Once Smitten, Twice Shy Summary, Characters and Themes

Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese is a tender and emotionally nuanced romance that explores what it means to love again after deep hurt. 

At its heart are Juliet, a guarded writer living with chronic illness, and Will, a gentle and autistic botanist who values quiet connection over grand declarations. After a serendipitous meeting in Scotland, fate brings them back together in the U.S., where they cautiously build something real. Liese’s storytelling celebrates softness, slowness, and the bravery it takes to trust again. With humor, honesty, and emotional richness, this book stands as a heartfelt reminder that healing and love can grow side by side.

Summary

Juliet, a writer recovering from the trauma of a toxic relationship and living with a chronic illness, escapes to Scotland for a much-needed break. There, in a crowded pub, she dances with a quiet stranger—Will—who offers her a brief but meaningful moment of calm and connection.

She introduces herself under a false name, too wary to let someone in, and leaves before either of them can ask for more.

Seven months later, back home in the U.S., Juliet is rebuilding her life. One stormy night while cat-sitting, she’s startled to find a man sleeping in her mother’s greenhouse.

To her shock, it’s Will—the same man from Scotland. She panics and attacks him with a garden trowel before discovering that he’s a guest of her neighbor and an old college friend.

Both are rattled, but curious. As their paths cross again and again, Juliet and Will slowly reconnect.

Will, who is autistic and often overwhelmed in social settings, finds Juliet’s presence both calming and stimulating. Juliet, meanwhile, is drawn to Will’s quiet, intentional way of being—so different from her controlling ex.

Through shared walks, conversations across fences, and time spent in gardens and markets, a tentative friendship begins to bloom. They open up gradually.

Juliet shares how her chronic illness affects her life, while Will discusses his neurodivergence and communication style. Instead of judgment, they meet each other with patience and curiosity.

Emotional safety becomes the soil where affection begins to take root. As they grow closer, Will supports Juliet through a flare-up of her condition with calm empathy, solidifying her trust in him.

She, in turn, offers understanding when he’s overwhelmed by social interactions or family stress. They share music, memories, and quiet afternoons that strengthen their bond.

Juliet, once hesitant to love again, finds herself looking forward to each moment with Will. Challenges still arise.

Juliet wrestles with imposter syndrome in her career and self-doubt in her personal life. Will confronts old insecurities about being “too much” or “not enough.”

When Juliet’s ex contacts her unexpectedly, it triggers anxiety—but this time, she doesn’t face it alone. Will’s response is steady and non-reactive, offering her exactly the kind of reassurance she needs.

Love deepens, though neither is in a rush. Will writes a letter confessing his feelings but waits to share it until Juliet feels ready.

Juliet, inspired by their journey, plans a surprise: she recreates their dance from Scotland, complete with music and the intimacy they once shared. Overwhelmed, Will finally gives her the letter.

Juliet responds with her own confession of love. With mutual understanding and shared dreams, they begin to imagine a life together.

Will decides to stay longer, even considering relocation. Juliet invites him to move in, not as a leap but as a gentle next step—one day at a time.

In the epilogue, Juliet reflects on how far she’s come. She’s writing again, living with Will, and thriving in ways she once feared impossible.

Together, they’ve built a relationship grounded in softness, respect, and the courage to be vulnerable. Love, they’ve learned, doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful—it just has to be real.

Characters

Juliet

Juliet is a deeply complex and nuanced character shaped by past trauma and chronic illness. Initially, she appears guarded and hesitant, carrying the weight of a painful breakup with a manipulative ex-fiancé that left her emotionally scarred and wary of intimacy.

Her chronic health condition further complicates her life, adding layers of vulnerability and anxiety. Despite these challenges, Juliet possesses a resilient spirit and a desire to rebuild her life on her own terms.

Over the course of the story, she evolves from someone who hides behind a protective shell to a woman willing to take emotional risks and trust again. Her interactions with Will help her rediscover joy, creativity, and the possibility of a safe, loving relationship.

Juliet’s growth is marked by her cautious but sincere attempts to open up about her fears, her past, and her hopes for the future, making her a relatable and empathetic protagonist.

Will

Will is portrayed as a gentle, thoughtful, and sensitive man navigating the world with autism and sensory processing sensitivities. His characterization challenges stereotypes by showing how neurodivergence shapes his communication and emotional experience rather than defining his worth or capacity for love.

Will’s initial awkwardness and struggle with social interactions highlight his internal world and the unique ways he processes connection. Yet, he is deeply empathetic, patient, and earnest, especially in his interactions with Juliet.

Throughout the narrative, Will demonstrates steady emotional growth and courage as he balances his own needs with supporting Juliet. His presence offers a contrast to Juliet’s past relationships, showing her a partnership grounded in respect, understanding, and kindness.

Will’s journey also touches on family dynamics and personal insecurities, adding depth to his character beyond his neurodivergence.

Themes

Negotiation Between Vulnerability and Emotional Self-Preservation in the Context of Trauma Recovery and Chronic Illness

At its core, the novel explores the delicate and ongoing balance Juliet must maintain between exposing herself emotionally and protecting her fragile sense of self after enduring both a toxic breakup and the persistent challenges of chronic illness.

Juliet’s journey is not a linear progression toward healing but a nuanced dance where moments of trust and openness with Will coexist alongside deep-seated fears of betrayal and failure.

The book portrays vulnerability not as a singular act of courage but as a recurring process that requires emotional recalibration every time old wounds resurface. This theme is particularly compelling as it dovetails with Juliet’s chronic illness, which adds a physical dimension to her emotional fragility—making the stakes of vulnerability even higher.

Through this lens, the narrative shows how trauma can recalibrate one’s ability to engage in intimacy, requiring extraordinary patience and gentleness from both the survivor and their partner.

Dynamics of Neurodivergent Communication and Emotional Connection Within Romantic Relationships

Will’s character introduces an intricate portrayal of autism and sensory processing differences that transcend typical romantic tropes.

The theme here delves deeply into how neurodivergence shapes not just external behaviors but fundamentally alters the modes and rhythms of communication, intimacy, and emotional attunement between partners.

The novel painstakingly reveals the challenges Will faces in expressing affection and understanding social cues, juxtaposed with his profound empathy and desire for genuine connection.

The story challenges conventional ideas about what intimacy looks like by emphasizing alternative communication methods—such as handwritten signs and careful, paced interactions—that foster trust and safety.

This thematic thread underscores how neurodivergent experiences necessitate rethinking emotional availability and patience in relationships, ultimately broadening the reader’s understanding of love as adaptive and multifaceted rather than formulaic.

Transformative Power of Interpersonal Relationships as Catalysts for Self-Actualization Amid Chronic Health Limitations

Juliet’s chronic illness is more than a backdrop; it is intricately woven into the narrative as a shaping force in her identity, creativity, and self-worth.

The theme highlights how the stability and support she finds in her evolving relationship with Will become a crucial impetus for reclaiming her voice and ambition—most notably seen through her rekindled passion for writing.

This transformation is neither instantaneous nor guaranteed but is a gradual reawakening fueled by the emotional safety that Will provides.

The narrative frames love not merely as a romantic ideal but as a dynamic context for healing and growth, enabling Juliet to confront imposter syndrome, anxiety, and physical setbacks with renewed resilience.

This theme invites reflection on how nurturing interpersonal connections can function as therapeutic spaces, offering strength that complements medical or physical interventions, ultimately leading to holistic well-being.

The Subversion of Traditional Romance Narratives Through a Grounded Portrayal of Patient, Consent-Centered Relationship Development

Unlike many contemporary romance novels that accelerate intimacy and emotional revelation, Once Smitten, Twice Shy privileges slow-building trust and explicit emotional consent.

This theme interrogates cultural expectations around pacing and intensity in romantic relationships by emphasizing the protagonists’ mutual commitment to emotional safety, clear communication, and respect for personal boundaries.

Juliet’s hesitations and Will’s measured approach model a romance that values consent not just as a physical boundary but as an ongoing emotional contract.

The novel thereby critiques and expands the genre’s typical romantic arcs, advocating for a depiction of love that honors complexity, hesitation, and the non-linear nature of human connection.

This thematic focus resonates especially with readers who seek authenticity and realism, highlighting that true intimacy often requires navigating discomfort and uncertainty with patience.

Family Influence, Social Support Networks, and Personal Healing in Shaping Adult Romantic Identities

Family and social circles play a pivotal, though sometimes understated, role in Juliet and Will’s journeys toward healing and love.

The narrative intricately explores how familial dynamics—such as Juliet’s sisters’ supportive yet probing presence and Will’s complicated relationship with his father—inform their emotional readiness and relational patterns.

This theme examines how external relationships serve both as mirrors and catalysts for personal growth, shaping the protagonists’ perceptions of self-worth, safety, and belonging.

The book acknowledges the duality of family as a source of both pressure and comfort, underscoring the importance of community in the often isolating processes of recovering from trauma and navigating neurodivergence.

The interplay of these social contexts enriches the narrative’s psychological depth, situating individual transformation within a broader relational ecology.