Content Warning: This section mentions miscarriage, the death of a parent, and a car accident.

Arianna and Noah’s romance helps them overcome their sorrow and grow beyond their trauma. Both characters feel lost and alone when they meet. The novel uses their emotional unrest to instigate their connection with one another. Before they reconnect in college, Arianna is crying herself to sleep each night over what happened with Chase. Meanwhile, Noah is struggling to reconcile his desire for an independent future while his mom, Lori, experiences illness. In each other, they find the comfort and strength to confront and process these personal conflicts. For Arianna, it’s “Noah’s candid expression” and “sincere desire to understand” that inspire her to open up to him (123). For Noah, it’s Arianna’s selflessness and empathy that inspire him to invite her into his life. In these ways, Noah and Arianna offer one another the love and care that they need during difficult times in their lives. The love that they foster together gradually helps them heal from their pain and embrace life anew.

The novel particularly uses the scenes of Arianna and Noah cooking together to capture the healing power of their connection. Whenever Arianna watches Noah cook, she notices the “peaceful look on his face” and “the ease of his movements” (171).