Senior Year, New Beginnings

Elle Evans and her lifelong best friend Lee Flynn are starting their senior year, determined to make the most of their final months before college. The air is full of possibility, but also anxiety about the future. Elle is dating Lee's older brother, Noah, who's now away at Harvard, and the distance is already straining their relationship. The arrival of Levi, a new student from Detroit, adds a fresh dynamic to their tight-knit group. As Elle juggles her friendships, romance, and looming college applications, she's both excited and apprehensive about the changes ahead.

Long-Distance Love Strains

Noah's absence is keenly felt by Elle, who tries to maintain their relationship through calls and texts. But the time apart is hard, and Elle finds herself missing the physical closeness and easy intimacy they once shared. Noah is busy with college life, making new friends (including Amanda, his lab partner), and Elle can't help but feel insecure. Their conversations become more stilted, and Elle worries about being left behind as everyone else seems to move forward.

Levi Arrives, Friendships Shift

Levi Monroe, the new kid, is quickly integrated into Elle's friend group, thanks to his easygoing nature and shared interests. He becomes a reliable companion, especially as Lee grows more distant, absorbed by football and his girlfriend Rachel. Levi's mysterious past and family struggles (his father's illness, a recent breakup) make him both intriguing and relatable to Elle, who is also dealing with her own family's history of loss. Their friendship deepens, providing comfort and distraction from her troubles with Noah.

Football, Parties, and Pressure

Lee throws himself into football, eager to step out of his brother's shadow but feeling the weight of expectations. Elle, meanwhile, feels increasingly sidelined as Lee spends more time with Rachel and the team. Parties and school events highlight the shifting social landscape, and Elle's sense of belonging is tested. The pressure of college applications and the uncertainty of the future add to her stress, making her more reliant on Levi's friendship.

Lee and Elle Drift Apart

The once-inseparable Elle and Lee find themselves growing apart, their lives pulled in different directions by new commitments and relationships. Elle feels abandoned as Lee prioritizes Rachel and football, while Lee resents the pressure to live up to Noah's legacy. Their communication falters, and misunderstandings pile up, leaving Elle feeling isolated and nostalgic for the simplicity of their earlier friendship.

Babysitting Bonds and Secrets

When Lee bails on babysitting Elle's younger brother, Levi steps in, and the two share a candid evening. They open up about their families—Levi's father's cancer, Elle's mother's death—and find solace in each other's company. Levi reveals his reluctance to pursue college, while Elle confesses her anxiety about the future. Their vulnerability cements their friendship, but also plants the seeds of something more complicated.

Rumors, Rebounds, and Rejection

A party gone wrong and a viral photo of Noah with Amanda spark rumors that Elle and Noah have broken up, and that Elle is rebounding with Levi. The school's rumor mill goes into overdrive, leaving Elle humiliated and defensive. The strain on her relationship with Noah intensifies, as trust issues and jealousy come to the fore. Elle's attempts to clarify the truth only deepen her sense of alienation.

The Amanda Photo Fallout

Elle is blindsided by a photo of Noah and Amanda looking intimate at a college party. The lack of communication and mounting suspicions lead to a heated confrontation, where both Elle and Noah accuse each other of dishonesty and emotional distance. Unable to bridge the gap, and with neither willing to be fully vulnerable, their relationship collapses under the weight of mistrust and miscommunication.

Breaking Up, Breaking Down

The breakup leaves Elle reeling, consumed by heartbreak and self-doubt. She leans on Lee, who drops everything to comfort her, even at the expense of his own relationship with Rachel. The fallout ripples through their friend group, straining other bonds and forcing Elle to confront the reality of moving on. She tries to distract herself with school, friends, and the upcoming Sadie Hawkins dance, but the pain lingers.

Healing with Friendship

As Elle works through her grief, she finds unexpected comfort in her friendship with Levi. They spend more time together, sharing honest conversations and supporting each other through their respective struggles. Lee and Rachel reconcile, and the group begins to heal. The Sadie Hawkins dance offers a chance for Elle to reclaim some joy, and she asks Levi to be her date, signaling a tentative step forward.

Sadie Hawkins and Second Chances

At the dance, Elle and Levi share a sweet, if not electric, moment. Their connection is real, but Elle realizes her feelings for Noah haven't faded. When she and Levi share a kiss at the park, Noah witnesses it, fueling his own jealousy and regret. Both Elle and Noah are forced to confront the unresolved feelings and misunderstandings that led to their breakup.

Thanksgiving Tensions Explode

Thanksgiving brings everything to a head. Noah comes home, bringing Amanda with him, and Elle is forced to face her ex and his supposed new girlfriend at a family gathering. The tension is palpable, and Elle struggles to maintain her composure. Amanda's kindness and sincerity make it impossible for Elle to hate her, but the pain of seeing Noah with someone else is overwhelming. Elle flees the dinner, seeking solace with Levi, and impulsively kisses him—only to realize it's not what she truly wants.

Kissing Levi, Missing Noah

The kiss with Levi is a turning point. Elle recognizes that, while she cares for Levi, her heart still belongs to Noah. Levi, mature and understanding, accepts her apology and values their friendship above any potential romance. Meanwhile, Amanda reveals to Elle that she and Noah were never a couple, shattering Elle's assumptions and forcing her to reevaluate everything that's happened.

Amanda's Truth Revealed

Amanda visits Elle to explain that she and Noah are just friends, and that Noah has been miserable without Elle. The revelation lifts a weight from Elle's shoulders, but also fills her with regret for not trusting Noah. She realizes that their breakup was built on misunderstandings and fear, not betrayal. The path to reconciliation is now open, but Elle must decide if she's ready to take it.

Clearing the Air

Noah, desperate to see Elle before returning to college, shows up at her window in the middle of the night. They have an honest, emotional conversation, admitting their mistakes, insecurities, and the real reasons for their breakup. Noah confesses he was struggling academically and was too ashamed to tell Elle, while Elle admits her fear of being left behind. Their mutual love and vulnerability pave the way for forgiveness and a renewed commitment to making their relationship work, despite the distance.

Rebuilding Trust, Moving Forward

With the air cleared, Elle and Noah get back together, determined to face the challenges of a long-distance relationship with newfound honesty. Elle's friendships with Lee and Levi are restored, and the group supports each other through the final stretch of senior year. Levi finds his own path, choosing work over college for now, and the others celebrate their college acceptances. The future is uncertain, but hope and resilience prevail.

Graduation and New Horizons

Graduation arrives, bringing closure and new beginnings. Elle and Lee both get into Berkeley, while Rachel heads to Brown. Noah and Elle are stronger than ever, having weathered the storms of miscommunication and jealousy. Levi remains a cherished friend, and the group looks forward to the adventures ahead. As they celebrate under the summer sun, Elle reflects on the lessons learned: love requires trust, friendship is a lifeline, and growing up means facing change with courage.

Characters

Elle Evans

Elle is the emotional heart of the story—a bright, caring, and sometimes insecure teenager navigating the turbulence of her senior year. Her relationships define her: best friends with Lee since childhood, in love with Noah, and increasingly close to Levi. Elle's journey is one of self-discovery, learning to trust herself and others, and finding the courage to face change. She struggles with abandonment, the loss of her mother, and the fear of being left behind, but ultimately grows into a more resilient and self-assured young woman.

Lee Flynn

Lee is Elle's lifelong confidant and partner-in-crime, but his own insecurities—especially about living up to his brother Noah's reputation—cause him to drift away. His relationship with Rachel and commitment to football pull him in new directions, straining his bond with Elle. Lee's arc is about finding his own identity, learning to balance friendship and romance, and accepting that growing up means letting go of some things while holding tight to others.

Noah Flynn

Noah is the classic "bad boy" with a sensitive core. His move to Harvard and the pressures of college life reveal his vulnerabilities, especially his fear of failure and being unworthy of Elle. His inability to communicate his struggles leads to misunderstandings and heartbreak. Noah's development is marked by his willingness to be honest, confront his insecurities, and fight for the relationship he truly wants.

Levi Monroe

Levi is the new kid whose easy humor and empathy quickly endear him to Elle and her friends. Beneath his charisma lies pain: a recent breakup, a sick father, and uncertainty about his future. Levi's friendship with Elle is a source of comfort for both, and though their relationship teeters on the edge of romance, it ultimately settles into a deep, platonic bond. Levi's maturity and self-awareness help Elle see her own heart more clearly.

Rachel

Rachel is Lee's girlfriend and a key member of the friend group. Ambitious and focused on her future (especially getting into Brown), she sometimes feels threatened by Lee's closeness with Elle. Her arc involves learning to trust Lee, assert her own needs, and become a more secure partner and friend.

Amanda

Amanda is Noah's lab partner and the unwitting source of much of Elle's jealousy and insecurity. Beautiful, smart, and British, she is easy to envy, but ultimately proves to be kind, sincere, and uninterested in Noah romantically. Her honesty helps resolve the central misunderstanding and allows Elle and Noah to reconcile.

Brad

Elle's younger brother, Brad, provides moments of levity and reminds Elle of her responsibilities at home. His interactions with Levi and Lee highlight the importance of family and the ways in which Elle's world is changing.

Dixon

Dixon is one of Elle's close friends, known for his humor and easygoing nature. His coming out and relationship with Danny add depth to the group's dynamic and underscore the story's themes of acceptance and authenticity.

Cam

Cam is another core friend, often acting as a stabilizing force within the group. His relationship with Lisa and his pragmatic approach to problems make him a reliable presence.

Lisa

Lisa, Cam's girlfriend, is a newer addition to the group but quickly becomes a trusted friend. She is perceptive, supportive, and helps Elle navigate the complexities of friendship and romance.

Plot Devices

Dual Narrative of Friendship and Romance

The story's structure hinges on the interplay between friendship and romance, with Elle's relationships with Lee, Noah, and Levi forming the core. The tension between loyalty to friends and romantic love creates conflict and propels character growth. The narrative explores how these bonds are tested by change, distance, and misunderstanding.

Miscommunication and Rumor

Misunderstandings—both accidental and willful—are central to the plot. Rumors at school, viral photos, and lack of honest conversation lead to heartbreak and conflict. The story uses these devices to explore the dangers of jumping to conclusions and the importance of trust.

Parallel Family Struggles

Elle and Levi's family backgrounds—her mother's death, his father's illness—create a sense of kinship and vulnerability. These parallel struggles allow for moments of genuine connection and underscore the theme that everyone is fighting unseen battles.

Coming-of-Age Milestones

Key events—first and last days of school, dances, parties, graduation—serve as markers of change and growth. These milestones provide opportunities for characters to confront their fears, make choices, and celebrate their achievements.

Foreshadowing and Circularity

The narrative is laced with foreshadowing: Elle's early worries about being left behind, Lee's fear of not measuring up, Noah's struggle with vulnerability. These threads are resolved in the story's final chapters, creating a sense of closure and growth.

Analysis

Going the Distance is a heartfelt, contemporary coming-of-age novel that explores the messy, exhilarating, and often painful transition from adolescence to adulthood. At its core, the book is about the challenges of maintaining relationships—romantic and platonic—amidst change, distance, and the uncertainty of the future. Beth Reekles deftly captures the emotional turbulence of senior year, using miscommunication, jealousy, and rumor as both plot engines and metaphors for the confusion of growing up. The story's strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of friendship, the importance of honest communication, and the courage it takes to be vulnerable. Ultimately, the novel suggests that while love and friendship are never easy, they are worth fighting for—and that true maturity comes from learning to trust, forgive, and embrace change. For modern readers, the book is a reminder that everyone's journey is unique, that mistakes are inevitable, and that the people who matter most are those who stand by us as we find our way.

Last updated: May 12, 2025