Chapter 25 Summary & Analysis | Problematic Summer Romance

Spoiler Notice

This page contains detailed spoilers for Chapter 25 (Chapter 26) of Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood. If you have not yet read this chapter, please proceed with caution.

Summary

The chapter unfolds as a series of flashbacks spanning two years and four months to ten months before the present timeline. It traces the evolution of Maya and Conor's long-distance relationship through phone calls, revealing their emotional intimacy, shared vulnerabilities, and deepening bond. Key moments include Maya's failed attempt at an "emotional fluffing" plan to have sex with someone else (which collapses because she only wants Conor), their conversation about her anger issues and regret after a fight with Jade, a drunk call where Conor just wants to listen to her exist, a stargazing lesson where Maya teaches Conor about the star Antares, a discussion about family and parenting after visiting Minami's newborn daughter Kaede, and Conor's admission that he considers none of his brothers worth saving from a hypothetical bat attack. The chapter ends with Maya falling asleep after Conor describes his first love, Minami, as a gentle relationship where he hid parts of himself—a view Maya challenges, arguing that love should not require hiding.

Key Events

Maya confesses she has not wanted to have sex with anyone except Conor since meeting him in Scotland (two years, four months earlier).
Jade proposes "emotional fluffing": calling Conor before a hookup to get aroused, then going to the Tinder guy. The plan fails because Maya gets lost in conversation with Conor and forgets the hookup.
After a fight with Jade, Maya calls Conor and shares her fear that her anger makes her a bad person; Conor reassures her and says he could never hate her (two years, one month earlier).
Conor calls Maya drunk and asks to simply listen to her exist; they stay on the phone without speaking for over an hour (two years earlier).
Maya teaches Conor about the Scorpius constellation and Antares over the phone; they joke about insignificance and the star's impending death in a million years (one year, eleven months earlier).
After visiting Minami's baby Kaede, Conor and Maya discuss whether they want families; Maya describes wanting to make a child feel the way her parents made her feel (one year, four months earlier).
Conor tells Maya that given a choice among his brothers, he would "swing" (prefer death) rather than pick one he dislikes less (one year, one week earlier).
Conor asks if Maya still thinks Alfie was "the one"; she dismisses him and admits she liked Alfie's teeth. Conor describes his first love, Minami, as gentle and hiding parts of himself; Maya argues that love shouldn't require hiding (ten months, two weeks earlier).
Maya falls asleep before Conor can reply.

Character Development

Maya: This chapter reveals the depth of Maya's longing and self-awareness. She acknowledges her anger issues, actively works on them with a therapist, and fears being a bad person. Her inability to want anyone but Conor highlights her emotional commitment, even when she tries to override it. Her view of love as something that should not be a glass case contradicts Conor's protective instinct, showing her maturity and desire for authentic connection.

Conor: Conor's vulnerability emerges through the drunk call, his confession about his brothers, and his admission about hiding parts of himself from Minami. He consistently provides reassurance and stability for Maya, but his description of his past relationship reveals a pattern of emotional concealment. His question about Alfie suggests lingering curiosity about Maya's romantic history.

Jade: Though not directly present for most of the chapter, Jade's influence is felt in the "emotional fluffing" plan and the fight afterward. She represents Maya's confidante and a catalyst for Maya's self-examination.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Evidenced Here

Long‑distance intimacy: The phone calls become a lifeline, allowing Maya and Conor to share mundane moments (packing, laundry) and profound conversations (family, anger, love). The physical distance paradoxically deepens their emotional closeness.

Anger and remorse: Maya's struggle with lashing out and her subsequent regret is a recurring motif. Conor's acceptance of her work in progress underscores the theme of unconditional support.

Family and parenthood: The discussion after Kaede's birth contrasts Maya's warm memories of her parents with Conor's strained relationship with his brothers. Both characters reveal their hopes for the kind of family they would create.

Love as vulnerability vs. protection: Conor's belief that love means protecting a partner from one's "less pleasant aspects" collides with Maya's insistence that true love allows for full exposure. This philosophical tension drives their final exchange.

Stargazing (Antares): The red star Antares, meaning "not Mars," symbolizes both the beauty of distant things and the inevitability of change (the star will die in a million years). It mirrors the temporal uncertainty of Maya and Conor's relationship.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 25 serves as a crucial retrospective on the foundation of Maya and Conor's relationship. Without any present‑day action, it deepens the reader's understanding of their bond by showing its gradual, organic growth over years of phone calls. The chapter humanizes both characters: Maya's anger and fear of being a bad person, Conor's guardedness and past relationship habits. It also introduces the central philosophical question of whether love means hiding the worst parts of oneself or exposing them. This conflict will likely echo in the novel's later developments, making the chapter essential for character analysis and thematic interpretation.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Maya's "emotional fluffing" plan fail?
Answer: Maya calls Conor before the planned hookup as Jade suggested, but they become engrossed in a conversation about academic publishing and Conor's rowing stories. She loses track of time and ends up not wanting to have sex with anyone else because she only wants Conor.
How do Maya and Conor disagree about the nature of love in their final exchange?
Answer: Conor says love means protecting a partner from the "less pleasant aspects" of oneself, as he did with Minami, calling their relationship gentle and respectful. Maya counters that hiding parts of yourself is not the sign of a healthy relationship; love should not require placing someone on a pedestal like a "glass figurine."
What does Maya's description of wanting a family reveal about her character?
Answer: She remembers teasing her parents and seeing pride in their eyes; she wants to make a child feel that the world can be kind and not lonely. This reveals that despite her anger issues, her core desire is to recreate the warmth and safety she experienced as a child—a contrast to Conor's more guarded view of family.