Chapter 16 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
On June 14, ten years ago, Fern and Will return to her cramped Toronto apartment after being soaked by a heavy thunderstorm. Fern is self-conscious about the small, worn space, but Will seems charmed by its personality, noting the large window and the Grizzly Bear poster. While Fern changes clothes, Will examines a framed photograph of Fern, her mother, and Peter taken at her high school graduation. Fern explains that she has no father and that Peter, the resort's pastry chef, has always been a steady presence in her life, from tea parties with crustless cucumber sandwiches to a memorable afternoon tea at the Royal York hotel.
The conversation turns to Fern's impending move back to the Brookbanks resort. Will asks why she has to go home at all, but a crack of thunder interrupts her answer. As they listen to music, Fern offers to make toast from the sourdough Peter sent with Whitney. A power outage plunges the apartment into darkness, and Will lights five candles, filling the room with warm, flickering light. They share the toasted sourdough with butter and flaked salt, and Will jokes about visiting the resort to shake Peter's hand and eat seven loaves.
Fern proposes a trade: she'll teach Will to canoe if he shows her his drawings. Will reveals he carries a sketchbook and agrees to show her. Fern studies his work—recurring characters for his comic, realistic sketches, and a portrait of his sister. She asks if he'd draw her, and he agrees, positioning her on the bed while he sits with his sketchbook. As he draws, they talk about Will's father's remarriage, his complicated feelings about leaving home, and his sister Annabel. Fern blurts out an invitation for Will to stay the night, which he accepts.
The conversation shifts to Jamie, Fern's boyfriend. Will asks about him, and Fern describes Jamie as the “caramel pudding of humans”—sweet, smooth, and crowd-pleasing—while she herself is a “lemon tart.” Will asks what dessert he'd be, and Fern teasingly suggests a chocolate log. They discuss Fern's relationship with Jamie, how they met at the resort, and why she hasn't told him about her plans to move back. Will also reveals he's not in love with his girlfriend Fred, though he thought he might have been.
As the rain continues, Will finishes the portrait. Fern is nervous, but when she sees it, she's moved: the drawing captures her with a slight smile and wide eyes, a look of secretive delight. Will explains he tried to capture the expression she gets when she's excited. Fern tells him it's her—the first time she feels truly seen.
Key Events
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Fern brings Will to her apartment after the storm, and they navigate the awkward intimacy of the small space.
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Fern reveals her family history: no father, Peter as a father figure, and her complicated feelings about returning to the resort.
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A power outage forces them to rely on candlelight, creating a private, romantic atmosphere.
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They share Peter's sourdough bread, which becomes a symbol of home and connection.
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Fern asks to see Will's sketchbook, and he agrees, showing her his comic characters and realistic drawings.
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Will draws Fern's portrait, and the act of being seen becomes a pivotal emotional moment.
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They discuss their respective relationships—Fern with Jamie, Will with Fred—and both admit uncertainty.
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Fern invites Will to stay the night, and he accepts.
Character Development
Fern shows vulnerability by inviting Will into her private space and sharing personal details about her family. She admits her anxiety about returning to the resort and her fear of being judged. Her request to have Will draw her is a bold step toward intimacy, and her reaction to the portrait reveals a deep longing to be truly understood.
Will opens up about his father's remarriage and his guilt over leaving home, mirroring his mother's departure. He also admits he's not in love with Fred, showing a willingness to be honest with Fern. His careful attention to Fern's features while drawing demonstrates his emotional investment in her.
The chapter deepens their connection by moving from playful banter to genuine emotional exposure. Both characters reveal insecurities and desires, setting the stage for the choices they'll face.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Vulnerability and Intimacy: The power outage and candlelight strip away distractions, forcing Fern and Will into close physical and emotional proximity. Fern's invitation to stay and her willingness to be drawn are acts of trust.
Home vs. Escape: Fern's apartment is a temporary refuge, but she's torn between her love for the resort and her desire to escape it. Will's questions challenge her assumptions about what home means.
Artistic Expression: Will's sketchbook is a window into his inner world. The portrait he draws of Fern becomes a symbol of how he sees her—not just her appearance, but her essence.
Family Dynamics: Fern's relationship with Peter and her mother contrasts with Will's complicated feelings about his father's remarriage. Both are navigating what family means.
The Sourdough Bread: Peter's bread represents comfort, tradition, and the pull of the resort. Sharing it creates a moment of shared pleasure and connection.
The Photograph: The framed photo of Fern, her mother, and Peter highlights Fern's identity and her place within her unconventional family.
Candlelight: The candles transform the small apartment into a warm, intimate space, symbolizing the growing closeness between Fern and Will.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in Fern and Will's relationship. It moves them from flirtation to genuine emotional intimacy, as they share personal stories and vulnerabilities. The portrait scene is particularly significant: Fern feels seen for the first time, and Will's artistic attention becomes a metaphor for his deeper interest in her. The chapter also establishes key backstory—Fern's family situation, her relationship with Jamie, and Will's own family struggles—that will inform their future decisions. The invitation to stay the night sets up the next phase of their connection, while the unresolved tension around their existing relationships adds complexity.
Study Questions and Answers
- Why does Fern invite Will to stay the night, and what does this reveal about her feelings?
Fern's invitation is impulsive but meaningful. She's been drawn to Will all day, and the intimate setting of the power outage, combined with their conversation, makes her want to prolong their time together. It reveals that she's willing to take a risk, even though she's in a relationship with Jamie. The invitation shows that Fern is beginning to prioritize her own desires over what's expected of her.
- How does the portrait scene symbolize the theme of being seen?
Will's portrait captures Fern in a way that feels authentic to her—her expression, her posture, her essence. Fern says it's her, implying that she recognizes herself in his drawing. This moment contrasts with how she feels unseen in her daily life, especially in her relationship with Jamie. The portrait becomes a symbol of Will's ability to truly perceive her, deepening their emotional bond.
- What does the conversation about desserts reveal about Fern and Will's relationship?
The dessert metaphor—Jamie as caramel pudding, Fern as lemon tart, and Will as a chocolate log—is playful but revealing. It shows how Fern categorizes people, but also how she sees herself as more complex and less universally appealing than Jamie. Will's interest in the metaphor suggests he's paying close attention to Fern's inner world. The exchange also creates a shared language between them, reinforcing their connection.