Chapter 33 Summary: Diana Meets the Lindleys
⚠️ 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
Diana and Shane drive three hours to Heartsong, Vermont, for his parents’ anniversary party. During the drive, Diana learns that Shane’s ex Lynsey is not attending, and she senses his parents may not have fully approved of Lynsey. Diana reveals she grew up in Oak Ridges, Massachusetts, and describes her father’s job as a SWAT team leader. Upon arrival, Diana is charmed by the idyllic town and by Shane’s welcoming family—his father Ryan, mother April, and younger sister Maryanne. The Lindley house rule (no sleeping in the same room) means Diana stays in a separate guest room, though she and Shane secretly agree he’ll sneak in later. At the anniversary party, Diana dances with Ryan, who tells her she’s “different” and that Shane needs a challenge. Diana reflects on her own family: her mother’s condescension, her southern relatives’ disapproval, and her father’s unwavering belief in her. She also admits to herself that the anxiety attacks she’s been having since Percy hit her are getting worse, and that she relies on Shane’s presence at the apartment complex to feel safe.
Key Events
- Diana and Shane discuss his parents’ likely opinion of his ex-girlfriend Lynsey.
- Diana shares details about her own family, including her father’s SWAT role and her mother’s intellectual elitism.
- They arrive in Heartsong, a storybook Vermont town that Diana finds “nauseatingly cute.”
- Diana meets Ryan, April, and Maryanne; she bonds quickly with them.
- At dinner, Shane’s grandparents tell a story about Ryan eating spicy chili to impress April’s parents.
- Diana notices a moment of sadness between Ryan and April, hinting at hidden strain.
- Diana dances with Ryan, who calls her “an interesting development” and says Shane needs a challenge.
- Shane cuts in and dances with Diana; they flirt about sex.
- Diana internally grapples with her anxiety attacks and her sense of being “different” from her biological family.
Character Development
- Diana: Her vulnerability deepens. She admits to anxiety attacks triggered by Percy’s assault and acknowledges that she values Shane’s protection. She also reflects on her identity as “different” from her mother and southern relatives, while cherishing her father’s view of her as “unstoppable.”
- Shane: His parents observe that he is more relaxed around Diana than he was with Lynsey. Shane’s request for Diana to “tone down” the bickering shows he wants to protect his family’s impression, but also reveals his genuine care for Diana’s effect on him.
- Ryan Lindley (Shane’s dad): He perceives Diana as a positive challenge for Shane. A subtle sadness in his demeanor during family stories hints at possible marital strain or nostalgia.
- April Lindley: Welcoming and curious, she treats Diana warmly but asks pointed questions about their relationship.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- “Different”: The word appears repeatedly as Ryan describes Diana, and as Diana reflects on her own sense of alienation from her family. The motif underscores Diana’s search for belonging.
- Family as Mirror: Shane’s cohesive, loving family contrasts with Diana’s fractured one. The Lindleys’ visible (if imperfect) love sets a standard that both influences Shane and makes Diana yearn for similar stability.
- The Safe Space: The guest room rule and the party setting create boundaries that paradoxically allow Diana to lower her guard. The dance floor becomes a place where she feels she belongs.
- Anxiety and Control: Diana’s anxiety attacks emerge in moments of stillness (waking up, night shifts). Her reliance on Shane as a buffer against Percy highlights her loss of control and her growing trust.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter humanizes Diana by exposing her hidden fears and her longing for acceptance. It deepens the fake-relationship plot by having Diana genuinely connect with Shane’s family, blurring the line between performance and reality. The hints of strain in Shane’s parents’ marriage (the sad looks, the warning hand squeeze) add a layer of complexity and foreshadow potential conflict. Diana’s admission about her anxiety marks a turning point: from her earlier bravado (“I don’t get nervous”) to acknowledging her vulnerability, setting the stage for her personal growth.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Diana feel “different” from her biological family, and how does that affect her self-image?
Diana feels different because her mother and southern relatives view her as outspoken and confrontational, while her brother is intellectually driven. Her mother dismisses Diana’s intelligence. Diana copes by clinging to her father’s perception of her as unstoppable, but the repeated labeling as “different” stirs insecurity.
2. What evidence suggests that Shane’s parents may not have a perfectly happy marriage?
During the chili story, Shane’s father appears sad, and his mother squeezes his hand as if in warning. Diana notices a longing and sorrow in Ryan’s eyes when he looks at April. These subtle cues imply underlying tension or unresolved issues.
3. How does Diana’s experience with anxiety in this chapter contradict her earlier claim that she “doesn’t get nervous”?
Earlier, Diana boasted she never gets nervous, but she now reveals she suffers anxiety attacks upon waking and during night shifts since Percy hit her. She admits that without Shane’s presence, she would be locked in her apartment, suffering even more attacks. This contradiction shows her defensive front cracking.