Call It What You Want

“No, we never dated. He’s not an ex-boyfriend. He’s an ex-almost. Maybe that’s all we’d ever be—an incomplete sentence or a book that someone put down halfway through and never picked back up, finished without an ending.”

This quote from the novel’s prologue establishes the central conflict of the undefined relationship and introduces the theme of Defining Self-Worth Beyond a Relationship Label. The text uses a metaphor comparing the relationship to an “incomplete sentence” or an unfinished book. This comparison is significant given Sloane’s passion for writing, framing the narrative as her attempt to find closure and write her own ending, separate from a partner’s validation.

“I’m fucked up in a lot of different ways, but the biggest is that I wouldn’t know a healthy relationship if it slapped me in the face. You can thank my parents for that.”

In his first point-of-view chapter, Ethan directly characterizes his internal state, linking his inability to form healthy connections to his upbringing. This establishes the motivation for his commitment-avoidant behavior and introduces the theme of The Lingering Effects of Childhood Trauma on Intimacy. Because Ethan identifies his own flaws early on, the text creates dramatic irony, as the reader understands the root of his issues before Sloane does.

“‘I don’t really talk to people the way we talked outside earlier,’ he admitted. ‘You mean to girls?’ ‘To anyone. Not even Graham.’ ‘What makes me different?’ Curiosity piqued my interest. ‘I trust you.’”

This exchange occurs the first night Sloane and Ethan spend together, highlighting a moment of perceived intimacy. Ethan’s admission positions Sloane as uniquely capable of breaking through his emotional walls, which connects to the theme of The Fallacy of Saving a Partner Through Love.