Consider Me by Becka Mack Summary, Characters and Themes

Consider Me is a spicy, emotional, and deeply character-driven contemporary romance that blends laugh-out-loud banter with heartfelt vulnerability. 

Set in the world of professional hockey, it follows the unexpected love story between Carter Beckett—a notorious player both on and off the ice—and Olivia Parker, a no-nonsense high school teacher who has no interest in becoming another notch on his bedpost. But when Carter’s persistence meets Olivia’s guarded heart, sparks turn into something real. With layered character growth, emotional stakes, and a slow-burn journey to trust, Consider Me delivers all the swoon, steam, and soul of a classic enemies-to-lovers romance—with a side of Oreos and cock socks.

Summary

Carter Beckett has it all—fame, charm, and a legendary reputation as a playboy in the world of pro hockey. He lives for one-night stands and avoids emotional entanglement like the plague. Olivia Parker, on the other hand, is the exact opposite: grounded, focused on her career as a teacher, and completely uninterested in Carter’s typical antics. 

When they first meet at a party, Carter is immediately intrigued by Olivia’s complete disinterest. For someone used to women falling over him, her blunt rejections and sarcastic comebacks are a shock to the system—and a challenge he can’t resist.

At first, Olivia finds Carter insufferable. His confidence veers into arrogance, and she’s certain he’s nothing more than a walking red flag. 

But Carter surprises her. He shows a gentler side—especially around Hank, a blind older man who’s been a father figure to Carter for years. When Hank suffers an accident, Carter’s emotional reaction exposes cracks in his playboy armor, and Olivia starts to see that maybe there’s more to him than meets the eye.

Their relationship unfolds slowly. 

Carter puts in the work to earn Olivia’s trust, ditching hookups and focusing on being someone worthy of her time. His dog, his goofiness, and his unexpected emotional depth chip away at Olivia’s walls. 

Olivia, meanwhile, battles old wounds from past relationships and fears of being let down again. Just when she begins to let herself fall, the past rears its head—tabloid gossip, jealous exes, and unresolved insecurities threaten everything they’ve built.

The turning point comes when Carter’s ex, Courtney, tries to sabotage their relationship by threatening to release private photos of them. Carter, trying to protect Olivia, hides this from her. 

But the secrecy backfires. Olivia finds out and feels betrayed—not because of Courtney, but because Carter didn’t trust her enough to be honest. She walks away, heartbroken and disillusioned.

Carter spirals—devastated but unwilling to give up. With help from Hank and Olivia’s best friend Cara, he begins to understand that love means showing up fully, even when it’s messy. 

Eventually, Courtney is exposed for her manipulation, and Carter makes a grand gesture to win Olivia back—not with charm, but with sincerity and accountability. Olivia, finally seeing Carter for who he truly is, forgives him, not because he’s perfect, but because he’s real.

Their story culminates in heartfelt reconciliations, emotional growth, and a wedding filled with chaos, love, and hilarious moments—including food sneaking, hangovers, and Carter being his usual over-the-top self. 

The epilogue, cheekily titled “Oops,” hints at their future as a family, showing that their love is no longer about overcoming obstacles—it’s about thriving through them, together.

At its core, Consider Me is about transformation: of self, of love, and of what it means to be vulnerable. 

Carter grows from a guarded, self-indulgent player into a man who loves fiercely and shows up when it counts. Olivia learns that love doesn’t have to mean losing yourself—it can mean finding someone who sees you, entirely. And together, they create a messy, beautiful, and deeply satisfying happily ever after.

Characters

Carter Beckett

Carter Beckett, the male protagonist, starts off as a stereotypical womanizer, renowned for his emotional detachment and casual flings. He is a highly skilled, confident, and somewhat arrogant pro hockey player who enjoys the fame, attention, and the thrill of living on the edge. 

Initially, Carter doesn’t prioritize emotional connections, seeing relationships as temporary and easily disposable. However, his encounter with Olivia Parker forces him to confront the emotional side of relationships, and he slowly starts to transform. 

Carter’s growth is profound—he moves from being self-absorbed and careless to becoming vulnerable, self-reflective, and deeply invested in someone else. His bond with Hank, an older, blind man who acts as a father figure, plays a critical role in his emotional evolution. 

Throughout the story, Carter learns to trust, protect, and emotionally invest in Olivia, realizing that his previous life of fame and fleeting relationships is no longer enough. His journey is ultimately one of redemption, as he moves from shallow arrogance to genuine love and commitment.

Olivia Parker

Olivia Parker, the female lead, is introduced as a guarded, independent woman who is very cautious about love and relationships. 

Having been burned in the past by toxic relationships, Olivia comes into the story with a clear aversion to players like Carter. She is a high school teacher who values stability and emotional depth, and at first, she keeps Carter at arm’s length due to his reputation. 

Her character arc is one of healing, trust, and personal growth. Over the course of the book, Olivia allows herself to soften toward Carter, despite her fears. 

She struggles with insecurities and trust issues but learns to confront these challenges, opening her heart to Carter’s sincere affection. Olivia’s journey is also about reclaiming her sense of self-worth, as she transitions from being wary of love to fully embracing it. 

The struggles and emotional scars from her past relationships shape her interactions with Carter, but her ultimate growth is in learning to trust him and letting go of past fears.

Hank

Hank is a pivotal secondary character who serves as a father figure to Carter. 

A blind older man with a sharp sense of wisdom, Hank is instrumental in Carter’s emotional growth. Hank represents the moral compass in Carter’s life, offering him advice and guiding him through difficult times, especially when Carter struggles with his feelings for Olivia. His blind but perceptive nature allows him to see the things Carter often overlooks—such as the depth of his own emotional capacity. 

Hank’s influence on Carter is significant; he encourages him to pursue a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Olivia, helping Carter realize that love and emotional commitment are worth the risks. 

Hank’s wisdom and guidance add a layer of warmth and emotional depth to the story, and his presence helps Carter navigate his transformation from a self-centered player to a man capable of real love.

Cara & Emmett

Cara and Emmett, Olivia’s best friend and her partner respectively, play important roles as the comic relief and sources of wisdom throughout the story. 

While they are not as central to the plot, they serve as supportive characters who provide emotional balance. Cara, in particular, offers Olivia advice, often using humor to help her process her feelings for Carter. 

Their relationship dynamic provides a lighthearted contrast to the intensity of Olivia and Carter’s evolving relationship. Emmett, as Cara’s partner, offers additional perspectives, particularly when Olivia and Carter hit emotional roadblocks. 

Cara and Emmett are important for keeping the narrative grounded, providing both comedic moments and emotional support to Olivia, especially when she feels conflicted about Carter.

Courtney

Courtney, Carter’s ex-girlfriend, serves as the antagonist in the story. 

Her character is driven by jealousy and a desire for revenge when she sees Carter’s emotional attachment to Olivia. She attempts to sabotage their relationship by threatening to leak intimate photos of Carter, which tests the trust and communication between Olivia and Carter. 

Her actions create significant conflict, forcing Carter into a position where he must fight for his relationship with Olivia and prove his commitment to her. Courtney’s role highlights themes of trust, betrayal, and redemption in the story. She embodies the toxic ex who refuses to let go and uses manipulative tactics to gain control, but her eventual downfall is crucial to Carter’s growth and his ability to reconcile with Olivia.

Themes

The Transformation of Toxic Masculinity

Carter Beckett begins Consider Me as the epitome of toxic masculinity, a charming but shallow professional athlete who thrives on fleeting romantic entanglements and embraces his fame and allure with arrogance. 

He is fully entrenched in the stereotypical identity of the “man’s man”—emotionally detached, dismissive of commitment, and highly self-centered. However, the catalyst for his transformation is Olivia Parker, a woman who rejects his advances and challenges his worldview. 

Initially, Carter is unrecognizable as a partner—clumsy, arrogant, and only interested in physical connections. But as his feelings for Olivia deepen, he begins confronting his own vulnerabilities. Through moments of jealousy, insecurity, and heartbreak, Carter is forced to examine his emotional shortcomings and redefine his sense of self. 

Over time, his arc is characterized by a shift toward emotional maturity, commitment, and vulnerability. 

His journey from player to emotionally responsible partner is one of the book’s key themes, showcasing how love, vulnerability, and the desire for a real connection can deconstruct and rebuild toxic masculine traits. By the end of the novel, Carter’s transformation demonstrates that even those most entrenched in shallow relationships can evolve if they confront their emotions and allow themselves to be vulnerable.

Emotional Intimacy and the Journey Toward Healing

The theme of trust is central to Consider Me as both Carter and Olivia navigate the complexities of building emotional intimacy after experiencing deep betrayals. Olivia, having been hurt in previous relationships, is understandably wary of Carter’s charms and initially keeps a firm emotional distance. 

Her hesitancy is rooted in a deep fear of being betrayed again, as evidenced by her reluctance to allow herself to truly open up to Carter. Similarly, Carter’s past relationships and his tendency toward secrecy complicate the development of trust between them. When an ex-lover, Courtney, threatens to expose intimate photos of Carter and use them to sabotage his relationship with Olivia, it tests their connection in devastating ways. 

Carter’s failure to immediately confide in Olivia about the threat is a pivotal moment of betrayal, though it is driven by his desire to protect her from harm. Olivia’s reaction to this perceived betrayal is understandable, but it sets in motion a painful separation that forces both characters to confront their issues head-on. Ultimately, the theme of redemption becomes intertwined with their emotional healing, as they learn the difficult but necessary lesson that trust is not given easily but is earned through transparency, action, and patience. 

Carter’s eventual admission of his wrongs and his efforts to win Olivia back underscore the transformative power of redemption in relationships.

Overcoming Insecurities and Personal Growth

A pervasive theme throughout Consider Me is the exploration of personal insecurities and how they can shape the dynamics of romantic relationships. 

Olivia’s emotional walls, shaped by her past experiences with deceit and hurt, are a significant barrier to her happiness with Carter. She struggles with feelings of inadequacy, unable to fully believe that she is deserving of a relationship built on mutual respect and love. 

Her inner turmoil is heightened by the presence of tabloid articles about Carter’s exes and his past behavior, which stirs up old fears of being just another fling for him. Her internal battle reflects the broader theme of self-worth, as Olivia’s journey is not just about learning to love Carter, but also about learning to love herself. Carter, too, deals with his own insecurities, notably in his struggle with the fear that Olivia might eventually see him as unworthy of her trust or affection due to his past mistakes. 

Both characters must confront these internal battles and acknowledge their vulnerabilities before they can find healing and emotional fulfillment. By the novel’s conclusion, both Carter and Olivia have experienced substantial personal growth, as they come to terms with their individual insecurities and realize that true love cannot thrive unless both partners are willing to embrace their flaws and weaknesses.

The Impact of Family and Friends in Shaping the Future of Romantic Relationships

In Consider Me, family and friendships play a pivotal role in the characters’ growth and in helping them navigate their complicated romance. 

The influence of family is especially notable with Carter, whose deep connection to Hank, a blind older man who acts as a father figure, provides Carter with a model for emotional depth and maturity. Hank’s wisdom and support become crucial in Carter’s development, as his guidance helps Carter understand the value of loyalty, trust, and vulnerability. 

On the other hand, Olivia’s relationships with her friends, particularly her best friend Cara and her partner Emmett, offer her a support network that helps her navigate her fears and insecurities in relation to Carter. These secondary characters are more than just comic relief; they act as sounding boards and offer critical advice that helps Olivia and Carter see beyond their immediate emotional struggles. 

The interactions between Carter and Olivia’s families also serve as a grounding force, emphasizing the importance of community and emotional support in forging a lasting relationship. In the end, their respective relationships with family and friends reinforce the idea that love is not just about the couple itself but is shaped and supported by the larger community that surrounds them.

The Dichotomy Between Love as a Conquest and Love as a Partnership

One of the most significant themes in Consider Me is the dichotomy between how Carter initially perceives love—as a conquest and an ego boost—and how it ultimately becomes something much deeper and more meaningful. 

At the start, Carter views relationships as a series of trophies, something to flaunt for his own validation. He has no intention of forming real emotional bonds, and he is used to women falling at his feet due to his fame and good looks. 

However, as Carter’s feelings for Olivia deepen, he begins to recognize that love is not a game. Olivia, in contrast, enters the relationship with an idealized notion of romantic love, holding out hope that one day she would find someone who could emotionally fulfill her and provide the support she craved. 

As the relationship develops, both Carter and Olivia shift their understanding of love from something transactional to something rooted in mutual respect, trust, and emotional vulnerability. This evolution culminates in their acceptance that love is not about winning someone over but about growing together, supporting one another, and learning from each other. 

Carter’s shift from player to partner, as he navigates the challenges of building a lasting relationship with Olivia, is the emotional heart of the novel, representing the idea that true love is not about domination or possession, but about partnership and mutual growth.