Childhood Bonds Forged

Jared and Tate meet as children when Tate moves in next door. Both are hurting—Jared from an absent father and alcoholic mother, Tate from the recent loss of her mother. Their friendship is instant and deep, built on shared pain and a sense of safety in each other's company. They climb trees, share secrets, and become each other's family, finding solace in their bond. The world outside is uncertain, but together, they feel invincible. This foundation of trust and affection will become the touchstone—and the battleground—for everything that follows.

Summer of Scars

At fourteen, Jared spends a summer with his estranged father, hoping for connection. Instead, he endures abuse and witnesses horrors, including his half-brother Jax's suffering. Jared returns home traumatized, unable to process his pain or confide in Tate. The boy who left as Tate's best friend comes back hardened, angry, and emotionally closed off. The trauma festers, and Jared's inability to share his pain with Tate becomes the wedge that drives them apart, setting the stage for years of animosity.

Return as Strangers

Jared's return marks the end of innocence. He pushes Tate away, turning their friendship into a campaign of bullying and isolation. Tate, bewildered and hurt, becomes the target of Jared's anger and pranks at school. Their once-safe haven is now a war zone, with Jared's cruelty masking his unresolved pain and jealousy. Tate's world shrinks as she loses friends and confidence, while Jared finds a twisted sense of control in her suffering, even as it leaves him emptier.

The War Next Door

High school becomes a battlefield. Jared's relentless campaign against Tate intensifies, but so does her resilience. After a year abroad, Tate returns changed—stronger, more assertive, and unwilling to be a victim. Their confrontations become more charged, laced with both hatred and unresolved longing. The neighborhood, once a symbol of childhood safety, now mirrors their emotional minefield. Their friends and families are drawn into the crossfire, and the line between love and hate blurs.

Games of Power

Jared seeks distraction in parties, racing, and casual hookups, but nothing fills the void left by Tate. He manipulates her social life, sabotages her relationships, and even uses her best friend K.C. to get under her skin. Tate, meanwhile, begins to fight back, refusing to be cowed. Their interactions are a volatile mix of attraction and antagonism, each trying to assert dominance while secretly craving connection. The games escalate, threatening to destroy them both.

Breaking Points

A series of humiliations—public pranks, rumors, and a scandalous locker room incident—push Tate to her limits. Jared's jealousy and possessiveness become more obvious, even as he continues to hurt her. The pain of their past and the secrets Jared keeps about his family and his summer of abuse reach a boiling point. Both are forced to confront the damage they've done—to each other and themselves. The cost of silence and pride becomes unbearable.

The Unraveling

Tate's emotional monologue in class exposes the depth of her pain and the love she once had for Jared. The performance is a turning point, shattering Jared's defenses and forcing him to confront his own feelings. He spirals, lashing out and seeking solace in self-destruction, but the old coping mechanisms no longer work. The truth of their connection—and the devastation of its loss—becomes undeniable. Both are left raw, vulnerable, and desperate for resolution.

Confessions and Consequences

Jared finally confesses the truth about his abusive summer, his half-brother Jax, and the real reasons behind his cruelty. He apologizes to Tate, admitting his jealousy, pain, and the twisted logic that made him hurt the person he loved most. Tate, in turn, reveals her own scars and the ways she tried to survive his torment. Their mutual confessions are cathartic but do not erase the past. Forgiveness is not immediate, but the possibility of healing emerges.

The Reckoning

Just as Jared and Tate begin to rebuild, a sex tape of them is maliciously distributed at school, shattering their fragile peace. The betrayal comes from within their circle, and the fallout is swift and brutal. Tate is humiliated, Jared is blamed, and both are forced to confront the consequences of their actions and the cruelty of others. The crisis tests their trust and commitment, pushing them to the edge once more.

Vulnerability and Truth

In the aftermath of the scandal, Jared takes public responsibility for his actions, making a heartfelt confession in front of the entire school. He owns his past, his mistakes, and his love for Tate, refusing to hide or make excuses. This act of vulnerability is both a reckoning and a redemption, signaling his willingness to change and to be truly seen. Tate, moved by his honesty, begins to believe in the possibility of a future together.

Rebuilding Trust

Jared and Tate work to rebuild their relationship, this time on a foundation of honesty and mutual respect. They set boundaries, confront their insecurities, and learn to communicate without games or manipulation. Their families and friends, once obstacles, become sources of support. Jared's relationship with his mother and brother improves, and Tate finds strength in her own voice. Together, they begin to imagine a life not defined by pain, but by hope.

Claiming Each Other

Their physical and emotional intimacy deepens as Jared and Tate learn to trust and accept each other fully. Jared, once afraid of needing anyone, embraces his love for Tate without shame. Tate, once defined by Jared's cruelty, reclaims her agency and chooses him on her own terms. They become each other's lifelines, not out of desperation, but out of choice. Their love is no longer a battleground, but a refuge.

Facing the Past

Jared confronts his father in prison, seeking closure for the abuse and abandonment that shaped him. He also works to bring his half-brother Jax into a safer, more loving environment. Tate supports him, even as she continues to heal from her own losses. Both learn that forgiveness is not forgetting, but choosing to move forward. The past no longer controls them; it becomes a part of their story, not the whole of it.

Public Redemption

Jared's public apology and vulnerability inspire others to see him—and Tate—differently. The school's perception shifts, and the cycle of bullying begins to break. Jared and Tate's willingness to own their mistakes and forgive each other sets a new standard for their community. They are no longer defined by their worst moments, but by their courage to change.

New Beginnings

With the past behind them, Jared and Tate look to the future. They support each other's dreams, navigate the challenges of young adulthood, and continue to grow as individuals and as a couple. Their relationship, once toxic and destructive, becomes a source of strength and inspiration. They are no longer at war, but partners in life.

Love Without Apology

Jared and Tate's journey is not about perfection, but about embracing love in all its messiness. They learn that true intimacy requires vulnerability, honesty, and the willingness to fight for each other. Their story is a testament to the power of forgiveness, the resilience of the human heart, and the possibility of redemption. In the end, they choose each other—fully, fiercely, and without apology.

Characters

Jared Trent

Jared is a complex protagonist whose early trauma—abandonment by his father, abuse, and a neglectful mother—shapes his worldview. As a child, he is sensitive and loving, but after a summer of abuse, he returns hardened, channeling his pain into cruelty toward Tate. His bullying is a misguided attempt to regain control and protect himself from vulnerability. Jared's journey is one of self-destruction and, ultimately, self-awareness. Through Tate's resilience and his own willingness to confront his past, he learns to accept love, take responsibility, and break the cycle of pain. His relationship with his half-brother Jax and his evolving bond with his mother further humanize him, revealing a capacity for deep loyalty and growth.

Tatum "Tate" Brandt

Tate is introduced as a grieving child, having lost her mother, but she quickly becomes Jared's anchor and confidante. When Jared turns on her, she is devastated but refuses to be broken. Her time abroad transforms her, giving her the strength to stand up for herself and reclaim her agency. Tate's journey is one of survival, self-discovery, and forgiveness. She is not a passive victim; she fights back, demands honesty, and sets boundaries. Her compassion allows her to see the pain behind Jared's actions, but she does not excuse them. Tate's growth is marked by her ability to love without losing herself.

Jaxon "Jax" Trent

Jax is Jared's younger half-brother, a victim of their father's abuse. His presence in the story is a constant reminder of the consequences of silence and the importance of intervention. Jax's resilience and wit provide moments of levity, but his struggles also motivate Jared to confront his own demons and become a protector rather than a perpetrator. Jax's eventual integration into Jared's life symbolizes hope and the possibility of breaking generational cycles of trauma.

Katherine Trent (Jared's Mother)

Katherine is a young, alcoholic mother who fails Jared in his formative years. Her journey toward sobriety and her efforts to repair her relationship with Jared are fraught with setbacks but ultimately sincere. She represents the possibility of change, the pain of regret, and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions. Her support in helping Jax and her honest conversations with Jared are pivotal in his healing.

James Brandt (Tate's Father)

James is a stabilizing force in Tate's life and, eventually, in Jared's. He offers guidance, sets boundaries, and provides a model of healthy masculinity. His willingness to take Jared in during a crisis and his insistence on accountability reflect his integrity. James's presence underscores the importance of adult intervention and the impact of positive role models.

Madoc Caruthers

Madoc is Jared's best friend and occasional partner in mischief. He is charismatic, quick-witted, and often serves as a foil to Jared's intensity. While he participates in the bullying, he also challenges Jared to confront his feelings for Tate. Madoc's own complexities are hinted at, setting the stage for his future growth.

K.C.

K.C. is Tate's best friend, caught between loyalty and self-interest. Her involvement with Jared is both a betrayal and a catalyst for Tate's empowerment. K.C.'s struggles with her own family and identity parallel Tate's journey, and her eventual honesty helps mend their friendship.

Piper

Piper is a secondary antagonist who exploits the chaos between Jared and Tate for her own gain. Her actions—spreading the sex tape—serve as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked cruelty and the importance of accountability.

Nate Dietrich

Nate is a classmate who attempts to assault Tate and later participates in the distribution of the sex tape. His actions are a stark contrast to Jared's eventual growth, highlighting the difference between misguided pain and true malice.

Jax's Foster Parents

Though not deeply developed, Jax's foster parents represent the possibility of safety and healing for children who have suffered abuse. Their willingness to care for Jax provides a counterpoint to the neglect and violence of his biological family.

Plot Devices

Duality of Love and Hate

The narrative hinges on the thin line between love and hate, using their volatility to drive tension and character development. Jared's cruelty is rooted in love twisted by pain, and Tate's resilience is fueled by both her hurt and her lingering affection. This duality is explored through mirrored scenes, shifting power dynamics, and the eventual realization that vulnerability is strength.

Cycles of Trauma and Redemption

Jared's journey is shaped by the trauma inflicted by his father and the neglect of his mother. The story uses flashbacks, confessions, and confrontations to reveal how unaddressed pain perpetuates harm. Redemption is achieved not through grand gestures, but through honesty, accountability, and the willingness to change.

Public Humiliation and Private Healing

Key plot points—pranks, rumors, the sex tape, and Jared's public apology—play out in front of an audience, amplifying the stakes and the shame. In contrast, the most significant healing occurs in private moments of confession, forgiveness, and intimacy. The narrative structure uses this contrast to highlight the difference between reputation and reality.

Symbolism of Spaces and Objects

The tree between their houses, the fish pond, the fossil necklace, and the cars all serve as symbols of connection, loss, and hope. These recurring motifs ground the characters' emotional journeys and provide continuity across time and conflict.

Foreshadowing and Mirrored Events

The story employs foreshadowing through early scenes of childhood innocence, which are later mirrored in moments of reconciliation and intimacy. The repetition of key phrases, gestures, and settings reinforces the cyclical nature of trauma and the possibility of breaking free.

Analysis

Until You is a powerful examination of how trauma, pride, and silence can turn love into cruelty—and how only vulnerability and accountability can transform it back. Through Jared's perspective, the novel delves into the psychology of bullying, revealing it as a symptom of deeper wounds rather than simple malice. The story refuses to offer easy redemption; instead, it insists that true healing requires honesty, the courage to face one's own darkness, and the humility to ask for forgiveness. Tate's journey is equally compelling, showing that survival is not just about endurance, but about reclaiming agency and demanding respect. The novel's modern relevance lies in its portrayal of toxic masculinity, the impact of public shaming, and the necessity of breaking cycles of abuse. Ultimately, Until You is a testament to the resilience of the human heart and the transformative power of love chosen freely, not out of need, but out of hope.

Last updated: May 25, 2025