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Themes
Gender Dynamics in the Workplace
Kennedy’s story examines the many ways in which gendered expectations shape—and often warp—interactions in professional settings. The narrative therefore reflects women’s challenges in male-dominated environments, acknowledging women’s struggle for respect and recognition and the emotional toll of gender-based discrimination. To this end, Dr. Frederick’s heavy-handed misogyny is designed to highlight the impact of gender biases on women in both professional and personal spaces. Dr. Frederick exudes an air of superiority that reflects his belief in traditional power hierarchies in which men dominate and women fill subordinate roles. His dismissive attitude toward Kennedy and his determination to undermine her capabilities both reveal his refusal to recognize women as equals in a professional environment. For example, in their initial interaction, he not-so-subtly warns her to stay away from the players, clearly working on the prejudiced assumption that women in the workplace are only there to seduce men. This misogynistic attitude dismisses Kennedy’s professional qualifications and reduces her worth to that of a superficial stereotype.
Dr. Frederick’s misogyny also manifests in his manipulation of power dynamics. For example, he constantly uses his position of authority to intimidate and demean Kennedy, reinforcing the notion that her success is contingent on his approval. He piles on extra work and domestic tasks, such as mopping the floor and cleaning the equipment, leaving Kennedy with little time to nourish herself properly. Dr. Frederick therefore represents the archetypal male authority figure whose judgment and approval dictate Kennedy’s career trajectory. Not only does he force her to take a demotion to the role of an athletic trainer, but he also repeatedly assigns her to tasks that do not allow her to utilize her highly advanced skill set. Kennedy’s experiences capture the gendered expectations that are often placed on women to endure the scrutiny of those who already doubt their qualifications. Dr. Frederick’s condescending demeanor creates a toxic workplace culture and a power imbalance, and his actions smack of overt emotional manipulation. His interactions with Kennedy are laced with subtle digs and veiled threats that aim to undermine her confidence and frighten her into submission. Though Isaiah begs her to report his behavior, Kennedy remains silent for fear of losing her job. This problematic dynamic is designed to illustrate the emotional labor that women endure in such situations, in which they must constantly prove their worth while managing the psychological toll of being undervalued.
Although Kennedy’s response to Dr. Frederick’s misogyny is a problematically passive one, her demeanor also reveals her depth of character. Rather than allowing his behavior to define her, she gradually reclaims her agency by demonstrating resilience and self-assurance and fulfilling the expectations of her job with smooth competence. By refusing to internalize Dr. Frederick’s judgments, Kennedy implicitly challenges the stereotypes that he perpetuates and establishes that her value is not defined by his biased opinions. Planning to quit, she says, “I can no longer allow myself to be treated the way he’s treated me all these years. I think there was a part of me that stayed in hopes that he would see my capabilities, but that was a silly pipe dream. He didn’t care” (340). With Isaiah and the rest of the team’s support, Kennedy finally gets the recognition and respect that she is due, especially when Reese begins making systemic changes by firing Dr. Frederick and hiring Kennedy to create a more equitable, healthy work environment. In the beginning, Kennedy feels like an unwanted employee as she is forced into a role that she is granted out of obligation rather than merit. Kennedy’s struggle to assert her worth and prove her competence in the face of skepticism underscores the challenges that many women endure in the workplace.
Overcoming the Pain of the Past
The novel makes an extensive exploration of the various ways that past traumas and emotional wounds shape people’s present identities and relationships, and the thrust of the plot also suggests that love can have a transformative and healing power in such instances. Through the dual perspectives of Kennedy and Isaiah, the author portrays their interior reflections and interactions, demonstrating the importance of confronting the past to create a healthier, happier future. Kennedy first enters the story with a guarded and self-protective demeanor that has resulted from a childhood devoid of love and affection. As a result, she operates with emotional detachment and a sense of unworthiness, as exemplified when she describes her previous engagement as a business transaction. These experiences leave her with an internalized fear of intimacy that affects her ability to trust others, particularly in the context of romantic relationships. Kennedy’s reluctance to allow others to get close becomes the source of her eventual strength as her unexpected marriage to Isaiah forces her to address these unresolved issues.
Isaiah’s issues take on a different form, for although he has no trouble with intimacy, he does harbor emotional struggles that dramatically affect his life. Having lost his mother at a young age, he now has unresolved grief and a form of trauma-based anxiety that is triggered by thunderstorms. Though he puts on a brave face for others, Isaiah still feels like a sad little boy whenever he thinks about his mother. Despite his outward charm, he hides his pain for fear of burdening others or appearing weak. This façade begins to crumble as his relationship with Kennedy deepens, pushing him to acknowledge his need for healing.
Through the forced proximity of their marriage, Kennedy and Isaiah’s hidden struggles become opportunities for new growth. As they have increasingly intimate interactions, both characters learn to confront their pasts rather than avoiding them. Isaiah helps Kennedy to overcome her fear of physical touch by providing a safe space for her to dismantle her emotional barriers, and he eases her gradually into the realm of physical intimacy. Throughout this process, she realizes that she is worthy of love, not despite her past but because of her endurance. Similarly, Isaiah finds freedom in sharing the exhaustion of hiding his pain, and he admits, “I’m tired of people I care about not sticking around. I play it safe, hoping if I’m good enough of a laugh, if they have a good enough time around me, they’ll stay. It never works” (244). Fortunately, Isaiah learns that his trauma response is not his fault and is a normal part of his grieving experience. Kennedy’s steady presence and eventual reciprocation of his love offer him the stability and reassurance that he needs to confront his grief and redefine his sense of self.
Much of Isaiah’s healing comes from the family that he and Kai create with their teammates. As he states, “[C]oming from a family of two, it’s nice to have our friend community around who has become our new family” (107). These relationships act as a surrogate family, offering him the safe space he needs to express his vulnerabilities and begin the process of healing. The found family dynamic of the novel therefore demonstrates that undiluted love and support can fill the void left by problematic biological relationships. As Isaiah and Kennedy create a new family, they encourage each other’s growth, challenging the limiting beliefs and fears that stem from their respective pasts. They and their community demonstrate the power of chosen connections, and their found family offers them a wealth of humor, advice, and camaraderie that alleviates the weight of past hardships. This collective support helps Isaiah and Kennedy to realize that family is defined by the love and trust shared with those who stand by you. The story suggests that overcoming the hurt of the past involves incorporating it into a newer, healthier narrative in order to promote development and understanding. With courage, self-awareness, and the assistance of others, the protagonists emerge as happier, healthier versions of themselves.
Embracing Self-Discovery Through Vulnerability
The novel uses the trope of forced intimacy to explore the intersection of vulnerability, connection, and personal growth in the simultaneous journeys of Kennedy and Isaiah. Due to their marriage of convenience, the protagonists must initially work to maintain the façade of romance, sharing obligations and enduring confined spaces, and these circumstances compel them to lower their emotional defenses. Their physical and situational closeness pushes them into moments of unplanned intimacy, such as honest conversations that reveal glimpses into hidden vulnerabilities, allowing them both to see each other in unfiltered ways. This sustained closeness disrupts Kennedy’s established patterns of avoidance and forces her to look inward, and she struggles to reconcile her self-identity with external demands. Initially, she presents as fiercely independent, avoiding emotional intimacy in order to maintain her strict personal and professional boundaries. However, the emotional elements of her unintended marriage to Isaiah challenge her guardedness, creating a space in which openness becomes not just an option, but a necessity.
Sharing a hotel room reveals Isaiah’s struggle with grief and anxiety that he typically keeps hidden. At first, Isaiah doesn’t want Kennedy to see him struggle, but as she comforts him, he realizes that he truly does need her support. Thus, lowering his defenses and allowing someone to see his pain helps him to discover a better way to cope with his anxieties. Similarly, Kennedy’s self-doubt surfaces when Isaiah is close enough to notice her aversion to physical touch, and this interaction forces her to confront the parts of herself that she despises. She worries that her issues with touch will repulse him, but instead, the two grow closer as he desires to help her heal. As Kennedy admits, “He makes me feel vulnerable, like he can see all of me when no one else has even tried to look” (191). Isaiah and Kennedy learn together that they must confront their internal conflicts and process their emotions rather than suppressing them. Their time together is a mirror, reflecting aspects of their personalities and pasts that they otherwise might not have addressed. Isaiah realizes that his tendency to put on a happy face stems from his fear of loss and rejection, while Kennedy begins to see that her aloofness often alienates her from the very support she craves. Through their developing relationship, Kennedy and Isaiah help each other to untangle these emotional knots, growing as a couple and as individuals.
Kennedy and Isaiah’s unconventional love story is designed to illustrate that taking emotional risks becomes a transformative process. Amidst personal insecurities and the pressures of finding authenticity in a world filled with expectations, the two protagonists discover that vulnerability requires authenticity, not inherent perfection. The novel highlights the power of laying bare one’s insecurities and suggests that true self-discovery necessitates an embrace of discomfort and openness. By showing their vulnerability, Isaiah and Kennedy uncover their authentic selves, create more fulfilling lives, and embody the truth that true strength lies in the courage to be seen, flaws and all.
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