Jilted by Vi Keeland Summary, Characters and Themes
Jilted by Vi Keeland follows the emotional journey of Sloane Carrick, a woman grappling with the pain of being left at the altar and her complicated relationship with love and commitment. As a writer for Bride magazine, Sloane is constantly surrounded by the culture of weddings, but her past heartbreak has made her cynical about love.
Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Wilder, a charming man with a mysterious connection to her work. As their relationship evolves, Sloane must confront her past and the possibility of a new beginning, exploring themes of healing, trust, and emotional vulnerability.
Summary
Sloane Carrick’s life is far from ideal. A writer for Bride magazine, she once dreamed of her perfect wedding, but that dream was shattered when she was left at the altar by her ex-fiancé, Josh.
The betrayal left Sloane not only heartbroken but emotionally scarred, and even the loss of her dog, Buddy, the day after her wedding added to her grief. Now, her job at the magazine, which should have been a dream, feels like a constant reminder of everything she lost.
Despite her cynicism about love, Sloane continues to work with her best friend Elijah, who often lightens the mood with humor, but her unresolved emotional pain lingers, creating a barrier to healing.
Sloane’s life takes a significant turn when she attends a wedding to cover the event for the magazine. At the wedding, she is roped into wearing a hideous purple dress as a substitute bridesmaid for a no-show, setting the stage for an awkward encounter with Wilder.
He is a cocky yet undeniably attractive man, and their first interaction is filled with tension. Despite their initial friction, they share a passionate kiss later in a coat closet, the result of a few too many drinks and cupcakes.
This kiss ignites something in both of them, and though Sloane is hesitant, Wilder is persistent in his pursuit of her.
As the two continue to interact, their chemistry intensifies, and Sloane finds herself drawn to him, despite her reservations. Wilder’s presence is a distraction that Sloane is not ready for, especially given her complicated emotions.
She is still healing from the betrayal by Josh and remains haunted by their past. As if her life couldn’t get more complicated, Wilder unexpectedly shows up at her office, and it is then that Sloane learns that he is the son of Ted Hayes, the CEO of the conglomerate that owns the magazine.
This revelation stirs up even more emotions in Sloane as she realizes that Wilder has more ties to her life than she initially thought.
Meanwhile, Sloane is still struggling to move on from her past. She finds herself obsessing over Josh’s social media, torturing herself with images of him moving on with a new girlfriend.
Her therapist, Dr. Amherst, encourages her to heal and to let go of the past.
Sloane is also reluctantly pushed into joining a dating app, though her unresolved feelings for Josh make it difficult for her to open up to anyone new.
While Sloane wrestles with her emotions and the ghosts of her past, her connection with Wilder grows stronger. He continues to pursue her with charm and persistence, offering her glimpses of a different side to him.
He is not just the cocky, charming man she first met but someone who seems to genuinely care for her. Sloane begins to question if she is ready to take a chance on love again, or if the scars from her past are too deep to overcome.
As Sloane navigates this new connection with Wilder, she is confronted by her own fears and insecurities. Her feelings for him grow, but she finds it difficult to trust again.
She still believes that love is something she can’t rely on, and the idea of opening her heart once more feels like an impossible task. Her struggle is further complicated by her career, where she is forced to attend and cover lavish weddings, an experience that only serves to remind her of the heartache she endured.
Despite Sloane’s emotional turmoil, Wilder does not give up. He continues to be there for her, proving that his intentions are genuine.
He understands her hesitation, and while he is willing to wait, he is also not afraid to show how much he cares. Through their playful interactions and deep conversations, Wilder slowly chips away at the walls Sloane has built around her heart.
Sloane’s emotional journey is filled with moments of humor, pain, and growth as she grapples with her feelings for Wilder and the unresolved trauma from her past. Her relationship with Wilder becomes a mix of flirtation, tension, and the possibility of something more, but she must decide if she is ready to risk her heart again or if the past will continue to control her future.
As the story progresses, Sloane is faced with the difficult decision of whether to take a chance on love or continue living in the shadows of her past. Wilder’s patience and genuine affection challenge her to reconsider her beliefs about love and commitment.
Through her evolving relationship with him, Sloane learns that healing is not a straight path, and that it’s okay to be vulnerable.
The dynamic between Sloane and Wilder is not just about romance but also about self-discovery. Sloane’s emotional growth and her ability to trust again are key themes throughout the narrative, and by the end, she begins to understand that love is not about perfection but about accepting the imperfections of herself and the people around her.
The story leaves readers wondering whether Sloane will find the courage to embrace a future with Wilder or if her past will continue to hold her back.
Characters
Sloane Carrick
Sloane Carrick is the protagonist of Jilted, a woman who navigates a complicated journey of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. A writer for Bride magazine, she is immersed in the world of weddings, a subject she once loved but now dreads due to her painful past.
Sloane’s engagement ended disastrously when she was left at the altar, an event that has left her emotionally scarred and hesitant to trust in love again. Beyond her professional life, Sloane struggles with the emotional fallout from her ex-fiancé Josh’s betrayal and the recent loss of her dog, Buddy.
This emotional turmoil affects her relationship with Wilder, as her fears of vulnerability and commitment are at odds with her growing attraction to him. Throughout the story, Sloane’s character is defined by her struggle between holding onto the pain of her past and the possibility of a new future with someone who genuinely cares for her.
Her journey is one of healing, with the help of her close friend Elijah, her therapist, and, eventually, Wilder, as she learns to open her heart once again.
Wilder Hayes
Wilder Hayes is a former professional rugby player whose presence in Sloane’s life disrupts the emotional barriers she has carefully constructed. Initially portrayed as cocky and charming, Wilder’s deeper layers are gradually revealed throughout Jilted.
Despite his reputation as a serial dater, Wilder shows genuine interest in Sloane, pursuing her with sincerity and patience. His past, including the tragic death of a close friend and his struggles with fame, shapes his relationships and his fear of commitment.
However, his vulnerability and emotional growth set him apart from the man Sloane initially perceives. As the story unfolds, Wilder’s commitment to Sloane becomes evident, and his willingness to wait for her to heal emotionally shows his genuine affection for her.
His kindness is also reflected in his interactions with Sloane’s family, and his thoughtful gestures throughout their budding relationship demonstrate his sincerity. Wilder’s emotional growth, as he faces his own demons and past trauma, allows him to be the steady and supportive partner Sloane needs, making him a key figure in her journey toward healing and love.
Elijah
Elijah is Sloane’s best friend and confidant, serving as a comedic and supportive figure in her life. As her work partner at Bride magazine, he shares in her professional struggles and often provides light-hearted commentary on the absurdities of their work environment.
Elijah’s role in Sloane’s life goes beyond just friendship—he is the person she confides in when her emotions are too overwhelming to handle on her own. His wit and humor provide Sloane with some much-needed relief, especially when she is grappling with her painful past and hesitant feelings toward Wilder.
While Elijah often jokes about Sloane’s romantic life, he is also deeply caring, offering her guidance and support when it matters most. His presence in the story serves as a reminder of the importance of close friendships in the process of healing and emotional recovery.
Josh
Josh, Sloane’s ex-fiancé, is an essential yet absent character in Jilted, serving as the source of much of Sloane’s emotional pain. Though he doesn’t appear directly in the narrative, his betrayal at the altar is a defining moment for Sloane, shaping her views on love and trust.
Sloane’s internal struggle regarding Josh is evident in her continued emotional attachment to him, despite their separation. Her lingering feelings for him complicate her ability to move forward, especially when she finds herself scrolling through his Instagram posts, torturing herself with images of him and his new girlfriend.
Josh represents the past that Sloane cannot seem to escape, and his actions are the catalyst for her commitment issues and reluctance to embrace new love with Wilder.
Will
Will, Sloane’s brother, offers her much-needed support during one of the most challenging times in her life. When Sloane discovers she is pregnant, it is Will who reassures her and stands by her side, offering emotional support and guidance.
Will’s presence in the story helps highlight the importance of family, especially when Sloane is faced with uncertainty and fear. His character contrasts with the emotional complexities of Sloane and Wilder’s relationship, as he provides a grounded, steady influence.
Will’s unconditional support shows his protective nature toward Sloane, and his ability to accept the changes in her life, including her unexpected pregnancy, reflects his maturity and love for his sister.
Lucas Hayes
Lucas Hayes is Wilder’s brother, who plays a subtle but significant role in the story. While he is not as prominent as Wilder, Lucas’s interactions with Sloane help illuminate more of Wilder’s character.
During their dinner together, Lucas acts as a foil to his brother, providing a sense of balance in their dynamic. He is a steady presence, offering Sloane a glimpse into the Hayes family dynamics and showing that Wilder is not alone in his emotional growth.
Lucas’s role also emphasizes the importance of family and the deep connections that exist within it, which ultimately influences the way Sloane perceives Wilder’s commitment and sincerity.
Natasha
Natasha, Wilder’s ex-girlfriend, briefly appears in Jilted and serves as a source of tension in Sloane and Wilder’s budding relationship. When Sloane mistakenly interprets a situation involving Natasha as a sign of Wilder’s lingering attachment to his past, she becomes jealous and pulls away.
Natasha represents the emotional baggage that both Wilder and Sloane must confront in their relationship. Her presence introduces doubts in Sloane’s mind about Wilder’s ability to commit, creating a pivotal moment where both characters must work through misunderstandings and insecurities to move forward.
While Natasha does not play a significant role in the overall narrative, her influence on the characters’ emotional development is undeniable.
Themes
Love and Healing from Past Hurt
The emotional scars left by betrayal play a crucial role in Jilted as Sloane tries to come to terms with her painful past. After being abandoned at the altar, Sloane’s relationship with love is complicated, shaped by her deep distrust of others and her fear of experiencing the same heartache again.
Her emotional journey is not just about recovering from her engagement fallout but also about confronting the fear of vulnerability that comes with it. She desperately tries to compartmentalize her feelings, suppressing her heart’s desire for a fresh start while holding onto the bitterness of her previous abandonment.
Sloane’s evolving relationship with Wilder serves as a mirror to her own growth, showing that healing from heartbreak takes time and vulnerability. While she is initially hesitant, the gradual opening of her heart highlights the complexity of navigating love after being hurt.
The way Sloane grapples with her emotions demonstrates that love isn’t merely about finding someone new but also about learning to trust again, letting go of past fears, and opening oneself up to a future full of possibility, even after enduring betrayal.
Self-Worth and Personal Growth
At the heart of Jilted lies a deep exploration of self-worth and personal growth. Sloane’s journey isn’t just about her external relationships but also about her internal struggles to come to terms with her own sense of value.
She grapples with self-doubt, feeling unworthy of the love and attention Wilder offers due to the emotional baggage she carries from her past. This conflict stems from her former fiancé’s betrayal, which causes her to question her value in relationships and, by extension, in life.
Sloane’s growth is reflected in her ability to challenge the limiting beliefs she’s built around herself, particularly her self-imposed vow of avoiding love. As she begins to accept her worth, she learns to trust her instincts and feelings rather than deny or suppress them.
This theme highlights that healing and growth involve not just reconciling with others but also nurturing one’s self-esteem. It’s about recognizing one’s own worth and not allowing past experiences to dictate future potential for happiness and love.
Through this, Jilted emphasizes that embracing one’s worth is a transformative journey, essential for cultivating meaningful relationships and self-empowerment.
Trust and Emotional Vulnerability
In Jilted, trust plays a significant role in shaping the characters’ relationships, particularly between Sloane and Wilder. Both characters are burdened by past traumas, making emotional vulnerability a delicate challenge.
Wilder, with his own history of relationships tainted by manipulation and deceit, is equally hesitant to trust, fearing that he might once again be deceived. His emotional walls are initially as high as Sloane’s, as both struggle to navigate the tension between wanting intimacy and fearing the pain it might bring.
What unfolds between them is a slow, incremental process of learning to trust again. Trust in relationships, as portrayed here, is not easily won; it’s built gradually through actions, small gestures of care, and genuine emotional support.
Both Sloane and Wilder’s willingness to open up, despite their fears, is a testament to their personal growth and the strength of their bond. Jilted beautifully shows that emotional vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but an act of courage, enabling people to heal, love, and find connection even after deep emotional scars.
The Complexities of Love and Commitment
The novel also presents the theme of love’s complexities, particularly when it comes to commitment. Sloane, after her jilted wedding, has a complicated relationship with the idea of long-term commitment.
She once dreamed of a perfect wedding and a fairy-tale ending but now finds herself repulsed by the very concept of marriage. Wilder, on the other hand, has his own reservations, shaped by his past trauma with an emotionally manipulative ex.
The tension between wanting to love and fearing commitment is palpable throughout the novel, with both characters wrestling with their pasts while trying to embrace the possibility of a future together. Jilted portrays that love is never simple—it’s filled with doubts, fears, and the need for reassurance.
Commitment, particularly in the aftermath of heartbreak, requires immense emotional strength and the willingness to confront insecurities head-on. The novel emphasizes that true love and commitment are built not only on passion but also on mutual understanding, compromise, and the willingness to confront one’s vulnerabilities to build something lasting.
Overcoming Fear of Rejection
Another significant theme in Jilted is overcoming the fear of rejection. Both Sloane and Wilder, despite their strong attraction to one another, are constantly held back by the fear that their feelings might not be reciprocated.
For Sloane, this fear stems from her past trauma and the abandonment she experienced. For Wilder, it is rooted in his previous manipulative relationship, where emotional betrayal left him feeling powerless.
This fear creates a barrier between them, preventing them from fully embracing their connection. As the story unfolds, both characters have to confront and challenge this fear.
Sloane, in particular, struggles with the notion that she might not be deserving of love, questioning whether anyone could truly accept her after her emotional scars. Wilder, likewise, wrestles with his past insecurities, leading him to question whether he is capable of being loved in a sincere and healthy way.
Ultimately, Jilted illustrates that overcoming the fear of rejection is essential for forming true intimacy. Both characters must face their emotional walls and take the risk of being vulnerable, allowing themselves to love and be loved in return.
This theme resonates deeply, highlighting how fear of rejection can limit personal growth and prevent individuals from experiencing true connection.