Chapter 19 Summary – Grace’s Sophomore Resolve and Logan’s Return to Briar

⚠️ 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

Grace begins her sophomore year determined to be more confident and independent. She has not spoken to her former best friend Ramona since spring. She meets her new roommate, the upbeat and punky Daisy, who invites her to the campus radio station for a possible job. Meanwhile, Logan returns to Hastings and joins the hockey team at open tryouts, where they scout a talented but hesitant freshman named Hunter. Despite his cheerful mood, Logan cannot stop thinking about Grace after she rejected him. The chapter alternates between Grace’s fresh start and Logan’s unresolved feelings.

Key Events

Grace makes her bed in her new dorm at Hartford House and mentally commits to “Sophomore Grace,” a more confident version of herself.
She reflects on the summer with her mother, who taught her to be confident, spontaneous, and indifferent to others’ opinions.
Her new roommate Daisy arrives; they bond over their quirks (Grace’s babbling, Daisy’s alleged night terrors).
Daisy mentions that she hosts an indie rock show and produces talk programs at the campus radio station. She invites Grace to meet the station manager, Morris, about a producer role for an advice show.
Logan wakes up in a great mood, blasting music in the kitchen of his rented house.
Garrett, Dean, Tucker, and Hollis gather to watch open hockey tryouts. They discuss the team’s losses: three forwards, two defensemen, and goalie Kenny Simms.
A skilled freshman named Hunter impresses everyone. Pierre reveals that Hunter was heavily recruited but considered quitting hockey; Coach convinced him to try out.
Dean jokes about “sucking his dick” to get Hunter on the team, then mockingly explains orgasms to tease Logan.
Logan mentally compares Dean’s reference to Ted Bundy and realizes he’s turning into Grace.
Coach Jensen yells at the upperclassmen to stop stalking practice and head to the weight room.

Character Development

Grace shows significant growth. She has consciously shed her Freshman Grace identity, which let friends and guys walk over her. Her summer with her mother has instilled self-assurance; she now values her own opinion above others. She is open to new friendships (Daisy) and opportunities (radio station), and she maintains her resolve not to immediately trust Logan. She still thinks about him but insists he must “up his game.”

Logan is in a buoyant mood upon returning to Hastings, but underneath he is anxious about the team’s weakened roster (especially losing Kenny Simms). His preoccupation with Grace is evident: he wonders if his interest is purely ego-driven, and he considers flowers or public groveling to win her back. He also shows a playful, crude sense of humor with his teammates (the Bundy comparison, Dean’s orgasm joke), which contrasts with his vulnerability regarding Grace.

Daisy (new character) is introduced as cheerful, self-deprecating, and easygoing. She immediately welcomes Grace and offers a concrete path to involvement on campus. Her description (pink bangs, Doc Martens, Southern drawl) and humor (joking about night terrors) make her likable and distinct.

Dean and Garrett provide comic relief and insight into team dynamics. Dean’s teasing of Logan about his sexual prowess and his determination to recruit Hunter reveal his competitive, loyal nature.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Change and Identity – Grace’s “Sophomore Grace” mantra embodies the theme of reinvention. She actively works to become someone who won’t be a doormat or a distraction. The contrast between Freshman Grace and Sophomore Grace symbolizes personal growth through experience and reflection.

Home and Belonging – Logan declares “It’s good to be home” even though his childhood home is in Munsen. His rented house in Hastings feels more like home because of the team brotherhood. The hockey team itself represents a surrogate family and a source of stability.

Competition and Ego – Logan’s internal debate about whether his pursuit of Grace is driven by ego or genuine interest aligns with the competitive atmosphere of the hockey tryouts. The chapter suggests that both in hockey and romance, desire can be conflated with pride.

Mentorship and Guidance – Grace’s mother’s summer lessons (be confident, spontaneous, value your own opinion) are a guiding force. Similarly, Coach Jensen and the older hockey players are evaluating and mentoring freshmen. Daisy gives Grace a practical lead—a job at the radio station—that fosters her independence.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks the transition from the summer break to the academic year, resetting the narrative stage. It deepens Grace’s character and introduces a promising new friend and potential job, paving the way for her campus integration away from Ramona’s influence. For Logan, the chapter reinforces his unresolved feelings for Grace and sets up the hockey team’s central challenge—finding a new goalie and maintaining championship hopes. The introduction of Hunter as a possibly reluctant recruit adds a subplot that will affect the team’s fortunes. The chapter also strengthens the romantic tension: Grace is determined not to be easily won, while Logan is actively considering how to win her back.

3 Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Grace’s “Sophomore Plan” reflect the lessons she learned from her mother over the summer? Grace’s plan to be confident, spontaneous, and trust only her own opinion directly echoes her mother’s advice. She no longer lets Ramona dictate her choices or Logan’s attention define her worth. The summer makeovers taught her to disregard external judgment.

2. Why does Logan compare his own Ted Bundy remark to “turning into Grace”? Earlier in the book (not in this chapter) Grace made a similar dark-humor reference. Logan recognizes that he is adopting her snarky, referential style, which shows how much she has influenced him even in her absence. It also highlights his ongoing mental preoccupation with her.

3. What does the open tryouts scene reveal about the Briar hockey team’s current weaknesses and hopes? The team lost key forwards, defensemen, and their star goalie Kenny Simms. The upperclassmen are worried about postseason chances. The only bright spot is the freshmen tryouts, particularly Hunter, whose speed and skill could help, but he may not commit to the team. The scene establishes the high stakes for the season.