Pizza, Pepperoni, and Fate

Dominic Russo, a brooding, wealthy creative director, is dragged by his mother to a dingy pizza joint in Manhattan. There, he meets Ally Morales, a sharp-tongued, artistic waitress struggling to make ends meet. Their first interaction is a battle of wits and wills, ending with Ally spelling "FU" in pepperoni on Dominic's pizza and getting herself fired. This moment, charged with mutual irritation and unexpected chemistry, sets the stage for their intertwined fates. Dominic's mother, Dalessandra, a fashion icon, witnesses the scene and, recognizing Ally's spirit, offers her a job at her magazine, Label. The city's coldness and the warmth of the pizza shop become metaphors for the emotional landscapes both characters inhabit.

Fired and Hired

Ally, reeling from her firing and desperate for stability, is stunned when Dalessandra offers her a mysterious job at Label. She's not sure if it's a lifeline or a setup, but she can't afford to refuse. Meanwhile, Dominic is forced to confront the fallout of his actions and his own reputation as a grumpy, intimidating boss. Both are thrust into new roles: Ally as the newest admin in a high-powered, cutthroat fashion magazine, and Dominic as her reluctant, antagonistic superior. Their initial animosity simmers beneath the surface, but the forced proximity and shared workplace begin to shift their dynamic.

New York, New Rules

Ally navigates the treacherous waters of Label's admin pool, encountering mean girls, office politics, and the unspoken trauma left by Dominic's disgraced father, Paul Russo. She befriends Gola and Ruth, who help her decode the magazine's social hierarchy. Dominic, meanwhile, struggles to fill his father's shoes and escape his shadow, all while maintaining the family legacy and dealing with the staff's fear and resentment. The magazine's culture is haunted by past scandals, and both Ally and Dominic are forced to adapt, learning that survival means more than just keeping your head down.

Grumpy Boss, Sunshiny Girl

Dominic and Ally's relationship is defined by sharp banter, mutual annoyance, and a growing, reluctant attraction. Ally's optimism and resilience clash with Dominic's cynicism and emotional armor. Their arguments become the highlight of their days, each pushing the other's buttons and boundaries. Yet, beneath the surface, they begin to see each other's vulnerabilities: Ally's financial struggles and family burdens, Dominic's guilt and isolation. Their chemistry is electric, but both are determined not to give in—at least, not yet.

Office Politics and Past Scandals

Label's glossy façade hides a history of abuse and cover-ups, especially involving Dominic's father, whose predatory behavior left scars on the staff. Ally learns the truth through office gossip and her own investigations, realizing the depth of the magazine's wounds. Dominic is tormented by the legacy he's inherited and the impossible task of cleaning up after his father. The staff's fear, the new anti-fraternization policies, and the ever-present threat of scandal create a pressure cooker environment. Ally's outsider perspective and refusal to be cowed begin to change the office's culture, even as she and Dominic circle each other warily.

The Admin Pool Wars

Ally's presence in the admin pool shakes up the status quo. She stands up to Malina, the resident mean girl and former mistress of Paul Russo, and wins the loyalty of her colleagues through kindness and competence. Her friendship with Gola and Ruth deepens, and she becomes a quiet force for good, helping others and refusing to let the toxic culture define her. Dominic, watching from afar, is both infuriated and impressed by her impact. The admin pool becomes a microcosm of the larger battles being fought at Label: old guard versus new, fear versus hope, silence versus truth.

Clash of Wills

Dominic and Ally's professional relationship reaches a boiling point as they're forced to work closely on high-stakes projects. Their arguments become more personal, their attraction harder to deny. Both are haunted by their families: Ally by her ailing father and absent mother, Dominic by his parents' toxic marriage and his own fear of becoming his father. The tension between them is palpable, and their colleagues take notice. The line between love and hate blurs, and both are forced to confront what they really want—and what they're willing to risk.

Unlikely Allies

A family emergency brings Ally's struggles to the forefront, and Dominic, despite himself, steps in to help. Their walls begin to crumble as they share secrets and fears, finding common ground in their loneliness and sense of responsibility. Ally's resilience inspires Dominic to be a better man, while Dominic's support gives Ally the strength to keep fighting. Their relationship shifts from adversarial to tentative partnership, though both are still afraid to admit how much they need each other.

Family Ties and Old Wounds

Dominic's father resurfaces, threatening to drag the family and the magazine back into scandal. Ally's mother, a saintly absentee, complicates her life from afar. Both protagonists are forced to reckon with the legacies they've inherited and the ways those legacies shape their choices. The magazine's future hangs in the balance as old secrets come to light, and both Ally and Dominic must decide whether to keep running from the past or confront it head-on.

Temptation and Boundaries

The simmering attraction between Ally and Dominic finally boils over. A series of charged encounters—late-night emails, accidental touches, a strip club lap dance—push them past the point of no return. They cross the line, risking their jobs and reputations for a night of passion that changes everything. But the fallout is immediate: guilt, fear, and the threat of exposure. Both must decide if what they have is worth the cost, or if they're doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Crossing the Line

Their relationship exposed, Ally and Dominic face the wrath of HR, the gossip mill, and their own insecurities. Dominic offers to resign to protect Ally, but she refuses to let him sacrifice himself. Instead, they choose honesty, disclosing their relationship and accepting the consequences. The magazine, under Dalessandra's leadership, chooses transparency and healing over secrecy and shame. Ally is promoted to a new role, and Dominic steps into a position of greater responsibility, determined to build a better legacy.

Secrets, Scandals, and Sacrifice

The magazine's May issue becomes a watershed moment: Dalessandra and other survivors share their stories, breaking the cycle of silence and abuse. Dominic confronts his father, finally severing the toxic bond and choosing his own path. Ally's financial struggles are resolved through a combination of her own hard work and Dominic's quiet generosity. Both learn that love means sacrifice, vulnerability, and the willingness to fight for each other—and for what's right.

Breaking and Mending

A painful breakup forces both Ally and Dominic to confront their deepest wounds. Through a series of heartfelt emails, apologies, and grand gestures, they find their way back to each other. Ally learns to forgive—not just Dominic, but herself and her parents. Dominic learns to trust, to share, and to accept love. Their reunion is public, messy, and perfect, witnessed by friends, strangers, and a pizza topped with pepperoni spelling "I love you."

Happily Ever After, By a Thread

With the past finally laid to rest, Ally and Dominic build a life together—one defined by honesty, partnership, and joy. They support each other's dreams, care for their families, and create a home filled with music, laughter, and love. The magazine thrives under new leadership, and the couple's story becomes a symbol of hope and healing. In the end, their happily ever after is not perfect, but it is real—held together, as all the best things are, by a thread.

Characters

Dominic Russo

Dominic is the son of fashion royalty, burdened by the sins of his father and the expectations of his mother. He is brilliant, exacting, and emotionally closed off, using gruffness as a shield against vulnerability. His relationships are shaped by fear of repeating his father's abuses and a deep sense of responsibility to atone for the past. Dominic's journey is one of learning to trust, to share his pain, and to accept love without strings. His connection with Ally transforms him, teaching him that strength lies in honesty and that redemption is possible, even for the most damaged hearts.

Ally Morales

Ally is a self-taught designer and eternal optimist, juggling multiple jobs to support her ailing father and keep her head above water. Her humor and warmth mask deep wounds: abandonment by her mother, financial insecurity, and the daily grind of survival. Ally's greatest strength is her refusal to give up or become bitter, even when life knocks her down. Her relationship with Dominic challenges her to accept help, to set boundaries, and to believe she deserves happiness. She is the catalyst for change at Label and in Dominic's life, embodying hope, forgiveness, and the power of starting over.

Dalessandra Russo

Dalessandra is both a legend in fashion and a mother determined to protect her family and her legacy. She is sharp, strategic, and unafraid to wield power, but her greatest regret is not seeing the damage her husband caused. Her relationship with Dominic is complex: she pushes him to be better, but also to be true to himself. Dalessandra's own journey toward honesty and love (including her relationship with Simone) mirrors the magazine's transformation from secrecy to transparency.

Paul Russo

Paul is the shadow over Label and the Russo family—a man whose charm masks a history of abuse, manipulation, and self-destruction. His actions haunt Dominic and the staff, and his refusal to take responsibility forces others to clean up his mess. Paul represents the dangers of unchecked power and the corrosive effects of secrets.

Gola

Gola is Ally's first and fiercest friend at Label, offering support, gossip, and a much-needed sense of belonging. She is quick-witted, fiercely protective, and unafraid to stand up to bullies. Gola's presence highlights the importance of chosen family and the power of solidarity among women.

Ruth

Ruth is the glue that holds the admin pool together, always ready with a joke, a shoulder to cry on, or a plan for after-work drinks. She helps Ally navigate the treacherous waters of office politics and is a cheerleader for love, justice, and good fun.

Malina

Malina is both a victim and a perpetrator of Label's toxic culture. Once Paul Russo's mistress, she is driven by ambition, insecurity, and a desperate need for validation. Her rivalry with Ally exposes the ways women are pitted against each other in patriarchal systems, but her eventual confession and departure hint at the possibility of change.

Linus

Linus is the production manager who keeps Label running, balancing sarcasm with genuine care for his team. He becomes a mentor to Ally, pushing her to grow and recognizing her talent. Linus represents the possibility of healthy masculinity and the importance of mentorship.

Shayla

Shayla is the beauty editor who challenges Dominic and refuses to let him coast on privilege. She is a survivor of Paul Russo's regime and a key player in the magazine's transformation. Her promotion to creative director signals a new era for Label.

Buddy

Buddy is hired alongside Ally and represents the everyday struggles of working-class people. His gratitude, kindness, and resilience inspire those around him, and his story is a reminder that small acts of generosity can change lives.

Plot Devices

Enemies-to-Lovers

The central device is the classic enemies-to-lovers arc: Dominic and Ally's initial antagonism is rooted in their differences—class, temperament, trauma—but also in their similarities: stubbornness, loyalty, and a deep need for connection. Their banter, arguments, and mutual challenges create a slow-burn romance that feels earned and authentic.

Workplace Power Dynamics

The novel interrogates the complexities of workplace relationships in the #MeToo era, exploring the dangers of power imbalances and the importance of consent. The anti-fraternization policy, the history of harassment, and the staff's fear all serve as obstacles and catalysts for change. The narrative structure alternates between Ally and Dominic's perspectives, allowing readers to see the impact of these dynamics on both sides.

Family Legacy and Cycles of Trauma

Both protagonists are haunted by their families: Dominic by his father's sins and his own fear of repeating them, Ally by her mother's abandonment and her father's decline. The story uses flashbacks, confessions, and parallel plotlines to show how cycles of trauma can be broken through honesty, vulnerability, and love.

Redemption and Forgiveness

The plot is driven by the characters' need for redemption: Dominic's quest to atone for his father's actions, Ally's struggle to forgive herself and others, Dalessandra's journey toward honesty. The magazine's May issue, featuring survivors' stories, is both a literal and symbolic act of healing. The use of emails, letters, and public confessions as narrative devices underscores the theme that secrets lose their power when shared.

Symbolism: Pizza, Pepperoni, and Thread

Pizza and pepperoni become recurring symbols of communication, apology, and love—culminating in Ally's "I love you" spelled out in toppings. The title's "thread" represents the fragile, resilient connections that hold people together, even when everything else threatens to unravel.

Analysis

By a Thread is a modern romantic comedy that uses the familiar beats of enemies-to-lovers and workplace romance to explore deeper themes of trauma, power, and healing. Lucy Score reimagines the genre for the #MeToo era, refusing to shy away from the messy realities of abuse, consent, and the long shadow of family legacy. The novel's greatest strength is its willingness to let its characters be flawed, to make mistakes, and to fight for forgiveness—not just from each other, but from themselves. Ally and Dominic's journey is both a love story and a story of personal growth, showing that true intimacy requires vulnerability, honesty, and the courage to break cycles of pain. The book's humor, heart, and hope make it a standout in contemporary romance, reminding readers that even the most damaged people can find happiness—if they're willing to hold on, by a thread.

Last updated: May 1, 2025