Characters Problematic Summer Romance Ali Hazelwood

Avery Character Analysis: Conor's Ex and Maya's Friend in Problematic Summer Romance

Overview

Avery is a pivotal secondary character in Ali Hazelwood's Problematic Summer Romance. Introduced as Conor Harkness's ex-girlfriend and a fellow biotech partner at Harkness, she arrives at the Catania airport alongside Conor to greet Maya Killgore. Rather than acting as a romantic rival, Avery becomes an unexpected and genuine friend to Maya during the destination wedding week in Sicily. The text closely follows Avery's interactions with Maya, illustrating her role as a catalyst for Maya's emotional growth and as a counterpoint to the central romance between Maya and Conor. Her presence forces Maya to confront her own insecurities about age, worth, and her long-standing feelings for Conor.

Plot Role

Avery's plot role unfolds in several key scenes. In Chapter 1, she greets Maya at the airport with warmth, confounding Maya's expectation of a jealous adversary. In Chapter 2, during the drive to Taormina, Maya and Avery discover they own the same annotated travel guidebook, sparking a reluctant but immediate friendship. In Chapter 14, Avery invites Maya on a sightseeing trip to the Greek Theater in Taormina; she later apologizes for any awkwardness caused by her shared history with Conor and offers to distract him so Maya can explore alone. In Chapter 18, when Avery nearly drowns, Conor rescues her, but Avery clings to him in a way that deepens Maya's jealousy. Finally, in Chapter 40, after the wedding ceremony, Avery pulls Maya aside for a private conversation. She reveals that Conor told her last summer that he was in love with Maya, and she admits she is not in love with Conor and believes Maya is what he needs. This revelation resolves much of Maya's doubt and deepens their friendship.

Motivations and Traits

Avery consistently exhibits kindness, emotional maturity, and perceptiveness. Her actions throughout the novel demonstrate a lack of possessiveness or pettiness. At the airport, she initiates a hug and compliments Maya, showing her welcoming nature. In the car, she shares her annotated travel book without hesitation, signaling a desire to connect. When she notices Maya's tension at the Greek theater, Avery directly asks if she feels uncomfortable and apologizes, taking responsibility for the potential awkwardness. She even offers to "distract" Conor so Maya can have time alone, revealing her empathy and lack of jealousy. At the end of the novel, she proactively tells Maya the truth about Conor's feelings, prioritizing Maya's happiness over any lingering tie to Conor. These actions portray Avery as an emotionally intelligent woman who values friendship and honesty. The narrative implies that her maturity stems from her secure self-worth and her amicable breakup with Conor.

Chronological Arc

Avery's arc is closely aligned with Maya's journey. She first appears in Chapter 1, where she disarms Maya's hostility. In Chapter 3, she is present at the villa, but Maya's focus is on Conor. During the sightseeing trip (Chapter 14), she actively bridges the gap between Maya and herself. In Chapter 18, her near-drowning creates a crisis that amplifies Maya's conflicting feelings. After that, Avery fades into the background of the wedding chaos, reappearing in Chapter 33 when Maya and Conor dance on the balcony; Avery catches them and feels betrayed, but this scene is told from Maya's perspective and does not show Avery's reaction. Her climactic moment occurs in Chapter 40, when she speaks privately with Maya. In that conversation, she not only clears the air but also offers a full understanding of Conor's heart. This conversation resolves the tension between the two women and allows Maya to move forward with hope.

Relationships

With Conor: Avery and Conor are ex-partners and current colleagues. Conor affirms that their relationship has been over for months (Chapter 4). Avery confirms the breakup was amicable and that they still care for each other as friends. She shows no romantic interest in him during the wedding, instead treating him with easy banter and occasional physical contact (helping him with a photo at the theater). Their past relationship exists as a backdrop to the main romance but does not threaten it.

With Maya: Avery's relationship with Maya evolves from polite acquaintance to a meaningful friendship. Despite knowing that Maya is in love with Conor, Avery never acts possessive. Instead, she offers reassurance and even facilitates Maya's time with Conor. Her final admission to Maya solidifies their bond, as she calls Maya "what he needs."

With Eli and the wedding group: As a Harkness partner, Avery is a trusted member of the extended family. She is friendly with Eli and Rue, and she participates in group activities. She also works closely with Minami and Sul, having taken over their duties during parental leave.

Key Decisions and Consequences

  1. Choosing kindness at the airport: By being welcoming rather than cold, Avery disarms Maya's defensiveness, enabling a friendship that ultimately helps Maya navigate her feelings.
  2. Apologizing at the Greek theater: Avery's direct apology after acknowledging the awkwardness of the situation reassures Maya and earns her trust. This leads to Maya's decision to suppress her own feelings and "be kind" by giving Avery and Conor space.
  3. Revealing Conor's confession: Avery's decision to tell Maya that Conor was in love with her last summer is pivotal. It removes Maya's doubt, validates Maya's worth, and solidifies their friendship. The consequence is that Maya feels hopeful about a future with Conor, even acknowledging that it might not work.

Theme and Symbol Connections

Avery connects to several of the novel's central themes:

  • Age-gap romance: As a woman Conor's age, Avery represents the "age-appropriate" choice. Their amicable breakup shows that chronological compatibility does not guarantee a successful relationship. Avery's character underlines the novel's argument that emotional connection and communication matter more than numbers.
  • Power dynamics in relationships: Avery holds equal professional power to Conor, yet she never uses it to dominate. Her relationship with Conor in the past and her friendship with Maya in the present model healthy, equitable bonds.
  • Emotional vulnerability and communication: Avery is the one who initiates difficult conversations—apologizing for awkwardness, admitting her past, sharing Conor's secret. She models the open communication that Maya and Conor struggle with.
  • Sibling bonds and family legacy: Though not a sibling, Avery is integrated into the Harkness family business. She arrives to cover parental leave and becomes a permanent partner, symbolizing how chosen family can be as strong as blood ties.
  • Self-discovery and identity: Avery's own journey is largely off-page, but her friendship with Maya helps Maya discover her own desires. By mirroring Maya's love of travel and her annotated guidebook, Avery validates Maya's identity beyond being just "Eli's little sister."

5 Book-Specific Questions and Answers

1. Why does Avery befriend Maya so quickly?

Avery bonds with Maya over their shared annotated travel guide to Taormina. Both women dog-eared the same book and scribbled similar notes, which Maya describes as "cringe" but which delights Avery. This shared nerdiness, combined with Avery's naturally kind and open personality, forms an immediate connection. The text shows Maya thinking, "Did we just become best friends?" after Avery reveals her own annotated copy.

2. Does Avery still have romantic feelings for Conor?

No. When Maya asks at the beach about whether Avery might rekindle with Conor, Avery tells Maya directly that she is "not in love with Conor" and thinks Maya is "what he needs." Earlier, at the Greek theater, she describes their breakup as "really amicable" and the fault of circumstances, not feelings. Her actions consistently support Conor's growing relationship with Maya rather than competing for him.

3. What role does Avery play in Harkness?

Avery was first brought in to cover the workload of Minami and Sul during their parental leave. When Minami and Sul decided to have another child and not return full-time, Avery's position became permanent. She is a managing partner at the biotech equity firm, and she is friends with Minami and trusted by Eli and Conor.

4. How does Avery's presence affect Maya's journey?

Avery initially triggers Maya's jealousy and insecurity because Maya sees her as the "age-appropriate" woman Conor chose. However, Avery's consistent kindness and lack of possessiveness force Maya to confront her own negative feelings. By apologizing for any awkwardness and later revealing Conor's true feelings, Avery helps Maya let go of her self-doubt. Maya ultimately resolves to "be kind" and step aside, but Avery's honesty gives Maya permission to hope again.

5. What important secret does Avery reveal in the final chapters?

In Chapter 40, Avery tells Maya that Conor informed her last summer that he was in love with Maya. Avery clarifies that she is not in love with Conor and that she believes Maya is exactly what he needs. This revelation confirms to Maya that Conor's feelings were genuine long before the wedding week, and it changes Maya's outlook on their potential future together.