Call It What You Want

Ethan Brady is the novel’s antagonist and Sloane’s primary love interest, serving as the catalyst for the novel’s main conflicts and Sloane’s emotional journey. He is a round but static character whose inability to change is linked to The Lingering Effects of Childhood Trauma on Intimacy. Having been abandoned by his mother and father after their imprisonment, he is emotionally guarded and fearful of commitment. This past trauma dictates his actions, making him incapable of accepting the love Sloane offers. He is aware of his emotional limitations but instead of giving Sloane the chance to get to know him and judge for herself, he preempts her rejection by pushing her away: “I have problems that you don’t want to get involved in, and as much as it kills me, I know I have to let you go” (132). He has little basis for predicting her response beyond his own belief in his own unlovability. Thus, he can’t accept Sloane’s sincerity, and she can’t accept his unavailability.

Having 12 of the novel’s 38 chapters told from Ethan’s perspective paints him a complex figure rather than a one-dimensional antagonist. His internal monologues reveal that he does not want to be malicious, but his cynicism about relationships prevents him from seeing that his actions are hurtful. His personal narrative is that he is fundamentally broken by his past, and his interactions with Sloane over the course of the novel show that he’s not ready to change that. Instead, despite his genuine feelings for Sloane, Ethan resorts to avoidance as a coping mechanism. He is unable to engage in direct emotional conversations, often pulling away or ending their “almost relationship” when things become too serious.

This pattern culminates in his decision to break up with Sloane via text message, an act of emotional cowardice that underscores his fear of confrontation. Ethan ends the novel in the same emotional state in which he began, unable to overcome the psychological barriers that prevent him from forming a healthy, committed relationship, forcing Sloane to be the one to grow and move on.

Lauren Ellis is Sloane’s best friend, roommate, and a key supporting character who functions as a pragmatic foil to Sloane’s romantic idealism. As a static, round character, she is a consistent source of stability, loyalty, and grounded advice throughout the narrative. Lauren’s primary role is to act as the voice of reason in Sloane’s life, particularly concerning her relationship with Ethan. She is direct and honest, often warning Sloane about the potential for heartbreak. She expresses her concern by stating, “I just want you to be careful, Sloane. Graham mentioned that Ethan’s not the type to date, historically speaking. […] I’d really hate to see you end up hurt” (59). Her protective nature and clear-eyed view of the situation contrast with Sloane’s tendency to romanticize Ethan’s behavior.

Lauren’s relationship with Graham serves as a direct parallel and contrast to Sloane’s romantic relationships. Lauren and Graham’s connection develops quickly and is clearly defined, highlighting the ambiguity and emotional turmoil of the undefined “almost relationship” between Sloane and Ethan. Even Lauren’s eventual breakup with Graham is handled with a maturity and decisiveness that Sloane struggles to find.

Beyond her role as a foil, Lauren is a supportive friend. She is the first person Sloane turns to after each heartbreak, offering comfort, wine, and validation. Her unwavering presence underscores the novel’s subtle argument that true, dependable love can often be found in friendship rather than romance. She champions Sloane’s writing career and remains her biggest supporter, demonstrating a healthy, reciprocal bond that juxtaposes the one-sided emotional labor Sloane performs for Ethan.

Reese Thompson is a round, static, secondary character and a romantic foil to Ethan. From the beginning of the novel, Reese represents a healthier, more stable vision of partnership for Sloane. Reese is characterized by his attentiveness, clear communication, and willingness to commit, qualities that highlight Ethan’s emotional unavailability and avoidance. Soon after reconnecting with Sloane, Reese asks her to be his girlfriend, offering the label and security that Sloane fruitlessly sought from Ethan. This contrast forces Sloane, and the reader, to recognize the dysfunction of her dynamic with Ethan.

Reese represents the theme of Defining Self Worth Beyond a Relationship Label. Sloane’s relationship with Reese is secure and comfortable, but it lacks the intense, dramatic chemistry that Sloane has with Ethan, which she initially mistakes for profound love. Reese is emotionally healthy and requires no such fixing: He is not a project, but a partner. His final words to Sloane after their breakup are prophetic, warning her that Ethan will hurt her again and that he will not be there to help her recover. His role in the narrative is crucial for highlighting the choice Sloane must eventually make between a chaotic, consuming connection and a stable, nurturing love.

Graham Clark is Ethan’s best friend and adoptive brother, as a crucial supporting character who provides exposition and insight into Ethan’s past. He is a flat, static character whose primary function is to serve as a bridge between Ethan and Sloane. Having grown up with Ethan after his parents’ imprisonment, Graham possesses a unique understanding of Ethan’s trauma and its impact on his ability to form relationships. He serves as a confidant for both, explaining to Sloane the history of Ethan’s family, which echoes the theme of The Lingering Effects of Childhood Trauma on Intimacy. Graham is loyal to Ethan but also protective of Sloane, often finding himself in the difficult position of navigating the emotional fallout of his friend’s actions. His relationship with Lauren also provides a model of a healthier, more conventional relationship, further highlighting the dysfunction between the central couple.