Chapter 28 (Samantha): 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
As Christmas approaches, Sam prepares to spend the holiday with Liam's family in Delaware. She has bought gifts for the first time—a notebook and pen for Liam, a candle for his parents, and gag gifts for her own family: an inflatable tennis net for Jeff and a coffee mug for Beatrice. She reflects on the media fallout since her identity was exposed: tabloids mock her, but bloggers praise her ordinary activities. Her roommates are amused rather than hostile, and she has stopped bartending for security reasons, though she still helps backstage at the club.
Just as she and Liam are about to leave, Beatrice calls and invites Sam to Christmas Eve dinner at the palace. Sam hesitates, torn between her new life and her old one, but Liam encourages her to go. She agrees, and they postpone their trip.
At the palace, Sam is greeted by a security guard who calls her “Miss Samantha,” a reminder that she has lost her title. She finds her family gathered in the living room, drinking whiskey sours—her father's signature drink. She curtsies to Beatrice, Jeff, her mother, and her grandmother. Jeff seems shocked and barely speaks to her. Feeling unwelcome, Sam retreats to the library, where Beatrice follows her.
In the library, the sisters share memories of past Christmases, including a disastrous attempt to cook dinner and a prank call to a pizza place. Beatrice admits she feels lost and worries her memories may never return. Sam gives her a book about King Benjamin and Queen Tatiana, revealing that Tatiana secretly ruled while Benjamin recovered from a riding accident—a story that was hidden because people couldn't accept a woman in power. The conversation turns to Marshall; Sam explains she misses him but can't leave the capital. Beatrice reassures her that staying isn't selfish.
They return to the living room, where Jeff opens Sam's gag gift—an inflatable tennis net. He smiles and teases her, and their old connection flickers back. Jeff then invites Sam to his wedding, and she accepts, overjoyed.
Key Events
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Sam buys her own Christmas gifts for the first time, including gag gifts for her siblings.
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Beatrice calls and invites Sam to Christmas Eve dinner; Sam initially hesitates but agrees.
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At the palace, Sam curtsies to her family and feels the weight of her lost title.
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Jeff's cold reaction drives Sam to the library, where Beatrice joins her.
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The sisters bond over childhood memories and discuss their father's absence.
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Sam gives Beatrice a book about Queen Tatiana, revealing a hidden legacy of female power.
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Sam and Beatrice talk about Marshall; Beatrice offers reassurance.
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Jeff opens Sam's gag gift and they reconcile; Jeff invites Sam to his wedding.
Character Development
Samantha – Sam is caught between two worlds. She has built a life outside the palace, but she still craves her family's acceptance. Her hesitation to attend dinner shows her fear of rejection, yet she goes anyway. Her gift of the book to Beatrice reveals her desire to share hidden history and empower her sister. By the end, she is willing to accept Jeff's invitation, signaling her readiness to re-enter the family fold on her own terms.
Beatrice – Beatrice shows vulnerability, admitting she feels lost and fears her memories won't return. She defends Sam's presence at dinner and offers wise advice about Marshall. Her openness deepens the sisterly bond and shows her growth as a supportive sibling.
Jeff – Jeff's initial shock and silence hurt Sam, but his reaction to the gag gift—and his invitation to the wedding—shows he is willing to bridge the gap. His teasing suggests the twin connection isn't broken, just dormant.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Family Reconciliation – The chapter centers on Sam's tentative return to the palace and the slow repair of her relationships with Beatrice and Jeff. The Christmas setting emphasizes the importance of family unity.
Identity Outside Royalty – Sam's new life as a commoner is contrasted with her former royal status. The guard's “Miss Samantha” and her curtsy highlight the loss of her title, yet she is learning to stand on her own.
Grief and Memory – The sisters' shared memories of their father bring both joy and pain. Beatrice's fear of losing her memories underscores the theme of memory as a fragile link to the past.
Female Power and Hidden Legacy – The story of Queen Tatiana, who secretly ruled while her husband recovered, serves as a symbol of women's unrecognized authority. Sam's gift to Beatrice is a reminder that women have always wielded power, even when hidden.
Media Scrutiny and Public Perception – Sam's experience with tabloids and bloggers shows how public opinion can be both cruel and supportive. Her ordinary actions become newsworthy, reflecting the tension between her private self and public image.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is pivotal for Sam's character arc. It marks her first deliberate step back into the royal world after her exile, and it sets the stage for her eventual reconciliation with her family. The library scene with Beatrice deepens their relationship and introduces a crucial piece of hidden history—Queen Tatiana's secret rule—which may foreshadow Beatrice's own future. Jeff's invitation to his wedding signals that Sam is not permanently estranged, and it gives her a concrete reason to reconnect. The chapter also reinforces the novel's themes of identity, memory, and the power of family bonds.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Sam hesitate to attend Christmas Eve dinner, and what does her decision to go reveal about her character?
Sam hesitates because she fears rejection and feels she no longer belongs at the palace. She has built a new life and is still discovering who she is outside royalty. Her decision to go shows her courage and her desire to reconcile with her family, even at the risk of awkwardness.
2. What is the significance of the book Sam gives Beatrice about Queen Tatiana?
The book reveals a hidden story of a queen who secretly ruled while her husband was incapacitated. It serves as a symbol of female power that was suppressed and erased from history. By giving it to Beatrice, Sam is sharing a legacy of strong women and perhaps hinting that Beatrice, too, can wield power despite the limitations placed on her.
3. How does Jeff's reaction to the gag gift and his wedding invitation change the dynamic between him and Sam?
Jeff's initial shock and silence create distance, but his teasing about the inflatable tennis net re-establishes their playful twin bond. His invitation to the wedding is a concrete gesture of acceptance, showing that he wants Sam back in his life. This moment marks a turning point in their relationship, suggesting that reconciliation is possible.