True stories about life and love are unpredictable and often defy logic. The novel opens with Daphne recounting the coincidence that brought her and Peter together. She explains the plot twist: “The story tipped onto its side. Found a fresh point of view. And in this new telling of it, I was no longer the leading lady, but instead the teensy complication that would forever be used to jazz up their story” (2). From the opening scene, Emily Henry infuses the power of story into the novel, symbolizing how stories connect people. By engaging with stories, whether through reading books, watching films, or just listening to people tell their stories, humans can experience the transformative power of narrative firsthand. Stories are not just a form of entertainment but a fundamental aspect of being human. They can be a window into other worlds or a mirror in which to see oneself better. When her life story doesn’t go as planned, Daphne must learn to embrace the unpredictability of life and, just like cracking open a new book, harness the excitement of diving into a fresh, new story.

Daphne embodies a love of books and stories.