Secret Nights and Northern Lights Summary, Characters and Themes

Secret Nights and Northern Lights by Megan Oliver is a contemporary romance about rediscovery, second chances, and the courage to start over. It follows Mona Miller, a thirty-one-year-old travel writer who feels invisible in her own life, stuck in a job that never quite fulfilled her ambitions.

When an unexpected opportunity sends her to Iceland for an international assignment, she’s forced to confront not only her professional insecurities but also her unresolved past with Ben Carter—the man who once broke her heart. Against the backdrop of Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes, Mona must navigate old wounds, rekindle lost dreams, and decide whether love and ambition can coexist.

Summary

Mona Miller’s thirty-first birthday begins with a familiar sense of dissatisfaction. Working as a writer for the “Local” section of Around the Globe Media, she spends her days chronicling small-town features while secretly longing for the prestigious “International” division.

When she’s summoned to the office of Calvin Cramer III, the intimidating head of the company, Mona braces for bad news. Instead, Calvin offers her the opportunity of a lifetime: a ten-day travel assignment to Iceland for the magazine’s December cover story.

The offer comes unexpectedly, filling her with both excitement and fear. She learns the assignment became available after another writer’s injury, and though she suspects she’s only a backup choice, she accepts.

Calvin also reveals her photographer—Ben Carter—is a renowned freelancer he hopes to recruit. The name hits Mona like a shockwave: Ben is the boy from her hometown who once made her believe in love before disappearing without explanation.

Their reunion is tense. Ben, confident and self-contained, greets her politely, while Mona masks her turmoil.

Once dismissed from the meeting, she rushes home to tell her best friend and roommate, Jacklyn, who encourages her to focus on the opportunity, not the past. Mona visits her family that evening, a boisterous group of outdoorsy men who tease her about the upcoming trip.

That night, Ben unexpectedly appears outside her childhood window, just as he did when they were teens. He insists he doesn’t want to make her uncomfortable and offers to step away from the assignment.

Determined not to lose her chance, Mona assures him she’s fine, though her emotions betray otherwise.

Days later, they depart for Iceland. The tension between them follows onto the plane, where Mona discovers Ben’s fear of flying.

Despite her earlier resentment, she comforts him, holding his hand during takeoff. The moment softens their guardedness, though neither acknowledges it aloud.

Once in Iceland, they travel through the alien beauty of lava fields and geothermal springs. Their first stop, the Blue Lagoon, begins awkwardly—Mona mortified by her revealing swimsuit and Ben’s teasing—but soon turns unexpectedly intimate.

When he touches her cheek to wipe away silica, she mistakes the gesture for a near kiss, overreacts, and wounds them both with her defensiveness.

Over the next few days, their journey across Iceland unfolds in fits of closeness and distance. They explore Reykjavík’s colorful streets, geysers, craters, and waterfalls.

Old memories surface—Ben recalling their shared childhood, Mona fighting her instinct to trust him again. Beneath the surface, the two remain tethered by unspoken affection and years of unfinished history.

During quieter moments—watching the Strokkur geyser erupt, standing near Gullfoss’s roaring falls—they share glimpses of who they once were. Mona, however, cannot stop equating vulnerability with weakness, convinced that letting Ben in again would undo the fragile confidence she’s rebuilt.

Their professional partnership strengthens even as personal tensions mount. Mona’s article begins taking shape, focused on transformation—landscapes changing through time, people finding renewal.

Meanwhile, Ben opens up about his past: his parents’ divorce, the hardship of supporting his mother, and the mentorship that launched his photography career. His honesty disarms her.

Yet every time connection feels possible, Mona retreats behind professionalism, terrified of repeating old heartbreak.

One evening, after days of cold rain and exhaustion, they share a rare moment of ease at Glacier Lagoon, where light bounces off floating icebergs. When an older tourist mistakes them for a couple, they play along for a photo, the pretense stirring emotions both thought buried.

That night, memories of their teenage summer together resurface—how they’d met secretly by a lake, how a single kiss had altered everything before he left town without goodbye. Mona realizes how much of her guardedness stems from that loss.

Later, over dinner near Höfn, their connection rekindles. Wine and laughter blur boundaries, and when Mona invites Ben to join her in the guesthouse’s outdoor hot tub, the attraction finally ignites.

Their chemistry is undeniable, but when she proposes a casual fling, Ben refuses, saying he cannot treat what they share as temporary. The rejection stings.

Hurt and humiliated, Mona storms off, interpreting his restraint as rejection rather than respect.

The next day, frustration boils into reckless behavior. At a bar in Seyðisfjörður, Mona drinks too much and flirts with a stranger, Tad, hoping to provoke Ben’s jealousy.

The situation turns dangerous when Tad becomes aggressive, but Ben intervenes, protecting her and escorting her back to safety. In the quiet aftermath, she breaks down, admitting how lost she feels.

Ben stays by her side until she falls asleep, holding her gently as she confesses she trusts him with her life but not her heart.

Their journey continues with tentative peace. At Dettifoss waterfall, Mona’s fear for Ben’s safety near a cliff edge exposes how deeply she still cares.

That night in Akureyri, over shared pizza and soft laughter, the walls between them finally crumble. When she kisses him, he doesn’t hold back.

What follows is a night of genuine intimacy, a reconnection that feels inevitable and long overdue. For the first time in years, Mona allows herself to believe that both love and ambition can coexist.

Returning to New York, reality sets in. Mona—referred to as Ems by Ben, a nickname from their youth—faces a nerve-wracking meeting with Calvin.

Though she’s proud of her draft, Calvin dismisses her piece as too emotional and self-focused. He reveals his true motive: he only sent her to Iceland to secure Ben’s interest in the magazine.

The betrayal devastates her. Feeling exploited and humiliated, she resigns on the spot.

Ben tries to explain that he didn’t know Calvin’s full plan, but she refuses to listen, interpreting his silence as complicity.

Back home, Mona isolates herself, sinking into despair. Jacklyn supports her, reminding her that one setback doesn’t define her worth.

Weeks later, word spreads that Calvin has been fired and replaced by Suki, the injured writer whose progressive vision now leads the International division. Suki contacts Mona, offering her a second chance to publish her article—her way, with her voice intact.

Mona agrees but on her own terms: she will write honestly and demand a rightful promotion. Through sleepless nights, she rewrites the piece, blending vivid travel details with her emotional evolution, crafting a story about rediscovering courage amid the cold and light of Iceland.

Meanwhile, Ben continues to reach out, apologizing for his role in the misunderstanding. Mona eventually agrees to see him.

At his late mother’s home, he admits he took the Iceland job partly to find her again—to make things right after years of regret. She listens, torn between lingering hurt and undeniable love.

This time, instead of running, they talk openly about fear, forgiveness, and the uncertainty of building something real.

When her article is finally published as the magazine’s December cover story, Mona feels a sense of accomplishment unlike any before. Ben’s photographs accompany her words, capturing the same journey of renewal that she lived through.

Their careers continue to thrive—Mona now part of the International team, Ben balancing freelance work with projects that keep them together. Months later, on a return trip to Iceland, beneath the shimmer of the northern lights, Ben proposes, promising a future built not on regret but on choice.

Mona accepts, her heart finally steady. The woman who once measured her worth by others’ approval now defines success on her own terms.

Secret Nights and Northern Lights closes on that quiet triumph: a reminder that love and purpose often arrive not as grand revelations, but as steady lights guiding us home.

Characters

Mona Miller

Mona Miller, the protagonist of Secret Nights and Northern Lights, is a woman at a crossroads in her life. At thirty-one, Mona feels trapped in a mundane job at Around the Globe Media, writing insignificant local travel articles and planning office parties.

Her dissatisfaction with her career and personal life is evident in her initial numbness towards her birthday and the lack of fulfillment in her daily routine. Despite her feelings of stagnation, Mona is intelligent and capable, harboring dreams of becoming an “International” writer, a position she once aspired to but was passed over for.

The offer of an international assignment to Iceland is a turning point for her, a chance to reignite her career and prove herself. Beneath her reserved, professional exterior, Mona is deeply emotional, with a complicated history that surfaces during the trip.

Her past with Ben, her childhood friend, resurfaces, forcing her to confront her old feelings while trying to remain focused on her professional goals. Mona’s journey is one of self-discovery, where she learns to navigate the tension between her career aspirations, her unresolved feelings for Ben, and her personal growth.

As the story unfolds, Mona transforms from a woman stuck in her past to one who embraces her worth and future, culminating in a stronger sense of self and a renewed belief in her capabilities.

Benjamin (Ben) Carter

Ben Carter, the celebrated photographer Mona is paired with for the Iceland assignment, is a complex character with a rich but painful past. Once a close friend of Mona’s during their childhood, Ben’s disappearance and their unresolved teenage romance have left Mona with mixed emotions.

As a successful freelance photographer, Ben is used to independence and has no interest in long-term commitments, especially not with a corporate job. His relationship with Mona is laden with unspoken history, and their reunion sparks old emotions that neither can easily ignore.

Despite his reluctance to commit, Ben is deeply caring and protective, especially when it comes to Mona. His vulnerability surfaces throughout their journey in Iceland, where he reveals the struggles he’s faced, including the loss of his mother and his mentor.

His attraction to Mona is undeniable, but he is hesitant to fully engage due to the emotional baggage from their past. As the story progresses, Ben’s character evolves from a man resisting emotional involvement to someone willing to fight for the love he lost.

His eventual decision to stay with Mona, prioritizing their relationship over his career, marks his growth and willingness to build a future with her. Ben’s journey mirrors Mona’s in many ways, as both characters navigate the delicate balance between their past, present, and future.

Jacklyn

Jacklyn, Mona’s best friend and roommate, plays a significant supporting role in Secret Nights and Northern Lights. She provides a sense of stability and encouragement for Mona throughout the story.

Although Jacklyn does not aspire to the same career heights as Mona, her support is unwavering. She is the voice of reason, offering advice and pushing Mona to embrace opportunities she might otherwise hesitate to pursue.

Jacklyn is perceptive and knows Mona’s inner struggles, often encouraging her to confront her feelings, especially regarding Ben. She acts as a grounding force in Mona’s life, reminding her of her worth and helping her stay focused on what truly matters.

Jacklyn’s relationship with Mona is one of deep friendship, and she remains a constant presence, whether providing practical help, like packing for Mona when she’s too distracted to do so herself, or offering emotional support, as when she comforts Mona after a tough meeting with Calvin. Her role as a confidante highlights her loyalty and the strong bond she shares with Mona, making her one of the most essential characters in Mona’s emotional journey.

Calvin Cramer III

Calvin Cramer III, Mona’s boss at Around the Globe Media, serves as a catalyst for many of the story’s conflicts and challenges. Initially, he appears to be a distant, unapproachable executive, managing the prestigious International division of the company.

However, Calvin’s decision to offer Mona the Iceland assignment reveals a more manipulative side. His main motivation for the assignment is not Mona’s potential but rather his desire to recruit Ben, the famous photographer, to join the company.

This hidden agenda leaves Mona feeling betrayed, as she realizes she was merely a pawn in Calvin’s efforts to secure Ben’s services. Calvin’s character represents the corporate world’s often transactional nature, where personal growth and talent are overshadowed by power plays and hidden motives.

His behavior ultimately leads to Mona’s decision to quit her job, as she recognizes the lack of genuine support for her career. Calvin’s downfall, following his firing due to poor decisions, offers a sense of justice for Mona, who begins to rebuild her career under new leadership.

Suki

Suki, who eventually takes over as the leader of the International division at Around the Globe Media, is a character that represents new beginnings and progressive change. Her appearance in the latter part of the story offers Mona a second chance at her dream job, this time under a more supportive and forward-thinking leadership.

Suki sees Mona’s potential and offers her the opportunity to work on the Iceland article with a more personal and heartfelt approach, which Calvin had dismissed. Her decision to promote Mona not only gives her a professional boost but also restores Mona’s faith in her abilities and her value as a journalist.

Suki’s leadership style contrasts with Calvin’s, showing that mentorship and opportunity can flourish in a nurturing environment, rather than one focused solely on power and control. Through Suki, Mona is able to reclaim her career, and her support helps Mona find her voice as both a writer and a woman.

Themes

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

Throughout Secret Nights and Northern Lights, the protagonist, Mona Miller, undergoes significant personal growth. At the start of the novel, Mona feels stuck in a monotonous job and a stagnant life.

She is disconnected from her dreams and unsure of her future. Her unexpected assignment to Iceland forces her out of her comfort zone and becomes the catalyst for her transformation.

The physical journey to Iceland mirrors Mona’s internal journey as she confronts unresolved emotions from her past, particularly her relationship with Ben. Initially, Mona is apprehensive and insecure, especially about her professional capabilities.

However, as she navigates the challenges of the trip, she slowly regains her sense of self-worth. The dynamics between her and Ben, filled with unresolved tension and complicated emotions, push her to reconsider what she wants out of life and love.

The narrative highlights how external experiences, like travel or confrontation with the past, can lead to profound personal insight and empowerment. Mona’s decision to ultimately stand up for herself at the end, both professionally and emotionally, signifies her growth.

She learns to accept her own worth and embrace her potential, particularly in her career, where she finally takes control of her professional trajectory, earning a well-deserved promotion and reaffirming her self-respect. The theme of personal growth is intertwined with the romantic and familial elements of the story, making Mona’s journey both relatable and inspiring for readers.

Love, Second Chances, and Reconciliation

The theme of love, particularly second chances, is central to the story of Secret Nights and Northern Lights. Mona’s relationship with Ben Carter, her childhood friend and first love, serves as the emotional heart of the book.

Their love story is marked by a deep history, filled with both passion and heartbreak. The novel explores the complexity of rekindling a romance that has been dormant for years.

Initially, Mona and Ben are emotionally distant and reluctant to face the past, but the tension between them is undeniable. As they travel together in Iceland, their shared experiences and memories force them to confront their unresolved feelings.

Mona’s internal struggle—wanting to keep her emotions at bay for the sake of her career, yet still deeply in love with Ben—drives much of the narrative. The novel delves into the challenge of opening up to someone who once hurt you and the vulnerability required to allow love to grow again.

Ben, too, has to reckon with his own fears and insecurities, particularly regarding commitment. The gradual unfolding of their relationship, filled with moments of tenderness, conflict, and reconciliation, highlights the transformative power of love.

Their journey together in Iceland represents more than just a physical trip; it becomes a metaphor for their journey toward emotional healing and mutual understanding. In the end, they both find the courage to pursue their love once more, this time with a deeper appreciation for each other and the lessons learned from their past.

Career and Ambition

Career and ambition are recurring themes in Secret Nights and Northern Lights, where the protagonist Mona’s professional journey reflects her personal growth. At the beginning of the story, Mona is frustrated with her career, feeling undervalued in her current role at Around the Globe Media.

She is trapped in a cycle of local assignments, never given the chance to prove herself as an international journalist. The offer to write the Iceland article presents a major opportunity for Mona to break free from the confines of her past work and to show her potential.

However, her path to success is not without obstacles. The tension between her career ambitions and her personal life—particularly her unresolved feelings for Ben—adds complexity to her professional journey.

Throughout the novel, Mona faces challenges that test her ability to balance her ambitions with her emotions. Her interactions with her boss, Calvin, and the underlying manipulation she uncovers about her assignment, serve as a stark reminder of how career decisions can often be influenced by others’ agendas.

Despite these setbacks, Mona’s determination to succeed shines through. The story emphasizes the importance of resilience and staying true to one’s ambitions, even when facing adversity.

Ultimately, Mona’s success in her career is a product of both her hard work and the personal lessons she learns, making her professional growth all the more rewarding. The theme of career ambition also plays a significant role in Ben’s story, as he grapples with the choice between freelancing and committing to a more stable career.

His relationship with Mona ultimately influences his decision, showing how love and personal growth can impact professional choices.

Family Dynamics and Relationships

Family dynamics are explored in Secret Nights and Northern Lights, particularly through Mona’s relationship with her parents and siblings. From the start, Mona feels like an outsider in her own family.

Her family is loud, active, and deeply involved in outdoor activities, contrasting sharply with Mona’s quieter, more introspective nature. The portrayal of Mona’s family highlights the tension between her individual identity and the expectations placed on her by her family, particularly her brothers, who have a close-knit relationship and often overshadow her.

Mona’s relationship with her parents is also strained, as they fail to understand the complexities of her professional and personal struggles. Her family’s reaction to her Iceland trip is mixed; while they offer support, their teasing and lack of understanding about her career path underscore Mona’s feelings of isolation.

However, as the story progresses, there is a shift in these dynamics. Mona’s personal growth and success allow her to assert herself more confidently within her family, changing the way they perceive her.

By the end of the novel, Mona’s achievements are acknowledged, and her relationship with her family evolves into a more supportive one. This shift is also mirrored in the way Mona’s relationship with Ben reopens old wounds but also heals them, highlighting how personal growth can lead to better communication and understanding in familial relationships.

Ultimately, the novel suggests that family dynamics, while often complicated, can transform when individuals are able to express their true selves and stand by their personal choices.

The Power of Place

The setting of Iceland plays a crucial role in Secret Nights and Northern Lights, serving not only as the backdrop for the plot but also as a symbol of transformation. The stark, dramatic landscapes of Iceland mirror the emotional and personal landscapes of the characters, particularly Mona.

Iceland’s rugged beauty and wild weather provide both challenges and moments of awe that push Mona out of her comfort zone. The natural wonders, from glaciers and waterfalls to the elusive northern lights, evoke feelings of both isolation and possibility.

Iceland’s isolation becomes a metaphor for Mona’s own sense of being disconnected, both from her past and her true self. However, as she explores the country, her journey is one of reconnecting with both her own history and the love she once shared with Ben.

The landscapes of Iceland are not just places they visit; they are spaces where both Mona and Ben confront their feelings, their shared past, and their future. The places they visit, such as the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle, hold deep emotional resonance, becoming symbols of renewal, both in terms of their relationship and their personal lives.

In the end, the beauty and harshness of Iceland serve as a reminder that growth, like the land itself, often requires enduring difficult conditions before reaching something beautiful. The power of place in the story is integral to the transformation of both characters as they navigate their emotional landscapes, ultimately finding peace and clarity in the country’s vast, untamed beauty.