Ava had once told [Gisela], "Never let yourself fall in love with someone who doesn't love you. Or at least don't tell them you love them, whatever you do." It had seemed likewise counsel. A person who didn't love you could use the knowledge of your love against you.

She had never been in love before. She'd tried to save herself the pain, but all her pretending and hiding the truth from herself had not saved her at all. And even though this love was painful, it was worth it to remember how the sight of him and the sound of his voice had made her heart beat faster, that feeling of wanting what was best for someone else, even if it broke her own heart.

You must let God’s love heal you.

Everyone will say I'm insane, but I don't care, Rose. Is it insane to marry the girl I love? A girl with golden brown hair, with gifts of beauty and goodness and storytelling?

Except I was hoping someday to see you standing on a ship's deck in your shirtsleeves with a cutlass between your teeth.""Maybe it can be arranged

I vow to you, Rose, that I will love you so tenderly, you will never feel unloved again.

You should not give your heart to someone who hasn't asked for it. You never know who may fall in love with you, or who you may come to love, if you are sensible and stop being so focused on one man.

Only the most passionate love could ever induce me to marry.

Only the most passionate, forthright kind of love would ever induce her to enter the confining state of matrimony.