Between Love and Loathing Summary, Characters and Themes
Between Love and Loathing by Shain Rose is an emotional, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance that explores grief, power struggles, self-worth, and unexpected love.
At its heart is Clara Milton, a timid yet quietly passionate woman trying to carve out a life of her own after years of emotional manipulation. When her late stepfather’s will binds her to a cold, controlling businessman—Dominic Hardy—they’re forced to collaborate on a resort and her dream bakery. What begins as animosity slowly morphs into mutual understanding, deep respect, and love, all while confronting painful pasts, toxic families, and the messy beauty of healing.
Summary
Clara Milton is at a crossroads when her beloved stepfather Carl dies, leaving behind a will with an unusual stipulation: she must go into business with Dominic Hardy, Carl’s mentee and a man who’s everything Clara is not—cold, calculated, and rigid.
The will ties Clara’s dream of owning a bakery to the success of the luxury resort Dominic is building. Both are forced to cohabitate and cooperate, despite their mutual distaste and emotional baggage.
Clara has always lived in the shadow of others—silenced by her emotionally abusive mother Rita and overshadowed by her conniving sister Lexi.
Soft-spoken and people-pleasing, Clara initially lacks the confidence to assert herself. But she carries deep passion for baking and design—especially color, which Dominic, with his all-black minimalist aesthetic, finds chaotic and childish.
Their first clashes are about creative control—especially over Clara’s bakery. She insists on adding color and personality to the space, including a now-iconic pink accent wall, while Dominic wants to maintain the monochrome branding of the resort.
But what begins as a power struggle soon reveals layers beneath their hostility.
Dominic, too, is haunted. A recent breakup with his toxic ex-fiancée Natya has hardened him, and he views emotions as liabilities.
He sees Clara’s softness as weakness—until she begins standing her ground. Slowly, Clara evolves.
She learns to say no. She fights for her space, her vision, and her worth.
When her mother tries to belittle her, Clara refuses to shrink back. When Lexi tries to guilt her, she resists. Her transformation is gradual, but fierce.
Their partnership becomes more complicated when they’re pressured into pretending to be a couple for the sake of the resort’s public image. What starts as a business strategy soon blurs emotional lines.
Fake kisses ignite real feelings.
Banter turns vulnerable.
Clara and Dominic, despite their contrasting personalities, begin to understand each other. She sees the cracks in his armor. He begins admiring her resilience and heart.
As Clara’s independence grows, so do the stakes. A major health scare—Clara collapsing in the snow—forces Dominic to confront how deeply he cares for her. He rushes to her side, becoming protective and attentive in ways he never expected. Meanwhile, Clara starts pushing him to be honest about his feelings and to let go of control.
Just as things begin to shift, Dominic’s past reappears in the form of Natya. Her return threatens to destabilize everything.
Clara, rather than retreating, finally faces the situation head-on. Dominic, to his credit, chooses Clara—completely. He defends her, tells Natya to leave, and acknowledges how much Clara means to him.
The climax of the novel is both emotional and symbolic. Clara takes full ownership of the bakery, kicks out her mother and sister from the property she now controls, and fully embraces her identity.
Dominic, in turn, shows vulnerability, love, and a willingness to meet Clara where she is, not where he wants her to be.
In the epilogue, told from Clara’s point of view, the resort and bakery open to success. More than just a business win, it’s a personal triumph. Clara is no longer a girl seeking approval—she’s a confident woman who owns her space, her story, and her heart. Dominic stands beside her, not as a savior, but as a partner who’s learned to love without controlling.
Together, they’ve turned loathing into love—and found healing in the space between.
Characters
Clara Milton
Clara Milton begins her journey as a timid and self-doubting woman who has long been subjected to the emotional manipulation of her mother and sister. She dreams of owning a bakery, but her vision is constantly dismissed and overshadowed by the domineering figures in her life.
Her early existence revolves around appeasing others, particularly her mother, whose verbal abuse undermines Clara’s confidence. However, as the story unfolds, Clara’s character arc focuses on her transformation from a passive individual to a fierce and independent entrepreneur.
The pivotal moments that contribute to her growth include her struggle to assert her control over the bakery’s design, especially when she faces opposition from Dominic and her family. Clara’s ultimate act of rebellion is when she evicts her mother and sister from the property she has now claimed as her own.
By the end of the story, Clara has not only achieved her dream of running the bakery but also reclaims her life, establishing herself as a confident businesswoman and partner. Her evolution is marked by a reclaiming of her voice and autonomy, from being a submissive figure to someone who stands her ground, takes risks, and builds a new identity for herself.
Dominic Hardy
Dominic Hardy is initially presented as a controlling and rigid businessman who thrives on structure and perfectionism. His obsession with monochrome aesthetics and precise planning represents his emotional repression and difficulty in embracing vulnerability.
Dominic’s backstory reveals a traumatic breakup with his ex-fiancée, Natya, which contributes to his emotional guardedness. He views the world through a lens of control, seeing deviation from his plans as a threat to his well-ordered existence.
However, his interactions with Clara slowly break down his defenses. Clara’s raw emotional openness and creative passion challenge his need for control, making him increasingly drawn to her.
Over time, he transitions from a man who represses emotions to someone who learns the value of vulnerability, both in his personal life and his approach to business. His gradual transformation is epitomized when he begins defending Clara’s vision for the bakery and ultimately confronts Natya, severing the ties that once held him in emotional captivity.
By the end of the story, Dominic’s character arc culminates in him shedding his old ways, choosing to embrace love, vulnerability, and emotional connection with Clara. His declaration of love and commitment marks his full transformation from an emotionally unavailable businessman to a devoted partner.
Noah Romero
Noah Romero, Clara’s longtime friend with benefits, initially presents himself as a potential romantic interest for Clara. He is an NHL star who seems to offer Clara an easy out from her complicated relationship with Dominic.
However, Noah’s role in the story is more about pushing Dominic to confront his feelings for Clara. Throughout the story, Noah remains emotionally detached and never truly intended to pursue anything serious with Clara.
His relationship with Clara is largely based on physical attraction and mutual convenience, with little emotional depth. His presence, though seemingly an obstacle in Clara and Dominic’s evolving relationship, ultimately serves as a catalyst for Dominic’s emotional growth.
Noah’s indifference to Clara’s deeper needs highlights the contrast between his character and Dominic’s, pushing Dominic to realize what Clara truly means to him. In the end, Noah’s exit from the scene allows Clara to focus on her relationship with Dominic, helping to solidify Dominic’s role as Clara’s true partner.
Rita
Rita is Clara’s mother, whose influence is both destructive and suffocating. She represents the toxic force in Clara’s life, consistently undermining her self-worth and preventing her from pursuing her dreams.
Rita is verbally abusive and manipulative, using guilt and emotional pressure to maintain control over Clara. Throughout the book, Rita’s actions create a significant barrier to Clara’s growth.
The key moment in the narrative involving Rita is when Clara finally confronts her mother, taking control of her life and evicting her and her sister from the apartment complex Clara now owns. This act symbolizes Clara’s emotional and physical emancipation from her mother’s control.
Rita’s character, though not fully redeemed or explored in a complex way, functions as the primary antagonist in Clara’s personal journey. She highlights the deep-rooted issues of family dynamics and emotional manipulation.
Themes
The Struggle for Self-Identity Amidst External Expectations and Manipulation
One of the primary themes in Between Love and Loathing is Clara’s journey to reclaim her sense of self and independence after years of being emotionally manipulated and controlled by her mother and sister. Clara begins as a passive character, defined by the expectations others have for her—most notably her family’s dismissal of her dreams and desires.
Her stepfather’s death, combined with the stipulations of his will, forces her into a professional relationship with Dominic, which becomes a pivotal point for her. The development of her bakery is symbolic of her effort to assert herself, both as an individual and as a businesswoman.
Her quest to maintain control over the aesthetic of her bakery, despite opposition from Dominic, is reflective of her battle to carve out her own identity. By the end of the novel, Clara’s act of expelling her toxic family from her property symbolizes her complete rejection of external control and a full embrace of her autonomy.
The Tension Between Control and Vulnerability
Dominic Hardy’s character arc centers on the theme of emotional repression and the destructive effects of excessive control. Dominic is portrayed as a man who values perfectionism and structure to the point of suppressing his own emotions and vulnerabilities.
His controlling nature is initially revealed in his interactions with Clara, where he continuously undermines her vision for the bakery. However, as he works closely with Clara, he begins to unravel emotionally.
Clara’s unapologetic passion for her bakery and her emotional openness eventually challenge Dominic’s rigid, emotionally stunted worldview. Over time, he learns to embrace vulnerability—culminating in his support of Clara’s vision and his emotional declaration of love.
His journey represents the internal conflict many face when balancing the desire for control with the need for emotional connection and growth. His eventual openness with Clara, including his protective gestures toward her and his rejection of his past with Natya, demonstrates his transition from emotional repression to an acceptance of vulnerability.
Reclaiming Personal Power Through Professional Success and Emotional Transformation
Another prominent theme in the book is the way personal power is reclaimed through both professional success and emotional growth. Clara’s transformation is closely linked to her ability to establish herself professionally, especially through her bakery, which becomes a symbol of both her resilience and her independence.
For much of the novel, Clara is dismissed as weak and incapable by her family and even by Dominic, who initially underestimates her abilities. However, as she fights for the success of her bakery, she gradually gains confidence and proves her worth—not only to others but also to herself.
In contrast, Dominic’s emotional growth is also tied to his professional success. His support of Clara, despite his initial objections, marks a shift in his character, where his professional achievements no longer define him entirely.
The interplay between their professional and personal lives reveals how success in one area can help heal and redefine personal identity and relationships.
Love as a Catalyst for Personal Growth and Redemption
The theme of love in Between Love and Loathing is not merely a romantic or surface-level connection; it is a force that drives both Clara and Dominic toward personal growth and redemption. For Clara, love starts as a tool for survival, as she initially pretends to be in a relationship with Dominic for the sake of the resort’s public image.
However, as their professional relationship evolves, so does their emotional connection, turning into genuine affection. Clara’s love for Dominic is marked by a willingness to challenge him, assert herself, and stand up for her vision, showing that love is not just about harmony but also about growth through conflict.
For Dominic, love acts as a catalyst for his redemption arc. His deepening feelings for Clara force him to confront his past trauma, including his breakup with Natya, and ultimately, the toxic ways he has dealt with relationships.
Dominic’s transformation, driven by his love for Clara, illustrates how romantic relationships can serve as a mirror, reflecting our deepest insecurities, desires, and the potential for emotional healing.
The Toxic Impact of Family Dynamics on Personal Growth and Relationships
Family plays a crucial role in shaping the characters’ emotional and psychological journeys throughout Between Love and Loathing. Clara’s relationship with her mother and sister is defined by toxicity, manipulation, and emotional abuse, which has a profound impact on her sense of self-worth and ability to pursue her dreams.
The oppressive family dynamics that Clara endures serve as a constant source of internal conflict for her, making her hesitant to assert her desires or confront her family. The eventual moment when Clara expels her mother and sister from her property is a major turning point in the novel, symbolizing her refusal to continue sacrificing her happiness and self-respect for the sake of familial expectations.
This action highlights the theme of breaking free from damaging family relationships and the necessary steps one must take to achieve personal freedom and self-actualization. Dominic’s own relationship with his ex-fiancée, Natya, also highlights the negative influence that toxic relationships can have, pushing him to confront his past and choose a future that is healthier and more fulfilling with Clara.
Professional Ambition and Personal Relationships
The tension between professional ambition and personal relationships is a major theme that drives much of the conflict in Between Love and Loathing. Clara’s dream of owning a bakery is initially seen as an unrealistic aspiration, but it becomes the focal point of her personal development.
Throughout the novel, the clash between her artistic vision and Dominic’s structured, business-oriented mindset creates significant conflict. This tension, however, leads to both personal and professional growth for Clara. By insisting on her vision for the bakery, she asserts her professional identity, which ultimately enhances her personal sense of worth and self-respect.
Dominic’s professional success and his role in the resort project are also intricately tied to his emotional journey. Initially motivated by control and success, Dominic’s character growth emerges from the realization that his personal relationships—especially his connection with Clara—are just as important, if not more, than his professional achievements.
The book shows how career and personal life are intertwined, and that finding harmony between the two is essential for true fulfillment