Save Me by Mona Kasten Summary, Characters and Themes
Save Me (Maxton Hall #1) by Mona Kasten is a story that explores the life of Ruby, a student at the prestigious Maxton Hall College. Ruby is determined, intelligent, and focused on achieving her goal of attending Oxford University.
However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles upon a compromising situation involving her teacher, Mr. Sutton, and one of the students, Lydia Beaufort. Ruby finds herself caught up in a web of secrets, social power struggles, and intense emotions as she navigates her complicated relationship with James Beaufort, Lydia’s brother, who is from a wealthy and influential family. The story delves into Ruby’s internal struggles and her attempts to balance her ambition with her growing feelings for James, all while navigating the pressures of wealth, status, and family expectations.
Summary
Ruby is a disciplined student at Maxton Hall College, an institution filled with wealthy, powerful students. She meticulously organizes her life through a color-coded bullet journal to stay on track with her goal of gaining admission to Oxford University.
To strengthen her application, Ruby seeks a letter of recommendation from her teacher, Mr. Sutton.
However, her orderly life is disrupted when she accidentally witnesses Mr. Sutton having an intimate moment with Lydia Beaufort, one of the school’s influential students.
This event leaves Ruby unsettled, and she struggles to keep the encounter a secret, fearing the consequences of speaking out.
Ruby, coming from a less affluent background, tries to keep a low profile at school, particularly around the affluent Beaufort family, who dominate the social scene. She wishes to stay under the radar, but things take a turn when James Beaufort, Lydia’s brother, approaches Ruby with a bribe, offering her hush money to keep quiet about the incident.
Ruby rejects the money, throwing it back at him, unwilling to be silenced. Despite the tension between them, she is determined to stay focused on her academic goals and not be dragged into their world of privilege.
Ruby’s life becomes further complicated when she is assigned to cover a lacrosse game for the school blog. She struggles to keep up with the fast-paced game while taking notes and photos.
Alistair Ellington, another wealthy student, plays on the team and gets into a fight during the match. Ruby starts to feel the weight of the social dynamics at Maxton Hall, where students like James and Alistair hold significant influence.
However, Alistair surprises Ruby by offering to help her with her article by taking photos, showing a side of him that contrasts with his usual arrogant persona.
After the game, Maxton Hall’s team celebrates their victory, and Ruby reflects on the complexities of her life at the school. She resolves to stay away from the Beauforts and their world of excess, determined to maintain her focus on her academic ambitions.
However, James continues to press her, warning her to stay away from his friends and using his influence to intimidate her. Ruby, frustrated with his arrogance, refuses to let him control her.
She remains committed to her goal of attending Oxford, even as the social pressures at Maxton Hall intensify.
The tension escalates at a party at Maxton Hall, where the event is poorly executed, and guests, including James, Wren, Cyril, and Alistair, are disappointed by the lackluster atmosphere. James is plotting something, and Cyril is still grappling with his unresolved feelings for Lydia.
The party takes a chaotic turn when James hires strippers as a part of his plan, adding to the scandalous nature of the evening. Ruby, who is involved in organizing the event, finds herself in the middle of the mess.
James grows suspicious of Ruby’s relationship with Mr. Sutton after seeing them in a private conversation, leading him to start snapping photos of Ruby and her teacher.
The aftermath of the party causes trouble for James, as his parents reprimand him for the incident, though they still shield him from major consequences. He is assigned to work on the events committee as punishment, which only worsens his attitude.
Despite this, Ruby and James continue to clash, particularly in their interactions regarding the failed party. James becomes more isolated as the consequences of his actions at Maxton Hall mount, while Ruby remains focused on her academic aspirations.
Later, Ruby reluctantly agrees to accompany James on a trip to London to help with costumes for an upcoming event. Although uncomfortable at first, the trip provides an opportunity for Ruby to see a different side of James.
She learns more about his strained relationship with his family and the immense pressure he faces. Their interactions begin to break down the walls they’ve built, and they start to understand each other better.
However, their relationship is still complicated by their different social worlds and expectations.
At a party at Cyril’s house, things take another unexpected turn when Ruby has an altercation with Lydia, who becomes suspicious of Ruby’s involvement in Mr. Sutton’s secret.
Ruby finds herself even more out of place in the social scene, and after an uncomfortable moment, she stumbles upon Alistair and Keshav engaged in an intimate moment. Later, during the party, Cyril forces Ruby into a pool, triggering a traumatic memory from her childhood involving her father’s boating accident.
James rescues her, and they share a moment of connection that deepens Ruby’s confusion about her feelings for him.
Ruby’s emotions become even more complicated when she receives a gift from James: a leather bag with her initials. As she grapples with her growing attraction to him, Ruby also begins to confront her conflicting emotions about her future.
James and Ruby share a moment of honesty when they discuss their mutual struggles with family expectations, and Ruby realizes that they have more in common than she initially thought.
As their relationship continues to evolve, Ruby’s internal struggle intensifies. She is torn between her feelings for James and her desire to maintain her independence and focus on her academic goals.
The tensions between them culminate at a Halloween event where they share a passionate kiss, only for James’s father to interrupt, adding further confusion to Ruby’s feelings. As Ruby’s birthday approaches, she reflects on the depth of her emotions for James, unsure of what the future holds for them.
Ruby’s journey continues as she prepares for her Oxford interview. The stress of the interview process is compounded by her interactions with James, who appears distant and unapproachable.
Ruby struggles with feelings of self-doubt, especially after her second interview goes poorly. She is also confronted with Lydia’s secret, which adds another layer of complexity to her life.
Ruby’s relationship with James reaches a breaking point when she sees him with another girl, and the realization sets in that their connection may never fully materialize.
In the end, Ruby decides to distance herself from James and his world. Despite the emotional turmoil, she recognizes that she must prioritize her future over her complicated feelings.
The tension between them reaches a climax, leaving Ruby with more questions than answers about their relationship and what lies ahead for both of them.
Characters
Ruby
Ruby is a meticulous and determined student at Maxton Hall College. Her life is governed by a strong sense of order and ambition, as she diligently organizes her days with the help of a color-coded bullet journal.
Her primary goal is to secure a place at Oxford University, and she sees her academic and extracurricular achievements as stepping stones toward that future. Raised in a less privileged environment than her peers, Ruby is conscious of her place in the social hierarchy of the school.
She tries to avoid drawing attention to herself, especially around the wealthy Beauforts, who dominate the social scene. However, Ruby’s carefully constructed world is thrown off balance when she accidentally witnesses a compromising situation involving her teacher, Mr.
Sutton, and Lydia Beaufort. Ruby’s strong moral compass and determination to keep her secret create a deep internal struggle as she navigates the complex social dynamics at Maxton Hall.
Her interactions with James Beaufort, who is both an antagonist and a reluctant ally, add further emotional complexity to her journey, as she attempts to balance her academic aspirations with her personal feelings and the societal pressures around her.
James Beaufort
James is the epitome of privilege and arrogance, accustomed to using his wealth and social standing to assert dominance at Maxton Hall. His demeanor is one of self-assuredness, and he often finds himself at odds with Ruby, who does not belong to his elite social class.
Despite his outward bravado, James is a character shaped by deep internal conflict. His family, particularly his father, places immense pressure on him to continue their legacy, forcing him into a life he does not want.
This tension becomes evident when Ruby learns of his reluctance to take on the family business or attend Oxford, a fate that seems set in stone for him. Initially, James appears to be solely concerned with maintaining his family’s reputation and status, but as the story progresses, Ruby begins to see a different side of him.
He becomes more vulnerable, and their interactions reveal a complex character struggling to reconcile his own desires with the expectations placed on him. The journey of his relationship with Ruby is marked by conflict, vulnerability, and a gradual understanding, although their bond remains tangled with societal constraints and personal aspirations.
Lydia Beaufort
Lydia is James’s sister, and much like her brother, she is part of the privileged elite that governs the social life at Maxton Hall. However, beneath her confident and well-mannered exterior lies a woman grappling with her own insecurities and secrets.
Lydia’s relationship with Ruby begins with tension, particularly when Ruby becomes privy to her secret involvement with Mr. Sutton, a situation that complicates both Lydia’s personal life and her interactions with Ruby.
As the story unfolds, Lydia’s vulnerabilities become more apparent, especially when she confides in Ruby about her unexpected pregnancy. Her strained relationship with James further reveals the emotional undercurrents of the Beaufort family, where love and loyalty are often overshadowed by societal expectations.
While Lydia presents herself as a poised and confident figure, her struggles with family dynamics and the weight of her own choices make her a more layered character than initially perceived.
Alistair Ellington
Alistair is another prominent figure at Maxton Hall, known for his involvement in the lacrosse team and his seemingly carefree attitude. Though he maintains an air of detachment, especially around Ruby, there is more to Alistair than meets the eye.
His relationship with Ruby is initially marked by tension, as he is involved in the same social circles as James and the Beauforts, yet seems to operate in a more subtle, less confrontational manner. Despite their differences, Alistair unexpectedly helps Ruby during a crucial moment at a lacrosse match, showing a side of him that is supportive and compassionate.
His involvement in a secretive situation with Keshav, witnessed by Ruby, adds further layers to his character, presenting him as someone who, like many of his peers, is hiding parts of himself. Alistair’s complexity is revealed through his interactions with Ruby, highlighting his internal struggles and the pressure he faces in navigating a world built on appearances and expectations.
Cyril
Cyril is another figure at Maxton Hall who embodies the contradictions of privilege and personal turmoil. He is part of the circle of wealthy students who often find themselves caught in complicated relationships and social dynamics.
Cyril’s unresolved feelings toward Lydia, especially after their past relationship, add emotional depth to his character. He struggles with the hurt and confusion of a breakup that still lingers in his interactions with her.
This emotional baggage is further complicated when he is involved in a prank that triggers Ruby’s traumatic memories. Although Cyril’s behavior at the party initially appears lighthearted, his actions, like the prank that causes Ruby distress, reflect a lack of awareness of the emotional weight carried by others.
His character offers a glimpse into the fragility of relationships at Maxton Hall, where personal insecurities often drive reckless behavior.
Ember
Ember, Ruby’s sister, plays a supportive but less central role in the narrative. While her presence is more subdued compared to other characters, she is an important emotional anchor for Ruby.
During moments of personal distress, such as when Ruby struggles with her feelings for James and the complexities of her social environment, Ember provides a comforting presence. Her character represents the stability and grounding force in Ruby’s life, contrasting the chaos and unpredictability that Ruby faces at school.
Ember’s role emphasizes the importance of family and the support system that can often be a source of strength in the face of personal challenges.
Themes
Social Class and Privilege
In Save Me, social class plays a significant role in shaping the characters’ behaviors, relationships, and personal ambitions. Ruby’s background, marked by her modest upbringing, stands in stark contrast to the affluent world that surrounds her at Maxton Hall.
Ruby is acutely aware of her financial limitations and does everything possible to maintain a low profile, avoiding the attention of wealthy students like the Beauforts. Her determination to attend Oxford, a prestigious university, highlights her aspiration to transcend her social class and secure a future outside the confines of her family’s financial struggles.
In contrast, characters like James and Alistair, whose families hold significant power and wealth, navigate the school with a sense of entitlement. Their attitudes towards Ruby often reflect this divide—James, despite his growing feelings for her, consistently uses his wealth and status as tools to manipulate situations and exert control.
Ruby’s internal conflict is heavily influenced by this power dynamic, as she must constantly reconcile her values with the world she inhabits, which is dominated by status and influence. This theme of class disparity is further explored through the way characters like James and Lydia use their family connections to avoid consequences, while Ruby is left to face the repercussions of her own actions with no safety net.
Ruby’s growing awareness of the privileges held by those around her forces her to navigate relationships and social interactions carefully, questioning the fairness of the system that privileges wealth and heritage over individual merit and hard work. For Ruby, Maxton Hall represents not just an educational institution but a microcosm of the societal structure she must work within to achieve her dreams.
Throughout the novel, the tension between Ruby’s aspirations and the power held by the Beauforts, Ellingtons, and other wealthy students is ever-present. It becomes clear that social class in this world is not just a matter of finances but a system that dictates power, respect, and opportunities, making it even harder for characters like Ruby to succeed on their own terms.
Power and Control
The theme of power and control is evident throughout Save Me, especially through the characters of James and the other wealthy students. James embodies the complexity of power, as he is simultaneously a product of his family’s legacy and someone who is struggling with the weight of their expectations.
His actions, whether it is confronting Ruby, attempting to manipulate her, or threatening her with his family’s influence, reflect his need to maintain control over his environment, particularly when it comes to his relationships. This is most evident when he attempts to use his family’s wealth to intimidate Ruby into silence about Mr.
Sutton’s behavior, showcasing how power can be wielded as a form of coercion. Despite his arrogance and sense of entitlement, James’s emotional journey reveals how vulnerable he is within his own family, where he is expected to fulfill certain roles and live up to high expectations.
On the other hand, Ruby’s sense of power lies in her refusal to conform to the social pressures around her. Her rejection of James’s hush money demonstrates her resistance to being controlled, as she chooses to maintain her dignity and stick to her principles.
Ruby understands the importance of personal integrity, even if it means alienating herself from the dominant social groups at Maxton Hall. In her interactions with James, Ruby often finds herself in a tug-of-war for control—whether it’s in their professional conflicts over school events or their growing romantic tension.
The push and pull between them reflect the broader theme of power, where both characters must navigate their positions within a social structure that seeks to determine their worth and their place in the world.
The battle for control extends beyond personal relationships and into the institutional structures that define the characters’ lives. Ruby’s desire to secure a place at Oxford represents her effort to reclaim power over her future, breaking free from the constraints of her social class.
Meanwhile, the Beauforts, Ellingtons, and other privileged students hold an inherent control over the social dynamics at Maxton Hall, using their wealth and influence to shape their environment to their liking. This exploration of power is central to the conflicts in the story, as characters struggle not just with each other but with the larger systems that seek to define their identities and futures.
Identity and Self-Discovery
Ruby’s journey in Save Me is deeply tied to her quest for identity and self-discovery, particularly in the context of the intense pressure placed on her by the expectations of others. Throughout the story, Ruby grapples with who she is, both in terms of her personal aspirations and how she fits into the world around her.
Her focus on achieving academic success, especially her dream of attending Oxford, stems from her desire to forge an identity independent of her family’s financial situation. Ruby’s disciplined approach to life—keeping a meticulously organized bullet journal, prioritizing schoolwork, and managing her commitments—reflects her determination to maintain control over her future.
However, her encounter with the complexities of life at Maxton Hall, including her unexpected involvement with James and the revelations about the people around her, forces her to reconsider her sense of self.
The evolving relationship between Ruby and James plays a crucial role in this process of self-discovery. Initially, Ruby perceives James as a symbol of everything she doesn’t belong to—the wealthy, privileged world of Maxton Hall.
However, as she learns more about him, she begins to question her own assumptions and values, especially when James opens up about his struggles with his family and his reluctance to follow in his father’s footsteps. Ruby starts to recognize that, much like herself, James is trapped by societal expectations, and his apparent arrogance masks a deeper sense of insecurity.
This realization challenges Ruby’s perception of herself as an outsider and prompts her to confront her own feelings of worth, desire, and belonging. The tension in their relationship, marked by moments of intimacy and conflict, ultimately helps Ruby navigate the complexities of her identity and develop a clearer understanding of who she is and what she wants.
Additionally, the social dynamics at Maxton Hall, including her encounters with characters like Lydia and Mr. Sutton, push Ruby to examine her own values and moral compass.
The choices she makes—whether it’s rejecting hush money or confronting difficult truths—force her to reevaluate her principles and what it means to stay true to herself in a world that often values status over character. Ruby’s growth throughout the novel reflects the universal process of self-discovery, where personal growth is not only about achieving external goals but also about understanding one’s internal desires and limitations.
Love and Relationships
Romantic tension is an undeniable theme in Save Me, particularly through the complicated relationship between Ruby and James. Their dynamic is marked by moments of attraction, discomfort, and emotional vulnerability, each of which contributes to the gradual development of their connection.
From the beginning, their interactions are filled with tension, as Ruby finds herself caught between her growing feelings for James and her desire to remain distant from his world. James, on the other hand, struggles with his own emotions, trapped between his family’s expectations and his personal desires.
Their shared experiences—whether it’s the scandalous party, the Halloween event, or their candid conversations about their futures—allow them to see different sides of each other, but they both remain guarded due to their respective fears and uncertainties.
The evolving nature of their relationship highlights the complexities of love and attraction, especially when complicated by social and familial pressures. As Ruby begins to confront her feelings for James, she is also forced to consider whether a relationship with him can survive the challenges posed by their different social worlds.
James’s actions, often unpredictable and frustrating, force Ruby to question his true feelings for her and whether he can be trusted. Yet, despite the turmoil, there are moments of genuine connection, where they share a deeper understanding of each other’s struggles and fears.
These fleeting moments of intimacy are what keep their relationship alive, even as the barriers between them remain high.
Ultimately, Ruby’s experience with James helps her understand the complexities of love, particularly in a context where personal desires conflict with external expectations. Her journey with James is one of growth, as she learns to navigate the complexities of her emotions, face her fears, and decide what she truly wants from a relationship.
Whether or not Ruby and James’s relationship can withstand the pressures they face is uncertain, but their interactions leave an indelible mark on both of their personal journeys. The theme of love in the story is not just about romantic feelings but about how love forces characters to confront their vulnerabilities, face uncomfortable truths, and make difficult decisions about their future.