Accidental Text Sparks Connection

Persephone "Persy" Brassard, a vivacious influencer and sex therapist, is reeling from a breakup and career pressures. One night, she drunkenly texts her ex but instead reaches a stranger, "Lang." Their witty, honest exchange is a breath of fresh air for both. Persy, used to being seen as a brand rather than a person, finds comfort in the anonymity and candor of texting someone who knows nothing about her public persona. Lang, a guarded, introverted tech genius, is equally drawn to the unfiltered connection. What starts as a mistaken text becomes a nightly ritual, with both sharing vulnerabilities and advice, setting the stage for a relationship built on words rather than appearances.

The Grump Next Door

Persy moves into a Denver penthouse, only to discover her neighbor is Ford Chadwick, a reclusive, blunt, and intimidating man. Their first encounters are prickly—he's annoyed by her noise and colorful personality, she's frustrated by his rules and gruffness. Yet, their banter is electric, and Ford is secretly captivated by Persy's zest for life. Both are wary of relationships: Persy's been burned by men who only want her for fun, while Ford, shaped by his parents' messy divorce and his own fame, avoids emotional entanglements. Despite their differences, proximity and mutual curiosity draw them into each other's orbits.

Podcasting and Public Personas

As Persy juggles her podcast, blog, and social media, she dispenses relationship and sex advice to millions, all while feeling increasingly disconnected from her own happiness. Her publisher pressures her to date publicly for a new book, forcing her to confront the gap between her brand and her reality. Ford, meanwhile, listens in on her podcasts and is both irritated and intrigued by her openness. Their interactions—sometimes combative, sometimes playful—reveal how much they challenge and complement each other, even as they keep their deepest fears hidden.

Dating Disasters and Self-Doubt

Persy's attempts at dating—both for her book and personal life—are a series of comic and cringeworthy disasters. Men see her as a novelty or a conquest, not a partner. Each failed date chips away at her confidence but also pushes her to question what she truly wants. Ford, acting as a reluctant wingman and confidant, offers blunt but insightful commentary. Their friendship deepens, blurring lines between neighborly support and something more. Meanwhile, Persy's nightly texts with Lang become her emotional anchor, even as she wonders if digital intimacy can ever be real.

Family, Friendship, and Betrayal

Persy's family—quirky, loving, and overwhelming—remains her foundation, but even they can't shield her from betrayal. Her longtime friend and agent, Sheila, is discovered to be stealing from her, shattering Persy's trust. Ford, too, has a complicated family history, marked by abandonment and step-sibling rivalry. Both protagonists grapple with the pain of misplaced trust and the challenge of letting others in. These betrayals force Persy and Ford to reevaluate who they can rely on, and to recognize the value of those who see and accept their true selves.

Rules, Boundaries, and Banter

Living side by side, Persy and Ford establish rules—about noise, privacy, and emotional boundaries. Their negotiations are laced with humor and sexual tension. Ford, who's always kept people at arm's length, finds himself drawn into Persy's world, from baking cookies to podcast cameos. Persy, for her part, is surprised by Ford's hidden kindness and the way he quietly supports her. Their relationship becomes a dance of push and pull, as both struggle to balance independence with the desire for connection.

Digital Intimacy Grows

The anonymous texting between Persy (as "Joy") and Ford (as "Lang") becomes increasingly intimate. They share fears, dreams, and confessions they can't voice in person. Both are unaware of the other's true identity, yet their digital selves are more honest than their real-life facades. The texts become a lifeline, especially as Persy's public and private worlds collide. The tension between their online and offline relationships builds, with each wondering if the person on the other end could ever accept their whole, messy self.

Secrets, Scars, and Setbacks

A kitchen fire in Persy's apartment triggers a crisis. Ford rescues her cat and helps with the aftermath, but the incident exposes vulnerabilities and unresolved trauma for both. Ford discovers that Persy is "Joy," the woman he's been texting, but feels betrayed and withdraws, fearing she's been using him for content. Persy, devastated by his coldness and Sheila's betrayal, spirals into anxiety and self-doubt. Both must confront the cost of secrecy and the risk of being truly seen.

Fire, Fallout, and Ghosting

In the wake of the fire and Ford's retreat, Persy is left alone to pick up the pieces. Her texts to Lang go unanswered, and she struggles with nightmares and the loss of her closest confidants. Ford, grappling with his own fears of exposure and betrayal, leaves town, convinced he can't trust anyone. The silence between them is heavy, filled with regret and longing. Both must decide whether to retreat into old patterns or reach for something more.

Healing, Honesty, and Homecomings

Persy, with the help of her family and therapy, begins to heal. She confronts Sheila, reclaims her career, and redefines her boundaries. Ford, realizing what he's lost, returns and quietly supports Persy, first as a neighbor, then as a friend. Their renewed interactions are tentative but sincere, marked by apologies and small acts of care. The revelation that Ford is both her neighbor and her texting confidant forces a reckoning: can they accept each other's flaws and histories, or will fear keep them apart?

Unmasking True Selves

The truth comes out: Ford is Lang, Persy is Joy. The shock is tempered by relief and recognition—they've already fallen for each other's truest selves. Their confessions are raw and cathartic, as they admit to past mistakes, fears, and the ways they've hurt each other. The barriers between their public and private personas crumble, allowing for genuine intimacy. They realize that love isn't about perfection or performance, but about acceptance, forgiveness, and choosing each other every day.

Love, Forgiveness, and Forever

With secrets laid bare, Persy and Ford commit to building a life together—messy, imperfect, and real. They support each other's dreams, blend their families, and find joy in the ordinary. Ford proposes in a way that honors Persy's values and their journey, promising not a fairy tale, but a partnership rooted in honesty and growth. The story ends with them embracing the future, ready to face whatever comes, together.

Characters

Persephone "Persy" Brassard

Persy is a successful influencer, sex therapist, and podcaster whose public persona is confident and colorful, but who privately struggles with self-worth and the fear of never being truly loved. Raised by globe-trotting archaeologists, she's fiercely loyal to her family and friends, but her trust has been repeatedly betrayed—by lovers who see her as a novelty and by her best friend/agent who steals from her. Persy's journey is one of self-discovery: learning to set boundaries, embrace her quirks, and demand respect. Her relationship with Ford challenges her to be authentic, while her anonymous texting with "Lang" allows her to be vulnerable in ways she's never dared. Ultimately, Persy's arc is about reconciling her public and private selves and choosing happiness on her own terms.

Ford Chadwick / "Lang"

Ford is a reclusive tech billionaire, scarred by his parents' bitter divorce and the isolating effects of early fame. He's built walls to protect himself from opportunists and emotional pain, preferring solitude and control. His initial interactions with Persy are antagonistic, but her warmth and resilience draw him out. As "Lang," he reveals a softer, more introspective side, sharing fears and desires he can't voice in person. Ford's greatest struggle is learning to trust—not just Persy, but himself. His journey is about letting go of cynicism, embracing vulnerability, and accepting that love, while risky, is worth the mess.

Sheila Daniels

Sheila is Persy's childhood friend and agent, whose betrayal is a devastating blow. Outwardly supportive, she secretly siphons money and opportunities, exploiting Persy's trust. Sheila's actions force Persy to reevaluate her boundaries and the nature of true friendship. Her arc is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked loyalty and the importance of self-advocacy.

Nyx Brassard

Nyx is Persy's older sister, best friend, and legal counsel. Level-headed and fiercely loyal, she helps Persy navigate both personal and professional crises. Nyx's pragmatic approach balances Persy's emotional intensity, and her support is instrumental in exposing Sheila's betrayal and renegotiating Persy's career. Nyx embodies the theme of chosen family and the power of having someone in your corner.

Eros Brassard

Eros is Persy's older brother, a source of humor and unconditional love. He's a sounding board for Persy's doubts and a reminder that family can be both maddening and essential. Eros's own struggles with relationships mirror Persy's, highlighting the universality of searching for connection.

Callie Brassard

Callie's immaturity and drama often frustrate Persy, but her actions (like losing Persy's phone) inadvertently set key plot events in motion. Callie's journey is about growing up and learning responsibility, while her relationship with Persy underscores the complexities of sibling bonds.

Nathaniel "Nate" Chadwick

Nate is the public face of the Chadwick tech empire, balancing Ford's reclusiveness with charm and sociability. He's Ford's confidant and protector, pushing him to take risks and open up. Nate's presence highlights the importance of having someone who knows you completely.

Clyde Daniels

Clyde is Ford's stepbrother and Sheila's husband, often caught between family loyalties and personal ambition. His actions, while less malicious than Sheila's, contribute to the web of misunderstandings and mistrust that Ford must untangle.

Octavio and Edna Brassard

Persy's parents are unconventional, supportive, and sometimes overwhelming. Their enduring (and loudly passionate) marriage is both a source of embarrassment and inspiration for Persy, shaping her beliefs about love and happiness.

Simon the Cat

Simon is more than a pet; he's a symbol of comfort, independence, and the unexpected ways people (and animals) can bring others together. His adventures between apartments mirror Persy and Ford's journey from isolation to connection.

Plot Devices

Mistaken Identity and Anonymity

The story's central device is the accidental text that leads to an anonymous, emotionally honest relationship. By stripping away names and expectations, Persy and Ford are able to reveal their true selves, setting the stage for real intimacy. This device also explores the tension between public personas and private realities, a recurring theme in the age of social media.

Dual Narratives and Alternating POVs

The novel alternates between Persy and Ford's points of view, allowing readers to see how misunderstandings, assumptions, and internal monologues shape their interactions. This structure deepens empathy and highlights the ways people can be both right and wrong about each other.

Digital Communication as Emotional Bridge

The use of digital media—texts, podcasts, social posts—serves as both a barrier and a bridge. It enables vulnerability and connection, but also creates opportunities for miscommunication and avoidance. The story interrogates whether technology brings us closer or keeps us apart.

Foils and Mirrors

Persy's siblings, Ford's brother, and their respective families serve as foils, mirroring the protagonists' fears and desires. Their successes and failures in love provide context and contrast, reinforcing the novel's themes.

Symbolic Spaces and Boundaries

The shared penthouse, the forbidden door, and the literal walls between apartments symbolize the boundaries Persy and Ford must negotiate—between public and private, self and other, safety and risk. The gradual opening of these spaces parallels their emotional journey.

Foreshadowing and Callbacks

The story is laced with callbacks—Persy's musings on soulmates, Ford's skepticism about love, the recurring motif of the "forbidden door." These elements foreshadow the eventual unmasking and union, rewarding attentive readers.

Analysis

"Wrong Text, Right Love" is more than a rom-com; it's a meditation on the ways we hide behind personas—online and off—and the courage it takes to be truly seen. Through Persy and Ford's journey, the novel explores the pitfalls of seeking validation from others, the necessity of setting boundaries, and the transformative power of honest communication. The wrong text becomes a metaphor for life's serendipitous detours, reminding us that love often arrives when we stop performing and start showing up as ourselves. The story champions the idea that happiness is an inside job, but that sharing it with someone who accepts your whole, messy self is the real prize. In an age obsessed with image and instant gratification, Burgoa's novel is a call to slow down, dig deeper, and swipe right on authenticity.

Last updated: May 8, 2025