Love Redesigned

“It’s pathetic how one smile from her can stir up countless memories, all of which are best left in the past, along with any feelings I once had for her.”

Julian says this shortly after seeing Dahlia for the first time in years. Not only does this quote foreshadow the feelings he has for Dahlia that will arise again throughout the novel, but it also is the first hint about their past relationship, which influences both characters’ choices and feelings.

“I miss the person I was. I miss her so damn much that I’m willing to put in the work to bring her back, even if it means attending extra therapy sessions and following through on difficult homework I’d rather avoid.”

Dahlia’s depression and her road to recovery significantly impact her throughout the novel, reflecting The Effects of Grief and Depression on Relationships. Dahlia feels she has changed so much in her relationship with Oliver that she hardly recognizes herself, and her missing her old self shows how much she wants to get better. This quote shows how Dahlia is committed to making necessary changes—a character trait that later becomes important in her relationship with Julian.

“Every step away from the mixer feels like a small victory, and I’m proud of myself for making it to the truck without shedding a single tear […] I don’t want to cry anymore over a man who discarded me like trash. I refuse to.”

Dahlia says this after Julian buys her engagement ring only to throw it in a concrete mixer. This moment marks some of the first steps Dahlia takes to let go of her past, symbolized by the way she is literally walking away from the ring. However, this moment also shows how fragile her emotional state still is, as even though she has learned she shouldn’t cry over Oliver, she still feels like she might.