Digital Pen Pals

Bailey "Mink" Rydell and "Alex" are digital friends, united by a love of classic movies and a shared tendency to avoid real-life confrontation. Their witty, flirty exchanges are a safe haven for both, and Alex's invitation to meet in person at a California film festival is both thrilling and terrifying for Bailey. She's not ready to reveal her true self, but the idea lingers, especially as her home life grows more complicated.

The Artful Evader Arrives

After her mother's relationship implodes, Bailey moves cross-country to live with her dad in quirky Coronado Cove, California. She's a master of avoidance, using humor and stealth to sidestep emotional messes. Her arrival is marked by anxiety—about her dad's new life, her own social skills, and the possibility of running into Alex, who unknowingly lives in the same town.

New Town, New Tensions

Bailey's new life is a mix of scenic beauty and social discomfort. She gets a vintage scooter, a summer job at the eccentric Cavern Palace museum, and a crash course in California culture. Her first day is a disaster: she's overdressed, overwhelmed, and immediately butts heads with Porter Roth, a cocky, scarred surfer/security guard who seems to delight in pushing her buttons.

The Surfer and the Dodger

Porter and Bailey clash at work, their banter laced with irritation and undeniable attraction. Porter's teasing exposes Bailey's insecurities, while Bailey's sharp tongue and vintage style intrigue him. Their dynamic is a push-pull of challenge and flirtation, complicated by Bailey's secret mission to find Alex and her growing fascination with Porter's hidden depths.

Ticket Booth Trials

Assigned to the dreaded ticket booth ("Hotbox"), Bailey sweats through long shifts with Grace, a British transplant who becomes her first real friend. Porter's presence is both a torment and a comfort, as he oscillates between antagonizing Bailey and showing unexpected kindness. Their relationship deepens through shared challenges, including a dramatic thwarting of would-be museum thieves.

Sleuthing for Alex

Bailey's detective work to find Alex leads her through the boardwalk's shops, churro carts, and stray cats. A promising lead turns out to be a dead end (and a gay whale-watching guide), leaving her frustrated and more confused about her feelings for both Alex and Porter. Meanwhile, her past trauma—being shot during a home invasion—lurks beneath the surface, shaping her need for control and safety.

Enemies, Allies, and Crushes

Bailey and Porter's antagonism gives way to camaraderie and then to something more. They bond over shared vulnerabilities: Porter's family tragedies (a shark attack, a lost arm, a legacy of surfing) and Bailey's history of violence and avoidance. Their chemistry is undeniable, but both are haunted by trust issues and the fear of being truly seen.

Family Secrets and Scars

As Bailey learns more about Porter's family and the pain beneath his bravado, she's forced to confront her own avoidance. Porter's scars—literal and emotional—mirror her own. Their relationship deepens through mutual confessions, culminating in a night spent locked in the museum, where they share their bodies and their secrets.

The Hotbox Meltdown

The pressures of work, unresolved feelings, and Bailey's inability to communicate explode in a public meltdown at the ticket booth. She's fired, humiliated, and left adrift. Porter, dealing with his own grief after the death of a beloved coworker (Pangborn), withdraws, and Bailey is forced to reckon with the consequences of her evasion and the pain of losing both her job and her connection to Porter.

Bonfire and Breakdown

At a wild beach bonfire, Bailey's past trauma is triggered by gunfire, and Porter becomes her anchor. Their bond is tested by external threats (Porter's troubled friend Davy) and internal fears. Bailey's struggle to trust and open up is mirrored by Porter's own battles with loyalty and loss. Their relationship teeters on the edge of collapse and transformation.

Trust, Trauma, and Truths

Bailey finally shares the full story of her shooting with Porter, and he reveals the pain of his own betrayals. They learn that love requires vulnerability and honesty, not just chemistry. When Davy's self-destruction threatens them both, Bailey and Porter work together to protect each other, proving their growth and commitment.

The Mystery of Alex

Bailey's unresolved online relationship with Alex lingers as a shadow over her new life. When she finally arranges to meet him at the film festival, the shocking truth is revealed: Alex is Porter. Both are stunned by the realization that their digital and real-life soulmates are the same person. The revelation forces them to confront the ways they've hidden from themselves and each other.

The Reveal at the Flagpole

The climactic meeting at the Pennywise Roth statue is a whirlwind of shock, anger, and catharsis. Bailey and Porter process the layers of deception and coincidence that brought them together twice. They realize that their connection—online and in person—was always real, and that forgiveness is the only way forward.

Forgiveness and Fresh Starts

With the truth out, Bailey and Porter rebuild their relationship on a foundation of honesty and trust. They support each other through family challenges, personal growth, and the aftermath of trauma. Bailey learns to let go of her Artful Dodger persona, embracing vulnerability and connection.

Roller Derby Redemption

In the months that follow, Bailey carves out a new identity: roller derby jammer, museum volunteer, loyal friend, and loving girlfriend. She mends her friendship with Grace, finds closure with her mother, and supports Porter as he pursues his surfing dreams. No longer an evader, Bailey steps into the spotlight on her own terms, ready for whatever comes next.

Characters

Bailey "Mink" Rydell

Bailey is a self-described "evader," using humor and stealth to sidestep emotional pain. Scarred by a violent past (a shooting linked to her mother's legal work), she's terrified of confrontation and intimacy. Her online persona, "Mink," is confident and clever, but in real life, she's anxious and guarded. Over the course of the novel, Bailey is forced to confront her avoidance, open up about her trauma, and risk vulnerability for love and friendship. Her journey is one of self-acceptance, learning that true connection requires honesty and courage.

Porter Roth / "Alex"

Porter is a local surfing legend's grandson, marked by physical and emotional scars—a shark attack, a fractured family, and betrayals by friends and lovers. Outwardly cocky and irreverent, he's deeply sensitive and loyal, hiding his pain behind banter and bravado. As "Alex", he connects with Bailey online, revealing his softer, more thoughtful side. Porter's arc is about learning to trust again, to forgive, and to let himself be loved for who he truly is.

Grace Achebe

Grace is Bailey's first real friend in California—a British transplant with a tiny voice and a big heart. She's the glue that holds the ticket booth team together, offering comic relief and emotional support. Grace's own struggles with love and belonging mirror Bailey's, and their friendship is tested by neglect and miscommunication. Ultimately, Grace is the model of the dependable, open friend Bailey aspires to be.

Pete Rydell (Bailey's Dad)

Pete is Bailey's anchor—a nerdy, earnest CPA who provides stability and unconditional support. His own struggles with divorce and single parenthood inform his gentle guidance. Pete's relationship with Bailey is a model of healthy, open communication, and his new romance with Wanda signals hope and renewal.

Wanda Mendoza

Wanda is a local police sergeant and Pete's girlfriend. She's a no-nonsense authority figure with a soft spot for Bailey, offering both practical advice and emotional support. Wanda's presence in Bailey's life is a sign of safety and a model of female strength.

Davy Truand

Davy is Porter's former best friend, now a drug-addicted, self-sabotaging presence. His spiral into crime and violence is a cautionary tale about pain left unaddressed. Davy's actions force both Porter and Bailey to confront their own boundaries and the limits of loyalty.

Lana Roth

Porter's younger sister is a rising surfing star, embodying the family's legacy and the pressures that come with it. Lana's relationship with Porter is one of mutual respect and gentle teasing, and her success is both a source of pride and a challenge for Porter.

Mr. and Mrs. Roth

Porter's parents are survivors—of loss, injury, and disappointment. Their marriage and family business are tested by tragedy, but their love for their children is unwavering. They represent both the weight of legacy and the possibility of healing.

Pangborn

The elderly security guard at the Cavern Palace is a stoner, a storyteller, and a gentle soul. His death is a turning point for both Bailey and Porter, forcing them to confront grief and the fragility of life.

Alex (as a digital persona)

Alex is the version of Porter that Bailey falls for online—a witty, sensitive film buff who seems to "get" her in ways no one else does. The revelation that Alex and Porter are the same person is both a shock and a validation of the real connection they share.

Plot Devices

Mistaken Identity and Double Lives

The central device is the "You've Got Mail"–style mistaken identity: Bailey and Porter fall for each other both online and in real life, not realizing they are the same person. This duality allows for exploration of authenticity, vulnerability, and the masks we wear. The tension between digital and physical selves drives the plot and the emotional stakes.

Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

Bailey and Porter's relationship is built on banter, rivalry, and mutual provocation. Their journey from adversaries to partners is marked by sharp dialogue, escalating chemistry, and moments of genuine connection. The trope is used to explore the ways we push away what we most desire.

Trauma and Avoidance

Both protagonists are shaped by trauma—Bailey's shooting, Porter's shark attack and betrayals. Their coping mechanisms (avoidance, bravado) are both obstacles and sources of strength. The narrative structure uses flashbacks, confessions, and moments of crisis to reveal their wounds and growth.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

Classic films, especially Hitchcock's North by Northwest, serve as both plot devices and thematic touchstones. The mistaken identity, the chase, the climactic reveal—all echo the structure of a suspense film. Objects like the shark tooth, the scooter, and the Hotbox become symbols of transformation and resilience.

Parallel Plotlines

The story weaves together Bailey's search for Alex, her evolving friendship with Grace, her family's healing, and her romance with Porter. Each thread reflects and refracts the others, creating a tapestry of connection and self-discovery.

Analysis

Alex, Approximately is a witty, heartfelt exploration of identity, trust, and the messy, exhilarating process of letting oneself be truly known. Through the dual narrative of online and real-life romance, Jenn Bennett examines how trauma shapes our defenses and how love—romantic, platonic, and familial—can help us heal. The novel's central lesson is that authenticity requires risk: only by dropping our masks and facing our fears can we find genuine connection. Bailey's journey from evasion to engagement, from Artful Dodger to roller derby jammer, is a testament to the power of vulnerability and the importance of showing up for ourselves and others. The book celebrates the beauty of imperfection, the necessity of forgiveness, and the joy of finding your people—even if it takes a few wrong turns (and a lot of churros) to get there.

Last updated: May 18, 2025