Get Lost with You Summary, Characters and Themes

Get Lost with You by Sophie Sullivan is a heartfelt story about love, second chances, and the complexities of navigating life’s past and present.  Set in the small town of Smile, the novel follows Jillian Keller, a single mother who is reluctantly drawn into her high school reunion to support her best friend Lainey.

There, she reconnects with Levi Bright, a childhood friend with whom she shares unresolved feelings.  As they rekindle their friendship and explore the possibility of something more, they must confront their pasts, fears, and the risks of embracing a future together. With warmth and humor, Get Lost with You explores the dynamics of love, trust, and the courage to let go of the past for a better future.

Summary

Jillian Keller, a single mother, isn’t thrilled about attending her high school reunion, but she agrees to go and help her best friend Lainey, who regrets going to the event to flaunt her success.  Jillian has moved on from her high school years, focusing on raising her daughter Ollie and managing the responsibilities of running her brother’s lodge.

At the reunion, Jillian feels out of place, surrounded by people from her past, but she is determined to make the best of it.  She reconnects with Lainey, who is dancing in the center of the gym, and the two share a moment of laughter, reminiscing about their childhood.

Amid the revelry, Jillian can’t help but think about Levi Bright, her childhood friend, and a boy she once had a crush on.

Levi has returned to Smile after being away for years, and he is adjusting to life back in town.  He was once a prominent figure in Jillian’s life, and his return stirs up emotions she thought she had buried.

While Jillian spends time with Lainey, she can’t shake the thought of Levi, and when their paths cross again at a local store, it sparks a connection.  Levi accidentally knocks over some cupcakes Jillian is carrying, leading to a sweet but awkward conversation.

Their brief encounter reignites the old feelings they had for each other, and both are left wondering if it’s possible to rekindle something from the past.

Jillian has built a life for herself and Ollie, and she is hesitant to open up to Levi again.  She is still scarred from her failed marriage, and the idea of risking her heart with Levi makes her anxious.

However, Levi’s presence in her life is hard to ignore.  Their connection deepens as they spend more time together, and Jillian finds herself wondering whether there is a future for them.

Despite her reservations, she can’t deny the chemistry between them.  Levi shows patience and gentleness, offering a sense of comfort that Jillian has longed for, but she is reluctant to risk the balance she has worked so hard to create.

As their relationship evolves, Jillian wrestles with her fear of repeating her past mistakes, especially when it comes to her daughter, Ollie.  She worries about the potential impact of introducing Levi into their lives if things don’t work out.

Meanwhile, Levi grapples with his own uncertainties, particularly his strained relationship with his father, who disapproves of his career as a chef.  Levi’s father has never supported his decision to pursue cooking instead of taking over the family construction business, and this tension adds to Levi’s internal struggle as he navigates his feelings for Jillian.

Levi begins to explore the idea of starting a food truck business in Smile, and he works on creating a menu that reflects his passion for cooking.  His friends and family are supportive, but his father’s disapproval looms large.

Despite the challenges, Levi is determined to follow his dreams and prove to himself and his family that he is capable of building a life on his own terms.  His growing relationship with Jillian complicates things further, as he begins to envision a future in Smile, both personally and professionally.

Jillian’s life becomes more complicated when she receives news that her parents are selling their house.  Her ex-husband also starts making efforts to rekindle their relationship, adding more pressure to her already hectic life.

At the same time, her feelings for Levi continue to grow, and she struggles with the idea of opening her heart to him again.  A pivotal moment occurs when Levi, in an attempt to show Jillian how serious he is about their relationship, builds a pergola for her.

This gesture symbolizes his commitment and desire to create something lasting with her.

Despite her fears, Jillian can’t ignore her feelings for Levi.  After a brief separation where they both try to figure out their emotions, Jillian eventually reaches out to Levi, recognizing that her fears were holding her back from fully embracing the future.

Their reunion is emotional, and they both acknowledge their love for each other.  Levi’s vulnerability and commitment to their relationship help Jillian overcome her fears, and she opens herself up to the possibility of a future with him.

By the end of the story, Jillian and Levi have overcome their individual struggles and found a way to move forward together.  They are no longer bound by the fears of their past, and they are ready to build a future together, both in their personal lives and professionally.

Levi’s food truck venture is taking off, and Jillian is fully supportive of his dreams, while also nurturing her own ambitions.  They find balance in their relationship, and Jillian is able to integrate Levi into her life with Ollie, embracing the changes that come with it.

The story ends with a sense of hope and a new beginning for both of them as they look forward to the future they are creating together.

Characters

Jillian Keller

Jillian Keller, the protagonist of Get Lost with You, is a complex and multifaceted character whose journey revolves around emotional vulnerability, motherhood, and overcoming the remnants of past trauma.  At the start of the story, Jillian is a single mother who has built a life around her daughter, Ollie, and a series of practical responsibilities, including managing her late brother’s lodge and handling various accounting tasks.

Despite her outward stability, Jillian struggles with deep-seated insecurities, especially surrounding her failed marriage and the emotional scars left by her ex-husband.  Her reluctance to attend her high school reunion showcases her discomfort with revisiting the past and facing the awkwardness of her high school self, a sentiment that reflects her ongoing battle with self-acceptance.

Jillian’s vulnerability is most apparent in her relationship with Levi.  Though she is drawn to him, the depth of her feelings is tempered by a protective instinct towards Ollie, fearing the consequences of introducing Levi into their already delicate family dynamic.

Her internal conflict is shaped by her anxiety about love and trust, driven by the past mistakes she feels could repeat.  Jillian’s hesitations are further complicated by her desire for stability and control, making it difficult for her to embrace the uncertainty of a new relationship.

However, her growth over the course of the narrative reveals a woman who, despite her fears, learns to confront the possibility of love and happiness, even when it feels risky.  Ultimately, Jillian’s arc is about reconciling the person she was with the woman she is becoming, embracing the idea of opening herself up to love once again, especially with someone like Levi who has become a pivotal figure in her life.

Levi Bright

Levi Bright, a chef who has returned to the small town of Smile after years away, is a character defined by his emotional growth, the weight of past decisions, and his desire for a fresh start.  When Levi reconnects with Jillian, his childhood friend, he finds himself confronting feelings he thought were long buried.

His return to Smile, driven by both personal and professional motives, marks the beginning of a new chapter where he is eager to rebuild not only his career but also his emotional life.  Levi’s charm lies in his earnestness and the way he gradually allows his vulnerability to show, especially in his interactions with Jillian.

Though he is confident in his culinary skills and ready to dive into his food truck business, it is clear that Levi’s true emotional journey is centered around his evolving relationship with Jillian.

Levi’s relationship with his father also plays a significant role in his development.  His father’s disapproval of Levi’s career choice and his belief that Levi is not “good enough” for Jillian creates a tension that Levi must overcome.

Despite these familial challenges, Levi remains determined to pursue his own path, both professionally and personally.  His feelings for Jillian only deepen as the story progresses, with his emotional attachment to her and her daughter becoming a central aspect of his character.

The struggles he faces in reconciling his desire for a future with Jillian, alongside his ambitions, speak to his internal conflict and growth.  By the end of the story, Levi is not just a man trying to find success but a person willing to take emotional risks for the possibility of love and a future with someone who means so much to him.

Ollie Keller

Ollie Keller, Jillian’s young daughter, serves as an emotional anchor in the story, representing innocence, unfiltered curiosity, and the complexities of love through a child’s lens.  Though Ollie is not the central character, her presence significantly influences Jillian’s decisions and the trajectory of her relationship with Levi.

Ollie’s relationship with Levi is warm and genuine, and her innocent questions about their evolving dynamic often provide lighthearted moments that contrast with the more serious emotional stakes at play.  Her excitement at the idea of Levi being part of their lives adds a sense of hope and potential to Jillian’s own feelings, even as Jillian remains hesitant.

Through Ollie’s interactions with Levi, the reader sees the possibility of a happy, blended family, though Jillian’s fears about the future complicate this vision.  Ollie represents the unspoken hope that exists in their relationship, offering both Jillian and Levi moments of tenderness that challenge their fears and help them envision a future together.

Her role is pivotal in pushing Jillian to confront her anxieties about love and commitment, serving as a reminder of what’s at stake and why taking risks for love is worthwhile.

Lainey

Lainey, Jillian’s best friend, provides both comedic relief and emotional depth to the narrative.  While she initially appears to be the more carefree and outgoing of the two, her role in the story reveals a woman dealing with her own insecurities and regrets.

Lainey’s initial motivation for attending the high school reunion is rooted in a desire to flaunt her success, but she quickly finds herself regretting the superficiality of that decision.  Her friendship with Jillian is marked by moments of humor and deep affection, as she encourages Jillian to embrace the social aspects of the reunion, even as Jillian resists.

Lainey’s presence in Jillian’s life is important not only as a friend but also as a contrast to Jillian’s more reserved and cautious nature.  Lainey pushes Jillian out of her comfort zone and serves as a reminder of the value of human connection, even when it feels daunting.

Through Lainey’s character, the reader sees the ways in which friendships can offer support and guidance, helping the protagonist navigate her more complicated relationships, especially with Levi.  Though Lainey’s personal struggles remain secondary to the main plot, her role in Jillian’s life underscores the importance of having someone who understands and accepts you during times of emotional turmoil.

Themes

Reconnection with the Past

In Get Lost with You, the theme of reconnecting with the past is central to the development of both the main characters, Jillian and Levi.  The narrative hinges on their shared history, from their childhood in Smile to the emotional ties that have lingered over the years.

For Levi, returning to his hometown sparks a sense of nostalgia and an exploration of old relationships, especially his connection with Jillian.  Their reunion highlights how time has altered them but also brought them back together to confront their past feelings.

For Jillian, returning to Smile and reconnecting with Levi represents a deep inner conflict between the stability she’s worked hard to create as a mother and the unresolved emotions of a youthful crush that have resurfaced.  Their reunion challenges their perceptions of who they are and who they were to each other, showing that while the past is something we can’t erase, it doesn’t have to define our future.

In Levi’s case, his return to Smile is not just about revisiting old friendships but reexamining his place in the world, which is forever linked to the love he feels for Jillian.  For Jillian, the past represents a time of hurt and disillusionment, particularly with her failed marriage, but the emotional ties to Levi pull her into considering what it means to start over, even when the ghosts of the past linger.

The Complexity of Love and Fear

At the heart of Get Lost with You lies a complicated relationship between love and fear.  Jillian and Levi’s relationship constantly fluctuates between moments of deep connection and emotional withdrawal.

Jillian, a single mother who has already experienced the heartache of a failed marriage, is fearful of repeating past mistakes.  Her fears manifest as hesitation to embrace the growing feelings she has for Levi, worrying about the impact on her daughter, Ollie.

This fear of potential heartbreak prevents her from fully opening up to the possibility of love with Levi.  On the other hand, Levi is deeply invested in this relationship, but he too struggles with his own insecurities.

His emotional vulnerability is met with Jillian’s reluctance, creating a push-pull dynamic between them.  As the story progresses, both characters learn to face their fears, with Levi expressing his love through a symbol of commitment—a pergola he builds for Jillian.

This act of devotion serves as a metaphor for the risks involved in love: it requires both trust and the willingness to face potential heartache.  Their journey toward love is not straightforward, and each of them must navigate their own internal struggles.

The theme reflects the universal truth that love is not only about passion and joy but also about confronting the fears that come with intimacy, vulnerability, and the possibility of loss.

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

Personal growth and self-discovery are prominent throughout Get Lost with You, particularly through Jillian’s character arc.  She begins the story as a woman deeply entrenched in the responsibilities of single motherhood and business management, with little room to reflect on her own needs or desires.

Jillian’s decision to attend the reunion with Lainey, despite her reservations, marks the beginning of her journey toward reclaiming aspects of herself that have been suppressed by life’s obligations.  Her reencounter with Levi forces Jillian to reconsider her own capacity for love, as well as the possibility of reentering a relationship.

As she grows closer to Levi, she faces the truth of her own emotional barriers—fears stemming from past disappointments that hinder her from moving forward.  Her development is catalyzed by the evolving relationship with Levi, which forces her to confront the idea of trusting someone again, not only for her own happiness but for the sake of her daughter.

Levi, too, undergoes personal growth as he adjusts to life back in Smile and grapples with his own aspirations and identity.  His journey of self-discovery centers on his desire to pursue his passion for cooking and his dream of opening a food truck, which is something he had set aside in the past due to familial pressure.

Levi’s relationship with Jillian challenges him to step into his own authenticity, realizing that true happiness lies in embracing his passions, regardless of others’ expectations.  Both characters grow by rediscovering who they are when they allow themselves to be vulnerable with each other and take risks.

Family and Commitment

The theme of family and commitment is explored deeply in Get Lost with You, particularly through Jillian’s role as a mother and Levi’s desire to be part of her family.  Jillian’s initial reluctance to pursue a relationship with Levi stems from her concern for her daughter, Ollie, and her desire to protect her from further emotional turmoil.

Jillian’s history with her ex-husband and her single motherhood have made her protective of the life she has built for Ollie.  The idea of introducing Levi into their world brings uncertainty and fear of the potential impact on Ollie’s emotional well-being.

This theme reflects the complexities of forming relationships when there are children involved, as the stakes are higher and the risks are more pronounced.  However, as the story unfolds, Levi shows his commitment to Jillian and Ollie, not just through his words but through his actions.

He works hard to prove that he is not just interested in a fleeting romance but is willing to build a life with Jillian and her daughter.  Jillian’s eventual acceptance of Levi into their world represents her own understanding of what it means to open herself up to love again.

It also reflects the notion that commitment is not only about romantic love but about the willingness to share one’s life and heart with others, especially when it involves the complexities of family.

The Struggle Between Stability and Change

Get Lost with You explores the tension between stability and the desire for change, especially in the lives of Jillian and Levi.  Jillian has built a life of stability for herself and her daughter, focusing on the responsibilities of managing a lodge and taking care of Ollie.

This stable life is something she’s worked hard for, and she fears that any change—especially a romantic relationship with Levi—could disrupt the balance she’s achieved.  This fear of change is coupled with her hesitation to trust in love again after the failure of her marriage.

For Levi, the return to Smile symbolizes the opportunity for change, a fresh start in both his personal and professional life.  He wants to follow his dreams of starting a food truck, but doing so requires him to leave behind the security of the life he built in Vermont.

Levi’s journey represents the courage it takes to embrace change, even when it brings uncertainty.  This conflict between stability and change is central to both characters’ growth.

Jillian’s eventual acceptance of Levi and the possibility of a future together signifies her willingness to take risks, to step out of her comfort zone for the sake of love and personal fulfillment.  The theme highlights the universal challenge of balancing the security of the familiar with the allure of the unknown, showing that change, while difficult, is sometimes necessary for growth and happiness.