"She proofreads [his] personal expression essay.... and it's how he cured his loneliness at his old school through nonconformity and inconsistency. Separating himself out led to confidence and a sense of superiority that itself felt like an achievement, he writes. It bothers her, the ego in it, the way he builds himself up in his mind to look down on others."

"He calls. When she sees his number appear, she recoils, as if she's just seen a poisonous creature. After that letter, she doesn't want to even touch her phone. The ringing stops. And then starts again. Stops. Starts ... She has to deal with it. As much as she doesn't want to get near it, it's her job to get the creepy thing out of the house once and for all."

"She doesn't love him. He's acting too frightening to love, and her lies are another rejection, but she's in an impossible bind she can't fake her way out of. She is tired. He's wearing her out. Enough is enough? Enough is never enough."

"...I don't know if my country will protect me and my rights, as a female, as a person who wants to be safe from violence. It has not shown me that it will protect me, from males more powerful than me, from people who hate and intend to do harm. It has shown me that I am less than, that I am not worth being protected. It has shown recklessness with my well-being."

Intrigued by these quotes? Or made queasy with how similar they are to thoughts you have had? Too similar to someone you've known or know? Whether you're intrigued or disgusted or horrified or saddened by these quotes, do yourself a favor and read this book.

I picked these quotes because they are too eerily-sickeningly- close to thoughts or experiences I've had in the past about someone I dated. Thank the Lord he never had a gun, but whether the abuse is physical or mental, never feel you deserve it! Never let yourself be controlled by someone with actions of violence, shows of intimidation, pointless arguments, or manipulative and blaming words.