Isla... why do you think that Josh didn't love you?" My voice grows even smaller. "Because I thought no one could love me." "And why did you think that?" "Because I didn't think I was worth loving.
In this excerpt from "Isla and the Happily Ever After" by Stephanie Perkins, Isla reflects on her feelings of unworthiness and doubts about love. She admits that she believed no one could love her, which affected her self-esteem and understanding of relationships. Her conversation hints at deep insecurities that influence her perceptions of herself and her capacity to be loved.
The quote also reveals Isla’s internal struggle with self-acceptance. She questions...