

With the way she writes her early love story with Jonas, damn, I think I’m in love with him too!
But, seriously, they are a ridiculously cute couple. Every snippet she reveals about their relationship makes me melt a little. You can feel how much she loves him by the way she describes him & their interactions.
He seems to have understood her from the very beginning & knew he wanted to be with her.

The entire “can I kiss you?” exchange (p. 224-225) is how consent is done, everyone! Asking for consent while giving the person space to answer honestly. Making them feel safe to say “no” if they wish to, & respecting their answer regardless. If they apologize for answering in the negative, reassure them it’s fine & nothing has changed between you.
Also, your person will love you for you, dumb jokes & all.

“I’m so accustomed to being treated like someone’s secret that I can’t fathom being loved out in the open …”
Punch me in the gut right out the gate, Elyse! Damn. I’ve been with my husband for nearly 8 years & I’m still not used to this kind of love. I’m still walled off. Like Elyse, I’m afraid of heartbreak & think it’s too good to be true.
Also, props to Tessa for not forcing small talk.

I appreciate the hospital corner metaphor / needing something to work so it feels like things will be okay. Disorganization & chaos overwhelm me & make me feel helpless / send me into a spiral. Having something controlled & orderly to look at is soothing. For her it’s a neatly made bed with hospital corners; for me it’s a tidy sock drawer. Whatever tricks you into thinking you have your life together.

“Even though I prefer being alone, I want my introversion to be a choice I make. I don’t want to feel trapped by it. Sometimes I feel very trapped by it.”
Yup. Also everything she says about being Just the Right Amount of Observant & making notes about everyone & their details/quirks. I also remember entire conversations & used to transcribe them in my journal. People exhaust me but I enjoy learning about them.

Terence: -rambling on about the purity culture rose metaphor-
Elyse: - representing most women hearing this hypocritical drivel by imagining herself walking off the nearby cliff to escape him -
Thankfully she chose walking to her car instead, & thankfully he was a mostly harmless weirdo rather than a violent one.

“I think my default factory setting is Apologetic. Especially when I have no reason to be.” I feel this.
“I’m more interested in figuring out if the universe is pranking me by sending me this gorgeous specimen of a man or if he’s actually sticking by my side because he’s attracted to me.” Me, lol.
The statement about her brain warping the meaning of her friend’s expression is also relatable.

I feel the “Factory Reset” chapter deeply. How many times have I told myself I would reinvent myself &/or start over? I’m not the best at making friends. I’m particular about my note taking. 🎶 Pathological People Pleaser 🎶 (making a slow recovery) Getting angry over someone disrespecting my property & placing a lot of value on mundane items like pens.
Loved the “child-sized burrito” joke.

Okay, my socially oblivious ass didn’t need to be called out so hard. I can never tell when someone likes me & always assume they don’t, whether it’s platonic or romantic. I’ve been surprised to find out people consider me a friend before. It’s very hard for me to accept that I’m someone people enjoy being around. I’m still bewildered my husband wants me & we’ve been married 4.5 years, lol.