Stranger in the Club

Emory, a reclusive YA novelist, finds focus writing in a secretive sex club—until a magnetic stranger, River, disrupts his routine. Their eyes meet across the room, igniting instant, electric attraction. River, a famous drummer, is being pleasured in public but only has eyes for Emory. Their banter is charged, honest, and unexpectedly vulnerable. River's fame and Emory's anonymity create a paradoxical intimacy. The club's anonymity allows them to drop pretenses, and a bold, sensual kiss while River is still being serviced blurs boundaries. Both are left shaken, craving more, and aware that something rare has begun.

Kisses and Confessions

River, overwhelmed by the intensity of their kiss, is forced to confront his own loneliness and the emotional cost of fame. He confides in Emory about the isolating nature of celebrity, the transactional emptiness of groupies, and his hunger for genuine connection. Emory, in turn, is drawn to River's vulnerability and the way he makes him feel seen. Their conversation is raw, awkward, and real, setting the stage for a connection that is more than physical. Both men are left wanting, but circumstances and protective friends keep them apart, fueling their mutual obsession.

Lonely Fame, Hungry Hearts

River returns to his hotel, wrestling with the emptiness of his rockstar life and the growing distance within his band. He reconnects with Iris, his troubled best friend and bandmate, whose struggles with addiction and heartbreak mirror River's own sense of loss. Their late-night conversation is laced with nostalgia, pain, and the unspoken fear that their success is tearing them apart. River's encounter with Emory lingers in his mind, a rare spark of hope in a world that feels increasingly hollow.

Best Friends and Brokenness

Iris and River's friendship is tested by addiction, shifting alliances, and the pressures of fame. Iris's pain is both a source of creative inspiration and self-destruction. River tries to be supportive, but feels helpless as Iris spirals. Their conversation reveals the deep bonds and fractures within the band, and the ways in which each member is coping—or failing to cope—with the demands of their new reality. River's longing for Emory becomes a symbol of the intimacy and stability he craves.

Obsession Ignites

River, unable to forget Emory, enlists Iris as his wingman to return to the club. After a tense, comedic search, River and Emory reconnect. Their chemistry is undeniable, and this time, they give in to it fully. The night is a blur of passion, laughter, and confessions. They share their creative processes, their fears, and their bodies. The experience is transformative for both, shattering old patterns and awakening new desires. The boundaries between sex, friendship, and love begin to blur.

The Morning After

Emory wakes in River's bed, overwhelmed by the intensity of their night together. Fearing attachment and heartbreak, he slips away before River wakes. River is devastated by Emory's absence, realizing how much he wants more than a fling. Both men are left raw and exposed, haunted by what might have been. Their friends notice the change, and the seeds of something deeper are sown, even as both try to convince themselves it was just a one-night stand.

Searching for Connection

Emory flees to his remote family cabin to write, seeking solitude and escape from his feelings. River, unable to let go, tracks him down—hiking through snow and bribing gatekeepers. Their reunion is charged with relief, desire, and the unspoken fear of rejection. River's grand gesture breaks through Emory's defenses, and they agree to spend time together in the cabin, working and loving side by side. The isolation allows them to explore intimacy, trust, and the possibility of something real.

Cabin in the Woods

In the cabin, Emory and River fall into a rhythm of work, sex, and quiet companionship. Their creative blocks dissolve in each other's presence. Vulnerabilities are shared: Emory's grief for his father, River's fear of repeating his family's mistakes, and their mutual terror of being left behind. The cabin becomes a sanctuary, a place where they can be themselves without judgment. Their connection deepens, but the outside world—and the demands of their careers—loom on the horizon.

Naked Truths

As their time in the cabin draws to a close, Emory and River are forced to confront the realities of their lives. River is called away by a band emergency, and Emory is left alone with his fears. They negotiate the terms of their relationship: friends with benefits, no expectations, only "ownership" when in the same city. Both are unsatisfied, but too afraid to ask for more. The rules are meant to protect them, but only highlight their longing and insecurity.

Boundaries and Beginnings

Emory joins River and the band on tour, experiencing the chaos and temptation of fame firsthand. Jealousy, rumors, and the ever-present threat of exposure test their fragile arrangement. The band's internal struggles come to a head, with Iris's addiction and Cas's unrequited love threatening to tear them apart. Emory and River's connection is both a refuge and a source of tension, as they struggle to balance desire, trust, and the demands of their careers.

Tour Life Temptations

The pressures of the road intensify. Emory is confronted by River's admirers and the realities of being with someone constantly in the spotlight. Jealousy flares, but so does understanding. Iris and Cas's volatile relationship explodes, forcing the band to confront their own dysfunction. Emory and River are forced to decide what they want from each other, and whether they can trust in what they have.

Jealousy and Joy

A video shoot in Spain brings joy, celebration, and new challenges. Emory is drawn into River's world, experiencing both the thrill and the anxiety of being "shipped" by fans. A public display of affection outs their relationship to the band, forcing them to confront their fears of exposure. The moment is both terrifying and liberating, as they realize they no longer want to hide.

Band on the Brink

The band's fractures deepen as Iris's addiction and Cas's heartbreak come to a head. Alexander, the manager, tries to manipulate the situation for profit, threatening to trap Iris in a never-ending contract. River is torn between loyalty to his friends and his own happiness. Emory becomes a confidant and anchor, helping River see that he cannot save everyone—and that he deserves happiness, too.

The Rules We Make

Emory and River finally confront the rules that have kept them apart. Both admit they have been protecting themselves from heartbreak, but in doing so, have only prolonged their pain. They confess their love, their fears, and their desire to be together—no more rules, no more distance. The decision is made: they will make it work, wherever their careers take them.

Breaking the Pattern

River decides to prioritize Emory, even if it means stepping back from the band. Emory, in turn, commits to traveling with River, making their relationship the center of their lives. The band, with new understanding and boundaries, begins to heal. Iris seeks help, Cas lets go, and the group finds a new equilibrium. Emory and River's love becomes a model for honesty, vulnerability, and mutual care.

Distance and Desire

Even when apart, Emory and River remain connected through calls, messages, and shared creative work. Their longing is no longer a source of pain, but a reminder of what they have chosen. They learn to trust in each other, to ask for what they need, and to find joy in the moments they share. The world may never fully understand them, but they have found a home in each other.

Facing the Past

River confronts his family history, his fear of addiction, and his guilt over not being able to save everyone. Emory faces his grief, his fear of abandonment, and his struggle to believe he deserves happiness. Together, they learn that love is not about fixing each other, but about being present, honest, and willing to grow.

The Only One

Emory and River finally drop all pretense and admit that they are each other's only one. The band, their friends, and even the public come to accept their relationship. The rules are gone, replaced by trust, commitment, and the willingness to fight for each other. Their love is messy, imperfect, and real—a work in progress, but one they choose every day.

Love in the Open

Emory and River settle into a new phase of their lives, balancing creativity, fame, and intimacy. They are no longer hiding, no longer afraid. Their love is public, celebrated, and hard-won. The band finds stability, Iris begins to heal, and Emory and River look to the future with hope. They are, as Emory says, "pretty broken"—but together, they are enough.

Characters

Emory Ker

Emory is a successful YA novelist who struggles with anxiety, grief, and the aftermath of a toxic relationship. He is introspective, observant, and deeply empathetic, but also afraid of vulnerability and abandonment. His writing is both his refuge and his curse, as he pours his pain into his work but often isolates himself in the process. Emory's journey is one of learning to trust, to ask for what he needs, and to believe that he is worthy of love. His relationship with River challenges him to break old patterns and embrace the messiness of real intimacy.

River Wade

River is the drummer for Pretty Broken, a band catapulted to fame overnight. Outwardly confident and magnetic, he is inwardly haunted by childhood trauma, the isolating effects of celebrity, and a desperate need for genuine connection. River is a caretaker by nature, especially towards his best friend Iris, but often neglects his own needs. His relationship with Emory is transformative, forcing him to confront his fears of intimacy, addiction, and loss. River's arc is about learning to let go of control, accept help, and choose love—even when it's terrifying.

Iris Black

Iris is the band's lead singer and River's closest friend. A gifted lyricist, he channels his pain into music but is consumed by addiction and self-doubt. Iris's relationships are volatile, especially with Cas, and his struggle with fame is both a source of inspiration and destruction. He is fiercely loyal, deeply sensitive, and often self-destructive. Iris's journey is one of survival, seeking help, and learning that he is worthy of care and friendship.

Caspian (Cas)

Cas is the band's guitarist and Iris's on-again, off-again lover. He is driven by perfectionism, jealousy, and a need to control the chaos around him. Cas's love for Iris is both his strength and his undoing, leading to explosive fights and deep regret. His arc is about letting go, accepting that he cannot save or possess Iris, and learning to love without conditions.

Alister

The band's bassist, Alister is the "good boy" of the group, providing stability and humor. He is less involved in the band's drama but serves as a grounding presence. Alister's old-Hollywood style and easygoing nature make him a fan favorite, and he often acts as a mediator when tensions run high.

Lowe

Lowe is the band's pianist and a classically trained musician. He is more reserved, often keeping to himself or collaborating with other artists. Lowe's detachment is both a coping mechanism and a source of tension within the band, but he is loyal when it matters most.

Octavius

Emory's best friend and the bartender at the club, Octavius is fiercely protective and unafraid to call Emory out on his self-destructive patterns. He serves as a voice of reason, offering tough love and unwavering support. Octavius's own experiences with heartbreak make him wary of River, but he ultimately wants Emory to be happy.

Alexander

The band's manager, Alexander is focused on success and profit, often at the expense of the members' well-being. He is skilled at navigating the industry but is willing to exploit vulnerabilities to keep the band together. Alexander's actions force the group to confront the darker side of fame and the importance of setting boundaries.

Pat (Ex-hole)

Emory's ex-boyfriend, Pat represents the lingering wounds of betrayal and emotional abuse. His attempts to reinsert himself into Emory's life serve as a catalyst for Emory to recognize what he truly wants and deserves in a relationship.

David (Stylist)

The band's stylist, David brings levity and style to the group. He is perceptive, quick with a joke, and helps the members express themselves through fashion. David's presence highlights the importance of chosen family and the ways in which art and identity intersect.

Plot Devices

Dual Narration and Shifting Perspectives

The novel alternates between Emory and River's points of view, allowing readers to experience their internal struggles, desires, and misunderstandings firsthand. This structure deepens empathy and tension, as each character's fears and hopes are laid bare. The shifting perspectives also highlight the ways in which communication—and miscommunication—shape relationships.

Setting as Emotional Mirror

The club, the cabin, the tour, and the studio are more than backdrops—they mirror the characters' emotional journeys. The club is a place of anonymity and risk; the cabin, a sanctuary for healing; the tour, a crucible of temptation and stress; the studio, a space for creation and confrontation. Each setting forces the characters to confront different aspects of themselves and their relationship.

Symbolism of "Ownership" and Rules

The recurring motif of "ownership" and the rules Emory and River set for their relationship serve as both protection and prison. These rules are meant to prevent heartbreak but ultimately force the characters to confront their true desires and fears. The negotiation of boundaries becomes a metaphor for the work of intimacy and trust.

Foreshadowing and Parallelism

The fractures within the band—addiction, jealousy, unrequited love—foreshadow the challenges Emory and River face. The parallel struggles of Iris and Cas serve as a warning and a mirror, highlighting the dangers of secrecy, pride, and avoidance. The resolution of the band's conflicts parallels the protagonists' journey toward honesty and commitment.

Modern Communication

The use of texts, video calls, and social media reflects the realities of modern relationships, especially in the context of fame and distance. These devices both connect and isolate, allowing for intimacy across miles but also fueling anxiety, jealousy, and misunderstanding.

Analysis

Pretty Obsessed is a raw, contemporary romance that explores the intersection of fame, trauma, and the universal longing for connection. At its core, the novel is about two men—each "pretty broken" in their own way—who find in each other the courage to be vulnerable, to ask for what they need, and to believe that they are worthy of love. The story does not shy away from the messiness of real relationships: boundaries are tested, rules are broken, and healing is slow and nonlinear. Through its dual narration, the novel invites readers to empathize with both Emory's guardedness and River's yearning, showing how love is not about fixing each other, but about showing up, again and again, even when it's hard. The band's struggles with addiction, jealousy, and creative burnout serve as both backdrop and parallel, reminding us that art and pain are often intertwined. Ultimately, Pretty Obsessed is a celebration of chosen family, honest communication, and the radical act of loving—and being loved—without conditions. It is a story for anyone who has ever felt not enough, and a reminder that being "pretty broken" is not the end, but the beginning of something real.

Last updated: December 3, 2025