Plot Summary
Arrival on the Cape
Architect Tate Donovan arrives in Heatherington, Cape Cod, to design a summer home for his best friend Oscar and Oscar's wife, Lorena. Still reeling from the loss of his beloved sister Sylvia and a recent stay in a psychiatric hospital, Tate is searching for purpose and healing. The idyllic town, with its 1950s charm and ocean views, offers a stark contrast to his isolated, grief-stricken life in New York. Oscar's warmth and the chaos of his family provide comfort, but Tate's emotional wounds are fresh. As he settles into a grand, slightly worn Victorian house—his temporary home—Tate is both hopeful and haunted, sensing that this summer will be a turning point, though he cannot yet imagine how.
Haunted by Loss
Tate's life is defined by loss: his parents' emotional distance, their untimely deaths, and most painfully, the recent passing of his sister Sylvia. Sylvia was his anchor, the only person who truly understood him. Her death plunged him into a deep depression, leading to hospitalization. Through therapy, Tate confronts his privileged but loveless upbringing and the emptiness that success cannot fill. He reflects on his close friendship with Oscar, whose vibrant family life stands in contrast to Tate's loneliness. The chapter explores how grief lingers, coloring every interaction and decision, and how Tate's journey is as much about finding himself as it is about building a house.
The House on the Bluff
The Victorian house where Tate stays is more than a picturesque retreat; it's a place thick with history and mystery. The caretakers, Louise and Reece, seem uneasy about his presence, and the house itself creaks with the weight of untold stories. Tate's first nights are marked by unsettling dreams and fleeting visions—flickers at the edge of his sight, unexplained sounds, and a sense of being watched. The house's isolation amplifies his vulnerability, but also offers a blank canvas for transformation. As Tate explores, he senses that the house is both a refuge and a trap, holding secrets that will soon demand his attention.
Sylvia's Final Messages
Before dying, Sylvia left Tate with cryptic messages—three "surprises" she promised would help him after she was gone. She spoke of seeing spirits, of unfinished business, and of the importance of opening oneself to love. Her faith in the afterlife and her gentle insistence that Tate would find love again haunt him. When a video message from Sylvia arrives, it urges him to connect with strangers and trust in the possibility of new beginnings. These messages become a guiding force, pushing Tate to break out of his isolation and be receptive to the extraordinary, even as he doubts his own sanity.
Wren's World Unraveling
Wren Tobin, the house's former owner, is introduced through her own struggles. She's a lifelong Heatherington resident, recently orphaned by her grandmother's death, and beset by betrayals—her business partner Nash's embezzlement, a toxic marriage to Griffin, and the unwanted attention of Dax, a married counselor. Wren's world is small, her dreams of escape to Paris or Rome stifled by fear and obligation. She's both tough and vulnerable, shaped by loss and longing. Her presence in the house is felt as a lingering sadness, a life interrupted, and a spirit unable to move on.
The Mysterious Housemate
Tate's routine is disrupted when he encounters a young woman doing yoga in the parlor—Wren, though he doesn't know her name. Their conversation is intimate and easy, as if they've known each other for years. She listens to his grief, encourages his vulnerability, and seems to echo Sylvia's advice. Yet, when Tate tries to introduce her to the caretakers, she disappears without a trace. The house staff insists no one else is staying there. Tate is left questioning his sanity, unsure if Wren is real, a hallucination, or something else entirely. The boundaries between reality and the supernatural begin to blur.
Ghostly Encounters Begin
Tate's experiences in the house grow increasingly surreal. He hears humming in the kitchen, sees objects appear and vanish, and has vivid dreams of his cat Paulie interacting with unseen forces. Wren appears and disappears at odd times, sometimes leaving behind physical evidence—a puzzle, a glass of water, a hoodie. Tate's attempts to rationalize these events fail, and he becomes obsessed with understanding who or what Wren is. The house's atmosphere shifts from quaint to ominous, and Tate's emotional connection to Wren deepens, even as he fears he's losing his grip on reality.
Unlikely Connections
Despite the strangeness, Tate and Wren's relationship blossoms. They share stories, play games, and confide in each other about their deepest fears and regrets. Wren teaches Tate to cook, do laundry, and appreciate small joys. Their bond is marked by laughter, mutual healing, and a growing sense of destiny. Yet, Wren's appearances become more erratic, her form sometimes fading or flickering. Tate realizes he's falling in love with a woman who may not be alive, and Wren, for her part, is drawn to Tate's kindness and vulnerability. Their connection feels both impossible and inevitable.
The Woman with No Name
Tate's investigation leads him to the truth: Wren Tobin died two years earlier, her death ruled an accidental drowning in the house's bathtub. Yet, she appears to Tate as vividly as any living person, unaware of her own death. The caretakers, Louise and Reece, react with shock and anger when Tate describes Wren, confirming her identity but insisting her presence is impossible. Tate is forced to confront the reality that he is communicating with a ghost—one who doesn't know she's dead, and whose spirit is trapped by unresolved trauma.
The Puzzle of Wren
As Tate delves deeper, he uncovers inconsistencies in the official story of Wren's death. Nighttime encounters with a terrifying, tormented version of Wren reveal memories of violence and fear. Tate suspects that Wren was murdered, not by accident, and that her spirit cannot move on until the truth is revealed. He enlists Oscar's help to investigate three suspects: Nash, Griffin, and Dax—all of whom had motive and opportunity. The house becomes a crucible for uncovering secrets, as Tate races to piece together the events of that fateful night.
Messages from the Past
Tate finds Wren's personal effects—letters, photographs, and a file documenting Nash's theft and Griffin's abuse. A disturbing letter from Dax reveals his obsession with Wren. Interviews with the suspects yield evasions, lies, and threats, but no clear answers. Meanwhile, Wren's own memories begin to return in fragments, and she starts to realize the truth of her existence. The supernatural and the psychological intertwine, as Tate and Wren both confront the pain of their pasts and the possibility of redemption.
The Ghost's Secret
On the anniversary of Wren's death, the boundaries between past and present dissolve. Tate witnesses, as a spectral observer, the events of the night Wren died: she was attacked in the bathroom by two masked figures—Reece and Louise—who drowned her to claim her inheritance. The revelation is devastating, but it finally explains the haunting, the flickering visions, and Wren's inability to move on. Wren, now fully aware of her fate, is both heartbroken and freed by the knowledge. Tate's love and determination have given her the strength to face the truth.
Games and Growing Closeness
In the days leading up to the anniversary, Tate and Wren share moments of joy and intimacy—playing games, cooking, and even making love in a bittersweet, transcendent encounter. Their connection is both physical and spiritual, a union of two souls who have saved each other. Yet, both know their time is limited. Wren's presence grows fainter, her form less substantial, as the moment of reckoning approaches. Their love is a testament to the power of connection, even in the face of death.
Nightmares and Revelations
On the night of the festival, Reece and Louise return to the house, intent on destroying evidence by setting it on fire—and killing Tate to silence him. Tate is attacked and left for dead in the burning house. Wren, now fully aware of her ghostly nature, desperately tries to save him, her love transcending the boundaries of life and death. Oscar arrives in time to help, but is injured by Louise. In a final, supernatural act, Wren intervenes, saving Tate and Oscar as the house is consumed by flames and Reece and Louise meet their downfall.
The Truth in Shadows
In the aftermath, the truth of Wren's murder is revealed. Louise and Reece's motives—greed and resentment—are exposed, and they are brought to justice. The house, symbol of both sanctuary and prison, is reduced to ashes, freeing Wren's spirit at last. Tate, though physically and emotionally scarred, finds closure in knowing he has fulfilled Sylvia's and Wren's wishes: to love, to heal, and to help another soul find peace. The supernatural is woven into the fabric of everyday life, leaving Tate forever changed.
The Murder Unveiled
In a final, poignant encounter, Wren appears to Tate in the ruins of the house. She is at peace, her trauma resolved, her love for Tate undiminished. They say their goodbyes, acknowledging that their connection was both miraculous and fleeting. Wren urges Tate to live fully, to love again, and to honor the gifts he's been given. Their farewell is both heartbreaking and hopeful, a testament to the enduring power of love and memory.
The Fire and the Farewell
Months later, Tate has rebuilt his life. He is back in New York, working, running, and reconnecting with friends. He honors Wren's memory by living with intention and openness, embracing new relationships and experiences. The house is gone, but the lessons remain. Tate's encounters with the supernatural have left him changed—more compassionate, more present, and more willing to believe in the extraordinary. As he glimpses another lost soul in Central Park, he realizes that his journey of healing and helping is ongoing.
Remain: Moving Forward
The story ends with Tate embracing the future, carrying the wisdom and love of Sylvia and Wren with him. He is open to new love, new adventures, and the mysteries that life—and perhaps the afterlife—still hold. The message is clear: to remain is to endure, to love, and to find meaning even in the face of unimaginable loss. Tate's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of connection.
Characters
Tate Donovan
Tate is a successful New York architect whose life is defined by loss and emotional isolation. The death of his beloved sister Sylvia plunges him into depression, leading to a stay in a psychiatric hospital. Intelligent, sensitive, and introspective, Tate is both deeply wounded and quietly resilient. His relationships—with Oscar, his only true friend, and with Wren, the ghostly woman he comes to love—are marked by vulnerability and longing. Tate's journey is one of self-discovery, as he learns to confront his past, open himself to love, and find purpose in helping others. His psychological arc moves from numbness and grief to connection and hope, making him a deeply empathetic and relatable protagonist.
Wren Tobin
Wren is the former owner of the house, a woman whose life was marked by loss, betrayal, and unfulfilled dreams. After her murder, her spirit lingers, trapped by trauma and unfinished business. Wren is both tough and tender, shaped by a difficult upbringing and a series of toxic relationships. Her interactions with Tate are transformative for both, as she helps him heal and he, in turn, helps her face the truth of her death. Wren's psychological complexity lies in her denial, confusion, and eventual acceptance of her fate. Her journey is one of self-forgiveness, release, and the redemptive power of love.
Oscar
Oscar is Tate's best friend from boarding school, a self-made entrepreneur with a large, loving family. He is warm, gregarious, and deeply loyal, providing Tate with the stability and support he lacks elsewhere. Oscar's relationship with Tate is brotherly, marked by humor, honesty, and occasional tough love. He is skeptical but open-minded, ultimately believing in Tate's experiences and helping him investigate Wren's death. Oscar's presence grounds the story, offering a model of healthy relationships and the importance of chosen family.
Sylvia Donovan
Sylvia, Tate's older sister, is a luminous presence in his life, both in memory and through her posthumous messages. Her death is the catalyst for Tate's journey, but her love and wisdom continue to guide him. Sylvia's belief in the afterlife, her gentle encouragement, and her insistence that Tate will find love again are central to the story's emotional arc. She represents the enduring power of sibling bonds and the possibility of connection beyond death.
Louise
Louise is the house's caretaker, outwardly kind but increasingly uneasy as Tate's experiences with Wren intensify. Her relationship with Reece is both practical and conspiratorial. Louise's psychological complexity is revealed as the story unfolds: beneath her surface helpfulness lies resentment, greed, and a capacity for violence. Her role in Wren's murder is a shocking twist, exposing the darkness that can hide in plain sight.
Reece
Reece, Louise's husband, is the house's groundskeeper and Wren's distant relative. He is taciturn, suspicious of Tate, and ultimately revealed as one of Wren's murderers. Reece's motivations are rooted in envy and a sense of entitlement, believing he deserves a share of Wren's inheritance. His psychological profile is marked by suppressed rage and a willingness to do whatever it takes to get what he wants.
Nash
Nash is Wren's former business partner, whose embezzlement and betrayal contribute to her sense of isolation and despair. He is defensive, evasive, and ultimately a red herring in the murder investigation. Nash's actions are driven by greed and self-preservation, but he lacks the capacity for violence that marks the true killers.
Griffin
Griffin is Wren's estranged husband, a charming but abusive man with a history of violence and substance abuse. His relationship with Wren is marked by manipulation, jealousy, and control. Griffin's motives for murder are plausible, but he is ultimately exonerated. His character serves as a cautionary example of how charisma can mask cruelty.
Dax
Dax is a married substance abuse counselor who becomes obsessed with Wren, crossing professional and ethical boundaries. His stalking and emotional manipulation make him a credible suspect, and his psychological instability is evident in his interactions with Tate and Oscar. Dax's character explores the dangers of unchecked desire and the consequences of blurred boundaries.
Paulie
Paulie, Tate's cat, is a subtle but important presence throughout the story. She provides comfort during Tate's darkest moments and serves as a bridge between the living and the supernatural. Paulie's reactions to Wren and the house's disturbances offer clues to the reality of the haunting, grounding the story in the everyday even as it veers into the extraordinary.
Plot Devices
Dual Timelines and Unreliable Reality
The novel employs a dual timeline structure, weaving together Tate's present-day experiences with flashbacks to his childhood, Sylvia's death, and Wren's life before her murder. The boundaries between reality and the supernatural are intentionally blurred, with Wren's appearances challenging both Tate's and the reader's perceptions. The use of video messages, dreams, and spectral visions creates a sense of unreliability, forcing the audience to question what is real. Foreshadowing is deftly used—Sylvia's messages, the flickering visions, and the recurring motif of unfinished business all hint at the story's supernatural resolution. The house itself is a classic gothic device: both a sanctuary and a site of trauma, its secrets are gradually revealed through Tate's investigation and Wren's returning memories.
Analysis
Remain is a masterful blend of supernatural romance and psychological mystery, using the haunting of a Cape Cod house as a metaphor for the ways trauma and loss can trap us in the past. Through Tate and Wren's intertwined journeys, the novel explores the necessity of facing painful truths, the healing power of vulnerability, and the redemptive potential of love—even when it seems impossible. The story challenges the boundaries between life and death, sanity and madness, and asks whether closure is ever truly possible. By grounding the supernatural in the emotional realities of grief and recovery, Remain offers a hopeful message: that to remain is not merely to survive, but to open oneself to connection, growth, and the possibility of joy after loss. The novel's lessons are clear: healing requires courage, love is worth the risk, and sometimes, the most important journeys are those that lead us back to ourselves.
Last updated:
