1. The Perfect Life Cracks

Jordana Landry appears to have it all: wealth, a prestigious job, and a fiancé, Bryan, from a powerful family. But beneath the glossy surface, Bryan's controlling, emotionally abusive behavior is suffocating her. He gaslights her, polices her friendships, and manipulates her finances, all under the guise of love and "what's best." Jordana's world is a gilded cage, and her growing unease is palpable. The cracks in her "perfect" life widen as she's forced to play the role of the happy bride-to-be, even as her spirit withers. The stage is set for a collision between expectation and reality, and Jordana's simmering doubts threaten to boil over.

2. A Hockey Captain's Dilemma

Camden Teller, NHL captain and Bryan's best friend, is drawn into the wedding festivities. He's a notorious playboy, but beneath the bravado lies a man shaped by a violent childhood and a deep sense of justice. At the wedding party, Camden witnesses Bryan's possessiveness and hears echoes of his own father's abuse. He's unsettled by Jordana's forced smiles and Bryan's grip on her. When he overhears a fight between the couple, Camden's protective instincts flare. He's torn between loyalty to his old friend and the uncomfortable truth that something is very wrong.

3. Vegas Betrayal Unveiled

The combined bachelor/bachelorette party in Las Vegas becomes a turning point. Jordana, already on edge, is blindsided when Camden discovers Bryan cheating—with Veronica, Jordana's best friend and maid of honor. Camden, disgusted, tells Jordana the truth. Her world implodes: the two people she trusted most have betrayed her. Humiliated and heartbroken, she flees Vegas, leaving her old life—and her engagement—behind. The illusion of safety and predictability is gone, replaced by raw pain and a desperate need for escape.

4. Runaway Bride, Shattered Trust

Back home, Jordana faces not only the loss of her relationship but also her family's cold pragmatism. Her mother urges her to "work it out" with Bryan, minimizing his betrayal. Jordana is left reeling, her support system gone. She finds solace only in her childhood dog, Chicken Salad, and the quiet of her parents' house. The loneliness is crushing, and the realization dawns that her entire life has been orchestrated by others. For the first time, she questions what she truly wants—and whether she has the strength to claim it.

5. Unlikely Allies, Unspoken Pain

Camden and Jordana cross paths at a local coffee shop. Their banter is sharp, but beneath it lies mutual recognition of pain and resilience. Camden, haunted by his mother's abuse, senses the danger Jordana is in. He offers her his number, promising help if she ever needs it. Their friendship deepens, built on honesty and dark humor. Both are wary of intimacy, but their chemistry is undeniable. As Jordana begins to reclaim small pieces of herself, Camden becomes her unexpected ally—and perhaps something more.

6. Coffee Shop Confessions

A chance meeting at the coffee shop becomes a lifeline. Jordana and Camden share scones, laughter, and confessions about their failed relationships. Camden helps her remove her engagement ring, a symbol of Bryan's control. They discuss the transactional nature of her engagement and the emotional numbness that followed. Camden's directness and refusal to pity her are a balm. For the first time, Jordana feels seen—not as a pawn, but as a person. Their connection grows, and the possibility of healing—and desire—emerges.

7. Breaking Chains, Finding Freedom

Jordana attempts to end things with Bryan, but he responds with violence, slamming her head into a wall and forcing the engagement ring back on her finger. Terrified, she plays along, planning her escape. At a fundraiser for domestic violence victims—ironically hosted by Camden—she's forced to perform happiness while plotting her exit. When she finally tries to leave, Bryan chases her through the building, hurling objects and threats. Jordana narrowly escapes, aided by a security guard, but realizes she has nowhere safe to go. In desperation, she calls Camden.

8. The Fundraiser's Dark Irony

At the fundraiser, Jordana is forced to play the role of the supportive fiancée, even as her body aches from Bryan's abuse. Camden, sensing something is wrong, tries to intervene, but Jordana is trapped by fear and shame. The event's purpose—supporting victims like her—feels like a cruel joke. The contrast between public image and private reality is stark. Camden's concern grows, and he resolves to help her, even if it means betraying his oldest friend.

9. Escape Plan in Motion

Jordana's escape is harrowing. She flees Bryan's violence, running barefoot down concrete stairs, her only thought survival. Camden answers her call, offering his home as a safe haven. He coaches her through disabling her phone's GPS and welcomes her into his gated, secure house. For the first time, Jordana feels a glimmer of safety. Camden's support is practical and nonjudgmental. He helps her remove the ring, listens to her story, and offers her space to heal. Their friendship deepens, and the seeds of trust—and attraction—are sown.

10. Safehouse Sanctuary

Living in Camden's guest apartment, Jordana begins to rebuild. She's wary, but Camden's steady presence and respect for her boundaries allow her to relax. They share meals, jokes, and late-night conversations. Camden's own history with abuse makes him uniquely empathetic. He encourages Jordana to set her own pace, to eat what she wants, to reclaim her body and choices. Their friendship is laced with sexual tension, but both are afraid to cross the line. Healing is slow, but for the first time, Jordana feels in control of her life.

11. Platonic Sparks Ignite

As they spend more time together, the line between friendship and something more blurs. Shared vulnerability leads to laughter, comfort, and eventually, a kiss that neither can forget. Both are terrified of ruining their fragile bond, but the chemistry is undeniable. Camden's protectiveness and Jordana's newfound assertiveness create a dynamic of mutual respect and longing. They agree to keep things platonic, but their bodies—and hearts—have other ideas.

12. Lines Crossed, Hearts Exposed

A night of shared weed and confessions leads to a sexual awakening for Jordana. Camden, patient and attentive, shows her what true intimacy can be. He teaches her to reclaim her pleasure, to ask for what she wants, and to trust again. Their physical connection is electric, but emotional scars linger. Both struggle with fears of abandonment and unworthiness. As they navigate their new relationship, they must confront the ghosts of their pasts—and decide if they're willing to risk their hearts.

13. Retaliation and Ruin

Bryan retaliates by cutting off Jordana's finances, reporting her car stolen, and getting her fired. He uses his power to isolate and punish her, hoping to force her back under his control. Jordana, with Camden's support, refuses to yield. She walks miles in bleeding feet, determined to reclaim her independence. The experience is humiliating but galvanizing. She vows to fight back—not just for herself, but for every woman who's been silenced.

14. Villain Era Awakens

Jordana's pain transforms into righteous anger. She decides to stop playing nice and start playing to win. With Camden's encouragement, she embraces her "villain era," plotting to take down Bryan where it hurts most: his reputation and finances. She gathers evidence of his fraud, enlists the help of powerful allies, and prepares to expose his crimes. The hunted becomes the hunter, and Jordana discovers a strength she never knew she had.

15. Taking Back Power

Jordana orchestrates Bryan's downfall, planting evidence and leaking information to authorities and the press. As his world collapses, she finds closure—not through forgiveness, but through justice. Camden stands by her side, proud of her courage and cunning. Together, they celebrate her victory and the end of Bryan's reign of terror. Jordana is no longer a victim; she's a survivor and a force to be reckoned with.

16. The Final Confrontation

With Bryan out of the picture, Jordana and Camden are free to define their relationship on their own terms. They confess their love publicly and privately, supporting each other's dreams and healing. Camden proposes in a way that honors Jordana's autonomy and humor, and she accepts. Their families, once skeptical, come together in support. The couple's journey from trauma to triumph is complete, but their story is just beginning.

17. Healing, Hope, and New Love

Jordana and Camden create a new life together, one built on trust, respect, and shared joy. They support each other's careers, passions, and healing. Jordana volunteers at Safehouse, helping other survivors reclaim their power. Camden leads his team to victory, but his greatest achievement is the love and partnership he's found. Together, they redefine what it means to stand and defend—not just each other, but themselves.

18. Happily Ever After, Redefined

Their wedding is a celebration of survival, love, and chosen family. Surrounded by friends and loved ones, Jordana and Camden exchange vows on a frozen lake, the ice singing beneath their feet. Their journey has been marked by pain, betrayal, and loss, but also by resilience, laughter, and fierce love. They promise to kneel for each other, to stand and defend what matters, and to build a future where both are free to be fully themselves. Their happily ever after is not perfect, but it is real—and it is theirs.

Characters

Jordana Landry

Jordana begins as a woman trapped by privilege, expectation, and abuse. Raised in wealth, she's taught to be compliant and grateful, her life mapped out by others. Her engagement to Bryan is more merger than romance, and his emotional and financial abuse erodes her self-worth. Betrayed by both fiancé and best friend, Jordana's world collapses, but she finds unexpected strength in her pain. With Camden's support, she reclaims her agency, transforming from victim to avenger. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to set boundaries, demand respect, and pursue her own happiness. Jordana's arc is a testament to the power of resilience, the necessity of anger, and the possibility of healing. Her relationships—with Camden, her family, and herself—are rebuilt on honesty and mutual respect. By the end, she is not just a survivor, but a force of nature, unafraid to stand and defend what matters.

Camden Teller

Camden is a study in contrasts: a cocky NHL captain with a heart shaped by childhood trauma. His reputation as a womanizer masks deep wounds and a fierce sense of justice. Witnessing Bryan's abuse of Jordana triggers memories of his own mother's suffering, compelling him to act. Camden's journey is one of growth—from detached playboy to devoted partner. His protectiveness is never possessive; he empowers Jordana to reclaim her life. Camden's humor, honesty, and vulnerability make him both a safe haven and a catalyst for change. He learns to trust, to love deeply, and to kneel for the woman he cherishes. His leadership on and off the ice mirrors his evolution: he stands and defends not just his team, but the woman and values he holds dear.

Bryan Davenport

Bryan is the embodiment of entitlement and toxic control. Raised in privilege, he believes love is ownership and power is his birthright. His relationship with Jordana is transactional, marked by jealousy, gaslighting, and escalating violence. When exposed, he retaliates with financial and emotional warfare, desperate to maintain dominance. Bryan's inability to accept loss or accountability leads to his downfall. His arc is a cautionary tale about unchecked privilege, the dangers of image over substance, and the ultimate impotence of control when faced with true strength.

Veronica

Veronica is Jordana's closest confidante, but her loyalty is shallow. Her affair with Bryan is both a personal and symbolic betrayal, shattering Jordana's trust in others. Veronica's actions are driven by insecurity, envy, and a desire for validation. She serves as a mirror for Jordana, highlighting the importance of discernment in relationships and the necessity of self-respect. Ultimately, Veronica is left behind as Jordana chooses herself and healthier connections.

Camden's Family (Linda, Bruce, Alexis, Hailey, Logan)

Camden's family provides a stark contrast to Jordana's. While not perfect, they offer warmth, acceptance, and a model of healthy love. Their presence helps both protagonists heal old wounds and envision a different kind of future. Logan, Camden's stepbrother, is a quiet but steady presence, while his sisters and parents offer humor and perspective. Their acceptance of Jordana is a turning point, affirming her worth and belonging.

Chicken Salad

Jordana's dog, Chicken Salad, represents the pure, uncomplicated love she's been denied by people. Forced to leave her behind due to Bryan's "allergies," Chicken Salad's eventual reunion with Jordana is a moment of healing and reclaiming lost parts of herself. The dog's presence is a source of comfort, grounding, and joy throughout Jordana's journey.

Micky, Birdie, Raleigh (The WAGs)

These women, partners of Camden's teammates, become Jordana's first true friends. They offer support, laughter, and a sense of belonging outside her old social circles. Their acceptance helps Jordana rebuild trust in others and herself. Through them, she learns the value of chosen family and the power of women supporting women.

Seven

Seven is the mysterious "guy" who helps Jordana gather evidence and orchestrate Bryan's downfall. He represents the power of connections, resourcefulness, and the willingness to operate outside the rules when justice demands it. Seven's presence underscores Jordana's transformation from passive victim to active agent of her own fate.

Barrett Conway

Barrett, Camden's teammate and friend, serves as a mentor both on and off the ice. His stable relationship and emotional intelligence provide a counterpoint to Camden's initial detachment. Barrett's support and advice help Camden navigate his feelings for Jordana and embrace vulnerability as strength.

The Landry and Davenport Families

Jordana's and Bryan's families represent the weight of tradition, reputation, and generational patterns. Their initial responses to crisis are pragmatic and image-focused, but over time, they are forced to confront uncomfortable truths. The Landrys' eventual support of Jordana's choices marks a shift toward authenticity and healing.

Plot Devices

Dual Narration and Shifting Perspectives

The novel employs dual narration, alternating between Jordana and Camden. This structure allows readers to experience both the internal and external realities of abuse, healing, and love. Jordana's chapters are marked by vulnerability, dark humor, and a gradual reclaiming of agency. Camden's chapters blend bravado with introspection, revealing the impact of trauma and the slow thawing of his heart. The shifting perspectives create dramatic irony, as each character is often unaware of the other's true feelings, heightening tension and emotional payoff.

Symbolism and Motifs

Key symbols—engagement rings, Chicken Salad, the coffee shop, the wedding dress, and the hockey jersey—track Jordana's journey from object to agent. The act of removing the engagement ring, for example, is both literal and metaphorical: a shedding of control and a step toward freedom. The recurring motif of "kneeling"—first as submission, then as mutual devotion—reframes power dynamics in love. The hockey rink, with its violence and camaraderie, mirrors the emotional battles off the ice.

Foreshadowing and Parallels

Early scenes of Bryan's control foreshadow his later violence. Camden's memories of his mother's abuse parallel Jordana's experience, creating empathy and urgency. The public fundraiser for domestic violence, where Jordana must hide her pain, is mirrored by her later public declaration of love and agency. The final confrontation with Bryan is set up through a series of escalating threats, culminating in a reversal where Jordana becomes the architect of his ruin.

Revenge and Justice as Empowerment

Jordana's transformation is marked by her embrace of strategic, even ruthless, action. She gathers evidence, enlists allies, and orchestrates Bryan's downfall with precision. The use of a "villain era" is both a coping mechanism and a reclamation of power. The plot device of the "heist"—planting evidence, leaking to the press—turns the tables on her abuser and delivers catharsis for both character and reader.

Healing Through Chosen Family and Love

The novel foregrounds the importance of chosen family—friends, teammates, and partners—over blood ties. Camden's home becomes a sanctuary, and the WAGs offer solidarity and joy. The slow-burn romance between Camden and Jordana is built on mutual respect, consent, and the willingness to confront hard truths. Their physical intimacy is a site of healing, not just pleasure, as they rewrite the scripts of their pasts.

Public vs. Private Selves

Characters are constantly navigating the tension between public image and private reality. Bryan's obsession with appearances is his undoing, while Jordana's journey is one of shedding masks and embracing authenticity. Camden's public persona as a playboy is gradually replaced by vulnerability and devotion. The final public declaration of love—on the ice, in front of thousands—serves as both a reclamation of narrative and a promise of a new kind of future.

Analysis

Stand and Defend is more than a hockey romance; it's a fierce, unflinching exploration of abuse, healing, and the reclamation of power. Sloane St. James crafts a narrative that refuses to romanticize suffering, instead centering the messy, nonlinear process of recovery. The novel's greatest strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers: love does not "fix" trauma, but it can create the conditions for growth and joy. Jordana's journey from compliant victim to cunning avenger is both cathartic and instructive, offering readers a blueprint for standing and defending one's own worth. Camden's evolution from detached playboy to kneeling partner challenges toxic masculinity and models healthy intimacy. The book's humor, banter, and steamy scenes are balanced by a deep respect for the realities of abuse and the necessity of community. Ultimately, Stand and Defend is a celebration of chosen family, self-determination, and the radical act of loving—and defending—oneself and others.

Last updated: August 8, 2025