A Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinn Summary, Characters and Themes
A Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinn is the third and final installment in the Cane Brothers series. This romantic comedy puts a steamy spin on the classic “best friends to lovers” trope. Featuring Breaker Cane, a billionaire who has been best friends with Lia for over a decade, the story captures his realization that he’s deeply in love with her—just as she’s planning her wedding to another man.
With a wedding deadline looming and lots of witty banter, this heartfelt and laugh-out-loud romance explores Breaker’s struggle to prove that he, not her fiancé, is Lia’s true love.
Summary
A Long Time Coming follows Breaker Cane, the youngest of the Cane brothers, and his long-standing friendship with Lia, his best friend since college. The two have shared a close, platonic relationship for over a decade, often spending time together and even living in the same apartment building.
As the story begins, Lia is engaged to Brian, a man who harbors a strong dislike for Breaker. Despite the tension, Lia asks Breaker to be her “man of honor” and help with the wedding planning, setting the stage for a hilarious, emotional, and complicated journey.
As Breaker dives into wedding duties alongside Lia, he starts to see her in a different light. Slowly, he realizes he’s not just fond of his best friend but deeply, irrevocably in love with her. This realization hits him hard as he battles his feelings, knowing that Lia is about to marry someone else.
Meanwhile, Lia remains oblivious to Breaker’s growing attraction, though there are hints of underlying tension between her and Brian. She feels increasingly uncomfortable about the marriage, struggling with Brian’s overbearing mother and her own doubts about their relationship.
The story takes on a classic rom-com vibe, drawing inspiration from films like My Best Friend’s Wedding and Made of Honor. Breaker’s feelings intensify as the wedding planning progresses, and he starts to subtly pursue Lia, even going as far as sharing intimate moments with her.
However, his approach becomes confusing and awkward for Lia, leaving her uncertain about what their evolving relationship means.
In parallel, Lia’s relationship with Brian begins to unravel, and she questions whether she truly wants to go through with the wedding. Breaker, meanwhile, tries to balance his role as the supportive best friend with his desire to show Lia that he’s the one she should be with.
As expected in romantic comedies, Breaker eventually confesses his love for Lia, and the two must navigate the fallout from their years of denying their true feelings for each other.
Throughout the book, Breaker’s close-knit bond with his brothers, JP and Huxley, adds depth to the story. They provide both comic relief and emotional support, creating a strong sense of family dynamics.
Ultimately, Breaker and Lia’s love story culminates in a happy ending, with no third-act breakup. Despite some misunderstandings along the way, Breaker and Lia finally realize they’ve been in love all along, bringing the series to a satisfying and heartfelt conclusion.
Characters
Breaker Cane
Breaker is the male protagonist in A Long Time Coming and the youngest of the Cane brothers. He plays a dual role as Lia’s best friend and her “man of honor,” tasked with helping her plan her wedding to a man he does not particularly like.
Breaker is portrayed as a quintessential “good guy,” someone dependable and loyal, always ready to support his friends. His strong relationship with his brothers, Huxley and JP, adds depth to his character, as their camaraderie is a significant theme in the story.
However, Breaker’s self-perception as a “good guy” sometimes becomes excessive, as he constantly reiterates it, leading to annoyance for some readers. His feelings for Lia develop slowly throughout the book, transitioning from friendship to infatuation.
His internal conflict grows as he realizes he is in love with his best friend, which complicates his role in her wedding planning. Breaker’s approach to romance is somewhat awkward; despite his strong feelings for Lia, he initially avoids direct communication, choosing instead to engage in physical intimacy without addressing his emotions, which leaves Lia confused.
His characterization presents a classic “slow burn” transition from best friend to lover, although the pacing and his indirect actions in the romance arc frustrate both Lia and some readers.
Lia McGregor
Lia is the female lead and Breaker’s best friend. She is a complex character whose portrayal shifts between a confident, independent woman and someone who lacks self-assurance in her personal life, particularly regarding her engagement.
Lia is presented as an unconventional female character: she doesn’t conform to stereotypical femininity, eschewing dresses and rom-coms. At times, this comes off as an exaggerated attempt to distinguish her as “different from other girls.”
This trope leads to criticism, as Lia’s rejection of traditional femininity feels forced and alienates her from readers who see this as a heavy-handed approach to defining her uniqueness. Despite her tough exterior, Lia’s emotional confusion is a driving force in the story.
She grapples with her feelings for Breaker and the complexities of her engagement to a man who is increasingly depicted as unsympathetic. Her engagement becomes a source of inner turmoil, particularly when Breaker’s feelings begin to surface.
Lia’s journey is about self-realization; she must decide whether she is marrying out of obligation or if she has deeper, unresolved feelings for her best friend. Her emotional arc, though gradual, culminates in her acknowledging that she’s in love with Breaker, but the process is often slowed by her reluctance to break away from societal and familial pressures.
Brian (Lia’s Fiancé)
Brian is Lia’s fiancé and, while initially portrayed as a reasonable partner, his character undergoes a shift as the story progresses. At the beginning of the novel, he seems like a decent, though somewhat distant, man, but as Lia and Breaker’s relationship deepens, Brian’s flaws are increasingly highlighted.
He becomes more antagonistic, particularly toward Breaker, as he begins to sense the growing bond between Lia and her best friend. Brian’s character functions primarily as an obstacle in the romance between Lia and Breaker.
He represents the “wrong guy,” whose lack of emotional connection with Lia is contrasted with Breaker’s deep understanding of her. However, the shift from decent fiancé to almost-villainous figure feels somewhat forced, as if his character’s only purpose is to push Lia toward Breaker.
This makes his role more functional than emotionally rich or complex. Brian’s jealousy and controlling behavior become exaggerated as the wedding approaches, and his role in the narrative serves to solidify Breaker’s position as the right man for Lia, though the transition feels abrupt.
Huxley and JP Cane
Huxley and JP, Breaker’s older brothers, add a layer of warmth and humor to the story. The bond between the Cane brothers is one of the highlights of the book, as their playful banter and mutual support create a strong sense of family.
Huxley and JP provide both comic relief and emotional depth, often teasing Breaker but always standing by him when it matters. Their presence in the story showcases the importance of brotherhood and loyalty.
Additionally, their respective romantic relationships serve as examples for Breaker, who seems to admire his brothers’ commitment to their partners. This brotherly dynamic is one of the book’s strengths, offering a counterbalance to the romantic tension between Breaker and Lia.
They also play a role in encouraging Breaker to pursue his feelings for Lia, making them instrumental in his emotional journey.
Kelsey and Lottie
Kelsey and Lottie are the romantic partners of Breaker’s brothers, and they play supportive roles in Lia’s life as well. Their inclusion in the story provides a sisterly bond that Lia can rely on, particularly when she faces emotional confusion regarding Breaker.
Kelsey and Lottie’s interactions with Lia are filled with light-hearted moments and comedic dialogue, often helping Lia see her relationship with Breaker more clearly. While they offer reassurance, their advice sometimes lacks depth, as they treat Breaker’s actions with a casualness that does not always sit well with Lia.
For instance, when Lia questions Breaker’s confusing behavior, Kelsey and Lottie downplay her concerns, advising her to enjoy the moment rather than pushing for clarity. This dynamic leaves Lia feeling more uncertain and highlights the complexity of transitioning from friendship to romance.
While their intentions are good, Kelsey and Lottie’s approach often feels dismissive of Lia’s need for emotional security, focusing more on the fun, romantic aspect of the situation.
Mrs. Beaver (Brian’s Mother)
Mrs. Beaver, Brian’s overbearing mother, serves as a classic “monster-in-law” archetype in the novel. She is one of the main sources of conflict in the wedding planning process, clashing with Lia on several occasions.
Mrs. Beaver’s controlling behavior and critical nature make her an antagonist in the story, particularly when it comes to her dismissiveness of Lia’s preferences for her own wedding. Her presence in the narrative emphasizes the pressure Lia feels to conform to societal expectations, adding an extra layer of stress to an already complicated situation.
While Mrs. Beaver’s character is not as deeply developed as others, her role is important in underscoring the obstacles Lia faces in her engagement. This makes the reader root for Lia to break free from the engagement and pursue her true feelings for Breaker.
Themes
The Conflict Between Self-Perception and External Expectations in Romantic Identity Formation
One of the more nuanced themes explored in A Long Time Coming is the tension between self-perception and the expectations imposed by external forces, particularly in the formation of romantic identity. The protagonist, Breaker, slowly begins to recognize his feelings for his best friend, Lia, yet much of his initial hesitation stems from his internal conflict between how he views himself—primarily as a good, supportive friend—and the implicit societal and personal expectations around romantic love.
Lia, too, grapples with this theme, as she finds herself trapped in a relationship defined by external appearances and obligations rather than genuine emotional connection. Her fiancé’s role symbolizes the societal pressure to conform to a traditional romantic trajectory (i.e., marriage), while Breaker represents an unorthodox, emotionally charged alternative that challenges these external norms.
The novel reflects how individuals often mask their true desires, conforming to roles shaped by their perceptions of duty or expectations from those around them, such as Lia’s overbearing soon-to-be mother-in-law, Mrs. Beaver. Lia’s struggle to assert her own desires amid these pressures is reflective of a broader societal conflict in which women’s identities are often shaped by their relationships, and by their ability to meet the demands of others rather than focusing on self-actualization.
The Emotional Complexity of Unspoken Affection and the Platonic Fallacy
Another deep theme is the emotional complexity surrounding unspoken affection and the inherent difficulties in breaking free from the so-called “platonic fallacy.” This refers to the belief that longstanding friendships can remain purely platonic, even as deeper emotions simmer beneath the surface.
Throughout much of the novel, both Breaker and Lia cling to the notion that they are simply best friends, denying the depth of their growing attraction out of fear of disrupting the emotional equilibrium they have established over years of friendship. However, the gradual unraveling of their mutual attraction is portrayed as a psychologically complex process, where the characters are not merely blind to their feelings but are actively suppressing them to maintain the platonic ideal.
Lia’s engagement to another man exacerbates this tension, creating a scenario in which the characters must navigate a maze of emotional denial, guilt, and longing. Meghan Quinn explores this tension with humor and drama, but beneath the witty banter lies a much more poignant theme: the human tendency to repress deep emotions out of fear that acknowledging them will cause irreparable change to a relationship.
Gendered Expectations in Navigating Friendship, Love, and Emotional Vulnerability
The novel also touches on gendered expectations, particularly in how male and female characters navigate friendship, love, and emotional vulnerability. Breaker’s role as Lia’s best friend thrusts him into the ambiguous position of a “man-in-waiting,” a role that subtly critiques the traditional expectations placed on men in platonic relationships with women.
While Breaker attempts to balance his growing feelings for Lia with his obligation to respect her engagement, he is also forced to reckon with the societal narrative that frames male emotionality and vulnerability as secondary to their roles as protectors or supporters. His internal conflict reflects a broader critique of the way men are often discouraged from expressing romantic feelings out of a fear of being seen as predatory or intrusive, particularly when those feelings involve a close friend.
For Lia, gendered expectations manifest differently; as a woman, she faces external pressures to adhere to conventional norms of marriage and propriety, particularly under the scrutiny of her fiancé’s controlling family. The novel’s exploration of these dynamics questions how gender roles influence the ways men and women experience love and friendship, revealing the subtle yet powerful ways these norms shape the emotional landscape of relationships.
Emotional Manipulation and the Dynamics of Control in Romantic Relationships
While the story leans heavily into humor, it also touches on the darker theme of emotional manipulation, particularly through Lia’s engagement to Brian, a man whose controlling tendencies are slowly revealed as the narrative progresses. Brian’s initial portrayal as a “decent guy” gradually deteriorates as his role as an emotional manipulator becomes more evident, marking a shift from a seemingly stable relationship to one that embodies the toxic dynamics of control and suppression.
His antagonism towards Breaker stems not just from jealousy, but from his broader need to control Lia’s emotional world, dictating who she spends time with and subtly coercing her into making decisions that align with his desires rather than her own.
This dynamic underscores a larger commentary on the dangers of emotional manipulation within relationships, as well as the difficulty of recognizing these toxic behaviors when they are masked by societal expectations or norms of propriety.
The fact that Lia slowly becomes aware of this manipulation further reflects the psychological depth of the narrative, as it explores the intricate ways in which love, control, and emotional autonomy can become entangled in romantic relationships.
The Performative Nature of Romance and the Intersection of Authenticity and Societal Roles
Finally, the theme of the performative nature of romance is central to the story, with both Lia and Breaker navigating their roles within romantic and social contexts that often feel more like performances than genuine expressions of their true selves. Lia’s impending wedding functions as a symbol of this performativity, as she struggles to reconcile the outward appearance of a happy bride-to-be with the internal dissatisfaction she feels regarding both her engagement and the expectations placed upon her.
Breaker, too, wrestles with the performative aspects of his identity, particularly in how he presents himself as a “good guy” and supportive friend, all while concealing his deeper feelings for Lia. The novel critiques the ways in which societal roles—whether as a fiancé, a best friend, or even a wedding planner—can become masks that individuals wear to meet external expectations, often at the cost of their own emotional authenticity.
The ultimate resolution of Breaker and Lia’s relationship hinges on their ability to strip away these performative layers and reveal their true selves to each other, a process that highlights the tension between authenticity and societal roles in the pursuit of love and emotional fulfillment.