Call Me Anytime Summary, Characters and Themes

Call Me Anytime by Max Monroe is a contemporary romance novel that mixes suspense, humor, and emotional depth. It follows the journey of Hannah May, a young woman trying to juggle financial struggles, caring for her ailing mother with Alzheimer’s, and her unexpected job at a phone sex hotline.

The story explores her personal challenges, the complicated investigation into a series of murders linked to the hotline, and a developing romantic relationship with Detective Dominic Dunn. With a backdrop of dark secrets and emotional growth, Call Me Anytime delves into themes of trust, love, and personal transformation.

Summary

Hannah May, a 25-year-old woman, is struggling with the burden of caring for her mother, Sherry, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Facing mounting financial difficulties, she takes a job at a telemarketing company called Call Me Anytime, which turns out to be a phone sex service.

Despite her discomfort with the nature of the work, the high pay lures her into accepting the job. On her first day, she is overwhelmed by the strange and often unsettling calls she receives, including one from a man with an unusual fetish involving semen volume.

This only adds to her growing sense of unease as she begins her new and unconventional job.

Meanwhile, Detective Dominic Dunn and his partner Shane Maddox are investigating a series of murders connected to Call Me Anytime. Two women, Gwen Bridges and Heather Turnwat, have been found dead, and both were linked to the hotline.

The detectives discover that Heather, like Hannah, had worked at Call Me Anytime and had forwarded calls to her personal phone before her death. This connection leads them to investigate further, suspecting that the murders are connected to the phone sex line.

The detectives visit Hannah to question her about the murders, although she is taken aback by their investigation. She had only started working for Call Me Anytime that very day and had no connection to the victims.

While she is not a suspect, the police remain focused on the hotline as they continue their investigation. The detectives’ probing reveals that the murders may be part of a more complex pattern, with clues pointing toward a dark web connection that makes it difficult to trace the killers.

As the investigation progresses, Hannah finds herself caught in the crossfire. The police wiretap the Ruby line she is working on, and the detectives listen in as she takes calls from customers with bizarre requests.

One such caller, Harvey, becomes possessive and scares Hannah, leading her to believe he might be the killer. She becomes increasingly paranoid and confrontational, but Detective Dunn warns her that her aggressive behavior could hinder the investigation.

She continues to struggle with the pressures of her job and the emotional toll of caring for her mother, Sherry, who often mistakes her for Ziva, a character from the TV show NCIS.

The detectives’ investigation into the murders uncovers more disturbing details. They learn that the victims were lured to upscale hotels where they were killed in a similar manner—poisoned with fentanyl injected into their necks.

The detectives trace the booking of these hotel rooms to dark web brokers, which complicates their ability to gather evidence. As the case continues to unfold, Hannah becomes more entangled in the mystery, especially when her personal life starts to intersect with the investigation.

Her mother, Sherry, mistakenly identifies Dominic as a character from NCIS, further complicating the detectives’ efforts to solve the case.

Through all this, a subtle but intense romantic connection begins to develop between Hannah and Detective Dunn. Dominic, who initially tries to maintain a professional distance, finds himself drawn to Hannah’s vulnerability and strength.

As they spend more time together, Dominic offers to help her with her mother’s care, and they share several intimate moments. However, the emotional weight of the investigation continues to hang over them.

Dominic is torn between his duty as a detective and his growing feelings for Hannah. Meanwhile, Sherry’s condition worsens, and the stress of caregiving takes its toll on Hannah.

One day, after a tense encounter with a caller named Waylon, who threatens violent fantasies, Hannah becomes terrified for her own safety and that of her mother. She spirals into anxiety, fearing she could be next.

Dominic reassures her that the company’s operations are secure, and that her identity is protected. Despite this, the fear of being targeted continues to haunt Hannah.

She struggles with the fact that she is working a job that makes her feel unsafe, but it is the only way she can make ends meet.

The situation reaches a crisis point when the detectives learn that another woman, Monica, has become involved with the phone sex line. Monica is asked to meet a couple at a hotel for a voyeuristic encounter, but things quickly go wrong.

Monica and Sherry end up in a dangerous hostage situation, held by a woman who blames them for her husband’s infidelity. The situation escalates when the woman threatens to kill them all, and it is only thanks to Dominic’s quick thinking and intervention that the situation is resolved.

However, Dominic is shot during the confrontation, and Hannah is left devastated, unsure if he will survive.

After spending days in the hospital, waiting for news about Dominic’s condition, Hannah and Dominic finally reconcile. They admit their mistakes and apologize to each other, acknowledging their love for one another.

Dominic proposes to Hannah, and she agrees to marry him. The couple starts a new chapter in their relationship, full of hope for the future.

Three and a half years later, Hannah and Dominic are happily married with two children, Louie and Tali. Hannah has gone back to school to pursue a career in nutrition, inspired by the lessons she learned from caring for her mother.

The couple’s life is stable and fulfilling, but they face new challenges when Hannah discovers she is pregnant with their third child. As they prepare to expand their family, Dominic jokes about naming their new baby after a character from NCIS, reflecting the playful and loving bond they now share.

Their journey from financial struggles and emotional turmoil to a happy and prosperous life is a testament to their growth and the strength of their relationship.

Characters

Hannah May

Hannah May, at 25 years old, is a resilient woman grappling with immense personal and financial challenges. She works at a phone sex hotline, Call Me Anytime, under the alias “Ruby,” to support her mother, Sherry, who suffers from Alzheimer’s.

Hannah is thrust into this job reluctantly, driven by the need to care for her mother and pay off mounting debts, including a reverse mortgage on her home. She is forced to improvise sexual scripts during her shifts, which causes her discomfort as she tries to navigate a world that feels alien to her.

While she is emotionally distressed by her job, she struggles to maintain a sense of control over her life and her independence. Her relationship with her mother is particularly strained as Sherry’s Alzheimer’s progresses, and the confusion often leads Sherry to confuse her daughter for a character from the TV show NCIS.

Despite these hardships, Hannah’s inner strength is evident, and she tries to stay strong for her mother. As the investigation into the murders connected to her phone sex line unfolds, Hannah’s world becomes even more complicated.

She is drawn into a whirlwind of police scrutiny, but her relationship with Detective Dominic Dunn offers a glimmer of hope and connection, even as it risks undermining her ability to maintain the boundaries between personal and professional life.

Dominic Dunn

Detective Dominic Dunn, known as “Dom,” is a determined and compassionate investigator who is working to solve a string of murders linked to the phone sex hotline, Call Me Anytime. His professional world collides with his personal feelings when he becomes emotionally involved with Hannah May, a woman caught in a series of unfortunate events.

While Dom initially maintains a strictly professional attitude, his connection with Hannah deepens over time, particularly as he witnesses her emotional struggles and her devotion to caring for her mother. He finds himself increasingly conflicted between his duty as a detective and his growing affection for Hannah.

His commitment to solving the case never wavers, but his involvement in her life starts to compromise his objectivity, creating a tension between his professional responsibilities and his personal emotions. Dom’s protective instincts towards Hannah grow stronger as the investigation progresses, and he makes several personal sacrifices, including putting himself in danger to help her.

His internal conflict reaches a peak when he realizes his emotional attachment to Hannah is putting both their lives at risk. Despite these challenges, Dom proves to be a loyal and loving partner, showing his vulnerability and willingness to support Hannah, even when faced with significant professional dilemmas.

His relationship with Hannah ultimately evolves into a deep emotional bond, highlighting his capacity for empathy and care beyond the call of duty.

Sherry May

Sherry May, Hannah’s mother, plays a poignant role in the story, embodying the struggles of living with Alzheimer’s disease. Though she is physically present, Sherry’s cognitive decline means she is often lost in confusion, frequently mistaking her daughter for Ziva, a character from the TV show NCIS.

Her illness adds to the emotional strain on Hannah, who is trying to balance her mother’s care with her own personal and financial difficulties. Sherry’s condition serves as a reminder of the challenges of caregiving and the toll it takes on family members.

Despite her memory loss, Sherry occasionally experiences brief moments of lucidity, during which she shows regret for her inability to fully connect with her daughter. These fleeting moments create an emotional backdrop that underscores the emotional complexity of Hannah’s life.

As the investigation into the murders connected to the phone sex line unfolds, Sherry becomes inadvertently involved when the detectives confuse her with her daughter. This mistake adds to the confusion surrounding the case and deepens the tension in Hannah’s already tumultuous life.

Monica

Monica is a coworker of Hannah’s at Call Me Anytime, and though she shares similar challenges, her experience at the hotline seems less emotionally charged. She, like Hannah, is working the phone sex line to make ends meet, but she remains more detached from the emotional and psychological toll of the job.

Monica provides some guidance to Hannah during her initial foray into the line of work, offering tips on how to manage calls and handle difficult customers. Despite the pragmatic advice, Monica’s own experiences at the hotline take a darker turn when she is entangled in a dangerous situation involving a voyeuristic encounter at a hotel.

This situation leads to a standoff with a woman holding a gun, which results in both Monica and Sherry being put in harm’s way. Monica’s presence in the story highlights the varying ways in which different people cope with the challenges of the job and the potential dangers that come with it.

Though she is less central to the narrative than other characters, Monica’s experiences reflect the darker side of working in the phone sex industry, adding an additional layer of tension and complexity to the plot.

Margo Mavis

Margo Mavis is the boss at Call Me Anytime, the phone sex hotline where Hannah works. Margo’s role in the story is to manage the day-to-day operations of the company and oversee the employees.

She has a no-nonsense attitude and is often the one who communicates directly with the detectives, particularly when the investigation into the murders linked to the hotline intensifies. Margo is portrayed as someone who is accustomed to the risks associated with the business, but her actions, including instructing Hannah to continue working while the detectives wiretap her line, show her pragmatic approach to running the hotline.

Margo’s character is less emotionally involved in the situation than Hannah, but her role is crucial in providing the structure and continuity to the operation, especially as the investigation brings increased scrutiny to the company. Despite her tough exterior, Margo’s actions hint at a certain level of awareness of the moral and ethical dilemmas posed by the job.

Shane Maddox

Shane Maddox is Dominic Dunn’s partner and plays a secondary yet important role in the investigation of the murders. While Shane’s character doesn’t delve as deeply into personal struggles as Dominic, he serves as a pragmatic and supportive colleague.

His role in the investigation is more focused on gathering evidence and helping Dominic navigate the professional aspects of the case. Shane’s character provides a grounding presence for Dom, offering practical advice and assisting with the surveillance of the phone sex line.

Though not as emotionally invested in the case as Dominic, Shane’s actions reveal his loyalty and competence as a detective, providing a steady support system for his partner as they work together to solve the case.

Felix

Felix is a regular caller to the Ruby line at Call Me Anytime, and his interactions with Hannah add an interesting dynamic to the narrative. Felix’s calls are different from those of other customers, as he is not seeking explicit content but rather companionship and comfort.

His connection with Ruby (Hannah) goes beyond sexual fantasy, and he develops a sense of attachment to her. Felix’s emotional investment in the calls contrasts with the more transactional nature of the other calls, and his role becomes more significant when Dom tracks his phone number during the investigation.

Felix’s attachment to Ruby adds a layer of vulnerability to his character, as he is not just a customer but someone who seeks a deeper emotional connection. His presence in the story highlights the human need for connection, even in the most unlikely of places.

Themes

Personal Struggles and Sacrifices

In Call Me Anytime, Hannah May’s journey revolves around the constant balancing of her personal and financial challenges. She finds herself in a difficult position where she is tasked with caring for her mother, Sherry, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

This overwhelming responsibility weighs heavily on her, both emotionally and financially. In an attempt to ease her burdens, she takes a job at a phone sex hotline, Call Me Anytime, despite her discomfort with the job.

This highlights a theme of personal sacrifice, as Hannah is forced to abandon her moral discomfort for the sake of survival. The job is not one she would have chosen under normal circumstances, but the financial strain pushes her into a corner, where she must compromise her values for the welfare of her family.

The emotional toll of juggling her work and her mother’s declining health adds another layer of struggle to her life. This theme of sacrifice is also reflected in her relationship with Dominic, who, despite his wealth, offers to pay off her debts.

While his gesture comes from a place of care, it also unintentionally diminishes her sense of independence, leading to emotional conflict between them. The sacrifices made by both Hannah and Dominic, especially when it comes to their careers and personal desires, reflect the broader theme of doing whatever it takes to support those we love, even at the cost of personal well-being.

Love and Emotional Conflict

The evolving relationship between Hannah and Detective Dominic Dunn forms a core emotional narrative in Call Me Anytime. Initially, their connection is rooted in a professional context, with Dominic investigating the string of murders linked to the phone sex line that Hannah works for.

However, as the investigation deepens and the two spend more time together, their professional relationship becomes complicated by their growing attraction. Dominic finds himself falling for Hannah, but his position as a detective investigating her new job makes it difficult for him to maintain objectivity.

This emotional conflict intensifies when he decides to intervene in her life, offering both financial assistance and emotional support without consulting her first. For Hannah, this feels like a violation of her independence and leads her to break up with Dominic, even though she still harbors deep feelings for him.

Their reconnection after a period of emotional tension and their eventual reconciliation symbolizes the complicated nature of love, especially when personal and professional lives collide. It also explores the theme of emotional vulnerability—both characters struggle with trust and the fear of being perceived as weak or incapable, yet they find solace in each other.

Their relationship evolves from a source of tension to one of mutual understanding, showcasing how love can grow and evolve despite obstacles and misunderstandings.

Power Dynamics and Gender Roles

In Call Me Anytime, the job that Hannah takes at the phone sex hotline introduces an interesting exploration of power dynamics and gender roles. The phone sex line, where she works under the alias “Ruby,” exposes the complexities of gendered power and the exploitation inherent in such a service.

Despite the financial rewards it offers, the job places Hannah in a subordinate and objectified position, where she must cater to the desires and fetishes of her callers. The callers, who often dictate the terms of the conversation, hold a certain power over her, and this dynamic is made even more complicated by the fact that she is acting under a false identity, disconnected from her true self.

As the story progresses, it becomes evident that the job is not only about the explicit content but also about control, manipulation, and power in relationships, with Hannah often being subjected to demands that make her feel uncomfortable or powerless. On the other hand, Dominic’s role as a detective allows him to exert power over the investigation, and his attraction to Hannah introduces a different dynamic where he feels the need to protect her, despite the complicated nature of his professional role.

The tension between their evolving romantic relationship and the professional boundaries that Dominic must maintain highlights the broader theme of power—how it is distributed, manipulated, and navigated in personal and professional relationships.

The Impact of Family and Caregiving

Family dynamics play a significant role in shaping the experiences of the characters in Call Me Anytime, particularly in Hannah’s life. Her relationship with her mother, Sherry, is one of the key emotional anchors in the story.

Sherry’s Alzheimer’s disease becomes a source of constant emotional strain for Hannah, as she must juggle the care of her mother with the pressures of work and financial insecurity. The caregiving responsibilities intensify as Sherry’s condition worsens, creating moments of intense emotional vulnerability for Hannah.

The role of caregiver is both a source of deep love and immense personal sacrifice, as Hannah must navigate the challenges of witnessing her mother’s decline while also dealing with the practicalities of her own life. The moments of lucidity that Sherry occasionally experiences serve as poignant reminders of the mother-daughter bond, but they are fleeting and often painful, as Sherry’s memory lapses lead to confusion and a sense of loss.

These caregiving responsibilities shape Hannah’s character and decisions throughout the story, illustrating the deep emotional weight of caring for a loved one with a debilitating illness. The theme of caregiving also extends to the people around her, as Dominic becomes more involved in her life, offering both physical and emotional support.

His involvement in her caregiving routine further complicates their relationship, as Hannah tries to balance her need for help with her desire for independence. This theme underscores the emotional complexity of family ties and the sacrifices made in the name of love and responsibility.

Secrets and Truths

The theme of secrets and the gradual uncovering of truths is central to the narrative of Call Me Anytime. From the onset, Hannah’s job at the phone sex line is shrouded in secrecy, with her concealing the nature of her work from those around her.

As the investigation into the murders connected to the hotline unfolds, more secrets come to light, not only regarding the company itself but also about the people involved in it. Hannah is initially unaware of the darker side of her new job, and the discovery that it is tied to a string of murders forces her to confront the uncomfortable truth about the business she is working for.

The theme of secrecy extends to the investigation, as Detective Dominic Dunn grapples with the delicate balance between uncovering the truth and protecting those he cares about, particularly Hannah. The detectives must navigate layers of deception, piecing together clues and confronting uncomfortable truths about the hotline and the people involved with it.

This theme also extends to the personal relationships in the story, especially between Hannah and Dominic. Both characters harbor secrets—Hannah about her reasons for taking the job and Dominic about his feelings for her—and these secrets create tension and emotional distance.

As the story progresses, the truth comes to the forefront, forcing both characters to confront their past choices and the impact they have had on their relationship. The theme of secrets highlights the complexity of the characters’ lives, as they struggle to reconcile their private lives with the truths they must face.