Plot Summary
Lovers in Ancient Pompeii
In the heat and bustle of Pompeii, Lucius and Marcus are inseparable, their love as natural as breathing but shadowed by the expectations of their families and the threat of arranged marriages. Their secret meetings are filled with longing and the ache of knowing their time is limited. As the city's social pressures mount, so does the tension between their desire for each other and the lives they're expected to lead. When Vesuvius erupts, chaos descends, and their final moments together are spent clinging to each other in a collapsing temple, vowing never to let go—even as the world ends around them. Their love, cut short by disaster, is left unresolved, echoing through time.
Fainting at the Carnival
In present-day Orlando, Riley faints at a summer carnival, overwhelmed by a vivid, terrifying dream of ancient Pompeii. His friends—Audrey, Tala, and Duy—rally around him, worried for his health and mental state. The arrival of Jackson, Duy's new neighbor, triggers a sense of déjà vu in Riley, as if he's met Jackson before. The group's dynamic is lively and supportive, but Riley's confusion and the uncanny connection he feels to Jackson hint at something deeper. The fainting spell marks the start of a series of strange, shared experiences that will draw Riley and Jackson together, even as they struggle to understand what's happening to them.
New Friend, Old Wounds
Jackson, new to Orlando and haunted by a scandal in Tallahassee, tries to fit in with Duy's friend group. Riley is wary, his own experiences with bullying and betrayal making him slow to trust. The group's diversity and openness contrast with Jackson's discomfort and the secrets he carries. As they bond over carnival food and awkward small talk, Riley's initial hostility softens, but he remains on guard. The tension between past hurts and the possibility of new friendship is palpable, setting the stage for deeper revelations and the testing of loyalties.
Carnival Connections and Confessions
Left alone together, Riley and Jackson navigate the minefield of small talk, prejudice, and vulnerability. Riley challenges Jackson's assumptions, and Jackson responds with unexpected empathy. Their conversation is interrupted by bullies, leading Riley to impulsively grab Jackson's hand and hide in a fortune-teller's tent. The encounter with the fortune-teller, who mistakes them for a couple, unsettles them both but also sparks curiosity about fate and free will. The night ends with a sense of possibility, as both boys begin to question their first impressions and the strange connection between them.
Secrets, Shame, and Second Chances
Jackson's troubled history comes to light when Riley discovers his involvement in a hazing scandal that left a teammate hospitalized. Confronted, Jackson confesses his guilt and shame, revealing that he ultimately told the truth and sacrificed his future for justice. Riley, moved by Jackson's honesty and remorse, offers forgiveness and friendship. The moment is cathartic, breaking down barriers and allowing both boys to see each other's true selves. Their bond deepens, rooted in shared pain and the hope of redemption.
Fathers, Futures, and Fears
Riley's father, a passionate civil rights lawyer, is eager for his son to follow in his footsteps. Riley, however, is plagued by doubt and a sense of being trapped by choices made in childhood. The pressure to live up to his father's ideals clashes with his own uncertainty about the future. Meanwhile, Jackson's relationship with his own parents is strained by their ambition and disappointment. Both boys grapple with the weight of expectation, the fear of letting down those they love, and the longing to carve out their own paths.
The Truth About Jackson
Riley confronts Jackson about his past, expecting the worst but finding instead a story of regret and courage. Jackson's willingness to face the consequences of his actions and his determination to do the right thing, even at great personal cost, earn Riley's respect and trust. The confrontation becomes a turning point, allowing both boys to move beyond judgment and embrace the possibility of change. Their friendship is solidified, and the seeds of something more are sown.
Forgiveness and Fresh Starts
With the truth out in the open, Riley and Jackson begin to build a genuine friendship. They support each other through awkwardness and uncertainty, finding comfort in shared experiences and mutual understanding. The group's dynamic is strengthened, and the boys start to envision a future where they can be themselves without fear or shame. The possibility of love lingers in the background, waiting for the right moment to bloom.
Skating Toward Something New
A group outing to a retro roller rink becomes a metaphor for the boys' journey—awkward, exhilarating, and full of unexpected twists. Jackson, out of his element, relies on Riley and the others for support, learning to trust and let go. The shared experience brings them closer, breaking down walls and allowing joy to take root. The night ends with laughter, camaraderie, and the sense that something extraordinary is beginning.
The Law, Love, and Letting Go
Riley's internship at the ACLU is both a source of pride and anxiety, as he struggles to reconcile his father's dreams with his own desires. Late-night conversations with Jackson become a lifeline, offering solace and clarity. Both boys confront their fears—of failure, of rejection, of not being enough—and begin to imagine a future defined by their own choices. The possibility of love becomes more tangible, but so do the risks.
The Volcano Erupts
In a vivid dream, Riley relives the final moments of Lucius and Marcus in Pompeii, their love and lives cut short by catastrophe. The dream is more than a memory—it's a warning, a reminder of the fragility of happiness and the power of fate. The boys' vow to never let go echoes across time, binding them together even as the world crumbles around them. The sense of unfinished business lingers, haunting their waking lives.
Nightmares and Déjà Vu
Both Riley and Jackson experience increasingly vivid and interconnected dreams of past lives, each ending in tragedy. The dreams blur the line between memory and imagination, leaving them shaken and searching for answers. The sense of déjà vu intensifies, as does the fear that their connection is both a blessing and a curse. The boys begin to suspect that their bond transcends time, but the implications are terrifying.
Pancakes and Promises
A morning spent making pancakes becomes a moment of healing and connection. Jackson offers practical advice about Riley's future, encouraging him to try new things and trust himself. Their banter is playful and intimate, hinting at deeper feelings. The promise of support and understanding becomes a foundation for their relationship, even as uncertainty looms.
The Photo and the Past
Jackson's ex-girlfriend, Micaela, reappears, stirring up old emotions and complicating his feelings for Riley. A photo from the roller rink becomes a symbol of the life Jackson is trying to build—and the parts he's still afraid to share. The tension between past and present, secrecy and honesty, threatens to unravel the progress he's made. The need to choose between comfort and authenticity becomes urgent.
The Ex Returns
Riley's ex, Alex, reaches out seeking forgiveness. Their conversation is awkward but cathartic, allowing Riley to let go of old pain and recognize how much he's grown. The encounter is a reminder that healing is possible, but also that some wounds never fully disappear. The past continues to shape the present, but it no longer defines it.
The Almost Kiss
A photo shoot for Duy's fashion portfolio brings Riley and Jackson physically and emotionally closer than ever. The tension between them is electric, culminating in an almost-kiss interrupted by Jackson's aunt. The moment is both exhilarating and devastating, forcing them to confront the depth of their feelings and the risks of acting on them. The fear of rejection and the longing for connection collide, leaving both boys reeling.
The Witch's Warning
Desperate for answers, Riley and Jackson track down Jocasta, a modern-day psychic who is the reincarnation of the witch from their dreams. She reveals the truth: their souls are bound by a love so powerful it defies death, but the universe is determined to break the cycle by killing them before they can grow old together. The only way to survive is to break their bond and stay apart. The choice is agonizing—love and die, or let go and live.
Breaking the Cycle
Faced with the knowledge that their love is both their greatest gift and their doom, Riley and Jackson make the impossible decision to break up. The pain is overwhelming, leaving them hollow and adrift. Their friends rally around them, but nothing can fill the void left by the loss of each other. The cycle of love and loss seems unbreakable, and hope feels out of reach.
The Final Choice
On Riley's eighteenth birthday—the day fate has always claimed them—circumstances conspire to bring the boys together one last time. A catastrophic accident at a theme park traps Jackson, and Riley must choose: save himself and break the cycle, or stay and face death together. In the end, love wins. Riley refuses to let go, choosing to die with Jackson rather than live without him. Their final moments are filled with love, courage, and the promise that they will always find each other, in this life and every life.
Together, Again, At Last
In the aftermath, the story's emotional arc comes full circle. Riley and Jackson's love, though repeatedly cut short by fate, is unbreakable. Their willingness to choose each other, again and again, becomes an act of defiance and hope. The cycle may continue, but so does their love. The story ends not with despair, but with the certainty that, no matter what, they will always find each other—and never let go.
Characters
Riley Iverson
Riley is a queer teen haunted by the pain of past betrayals and the pressure of living up to his father's ideals. His sharp wit and self-deprecating humor mask deep insecurities and a longing for connection. Riley's journey is one of self-discovery, as he learns to trust, forgive, and open himself to love. His relationship with Jackson is transformative, challenging his cynicism and teaching him the power of vulnerability. Riley's recurring dreams and sense of déjà vu drive the narrative, forcing him to confront the possibility that his love story is both ancient and doomed. Ultimately, Riley's courage lies in his willingness to choose love, even in the face of loss.
Jackson Haines
Jackson is a former football star whose life is upended by a hazing scandal and the weight of his family's expectations. Beneath his athletic exterior lies a sensitive soul, desperate for acceptance and terrified of failure. Jackson's guilt over past mistakes shapes his actions, making him both cautious and fiercely protective. His connection with Riley is immediate and profound, awakening feelings he's never allowed himself to acknowledge. Jackson's struggle to reconcile his desires with his sense of duty is the heart of his character arc. His ultimate act of love is letting go, even when it breaks him, and his greatest hope is that love will find a way.
Duy Nguyen
Duy is the glue that holds the friend group together—a nonbinary fashionista with a sharp tongue and a big heart. Their confidence and humor mask their own insecurities, but their loyalty to their friends is unwavering. Duy's role as matchmaker and mediator is crucial, providing both comic relief and emotional grounding. Their journey is one of self-acceptance and the pursuit of love on their own terms.
Audrey O'Shea
Audrey is Riley's best friend and a force of nature. Her fierce loyalty and quick wit make her both a defender and a challenger. Audrey's relationship with Tala is a model of queer joy and resilience, offering Riley a vision of what's possible. She pushes Riley to be honest with himself and others, never letting him wallow in self-pity for long.
Tala Youssef
Tala is the group's emotional anchor, offering compassion and perspective. Her own struggles with identity and family acceptance mirror Riley's, making her a source of understanding and hope. Tala's gentle encouragement helps Riley and Jackson navigate their fears, and her relationship with Audrey is a testament to the power of love in the face of adversity.
Jocasta Devereaux / Ulfhild
Jocasta is the modern incarnation of the witch Ulfhild, whose family has intersected with Riley and Jackson's across centuries. She embodies the tension between fate and free will, offering warnings and ultimatums that force the boys to confront the consequences of their love. Jocasta's motives are ambiguous—part guide, part adversary—and her presence raises questions about destiny, agency, and the cost of defying the universe.
Lucius / Gaspard / Rorik / Charlie / Thierry
These are the incarnations of Riley and Jackson across history—lovers in Pompeii, Paris, Greenland, and London. Each life is marked by passion, tragedy, and the longing for more time. Their stories are both unique and universal, illustrating the persistence of love and the pain of loss. The memories of these lives haunt the present, shaping the choices Riley and Jackson make and the risks they're willing to take.
Greg Iverson
Riley's dad is a civil rights lawyer whose passion for justice is both inspiring and intimidating. His expectations for Riley are rooted in love but can feel suffocating. Greg's journey is one of learning to let go and trust his son to find his own path, even when it diverges from his own.
Aunt Rachel
Jackson's aunt provides the stability and acceptance he lacks from his parents. Her artistic sensibility and open-mindedness make her a refuge for Jackson, offering wisdom without judgment. Rachel's presence is a reminder that family can be chosen and that love can be unconditional.
Micaela
Jackson's ex-girlfriend represents both the comfort of the familiar and the pain of moving on. Her friendship and understanding help Jackson come to terms with his identity and the need to be honest with himself and others. Micaela's acceptance is a model of grace and maturity.
Plot Devices
Reincarnation and Cyclical Fate
The central device is the cycle of reincarnation—Riley and Jackson are soulmates who find each other in every life, only to die tragically before their love can fully blossom. This cycle is both a blessing and a curse, offering endless chances at love but never allowing it to last. The dreams and memories that bleed into their present lives serve as both foreshadowing and a mechanism for self-discovery, forcing the boys to confront the possibility that their connection is both ancient and doomed.
Dual Narrative Structure
The story alternates between historical and contemporary timelines, with each past life illuminating the struggles and choices of the present. The parallels between the boys' ancient and modern selves create a sense of inevitability, while also highlighting the possibility of change. The use of dreams, déjà vu, and shared memories blurs the line between reality and imagination, deepening the emotional resonance.
Foreshadowing and Prophecy
From the fortune-teller at the carnival to Jocasta's explicit warnings, the narrative is laced with hints of impending tragedy. These devices build tension and suspense, making every moment of happiness feel precarious. The repetition of vows and the motif of "don't let me go" reinforce the sense of unfinished business and the longing for resolution.
The Power of Choice
At the heart of the story is the question of whether love can defy fate. The boys are repeatedly given choices—fight for each other and risk everything, or let go and live. The tension between agency and destiny is explored through their decisions, the consequences they face, and the hope that, this time, things might be different.
Symbolism and Motifs
Recurring symbols—hands clasped, hearts pressed together, vows whispered in the dark—underscore the depth of the boys' connection. The motif of unfinished songs and interrupted lives reinforces the sense that their story is both eternal and incomplete, always reaching for a resolution that remains just out of reach.
Analysis
Don't Let Me Go is a sweeping, emotionally charged exploration of love's persistence in the face of impossible odds. By weaving together contemporary queer coming-of-age with the grandeur and tragedy of historical romance, the novel asks what it means to love deeply, to risk everything, and to defy the forces that would keep us apart. The cycle of reincarnation is both a metaphor for the struggles faced by queer people across time and a literal challenge to the idea that happiness is ever guaranteed. The story's refusal to offer easy answers—insisting instead on the necessity of choice, sacrifice, and hope—makes it both heartbreaking and uplifting. Ultimately, the novel argues that love is worth fighting for, even when the outcome is uncertain, and that the act of choosing each other, again and again, is itself a kind of victory over fate. In a world that often demands conformity and punishes difference, Don't Let Me Go is a testament to the power of queer love to endure, transform, and inspire.
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