Here and Now Summary, Characters and Themes

Here and Now by Corinne Michaels is a heartfelt contemporary romance that blends family bonds, personal healing, and suspense.

The story centers around Miles Anderson, a former Marine turned high school principal, whose quiet summer is upended when he is roped into coaching a local hockey clinic. Enter Penelope Walker, a single mother hiding from a dangerous past, and her young son, Kai. As Miles and Penelope’s worlds collide in a small town, they forge a tentative connection filled with warmth, trust, and the possibility of a new beginning—if only the shadows chasing Penelope don’t catch up first.

Summary

Miles Anderson is looking forward to a peaceful summer break, planning to retreat to a lakeside cabin for some rest.

But family calls, literally and figuratively, when his pregnant sister Eloise persuades him to coach his nephew Ethan’s hockey clinic after her husband breaks his leg. Miles steps into this role with a mix of reluctance and humor, setting the stage for a summer of unexpected connections and emotional growth.

Penelope “Penny” Walker is introduced as a cautious, guarded single mother struggling to keep her son Kai safe.

She juggles the demands of motherhood with the weight of a hidden past. Living under an assumed name, Penny is constantly vigilant, fearful of being discovered by her abusive ex, Edward VanderGroef—a powerful man whose reach and influence threaten her safety.

With help from her protective brother Quinn, a former Navy SEAL, Penelope tries to build a quiet life in the small town of Ember Falls, but the fear never fully lets go.

Miles and Penelope’s paths cross at the hockey rink, sparking an immediate yet complicated attraction.

While Miles is drawn to Penelope’s warmth and resilience, Penny struggles with letting her guard down, wary of the potential danger that intimacy might bring. Miles naturally steps into a supportive role not only for Penny but for Kai, whose confidence begins to grow through the camaraderie of hockey and friendship with Ethan.

Their bond deepens with subtle flirtations, moments of vulnerability, and shared laughter, although Penny’s emotional walls remain firmly in place.

As the story unfolds, Penelope’s traumatic past is revealed in pieces—flashbacks to an abusive relationship that forced her to flee and live under the constant threat of being found.

The tension escalates when Penny senses someone watching her, sparking paranoia and a renewed sense of urgency. Quinn intensifies security measures, but the danger feels increasingly close.

Meanwhile, Miles’s unwavering support offers Penny a glimpse of safety and stability she hasn’t known in years.

The town of Ember Falls plays a vital role, providing a nurturing community that embraces Penelope and Kai.

Their warmth contrasts with Penny’s inner turmoil and heightens the stakes of possibly losing this newfound peace.

Eloise’s family moments—her chaotic but loving pregnancy and childbirth—remind Miles of the importance of family and deepen his resolve to protect those he cares about.

Penelope’s relationship with Miles grows steadily, moving from cautious friendship to a tender romance.

When she finally confides in Miles about her true identity and the dangers that shadow her, he doesn’t retreat; instead, he commits fully, becoming a protector and partner.

This emotional honesty strengthens their connection and gives Penelope hope that a life free from fear might be possible.

However, the threat of Edward and his men looms ever larger.

A private investigator linked to Edward arrives in town, escalating the suspense and forcing Penny, Quinn, and Miles to prepare for confrontation.

Despite the looming danger, Miles refuses to let fear dictate their lives.

He encourages standing firm, fighting together for the future they want.

As the story builds toward its resolution, themes of trust, courage, and the power of community shine through.

Penelope begins the difficult process of shedding the trauma of her past, while Miles proves himself to be a steadfast anchor for her and Kai.

The narrative explores what it means to find safety not just in a place but in people who truly care.

Without revealing the climax, Here and Now masterfully balances romance and suspense, showing how love and resilience can help overcome even the darkest chapters of one’s life.

It’s a story about fighting for happiness, embracing vulnerability, and daring to hope for a fresh start amidst uncertainty.

Characters

Miles Anderson

Miles is a grounded and dependable man, shaped by his past as a Marine and his current role as a high school principal. His sense of duty and protectiveness is central to his character—whether toward his family, like his sister Eloise and nephew Ethan, or toward Penelope and her son Kai.

Miles embodies stability and kindness, often using humor to diffuse tension. His natural leadership and nurturing qualities come through as he steps into a fatherly role for Kai, demonstrating emotional strength balanced with genuine warmth.

Despite his tough exterior, Miles shows deep emotional intelligence, patiently breaking through Penelope’s guarded walls without pressuring her, making him a safe haven for her. His unwavering loyalty and courage to confront danger head-on reveal a man ready to fight for the people he loves, embodying both physical and emotional bravery.

Penelope “Penny” Walker

Penelope is a complex woman marked by trauma and resilience. On the surface, she appears cautious and guarded, living under an assumed identity to protect herself and her son from a violent past with Kai’s father, Edward VanderGroef.

Her character arc centers on the slow, painful process of learning to trust again, especially as she allows herself to lean on Miles. Penelope’s fear of being discovered is palpable, driving much of her internal conflict, yet she also longs for stability and love—something she hasn’t been able to have before.

Her protective nature as a mother to Kai is fierce, shaped by past abuse and the need to shield him from harm at all costs. Emotionally, Penelope is vulnerable but strong, wrestling with guilt over her past while craving a normal life.

Her journey toward hope and healing is the emotional heart of the story.

Kai

Kai is the innocent center of Penelope’s world and a symbol of hope and renewal in the novel. As a young boy, he embodies the potential for happiness and growth despite the shadows cast by his father’s abuse.

Kai’s love for hockey and the friendships he forms, particularly with Ethan, represent his gradual emergence from trauma into a more joyful and confident life. His bond with Miles develops naturally, with Miles becoming a positive male role model and a figure of stability in Kai’s life.

Kai’s hopeful question about having a “dad” someday poignantly highlights the emotional stakes for Penelope and signals the possibility of family healing and restoration.

Quinn

Quinn, Penelope’s brother and a former Navy SEAL, serves as both protector and skeptic in her life. His military background informs his vigilant approach to Penelope’s safety, and he provides the tactical support needed to keep her hidden from Edward’s reach.

Quinn’s presence is a constant reminder of the dangers lurking in the background, but he also wrestles with accepting Penelope’s growing relationship with Miles. His protective instincts sometimes clash with the hope Penelope finds in Miles, reflecting the tension between survival and the desire for a normal life.

Quinn’s role is crucial in bridging the emotional and physical safety aspects of Penelope’s journey.

Eloise and Doug

Though supporting characters, Eloise and Doug add dimension and warmth to the family dynamics surrounding Miles. Eloise’s pregnancy and candid personality inject humor and chaos, while Doug’s injury and laid-back attitude provide a contrast that highlights the familial love and camaraderie in the background.

Their presence underscores Miles’s deep family ties and his willingness to sacrifice personal comfort for loved ones, reinforcing themes of loyalty and togetherness.

Themes

Trauma and the Ongoing Struggle for Identity Reclamation

Here and Now deals with the long, arduous process of reclaiming identity after trauma. Penelope’s story is not simply about escaping an abusive past but about the psychological imprisonment that follows such experiences.

The narrative delves deeply into how trauma fractures one’s sense of self, forcing Penelope to live under assumed identities and constantly guard her emotional vulnerabilities. This theme explores the tension between survival mechanisms—like secrecy, paranoia, and emotional withdrawal—and the yearning for authentic connection and normalcy.

The novel portrays the gradual, painful dismantling of these defenses, showing how healing requires both internal courage and external support. Penelope’s journey reveals the complexity of trauma’s ripple effect, especially when parenting a child born from that trauma, complicating her efforts to protect and nurture Kai while simultaneously confronting her fears.

Protecting Loved Ones Amidst Ever-Present Danger

Penelope’s life is a high-wire act balancing safety and freedom, where every choice carries potential consequences not just for herself but for Kai and those who help her.

The novel highlights how protection becomes an all-consuming act of love, involving vigilance, sacrifice, and sometimes isolation. Quinn’s protective instincts and military precision contrast with Miles’s nurturing and relational approach, presenting multiple facets of guardianship.

This theme examines how love can simultaneously empower and imprison, emphasizing the fine line between safeguarding and suffocation, as well as the resilience needed to trust others again. It also reveals how community and chosen family can play a crucial role in extending safety nets and emotional refuge in precarious situations.

The Transformative Power of Community Acceptance in Healing and Rebuilding Lives

The warmth and inclusion Penelope and Kai experience in Ember Falls act as counterweights to isolation and fear, suggesting that belonging is not just emotional but essential to psychological restoration.

This theme explores the dynamics of small-town life, where relationships are forged through shared experiences, mutual care, and collective resilience. The novel probes how a community’s acceptance challenges Penelope’s self-imposed exile and prompts her to confront vulnerabilities she had long buried.

It also highlights how social bonds and friendships—like those between Miles and his friends—serve as anchors that redefine family and provide tangible support systems. This reflects on the interconnectedness of personal and social healing.

Navigating the Dichotomy Between Fear-Driven Survival and the Courage to Embrace Love and Stability

Penelope’s hesitance to open up or trust is rooted in an intense survival instinct shaped by trauma, yet the narrative chronicles her slow but determined movement toward hope and vulnerability.

This theme explores the emotional risk involved in choosing love over fear, especially when past threats loom large. Miles embodies the courage to confront danger head-on, and through his steadfast presence, Penelope begins to reimagine a life where safety and emotional intimacy are not mutually exclusive.

The novel underscores the emotional labor involved in dismantling barriers built for protection, illustrating how embracing love requires relinquishing some control and accepting uncertainty as part of healing.