Reluctant Wedding Guest

Maya, a sharp-tongued, emotionally complex grad student, is dreading her older brother Eli's destination wedding in Sicily. She's not just anxious about the travel or the family obligations—she's haunted by a recent falling out with Conor, Eli's best friend and Maya's secret, long-term crush. Despite her friend Jade's advice to fake an illness and skip the event, Maya's sense of loyalty wins out. She boards a plane with Eli's beloved dog, Tiny, determined to survive a week of awkward reunions, unresolved feelings, and the pressure of being the "little sister" in a family that's already survived too much loss.

Sicily Arrival, Old Wounds

Upon arrival in Sicily, Maya is immediately thrust into the orbit of Eli's close-knit circle: Rue, his enigmatic fiancée; Conor, the brooding best man; and a cast of friends and exes, including Avery, Conor's recent ex-girlfriend. The villa is stunning, the landscape breathtaking, but Maya's internal landscape is stormy. Old grief over her parents' deaths, her turbulent adolescence, and her complicated relationship with Eli all resurface. The presence of Conor—older, emotionally distant, and still magnetic—forces Maya to confront the unresolved tension between them, especially as she's reminded of the last time they spoke and the boundaries he drew.

The Problem with Conor

Conor is a constant, unsettling presence. Their history is complicated: he was once Maya's confidant, her late-night phone call, her emotional anchor. But after a year of silence, he's cold, formal, and seemingly uninterested. Maya's attempts at small talk are met with terse replies, and when she pushes, Conor accuses her of being childish and high-strung. The real issue, unspoken but palpable, is the age gap and the taboo of her being Eli's sister. Maya's anger and longing simmer beneath the surface, and she's determined to either purge her feelings for Conor or force a reckoning.

Sibling Bonds, Family Scars

Maya's relationship with Eli is both a lifeline and a source of pain. After their parents' deaths, Eli became her guardian, but their bond was forged in trauma and misunderstanding. Both siblings carry guilt and regret—Eli for his absence and Maya for her rebellious, angry adolescence. Their dynamic is mirrored in the wedding's gathering: friends who became family, surrogate parents, and the ever-present shadow of loss. Maya's struggle to define herself outside of "Eli's little sister" is complicated by her own achievements and the expectations placed on her.

The Messy Wedding Party

The wedding party is a microcosm of messy adulthood: Rue's social awkwardness, Nyota's razor-sharp wit, Tisha's performative confidence, and the hockey bros' chaotic energy. Maya finds solace in her friendship with Nyota, who encourages her to embrace a "problematic summer fling" if that's what she wants. The group's banter is both a shield and a weapon, masking deeper insecurities and desires. Underneath the jokes and games, everyone is searching for connection, validation, and a sense of belonging.

Edinburgh Breakdown, Unexpected Rescue

Three years earlier, Maya hit rock bottom in Edinburgh after a brutal breakup and betrayal by her friends. In a moment of desperation, she called Eli, but reached Conor instead. What began as an awkward, antagonistic exchange turned into a lifeline: Conor listened, offered practical help, and, for the first time, saw Maya as an adult. Their connection deepened over late-night calls, shared vulnerability, and a mutual understanding of anger and loss. This was the beginning of their emotional entanglement—a friendship that blurred into something more.

Summer of Second Chances

Back in Sicily, the forced proximity of the wedding week reignites Maya and Conor's connection. They share moments of genuine intimacy—stargazing, confessions, and playful banter. Yet, every step forward is met with a step back: Conor's insistence on boundaries, Maya's frustration with his self-denial, and the ever-present specter of Eli's disapproval. The tension is electric, and the possibility of a "problematic" romance becomes both a temptation and a threat.

Dinner, Jealousies, and Exes

The wedding week is a carousel of group dinners, beach outings, and late-night conversations. Jealousies flare—Maya is unsettled by Conor's easy rapport with Avery and Tamryn, his stepmother and close friend. A near-drowning incident with Avery brings old wounds to the surface, as Maya is forced to confront her own insecurities and the reality that Conor's life is full of women who are "age-appropriate" and seemingly less complicated. The group's dynamic is tested by illness, misunderstandings, and the chaos of a destination wedding gone awry.

Starlit Confessions

Under the Sicilian stars, Maya and Conor finally have the conversation they've been avoiding. They lay bare their fears: Conor's guilt over the age gap and his belief that he's "taking advantage," Maya's anger at being infantilized and her insistence on her own agency. Their confessions are raw, painful, and cathartic. For the first time, Conor admits that he wants Maya, but he's terrified of hurting her. Maya, in turn, demands to be seen as an equal, not a child. The night ends with a breakthrough—and a promise of more.

Disaster Strikes: Poison and Rescue

The wedding party is struck by food poisoning after a bad batch of homemade arancello, leaving only a few standing. Maya, Conor, and Minami bond over their shared survival, and the crisis strips away pretense. Later, a lost dog (Bitty) and a volcanic eruption add to the chaos, but also provide opportunities for Maya and Conor to work together, rescue, and care for others. These moments of crisis reveal the depth of their partnership and the ways they complement each other.

The Past Repeats

Interspersed throughout the present-day drama are flashbacks to Maya and Conor's evolving relationship: their first night together in Edinburgh, the aftermath of heartbreak, and the slow build of trust and desire. These memories are not just romantic—they're foundational, showing how two broken people found solace in each other. The past is never far from the present, and every step forward is haunted by what came before.

Beach Games and Near-Drownings

A day at the beach turns competitive, with Maya's infamous "Mayageddon" side emerging during a soccer game. Her intensity is both a flaw and a strength, and Conor is both exasperated and enchanted by it. When Avery nearly drowns, Conor's protective instincts kick in, and Maya is forced to confront her jealousy and the reality of her feelings. The incident becomes a turning point, pushing Maya and Conor closer together, even as they continue to resist the inevitable.

The Puppy and the Volcano

As Mount Etna erupts and travel plans are thrown into chaos, Maya and Conor team up to find Tiny, who's gone missing. Their search leads them to Isola Bella, where they rescue both Tiny and a stray puppy, Bitty. The adventure is both harrowing and bonding, culminating in a moment of physical and emotional intimacy in a hidden grotto. The natural disasters mirror the internal upheaval of the characters, and the rescue becomes a metaphor for their relationship: messy, risky, and ultimately rewarding.

The Truth About Us

The pressure of the wedding, the chaos of the week, and the unresolved tension between Maya and Conor come to a head. Maya finally confesses her true feelings—not just to Conor, but to Eli and the rest of the group. The truth is messy: Maya has deferred her MIT offer, chosen to stay in Austin, and wants to teach, not chase prestige. Conor, in turn, admits that he's been in love with Maya for years, but was too afraid to act. Their honesty is both liberating and terrifying, but it clears the way for a real relationship.

The Wedding That Wasn't

With the official wedding in jeopardy due to the volcano and travel chaos, Eli and Rue decide to marry in a private sunrise ceremony, with only Maya and Conor as witnesses. The moment is intimate, emotional, and healing. It's a reminder that love is not about grand gestures or perfect circumstances, but about choosing each other, again and again, even when everything else falls apart. The wedding becomes a symbol of resilience, family, and the messy beauty of real life.

Aftermath and New Beginnings

In the days after the wedding, Maya and Conor finally allow themselves to be together—fully, openly, and without reservation. They navigate the reactions of friends and family, confront the realities of their age gap and past mistakes, and make plans for the future. The story ends not with a fairy-tale resolution, but with the promise of a real, imperfect, and hard-won love. Maya and Conor are no longer defined by their pasts, but by the choices they make together.

Characters

Maya Killgore

Maya is a fiercely intelligent, emotionally volatile graduate student in physics. Orphaned young, she was raised by her much older brother Eli, with whom she shares a complicated, loving, and sometimes adversarial bond. Maya's defining traits are her sharp wit, her anger (a defense mechanism against grief and abandonment), and her relentless drive to prove herself. Her relationship with Conor is the emotional core of the novel: he is both her confidant and her greatest source of pain. Over the course of the story, Maya evolves from a self-sabotaging, defensive young woman into someone capable of vulnerability, forgiveness, and real love. Her journey is about claiming agency—over her career, her relationships, and her own narrative.

Conor Harkness

Conor is Eli's best friend, a successful biotech investor, and the object of Maya's long-standing affection. He is defined by his emotional reserve, his guilt over his privileged but traumatic upbringing, and his obsessive need for control. Conor's greatest fear is hurting Maya—because of their age gap, his own emotional baggage, and the power dynamics at play. He is both protector and saboteur, pushing Maya away out of a misguided sense of responsibility. His arc is one of self-acceptance: learning to trust Maya's agency, to believe he is worthy of love, and to let go of the need to control every outcome. His love for Maya is transformative, forcing him to confront his deepest fears and desires.

Eli Killgore

Eli is Maya's much older brother and surrogate parent after their parents' deaths. He is a classic overachiever—successful, generous, and deeply loyal. His relationship with Maya is fraught with guilt (for not being there enough) and pride (in her accomplishments). Eli's own journey is about letting go—trusting Maya to make her own choices, accepting her relationship with Conor, and embracing his own happiness with Rue. He is the emotional anchor of the group, the one who brings everyone together, but also the one most haunted by the past.

Rue

Rue is Eli's fiancée and eventual wife. She is socially awkward, introverted, and often misunderstood, but her loyalty and depth are unmatched. Rue's relationship with Maya evolves from wary distance to genuine sisterhood. She is the emotional center of Eli's world, and her presence brings out the best in those around her. Rue's arc is about learning to accept love, to trust others, and to find her place in a new family.

Nyota

Nyota is Rue's friend and Maya's confidante. A successful lawyer, she is unflinchingly honest, fiercely protective, and always ready with a cutting remark. Nyota encourages Maya to embrace her desires, to be "problematic" if that's what it takes to be happy, and to stop apologizing for her anger. She is the voice of reason and rebellion, pushing Maya to claim her own narrative.

Avery

Avery is Conor's recent ex-girlfriend, a colleague at Harkness, and a new addition to the friend group. She is warm, intelligent, and genuinely supportive, but her presence is a source of insecurity for Maya. Avery's arc is about letting go of the past, accepting that some loves are not meant to be, and finding her own path.

Tamryn

Tamryn is a complex figure: Conor's stepmother, close friend, and business partner. She is both a symbol of the family's dysfunction and a source of strength. Her relationship with Conor is sibling-like, and she provides crucial support during the family's legal battles. Tamryn's arc is about survival, reinvention, and the power of chosen family.

Minami

Minami is a founding member of Harkness, Conor's ex-girlfriend, and a surrogate mother to Maya. She is calm, nurturing, and deeply insightful. Her past with Conor is a source of tension, but also of growth for both characters. Minami's journey is about embracing change, building a new family, and supporting those she loves.

Tisha

Tisha is Rue's childhood friend and the life of the party. She is loud, funny, and unafraid to call out bullshit. Tisha's role is to keep the group grounded, to provide levity in tense moments, and to remind everyone that life is meant to be lived, not just survived.

Tiny and Bitty

Tiny, Eli's beloved rescue dog, and Bitty, the stray puppy rescued by Maya and Conor, are more than just pets—they are symbols of unconditional love, second chances, and the messy, joyful chaos of family.

Plot Devices

Dual Timelines and Flashbacks

The novel uses a dual timeline structure, alternating between the present-day wedding week in Sicily and flashbacks to Maya and Conor's formative moments in Edinburgh and Austin. This device allows the reader to see the evolution of their relationship, the roots of their trauma, and the ways in which the past continues to shape the present. The flashbacks are not just exposition—they are emotional anchors, providing context and depth to the characters' choices.

Proximity and Forced Intimacy

The destination wedding setting forces Maya and Conor into close quarters, stripping away their usual defenses and excuses. The physical proximity, the shared crises (food poisoning, lost dogs, volcanic eruptions), and the emotional intensity of the week create a crucible in which old wounds are reopened and new bonds are forged. The setting is both idyllic and claustrophobic, mirroring the characters' internal struggles.

Symbolism of Dogs and Nature

Tiny and Bitty, the rescue dogs, symbolize loyalty, forgiveness, and the possibility of new beginnings. The Sicilian landscape—its beauty, its danger, its unpredictability—mirrors the emotional terrain of the characters. The volcanic eruption, the hidden grotto, and the overgrown gardens all serve as metaphors for the messy, uncontrollable nature of love and healing.

Dialogue-Driven Characterization

The novel's voice is sharp, witty, and deeply personal. Dialogue is the primary means of characterization, revealing not just what the characters think, but how they feel, what they fear, and what they desire. The banter masks vulnerability, but also creates space for real honesty. The humor is both a shield and a bridge, allowing the characters to connect even when words fail.

Thematic Repetition and Motifs

The recurring themes of anger, agency, and the right to be "problematic" are woven throughout the narrative. Maya's struggle to own her anger, to demand respect, and to refuse to be infantilized is mirrored in her relationship with Conor, her family, and her friends. The motif of "problematic summer romance" is both a challenge and a celebration—a call to embrace imperfection, to fight for happiness, and to reject the idea that love must be tidy or uncontroversial.

Analysis

Problematic Summer Romance is a love story for the age of therapy, group chats, and self-doubt. It's about the ways trauma lingers, the difficulty of trusting happiness, and the courage it takes to claim your own narrative—even when it's "problematic." Ali Hazelwood's novel is both a sharp critique of societal expectations (about age, gender, family, and ambition) and a celebration of the messy, nonlinear path to love and healing. The book's lesson is clear: real love is not about perfection, but about choosing each other—again and again—despite fear, despite history, despite the odds. It's about making space for anger, for joy, for second chances, and for the kind of happiness that is earned, not given. In the end, Maya and Conor's story is a testament to the power of vulnerability, the necessity of forgiveness, and the beauty of loving—and being loved—on your own terms.

Last updated: June 2, 2025