Chapter 23 Summary, Analysis, and Key Takeaways
⚠️ 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
Chapter Twenty-Three opens with Sadie in a state of unusual clarity. After the events of the previous night with Joe, she realizes that almost nothing in her life makes sense—except one thing: she must call off her engagement to Dr. Addison. She understands now that Joe is the one she wants to date, talk to, joke with, and think about constantly. She reflects that Dr. Addison was always a romantic daydream, a fantasy of a love match, while Joe is reality—scars, collarbones, the smell of juniper, and someone who has seen her at her worst and helped her through it. She decides she wants to end things cleanly and neatly with Dr. Addison, even though they never officially started dating.
That same day, Sadie has Peanut's scheduled checkup at the vet clinic. As Dr. Addison approaches in his crisp white coat and tie, she notices that his polished, GQ look no longer appeals to her. She finds herself drawn instead to Joe's floppy hair and hipster glasses. During the exam, Dr. Addison is shadowed by a vet student, and together they confirm that Peanut is one of the healthiest elderly dogs they've ever seen. Sadie thanks Dr. Addison, but her mind keeps drifting to memories of Joe.
After the exam, Sadie asks Dr. Addison for a private moment. They step out to a grassy yard where Peanut can roam. Nervous—she's never been the one to end a relationship—Sadie stumbles through a rehearsed speech before going off script. She tells him she thinks it's best for them to keep their relationship professional, staying in the vet-and-client category. Dr. Addison is visibly surprised. He asks why, and Sadie explains that she has developed feelings for someone else, almost by accident. He presses for details, then confesses that he was interested in her and asks if his admission changes anything. Sadie apologizes and says it's too late—she has fallen madly in love. Dr. Addison takes a moment, then accepts her decision with surprising grace. He wishes her well, tells her to be happy and take care of herself, and leaves. Sadie looks at Peanut and silently agrees that she will need to find a new vet.
Key Events
- Sadie decides to call off her engagement to Dr. Addison, realizing Joe is the one she wants.
- She attends Peanut's vet checkup, where Dr. Addison is shadowed by a vet student.
- Peanut is confirmed to be in excellent health for his age.
- Sadie notices that Dr. Addison's polished appearance no longer attracts her.
- She requests a private conversation and tells Dr. Addison she wants to keep their relationship professional.
- Dr. Addison asks why, and Sadie explains she has developed feelings for someone else.
- Dr. Addison confesses his own interest and asks if that changes her mind; she says it's too late.
- Dr. Addison accepts the rejection gracefully, wishes her well, and leaves.
- Sadie decides she will need to find a new veterinarian.
Character Development
Sadie undergoes significant growth in this chapter. She moves from a state of confusion and infatuation to a place of decisive clarity. Her decision to end things with Dr. Addison—even though they never officially dated—shows a new level of emotional maturity. She wants to be honest and avoid confusion, both for herself and for him. Her nervousness during the conversation reveals her inexperience with being the one to end a relationship, but she pushes through and speaks her truth. By choosing Joe, she embraces reality over fantasy, accepting a real person with flaws and a wounded heart rather than an idealized image.
Dr. Addison is revealed to be more vulnerable than Sadie expected. His surprise at her request, his probing questions, and his confession of genuine interest show that he had real feelings for her. His graceful acceptance of her rejection—wishing her well and telling her to be happy—demonstrates emotional maturity and kindness. This moment humanizes him, transforming him from a distant fantasy figure into a real person who can handle disappointment with dignity.
Joe, though absent from the scene, is the catalyst for Sadie's transformation. Her memories of him—his scars, his kindness during her panic attack, his rescue when she was locked out—ground her decision. He represents the messy, real, and deeply felt connection she has been missing.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Fantasy versus reality in love is the central theme of this chapter. Sadie explicitly contrasts Dr. Addison as a "romantic daydream" and "pure fantasy" with Joe as "reality." The vet clinic setting, with its practical, medical focus, underscores the shift from idealized romance to grounded, real-life connection.
Accidental love appears as Sadie describes her feelings for Joe as something that happened "by accident." This motif suggests that genuine love often arrives unexpectedly, rather than through careful planning or fantasy.
Ending things cleanly is a key motif. Sadie's determination to have a "nuts-and-bolts conversation" with Dr. Addison, even though they never started anything, reflects her desire for honesty and closure. This clean break allows her to move forward without guilt or ambiguity.
Graceful acceptance of rejection is embodied by Dr. Addison. His final words—wishing Sadie well and telling her to be happy—model how to handle disappointment with dignity, reinforcing the theme of emotional maturity.
Awkwardness of undefined relationships is also present. Sadie's internal question—"Can you dump someone you're not even dating?"—highlights the confusion that comes with relationships that never had clear labels. Her stumbling speech and nervousness capture this awkwardness perfectly.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a pivotal turning point in the novel. It resolves the love triangle that has been building, with Sadie definitively choosing Joe over Dr. Addison. More importantly, it marks Sadie's emotional growth: she moves from passive infatuation to active choice, taking responsibility for her feelings and communicating them honestly. The chapter also humanizes Dr. Addison, showing that he is not just a fantasy but a real person with feelings, which adds depth to the story. By ending things cleanly, Sadie clears the way for her relationship with Joe to develop without complications. The final image of Sadie and Peanut agreeing that she needs a new vet is both humorous and symbolic, signaling a clean break from her past infatuation and a fresh start.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Sadie decide to end things with Dr. Addison even though they never officially dated?
Sadie realizes that Joe is the one she truly wants. She understands that Dr. Addison was only a fantasy, while Joe is a real person who has seen her at her worst and supported her. She wants to be honest and avoid any confusion, so she chooses to clarify her intentions with Dr. Addison, even though their relationship never formally began.
2. How does Dr. Addison react to Sadie's rejection, and what does this reveal about his character?
Dr. Addison is initially surprised and asks why, then confesses that he was genuinely interested in Sadie. He asks if his admission could change her mind, but when she says it's too late, he accepts her decision gracefully. He wishes her well and tells her to be happy. This reveals that he is emotionally mature and kind, capable of handling rejection with dignity rather than bitterness.
3. What does this chapter reveal about Sadie's character growth?
Sadie grows from being someone who is infatuated with a fantasy to someone who makes a decisive, honest choice based on real feelings. She takes responsibility for her emotions, communicates them clearly, and prioritizes clarity and honesty over comfort. Her nervousness shows she is still learning, but her willingness to have the difficult conversation demonstrates significant emotional maturity.