Return to the Beach House

Violet Mitchell, exhausted and emotionally raw, drives to her family's long-abandoned beach house in Ogunquit, Maine. Tasked with selling the property after years of avoidance, she's haunted by memories of happier times and the trauma that drove her family away. The house, once a symbol of safety and joy, now feels like a mausoleum of loss. Violet steels herself for a week of business, but the moment she arrives, she senses the ghosts of her past are waiting for her.

Ghosts of Five Summers Past

Flashbacks reveal the golden summers Violet spent at the beach house with the Seabergs—her family's closest friends. The two families blended seamlessly, their children growing up as siblings. Violet's bond with Will Seaberg, in particular, is deep and complex, evolving from innocent friendship to something more. These memories are tinged with nostalgia and foreshadow the pain that will come, as the house stands as a monument to both love and loss.

Unwelcome Reunion

Violet's plan for a quick, impersonal sale is shattered when she discovers Will Seaberg is also at the house, sent by his family for the same reason. Their reunion is awkward, charged with unresolved grief and anger. Both are forced to confront the shared history that binds and divides them, including the night that ended everything. The house becomes a crucible, forcing them to coexist and face the infinity of memories between them.

The Summer Pact

Will proposes a deal: spend the summer together in the house, and if Violet still wants to sell at the end, he'll agree. Reluctantly, Violet accepts, seeing it as a way to finally close the chapter. The arrangement forces them into daily proximity, dredging up old routines, inside jokes, and the ache of what was lost. The summer becomes a test—of forgiveness, of memory, and of whether love can survive betrayal.

Old Wounds, New Tensions

As the days pass, Violet and Will oscillate between icy avoidance and moments of reluctant camaraderie. The house's disrepair mirrors their fractured relationship, with every leaky pipe and broken cupboard a metaphor for unresolved pain. Both struggle with nightmares, guilt, and the weight of their families' shared tragedy. Attempts at normalcy—cleaning, repairs, small talk—are fraught with tension, and the past feels inescapable.

Infinity and Memory

In a poignant flashback, Will helps Violet with her math homework, using the concept of infinity to explain their endless memories. The infinity between them is both a comfort and a curse—no matter how much time passes, their connection remains. This chapter crystallizes the novel's central metaphor: some bonds, like infinity, cannot be measured or easily severed, even by trauma.

The Art of Avoidance

Violet isolates herself, binge-watching old shows and avoiding Will. She's haunted by the artifacts of her past—photos, drawings, and the scent of the sea. A call with her father reveals her inability to be honest about her pain. Eventually, boredom and the futility of avoidance push her back into the shared spaces of the house, where she and Will begin to tentatively work together, their truce fragile but necessary.

Cracks in the Foundation

A catastrophic plumbing failure floods the house, forcing Violet and Will to work together in crisis. The chaos strips away their defenses, leading to a raw argument about why the house—and their relationship—matters. The disaster becomes a turning point, exposing the depth of their unresolved feelings and the impossibility of simply moving on without reckoning with the past.

Truce and Toilet Troubles

After the flood, Violet and Will reach a tentative peace, sharing chores and even laughter over a clogged toilet. The absurdity of the situation breaks down barriers, and they begin to rediscover the comfort and joy of their old friendship. These moments of levity are tinged with longing, as both realize how much they've missed each other and how difficult it is to remain just friends.

Drawing the Lines

Violet's creative block is a symbol of her emotional paralysis. Encouraged by Will and a new friend, Agnes, she begins to confront her grief in therapy and through art. The process is painful, dredging up memories of her mother's death and the betrayal that shattered both families. Violet's journey toward healing is slow and nonlinear, but she starts to reclaim her sense of self and her passion for drawing.

The Night Everything Changed

A flashback reveals the night that destroyed everything: Violet's mother and Will's father are discovered having an affair, and her mother suffers a fatal stroke. The revelation detonates both families, leaving Violet and Will stranded in grief and guilt. Will is forced to choose between Violet and his family, and he leaves, compounding Violet's sense of abandonment. The trauma becomes the defining wound of their lives.

Aftermath and Absence

In the years that follow, Violet and Will drift apart, each struggling to cope with loss in their own way. Letters never sent, relationships that don't measure up, and the ache of unfinished business haunt them. Both are stuck—Violet in anger and avoidance, Will in regret and longing. Their reunion at the beach house is both a chance for closure and a risk of reopening old wounds.

Healing and Homecoming

With the help of friends, family, and therapy, Violet begins to forgive—not just Will, but her mother and herself. She reconnects with Samantha, Will's sister, and finds the strength to be honest about her pain. Will, too, confronts his father and his own guilt. Together, they realize that healing is a choice, and that love requires vulnerability and trust. The house, once a tomb, becomes a place of renewal.

Letters Never Sent

Violet discovers a box of letters Will wrote to her mother over the years, chronicling his heartbreak, regret, and undying love for Violet. Reading them, she understands the depth of his feelings and the pain he carried. The letters become a bridge across the infinity between them, allowing Violet to finally believe in the possibility of a future together.

Forgiveness and Forever

Violet and Will reunite, confessing their love and deciding to build a life together in the beach house. They choose to keep the house, transforming it from a site of trauma into a home filled with new memories. Both commit to ongoing healing, knowing that forgiveness is a daily practice. Their love, tested by time and tragedy, becomes a source of strength and hope.

Epilogue: Infinite Horizons

A year later, Violet and Will are engaged, surrounded by friends and family in the restored beach house. Violet has reclaimed her art, found purpose in her work, and learned to forgive. The house is once again a place of laughter, love, and infinite possibility. The story ends with Violet reflecting on the lessons of the past and the promise of a future built on forgiveness, resilience, and the infinity between them.

Characters

Violet Mitchell

Violet is the novel's protagonist, a young woman paralyzed by grief, guilt, and anger after her mother's death and the implosion of her blended family. Once a vibrant artist, she's lost her creative spark and sense of self, haunted by the betrayal that destroyed her trust in love and family. Her relationship with Will is the axis of her emotional world—first as best friends, then as lovers, and finally as estranged soulmates. Violet's journey is one of gradual healing: through therapy, art, and the courage to forgive, she reclaims her agency and chooses to love again, transforming her pain into purpose.

Will Seaberg

Will is Violet's childhood best friend and first love, equally devastated by the events that tore their families apart. Torn between loyalty to his family and his love for Violet, he makes choices that haunt him for years. Will's letters reveal a man who never stopped loving Violet, even as he tried to move on. He is patient, gentle, and willing to do the hard work of healing, both for himself and for Violet. Will's growth lies in learning to forgive himself and to fight for the future he wants, rather than being defined by the past.

Amy Mitchell

Violet's mother, Amy, is a complex character whose affair with David Seaberg sets off the novel's central tragedy. Driven, intelligent, and loving in her own way, Amy's choices are both selfish and deeply human. Her death leaves a legacy of pain, but also of strength—her influence lingers in Violet's resilience and creativity. The process of forgiving Amy is central to Violet's healing.

David Seaberg

Will's father, David, is the other half of the affair that destroys both families. Once a beloved figure, his actions are a source of lasting hurt. His attempts to reconnect with Will and Violet are fraught with guilt and awkwardness. David's presence in the story is a reminder that adults' mistakes can have seismic effects on the next generation, and that forgiveness is complicated.

Samantha Seaberg

Samantha is Will's sister and Violet's childhood confidante. Her pain at being abandoned by Violet is raw and justified, and their eventual reconciliation is a key step in Violet's journey. Samantha represents the friendships and chosen family that are often casualties of adult betrayal, and her forgiveness is hard-won but deeply meaningful.

Alan Mitchell

Violet's father, Alan, is a figure of stability and quiet wisdom. Though devastated by his wife's betrayal, he ultimately chooses forgiveness and orchestrates the reunion that brings Violet and Will back together. Alan's ability to move forward and encourage Violet to do the same is a model of resilience and grace.

Nora Seaberg

Will's mother, Nora, is collateral damage in the affair, left to pick up the pieces of her family. Her relationship with Violet is maternal and supportive, and her willingness to forgive and reconnect is a testament to her strength. Nora's journey mirrors Violet's in many ways, as both women learn to rebuild after betrayal.

Agnes

Agnes is a new friend Violet meets in Ogunquit, an older artist who encourages her to return to her creative roots. Agnes's wisdom and gentle prodding help Violet process her grief and rediscover her passion for art. She represents the possibility of new beginnings and the importance of community in healing.

Jensen and Ollie

Violet's twin brothers, Jensen and Ollie, are reminders of the family that was shattered by their mother's death. Their own struggles with grief and their eventual reconnection with Violet underscore the novel's themes of forgiveness and the enduring bonds of family.

Kamali

Kamali is Violet's confidante and emotional anchor, offering tough love, humor, and perspective. Her own experiences with loss and healing make her a vital sounding board for Violet, and her presence is a reminder that chosen family can be as important as blood.

Plot Devices

Dual Timeline Structure

The novel alternates between the present-day summer and flashbacks to the pivotal summer five years earlier. This structure allows the reader to gradually uncover the events that led to the families' estrangement, building suspense and emotional resonance. The interplay of timelines mirrors the characters' struggle to reconcile past and present.

The Beach House as Symbol

The beach house is more than a setting—it's a character in its own right. It represents both the idyllic past and the site of trauma, a place where love and loss are inextricably linked. The process of repairing and reclaiming the house parallels Violet and Will's journey toward healing and forgiveness.

Letters and Artifacts

Will's unsent letters to Amy, discovered by Violet, serve as a window into his inner life and enduring love. Violet's rediscovery of her art is both a metaphor for and a mechanism of her healing. These artifacts are tangible expressions of the infinity between them—what is lost, what endures, and what can be rebuilt.

Infinity as Metaphor

The concept of infinity, introduced through math lessons and recurring throughout the novel, encapsulates the idea that some connections are immeasurable and unbreakable. It's a metaphor for both the pain and the hope that define Violet and Will's relationship.

Therapy and Self-Reflection

Violet's journey through therapy and self-examination is central to the narrative. The novel doesn't offer easy answers; instead, it portrays healing as messy, nonlinear, and deeply personal. The willingness to seek help and to be honest—with oneself and others—is depicted as an act of courage.

Analysis

The Infinity Between Us is a deeply emotional exploration of love, loss, and the long, hard road to forgiveness. Through its dual timeline and rich character development, the novel examines how trauma can freeze us in place, and how healing requires both self-compassion and the courage to be vulnerable. The beach house, with its layers of memory and meaning, becomes a crucible for transformation—a place where the past is confronted and the future is chosen. The story's central metaphor of infinity speaks to the enduring nature of true connection: some bonds, no matter how strained or broken, are never truly severed. Ultimately, the novel argues that forgiveness—of others and of oneself—is not a single act, but a daily choice, and that love, when chosen again and again, can be the force that makes us whole.

Last updated: May 16, 2025