The Heartbreak Hotel Quotes

“Because that’s the thing, about hearts—broken or aching or otherwise. They don’t belong to any one time or place. We carry them with us: bruised and scabbed over, healing and changing, always and inherently our own.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“Maybe all healing requires is a taking of turns. Leaning on whoever has the strength in each fleeting moment.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“I mean it. Giving people we care about space to be themselves, instead of the people we want them to be, is a skill, too.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“There’s strength in feeling your sadness, too—instead of burying it in anger.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“Pain is pain,” I say, raising my chin. “Loss is loss. You don’t get to give permission to let something hurt you—it just does.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“Not because I want him back—because I want to be someone with enough gravity for him to regret losing me.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“Giving people we care about space to be themselves, instead of the people we want them to be, is a skill, too.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“his—“I want to hold your hand at every crosswalk.” I draw a long, shaking breath. “If you’ll let me.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“My dear.” Nan squeezes my hand. “There could never be too much Lou in this world.” I look up at her, exhaling on a smile. “Thanks.” “And sometimes we have to show people how to love us, or how to trust us, or how to care for us—by giving them that gift first.” She shrugs. “It’s not fair. But it’s okay to go first. It’s bighearted and brave.” What if, I think, we never meet in the middle? What if I wind up back where I’ve always been: giving and giving and giving with such imbalance that the person I love knows all my softest places, all the ways to bend me?”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“My dear.” Nan squeezes my hand. “There could never be too much Lou in this world.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“squeeze my eyes shut. “I think that’s my point,” I whisper. “I think maybe I’m a doormat.” “No,” Mei says emphatically. “How giving you are is one of the most special things about you.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“If I’m only ever a caretaker. If there’s something broken and sick inside of me.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“It’s always me, caring for people. Holding Mei on my couch after her breakup with Andy. Telling Kim her pain is as valid as Bea’s anger. Rushing Shani and Alfie to the vet. Falling for Henry—heartbroken in his own, permanent way. It’s all I’m capable of, maybe. Being a fixer. It’s what people want from me. I”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“Louisa,” Henry murmurs, and it sounds like goodbye. I feel the house holding us close. “I’ve been inside out, with wanting you.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“Henry’s voice comes softly. “Maybe I don’t want to call you what everyone else calls you.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“There’s nothing more powerful than a group of women talking about their feelings.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel

“You didn’t waste it, Mei. Think about everything you’ve learned about yourself over the last year. What you want in a partner, and maybe some things you don’t. And how big of a love you’re capable of giving to someone else.” I try to hear the words as I say them. “You get to keep all of those things. How much better you know yourself now. That’s yours forever, and it’s so valuable.”
― Ellen O'Clover, The Heartbreak Hotel