Chapter Eighteen (Harriet): Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Nolan and Harriet travel back in time to the Crow’s Nest, landing ten years in the past. Harriet realizes she is witnessing a memory of her late Aunt Matilda comforting her teenage self after a humiliating incident at school. Teenage Harriet had been taunted by Tommy Hildenbrand, who refused to kiss her under the mistletoe and told her she would never be anyone’s choice. Aunt Matilda consoles her, promising potpie, vandalism, and ice cream. Nolan stays close, grounding Harriet as she grieves. When they return to the present, Nolan uses his magic to cover the ceiling with mistletoe. He then kisses Harriet, making his feelings unmistakable.

Key Events

Nolan’s magic pulls Harriet through time; they land in the Crow’s Nest ten years earlier.
Harriet recognizes the setting from her past: the older Christmas decorations, the presence of her aunt Matilda.
She sees her teenage self crying after being rejected by Tommy Hildenbrand under the school’s mistletoe.
Aunt Matilda comforts the young Harriet, offering warmth and a plan for revenge.
Harriet and Nolan observe the scene, with Harriet openly grieving and Nolan providing silent support.
They return to the present, and Nolan’s magic causes mistletoe to sprout across the ceiling.
Nolan uses the mistletoe as an excuse to kiss Harriet.

Character Development

Harriet
This chapter deepens Harriet’s backstory. She reveals the long‑standing hurt of feeling unwanted—first by her parents, then by a boy at school. Her aunt Matilda was the only adult who made her feel seen and loved. Watching the memory allows Harriet to process her grief and see that she still carries Matilda’s love with her. She becomes more vulnerable with Nolan, trusting him with a deeply personal moment.

Nolan
Nolan demonstrates tenderness and patience. He follows Harriet’s lead, doesn’t push her to leave the memory, and physically comforts her. His decision to use his magic to create mistletoe shows he is willing to act on his feelings, using his abilities in a romantic, deliberate way. The kiss marks a turning point in their relationship.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

Grief and memory: Harriet learns that memories can be a gift rather than a source of pain. She keeps her aunt alive by carrying her influence forward.
Mistletoe: Recurs as a symbol of humiliation (Tommy’s rejection) and later as a symbol of chosen love (Nolan’s kiss). Nolan reclaims the symbol for Harriet.
Found family vs. biological family: Aunt Matilda provides the unconditional love Harriet’s parents failed to give. Nolan begins to fill a similar role.
Magic as emotional expression: Nolan’s magic responds to his feelings—warm, playful, and protective. The mistletoe growth is a physical manifestation of his affection.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point for both Harriet’s emotional arc and the central romance. It provides crucial backstory that explains Harriet’s fear of not being enough and her longing for acceptance. It also solidifies Nolan’s role as someone who sees and values her exactly as she is. The magical kiss under the mistletoe transforms a traumatic memory into a hopeful, romantic gesture, underscoring the novel’s blend of magic and emotional healing.

Study Questions and Answers

Why is the memory of Aunt Matilda so important to Harriet?
Matilda was the only adult who accepted Harriet unconditionally. The memory reminds Harriet that she can hold her aunt’s love close without being consumed by grief. It also shows why Harriet struggles with her parents’ distant affection.
What does Nolan’s choice to grow mistletoe reveal about his character?
Nolan uses his magic intentionally to create a moment of romance. He reclaims the mistletoe—a symbol that once caused Harriet pain—and turns it into an act of devotion. It shows he pays attention to her history and wants to give her a positive memory.
How does the chapter portray the theme of “not fitting in”?
Teenage Harriet feels she doesn’t fit in with her family or peers. As an adult, she admits she still feels that way but has stopped forcing herself into spaces not meant for her. This growth shows her resilience and the ongoing influence of Matilda’s lessons.