Chapter 23 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

The chapter opens in the early hours of Friday morning with a frantic text exchange between Daisy and her best friend Layla. Daisy confesses that she and Liam have slept together, breaking her bed, desk, and her collection of Disney princess teacups in the process. She insists it was a one-time thing and that she's about to send him home, but her messages betray her ambivalence—she admits it was “soooooo goooood” and then abruptly ends the conversation when Liam wakes up and wants more. Layla's warnings to “send him home now” and “don't do anything stupid” hang in the air, but Daisy's actions suggest she's already lost control of the situation.

The scene shifts to Sunday morning, where Liam drives to the family distillery with his nephew Jaxon in tow. He's struck by the property's disrepair—faded fences, crumbling stone walls, and a bumpy cobblestone drive—and wonders if Daisy will think the arrangement isn't worth the effort. His thoughts drift to her constantly, and he admits to himself that the rule against developing feelings was a stupid one, especially since those feelings are already there. The smell of grains cooking reminds him of his grandfather, and a pang of sadness hits him.

Joe, the longtime employee, greets them. Liam reassures Joe that his job is safe and that no one is tearing down the distillery. Joe, skeptical, asks if Daisy is real, and Liam shows him photos from their dates. Joe observes that they look like they're having fun, questioning whether the relationship is truly fake. Liam insists it has to be fake because Daisy wants it that way, but Joe presses him: “What do you want?” Liam deflects, citing his lack of a good role model for relationships.

Joe then reveals a crucial piece of family history: no one knew about the abuse Liam's mother suffered. The family only learned the truth after Liam's father died, when his uncle Fitz called her to invite her to the funeral. Fitz and the others decided not to tell Liam's grandfather because of his failing health. Liam is stunned—he had spent years believing his family turned a blind eye, but they didn't even know. He realizes he kept his mother's secrets, just as he's keeping secrets now, and that secrets destroy relationships.

Liam takes Jaxon on a tour of the distillery, showing him the malt house, mash tun, and stillroom. He points to an oak cask where all the Murphy men leave their mark, and together they carve Jaxon's name beneath Liam's, blowing out the sawdust for luck. The moment is tender and symbolic, connecting the next generation to the family legacy.

Their idyllic day is interrupted when contractors arrive with a work order from Brendan to survey the site for demolition. Liam is furious, but Joe urges him to stay calm and think of Daisy. The contractors reveal that the work order was signed by Ed McBain from the law firm, indicating Brendan exploited the junior lawyer's inexperience. Liam orders them to leave, and after they're gone, Joe explains the bigger picture: Brendan's company is under investigation for fraud, with tens of millions of dollars involved. The IRS found anomalies, regulators froze assets, and Brendan can't pay his employees. Joe suggests Brendan is desperate, and Liam wonders if he's any different. Joe asks if Liam is planning to marry a girl he doesn't love, and Liam finally admits the truth: “I do love her. I always have.”

Key Events

Daisy texts Layla about sleeping with Liam, breaking furniture and teacups, and insists it was a one-time thing.
Liam visits the distillery with Jaxon and notices its disrepair.
Joe questions whether the fake engagement is actually fake, noting the couple's apparent happiness.
Joe reveals that the family never knew about the abuse Liam's mother suffered.
Liam and Jaxon carve Jaxon's name into an oak cask, continuing the Murphy tradition.
Contractors arrive with a work order from Brendan to survey the distillery for demolition.
Joe explains Brendan's company is under fraud investigation with frozen assets.
Liam admits to Joe that he loves Daisy and always has.

Character Development

Liam undergoes a significant emotional shift in this chapter. He moves from denying his feelings to openly admitting them, first to himself and then to Joe. His reflection on the “stupid rule” against developing feelings shows his internal conflict, and his admission that he loves Daisy is a pivotal moment of self-awareness. His reaction to the contractors—initially violent, then restrained—demonstrates growth, as he chooses to think of Daisy and avoid jeopardizing their future. His conversation with Joe also forces him to confront his past: he realizes his anger at his family was based on a misunderstanding, and he begins to see the cost of keeping secrets.

Daisy appears only through her texts, but they reveal her impulsiveness and her struggle to maintain the boundaries of the fake engagement. Her claim that she's “about to send him home” is immediately contradicted by her admission that Liam wants more, showing her own desire is winning out. Her off-page actions set the stage for the emotional reckoning to come.

Joe serves as a mentor and truth-teller. He challenges Liam's assumptions about the relationship and his family, and his revelation about the abuse forces Liam to reconsider his past. Joe's wisdom—urging Liam to think of Daisy and not let Brendan provoke him—shows his loyalty and his understanding of Liam's character.

Jaxon represents innocence and continuity. His excitement about the distillery and his desire to be a “Murphy man” highlight the legacy Liam is fighting to preserve. Carving his name into the cask is a symbolic act of inheritance.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Fake vs. Real Feelings: The chapter repeatedly questions the boundary between performance and authenticity. Joe's observation that Liam and Daisy look like they're having fun undermines the “fake” label, and Liam's admission of love confirms that the feelings are real.

Family Legacy and Secrets: The distillery itself is a symbol of the Murphy family's heritage, and the act of carving names into the cask ties generations together. The revelation about the abuse and the family's ignorance highlights how secrets can distort relationships and create false narratives.

Desperation and Fraud: Brendan's fraudulent activities and his attempt to tear down the distillery illustrate how desperation can lead to destructive actions. Joe's comment that “desperate people do desperate things” draws a parallel to Liam's own situation, though Liam's desperation is rooted in love rather than greed.

Trust and Selflessness: Liam's decision to trust Joe and to think of Daisy before acting shows his growth. His admission that he loves Daisy is an act of selflessness, prioritizing her well-being over his own fears.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point for Liam's character arc. It forces him to confront his feelings for Daisy and to reconcile with his family's past. The revelation about the abuse and the family's ignorance reshapes his understanding of his own history, allowing him to move toward forgiveness. The introduction of Brendan's fraud and the demolition threat raises the stakes, creating a concrete obstacle that will test Liam and Daisy's relationship. Liam's admission of love—both to himself and to Joe—sets the stage for the emotional climax of the novel, and his decision to protect the distillery and Daisy's stake in it demonstrates his commitment. The chapter also deepens the theme of secrets, showing how they can poison relationships and how honesty is the only way forward.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Joe's revelation about the family's ignorance of the abuse change Liam's perspective on his past?

Joe tells Liam that no one knew about the abuse his mother suffered; the family only learned after his father's death. Liam had assumed his family turned a blind eye, but they were simply unaware. This revelation forces Liam to reconsider his anger and resentment, and he realizes that he kept his mother's secrets just as he's keeping secrets now. It underscores the theme that secrets destroy relationships and motivates Liam to be more open with Daisy.

2. What does Liam's decision to carve Jaxon's name into the oak cask symbolize?

The oak cask is a symbol of the Murphy family legacy, where each generation leaves its mark. By carving Jaxon's name, Liam is welcoming the next generation into the family business and affirming that the distillery's future matters. It also shows Liam's desire to preserve the family heritage, which is threatened by Brendan's demolition plans. The act is both a personal connection and a statement of intent.

3. How does Liam's reaction to the contractors demonstrate his growth as a character?

Initially, Liam is furious and wants to physically confront the contractors, but Joe's reminder to think of Daisy calms him. He chooses to handle the situation through legal channels rather than violence, showing that he's learned to consider the consequences of his actions. His decision to prioritize Daisy's stake in the distillery and his own future with her over his immediate anger marks a significant maturation from his earlier impulsive behavior.