Control vs. Spontaneity: The Central Theme of Mistakes Were Made

Introduction: A Clash of Worldviews

In Mistakes Were Made, the second novel of Lucy Score’s Story Lake series, the romance between Gage Bishop and Zoey Moody rests on a central tension: Gage’s relentless need to plan and organize versus Zoey’s chaotic, impulsive way of moving through the world. This theme of control versus spontaneity is not merely a personality quirk—it shapes every major conflict in the novel. The story ultimately argues that neither extreme is sustainable; both characters must learn from each other and find a middle ground where control provides structure and spontaneity brings joy.

Part 1: The Clash of Opposites

From their first meeting, Gage and Zoey’s approaches to life collide. Gage, a lawyer who builds his life around predictability, nearly runs Zoey over when she darts into traffic to escape a snake dropped by the town eagle, Goose. Zoey’s reaction—impulsive and unthinking—horrifies Gage, who values safety and order. The novel quickly establishes that Zoey has ADHD, a condition that amplifies her spontaneous decisions. In Chapter 12, during a publishing event, Zoey throws a drink in an antagonist’s face, then berates herself: “once again, my impulses had led me astray.” Gage, meanwhile, handles everything with meticulous deliberation, even his approach to relationships. Their early interactions are a series of misunderstandings where Zoey reads Gage’s caution as rigidity, and Gage sees Zoey’s freedom as recklessness.

This conflict plays out in small scenes. During the skunk bath in Chapter 31, Zoey jokes about elective scent-receptor removal; Gage methodically follows the anti-skunking recipe. When she teases him about his need to label everything, he fires back that some things just need order. The novel uses these domestic moments to show that Zoey’s impulsiveness is not a flaw to be cured—it’s part of her creative brilliance, just as Gage’s control is not a cage but a source of stability.

Part 2: The Breaking Point

The central rupture between Gage and Zoey occurs when his need for control turns hurtful. After a fight in Chapter 44, Gage says something damaging to Zoey in public—a moment where his plan to maintain distance backfires disastrously. Zoey reacts with characteristic spontaneity: she throws orange juice at his face and delivers a speech accusing him of being too controlling. In the following chapters, Gage’s attempts to apologize fail because he approaches forgiveness like a legal argument—he needs evidence, exhibits, a winning case. His brother Levi calls him out: “you can’t argue your way to forgiveness.” This insight is the turning point. Gage realizes that his controlled, analytical approach cannot fix a relationship wound. He must learn to be vulnerable, to accept that some things don’t make logical sense.

Zoey, meanwhile, faces her own reckoning. After the breakup, she gives notice on her lease, planning to leave Story Lake—an impulsive decision that would uproot her new life. But her friend Felicity and the community teach her that she doesn’t have to handle everything alone. In Chapter 32, Zoey witnesses the efficiency of organized Story Lake residents; she learns to delegate and trust others. This is the first time she accepts that a little structure—planning, spreadsheets, task assignments—can actually free her up to be creative. Opal’s advice in Chapter 18—“outsource what you’re bad at”—becomes Zoey’s path forward.

Part 3: Finding Balance Through Mutual Acceptance

The reconciliation in Chapter 49 hinges on a symbol: the roll of dimes stuck in Zoey’s car door. The dimes, a recurring motif linked to Gage’s late sister Laura, represent the chaotic, unexplained forces of the universe—something Gage cannot control. When Zoey finds the roll, she interprets it as a sign, and Gage, for once, doesn’t try to reason it away. He accepts the mystery. His grand gesture—showing her a disco ball in his living room and a closet full of her belongings—is deliberately over-the-top, but Zoey tells him to “stop with the grand gesturing.” This moment shows she no longer needs extreme displays; she wants the quiet middle.

The epilogue fast-forwards to show how each has changed. Gage has become more spontaneous, agreeing to an outdoor meteor-shower date that ends in a minor fire—an unplanned, joyful disaster. Zoey now manages her ADHD with a paper calendar, headphones, and Gage’s support, embracing structure without feeling trapped. They are engaged, planning a fall wedding on his parents’ farm. The novel ends not with one character converting to the other’s worldview, but with both expanding their own.

Symbol Connections

The symbols in Mistakes Were Made reinforce the theme. The disco ball necklace and sparkly bra represent Zoey’s joyful, unrestrained self—she refuses to dim her sparkle even when Gage’s seriousness tries to fade it. The dimes signify randomness and fate, forces Gage cannot control. Goose the eagle introduces literal chaos into Gage’s orderly town. Each symbol reminds the characters that life will not be tamed by either discipline or whimsy alone.

Complexity and Contradiction

The theme is not a simple binary. Zoey’s impulsiveness sometimes gets her into genuine trouble—financial crisis, public embarrassment—but it also makes her an excellent publicist and loyal friend. Gage’s control brings professional success but nearly costs him love. The novel refuses to label one approach as superior. Instead, it shows that both characters must accept their own limitations: Zoey cannot do everything on instinct; Gage cannot legislate happiness. Their growth comes from borrowing each other’s strengths. Gage learns to forgive and apologize without a case to make. Zoey learns to pause and plan when it matters. The author’s note, which discusses Score’s own late ADHD diagnosis, suggests this is a deeply personal theme: finding ways to manage chaos without extinguishing the spark.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does the novel define the problem with Gage’s extreme control? Gage’s need for order becomes toxic when he treats emotions like a legal case. He tries to argue his way into forgiveness rather than listening. His brothers point out that there is “no exhibit A” in relationships—control without empathy destroys connection.

2. In what ways does Zoey’s spontaneity both help and harm her? Her impulsiveness allows her to act boldly—throwing drinks at bullies, championing Hazel, moving to Story Lake on a whim. But it also leads to public embarrassment and near-misses. The novel shows she must learn to channel her passion into productive actions.

3. What role do the dimes play in the theme of control vs. spontaneity? The dimes are outside Gage’s control; they are random symbols of Laura’s presence. When Zoey finds them, Gage accepts the mystery instead of trying to explain it. This marks his surrender to uncertainty and his willingness to embrace spontaneity.

4. How does the community of Story Lake help Zoey become more balanced? Story Lake provides structure that Zoey lacks. Felicity organizes tasks, Harriet creates spreadsheets, and residents delegate. Zoey learns that she doesn’t need to control all details; she can contribute her ideas and let others execute. This collaborative model mirrors the balance she seeks in romance.

5. Explain how the epilogue demonstrates the resolution of the theme. The epilogue shows both characters transformed: Gage agrees to a spontaneous meteor-shower date that ends in a minor fire, proving he can laugh at chaos. Zoey uses a paper calendar and headphones to manage her ADHD, proving she can embrace structure. Their engagement represents an integrated life where neither extreme dominates.