Funeral in the Rain

Sterling Ford returns to Valmont, Tennessee, under the cover of rain and mourning, not to grieve the death of Angus MacLaine, but to witness the end of a dynasty he's longed to destroy. Among the black umbrellas and cold faces, he spots Adair MacLaine—the only woman he's ever loved and the true reason for his return. The funeral is a performance for the wealthy, but beneath the surface, old resentments and secrets churn. Sterling's presence is a harbinger of reckoning, and as the dirt falls on the MacLaine patriarch's grave, the stage is set for a collision of past and present, love and vengeance.

Ghosts and Old Wounds

Adair MacLaine, burdened by her family's expectations and the fresh loss of her father, navigates the suffocating rituals of grief. The MacLaine estate, Windfall, is both fortress and prison, filled with people more interested in inheritance than memory. Adair's encounter with Sterling at the funeral stirs up old pain and unresolved longing. She's forced to care for her niece, Ellie, and manage her brittle relationship with her brother Malcolm and sister-in-law Ginny. The past is never far, and Adair's scars—emotional and familial—are laid bare as she tries to hold herself together in a house built on secrets.

The Return of Sterling

Sterling, once the poor scholarship kid, now returns as a man of means and mystery. He's not just back for Adair; he's here to claim the MacLaine legacy for himself. At the funeral reception, he maneuvers through the elite, his presence unsettling old acquaintances and igniting new suspicions. Sterling's calculated approach to Malcolm reveals his intent: he's acquired a controlling interest in MacLaine Media, and he wants more than just business—he wants Adair. The seeds of revenge are sown, and Sterling's dual desires for power and love threaten to upend the fragile balance of Valmont's social order.

Fire and Ice Reunion

Adair and Sterling's first real confrontation is electric and volatile. Their history is a battlefield of attraction and betrayal, and neither is willing to yield ground. Adair's anger is matched only by her unresolved desire, while Sterling's bitterness is laced with longing. Their exchanges are laced with barbs and confessions, each testing the other's defenses. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but so is the pain. As they circle each other, the lines between love and hate blur, setting the tone for a relationship defined by both passion and destruction.

College, Class, and Collision

Five years earlier, Sterling arrives at Valmont University, a world away from his rough upbringing in New York. He's thrust into the orbit of the wealthy and entitled, rooming with Cyrus Eaton and meeting the likes of Montgomery "Money" West and Adair. The social hierarchy is rigid, and Sterling is both outsider and curiosity. Adair, too, feels out of place despite her privilege, longing for escape and authenticity. Their first encounters are fraught with misunderstanding and mutual fascination, as both struggle to reconcile their differences and the magnetic pull between them.

The Night Everything Changed

At a chaotic college party, Adair is drugged by an unknown assailant. Sterling, despite their antagonism, is the one who finds her and ensures her safety, enlisting the help of friends to get her home. The incident exposes the dangers lurking beneath Valmont's glittering surface and cements a reluctant bond between Adair and Sterling. Vulnerability replaces bravado, and for a moment, their defenses drop. The night marks a turning point, as both realize that their connection is deeper—and more dangerous—than either is willing to admit.

Diamonds and Coal

In the aftermath of her mother's death, Adair is consumed by grief and the pressure to perform for her family and community. The funeral and its aftermath are a study in appearances, with genuine emotion buried beneath etiquette and expectation. Adair's memories of her mother are bittersweet, and her interactions with Sterling are colored by loss and longing. The metaphor of diamonds and coal—her mother's wisdom about pressure and transformation—echoes through Adair's struggle to find meaning and resilience in the face of heartbreak.

Inheritance and Intrigue

The reading of Angus MacLaine's will throws the family into turmoil. Assets are divided in unexpected ways, with Adair and Malcolm each receiving a share of the company, but the majority is in the hands of mysterious investors—chief among them, Sterling. The family home is placed in trust for Ellie, with Felix, the loyal butler, as guardian. Malcolm's political ambitions and Ginny's anxieties add to the tension, while Adair is left questioning her place in the family and the future of the MacLaine legacy. The battle lines are drawn, and trust is in short supply.

Power Plays and Penthouse Views

Sterling cements his position in Nashville, purchasing a lavish penthouse and meeting with his allies, Jack and Luca. Together, they hold nearly half of MacLaine Media, and their motives are as much about retribution as profit. Sterling's interactions with Malcolm are a dance of threats and negotiations, with Adair as the ultimate bargaining chip. The city's elite are both playground and battlefield, and Sterling's transformation from outsider to power player is complete. Yet, beneath the surface, his obsession with Adair complicates every move.

Charity, Champagne, and Rivalry

At a high-profile charity gala, the social and emotional stakes reach a fever pitch. Adair, forced to play hostess and maintain appearances, is confronted by Sterling's presence and the simmering tensions within her circle of friends. The event is a microcosm of Valmont's world—glamorous, competitive, and rife with hidden agendas. Sterling's bid for a rescue dog at the auction is both a public gesture and a private message to Adair. The night is a blur of jealousy, longing, and unspoken truths, as the past and present collide on the dance floor.

The Auction and the Dog

Sterling's adoption of Zeus, the shelter dog no one else wants, is a symbolic act that resonates with Adair. Both see themselves in the unwanted, the overlooked, and the misunderstood. The auction becomes a stage for their complicated relationship, with gestures of generosity masking deeper motives. Adair's passion for the animal shelter and Sterling's willingness to step in reveal the cracks in their armor. The night ends with a dance that is both a truce and a challenge, as they navigate the thin line between pretending and feeling.

Pretend Lovers, Real Lies

To protect themselves and manipulate Malcolm, Adair and Sterling agree to pretend they are together. The ruse is meant to buy time and control the narrative, but the boundaries between act and truth quickly erode. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the pretense becomes a crucible for unresolved feelings. As they navigate public appearances, private confrontations, and the ever-present scrutiny of family and friends, the stakes grow higher. Lies become truths, and the risk of heartbreak looms ever larger.

Past Sins, Present Scars

Flashbacks to their college years reveal the roots of Adair and Sterling's pain. Misunderstandings, betrayals by friends, and the toxic dynamics of privilege and power leave lasting scars. Sterling's sense of not belonging and Adair's struggle for agency are mirrored in their present-day choices. The past is never truly past, and the wounds they carry threaten to sabotage any hope of reconciliation. As old enemies resurface and new threats emerge, both must confront the consequences of their actions and the limits of forgiveness.

The Truth About Family

Adair's relationship with her brother Malcolm reaches a breaking point as secrets are exposed and loyalties tested. The family's dysfunction is laid bare, with accusations of selfishness, pride, and betrayal flying in all directions. Adair is forced to choose between loyalty to her blood and loyalty to herself. Felix, the butler, becomes an unexpected ally, while Ginny and Malcolm spiral into their own private wars. The illusion of family unity shatters, leaving Adair to forge a new path on her own terms.

Breaking and Belonging

Adair leaves Windfall, determined to build a life independent of her family's legacy. She finds purpose and hope in a job at Bluebird Press, a small publishing house that values her for her talent rather than her name. The act of earning her place is both liberating and terrifying. Meanwhile, Sterling grapples with his own demons, torn between his desire for revenge and his longing for connection. Their paths converge once more, as both realize that belonging is not about blood or wealth, but about the people who see and accept them.

The Blacklist Unleashed

Sterling's quest for vengeance reaches its climax as he confronts those who wronged him and Adair. With the help of Jack and Luca, he delivers poetic justice to old enemies, exposing the rot at the heart of Valmont's elite. Yet, the satisfaction of retribution is hollow, and the collateral damage is real. Sterling is forced to reckon with the darkness inside himself and the cost of his actions. The line between justice and cruelty blurs, and the question of redemption hangs in the balance.

Betrayal in the Morning

After a night of vulnerability and intimacy, Adair wakes in Sterling's bed, unsure of what transpired. Misunderstandings and accusations fly, and the fragile trust they've built crumbles. Both are haunted by the ghosts of their past and the fear of repeating old mistakes. The morning after is a reckoning, as Adair chooses to walk away, leaving behind both her heart and a message that signals the end of their story—for now.

Full Circle, Broken Hearts

Adair, now truly on her own, faces the future with a mix of fear and determination. She finds solace in her work and the support of friends, but the ache of loss lingers. Sterling, too, is left to confront the emptiness of victory and the pain of losing the only woman he's ever loved. Their story ends where it began: with rain, regret, and the possibility of redemption. The cycle of love and loss is unbroken, but both are changed—stronger, wiser, and perhaps, one day, ready to try again.

Characters

Sterling Ford

Sterling is the quintessential self-made man, forged in the fires of poverty, foster care, and loss. His intelligence and ambition propel him from the margins of society into the heart of Valmont's elite, but he never truly belongs. Sterling's love for Adair is both his greatest strength and his deepest wound, fueling a quest for revenge that is as much about reclaiming power as it is about healing old hurts. Psychologically, Sterling is driven by a need for control and validation, masking vulnerability with arrogance and ruthlessness. His development is a journey from anger to self-awareness, as he learns that true strength lies not in domination, but in the courage to forgive and be forgiven.

Adair MacLaine

Adair is the product of privilege and pain, raised in a family where love is conditional and appearances are everything. Her mother's death and father's tyranny leave her emotionally scarred, struggling to assert her identity in a world that wants to define her. Adair's relationship with Sterling is a crucible for her growth, forcing her to confront her own complicity in the cycles of hurt and betrayal. She is both victim and survivor, capable of great kindness and great cruelty. Her arc is one of self-discovery, as she learns to claim her own worth and build a life on her own terms.

Malcolm MacLaine

Malcolm is the archetypal heir, groomed to inherit the family business and political mantle. His drive is matched only by his insecurity, and he is both rival and ally to Adair. Malcolm's need for control and validation leads him to make ruthless choices, including using his sister as a pawn in business negotiations. Psychologically, he is trapped by the expectations of his father and the weight of tradition, unable to see the damage he inflicts on those around him. His development is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the cost of refusing to change.

Ginny MacLaine

Ginny is the outsider who desperately wants to belong, marrying into the MacLaine family and striving to maintain an image of perfection. Her anxiety and need for control are coping mechanisms for a life that feels perpetually unstable. Ginny's relationship with Adair is fraught with competition and resentment, but also moments of genuine connection. She is both a victim of the family's dysfunction and a participant in its perpetuation. Her arc is one of gradual disillusionment, as she confronts the limits of appearances and the necessity of authenticity.

Felix Gabriel

Felix is the quiet heart of the MacLaine household, serving as confidant, caretaker, and sometimes the only source of stability for Adair and Ellie. His loyalty is both a strength and a burden, as he is drawn into the family's power struggles and made guardian of Ellie's inheritance. Felix's wisdom and compassion offer a counterpoint to the ambition and cruelty of the MacLaines. Psychologically, he is motivated by a deep sense of duty and love, but also by the pain of being perpetually on the outside. His development is a testament to the power of chosen family and the quiet heroism of service.

Cyrus Eaton

Cyrus is Sterling's college roommate and Adair's childhood friend, straddling the line between insider and outsider. His easy charm and loyalty make him a stabilizing force in the group, but he is not immune to the temptations and blind spots of privilege. Cyrus's relationship with Poppy and his role as confidant to both Sterling and Adair position him as a mediator, but also as someone who must eventually choose sides. His arc is one of growing awareness, as he learns to see beyond the surface and confront uncomfortable truths.

Poppy Landry

Poppy is the light in Adair's life, offering unconditional support and a perspective unclouded by cynicism. Her warmth and empathy are a balm to the wounds of those around her, but she is not without her own struggles. Poppy's relationship with Cyrus is a subplot of longing and missed connections, mirroring the central romance in its themes of vulnerability and risk. Psychologically, Poppy is driven by a need to heal and connect, often at the expense of her own needs. Her development is a lesson in the importance of boundaries and self-care.

Jack Archer

Jack is Sterling's ally and fellow veteran, bringing a sense of honor and restraint to their shared quest for justice. His experiences in the military have left him both hardened and compassionate, and he serves as a check on Sterling's darker impulses. Jack's investment in the music scene and his desire to build something positive are a counterpoint to the cycles of revenge and destruction. Psychologically, he is haunted by guilt and a longing for redemption. His arc is one of reconciliation, as he seeks to balance loyalty with integrity.

Luca DeAngelo

Luca is the wild card in Sterling's circle, a man whose charm masks a capacity for violence and cunning. His connections to organized crime and his love of psychological games make him both an asset and a danger. Luca's motivations are complex, driven by loyalty to his friends but also by a need for control and excitement. Psychologically, he is a study in contrasts—capable of both cruelty and surprising tenderness. His development is a meditation on the nature of power and the limits of loyalty.

Ellie MacLaine

Ellie is the youngest MacLaine, a child caught in the crossfire of family drama and ambition. Her innocence and resilience are a reminder of what is at stake, and her relationship with Adair is one of genuine love and protection. Ellie's presence forces the adults around her to confront their own failures and the consequences of their choices. Psychologically, she represents the possibility of breaking the cycle of pain and building a better future.

Plot Devices

Dual Timelines and Shifting Perspectives

The novel employs a dual timeline structure, alternating between the present-day fallout of Angus MacLaine's death and flashbacks to Sterling and Adair's formative college years. This device allows the reader to see how past traumas, betrayals, and choices shape the characters' current motivations and relationships. The shifting perspectives between Sterling and Adair provide insight into their inner worlds, exposing misunderstandings and the deep psychological wounds that drive their actions. The interplay of timelines creates dramatic irony and emotional resonance, as the reader is privy to secrets and truths that the characters themselves struggle to articulate.

The Blacklist and Revenge Motif

Sterling's "blacklist" is both literal and symbolic—a record of those who have harmed him and Adair, and a blueprint for retribution. The motif of revenge is central, driving the plot and shaping the moral landscape of the story. The pursuit of justice is complicated by questions of guilt, complicity, and the cost of vengeance. The blacklist serves as a narrative engine, propelling Sterling's actions and forcing the characters to confront the consequences of their choices. The motif is echoed in the structure of the novel, as each chapter brings another name to the fore and another reckoning to bear.

Pretend Relationship and the Blurring of Truth

The device of a fake relationship—entered into for strategic reasons—serves as a crucible for the characters' true feelings. As Adair and Sterling pretend to be lovers to manipulate Malcolm and protect themselves, the boundaries between act and reality dissolve. The tension between appearance and authenticity is a recurring theme, mirrored in the family's public facade and the private pain beneath. The device allows for both comedic and tragic moments, as the characters struggle to distinguish between what is real and what is performance.

Symbolism of Home, Inheritance, and the Unwanted

The MacLaine estate, Windfall, is more than a setting—it is a symbol of both privilege and imprisonment. The inheritance battles and the fate of the family home reflect deeper questions about belonging, identity, and the cost of legacy. The adoption of Zeus, the unwanted dog, is a powerful metaphor for both Sterling and Adair, who see themselves in the cast-off and misunderstood. The motif of the unwanted recurs throughout, challenging the characters to redefine what it means to be chosen, loved, and worthy.

Foreshadowing and Cyclical Structure

The novel is rich in foreshadowing, with early events and conversations echoing later developments. The cyclical nature of the story—beginning and ending with funerals, rain, and unresolved longing—underscores the difficulty of breaking free from the past. Yet, within the cycles of pain and betrayal, there are moments of hope and transformation. The structure invites the reader to consider whether true change is possible, and what it takes to heal old wounds.

Analysis

Geneva Lee's Blacklist is a modern gothic romance that interrogates the intersections of privilege, trauma, and the search for identity. At its core, the novel is a meditation on the ways in which the past shapes the present, and how cycles of pain—both familial and romantic—can be both prison and crucible. Through the dual perspectives of Sterling and Adair, Lee explores the psychological costs of revenge, the hunger for belonging, and the difficulty of distinguishing love from need. The narrative's use of dual timelines and shifting points of view allows for a nuanced exploration of cause and effect, revealing how misunderstandings and betrayals echo across years. The motif of the blacklist is a powerful commentary on the human desire for justice, but also a warning about the corrosive effects of vengeance. Ultimately, Blacklist suggests that healing is possible, but only through honesty, vulnerability, and the willingness to break old patterns. The novel's lessons are both timeless and timely: that true strength lies in forgiveness, that love is as much about acceptance as passion, and that the only way to escape the ghosts of the past is to confront them head-on.

Last updated: December 6, 2025