The Family Secret Quotes

“What I do know is that there is goodness in people, even when you have to look hard to see it. There was goodness in Lowell, despite what he did. I still remember the way he’d dance with me in the kitchen when I needed cheering up or how he’d once bought every dessert on the menu when I couldn’t decide on one. I remember how he took care of me when my dad died and how he held me when I was sick. Everyone has good and bad inside of them—it’s not an original concept, but it’s one I’ve come face-to-face with this year. One we all have.”
― Kiersten Modglin, The Family Secret

“It’s lighter than I expected, smaller somehow too. The cover is a deep-green leather, and both right-hand corners are decorated with metal embellishments. I run my fingers along the edges. There is no title. No author name. This is not a book. I open to the first page, confirming my suspicions. Across the delicate, yellowing front page in a scratchy, handwritten font, I scan the words with a ball of fear swelling in my chest. This diary belongs to Celine Mason, age 16. DO NOT READ!”
― Kiersten Modglin, The Family Secret

“Lowell runs a hand over his jaw, staring off into space with such pain in his eyes it physically hurts me. I want to take it away from him, but I can’t. No one can. That’s the worst part of grief, isn’t it? No one can share it with you. Not really.”
― Kiersten Modglin, The Family Secret

“He always could fall straight asleep. Meanwhile, I lie awake for at least an hour remembering and obsessing over every terrible or embarrassing or slightly awkward thing I’ve ever done.”
― Kiersten Modglin, The Family Secret

“Life is messy and complicated, and sometimes the things that feel impossible, somehow become your reality.”
― Kiersten Modglin, The Family Secret

“This is family. This is love.”
― Kiersten Modglin, The Family Secret