Consider Yourself Kissed Summary, Characters and Themes
Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley is a compelling exploration of personal transformation, relationships, and the emotional intricacies of navigating adulthood in a foreign city. The story revolves around Coralie Bower, an Australian woman in her late twenties, who moves to London to pursue her career in advertising.
As Coralie struggles with the ghosts of her past and the pressure of defining her future, she finds herself caught in a complex web of family dynamics, professional ambition, and a blossoming relationship with Adam Whiteman, a journalist with a young daughter. This novel reflects the emotional journey of a woman trying to reconcile her dreams with the reality of her circumstances, as she learns to confront her past, deal with the complexities of blended families, and ultimately understand her own desires and sense of self.
Summary
Consider Yourself Kissed follows the journey of Coralie Bower, an Australian woman in her late twenties, who relocates to London for her work in advertising. The story delves deeply into her emotional landscape, as she navigates various aspects of her life, including her complicated relationship with her partner Adam Whiteman, his young daughter Zora, and her own unresolved issues with her family.
At the heart of the narrative is Coralie’s internal struggle. Having recently left a toxic relationship with a manipulative boss, Richard Pickard, and still coping with the fallout of that experience, Coralie grapples with her sense of identity and her place in the world.
She also faces the emotional burden of being estranged from her mother, who is terminally ill. The complexities of her relationship with her mother, which is marked by distance and unresolved feelings, weigh heavily on Coralie as she attempts to define herself both personally and professionally.
Coralie’s move to London represents a new chapter, but it is not without its challenges. Initially feeling invisible and alone in the city, she slowly builds connections, particularly with Adam.
Adam, a journalist, is the father of Zora, a young girl who plays a significant role in Coralie’s life. Zora’s presence adds a new dimension to Coralie’s world, challenging her assumptions about family, parenthood, and her own emotional capacity.
The pivotal moment in their developing relationship comes when Coralie rescues Zora from drowning in a lake. This act of bravery shifts Coralie’s perception of herself and deepens her bond with Adam.
As their relationship evolves, Adam begins to open up about his own past—his father’s death and his strained relationship with his ex-wife, Marina. Through these revelations, Coralie starts to confront her own unresolved issues, particularly with her family.
Her relationship with her brother and the pain of her mother’s illness become focal points of her emotional journey.
As Coralie spends more time with Adam and Zora, she begins to adjust to the idea of being a stepmother, a role she had previously feared. Zora, though a sweet and loving child, is also a challenging presence in Coralie’s life, demanding patience and understanding.
Coralie reflects on her own experiences with family, particularly her estrangement from her parents, and begins to appreciate the complexity of blended families.
Parallel to her personal growth, Coralie also faces the struggles of balancing her creative ambitions with the demands of her job in advertising. She aspires to write but finds herself constantly distracted by the needs of her family and the pressures of her work.
This tension between her professional ambitions and her responsibilities at home creates a sense of frustration for Coralie, who yearns for a more fulfilling creative life but feels trapped by the demands of the everyday.
Throughout the narrative, Coralie experiences moments of clarity, but also confusion, as she tries to reconcile her past with her present. She feels torn between the pull of her memories and the allure of a new life in London.
Despite her growing love for Adam and the sense of belonging she finds in their relationship, Coralie is haunted by her unresolved guilt and uncertainty. She questions whether she will ever truly be able to move forward or if she will always remain tethered to her previous life.
Coralie’s journey is not only about love and relationships but also about self-discovery and personal growth. The novel captures her evolving understanding of who she is, what she wants, and how she can reconcile the different roles she plays—partner, friend, daughter, and writer.
Her experience is universal, touching on the challenges many face in trying to balance personal dreams with the expectations of others.
The text also highlights Coralie’s emotional growth, particularly in how she learns to embrace the possibility of motherhood. As she navigates the challenges of being in a blended family, she comes to accept her role as a stepmother.
This acceptance is hard-won, shaped by the complexities of her relationship with Adam and Zora. While Coralie is initially unsure of her place in Adam’s life and in Zora’s, she gradually becomes more comfortable in her new role, learning to cherish the bond that develops between them.
The novel concludes on a hopeful note, as Coralie begins to embrace her future with more confidence. Although her struggles are far from over, she finds a sense of peace in the present, accepting her flaws and limitations.
The uncertainties of her past no longer define her, and she steps into a new chapter of her life with a clearer sense of self. Ultimately, Consider Yourself Kissed is a story of transformation, of learning to love and accept oneself, and of navigating the complexities of love, family, and personal ambition in an ever-changing world.
Characters
Coralie Bower
Coralie Bower is the protagonist of Consider Yourself Kissed, and the narrative revolves around her personal and emotional growth. At the outset, Coralie is a woman in her late twenties, originally from Australia, now living in London to pursue a career in advertising.
Despite her external success, Coralie faces deep internal struggles, such as feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and the weight of her past, including a toxic relationship with her former boss and unresolved issues with her family. She battles with the guilt of her strained relationship with her mother, who is ill, and the emotional trauma stemming from this.
Coralie’s journey is one of self-discovery. She is deeply affected by her inability to reconcile her career aspirations with her personal life.
She is a writer at heart but finds herself stifled by the corporate demands of her job. This conflict is compounded by her relationship with Adam, a journalist, who occupies a central role in her emotional landscape.
While her relationship with Adam evolves, it is characterized by moments of tension, particularly when she finds herself drawn into the role of stepmother to his daughter, Zora, and grapples with the idea of motherhood. Her emotional turmoil is intensified by the pressures of her relationship with Adam, the demands of his ex-wife Marina, and the complexities of co-parenting, leaving Coralie questioning her ability to move forward and her place in their world.
Her personal transformation is marked by a turning point when she rescues Zora from a dangerous situation, a moment that shifts her perception of her own capabilities and her future. Throughout her journey, Coralie struggles to balance the competing desires of building her career and a family, and her emotional growth comes from accepting her flaws, her past, and embracing her future.
Adam Whiteman
Adam Whiteman, Coralie’s partner, plays a significant role in the story, shaping many of Coralie’s emotional struggles and growth. A journalist deeply involved in political commentary, Adam’s work often takes precedence over his personal life, causing friction in his relationship with Coralie.
His preoccupation with his career, particularly his coverage of Brexit and political upheaval, leaves Coralie feeling neglected and unsupported, especially as they face the challenge of co-parenting Zora with his ex-wife, Marina.
Adam’s character is marked by a complex past, which he slowly reveals throughout the narrative. His relationship with Coralie is tested when Coralie’s past resurfaced, particularly with the death of her mother, and the impact it has on their relationship.
Adam’s emotional distance and lack of engagement with family matters put a strain on their bond, and Coralie’s feelings of abandonment grow as she confronts the realities of motherhood and her own unspoken desires for a child of her own.
However, Adam does undergo significant development in the story. As Coralie’s emotional state deteriorates, Adam begins to offer her more support, particularly after she deals with her mother’s death.
Their relationship grows through these challenges, and by the end of the narrative, there is a sense of reconciliation between them. Adam’s growth is subtle yet significant, as he learns to navigate the complexities of family life, work, and his relationship with Coralie, showing a deeper emotional commitment to their future together.
Zora
Zora, Adam’s daughter, is a pivotal character in Consider Yourself Kissed, representing both the challenges and the unexpected rewards of blended families. Initially, Coralie struggles with her role as a stepmother to Zora, especially given her initial fear of motherhood.
Zora’s character is sweet yet challenging, and her relationship with Coralie evolves as Coralie begins to confront her own feelings about family and parenthood.
Zora’s near-drowning incident in the lake marks a turning point in Coralie’s character development. After rescuing Zora, Coralie begins to see herself differently and develops a deeper emotional connection to Zora.
Zora’s presence in Coralie’s life pushes her to reconsider her own desires, especially regarding motherhood. While Zora’s character represents some of the frustrations of being a stepmother, she also symbolizes Coralie’s growing understanding of family, love, and self-acceptance.
Zora’s relationship with her father, Adam, and her mother, Marina, adds a layer of complexity to the family dynamic. As Coralie begins to step into the role of a mother figure for Zora, the relationship between the two women grows, revealing a deeper bond that transcends the traditional boundaries of step-parenting.
Zora ultimately becomes an essential part of Coralie’s emotional journey, highlighting the complexities of family life and the challenges of blended families.
Marina
Marina, Adam’s ex-wife, is a character who plays a significant but often antagonistic role in Coralie’s emotional development. As the mother of Zora, Marina’s presence in Adam’s life is a constant reminder of the complexities of blended family dynamics.
Coralie often feels overshadowed by Marina, particularly in her own desires to have a child with Adam. Marina’s pregnancy with a second child is a source of tension, as it amplifies Coralie’s feelings of inadequacy and desire to conceive.
Marina’s character is marked by her own complicated relationship with Adam, which remains an undercurrent throughout the story. Despite her distance from Adam, she still plays a significant role in his life and by extension, in Coralie’s.
Her relationship with Coralie is strained, and the constant comparison between Marina and Coralie contributes to the emotional turmoil that Coralie faces. While Marina is not a central figure in the plot, her influence on Coralie’s emotional journey is significant, particularly as Coralie grapples with her own feelings of jealousy, inadequacy, and insecurity.
Roger Bower
Roger Bower, Coralie’s father, is a figure of emotional distance and authoritarianism in Coralie’s life. His presence looms over Coralie’s emotional struggles, as their relationship has always been strained, marked by his overbearing and distant parenting.
Roger’s visit to London, where he discusses his travel plans to see Coralie and her family, brings to the forefront their unresolved issues. Coralie’s feelings of anger, frustration, and unresolved resentment towards him are explored in depth as she reflects on her upbringing and the impact his parenting had on her sense of self.
Roger’s character serves as a mirror to Coralie’s own struggles with authority, control, and emotional distance. His elderly age and the fact that he is now more vulnerable only serve to highlight the complicated emotions Coralie feels towards him.
His eventual death serves as a catalyst for Coralie’s own reflections on forgiveness, family dynamics, and the complexity of relationships that are never fully healed. Roger’s role in the narrative is significant, as his unresolved relationship with Coralie informs much of her own emotional journey, particularly her struggles with self-worth and the baggage from her past.
Themes
Self-Identity and Personal Growth
Coralie’s journey is deeply rooted in the quest for self-discovery and personal growth. At the core of her struggle is the tension between the roles society expects her to fulfill and her own desires and aspirations.
Her move to London marks a critical turning point, as she is confronted with the need to forge her identity in a new and unfamiliar environment. As an Australian woman trying to carve out a life in the UK, Coralie is constantly grappling with a sense of alienation, trying to establish herself both personally and professionally.
Her desire to become a writer is often sidelined by her various other responsibilities, which include her relationships with her partner Adam, his daughter Zora, and the pressures of her job in advertising. This inner conflict between personal aspirations and the demands of the world around her creates a complex emotional landscape for Coralie.
Her struggle to define her identity is further complicated by her unresolved issues with her family, particularly her estranged relationship with her mother and her feelings of inadequacy. Despite these challenges, Coralie’s journey toward self-acceptance is ongoing, and by the end of the story, she begins to embrace the idea that personal growth often comes through embracing imperfections and the changes life brings.
Her emotional journey reflects the universal desire to find balance between who we are and who we are expected to be.
Family Dynamics and the Complexity of Relationships
The theme of family is a central thread in Coralie’s life, and throughout the story, we see how deeply it shapes her sense of self. Her relationship with her parents, especially her mother, is fraught with unresolved emotions.
Her mother’s terminal illness brings to the forefront the complexities of their bond, forcing Coralie to confront her feelings of abandonment and guilt. The strained dynamic with her mother plays a significant role in Coralie’s emotional turmoil, particularly as she navigates her own adulthood and the challenges of being a stepmother to Adam’s daughter, Zora.
The contrast between her difficult relationship with her mother and the budding connection she develops with Zora highlights the theme of generational cycles and the possibility of healing. Coralie’s struggle to find her place within Adam’s family, coupled with her desire to create her own family unit, further emphasizes the tensions that arise from blending families.
Adam’s ex-wife, Marina, also plays a pivotal role, not only in their co-parenting dynamic but also as a source of emotional complexity, particularly as Coralie grapples with feelings of inadequacy in comparison to Marina’s role as a biological mother. Ultimately, the theme of family in Consider Yourself Kissed illustrates the challenges of navigating familial expectations, personal identity, and the complexities of relationships that both nurture and hinder personal growth.
Love and Emotional Intimacy
Coralie’s relationship with Adam serves as a focal point for the exploration of love and emotional intimacy. Initially, Coralie is drawn to Adam’s warmth and presence, but as their relationship deepens, the complexities of their emotional connection emerge.
Adam’s preoccupation with his work, especially his career as a journalist covering political events like Brexit, creates an emotional distance between them. This growing detachment leaves Coralie feeling unsupported and isolated, particularly as she faces the challenges of infertility and the emotional strain of caring for her dying mother.
The narrative portrays how love can be both a source of comfort and a source of tension, as Coralie finds herself questioning whether she can continue to love Adam while feeling emotionally neglected. The turning point in their relationship occurs when Adam begins to acknowledge his emotional distance and strives to support Coralie more effectively.
However, even as they attempt to reconnect, the emotional weight of their past struggles remains, forcing both characters to confront their own fears and desires. Love, in this context, is not just about passion but about vulnerability, compromise, and the ongoing effort to nurture a connection despite personal and external challenges.
Through their relationship, Consider Yourself Kissed explores how love can evolve over time, especially when confronted with life’s difficult realities.
The Burden of Expectations and Societal Pressures
Throughout the narrative, Coralie struggles with the weight of societal expectations and the pressures placed on her as a woman in her late twenties and early thirties. One of the primary sources of tension in her life is the societal assumption that she should fulfill traditional roles—such as becoming a mother—by a certain age.
This pressure is amplified by interactions with figures like Adam’s mother, who subtly interrogates Coralie’s plans for children, creating feelings of inadequacy. These external expectations of motherhood are further compounded by Coralie’s internalized desire to become a mother, which conflicts with her career aspirations and the complexities of her relationship with Adam.
Coralie’s emotional journey becomes one of navigating these societal pressures while also confronting the realities of her own desires and limitations. Her struggles with infertility, her attempts to balance career and motherhood, and her complicated feelings about her body all reflect the broader theme of women’s roles in society and the ongoing tension between personal fulfillment and the weight of external expectations.
Consider Yourself Kissed paints a nuanced picture of how societal expectations can influence a woman’s self-perception, often making it difficult to reconcile one’s internal desires with the roles prescribed by the world around them.
Coping with Loss and Grief
Loss is a recurring theme in Consider Yourself Kissed, and Coralie’s emotional journey is significantly shaped by her experiences with grief. The death of her mother is the most significant loss in the narrative, serving as both a catalyst for personal reflection and a poignant moment of emotional release for Coralie.
The process of caring for her terminally ill mother forces Coralie to confront unresolved feelings of abandonment and emotional neglect, ultimately shaping her understanding of love and forgiveness. Grief, in this sense, is not just a response to loss but a transformative experience that challenges one’s sense of self and place in the world.
The novel also portrays the grief associated with the end of relationships—both romantic and familial—as Coralie’s growing emotional distance from Adam reflects the pain of emotional loss in relationships that seem unrepairable. However, grief is not solely a negative force in the story; it also leads to moments of clarity and healing.
As Coralie works through her grief, particularly after her mother’s death, she begins to redefine her sense of self and the relationships that matter most to her. The theme of loss and grief in Consider Yourself Kissed highlights the complex and often contradictory emotions that arise in the face of profound change, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and the possibility of new beginnings.