Plot Summary
The Saucy Brunette Who Said No
Carter Beckett,1 captain of the Vancouver Vipers, spots a petite brunette dancing with his friend Cara3 at a surprise birthday party. He approaches her at the bar with practiced confidence, offering to buy her a drink and take her back to his downtown condo. Olivia Parker,2 a high school phys-ed teacher and Cara3's best friend, informs him she knows exactly who he is: the league's most notorious playboy, photographed with a different woman every week.
She played hockey for fifteen years and is immune to his charm. When Carter1 offers his number, calling her special, she leans close, whispers that it is going to be a no, and walks away. Stunned and intrigued, Carter1 realizes he has just met the one woman who will not fall at his feet.
This opening encounter establishes the central dynamic: Carter's identity is built on being wanted, and Olivia's rejection punctures that self-concept. She sees through his charm to the transactional nature of his past relationships. Her resistance is not coyness but self-protection, a boundary erected by someone who knows she would be vulnerable to a man like him. The power reversal, where the pursued holds all the cards, sets the template for their entire courtship.
Jumbotron Humiliation
Olivia2 reluctantly attends a Vipers game with Cara,3 sitting behind the bench. Carter1 spends every spare moment staring at her through the glass, tapping and calling her name until she acknowledges him. When he scores, he points his stick directly at her, winks, and mouths that the goal was for her. The cameras find Olivia2's crimson face, broadcasting it across the jumbotron.
After the game at the bar, Carter1 convinces her to dance. He requests a John Mayer song called 'Something Like Olivia,' and something shifts between them as they sway together. She agrees to get food with him, but when she returns from the bathroom, she finds another woman draped over him and leaves without a word.
Carter's grand gesture reveals his fundamental language: public declaration. Where Olivia craves private certainty, Carter instinctively performs his affection for an audience, a mismatch that will cause friction throughout their relationship. The jumbotron moment is both romantic and violating, depending on perspective. Her silent exit when she sees him with another woman demonstrates her hair-trigger self-protection mechanism, a learned response to potential hurt that will recur until they learn to communicate.
Midnight Kiss, Morning Escape
At Carter1's New Year's Eve house party, Olivia2 and her beer pong partner Garrett5 defeat Carter1 and Adam6 three straight games. At midnight, Carter1 crosses the room through the final countdown and kisses Olivia2 with an intensity that silences their friends.
Later, on his private balcony overlooking the mountains, they talk about their fears and the connection neither can deny. Overwhelmed by attraction and alcohol, Olivia2 initiates sex, telling Carter1 he can have her.
They spend hours in his bed, and he asks her to stay, promising breakfast and a future. But in the morning, Olivia2 scrolls through her phone and finds a tabloid article ranking Carter1's top twelve conquests of the year, complete with photos of him ushering women into his condo.
The sequence from kiss to sex to panic mirrors the addictive cycle of intimacy and withdrawal that characterizes anxious attachment. Olivia's decision to sleep with Carter despite her stated principles reflects the gap between intellectual self-protection and emotional surrender. The tabloid article functions as an externalized version of her internal fears: that she is merely the next entry on a list, that she cannot possibly be special enough to change a man with such a well-documented history.
Breakfast Left Uneaten
When Carter1 finds Olivia2 frantically dressing, she tells him the night was a mistake. He argues, begs, even shouts, but she cannot hear him over the roar of her insecurities. The article has confirmed every fear: she cannot stack up against the models and cheerleaders who came before her.
Before she leaves, Carter1 presses a small wrapped gift into her hands. Inside, Olivia2 finds a personalized rose gold lanyard for her school ID badge, with a tiny hockey skate charm and an engraving calling her the world's hottest teacher.
The accompanying note declares that this year will be the best because he met her. Olivia2 reads the note seven times in her empty, freezing house, crying, while Carter1 spends New Year's Day alone, staring at the breakfast he never got to make her.
The lanyard is significant because it demonstrates that Carter sees Olivia specifically, not generically. He did not buy jewelry or perfume; he bought something practical and personal, tailored to her identity as a teacher. This attention to detail contradicts the playboy persona, suggesting his feelings are authentic. Yet Olivia's fear is not irrational. She is responding to a pattern of behavior documented over years, and one thoughtful gift cannot instantly overwrite that history. Trust, once broken by proxy, requires time to rebuild.
The Back Row, Dead Center
After nearly two weeks of separation, during which Carter1 almost sleeps with another woman named Sandie but stops himself at the last moment, the two reconnect through stealthy orchestrations by Cara.3 Carter1 secretly orders Olivia2 an extra-bacon pizza.
She smiles at him across a room, and he feels hope for the first time since she left. Their movie date, to the seats Carter1 purchased weeks ago, becomes real when Olivia2 shows up at the theater. Both are painfully nervous.
Carter1 buys an absurd amount of snacks and forgets how to speak coherently. Slowly, over shared candy and whispered commentary about Olaf nearly dying, the tension dissolves. Afterward, they walk to a coffee shop, and Olivia2 agrees to try again, to date properly and slowly.
This is the first time both characters choose each other without alcohol or impulse driving the decision. The movie theater, with its forced proximity in the dark and the shared vulnerability of watching a children's film, creates a level playing field. Carter's anxious babbling and Olivia's quiet steadiness invert their usual dynamic, revealing that beneath his bravado is a man terrified of screwing up his one real chance at love. Their slow walk to the coffee shop signals a deliberate pace neither has attempted before.
An Engagement Party Bathroom
At Cara3 and Emmett4's engagement party, Olivia2 wears a crimson lace dress that renders Carter1 speechless. He corners her in a bathroom, teasing her sexually, demanding her address for their lunch date, then leaving her aching and unsatisfied. Yet the next morning, photographs of their lunch date surface online alongside an article headlined 'Is Olivia Enough?'
questioning whether a plain high school teacher can possibly hold the interest of a man like Carter Beckett.1 Her older brother Jeremy8 summons her to dinner, furious and protective. Olivia2 defends Carter,1 telling Jeremy8 she is happy, but the article's words lodge under her skin like splinters, feeding the insecurity she has been trying to overcome.
The bathroom scene represents a crucial shift: Olivia begins to play Carter's game, matching his sexual confidence with her own. This mutuality distinguishes their connection from his previous encounters. The article, however, externalizes the conflict between private feeling and public narrative. Jeremy functions as the voice of protective skepticism that Olivia has been trying to silence in herself, making the external judgment feel validated by someone who loves her. The question of whether she is enough becomes the book's central anxiety.
Skating on Capilano Lake
Carter1 takes Olivia2 skating on a frozen lake near his mountain home, recreating the winter activity she loved growing up in Ontario. She beats him in a race through a playful trick involving his pants. That evening on his balcony, Olivia2 notices Carter1's somber mood and gently asks.
He tells her about his father's death in a car accident seven years ago, how he nearly drove drunk that same night in his grief, and how Hank,7 an elderly blind man waiting at a bar because he dreamed his dead wife said someone would need help, stopped him with a cane to the knee. Later, Olivia2 kneels at his father's grave and silently thanks him for raising the man she loves.
Vulnerability is the currency of intimacy, and here Carter makes his largest deposit yet. The story of his father's death and Hank's intervention reframes his entire playboy persona as a grief response: a fear of loving deeply after watching his mother's devastation. Olivia's tears are not pity but recognition. She is being given access to the person beneath the performance, and her choice to thank his father at the graveside signals that she accepts not just Carter but the entire emotional legacy that shaped him.
A Furnace for Her Future
When Carter1 discovers Olivia2's house sits at forty-nine degrees because her furnace has been broken for over a week, he calls a heating company and pays for an emergency replacement without telling her. Olivia2 comes home to a warm house and bursts into overwhelmed tears, embarrassed she cannot afford to repay him. He insists it is a gift.
Days later, Carter1 shows up unannounced at her seven-year-old niece Alannah10's youth hockey game. He charms the girl by calling her dude and signing her stick, bonds with baby Jem, and withstands Jeremy8's hostile scrutiny. Alannah10 declares Carter1 the best ever and publicly hopes they get married and have lots of babies.
The furnace gift is Carter's love language in its purest form: solving a practical problem Olivia is too proud to ask for help with. It is not flashy like a jumbotron dedication but essential and invisible. His integration into Olivia's family, particularly with the children, demonstrates a capacity for domestic life he previously claimed not to want. The shift is not performative but organic, suggesting his previous avoidance of commitment was about the wrong partner, not the institution of family itself.
Blindfolded Trust Exercise
After a fight triggered by Carter1 bringing Olivia2 to his downtown condo, the one he used for casual hookups, they reconcile with a promise to face fears together. That night, Olivia2 asks to try something new: she lets Carter1 blindfold her with his tie. What follows is an intensely vulnerable sexual experience framed as a trust exercise.
Carter1 guides her, praises her, and takes photographs that capture her beauty and his adoration. She explicitly consents to the photos, telling him she trusts him. Carter1 saves them in a password-protected folder on his phone, a private album he treasures. Neither imagines these images will later be weaponized by someone who wants to destroy them.
The blindfold scene is the book's thematic center: trust made physical. Olivia's willingness to surrender control represents her psychological journey from guarded to open. The photographs, taken with consent and framed as art, symbolize the documentation of their private world. The tragedy is that this act of intimacy becomes the vulnerability exploited later, turning their love's evidence into a tool of destruction. The scene carries dramatic irony for the reader aware of the coming crisis.
Three Words, Then a Ring Pop
While Olivia2 sleeps in his arms, Carter1 whispers that he thinks he loves her. She does not stir, but the words are now real. On Valentine's Day, which is also his twenty-eighth birthday, Carter1 flies home early from a road trip to surprise her. He fills her house with balloons, a bracelet engraved with their initials, and a note declaring her his forever.
That night, propped against his pillows, he tells her he loves her aloud for the first time, and she says it back through happy tears. Later, he slips a red Ring Pop onto her finger, calls her his baby-doggie mama, and asks if she will move in with him. She says yes to everything.
The progression from whispered secret to spoken declaration mirrors Carter's growth from emotional avoidance to full commitment. The Ring Pop, a candy placeholder for a future diamond, captures his playful spirit while signaling serious intent. He is not rushing into marriage but explicitly naming it as the destination. The 'baby-doggie mama' phrase, absurd and tender, encapsulates how Carter makes profound commitments feel approachable by wrapping them in humor. Moving in together represents the merging of two previously separate lives.
Courtney's Betrayal Exposed
Adam Lockwood6 comes home early from a road trip to find his longtime girlfriend Courtney9 in bed with another man. Devastated, he kicks her out. The team rallies around him, with Carter1 staying sober to drive everyone home. Meanwhile, Hank7 falls in the shower and badly bruises himself. Worried about Hank7's increasing frailty, Carter1 and Olivia2 help him move into an assisted living facility.
Because the facility does not allow permanent pets, Hank7 tearfully asks them to adopt Dublin,11 his beloved golden retriever and guide dog. They agree immediately, and Dublin11 becomes a fixture in their home, a living link to the man who saved Carter1's life and who now depends on them in return.
The dual crises of Adam's heartbreak and Hank's decline serve as contrasting mirrors for Carter's own relationship. Adam's situation is a cautionary tale about ignoring red flags and the cost of misplaced trust. Hank's dependence reminds Carter that love requires accepting inevitable loss and reciprocal care. Taking in Dublin is both a practical kindness and a symbolic act: Carter is building a family, animal and human, that he will protect fiercely. This protective instinct will be tested in the coming conflict with Courtney.
Stanley Cup Glory
In Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals on home ice, the Vipers are tied with under a minute left in overtime. Carter1 takes a pass, spins around a defenseman, and flicks the puck over the goalie's shoulder. The arena erupts. Before lifting the Cup, Carter1 skates to the bench where Olivia2 stands weeping with his mother12 and sister.13
He pulls her close through the glass and thanks her for making him feel like everything is within reach. He tells her that while the Cup is his childhood dream, she is what makes his world complete. Later, at the team celebration, a vindictive Courtney9 reappears with something in her hand that will change everything.
The Cup win is Carter's professional apotheosis, the achievement that should define his life. Yet his immediate instinct is to redirect the glory to Olivia, publicly declaring that she matters more than the trophy. This moment crystallizes his transformation from a man whose identity was hockey to one whose identity is partnership. His gratitude to her for making him feel like everything is within reach acknowledges that his professional success and personal happiness are intertwined, not competing.
Two Women at the Hotel
At the post- Cup celebration, Courtney9 and her friend Raegan waylay Carter.1 Courtney9 dangles his phone before him, displaying one of the private photos of Olivia she has already copied to her own device. She threatens to distribute the images unless Carter1 breaks up with Olivia.2
She wants revenge: she blames Olivia2 and Carter1 for Adam6's refusal to forgive her infidelity. Panicked and desperate to protect Olivia2 from public exposure and potential job loss, Carter1 agrees to go with them to a nearby hotel, hoping to negotiate and regain control of the images.
Paparazzi capture the three entering the hotel together. By morning, photos and salacious headlines are everywhere, branding Carter1 a cheater who lured Olivia2 into a false sense of security.
This is the book's most devastating reversal. The photos that symbolized trust become instruments of coercion. Carter's decision to go with Courtney rather than immediately confess to Olivia is catastrophic but psychologically consistent: he defaults to the protector role, attempting to solve the crisis alone. His silence is not guilt but paralysis, a man who has spent his life controlling situations now powerless, terrified that the life he built will collapse if he makes one wrong move. The public narrative fills the vacuum his silence creates.
Locked Out of Home
Olivia2 sees the hotel photos and articles claiming Carter1 cheated with two women. When he finally comes home, she demands the truth, but he cannot speak. His shame and fear choke the words. She packs a bag and leaves, sobbing that she trusted him when everyone warned her not to. Over the following days, Carter1 isolates himself, changes the door code to keep out well-meaning friends, and spirals.
When Olivia2 shows up days later and finds the new code does not work, she breaks down on the porch, believing he has permanently locked her out of his life. Dublin11 finds her there, and Carter1 emerges, pulling her into his arms as they both weep. She tells him she will not leave if he will just tell her the truth.
The changed door code, intended as a boundary against intrusions, becomes a metaphor for emotional barricading. Olivia's assumption that she has been permanently excluded echoes her deepest fear: that she was never truly inside Carter's inner world, merely a visitor. Their reunion on the porch, mediated by the dog who symbolizes their shared commitment to Hank, represents the collapse of Carter's misguided attempt to handle the crisis alone. She refuses to let him protect her by excluding her.
The Police Report
Olivia2 refuses to let Carter1 shut her out any longer. Sitting on his front porch, she demands the full story, and he finally tells her about Courtney9's blackmail.
He explains he filed a police report the day after the incident but authorities could not locate Courtney9 until Raegan, overcome with guilt, turned herself in with her phone full of incriminating messages detailing Courtney9's intent to distribute the photos regardless of whether Carter1 complied.
Police arrest both women on charges related to nonconsensual distribution of intimate images. The nightmare ends. Carter1 gives Olivia2 his new phone, the shattered old one discarded, and she sees her own laughing face on his home screen. They reconcile fully, choosing each other with open eyes.
The resolution turns on accountability: Carter's police report is an act of institutional trust, asking the system to deliver justice rather than trying to fix everything himself. Raegan's guilty conscience provides the missing evidence, a narrative grace note suggesting that even accomplices have limits. Olivia's choice to demand the truth rather than flee permanently represents her own growth from the woman who once walked away at the first sign of trouble. They have both learned that crisis requires collaboration, not heroic isolation.
Proposal at Cara's Wedding
At Cara3 and Emmett4's weekend wedding in Whistler, Carter1 gives a best man speech that is equal parts heartfelt and inappropriate, losing track of his allowed curse words within seconds. When the bouquet toss comes, Cara3 bypasses the crowd of single women entirely and hands her flowers directly to Olivia.2
Carter1 steps forward, dropping to one knee with a ring he designed months ago with Cara3's help. He tells Olivia2 she is his best friend, his cheerleader, the person who makes everything make sense. He does not so much ask as declare his intention to marry her. Olivia,2 laughing and crying, already wearing his ring in her mind, says yes as the ballroom erupts.
The public proposal is quintessential Carter: extravagant, performative, and utterly sincere. By choosing Cara's wedding, he honors their closest friends while ensuring Olivia cannot hide from the declaration. His phrasing blurs the line between asking and demanding, which could read as controlling but in context reflects their dynamic: he knows her answer, and she knows he knows. The diamond ring replaces the candy Ring Pop, making literal the promise he made in jest months earlier.
The Oops Heard Worldwide
On their wedding day in November, Olivia2 walks down the aisle in a maple-toned lace gown. Carter,1 unable to wait, runs to meet her halfway, lifting her into his arms and kissing her fiercely.
They exchange vows surrounded by family: Hank7 delivers a speech about a love that never ends, Alannah10 catches the bouquet, and baby Jem toddles down the aisle munching a flower petal. During the champagne toast, a server offers Olivia2 a glass, and Carter1 instinctively places a protective hand over her barely-there belly, calling her 'little mama.'
He has just revealed her pregnancy to all two hundred and fifty guests. Olivia2 narrows her eyes but cannot maintain her glare. Carter1 grins his crooked grin, shrugs, and says 'Oops.' Dublin11 wags his tail in a pup-tux at their feet.
The accidental pregnancy announcement mirrors the book's opening: Carter speaking without thinking, his unfiltered joy overwhelming any social script. But where his early thoughtlessness hurt people, this blunder is born of pride and excitement. The circle closes: the playboy who once kicked women out of his bed now cannot stop himself from telling the world he is going to be a father. The journey from terrified-of-commitment to eager-to-proclaim is the book's emotional thesis, embodied in a single, unscripted syllable: oops.
Epilogue
On their wedding day in November, Olivia2 walks down the aisle in a maple-toned lace gown. Carter,1 unable to wait, runs to meet her halfway, lifting her into his arms and kissing her fiercely.
They exchange vows surrounded by family: Hank7 delivers a speech about a love that never ends, Alannah10 catches the bouquet, and baby Jem toddles down the aisle munching a flower petal. During the champagne toast, a server offers Olivia2 a glass, and Carter1 instinctively places a protective hand over her barely-there belly, calling her 'little mama.'
He has just revealed her pregnancy to all two hundred and fifty guests. Olivia2 narrows her eyes but cannot maintain her glare. Carter1 grins his crooked grin, shrugs, and says 'Oops.' Dublin11 wags his tail in a pup-tux at their feet.
The accidental pregnancy announcement mirrors the book's opening: Carter speaking without thinking, his unfiltered joy overwhelming any social script. But where his early thoughtlessness hurt people, this blunder is born of pride and excitement. The circle closes: the playboy who once kicked women out of his bed now cannot stop himself from telling the world he is going to be a father. The journey from terrified-of-commitment to eager-to-proclaim is the book's emotional thesis, embodied in a single, unscripted syllable: oops.
Analysis
At its heart, Consider Me is about the gap between reputation and identity. Carter Beckett1 has spent a decade curating a persona as the NHL's most untouchable playboy, and that persona has become a prison. Everyone, including the woman he loves,2 assumes the mask is the man. The book's central question is not whether Carter1 can change (he already has, internally, by the time he meets Olivia2) but whether he can convince others, and himself, that the change is real.
The narrative structure mirrors this theme through its dual point of view. Carter1's chapters reveal a man who is goofy, emotionally raw, and terrified of loss, while Olivia2's chapters show a woman who sees exactly those qualities but cannot trust them because the public record contradicts them. Their conflict is not about incompatibility but about competing evidence: her heart versus his history.
The blackmail plot functions as the crucible in which their relationship is tested. Courtney9's scheme weaponizes the very intimacy Carter1 and Olivia2 built, turning trust into vulnerability. Carter1's catastrophic decision to handle the crisis alone, rather than immediately confiding in Olivia,2 is the book's most psychologically acute beat. It demonstrates that changing behavior is easier than changing instinct: when threatened, Carter1 reverts to the protector role that served him after his father's death, forgetting that partnership requires shared burden.
The supporting cast reinforces the theme of earned love. Hank,7 who saved Carter1's life through stubborn kindness, models unconditional regard. Adam,6 who is betrayed by Courtney,9 provides the shadow narrative of what happens when trust is misplaced. Cara3 and Emmett4's swift, certain love offers a counterpoint to Carter1 and Olivia2's protracted, difficult journey, suggesting that different paths can reach the same destination.
The book's treatment of public life is particularly sharp for a sports romance. Olivia2's fear is not of Carter1 but of the narrative that surrounds him, the endless articles and photographs that reduce complex humans to archetypes. Her journey is learning to trust her private knowledge of him over the public story, a skill increasingly relevant in an age of curated personas and weaponized reputation.
Ultimately, Consider Me argues that love is not a single moment of transformation but an ongoing act of choosing. Carter1 chooses Olivia2 every day: by showing up, by being vulnerable, by failing and trying again. Their happily-ever-after is not guaranteed by a ring or a wedding but by the accumulated evidence of those daily choices, a body of proof that finally outweighs the shadow of his past.
Review Summary
Consider Me receives mixed reviews, with some readers loving the cute, fluffy romance between Carter and Olivia, while others criticize its length, repetitive content, and character development. Positive reviews praise the reformed playboy trope, Carter's devotion, and the strong friendships. Negative reviews cite issues with unrealistic character behavior, overemphasis on physical attributes, and cringeworthy dialogue. Many readers found the book too long and lacking substantial plot, but some still enjoyed it as a light, entertaining read despite its flaws.
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Characters
Carter Beckett
NHL captain turned devoted partnerThe twenty-seven-year-old captain of the Vancouver Vipers, an NHL superstar who has spent his twenties racking up one-night stands and avoiding emotional attachment. Beneath the cocky, dimpled exterior is a man shaped by profound loss: his father's sudden death when Carter was twenty, and his mother12's subsequent grief taught him that love means vulnerability to devastating pain. He is goofy, fiercely loyal to his friends and family, and communicates affection through grand gestures and physical touch. His journey involves learning that real intimacy requires surrendering control, not just performing devotion. With Olivia2, he discovers a capacity for committed, monogamous love he genuinely did not believe he possessed, transforming from a man who kept a separate condo for casual encounters into someone who builds pillow forts for Disney movie nights.
Olivia Parker
High school teacher, fierce but softA twenty-five-year-old high school phys-ed teacher and former hockey player who moved across Canada from Ontario for university and never left. Petite at five foot one, sarcastic, and self-protective, she hides deep sensitivity beneath a prickly exterior. Her fear of being just another conquest in Carter1's long history is rooted in genuine insecurity, not prudishness. She is an all-in person who cannot do casual, which makes her initial resistance to Carter1 a survival mechanism rather than a game. Her arc involves learning to trust her own judgment about people rather than defaulting to defensive withdrawal. She is an excellent aunt to her niece Alannah10 and nephew Jem, and a coach who commands respect from teenage boys twice her size. Her confidence is amplified, not diminished, by Carter1's love.
Cara
Fierce best friend and brideOlivia2's best friend since university and eventual wife of Emmett Brodie4. An event planner by trade with a personality that is equal parts terrifying and fiercely loving, she initially warned Olivia2 away from Carter1 but later became his ally in winning her back. She is the bridge between Olivia2 and the hockey world, and her own relationship with Emmett4 models the kind of all-consuming, slightly chaotic love that Olivia2 and Carter1 eventually build. Her engagement party and wedding serve as pivotal backdrops for the central romance. She has no qualms about threatening castration if Carter1 hurts her best friend.
Emmett Brodie
Steady best friend and teammateCarter1's best friend and teammate, an assistant captain for the Vipers. He is the steady, grounded counterpoint to Carter1's impulsivity, and his relationship with Cara3 provides Carter1 with a template for what committed partnership looks like. He is protective of both Carter1 and Olivia2, often stuck in the middle as their relationship develops. His wedding to Cara3 becomes the stage for Carter1's proposal.
Garrett Andersen
Comic relief right-wingerThe team's right-winger, a Nova Scotian with an east-coast drawl and a carefree attitude. He provides comic relief, serves as Olivia2's beer pong partner (earning Carter1's jealousy), and bets on their relationship milestones. His single lifestyle and easy charm contrast with Carter1's growing domestication, and he develops an awkward crush on Carter1's sister Jennie13.
Adam Lockwood
Kind-hearted goalie, betrayed partnerThe Vipers' star goalie and the youngest of the core group. He is kind-hearted and deeply loyal, which makes his girlfriend Courtney9's betrayal particularly cruel. He catches her in bed with another man and finally ends a relationship that had been deteriorating for months. His arc of being cheated on and eventually standing up for himself parallels and reinforces the book's themes about trust and self-respect. He is named playoff MVP and receives the Cup from Carter1.
Hank
Elderly blind mentor and familyAn eighty-three-year-old blind man who befriended Carter1 on the worst night of his life, seven years before the story begins. He lost his wife Ireland to cancer and his vision to a hereditary condition, yet maintains irreverent humor and a love of smutty romance novels. He saved Carter1 from driving drunk the night Carter1's father died, and has been a constant presence ever since. He functions as Carter1's moral compass and emotional anchor, the person who reminds him he is capable of being loved and loving in return. When he moves to assisted living, Carter1 and Olivia2 adopt his dog Dublin11.
Jeremy Parker
Olivia's protective older brotherOlivia2's brother, four years her senior. He moved to Vancouver for university and stayed, and Olivia2 followed. A former one-night stand who accidentally impregnated a woman and ended up marrying her, he is hypocritically protective when Olivia2 dates a man with Carter1's reputation. He eventually warms to Carter1 after seeing how good he is with his children, and his signed jersey from Carter1 becomes a prized possession.
Courtney
Adam's cheating, vindictive girlfriendAdam6's girlfriend of nearly a decade who cheats on him and then blames Carter1 and Olivia2 when Adam6 refuses to forgive her. She makes unwanted advances toward Carter1 and, when rejected, orchestrates a blackmail scheme involving Olivia2's private photos. She represents toxic entitlement and the destructive consequences of refusing to take responsibility for one's own actions. Her arrest provides the resolution to the book's central crisis.
Alannah
Olivia's hockey-loving nieceJeremy8's seven-year-old daughter who plays hockey and immediately hero-worships Carter1. She calls him 'dude,' shares his love of Oreos, and publicly declares at a press scrum that she hopes he marries her aunt2 and they have lots of babies. Her unfiltered adoration provides both humor and foreshadowing for the book's ending.
Dublin
Hank's golden retriever guide dogA golden retriever who is more beloved pet than working guide dog. When Hank7 moves to assisted living, Carter1 and Olivia2 adopt him, making him a symbol of their expanding family unit. He is present at key emotional moments, including finding Olivia2 crying on the porch when she thinks Carter1 has locked her out.
Holly Beckett
Carter's hopeful, widowed motherCarter1's mother who has struggled to move past her husband Theo's death seven years ago. She desperately wants Carter1 to find love and settle down, even setting an extra place at Christmas dinner in hopes he will bring a girlfriend. She embraces Olivia2 immediately as family and is thrilled when Carter1 finally finds his person.
Jennie Beckett
Carter's competitive younger sisterCarter1's younger sister, a competitive dancer at Simon Fraser University. She shares Carter1's sharp tongue, competitive streak, and dimpled smile. She bonds with Olivia2 over horseback riding lessons (which Carter1 accidentally-on-purpose funds) and has a contentious but flirtatious dynamic with Garrett5.
Plot Devices
The Intimate Photos
Trust gift turned blackmail weaponDuring a consensual trust-building sexual encounter where Olivia2 allows Carter1 to blindfold her, Carter1 takes photographs of her with her permission. He stores them in a password-protected folder on his phone. These images symbolize the depth of their trust and intimacy. Months later, Courtney9 steals Carter1's phone and copies the photos, using them to blackmail him: she threatens to distribute the images online unless Carter1 breaks up with Olivia2. The photos thus become the central dramatic device of the climax, transforming an act of love into a weapon of coercion. Their existence drives the entire third-act crisis.
Carter's Downtown Condo
Symbol of his divided, playboy pastA luxury apartment Carter1 kept specifically for bringing one-night stands after games, separate from his actual home in North Vancouver. Its existence represents Carter1's compartmentalization of his life before Olivia2. When he impulsively brings Olivia2 there after a fight, she is horrified by the drawers full of condoms and phone numbers, triggering her deepest insecurities about being just another conquest. Carter1 sells the condo shortly afterward without telling her, a symbolic act of integration that signals his commitment to a unified life with her.
Oreos
Recurring motif of compatibility and domesticityCarter1's favorite cookie appears at key moments: he shares them with Olivia2 at the Christmas fundraiser, orders her an extra-bacon pizza (a play on his love of Oreos), and they bond over an Oreo-themed slumber party with Alannah10. When Carter1 tells Olivia2 he loves her, he says he would choose her over Oreos for the rest of his life, his highest possible compliment. The cookies become shorthand for their shared joy and the small domestic rituals that build a life together.
The Lanyard Gift
Proof Carter sees Olivia as an individualCarter1's Christmas present to Olivia2, a personalized rose gold lanyard for her school ID badge with a hockey skate charm and engraving calling her the 'world's hottest teacher.' Unlike generic jewelry, this gift is tailored specifically to Olivia2's identity as a teacher and former hockey player. Olivia2 receives it the morning she flees Carter1's house after their first night together, and its thoughtfulness becomes evidence that his feelings are real, even as she is too scared to trust them.
Hockey and the Stanley Cup
Professional arena for personal transformationCarter1's career provides the public stage on which his private transformation plays out. Games become opportunities for him to publicly declare his feelings through goal dedications and jumbotron shout-outs. The Stanley Cup Finals serve as the backdrop for the story's climax: the team's victory is immediately followed by Courtney9's blackmail scheme. Carter1's choice to thank Olivia2 before lifting the Cup, and his later willingness to risk his reputation by filing a police report, demonstrate that his priorities have fundamentally shifted from hockey to partnership.
FAQ
Synopsis & Basic Details
What is Consider Me about?
- Opposites Attract Hockey Romance: Consider Me explores the unexpected connection between Carter Beckett, a notorious playboy hockey captain, and Olivia Parker, a cautious high school teacher, as they navigate their growing feelings and the challenges of their contrasting worlds.
- Beyond the Playboy Facade: The story delves into Carter's internal struggle to reconcile his past with his desire for a genuine relationship, while Olivia grapples with her insecurities and the fear of being hurt.
- A Journey of Self-Discovery: It's a journey of self-discovery for both characters as they learn to trust, communicate, and embrace vulnerability, ultimately questioning their preconceived notions about love and relationships.
Why should I read Consider Me?
- Emotional Depth and Character Growth: The novel offers a compelling exploration of complex characters, their internal conflicts, and their emotional growth as they navigate the challenges of love and trust.
- Intriguing Blend of Humor and Heat: Becka Mack masterfully blends humor, witty banter, and steamy romance, creating a captivating and engaging reading experience that keeps you hooked.
- Redemption and Forgiveness: The story provides a hopeful message about redemption and second chances, showing that even those with a troubled past can find genuine love and build a meaningful future.
What is the background of Consider Me?
- Contemporary Setting: The story is set in the present day, with references to modern technology, social media, and contemporary culture, making it relatable to a modern audience.
- Sports Culture: The novel is deeply rooted in the world of professional hockey, providing a glimpse into the lives of athletes, their demanding schedules, and the pressures they face both on and off the ice.
- Cultural Contrasts: The story explores the cultural contrasts between the fast-paced, high-profile world of professional sports and the more grounded, everyday life of a high school teacher, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that arise when these two worlds collide.
What are the most memorable quotes in Consider Me?
- "I'm gonna score a goal for you.": This quote, spoken by Carter to Olivia, showcases his initial arrogance and determination to win her over, while also foreshadowing his genuine desire to impress her.
- "I don't do one-night stands, Carter.": Olivia's firm declaration establishes her boundaries and challenges Carter's usual approach to relationships, setting the stage for their unique dynamic.
- "I think I love you, Ollie.": Carter's vulnerable confession marks a turning point in their relationship, revealing his genuine feelings and his willingness to embrace a love that scares him.
What writing style, narrative choices, and literary techniques does Becka Mack use?
- Dual POV Narrative: The story is told from both Carter and Olivia's perspectives, allowing readers to gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and motivations, creating a more immersive and emotionally resonant experience.
- Witty Dialogue and Sarcasm: Becka Mack employs witty dialogue and sarcasm to create a lighthearted and engaging tone, while also using it to reveal the characters' personalities and their internal conflicts.
- Emotional Intensity and Vulnerability: The author skillfully balances humor with moments of intense emotion and vulnerability, creating a story that is both entertaining and deeply moving, drawing readers into the characters' journey.
Hidden Details & Subtle Connections
What are some minor details that add significant meaning?
- The Oreo Obsession: Carter's love for Oreos, initially presented as a quirky habit, becomes a symbol of his comfort and vulnerability, and a way to connect with Olivia, who shares a similar love for the treat.
- The Color Green: The recurring mention of the color green, particularly in reference to Carter's eyes, becomes a subtle motif that represents his allure and the way Olivia is drawn to him, highlighting the magnetic pull between them.
- The Use of Nicknames: The evolution of nicknames, from "sweetheart" to "Ollie" and "pumpkin," reflects the growing intimacy and affection between Carter and Olivia, showcasing the development of their relationship.
What are some subtle foreshadowing and callbacks?
- The "No Sleepovers" Rule: Carter's initial declaration of "I don't do sleepovers" foreshadows his eventual willingness to break his own rules for Olivia, highlighting the transformative power of their connection.
- The Piggyback Ride: The mention of a piggyback ride early in the story foreshadows the later scene where Carter actually offers Olivia one, showcasing his playful nature and his desire to break down her walls.
- The "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" Song: The recurring reference to John Mayer's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" foreshadows the tumultuous nature of their relationship, hinting at the potential for heartbreak and the need to navigate their feelings carefully.
What are some unexpected character connections?
- Hank and Carter's Bond: The deep friendship between Carter and Hank, an elderly blind man, reveals a softer side of Carter and highlights his capacity for compassion and loyalty, showcasing his ability to connect with people beyond superficial relationships.
- Cara and Olivia's Sisterhood: The strong bond between Cara and Olivia, often presented through their shared humor and support, reveals a deep-seated connection that transcends their differences, highlighting the importance of female friendships.
- Jeremy and Carter's Reluctant Respect: The evolution of Jeremy's relationship with Carter, from initial skepticism to grudging acceptance, showcases the power of genuine connection and the ability to overcome preconceived notions.
Who are the most significant supporting characters?
- Cara: As Olivia's best friend, Cara provides unwavering support, a dose of reality, and a source of humor, playing a crucial role in Olivia's journey of self-discovery and her relationship with Carter.
- Emmett: As Carter's best friend, Emmett offers a grounded perspective, a voice of reason, and a source of loyalty, helping Carter navigate his feelings and his past.
- Hank: As Carter's friend and mentor, Hank provides wisdom, guidance, and a unique perspective on love and life, challenging Carter's preconceived notions and encouraging him to embrace vulnerability.
Psychological, Emotional, & Relational Analysis
What are some unspoken motivations of the characters?
- Carter's Fear of Vulnerability: Beneath his confident exterior, Carter is driven by a deep-seated fear of vulnerability, which stems from his past experiences and his desire to protect himself from heartbreak.
- Olivia's Need for Security: Olivia's reluctance to fully embrace her feelings for Carter is rooted in her need for security and her fear of being hurt, which stems from her desire for a stable and lasting relationship.
- Courtney's Desire for Validation: Courtney's actions are driven by a need for validation and a desire to undermine Carter's happiness, stemming from her own insecurities and her inability to accept the end of her relationship with Adam.
What psychological complexities do the characters exhibit?
- Carter's Internal Conflict: Carter struggles with the conflict between his desire for a genuine relationship and his fear of vulnerability, leading to a push-and-pull dynamic in his interactions with Olivia.
- Olivia's Insecurities: Olivia's insecurities about her appearance and her worthiness of love are exacerbated by the media's portrayal of Carter's past, leading to self-doubt and a reluctance to fully embrace her feelings.
- Adam's Self-Blame: Adam's tendency to blame himself for his relationship struggles reveals a deep-seated insecurity and a desire to be a good partner, highlighting the emotional toll of his relationship with Courtney.
What are the major emotional turning points?
- Olivia's Rejection: Olivia's repeated rejections of Carter's advances force him to confront his usual approach to relationships and consider a more genuine connection, marking a turning point in his character development.
- The Jumbotron Incident: The moment when Carter puts Olivia on the jumbotron, while intended as a grand gesture, backfires and forces Olivia to confront her fears of public scrutiny and her desire for privacy.
- The Discovery of the Photos: The revelation of the photos and the subsequent miscommunication between Carter and Olivia forces them to confront their deepest fears and insecurities, leading to a period of emotional turmoil and self-reflection.
How do relationship dynamics evolve?
- From Casual to Committed: The relationship between Carter and Olivia evolves from a casual encounter to a deep, committed partnership, as they learn to navigate their fears, communicate their needs, and embrace vulnerability.
- From Skepticism to Acceptance: The relationship between Jeremy and Carter evolves from initial skepticism to grudging acceptance, as Jeremy recognizes Carter's genuine feelings for Olivia and his willingness to protect her.
- From Competition to Support: The relationship between Carter and Emmett evolves from a competitive dynamic to one of mutual support and understanding, as they learn to navigate their personal lives and their careers together.
Interpretation & Debate
Which parts of the story remain ambiguous or open-ended?
- The Long-Term Impact of Fame: The story leaves open the question of how Carter and Olivia will navigate the challenges of fame and public scrutiny in the long term, particularly as their relationship becomes more public.
- The Future of Adam and Courtney: The story leaves the future of Adam and Courtney's relationship ambiguous, highlighting the complexities of love and the challenges of moving on from a broken heart.
- The Extent of Carter's Transformation: While Carter undergoes significant character development, the story leaves open the question of whether he has fully overcome his past and whether he will be able to maintain his commitment to Olivia in the long term.
What are some debatable, controversial scenes or moments in Consider Me?
- Carter's Initial Pursuit of Olivia: Carter's initial pursuit of Olivia, characterized by his arrogance and his attempts to seduce her, may be seen as problematic by some readers, raising questions about consent and power dynamics.
- Olivia's Internal Conflict: Olivia's internal conflict between her desire for a genuine relationship and her fear of being hurt may be seen as frustrating by some readers, who may question her ability to trust and embrace love.
- The Media's Portrayal of Carter: The media's relentless focus on Carter's past relationships may be seen as a commentary on the challenges of public life and the way the media can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
Consider Me Ending Explained: How It Ends & What It Means
- A Promise of Forever: The ending of Consider Me sees Carter and Olivia finally committing to a future together, with Carter proposing marriage and Olivia accepting, signifying their willingness to embrace a lifetime of love and partnership.
- Overcoming Fears and Insecurities: The ending highlights the couple's journey of overcoming their fears and insecurities, as they learn to trust each other and embrace vulnerability, showcasing the transformative power of love.
- A Hopeful Future: The ending offers a hopeful message about the possibility of new beginnings and the enduring power of love, suggesting that even those with a troubled past can find happiness and build a meaningful future together.
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