Unloved by Peyton Corinne Summary, Characters and Themes

Unloved by Peyton Corinne is a college romance that delicately explores trauma, healing, and emotional connection. 

The story is about Ro Shariff, a high-achieving, perfectionist student haunted by grief and self-doubt, and Freddy Fredderic, a misunderstood hockey star hiding ADHD, dyslexia, and personal loss. Through alternating points of view, Peyton Corinne delivers a slow-burn love story grounded in vulnerability and transformation. As Ro and Freddy break through personal walls and societal expectations, they learn that love doesn’t fix you—it helps you find the courage to fix yourself.

Summary

Ro Shariff returns early to Waterfell University to complete summer finals. She’s caught in the whirl of academic pressure and lingering emotional wounds.

She’s an exceptional tutor, but her life is quietly unraveling. Isolated and burdened by family expectations and grief, Ro also navigates a toxic, on-again/off-again dynamic with her manipulative ex, Tyler, who constantly undermines her self-worth.

Enter Matthew “Freddy” Fredderic, the university’s star hockey winger and notorious campus flirt. He’s charming, carefree on the surface, but underneath, he battles deep insecurities—struggling with dyslexia, ADHD, and the unresolved trauma of losing his younger sister to suicide.

He needs tutoring to remain eligible for hockey. Ro, despite her hesitations and past crush, reluctantly agrees to help him.

Their initial sessions are filled with tension and guarded banter. Freddy dubs Ro “Princess,” teasing her polished, rule-following demeanor.

But beneath that friction lies genuine intrigue. Freddy begins seeing Ro’s depth and hidden sadness, while Ro is surprised by Freddy’s intelligence and sincerity.

As tutoring continues, so does their mutual curiosity. Tyler, sensing he’s losing control, becomes increasingly invasive and jealous.

He spreads rumors, makes cruel bets, and tries to sabotage Ro’s fragile sense of identity. Freddy, meanwhile, becomes protective—more than just physically.

He listens. He notices. He remembers. Except one thing: a kiss they shared years earlier at a freshman party that Ro never forgot—and that Freddy was too drunk to recall.

As Ro opens up, encouraged by her fierce best friend Sadie, she begins shedding layers of perfectionism and fear. Freddy, in turn, starts working harder—academically and emotionally.

He begins therapy and academic coaching, revealing how much shame he’s carried about his learning differences and his past. Their chemistry intensifies in private study sessions and late-night talks.

They kiss, then retreat. They talk about their dead siblings. They laugh, fumble, argue, and try to protect each other from themselves.

Freddy finds Ro’s college “Sexy Bucket List” and rather than mock it, he offers to help her complete it. He frames it as an act of reclaiming her joy and agency.

Freddy’s teammates, once skeptical, start to respect Ro. Sadie warms up to Freddy after seeing his growth.

Meanwhile, Sadie faces a legal battle for custody of her younger brothers. Ro and Freddy support her, cementing a found-family bond that becomes central to the story’s emotional core.

Tyler’s final spiral leads to public confrontation—he’s fired from their café job. Ro files a formal complaint.

The toxic loop ends. The relationship between Ro and Freddy deepens with honesty and intentionality.

When they finally make love, it’s not about checking a box—it’s about healing. Freddy’s fear of becoming like his emotionally abusive father resurfaces.

Ro anchors him with grace and clarity. She’s no longer the invisible girl; she’s someone who has fought for her voice.

Ro is nominated for a prestigious biomedical research program. After internal conflict, she accepts.

She and Freddy decide to pursue long-distance after graduation—he’s drafted to Dallas, and she remains at Waterfell for the Tinley program.

Their bucket list ends with starlit laughter rather than lust. Both begin reconnecting with family.

Freddy reconciles with his mother. Ro writes a goodbye letter to her late mother, finally finding peace.

Years later, they live together. Ro is in med school. Freddy plays in the NHL.

On a snowy night outside the college library—their first meaningful place—Freddy proposes. She says yes.

The book closes with Freddy’s voice, full of quiet reverence justifying the love he has for her. 

Characters

Ro Shariff

Ro is a deeply introspective and high-achieving college student, struggling to navigate the pressures of academic excellence, personal trauma, and toxic relationships. Her life is defined by perfectionism, stemming from both family expectations and unresolved grief from her childhood.

She often feels isolated, though her friendship with Sadie offers her much-needed support. Ro’s internal conflict is one of the central themes of the novel, as she battles with self-doubt, fear of emotional intimacy, and the consequences of past heartbreak.

Her relationship with Freddy acts as a catalyst for her emotional growth, as it pushes her to confront her fears and reclaim her sense of worth. Despite her guarded nature, Ro finds herself drawn to Freddy’s vulnerability and kindness, which challenges her perfectionist ideals and ultimately allows her to embrace a more authentic version of herself.

Matthew “Freddy” Fredderic 

Freddy, the charismatic but emotionally scarred hockey player, initially appears as the typical “bad boy” with a reputation for partying and casual flings. However, as the story unfolds, his complexities are revealed.

Freddy struggles with dyslexia, ADHD, and the trauma of losing his younger sister to suicide. These challenges shape his self-perception and influence his behavior, particularly his fear of being perceived as a failure.

Underneath his bravado, Freddy is a man wrestling with guilt, shame, and the pressure to live up to expectations, both from his family and his team. His relationship with Ro is transformative, helping him confront his inner demons and accept his vulnerabilities.

Freddy’s growth is marked by his willingness to engage in therapy, seek help academically, and become more emotionally available. His development culminates in a quiet but powerful declaration of love, showing that his journey is as much about healing as it is about love.

Tyler

Tyler represents a toxic relationship dynamic that serves as a foil to Ro’s budding connection with Freddy. As Ro’s ex-boyfriend and coworker, Tyler manipulates and belittles her, creating an environment where Ro feels small and unworthy.

His presence in the narrative illustrates the patterns of emotional abuse that Ro must untangle in order to find her true sense of self. His actions are driven by jealousy and control, especially as he becomes more threatened by Ro’s growing bond with Freddy.

Tyler’s behavior, while destructive, pushes Ro toward necessary self-discovery and forces her to stand up for herself. Ultimately, Tyler’s downfall is a pivotal moment in Ro’s journey, as she is finally able to sever the toxic ties that have held her back.

Sadie

Sadie serves as both a supportive friend and a catalyst for Ro’s transformation. Tough, loyal, and pragmatic, Sadie is often the voice of reason and encouragement for Ro, pushing her to break free from the constraints of perfectionism and to embrace the life she deserves.

Sadie’s own struggles with family dynamics—particularly the custody battle over her younger brothers—mirror Ro’s emotional journey. Through these shared moments of vulnerability, their friendship strengthens, and Sadie becomes an integral part of Ro’s healing process.

Sadie’s eventual relationship with Rhys also serves as a narrative counterpoint to Ro and Freddy’s romance, illustrating the varied paths to personal growth and happiness.

Rhys

As the hockey team captain, Rhys initially represents the more traditional, stoic masculine archetype in the story. His relationship with Sadie evolves over the course of the novel, starting with mutual wariness and gradually blossoming into a supportive, flirtatious connection.

Rhys’s character, while not as central as Ro or Freddy, serves to highlight the importance of emotional maturity and the complexities of interpersonal relationships. His eventual acceptance of Freddy and Ro’s relationship reflects a broader theme of growth and understanding among the characters, as they all learn to navigate their feelings and relationships in healthier ways.

Themes

Trauma, Grief, and Healing

The characters in Unloved are deeply impacted by past trauma and grief, which shape their relationships and emotional landscapes. Ro’s grief stems from her complicated relationship with her late mother, which continues to haunt her throughout the story.

She struggles with self-worth and the fear of being judged for not living up to expectations, both from her family and her internal standards. Freddy’s grief is tied to the traumatic loss of his sister, who died by suicide, a loss that fuels his academic struggles and drives him to push forward in college.

This grief, however, is not only a personal burden; it affects his relationships and shapes his behavior, especially with Ro. The emotional weight both characters carry eventually leads them toward healing, but it is a slow, painful process marked by moments of vulnerability, honesty, and a deep willingness to confront their scars.

Their shared trauma becomes a bond that ultimately fosters a deeper emotional intimacy, leading them toward mutual understanding and healing.

The Struggles with Identity and Self-Worth in the Face of External Expectations

Ro and Freddy’s battles with identity and self-worth serve as key undercurrents of the narrative. Ro is a high-achiever, yet she feels trapped by the expectations placed on her, both by her family and herself.

Throughout the novel, she is forced to reconcile her academic success with her emotional fragility, struggling with feelings of loneliness and the pressure to maintain a flawless image. Her identity as a successful student is tied to the approval of others, especially her mother, and she often questions whether she is enough as she is.

Freddy, on the other hand, grapples with issues surrounding his learning disabilities and the perception that his academic struggles reflect a lack of intelligence or effort. He hides his dyslexia and ADHD, not wanting to appear weak or unworthy.

His sense of self is tied to external validation—his hockey career and his attempts to fit the stereotypical “cool guy” image. The unraveling of these identities and the willingness to be vulnerable lead both characters to rediscover themselves.

The process of overcoming their insecurities is slow and fraught with setbacks, but it ultimately allows them to form a healthier and more authentic connection with each other.

Toxic Relationships and the Long Road to Self-Liberation

One of the novel’s most prominent themes is the destructive impact of toxic relationships, particularly Ro’s entanglement with her ex-boyfriend Tyler. Tyler manipulates Ro, criticizing her appearance and personality, making her feel small and unworthy.

His toxic behavior exacerbates Ro’s self-doubt and reinforces her feelings of isolation. Freddy’s role in this dynamic is equally complicated, as he initially seems like another unreliable figure in Ro’s life, given his reputation as a flirt and party-goer.

However, Freddy’s behavior gradually reveals a depth of sensitivity and care that contrasts sharply with Tyler’s cruelty. Over time, Ro comes to recognize that her relationship with Tyler is rooted in manipulation and fear rather than love and respect.

Freddy, by contrast, treats her with kindness and understanding, offering her a different model of how to interact in a romantic relationship. The emotional breakthrough for Ro comes when she finally extricates herself from Tyler’s hold, an act that signifies her willingness to reclaim her autonomy and prioritize her own emotional well-being.

Freddy, too, must confront his own toxic behaviors, especially his fear of vulnerability, and grow into a more self-aware, supportive partner for Ro. Their journey toward self-liberation is a gradual one, marked by setbacks and realizations, but ultimately leads them both to healthier, more authentic relationships.

The Power of Emotional Vulnerability and Honest Connection

At the heart of Unloved is the theme of emotional vulnerability and its transformative power in relationships. Ro and Freddy’s connection is built on a foundation of emotional intimacy rather than superficial attraction or physical chemistry.

Throughout the novel, they learn that true intimacy comes not from perfection or ease but from the willingness to be open, honest, and vulnerable with one another. Ro, who has spent much of her life repressing her emotions and maintaining control, slowly allows herself to be seen and understood by Freddy.

Freddy, in turn, learns to confront his own fears of inadequacy and failure, particularly regarding his academic struggles and his unresolved grief. Their relationship grows not through grand gestures or dramatic moments, but through the quiet, everyday acts of emotional honesty.

Whether it’s Freddy opening up about his sister’s death or Ro sharing her deepest insecurities, each moment of vulnerability strengthens their bond and helps them build a more meaningful connection. This vulnerability ultimately allows them both to grow as individuals and as partners, creating a love based not on idealized fantasies but on deep emotional understanding.

The Intersection of Personal Growth and Romantic Love

In Unloved, romantic love is portrayed as a vehicle for personal growth. Both Ro and Freddy enter their relationship carrying heavy emotional baggage, but as their connection deepens, they each embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing.

Ro’s journey is one of learning to prioritize her own needs and desires, independent of her family’s expectations or her past relationships. Freddy, meanwhile, must unlearn years of shame about his academic difficulties and confront his fear of becoming like his emotionally distant father.

Their romance serves as a mirror for their own internal transformations. Rather than seeking validation or fulfillment from each other, they learn to support one another’s personal growth and embrace their flaws.

This dynamic reflects the novel’s message that love should not be about completing each other but about fostering each other’s individuality and self-acceptance. By the end of the story, both Ro and Freddy have evolved into more confident, self-assured individuals, no longer defined by their past traumas or insecurities but by the love they share and the lives they are building together.