Mistakes We Never Made

“I can chart my history with Finn in a series of almosts.”

This novel centers on one specific weekend in Emma Townsend’s life. However, this part of her narration foreshadows the novel’s structure, as readers will get specific insight into the several “almosts” of their relationship through flashbacks.

“Finn and I have had our chances, and they all imploded spectacularly again and again.”

One of the major themes of this novel is Letting Go of the Past. At this early stage, Emma views her past with Finn as one riddled with errors. She does not want to get together with him because she feels like she will only get hurt, just like she has before. This reference to chances establishes the genre trope of second-chance romance.

“The last few years at work have seemed like compromise after compromise.”

Emma is at a point in her life where she wants to be able to design according to her vision. Her current position does not allow her to this degree of creative freedom, and over the course of her weekend, she will gather the courage to start her own firm. This way, she’ll no longer have to compromise.