Plot Summary
Thanksgiving Break Blues
Daniel Wesley, home from college for Thanksgiving, is restless and anxious. His best friends are busy, and his girlfriend Six feels distant. He senses something is off in their relationship, fearing she might break up with him. Daniel's sisters, Hannah and Chunk, notice his mood and, after some prodding, he confides in them about the complicated secret he and Six share: they had a baby together in high school, whom Six gave up for adoption during a foreign exchange in Italy. The secret weighs heavily on both Daniel and Six, and Daniel's helplessness grows as he realizes how much Six is hurting.
The Secret That Changed Everything
Daniel recounts to his sisters how he and Six discovered their connection to the baby she gave up for adoption. The emotional distance between Daniel and Six is rooted in this shared trauma. Six's sadness is ever-present, and Daniel feels powerless to help. Encouraged by Hannah, Daniel decides to take action, realizing that even if the adoption was closed, he must try to find out what happened to their child for Six's sake. This decision marks a turning point, as Daniel moves from passive guilt to determined hope.
The Search for Matteo
Daniel, with help from his sisters, begins a dogged search for any information about the child. He calls adoption agencies and lawyers in Italy, facing repeated dead ends. Finally, he remembers the American teacher, Ava, who helped Six with the adoption. After a persistent and emotional phone call, Ava agrees to try to pass along a message to the adoptive parents, warning Daniel not to get his hopes up. The possibility of contact, however slim, reignites Daniel's hope and anxiety.
A Message from Quinn
After days of waiting, Daniel receives an email from Quinn Wells, the adoptive mother. The message is heartfelt and vulnerable, expressing gratitude for the gift of their son, Matteo, and sharing the struggles she and her husband Graham faced with infertility. Quinn's words are full of empathy for Six's pain and offer the first real glimpse into Matteo's life. She attaches photos and extends an invitation for Daniel and Six to meet their son, opening the door to healing.
The First Photos
Daniel and Six, overwhelmed with emotion, open the photos of Matteo. They see themselves in his features—Six's mouth, Daniel's eyes—and are flooded with relief and joy. The photos confirm that Matteo is happy, healthy, and deeply loved. For Six, the images begin to mend the disconnect she's felt since the adoption, and for Daniel, they bring a sense of purpose and pride. The couple's tears are a mix of grief, gratitude, and hope.
The Call That Heals
Daniel and Six call Quinn and Graham, who warmly welcome them into their lives. The conversation is emotional but reassuring, as both couples share their stories and intentions. Quinn and Graham invite Daniel and Six to visit over Christmas break, wanting to give them the chance to meet Matteo in person. The call marks a new chapter, transforming uncertainty and pain into anticipation and connection.
Telling the Truth at Home
Daniel and Six realize they must tell their families the truth about Matteo before visiting him. The confession is met with shock, confusion, and eventually acceptance. Daniel's parents and sisters, and Six's family, process the news in their own ways, but ultimately support the couple's decision to meet Matteo. The act of telling the truth lifts a burden, allowing Daniel and Six to move forward with honesty and the support of those who love them.
Meeting Matteo
Daniel and Six travel to Connecticut to meet Matteo and his adoptive parents. The meeting is emotional and surreal. Matteo is everything they hoped for—happy, healthy, and thriving. Quinn and Graham are gracious and open, sharing stories and photos, and inviting Daniel and Six into their home and lives. The experience is healing for everyone, especially Six, who finally feels the missing piece of her heart reconnect.
A New Kind of Family
As the visit continues, Daniel and Six bond with Matteo and his parents. The two couples share meals, stories, and laughter, discovering unexpected similarities and forming a unique extended family. Daniel and Graham connect over their shared desire to see the women they love happy, while Six and Quinn find comfort in each other's understanding. The boundaries between biological and adoptive family blur, replaced by mutual respect and gratitude.
The Weight of Connection
After meeting Matteo, Daniel and Six reflect on the journey that brought them here. Six's sadness is replaced by peace, and Daniel feels a new sense of maturity and responsibility. Both are changed by the experience, more connected to each other and to their son. The visit gives them closure, but also a new beginning, as they look forward to being part of Matteo's life in whatever way is possible.
The Gift of Closure
The week with Matteo and his family is transformative. Daniel and Six realize that while they will always carry the pain of their loss, they now have the gift of knowing their son is loved and cared for. The experience allows them to forgive themselves and each other, and to let go of guilt and regret. They return home lighter, with a renewed sense of hope for their own future.
The Future Begins
Back home, Daniel and Six are closer than ever. The experience has deepened their love and commitment, and they look forward to the future with optimism. They remain in touch with Quinn, Graham, and Matteo, grateful for the unconventional family they've created. The story ends not with a perfect resolution, but with the understanding that healing is possible, and that love—no matter how complicated—can find a way.
Analysis
Finding Perfect is a novella about the power of connection, the pain of loss, and the healing that comes from honesty and hope. Colleen Hoover weaves together the stories of two couples—one who gave up a child, one who received him—showing that family is not just about biology, but about love, sacrifice, and the willingness to reach across divides. The novella explores the lingering effects of trauma and the ways in which secrets can isolate us, but also how vulnerability and persistence can lead to unexpected healing.
The story is a meditation on closure—not as an end, but as a beginning. By confronting their past and seeking out the truth, Daniel and Six are able to reclaim their future, both as individuals and as a couple. The narrative suggests that while we cannot undo our mistakes or erase our pain, we can choose to move forward with compassion and courage. The blending of families, the acceptance of imperfection, and the embrace of hope are central lessons.
Ultimately, Finding Perfect is about the imperfect, messy, beautiful ways we find our way back to each other. It is a testament to the idea that healing is possible, that love can endure, and that sometimes, the family we find is even more perfect than the one we imagined.
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Characters
Daniel Wesley
Daniel is the heart of the novella, a young man whose humor masks a deep well of emotion and responsibility. He is fiercely devoted to Six, and his journey is one of moving from helplessness to action. Daniel's greatest struggle is his inability to fix Six's pain, but his persistence and willingness to be vulnerable ultimately lead to healing for both of them. His growth is marked by a shift from self-centered immaturity to mature empathy, as he learns that love sometimes means letting go and trusting others.
Six Jacobs
Six is Daniel's girlfriend and the biological mother of Matteo. Her experience of giving up her child for adoption has left her with a profound sense of loss and disconnection. Six's sadness is palpable, but she is also brave and selfless, having made an impossible choice for the sake of her child. Her journey is one of reconnection—to her son, to Daniel, and to herself. Through honesty and vulnerability, she finds the closure she desperately needs.
Matteo Wells
Matteo is the child Daniel and Six gave up for adoption. Though he is too young to understand the complexities of his origins, his presence is transformative for everyone involved. Matteo represents hope, healing, and the possibility of new beginnings. His happiness and well-being are the ultimate reassurance for Daniel and Six, and his existence forges a bond between two families.
Quinn Wells
Quinn is Matteo's adoptive mother, whose own struggles with infertility have shaped her into a woman of deep empathy and gratitude. Her willingness to reach out to Daniel and Six, despite the risks, is an act of profound generosity. Quinn's openness and honesty help bridge the gap between biological and adoptive families, and her love for Matteo is unwavering.
Graham Wells
Graham is Quinn's husband and Matteo's adoptive father. He is a calming presence, both for his own family and for Daniel. Graham's understanding of Daniel's pain and his willingness to share Matteo are rooted in his own experiences with loss and longing. He is a model of what it means to love selflessly and to put the happiness of others first.
Hannah Wesley
Daniel's older sister, Hannah, is a voice of reason and support. She helps Daniel strategize the search for Matteo and encourages him to be persistent. Hannah's intelligence and empathy make her an invaluable ally, and her presence brings out Daniel's best qualities.
Chunk Wesley
Daniel's younger sister, Chunk, provides comic relief but also unexpected wisdom. Her straightforwardness helps cut through the tension, and her loyalty to Daniel is unwavering. Chunk's reactions to the unfolding events are honest and relatable, grounding the story in family dynamics.
Ava Roberts
Ava is the American teacher in Italy who helped Six with the adoption. Her willingness to facilitate contact between Daniel, Six, and Matteo's adoptive parents is crucial to the story's resolution. Ava's compassion and discretion make her a quiet hero in the narrative.
Sky Davis
Sky is Six's best friend and part of the close-knit group with Daniel and Holder. She is quick to celebrate Six's happiness and provides emotional support throughout the journey. Sky's presence reinforces the importance of chosen family.
Dean Holder
Holder is Daniel's best friend and Sky's boyfriend. He is a steadying force, offering both comic banter and genuine concern. Holder's reactions to Daniel's struggles are a mix of tough love and unwavering support, embodying the strength of male friendship.
Plot Devices
Dual Families and Found Family
The novella's central device is the intersection of two families—one biological, one adoptive—brought together by a child. The narrative explores the complexities of parenthood, love, and belonging, showing that family is not defined solely by blood but by choice, sacrifice, and connection. The blending of these families is handled with sensitivity, emphasizing healing over conflict.
Secrets and Revelations
The story is driven by the secret Daniel and Six share, and the emotional distance it creates. The gradual revelation of this secret to family and friends, and ultimately to Matteo's adoptive parents, is a source of tension and catharsis. The plot hinges on the courage to confront the past and the willingness to be vulnerable.
Persistence and Hope
Daniel's refusal to give up, despite repeated setbacks, is a key plot device. His persistence in searching for Matteo, and his hope that something good can come from pain, propel the story forward. The narrative structure mirrors this journey, moving from despair to hope to healing.
Letters and Communication
The use of emails, phone calls, and heartfelt messages is central to the plot. Communication—both the lack of it and the eventual abundance of it—serves as a metaphor for connection and reconciliation. The story's emotional climax is delivered through Quinn's letter, which becomes a bridge between past and present, loss and love.
Emotional Honesty and Catharsis
The novella's structure is built around moments of emotional honesty—between Daniel and Six, with their families, and with Matteo's adoptive parents. These moments of catharsis are the true turning points, allowing the characters to move from guilt and grief to acceptance and joy.
