Point of Retreat

Point of Retreat interrogates the foundations of a relationship, arguing that for love born from shared tragedy to be sustainable, it must be rooted in an appreciation of each other’s intrinsic qualities, not just mutual circumstances. The central conflict in Point of Retreat arises when Will and Lake’s bond, forged in grief, is tested, forcing Will to prove that he loves Lake as an individual, not simply as a reflection of his own painful past. The novel suggests that while hardship can create a powerful connection, lasting commitment requires love to evolve beyond its origins.

The stability of Will and Lake’s relationship is thrown into crisis with the reappearance of Vaughn, Will’s ex-girlfriend. The event triggers Lake’s deepest insecurity: that Will is with her only because their situations are parallel. Both are young guardians raising their brothers after losing their parents. Vaughn’s unexpected presence in Will’s life and Will’s concealment of it lead Lake to question the very basis of their connection. The conflict culminates when she directly confronts Will, asking how he can be sure that he would still love her if their parents were alive and they didn’t have Kel and Caulder.