Once Upon a December Quotes

“Before you, I thought my life was perfect. I had family, community, a long life in a literal magical land, but I wasn't living--- not really. I had abundant time, so it had no value. When I almost lost you, I realized how meaningless time was when I couldn't be with you. You've shown me that a second lived with the right person is better than one hundred years alone. Now every moment is precious because I know its worth."
He opened his hand to reveal a sparkling diamond ring that resembled a star or maybe even a snowflake--- she loved that it could be either. Set in white gold, a round center stone was surrounded by smaller pear-shaped diamonds that formed the points.
"Will you do me the honor of making every second of my life priceless?”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“You say hope leads to disaster, but I say from disaster comes hope. You were married and I thought I'd never learn your name. Now I know you love sea turtles and snorkeling, you're fiercely devoted to your friends, and you take your coffee with a lot of cream but will add sugar when the mood strikes. Before you, I didn't think life could get better; a great family, the best home, and so much time to enjoy my life. What more could I want? You've upended my world and become woven into every part of it. I can't carve a nisse without thinking about what might amuse you. Every time I make a kringle, I wonder if you'll like it. I never want to look at the stars again without you to guide my gaze.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“They stepped out of the trees, which opened onto a large meadow that appeared to be in the middle of a mountain range, large boulders scattered around like a giant had dropped them like seeds. Bernie dashed between them, kicking up snow and leaving a twisty trail of tracks. The nearest boulder stood right next to them, taller than Jack. Most of the sides were straight, but the one facing the mountains had a seat carved out of it. Astra imagined some ancestor had created it as a convenient place to rest. On the horizon, the sun glowed orange in the space between the low-hanging clouds and the mountaintops, covered in snow-topped pines. Astra was stunned into silence. There was no explanation for this. The faintest breeze kissed her cheek, the air scented with pine and newly fallen snow. Jack set his hands on her shoulders behind her, and she melted into him, sharing this moment. A sight he had surely seen a thousand times, but could it ever get old?
"This is the most beautiful..." She couldn't find the words.
"I know."
They stood in silence until the sun completely disappeared and the night sky turned from orange and red to purple to a deep black only broken by more stars than Astra had ever seen.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“I like a girl who knows what she wants and asks for it." Jack's eyes glazed as he remembered last night when Astra had done just that. Her cheeks heated at her boldness, but she maintained eye contact.
"Knowledge is power."
"I'm yours to teach for as long as you'll have me.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“She took a deep breath and turned her face to the sky, where large white flakes drifted down, landing in her auburn hair, winter blooms on a field of red. She closed her eyes and let the flakes kiss her cheeks, eyelids, lips.
Never before in his life had he been jealous of snowflakes.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“"Epic drama, with a lot of love that withstands it all." She leaned in closer and whispered, "And great steamy scenes, if that's your thing."
Jack laughed. Now he knew he'd be reading it. Who didn't love a little steam?”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“The tiny red-hatted gnome held a stack of books, the titles delicately carved onto the spines and painted in gold. Each book represented a different part of her. Outlander for their love across time and because it was one of her favorites. Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen because she had found it in the bookstore. A Christmas Carol because they both loved Christmas. Lily and the Octopus, presumably because of Bernie, and lastly Circle of Friends, which seemed self-explanatory.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“The TV was still on, but now they were watching Moana. The princesses had definitely gotten more badass since she was a little girl.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“The memories kept coming. She remembered the polka with Jack and the way his arms felt as they danced, the year he bought her hot chocolate. She remembered how her heart seemed to recognize him every year even though her brain hadn't--- an invisible string that kept tugging her back to the Julemarked, to him. She had known he was the one who gave her the nisser, but now she remembered receiving every single one. She couldn't believe the history they had together, which was all coming to her in one long rush. She hadn't just been falling in love with Jack for the last month; she'd been falling in love with him for fifteen years.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“Living here is a commitment to a very specific lifestyle. It's not for everyone. Astra needs to know."
Astra blinked at her, visibly surprised by his mom's comments, and Jack didn't blame her. His mom had been pestering him to find someone, and now she was being difficult because she didn't agree with his choice.
His dad cleared his throat.
"Astra, any questions for us?" his dad said. Jack gave him a grateful smile.
Astra finished chewing and took a sip of her water, sitting up straighter as she set her glass down.
"Jack's done a wonderful job of answering my questions and giving me the history. I can see why he loves it so much. And who you might be protective of it." Astra's eyes flicked to his mom. "I understand that people join the Julemarked, but I haven't asked about people moving to the Outside."
Mads's lips formed a silent "oh" and he heard Ani whisper, "Damn," under her breath. Astra kept her body turned toward his dad, but everyone at the table knew who the comment was directed at. Astra was letting his mom know she didn't intimidate her, that she wouldn't meekly disappear when challenged. Up to this point, Jack knew he could fall in love with Astra, that he stood on the peak, where one nudge would send him plunging headfirst to worship at her feet. This was the moment when he tipped over.
When raised by a strong woman, a man can't help but respect and admire other strong women. Astra had proven herself capable of holding her own and now his heart was hers forever.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“Jack's mom had outdone herself. The large family table groaned under all the food. Roast pork with crispy skin, boiled potatoes, caramelized potatoes (Jack's favorite), pickled red cabbage, and gravy covered so much space, the plates and silverware barely fit on the wooden surface.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“He whispered words in a language she didn't understand, his lips brushing her ear.
"What does that mean?" Astra asked.
" 'The Christmas lights rose higher and higher, till they looked to her like the stars in the sky.' "
Astra's heart twisted.
" 'The Little Matchgirl.' One of my favorites, but it's so sad."
Jack pulled her tighter.
"I've always thought of it as hopeful. We leave one place to go to another with those we love. They're always waiting when we need them most," Jack said.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“He wanted to touch her everywhere, taste her, hear her respond to his hands, mouth, body. Screw Christmas, she would be his new holiday; worshiping her would be the event that his life would now revolve around. Making her happy, making her life complete, making her breathe catch and her muscles tighten, then relax. Over the last fifteen years, he had thought about this moment so many times, envisioning how her skin would feel, the sounds she would make as his fingers discovered a new sensitive spot. But the reality was so much better--- and he already sensed he would never have enough time to satisfy all the ways he wanted this woman.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“Jack crouched to meet Bernie and let her sniff him, her tail at half-staff. Jack loved dogs though they hadn't had one in the Julemarked since Pinecone wandered in and stayed. That was decades ago. Bernie gave a quick sample lick of his chin, clearly approved, then went in for the full-body affection, knocking him onto his butt and stepping on his lap, forgetting she was more horse than dog. He couldn't help but laugh and felt he'd passed an important test.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“There were so many things Astra would miss from the other three seasons: the first crocuses bursting through the still-cold soil, robins hopping around in the thawing snow, the sun beating down on her face at a Brewsters game, the air sticky but bearable because she knew it would end when the season shifted into fall, the noticeable change in August when the humidity evaporated and the night temperatures dropped, the inevitable morning in October when she woke up to the world iced in frost, like a giant baker had sprinkled everything with powdered sugar.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“The girls met at least one Saturday a month for brunch at Blue's Egg in Wauwatosa. It was a nice middle distance between them all and had the most incredible hash browns.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“He set a raspberry cheese slice wrapped in parchment paper on the counter and she slid it off, biting off the corner with an "mmm." Her eyes closed as she chewed and swallowed, taking another large bite with an even more audible sigh.
"That is indecent," Steph said. He wished he could figure out the rest of their names, but at least time was on his side again.
"It is indecent in the very best way," she said. "Everything tastes ten times better than it ever did before." She held out the pastry to each of her friends so they could taste, all nodding in agreement. Most patrons didn't eat their treats while still in the building, and it was wildly satisfying to witness her enjoyment, titillating even. Parts of him tightened that hadn't tightened in response to another person in much too long. One of the friends pointed out the fleck of glaze perched on her lip and she licked it into her mouth. Talk about indecent. He placed both of his hands on top of the pastry case to steady himself, his knees suddenly unstable like he'd spent a morning moving bags of flour from the kitchen to the cellar. He was grateful the apron covered the front of him.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“"Not everyone can find this book." Old Johan tapped the cover. "Only people who have a connection to this place. Her story isn't done yet."
Hopefulness surged. His life had been all but perfect. Surrounded by his loved ones, never wanting for anything--- why would he have needed to hope? But he could only describe the soaring feeling in his chest as hope. Hope that he wasn't wrong about their connection. Hope that she would someday return here unattached. Hope that their story wasn't done.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“She took another bite of the kringle, appreciating how she tasted just the right combination of flaky, tender pastry and scrumptious filling in each bite. She could see the layers in the dough, but they didn't flake off like a turnover or croissant. The almond cherry filling and cream cheese glaze were the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. With a man who could bake like this, she could almost see herself in another relationship.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“If you hadn't been there, I could have been trampled."
"If I hadn't been there, would you still have been, how did Cassie put it, sucking face?"
Astra glanced at him and cleared her throat before she spoke.
"Unlikely."
Jack nodded and grinned.
"Then you wouldn't have swooned."
"Are you implying that your kisses made me pass out?"
"Perhaps we can do some testing on the matter, to rule it out.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“Joy that a handsome man was smiling at her, his hair stuck to his forehead, his T-shirt becoming more transparent.
On a whim--- and Astra would later blame it on the Santa Claus shots--- she wrapped her arms around Jack's neck and pulled his lips to hers. The shock of it caused them both to stop dancing as the minty-cherry taste in her mouth mingled with the ginger on his breath. Tentative at first, her lips waited for him to respond, a sign he was open to sharing her joy. She was about to pull away, hot embarrassment kindling to life in her cheeks, when his hands when to her hips, and his lips moved with hers, and her mouth opened for him. Their kiss found its own rhythm on the dance floor, moving them closer together as the people bumped around them, but Astra didn't care. She only cared that this kiss reminded her that she liked kissing, she liked being touched, she liked feeling wanted. It had been so long.
Her hands grabbed at his shirt as he moved his kisses to her neck. She moaned but too softly for anyone to hear over the music. Lights flashed and swirled on the ceiling; the air pulsated with heat. She was dizzy and breathless. Her hands pressed against him, savoring how well they molded to his curves and angles.
Her lips found his again, and she wanted to be closer, wishing she could wrap her legs around him and have her way. Her knees quaked as his hands explored the way her jeans clung to her butt and hips, finding the hem of her shirt and touching her lower back, heated skin on heated skin. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. She broke the kiss long enough to look into his eyes: they flashed from blue to green to black with the disco lights, his hair dark with perspiration, and his breath coming as fast as her own. Now that they'd kissed, she knew what it was about the way he looked at her. He looked at her like this moment had been inevitable, a done deal, foretold years ago. And she believed it. The feeling left her even more light-headed.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“You're reading Outlander?" Steph said, pointing to the book cover.
Astra loved that book, about a woman who had escaped into the past to live another life and find true love. She had reread the entire series three times and here he was reading it. Such a surprising choice. She would have expected him to read something by Tom Wolfe or Stephen King, maybe even some presidential memoirs, but certainly not a time-traveling historical romance. She should know better than to try to predict a person's reading preferences--- they were never what you anticipated.
Jack shrugged and set her kringle on the countertop.
"I like how even time can't keep two people who belong together apart.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“"For crushing your foot, please let me buy your drink."
"That's not necessary, I'm buying for me and my friends." She pointed to a nearby table where three women laughed.
"All the more reason for me to insist. Then you and your friends can talk about what a gentleman I am."
"How can I refuse? Four hot chocolates, please."
"Put it on my tab, Mr. Yu."
Mr. Yu smiled at him. "Sure, Jack." The Julemarked residents didn't keep track of such things, but Jack was happy to take the credit.
"Your tab?" the woman asked. "You work here?"
"In the bakery, with my brothers." Jack pointed to Kringle All the Way. "You should stop in when you're ready for something sweet."
"Brothers in a bakery? That's a romance series waiting to happen. I wouldn't be able to keep those books on the shelf."
"Do you work in a bookstore?"
"Better. I'm a librarian."”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“As for the glaze, he took another bite to think as the intense sugar slapped his taste buds. Cream cheese. That would add a tanginess to counter the sweet. He mixed a new glaze, adding a pinch of cinnamon, and spread it on the unglazed halves so they could sample right away.
"Should I keep the cherries whole or chop them up so you don't get a giant glob in your mouth?" Jack loved the flavor but didn't always like it when he took a bite and an entire cherry came out. For his taste, it was too much cherry in one chunk.
"Chopped. Always chopped.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“Bernie, a giant Bernese mountain dog and Lab mix (she guessed), had a long coat, mostly black except for a streak of white starting on her forehead, then trailing down her throat and onto her chest, with another spot under her tail, making her look like a cream-filled chocolate-dipped cannoli. Three of her four paws looked dunked in white paint, like she'd made a mess during a home improvement project. She was named for one of Astra's favorite characters, Bernadette Fox from Where'd You Go, Bernadette. Like the titular character, Bernie had a small circle of people she adored; she found the rest to be annoying gnats (small children excluded--- they often had snacks to share), not to be bothered with, except the squirrel who lived in the front yard, who was her nemesis. She spent hours making sure the little rodent didn't sneak into the house.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“Cookies, turkey, stuffing, homemade candies. Leftovers become special treats. And so many cheese-and-sausage platters--- it wasn't a holiday party in Wisconsin without one. For the hard-core Wisconsin-ites, there were the cannibal sandwiches--- raw ground beef on rye bread topped with raw onion. Astra preferred throwing one on the grill, but her dad loved them as is.”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“Get someone in their ideal environment and they'll exceed expectations. I guess that's life - figuring out where you're meant to be." -Astra”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December

“Do you work in a bookstore?" -Jack

"Better. I'm a librarian". -Astra”
― Amy E. Reichert, Once Upon a December